I seriously can't believe it's been over a month since I've blogged....we've been busy with summer and trying to enjoy all that summer brings. Here's a quick update via Instagram and a small snapshot of our July. Might see a few more posts as I try to update a bit. But for now, here you go!
We seriously have had the best July weather EVER! Very unusual for Texas. July 1st started out like this...Usually we have almost every day over 100 degrees. We've had a handful of those days and a handful of days in the 70 & 80's It's been awesome and we've tried to get out and enjoy those cooler days.
We had a wonderful 4th of July! Good, but different. They don't do many parades out here because it's so blastedly hot, but lucky us it was in the low 90's on the 4th. So we had a quiet morning at home. Then we had a bunch of Stephen's co-workers over to our place for a BBQ and walked down the road to the nature preserve to watch some big fireworks! We had an awesome view and there's just something about fireworks! It was kind of sad though, because we live in city limits we can't do any of our own fireworks. I thought surely I could find some sparklers or pop-its or something small for Andrew. I went everywhere and there was nothing to be found. Crazy! Glowsticks was about the extent of it. The little guy did like the big fireworks, but by the time they started he was so incredibly tired that after he saw 2 or maybe 3 he claimed he was "all done" and wanted to walk. So that was that.
Andrew has a new fascination about dryers.I find it a bit hilarious and a bit weird. He always asks to go see the dryer and asks if he can give the dryer kisses. I caught him one day just laying his head on the dryer while it was on, feeling the vibrations. Monday is laundry day around our house and I wouldn't hesitate to guess that's his favorite day of the week...second to Wednesday....garbage day and watching for the garbage trucks go up and down the street. (Yes...this is the excitement we have at the Holden home)
This is how Stephen and I get a little bit of yard work done on a Saturday morning. Strip this boy down and let him play with the hose. Seriously...he played for almost an hour just laughing, giggling and splashing in the water. Cheap entertainment!
We've been trying to teach Andrew to say "help me" when he gets frustrated and screams. Now he's all about helping me do everything from brushing my teeth to taking out the garbage. This particular day it was "help me cook mommy?"....which how can you say no to that?
What is a summer without spending time at the pool? And we have been spending a lot of time there. We try to go a few times each week, which has been an awesome way too cool down on those hot days! Andrew loves the water and so we have frequented the pool a lot this month.
We found a local petting zoo, so on a cooler day we headed out! Andrew loved walking all around and seeing all the different animals. They had everything from sheep, pigs, goats, donkeys, to rabbits, cows and baby chicks. It was a lot of fun and all hands on! Afterwards we had a picnic lunch and played at the park. Next time we won't be so last minute and invite some friends to join us.
There's always exciting times around the Holden house. Last week Andrew fell off a small step stool and we ended up in the ER. It was crazy. I was right there and saw it happen, but the thing with Andrew is he has no protective skills like most kids. (ie. putting his hands out to catch himself or falling onto his bottom etc..) So when he falls, he becomes stiff and topples over like a tree. Anyways. Because of this, shortly after his fall he became very limp and couldn't sit up or walk. Then he wasn't talking and when he did it was very jumbled. All of which are signs of a shunt malfunction. It happened right as we were going to sit down for dinner. We decided to try to see if he'd eat something and perk up. It took some convincing, but he ate and was right back to his old self. We were relieved, but still watching him like a hawk. Then right as we were cleaning up dinner, he threw up. It took us about ohhhhh two minutes and we were in the car heading to the ER. We decided to head to Fort Worth, because that is where is neuro-doctors are. If they did have to do surgery, they'd have his history. It was and hour plus drive, but it was worth it. After a few x-rays and CT scans they concluded it was just a mild concussion. Thank goodness! What a relief and Stephen and I realized this is only the beginning. As soon as he figures out how to climb onto stuff we are going to be in real trouble.
We decided to get Andrew a bike seat. We've taken advantage of some cooler days gone on a bunch of family bike rides this month. Andrew LOVEs it and pretends he driving as he exclaims "Wheeeeee" It's great to get out and I think we'll be doing a bunch more of this.
Finally after 3 months of no walker we have a new set of wheels for this boy. I don't know who's more excited mommy & daddy or Andrew. It's been a breath of fresh air and new found freedom/independence for both of us. It so hard to walk around with him all the time, all day long. I get absolutely nothing done. So this will help. Yea! Funny thing though, we've had it for almost a week now and he really only likes to use it outside. We're hoping that's just the stubbornness of a 2 year old and we are trying to wean him off of holding our hand and walking, so he'll use his walker. Wish us luck we've had lots of tantrums and time outs this week.
Time is flying by way too fast. Here's to hoping that August will slow down a bit....lol!
