Holiday Weekend

We had a very relaxing family weekend...no major house projects were worked on. Lots of pictures:

The weekend started early and on a good note Thursday night as we listened to the UB Bulls dominate the University of Texas El Paso 42-17. It figures that the first year that we cannot go to Bulls games, they are going to be good.

Saturday we went to Grafton Lake State Park for a picnic and a swim at the beach. Unfortunately, while it was about 85 degrees in the city, once we got up into the mountains, it was only about 70. This did not seem to bother Aubrie at all, but Daryl and I were not going swimming.












Sunday was spent pretty much being lazy. Daryl and Aubrie went to the town pool to get in one last dip before it closed for the season.
Monday we went to the Saratoga Race Track to see the last races of the summer meet. Apparently going to the races is the thing to do in the summer if you live in the greater Albany area. While at the races, Aubrie got her first pony ride.












She also celebrated her horse winning the 6th race. We won $7.10 on a $1 bet. We will have to make sure we don't spend it all in one place...maybe save it for our trip to Orlando :) Too bad we did not bet $10 instead.

Tyler also got his first bath on Monday...quite the traumatic experience.
All in all a very good weekend. I start my new coaching job tomorrow, looking forward to that. I am sure I will post more about that later.

Art Project

Aubrie made a stepping stone for her garden. The idea was to include her and Tyler's hand prints, but as Ty was uncooperative in putting his hand in the mold, we now have Aubrie's hand and Tyler's foot.
Aubrie especially loved decorating with shinny jewels.
The pumpkins are taking over Aubrie's garden, but at least something is growing :)

Random Stuff

We have made it though almost two weeks...and I think this is the first time during those two weeks that both kids are asleep (at 5:30 pm, but whose complaining), so I can post a brief message, since I am sure one or both will wake up any minute.

The first week with Tyler home went well. He is a very good baby and only cries when he is hungry, which is hourly at night. Aubrie seems to be adjusting well for the most part. She likes to "help" especially when Ty is crying. Her "helping" usually involves violently trying to get a pacifier into his mouth or singing Little Mermaid louder than the crying.

We took them to the town pool on Sunday. Here is Aubrie showing off her swimming skills in the big pool. She can now swim about 20 feet on her own.

While Ty relaxed with mom under a tree.

Tyler Pictures

We finally found some time tonight to put together a Tyler photo album.

http://www.zbrzeznys.com/pictures/Tyler%20Week%201/album/index.html

Family Resemblance

Aubrie and Tyler may wish to deny it someday, but no one will believe them...they are obviously related:

Aubrie & Tyler

Welcome Tyler

On Thursday, August 14th, 2008 at 8:40 am we welcomed Tyler Richard Zbrzezny into our Family.

Tyler and Kristen are doing well.

Tyler weighed in at 7lbs-2oz and 20in, weighing less but measuring slightly longer than Aubrie at birth.

Aubrie seems to accept the concept of being a big sister though she was awfully upset and confused that should could not bring Tyler home tonight. It's been a long day and it is late, so this post is short. More to follow in the days to come.

Minor Setback

We had a minor housing setback this past week...seems we were not the only ones living in our house. On Monday morning, I heard something clicking when I woke Aubrie up for camp. Above her bed was a large brown spot...turns out we had a large hive of yellow jackets living in our attic and they were eating their way into the house through the ceiling. Just what I needed a week before the baby comes. Anyways, one exterminator and a large bill later, the yellow jackets have been evicted. This whole process took about 5 days.

During this time, Aubrie had to be locked out of her room so it could be sealed off. She spent 4 nights sleeping in the babies room on an air mattress and she is now afraid to sleep in her own room and only wants to sleep with mommy and daddy. (I think this is also partially due to the fact that she knows the baby will get to sleep in mommies room.) She woke up Sunday morning around 3 AM screaming so Daryl had to spend the rest of the night in her room with her. Last night went better, although it was a fight to get her to go to sleep in there.

In terms of the baby, THREE days and counting. I think we have everything ready, room is cleaned, crib and cradle are ready, swing and coming home outfit have been washed. The only thing left to do is wash all of the boy clothes, but I am too superstitious to do that before the baby gets here...I know that if i wash all the boy clothes, it will be a girl. The only one who seems overly concerned about the baby is Barron. The poor dog knows something is going on and he is now my constant shadow. He follows me everywhere and has to sit right next to me on the couch or at my feet if I am in a chair. As soon as I get up, he gets up. He even sits next to the shower when I am in there. I am not sure what he is going to do when I am gone for a few days.

The house is also just about ready. The kitchen in more done. The trim is up on the counter tops, the tile floor is sealed, and the cabinets are sealed. The only things left to do are put up crown molding and door hardware, both of which are completely aesthetic. Unfortunately, due to the yellow jackets, we now have a hole that needs to be fixed.

Aubrie's room was one of the few rooms in our house that was just about all done (new doors and windows next year). Now we have to patch, sand, prime and paint before the baby comes. Oh well, what's another project.