Boerne, a Baby Boy and a Bump

Yesterday marked the start of our first ever family vacation!  We planned this time off months ago at the beginning of Bryan's intern year and we can hardly believe it is finally here.  Bryan has 9 days off in a row-- 2 weekends plus a full 5-day work week!!  We planned a family beach vacation to Port Aransas so Caleb could see the beach for the first time.  On our trek to Port Aransas, we stopped in Boerne to visit my best friend Katy, her husband Travis and 5-week old Tyler.  This was our first time to meet little Tyler and it was so fun to spend time with them!

Katy and Travis were gracious enough to let us stay at their house despite the flood of visitors they have had lately.  We relaxed at the house, ate a yummy dinner, and let Caleb run himself ragged in the backyard and in the neighborhood pool.  He loved playing washers with the Daddies and throwing the tennis ball for Maddie.  Sadly, in all his running around Caleb face planted in the yard and bumped his head on some landscape edging.  He got a pretty big goose egg and bruise but it looks much better after 24 hours.  Although it was sad for Caleb to bump his head, we were grateful he didn't hit his eyes or teeth or need any stitches.  It could've been much worse!

Caleb really seemed to enjoy the pool this summer, as compared to last summer when he was not so sure being in the pool was a fun idea.  He let Bryan carry him around in the water and he even put his face in the water on his own to try to blow bubbles.  Caleb also loved practicing climbing into the pool on the steps.  We were thrilled to see him enjoy the water and knew he'd have a great time once we got to our hotel the next day!

Since Caleb has gotten too tall for a pack n play, we let him sleep on a twin mattress on the floor with a portable toddler rail attached to it.  We had him in the bedroom with us just to be sure he was ok and he did great!  Although it's not likely we'll take him out of his crib when we get back from our trip, it was a good way to see how Caleb would handle a 'big boy bed'.  

The absolute highlight of the trip was spending time with baby Tyler.  We love Katy & Travis and it is so special to see them as parents.  Tyler was so precious - he has the most content little facial expressions and sweet disposition!  It made me laugh to see that he has Travis' fingers and toes.  We can't wait to see who he looks like as he grows up and learn more about his personality.  I think Caleb enjoyed seeing Tyler too, who he calls "Tiger".  He reminded me multiple times as we drove to Boerne that "baby Tiger no walk, talk waa waa waa", which was his way of repeating what I'd told him about Tyler being a tiny baby who can't walk or talk yet.  I wanted to make sure Caleb didn't think Tyler was going to be a new playmate... at least not on this visit!

Here are some pictures from our great time with the Nichols!

Sweet little Tyler

Wide-eyed and enjoying his swing & mobile, which Caleb called his "moon fan" since it had a moon & stars on it

Playing washers with Daddy & Travis

Still excited about playing washers, only moments after getting his goose egg bump

Ready for an evening swim!

Having fun with Daddy & Travis (pronounced "Tavis" by Caleb)

Tyler had his dinner while the other boys swam

Travis was pretty pumped about his new goggles.

Caleb looking at the pool lights with Daddy

Climbing in and out of the pool

Laughing with Lady, Tyler & Travis this morning after breakfast