Lately...

Just a little bit about Austin lately.
 Some days he decides he would rather sleep on the floor at daycare instead of his cot.

We had a play date at the Jenkins' last week.  Riley, their dog, kept taking food from Austin's hand.  He's a pretty smart boy and instead of crying about it, he just moved to 'higher ground'.  He is so funny sometimes.

The child loves the bath tub.  He crawls in even when there is no water and it's not bath time.  He truly has a mind of his own.

Teacher Appreciation Week

For Teacher Appreciation Week I got these beautiful flowers from a student.  They were delivered to school and all.  It was really sweet and pretty funny to see the look on her face when I told her the flowers were from her.  My kids really know how to make me feel special.

Muffins for Mom

On Friday morning daycare had Muffins for Mom.  Austin and I got there a few minutes early so we could sit and eat a muffin together.  In the hustle of the morning it was so nice to sit and spend some one on one time with him.  I think I am his biggest fan!

We LOVE Ms. Mary & Ms. Megan

Austin's teachers are the BEST.  We love them both so very much.  So for teacher appreciation week we really wanted them to know how loved they were.  We also wanted them to know how much we appreciate them loving and taking such great care of Austin.  He can be a handful...

Monday...

The tag read, You are one smart cookie.

When asked if the cookies were homemade, of course they were homemade in the Wal-mart bakery.  Really, I have good intentions just not the time.









Tuesday...

A little tin filled with hershey's hugs.  The tag read, A teacher can't live on apples alone, they need hugs too.








Wednesday

Anti-bacterial soap apple flavored.  Tag read, I would hand-pick you all over again.










Thursday

A mason jar full of smartie candy.  The sticker on the front said Thank You for being a Smartie.










Friday

Rose bushes with a plant stick made like a ruler with a flower that read Thank You for helping Austin grow.


















Thank you Ms. Mary and Ms. Megan for all you do for my little boy.  He loves you both and that thrills me to death.

Thank you Kristen and Pinterest for helping with this week.  The gifts were a hit things to both.

Derby Bunco

Last night was Derby bunco at Haven's.  It was so fun.  She really out-did herself with all the festive decorations.  The only thing missing were the horses!  The food was incredible, so much for trying to eat better...
Shelby was my partner and we burned up the table with sixes.  Steven's luck really rubbed off for the night. (For anyone who knows Steven, knows he has the BEST luck at gambling. I only do at a a craps table, and bunco obviously) Shelby and I didn't leave the head table the whole night.  We both were tied at the end with 15 winning games and 2 buncos each.  We had a roll off to determine the winner.  She rolled a 1 and I rolled a 2, so really I just barely won!
Back to the festiveness for the night we won horse ribbons and got cute little gifts.  Also, whoever got a bunco got to wear the homemade hat Haven made (the straw hat with horses glued around it).  We had such a blast.
I would like to add I think I have the BEST bunco group.  We have so much fun each month with the best conversations, as well.  Thank you girls for being the BEST!!

*Mary we have a lot to live up to for next month, haha.

Happy 40th Chi O

On Saturday Chi Omega celebrated it's 40th birthday on the APSU campus.  Sigma Kappa is an amazing chapter of Chi Omega.  I am so glad I can say I was one of them:)  Chi Omega was a great experience and I am so glad Lauren carried on the legacy.  It's definitely something we share and what I want our girls to be a part of one day (if we have any).  And for Austin, he has no choice but to marry a Chi O girl, haha.
One part of the reception, people shared experiences and memories from each decade.  It was so funny to hear about the 'old days' of Chi Omega.  They sound like the most fun!
Many of my closest friends to this day are Chi Omegas, even if we weren't in together.  The celebration was great!  It was nice to see people I haven't seen in years.  The way the chapter got started was so incredibly interesting to hear about.  The best part was having my sister on one side and my bestie on the other!
Funny moment of the day was when they announced for the committee to stand up and Fran thought they were asking for everyone to stand.  So funny...  This is why we get along so well, we both do funny stuff like this.

Easter Sunday

Easter was amazing this year.  Probably the BEST Easter I have ever had.  We got up and went to a great church service at Grace.  It was so humbling to have Steven, Austin, Lar, Mom, Dad, Tina, Stacy, Grant and Gina sitting by my side.  Sometimes in my everyday rush I totally forget how truly lucky I am to have all of these people in my life.
After church we all gathered at our house for Easter dinner. Granny, Pa, Gina, Terry, Dylan, Kristi and Phillip, all joined too.  A great meal with even better company.
Easter is a such a nice reminder of how much Jesus loved us.  Today I hope that everyone in my life knows how much I love them.  Thank you all for the BEST Easter ever.  I am so lucky to have each of you in my life and love all of you so very much!

Good Friday at the Zoo!

This morning Austin, Lauren, Fran, Chloe, Carter and I all packed up and headed to the Nashville Zoo.  This morning was a little cool but with jackets and blankets for the boys we made a go of it.  So glad we did.  The weather was great and the kids loved the trip.
Austin loves outside and animals, so I knew this would be his kind of day.  Boy, was I right.  I don't know that I heard a peep for an hour.  He liked seeing the animals and liked for his stroller to keep moving too.
When we would get ready to leave an animal, he would wave bye-bye to it.  So sweet...
Thanks to a great sister, great bestie, and 3 incredible kids this was a Great Friday!!!

Happy 3rd Anniversary

For our 3rd anniversary we traveled to Vegas for a couple of days.  This is where we got engaged, so Vegas hold lots of good memories for both of us.  While we were gone we relaxed...  This gave me some time to catch-up on some shows I like to watch but can't seem to find the time.  I also read the book Hunger Games, which I love.

We did some fun stuff too. The first night we were there we ate at a great place, Delmonico in the Venetian.  Then went to see the Cirque du Soleli, Elvis show.  This show was great. Lots of great music and very upbeat!  

The night of our Anniversary we went to our favorite place to eat, Top of the World in the top of the Stratosphere hotel.  This is where we ate the night we got engaged.  It's a revolving restaurant overlooking the strip.  It's pretty amazing and the food is just as good.
Our last night there, we ate at an Italian place we discovered while I was pregnant (and in love with pasta, haha). The place is off the strip, behind the Flamingo hotel.  All you can drink house wine, wonderful pasta, and one of a kind garlic bread.  Batista's!  Everyone should experience this place, even if it's just once.  After dinner we went to Caesar's where I rolled craps and made a quick $425 for us.  I was quite a 'hot' roller I was told by an old man. Not quite sure which type of hot he is talking about, and sure wasn't going to ask...
Then we saw a vulgar, but incredible show, Absinthe.
Another super trip to one of our favorite places.  Hope we come here many more times together!

Update on the boy!

Austin is growing way too fast.  I really want time to slow down. He is getting so big and has such a funny little personality.  He is a wild child who: runs, laughs, trips, falls, throws fits, jabbers non-stop but most of all is becoming independent.  Unless he is sleepy and then he will still snuggle up close to me and let me hold him like a baby.
He loves anything he can ride and loves the outside.  You can hear the screaming child miles around at night when it is time to come in.
He is so much more than I could have ever imagined or prayed for.  I sometimes still can't believe he is MINE!

A Great Friday Night

On Friday we had 2 of our favorite couples join us for dinner at Kayne Prime. This place is amazing.  The steaks are like nothing I have ever tasted. Steven and I had been there once before, and thought it was great.  Who better to share it with than our closest friends?  Dinner was great and the company, even better.  Grant and Steven kept us laughing through the night. It was a blast!
We love Blake and Fran, we have considered them our 'besties' for years.  They
 are so much fun and we love hanging out with them.
Grant and Gina have become great friends of ours.  They are our dinner dates at least once a week.  They help out with our house, the dogs, now Austin, and anything else we may need help with.
I am so grateful for both of these couples.  They are more like family than friends.  We love you all!!!

       

Candlelight Ball 2012

This past weekend Steven and I attend Candlelight Ball (for the first time) at the Hilton in Nashville.  It was like a grown up prom. Steven rented a tux, I got a great dress, hair done, and a HOT date. Lots of fun! This will be a yearly tradition for us.  We had a great time with good friends.  Thanks to Steven and good friends for a night full of laughs and good memories!

                                                                                    

Happy Birthday Dr. Suess

Last Friday was Read Across America aka Dr. Suess's Birthday.  Being a teacher, I make this a big deal.  The best quote I have ever heard is "A child's love for reading begins on their mother's lap." This is one thing I want Austin to love.  Children who love to read are smart.  Who doesn't want a smart child?

Austin rocked his Cat In the Hat shirt. I made cat in the hat cupcakes for his class and donated a Dr. Suess book, Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You?  Then at daycare he ate green eggs and ham for breakfast.  So stinking cute!!

For my class I made red velvet cupcakes and they decorated 'thing 1' and 'thing 2' using cotton candy.  I had an amazing grandma make green eggs too.

It was a great birthday for Dr. Suess!
                                            

Some of my favorite things...

Top ten favorite things... (In no certain order)

Reading Lama Lama to Austin every night before bed.
The BEACH.
Steven
Austin
Time with my parents and Lauren
My 'old' high school besties, we can always pick right up where we left off.
Millie
Red
Franny & Chloe (they come as a package deal)
A hot bath (anyone who knows me, should know that's on the list)

Update on life...

We play a lot at home.  Between the dogs and Austin our house is a zoo most of the time.  Which that is just how we like it!

Austin has learned how to climb up the slide stairs and slide down on his belly.  This is so stinking funny.  He just does it over and over.  You would think the 'face plant' into the carpet would hurt, but he is a tough boy, I suppose.

Austin LOVES a blanket. Red LOVES a blanket.  This makes for some funny moments.  Red has his own blanket, that Austin thinks belongs to him too.
Austin loves a blanket so much that at school he carries around a pink ladybug blanket.  He loves this blanket so much it was sent home with us one weekend because he wouldn't put it down when it was time for him to leave.  See the picture that makes Steven so proud, haha.

 This is the ladybug blanket...

    

Walking... Walking... Walking...

Austin is a walking machine!  We so are proud of this sweet boy.  He is into everything now.  Cabinets and doors, nothing is off limits!  Watch out world he is going to be a WILD child!

This is a video his teacher, Ms.Mary took at daycare and sent to me.

This is the sign they put on the classroom door the day he started walking.

Valentine's Day 2012

All the traditional for Valentine's Day...  Flowers, dinner, card and chocolate.  Steven definitely does it right each year!  I got flowers at school then after work we headed to Nashville to eat at the Melting Pot.  The food was amazing, as always.  They had a bunch of 'extras' for V-day. During dinner they brought around a love questionnaire.  It was just questions to find out how well you know the other.  One of the questions was Who do you most admire? Everyone knows hands down mine is my mom.  Steven and I had never discussed who he admires, his answer was ME, he said that he loved and admired the way I always put our family first and did everything for all of us. It was the sweetest part of the whole night, I didn't say that's what ALL mom's do.  We can just keep that a secret.  I guess all those things I do everyday really aren't going unnoticed.

 Austin had a date too; with his Great-Granny.  They just LOVE to spend time with each other. Granny gets on the floor and crawls with Austin. Last night he took a few steps for Granny and Pa, too.  I want him to get all the time he can with them.  Two of my favorite people in my life were my great-grandmother and great-grandfather.
Valentine's Day 2012 was great in the Reigle house!

Our Little Cookie Monster

This weekend Steven was in Destin for a golf trip.  Austin and I got lots of one on one time.  Which we both LOVED!  Sunday we headed to Nashville to do a little shopping.  Who can shop without a snack?  Austin had his first chocolate chip cookie.  He LOVED it too.  When sending this picture to Steven his reply was "He is my kid".  Austin is going to be our little cookie monster, I am sure.

Austin's school

When Austin turned one, he moved to a new class.  We LOVE his new teachers.  They are young, fun, and just plain great!  The week Austin was out sick and got tubes, they must have missed our boy.  When we got back to school on Monday this was hanging outside of his classroom. The poster reads We missed you Austin!  All of his little friends colored all over it, too.  It totally melts by heart to know they love my baby.  
Austin just loves Ms. Mary so much.  He will go to her in the mornings without crying his eyes out, that always equals a good day for moma.  My joke is we need to be on Ms. Mary's schedule.  So grateful for Mary and Megan.  The Reigle Family loves them:)

Funny Friday

Since I am a mom, teacher, and wife it seems my life is a zoo.  I always have funny stories.  I have decided to make Fridays, 'Funny Fridays' and share a funny from the week.
This week is dedicated to one of my students:
Teaching 2nd grade is the BEST.  My kids are at an age that they LOVE their teacher and think everything I do is 'cool'.  (Even had a boy tell me this week he had the 'hottest' teacher.  A little embarrassing coming from a 7 year old.)  The girls in my class always play school, I have heard stories from parents how Mrs. Reigle appears in their home at night and all my mannerisms too.  This totally cracks me up.  I got to witness this first hand this week during recess.  The video is hard to hear but this is what she is saying:

We are going to read together, not talk.  Follow along as we read.  Then she begins to read the story.  I know this is exactly what I sound like.  Even as you watch the clip, it is like looking in the mirror for me.  If you know me you know I always talk with my hands too.

Diaper anyone?

Sunday Lauren and I enjoyed a great lunch at Olive Garden.  At the end of lunch we noticed Austin had really done a number in his diaper.  I wanted to wait to get to the car before changing him, good thing I did!  After getting to the car and taking his dirty diaper off I discovered there were no more diapers in the bag.  With a clean little behind, he rode 1/2 naked to Mom's and Dad's.  He would rather be naked anyways.

Painting it up...

Sunday Lauren, Kasey and I went to Swirlz to paint.  We had lots of fun and some great girl time.

Austin's got rhythm

Anyone who knows Steven or I know we don't clap on beat, we can't sing on tune, and we sure can't dance.  Austin loves music. It doesn't matter what kind, he can bust a move.

This Is How I Roll

Austin got this trike for his birthday from Moma T and Grandog.  He thinks it's the coolest thing ever!  We spend lots of time pushing this thing around the house with his sidekick in the back.  Never a dull moment in our house!

A month of Sickness... YUCK!

Since Thanksgiving Austin has had sickness after sickness.  Double pink eye (for 2 weeks), croup, on-set of pneumonia, stomach bug , fifth disease (this is a fancy word for a rash) and an ear infection that will just not go away.  After several rounds of antibiotics and even 3 shots of Rocephin, Austin still had fluid behind his ears.  We were referred to an ENT on Monday.  We met Dr. Crook at Baptist on Wednesday and the next morning Austin had a 7 minute surgery where they inserted tubes in each ear.  We now have a happy boy! Below is mommy and Austin waiting for the nurses to come get him, we put daddy in charge of taking pics.

My birthday boy!

On Jan. 1, 2012 Austin turned one!  It's hard to believe how much our life has changed in a year.  We could have never imagined the love, laughter, joy, and happiness our house would be full of. We look forward to what a lifetime of memories will hold...

Austin's birthday theme was 'doggy' themed.  He loves a dog of any kind.  Which is a good thing since we live with two.  Nana & Big Daddy have 3 dogs and Moma T & Grandog have a dog too.  No matter where he goes he has a 4 legged friend there to play with him.  

The hat was NOT a hit but the cake sure was.

We couldn't have celebrated without all of our friends and family!!!