The Beginning of Blastball

On February 25, 2013, Allen had his first practice for an organized sport.  He is playing blastball this spring.  Blastball is pre-t-ball.  They each take a turn hitting the ball off the tee then run to first base (the only base).  It squeaks when they jump on it!  Eric Trauthwein headed up the team as our fearless coach, but all parents still had to be hands on.  Teammates are: Braylon Trauthwein, Sophie Preston, Annabelle Mintzlaff, Jack Lindsey, Cason Alpert, and Natalie Clinkenbeard.  He's been so excited about it!  But... when he got to practice, he was not going to play!  He acted like a little coach.  He would look at the ball rolling right to him, then call out, "Come on Jack, get the ball, good job, you can do it!"  He would cheer for the others but would not play himself.  At home, he loved to hit and catch and run.  When I asked him why he wasn't participating, he said, "There's too many grown-ups looking at me."  Not sure how this is going to go, but at least I know he'll be cute in the uniform! 

  

Dinosaurs, rrrroar!

A dinosaur exhibit came to Dallas, and we decided to go with Luis, Deana, and Nathan.  Allen is becoming more and more interested in dinosaurs (aren't all kids, at some point?)  He loved the exhibit!  Nathan was scared at first; the models are large and loud.  Allen kept hugging him, holding his hand, and reassuring him that "they're not real."  I love how intuitive, kind, and caring Allen is.  I also know that if we had gone a few months prior, Allen would have been just as scared.  He is starting to understand the difference between reality and fantasy.  It's amazing to watch his growth and development - now it seems like his mind is growing as fast as his body did when he was an infant.  Thankful for fun times with family! 

Baby Girl Room

Along with preparing Allen's new big boy room, we got to work on the nursery!  It's still a little hard to think "girly", but I love the set I found.  Soft and pretty lavender, rose, and crème.  We used Allen's crib (which was Asher's), rocking chair (which was Gigi's and used with Allen), and Mom/Gigi recently gave me a baby carriage that was mine when I was a little girl.  Perfect!

Big Boy Room

Allen's room is getting a make-over.  Goodbye toddler bed, hello big boy bed!  I love his new room but wasn't quite prepared for how sad I'd feel about taking the last of his nursery decorations down.  His new room is beautiful, but it looks like a big kid lives there!  I love my Allen so much and, of course, want him to grow and develop.  I just wish I could stretch it out longer!