Trick-or-Treating

Dax had his first experience Trick-or-Treating tonight. We met up with Dax's friend, Ethan, and his family to tour the neighborhood. The boys were so cute. It took Dax only a couple of houses before he figured out how this whole thing works. Then he really got into it. He loves meeting people so much, so he thought it was great fun to ring doorbells and get treats. He very frequently walked right on into people's houses. I'm sure tomorrow he's going to want to do it again. More pics are at : http://picasaweb.google.com/karen.derouen/October2008#

Getting ready for the big night


Whoa, that lady put candy in there!


Come on, Ethan, let's see if we can get candy from other houses, too!


Halloween is fun!

X-ray

We got a copy of Duane's foot x-ray. It's hard to see, but there are several lines that aren't supposed to be there. From the left of the picture below, the 2nd toe has a "U"-shaped crack along bottom that then runs along the side for 1/2 an inch. The 3rd toe you can't really see in this picture, but it has a crack along the bottom, up the left side for 1/2 an inch, and then back across the top. Then the 4th toe, has a crack across the middle that then forks into two. No damage to the big toe or pinky. The boot is helping a bunch. Duane can even walk without his crutches for a little bit.

Trick or Treating at the Nursing Home

Today my MOMS group from church took our kiddos to a nursing home for "trick or treating". Dax dressed up like a lamb because a) he LOVES his lamb that he cuddles with every night, and b) this is probably the last year I'll be able to dress him up in what *I* want him to wear. We had a really nice time meeting the residents at the home. Dax was a great hit because he "worked the room" and made sure he said "hi" to everyone. He didn't quite get the trick or treat concept at first. He kept trying to GIVE the treat (he's very good at sharing). But, once he figured it out, he spent the rest of the time munching on a cracker. Dax really liked a man that kept tickling him. He also liked a lady in a wheelchair. When she was leaving, he even helped her push her chair - it was very sweet. I think it would be nice to go back and visit again.

The dress rehearsal - he likes his costume


Trick or Treating


Dax was a big hit


Giving good-bye hugs

Pumpkin Hunting

Yesterday morning we hosted a playgroup at our house. Dax's buddy, Ethan, from down the street came, and so did his new friend, Devin. Devin's mommy worked with Karen and Duane at Pervasive. The boys really liked each other and even gave each other (manly) good-bye hugs.

Duane went to the orthopedic doctor and got a walking boot for his foot. He still has to use the crutches, but the boot helps so much that he can sometimes use only one crutch. They say in another couple days, he should be able to walk on it briefly. At least Duane is off the vicodin.

In the afternoon, we decided to get out of the house and enjoy the beautiful fall weather and to hunt for a pumpkin. We went to a local church that usually has a big selection. I guess we're a little late in the game, because we couldn't really find one that we liked. But, Dax had a good time looking.

So many pumpkins, so little time


Oh, I think there's one over there that I haven't touched yet


This one looks good, who cares that it weighs twice as much as I do


Do you know how hard it is to get a 16 month old to look at you when you're trying to take his picture?

Daddy's foot

Yesterday at Duane's flag football game, someone stepped on his foot and crashed into him (no, it's not SUPPOSED to be "tackle" football). Well, Duane's foot hurt really bad, even after icing it for a couple hours. So, we took him to the ER. The doctor thought it was overstretched ligaments, but they took an x-ray to be sure. Then, the doctor had to admit he was wrong. Duane actually has 3 broken bones. So, he's in a temporary cast/splint thing until we can get to the orthopedic doctor this week. Dax thinks his crutches are a blast. Badger thinks they're from the devil. Duane doesn't care because he's hopped up on vicodin. j/k He's actually hoping to get a walking boot asap. We'll keep you posted.

In other "news of the weird", Dax took a 3 hour nap this morning! I don't think he's ever done that. Then, to top it off, he even took an 1 1/2 hour afternoon nap. If only he had picked a day that I would have been able to nap, too! :-o We're guessing it's a growth spurt. He's really getting tall - he can look into the drawers in our bathroom to see what he wants to grab out of there. For some reason q-tips, hair clips, and toothpaste tubes are popular.

Cowboy Dax

Dax found Mommy's old country dancing boots. He thought it would be fun to put them on and clomp around in them. He was right! (I love how he was wearing a rodeo-themed shirt to complete the look, too.)

The British Invasion

Grandma's cousins from England, Catherine and Clark, came for a visit, and while she was at work, Dax and I played Texas tour guide. The first day we drove out to Gruene. Gruene is a great, old-time, Texas town. They have one of the best dance halls in the world, and I gave them a dance lesson there. If only they knew how cool it is to learn the Texas 2-Step, and dance at Gruene Hall! Then we ate lunch at the Gristmill next door. Clark had his first-ever chicken fried steak. He said he liked it.

The next day we met Hollie and Payton at Whole Foods. Catherine and Clark got to experience the store's lunch buffet, and the kiddos played on the playscape. Next we took them to Amy's Ice Cream for another Austin experience. After that, we met Duane at the lake and took them for a boat ride on Lake Travis. That's definitely something they couldn't do in late October in England!

The following day we went to the Texas State History Museum. There was a "Cowboys and Presidents" exhibit, complete with a kids cowboy dress-up area that Dax liked. There was also a movie about Texas history we all enjoyed. After the museum, we drove all around University of Texas campus, St. Edward's University campus, and then up to Mount Bonnell where Catherine and Clark enjoyed the view of Austin and Lake Austin. We had "Afternoon Tea" at an outdoor cafe and then took a quick tour of Grandma's office. After dinner we met Travis and Hollie at The Broken Spoke (another true Texas dance hall) for some live music. We then visited downtown's 4th Street entertainment district for some evening fun.

We really enjoyed our time with Catherine and Clark. The funny part is that each morning Dax would get a little freaked out until he got used to their accents again. Luckily, they didn't take it personally. :) They were a lot of fun to show around and we really hope to see them again soon.

At the world famous Gruene Hall


Learning the Texas 2-Step


2-Steppin' (sorry, I couldn't figure out how to rotate it)


Enjoying chicken fried steak


Beautiful day on Lake Travis


At the Texas State History Museum


Cowboy Dax

More Football

Last weekend Dax went to 3 football games in 3 days: Austin High, Texas A&M, and Houston Texans. He was great. Especially since he'd just gotton over being sick all week. We were very happy to be able to see Kateri at the Aggie game. Dax also discovered the joy of spurs (Kristin is in the corps and her senior boots have spurs).

with "Aunt" Kateri


spurs are fun

Feeling Better

Today, Dax finally started feeling better. He started getting chatty earlier in the day, and then he took a 2-hour nap (which is very rare!). That must have been what he needed, because he woke up cool as a cucumber and very happy. We are so happy to have our happy Dax back!

Tonight was Mommy's 20th (!!) high school reunion. The class had a tailgate party at the park across the street from the football field. It was great to see how some folks had changed, and how some are still the same. Dax had a blast and was Mr. Social. We even watched the first quarter of the football game. We'll have to take Dax to some more high school games because he loved it. We were so close to the action and he watched everything that was going on. Hopefully we didn't push him too much after being sick. We'll find out tomorrow when we head out for his second Aggie game.

Yucky

Dax has been feeling yucky for several days now. He's been running fever and has white bumps on his tonsils. And, he also has a slight rash all over the trunk of his body (fever-induced). The pediatrician thinks it's a virus, so we just have to let it run its course. Poor little Dax has been just miserable. All he wants to do is have me hold him. So, for a guy who is usually moving non-stop, you KNOW something's wrong if he wants to sit still. After 4.5 days of 101 - 104 degree temperature, I'm sure he's just exhausted (I sure am!). He did perk up a little late this afternoon - he actually smiled and even laughed a couple times - but, his fever was back up again before bed. Hopefully, he'll kick it tomorrow.

First Aggie Game!

Today we took Dax to his first Texas A&M football game at Kyle Field. He had a great time. And, as usual, he made friends left and right. He especially enjoyed meeting our seat neighbors, General Joe and Sue. Duane and I are looking forward to Dax growing up with Aggie football traditions. We have a lot more pictures posted at http://picasaweb.google.com/karen.derouen/October2008#

Pre-game game of catch


1st time at Kyle Field


With Sue and General Joe


Enjoying the game

Another Tooth

Dax cut another tooth yesterday. It's on the bottom, to the right of the 2 front teeth already there. So, the chipmunk look will soon be a thing of the past.

He's a Rouse!

Dax finally showed some "Rouse" tendencies today. He devoured a ton of raspberries. This is definitely something he inherited from his mom, because one of her favorite things in the entire world is eating raspberries (especially if she just picked them from her Grandparents' farm). But, to take the "Rouse" thing one step further, he added a favorite trick usually reserved for black olives - sticking them on your fingers, then eating them. I'm so proud.

First NFL Game

We took Dax to his first NFL game, the Houston Texans vs the Indianapolis Colts. He had a great time. Dax liked watching the guys on the field (hey, Peyton Manning - it doesn't get much better than that) and the cheerleaders (big surprise). He made lots of new friends, too. He was giving out "High 5s" and showing off his Texans outfit and shoes with footballs on them. We really enjoyed watching Dax soak everything in; even if we were worn out from trying to hold a squirmy toddler for 3 hours. Dax passed out as soon as we got back to the car. :) Later, Dax experienced another "first" - his first McDonald's happy meal. It's a rite of childhood that was bound to happen sooner or later. At least he ate the apples and drank the milk.

Outside the stadium before the game


Father and son contemplating the play call


Having a great time


First McDonald's cheeseburger

The Great Escape

Yesterday, as Dax was playing quietly in the living room, I snuck back to the laundry room to start another load. While I was back there, I heard Dax knocking on the glass door that goes from the living room to the back yard. Not a big deal, but something about it sounded different, so I went to check it out. And, what do I see? It's my darling child laughing at me FROM THE OUTSIDE! He finally figured out that the doggie door isn't just for dogs anymore. He was quite pleased with himself.

Here's what I saw when I found him:



Here's a re-enactment: