Any logical human being knows that Texas isn't generally an ideal vacation destination in August. Grandma & Grandpa are pretty logical - except when it comes to opportunities to love on their grandkids! Despite scheduling complications related to dad's knee surgery (and a myriad of trips and vacations for the "senior Zavodnys") last week we had the pleasure of hosting "Grandma" and "Grandpa" in Austin. Cooper & Lucy didn't quite know what to do - 4 sets of adoring eyes for 5 days straight! They craved every minute of it (especially when one of them was still asleep and the other got to be an "only child" for a moment... oh, how they each cherished that!).
The extended weekend was wonderful - it was punctuated, of course, with Rudy's BBQ (which is now universally loved by mom & dad). We did a fair amount of home-cooking, got mexican food, received free pastries from the new Panera Bread, enjoyed a trip to the mall and showered LOTS of loving attention on two little toddlers! We even managed to order some cloudy weather!
Mom & dad arrived late on Wednesday night - under the cloak of darkness. When Cooper & Lucy woke on Thursday a.m. they didn't quite know what to do with their unexpected guests - in fact, they gasped and Lucy turned the other way (toward Daddy). Well, what a difference 5 days makes - Upon Monday's departure the kids were hugging all over Grandma and Grandpa, reading books with them, laughing, and generally soaking-up every ounce of attention.
While we didn't encounter any huge "milestones" during the visit we do continue to be enchanted at Cooper & Lucy's little development (and their quirks). Let's see... They both are increasing their vocabularies - dog, cat, up, down, help, please, pig, outside ("side"), avocado, bib, and even temperature are among the words on the list now. Also, they continue to LOVE to read books (& make the associated animal sounds). They love to laugh and Cooper especailly loves to dance. They both love going outside where Cooper enjoys being pushed on a swing while Ms. Independent Lucy prefers to climb on our small playscape. Lucy is REALLY interested in belly buttons (not just hers - everybody's) and she has started to grunt ("ugggh") to indicate that's she's really making an effort at something (prior to asking for help). Cooper, our deeply emotional one, has developed a much better sense of "I can" when presented with problems. We're really proud of him because he tries to solve things now... Oh, I guess we also just think they're adorable as they get "bigger". It's really fun because they're increasingly mobile so trips to the store are easier & easier (heck, D got cocky and took them grocery shopping today... solo ... HINT: it didn't turn-out so well).
One final (insert "sad") bit of news is that Karen, our nanny, turned-in her resignation letter. She's kind to assist in the transition but feels that she needs to switch careers due to recurring injury to her back (we think she is really sick of eating so much Chick-fil-A and didn't know how to tell us =) ). Anyhow, we're hopeful that the right alternative will turn-up...
Until next time - Much love from Austin, TX
Mama & Dada
2 comments:
Grandpa and grandma Z had a terrific time with Lucy and Cooper (and their Mommie and Dadie too). It seemed like they had grown and matured so much since we last saw them. They're both walking now and seem to very quickly move from one spot to another as their interest changes! We liked their communicating with a mix of words and gestures. Grandpa Z tried some of those gestures on Grandma Z, but he didn't get the same results as Coop and Lulu. I thought that Grandma Z learned those "words"?!
Anyway, we can't wait to see some of your pictures. We'll also send you some of ours.
KK is so sad to leave her "Coo-coo" and "Boo-boo"! She hates that her back did not listen to her brain and get better and STAY better! She is going to make poor Julie and Darryl crazy asking to see her favorite Z munchkins all the time! (And she has become addicted to CFA, especially the new chicken strips!)
Post a Comment