Texas Trip

Here are a few pictures from our trip to Texas a few weeks ago. I had a work meeting in Houston from Tues-Thurs, so Austin and I flew to Texas the Saturday before my meeting so we could spend a few days visiting with family and friends.

We survived the the airport and the flight without any major meltdowns. Andy was able to go through security with me and walk us to our plane on the San Diego side, so I only had to walk the jetway and take the flight alone. I didn't realize that was an option until the night before we left - it was a total lifesaver!

Austin in the Houston Airport. 

On sunday, my brothers and crew came over to play and meet Austin at parents house. Austin got to meet his aunts and uncles and his 6 Texas Cousins - Morgan, Jacob, Cameron, Trevor, Parker and Reagan (& Stoli the dog). Melissa and Dave came too with sweet Riley and 7 week old baby Andrew. It was so fun to see everyone and but way to quick of a visit. I wish Austin could be around his cousins more often - they are so fun and so sweet to him. Plus, I miss hanging out with them.

Austin and cousin Morgan

 My best friend for life, Melissa, baby Andrew, Morgan and Austin

 sweet Riley, cousin Reagan, and Stoli

 Riley, Reagan, Morgan, Parker

 Uncle Shawn and Austin

My mom is a saint and watched Austin for 3 very long days while I went downtown for meetings. I left before he woke up and got home for dinner and bedtime or after bedtime every day. We were both exhausted.  I DO NOT miss Houston traffic one little bit. It took me 1.5 hours each direction (even at 6:30 am). 

My mom's friend Laura watched Austin one morning for her while mom had an appointment. Grandpa was supposed to be helping Laura, but I'm pretty sure she did most of the work ;) Grandpa did have Austin duty all by himself on Saturday while we went to a wedding shower and he did great - go Grandpa!  

Hanging in the Swing

Laura and Austin

Mom and I went to a wedding shower on the second Saturday of our trip for my childhood friend and old neighbor, Meagan. It was so fun to see her and her parents! I haven't seen them since our wedding and before that it had probably been 5 years! 

Me, Mom, Elaine, Meagan and Donnie. Known them since I was 4 years old! 

Bathtime fun!

It was such a quick trip - we didn't get to see everyone we wanted to, so we are hoping to come back sometime this summer for a few weeks to play!

Austin's 5 Month Update

Austin Thomas…are you really 5 months old already?!?

We don’t have a doctor’s appointment this month, so I’m not sure of your height/weight stats. I weighed you a few weeks ago in Texas and you were 14ish pounds. You’re definitely gaining weight and getting taller and you’re finally getting some chunky baby thighs!.

This was a big month for you – we celebrated your first Valentine’s day, you flew on your first airplane, and I went back to work!

 

You wear size 3 diapers and are still in your 3-6 month clothes. A few of them are too short, but you aren’t quite ready for 6-9 months either.

This is such a fun stage. I’ve been told by other moms that 4-8 months is their favorite stage and so far I agree. Your fun personality is really starting to shine. You love to smile and laugh and you are generally happy most of the time. I think you’re going to be a little extrovert.

 

We flew to Texas in late February for a work trip for me. You did so well on the plane! I was pretty nervous about flying alone with you, but it really wasn’t bad. You were go good. Happy to look at all of the different faces. I sat in the back row so I could get up and stand in the aisle to bounce you if you started to fuss. I was also armed with bottles, toys and burp cloths so I could keep you entertained and well fed.

And the most exciting thing this month is that you officially started sleeping through the night – literally a few days before you turned 5 months old. Hallelujah! You’ve done that sporadically a few times in the last 2 months but never multiple nights in a row. I think we have finally arrived! (Update: I wrote this Monday - just posting today...but this has officially been a week of backsliding on sleep. Austin woke up almost every night because he learned to roll over in his crib and HATES begin on his stomach in the crib and has also decided that he is hungry again in the middle of the night.) 

We started giving you rice cereal when I was in Texas because milk alone wasn’t cutting it now matter how much you ate. We tried to sneak rice cereal into your bottle, but you don’t seem to love it that way (I was desperate for sleep). Now that we’ve been practicing, you are getting quite good at eating it off of the spoon. I think the rice cereal is helping your naps and your night sleep. The pediatrician said we can start trying foods anytime or we can wait until 6 months and start then. I think we’ll keep with the rice cereal until 6 months. I'm not excited to add anything else into the mix for now. 

 Also, after 5 months of desperately trying to get you on a schedule, you are finally on one (most days)! Last week you ate consistently at the same times ALL week long– 6,9,12,3,6, and 9. You go to bed around 7:30 and we dreamfeed you at 9, then you sleep until 5:45/6:00! Since the time change, we will push everything forward an hour and your new wake up time will hopefully be 7am.

You can roll over one direction and you sit up with our help. You love to grab things – no earrings or necklaces for me these days and my hair must be in a ponytail or you will yank on it. You have a strong little grip and have started to throw your toys…such a boy!

You LOVE LOVE LOVE your feet and grab them anytime you can. You also like to shove them in your mouth and suck on your big toe (you crazy little baby). And you kick your legs like crazy when you are excited or playing. You look like a tiny marathon runner.

 

You love your jumperoo and will bounce and play in it happily for 15-20 minutes in the mornings while we eat breakfast and get ready for the day.

You also don’t mind the stroller anymore and will sit happily if I take you for a walk. You play with your toys or look around for about 30 minutes then fall asleep for the last 45 minutes or so of our walks.

Jessi is your nanny and you love her! Going back to work wasn’t nearly as bad as I expected it to be since I know you are in good hands. You’re happy and I’m still around to see what you’re doing all day! GranJan is going to start watching you on Wednesdays starting this week! I know you’ll love that too!

We just love you to pieces, little boy! Keep smiling and laughing – it’s contagious!