6 Month Pictures + A New Friend

I will post more soon, but here a few pictures from our fabulous photo shoot with Melissa Parsons a few weeks ago!

I got Melissa's contact info from my neighbor, Joy. Turns out that Melissa just moved here from The Woodlands, is an Aggie Chi-O, and has a husband named Andy too :) She is 4 years ahead of me so we weren't at A&M at the same time, but we know so many of the same people. Crazy, small world! What a fun blessing!

I am in LOVE with the pictures and am so happy to have a new friend too!

http://www.melissaparsonsphotography.com/

Happy 7 Months!

 

I'm a little behind on this post because things have been BUSY around here the last few weeks!

Austin, you are 7 months old already! I wish I could hit the pause button and make everything slow down a little bit. Every day just flies by. 

No height and weight stats this month since we don't have another check up until 9 months. You are still tall and skinny. 

You are wearing size 3 diapers and 6-9 month clothes. A few of the 6 month clothes still fit, but the pants are a little high water.

This has been a fun month. Your personality is really starting to shine and it seems like you learn something new everyday.  You starting sitting up a little after 6 months. Its nice that you can sit up and play with your toys now! 

You've been spending a lot of time on your tummy and you are working towards crawling. You can scoot around on your blanket to get to your toys and you are all over your crib during the night, but no official crawling. No rush, buddy!

You've also become quite vocal this month. You started off by saying "ah-guh" over and over again. Then the next week it was "dadadadadada" and now you "say" all kinds of things you scream when you are excited. You still are a smiley little guy and you love to laugh. 

You've taken more interest in Dexter lately and you smile at him and watch him walk around the house. Dexter likes to join us for bath time and you think its hilarious when he licks you on the forehead. Speaking of bath time...you love it! You splish splash around and get excited when you can tell I'm getting you ready for the bath.

Your eating and sleeping schedule has been pretty consistent over the last month. You go to bed between 7 and 7:30 and usually wake up around 6:30/7am. Then you take a morning nap around 9:00 and an afternoon nap around 1:30. You nurse or get a bottle at 7, 11, 3, and 7 and you eat solids for breakfast, lunch and dinner. You a pretty easy going eater. So far, you eat most everything - sweet potatoes, squash, peas(only if they are disguised with other things), carrots, mangoes, apples, bananas, peaches, pears, etc. 

You're trying to grow hair, but since you don't have much and its so blonde, you look bald :) We like you like that! 

I had my first trip away from you and it was so sad to leave! I had a work trip to Chicago last week (thus the lack of blogging and the busy schedule) Your dad (and Jessi and GranJan) took great care of you, but it was hard to be away. Your dad even took you to a birthday party while I was gone! 

While I was in Chicago, you got your first tooth. The second one is starting to pop through this week. I've given you Motrin a few times and you don't seem to be eating as much, but you haven't been too fussy. 

Every little stage and milestone is so fun! It is such a joy to be your momma!

This next month should be a fun one! We are off to Texas tomorrow to see Grannie, Grandpa and all of your aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. I also have to squeeze in some work, but we are going to try to play, play, play, and relax! We need some downtime after the last month. 

We love you, little friend!!

Easter 2012

We had a nice low-key Easter this year. Chris, Steph and Riley were moving from Denver to El Centro the weekend of Easter, so most of the San Diego Family was out of town/on the road. GranJan came over for breakfast before she drove out to El Centro.  We ate a yummy meal and watched Austin "open" his Easter baskets. He got a sweet jet ski, boat, bathing suit, sunglasses, new clothes and his first screwdriver so he can start helping dad with projects. We are ready - bring on the summer!

In the afternoon, Andy, Dexter, Austin and I went over to his parents house to let Dexter swim and to try get a little sun. We had leftover ham and fruit and did a lot of relaxing and sitting around. Poor Dexter doesn't get out much anymore, so he had a BALL playing in the pool.

Austin's 6 Month Update

I sound like a broken record, but how did another month blow past us already? Austin Thomas, you are 6 months old now - half a year! Almost a teenager...ok, calm down...just kidding. But, really, it is going so fast.

Weight: 15lb 7oz (14%)
Height: 26.25in (43%)

You're still a little small fry :) You wear a size 3 diaper and we are on the verge of moving up to 6-9 month clothes. Your pjs are just a tiny bit too short now.

You continue to be such a cute, sweet, HAPPY little boy. You love to smile and are very friendly when we go around town or hang out in the neighborhood. You have these tiny little apple cheeks that rise up when you smile - so darn cute!

You also love to laugh. Sometimes I accidentally scare you by talking or laughing too loud and you jump, pause, then bust out laughing.

You just love to roll over (only to your left side) and you like to spend time hanging out on your tummy playing with your toys. Pretty much as soon as we set you down on your back, you immediately roll over, even in your crib. When you first started this, you hated when you realized you were stuck on your stomach in your crib. After a few rough few nights, you now prefer to sleep on your stomach.

You also love books! When I reach for Goodnight Moon before bed, your face lights up and you smile the whole time. You have a few other favorites - 8 Silly Monkeys, Hand Hand Fingers Thumb, Napping House, etc.

You're starting to sit up on your own. You can sit for 10-15 seconds before toppling over, but each day you get better and better! A week ago, I thought you were a month away from sitting up and within the last week you've almost mastered the skill.

You still love your jumperoo. You squeal and smile in it and can play for 15+ minutes happily, which is great in the morning when I'm trying to gulp coffee, eat breakfast and get ready for the day. You also love to bounce if we hold you on our laps. Busy little legs.

When we ask you "How big is Austin?", you can lift your hands over your head when we say "SO BIG." Your GranJan taught you this and we had no idea you could do it until a few days ago!

We started you on solid foods this month and so far, so good. You've tried squash, sweet potatoes, peas, green beans, rice cereal, oatmeal, avocado, carrots and bananas. I'm trying to be patient with the "wait 3 days before introducing a new food" rule, but its hard because I'm so curious to see what you will like.

Eating food has changed your schedule for the better. You now nurse or take a bottle 5 times a day - 7, 11, 3, 7 and 10 and "eat" breakfast, lunch and dinner too. You've been sleeping great - from about 8 or so to 6:30/7am. I even had to wake you up one time at 7:30. Naps are getting more consistent too. You usually sleep for an hour to an hour and a half around 9, then again around 1 and then you take a short catnap around 5 or 5:30 depending on how the afternoon went.
The doctor told us to drop the 10pm dreamfeed today, so we'll see how tonight goes.

This month you also celebrated your first Easter and your first St. Patrick's Day! The "first" holidays are so fun.

As always, we can't wait to see what this month will bring!

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!

Austin's 4 Month Update

Stats from your 4 month checkup:
Weight: 13lb 2oz (15%)
Length: 25 inches (52%) 

You're in the same percentile as your last appt, so growing steadily at the right pace.

You had to get 4 shots today at your appt :( You did great - you definitely screamed while getting the shots but calmed down quickly afterwards. They were running almost an hour behind today and you were a trooper even though we blew straight through nap time. 

You are wearing size 3-6month clothes and are definitely still tall and skinny. You get too long for your clothes way before you fill them out completley. You're in size 2 diapers, but I think we're close to moving up to size 3.

4 months is such a fun age! You are a social baby and love to chat and laugh with us. You are pretty happy and smiley 99% of the time. When you cry its usually with good reason. I'm hoping you are happy go lucky and relaxed like your Dad. When we are in big crowds or are out and about you just stare around quietly and take everything in. Every now and then you cry in a social setting if it gets too loud or if I laugh or talk too loud right by you....oops! 

Last week, you rolled over from your back to you belly then back over again onto your back. You did it over and over again that night, but have only done it a few times since then. You try to roll over in your crib but usually only make it onto your side. I'm not looking forward to you rolling over in there - one more thing to make me paranoid about! 

You love laying on your changing table and trying to grab your little feet and kick your legs while we change you. Yesterday you even started grabbing and banging around the things on your changing table. You grab you stroller toys and bring them straight to your mouth to chew. You usually have both of your hands or a toy shoved into your mouth ;) 

You sleep in your crib for all of your naps and at night...sometimes you take your late morning nap in your stroller if I take you for a walk then. And sometimes you take your afternoon nap in the Ergo if I feel like socializing outside in the afternoon instead of sitting inside (sorry, buddy, mama has to stay sane)! 

You also found your thumb recently and will suck on it to comfort yourself to sleep. I am actually so glad.   We unintentionally weaned you off of your pacifier when we were letting you cry it out to sleep, so this is a good alternative. You always have your thumb but those pacifiers are so easy to lose. 

I was so stressed last month about getting you on a schedule and, lo and behold, you put yourself on one...not because of anything I did, but just because you were old enough and were ready and probably because I decided to relax and let it go. Usually you eat at 6:30am, 9:30, 12:30, 3:30, 6, and 7:30or 8, then I feed you again before I go to bed at 10 or so (unless I fall asleep before that). Then you wake up once a night anytime between 1:30 and 5am - since the time is never the same, I usually give you 15 min or so to try to fall back asleep before feeding you. Every now and then you fall back asleep, but I think you are usually legitimately hungry. The Dr. said we should keep feeding you in the middle of the night until 6 months. At that point, if you aren't sleeping through on your own, we will do some sleep training. 

You've gotten better at napping and will usually take a decently long nap in the early morning and early afternoon and a short nap in the late morning and late afternoon. 

 Austin and his girlfriend, Grace. Grace and Austin were born 8 days apart. 

This month you got to meet most of the Darcy side of the family. Everyone flew in for Grandma Millie's service, so you had fun playing with all of your great aunts, uncles and 2nd cousins! In a few weeks, we are flying to Houston for work and to visit family , so you'll get to meet the Moffitt side soon! I'm a little nervous about flying with you, but you're quite the trooper and will probably do great. 

We are so looking forward to your 5th month of life. I wish time didn't go by so fast, but it sure is fun watching you grow and discover the world around you. If only I could protect you and keep you innocent forever...