Santa!

On Friday night we took Austin to the mall to meet Santa.  We figured Friday night would be less crowded than Saturday or Sunday during the day.  We waited in line 45 minutes.  He almost broke down (because he was tired and ready to nap) just before it was his turn to sit in Santa's lap.  He made it though.  It's a picture of the picture we bought.  No crying, no smiling, just staring straight ahead wondering who this round, hairy guy is.

4-month stats

This past Tuesday Austin had his 4-month doctor's appointment.  He weighed in at 14 lbs 12.5 oz and 26 inches tall.  That is 50th percentile for weight and 80th percentile for height.  He is a tall boy!  This makes sense since he outgrows most of his clothes due to them being too short.  He got two shots and one oral vaccine, which was no fun.  He got a small fever later that day, but it didn't last long.  Dr. Lisa said he seems to be right on track developmentally.  He even rolled over from his tummy to his back for her.  What a show-off!  He is talking and grabbing onto things all the time.  They end up in his mouth.  He can now grab the dangling toys that hang from his carseat handle.  He likes to be in a sitting position so we are doing that more and more.  He likes hanging out in the bumbo chair.  He also faces out when in the baby bjorn since his neck control is much better.  We have not tried the Bob stroller without the carseat yet.  I think we will do this in Houston over Christmas.  We haven't been in the stroller much at all recently mainly because the snow is just now melting (from November snows and Dec 1 snow).  It has been a much colder than average December so the snow has not melted.  Back to Austin - He smiles big when I say "Ma-Ma".  I am practicing that a lot so that he says that before he says "Da-Da".  I told David he better practice with him so that he will learn to say Da-da.  He is still eating 6 times a day.  Dr. Lisa said if that is working for us, then to stick with it.  Since he is still sleeping so well, I am not in a hurry to change anything.  He sucks his thumb when he is trying to go to sleep, which helps alot.  I hope it is not a long-term habit.  Dr said he is also in the early teething stages.  He is drooling all over the place, which is really the only sign.  She also said we introduce rice cereal whenever we want to.  It would be for the "social" aspect and not for sustenance.  It would get him used to holding a spoon and sitting in his high chair (which is in a box in the basement).  I am thinking we will wait until he is 5 or 6 months to do this. When did my mom friends reading this start their babies on rice, barley, oatmeal?  

Here is a pic in his new Santa outfit that DiDi bought him.

Coming to town

4 Months

Austin turned 4 months old yesterday, December 9.  Wow!  His doctor's appointment is on Tuesday so I will post his stats after that.  He is still trying really hard to roll over and loves to grab his feet.  He likes looking in the mirror and smiling at himself at school.  He moves all over the place in his crib at night; just not onto his tummy yet.  He grabs onto blankets or burp clothes when they are over him.  He is growing like a weed. He is mostly wearing 6 month clothes now.  It seems like he is tall because he outgrows clothes because they get too short.  Here are a few pictures in his "first noel" t-shirt that Aunt Ricki gave him.

And of course, the monthly Savannah dog picture...

Hello December

This past week we have seen friends, worked a lot, watched snow fall, and enjoyed our time with Austin as he changes daily.

On Sunday night we went Adam, Rachel and Brody's for the Broncos game.  We caught up with friends watched the Broncos win. We even snapped some pictures of Austin and Brody in their matching shirts.

 Brody wanted to give Austin's bald head a massage

 Austin did NOT like that

 Stop, Brody, please!

Babies and mommies

I had a rough week at work because we had a couple of deadlines on Thursday.  I was super busy while at work and then had to stay until 8pm on Thursday night.  David did most of the taking and picking up from school this week.  Last night I went to the Avalanche hockey game with Archstone's auditors in their suite.  David hung out at home with Austin.  Thanks dad!  We got about 6 inches of snow on Thursday and another 5 or so inches today.  Savannah loves snow!

Austin found his feet this week!  He can get them in his hands while laying on his back.  He also rolled from his back to his tummy two times.  It has not become a habit yet, but he is definitely trying.  He is holding his head up so much better.  We have been practicing in the bumbo chair.  He is still sucking his thumb when he is tired and that helps him fall asleep on his own at nap time.  When I hold him with his head on my shoulder facing backwards, he turns his head forward to look at me.  While nursing, sometimes he will look up at me and smile. Precious!  He likes to "sing along" to Christmas music in the car while driving home from school.  He enjoys holding his blue rattle and putting it in his mouth.  He will even reach for it and grab it when I hold it in front of him.  The wash cloth under his arms or on his neck tickles him and makes him laugh.  Austin, your laugh makes me so happy!  I can't believe you will be 4 months on Friday.  

Austin's first Thanksgiving

On Tuesday afternoon, Austin, David and I flew to Jacksonville, Florida.  Amazingly, the flight wasn't full so Austin got his own seat on the plane.  He was awake the whole flight which worked out well because we still had a 3 hour drive to Vidalia, GA that night.  I think Jacksonville's humidity is worse than Houston.  After walking from the terminal to the rent car lot and putting the bags in the car, I felt like I had run 10 miles. My clothes were drenched and my face was dripping in sweat.  It wasn't just me; David felt the same.  We hit the road to Vidalia and Austin napped.  We stopped for dinner at the Cracker Barrel in Brunswick, GA and gave Austin a bottle while there.  It reminded me of my childhood when we used to drive to Georgia from San Antonio.  We would always eat at a Cracker Barrel along the way.  We arrived at the Americinn in Vidalia around 11pm.  Luckily we had reserved the "honeymoon suite" so that we would have more space.  They gave it to us at the McArthur family reunion discount rate of $100/night.  It was spacious (had a corner for the pac 'n play crib that came all the way from Houston in my aunt's car) and had a fireplace and whirlpool tub.  Although it was spacious, we could still hear every noise Austin made, including his coughing.  He was wide awake from 3:30-5 that first night and I ended up nursing him back to sleep.  The other two nights he did fine; it must have been the new place.  On Wednesday my mom came to the hotel (she had been there since Monday sleeping at the farm house) to see Austin.  We all went out to McGregor, where the farm house is, to see Uncle Don (my mom's uncle) and eat lunch.  My aunt Mary Carol and cousin Camille were there too since they drove from Houston with my mom.  Austin enjoyed rocking in the chairs on the porch, so much that he fell asleep.

On Wednesday afternoon, we went to visit uncle Bill and his wife Evelyn.  Bill is my Granddaddy's only remaining sibling.  Austin decided to snooze through this visit.  Every Wednesday night, we all go to Anice's house (my mom's cousin) for a Brunswick stew dinner, complete with congealed salads and caramel layered cake.

Uncle Stephen holding our little man while waiting for Brunswick stew

After dinner, we went back to the hotel and visited with all of the other cousins who were staying there.  Austin enjoyed playing on the bed in the room with all his girl cousins.  He was the center of attention!

Smiling big for DiDi

Thanksgiving morning always starts off with a small church service at McGregor Presbyterian church.  It is just our family and we fill the whole sanctuary.  We sing a couple of songs and share our family news from the past year.  This year Anice shared the history of the McArthur house and farm with everyone.  Austin enjoyed singing with everyone and continuing to talk during the family news.  David walked outside with him when he started to fuss, and he eventually dozed off on his shoulder.  We headed back to the house for a group photo (all 73 of us).  Only one camera is allowed for that one and everyone can order a copy (thank goodness).  After the photo, lunch is served.  Tables are set-up throughout the house so that all 73 can have a seat.  DiDi and Aunt Ricki were kind enough to hold the little guy while David and I ate our Thanksgiving turkey, etc.  

Stephens/Hunt/Hendrix shot

Family shot

Who are all these cousins?

Mommy's happy little turkey!

After changing clothes back at the hotel, we headed out to the Little House.  The Little House is a cabin on Anice's property that has a fishing pond and land to ride horses and drive 4 wheelers.  We eat dinner out there every Thanksgiving evening, including leftovers and some BBQ ribs.  After the sun goes down, we gather around the fire.  Austin put on his "bear" fleece to keep warm.  

My little bear

Hanging out with Aunt Lauren

Happy with Great Aunt Mary Carol

Austin loves his cousin Camille

And of course his cousin Claire

After dinner at the Little House, we headed back to the hotel to take over the lobby to watch the last Texas vs Texas A&M game.  What a great game!!!  Hook 'em!  Austin entertained us on the floor while we watched the game.  

Happy boy with Aunt Lauren

Mommy's little turkey

On Friday, we packed up, said some goodbyes, and headed back to the Little House for leftovers for lunch.  Austin wore his other Thanksgiving outfit (thanks Aunt Ricki!).  

I love my turkey shirt!

Happy boy with DiDi and Stacy

I love DiDi

Check it out - I am sitting up!

We flew out of Atlanta on Friday night and Austin did great on the flight again.  The next time we go to Georgia for Thanksgiving, Austin will be eating turkey and stuffing!

This past week

Last Friday, 11/11, I picked Austin up from school a little early because I had a bowling event at work and we were finished at 3.  Something was up with his right eye.  It had a ton of yucky stuff in it.  We called his doctor and made an appointment at 4:45.  The diagnosis was pink eye.  No fun!  So we got a prescription antibiotic ointment and started him on it right away.  We did find out his weight at the doctor- 13 lbs 6 oz.  After 24 hours of being on the antibiotic, he was not contagious.  We just had to be sure to wash our hands to avoid getting it ourselves.  He also was starting to have cold symptoms -- a cough and a stuffy nose.  The doctor said that he would probably develop a cold and cough and to take his temperature a couple times a day to monitor a fever.  Sure enough, his cold got worse on Saturday and then on Sunday he had a mild fever.  This meant no school on Monday (24 hour rule).  I called the on-call doctor on Sunday to report the fever and she wanted him to come in on Monday morning to check him out.  He also did not want to take all of his 6 oz bottle so we could tell he didn't feel very good.  We gave him a dose of Tylenol to bring the fever down.  His cough had turned into a congested cough.  He was in pretty good spirits but just tired.  I took Austin to the doctor at 9:30 on Monday morning.  She wanted to make sure he didn't have an ear infection or bronchitis.  Thank God he didn't have either of these.  It was just a nasty cold and cough.  By then, the fever had gone away.  He only weighed 13 lbs on Monday (vs 13lbs 6 oz on Friday).  I stayed home with Austin the whole day on Monday and David stayed home with him on Tuesday.  Our home remedies were saline nose drops, steam room, elevate his head, and the dreaded suction bulb.  Austin returned to school on Wednesday and is doing much better now.  He has a little bit of a lingering cough and some congestion, but is as happy as can be.  He has started sucking his thumb (as shown in previous post).  It is a good signal for us when he is tired.  Last night he rolled from his tummy to his back for the first time.  On Friday night, Austin and I had a date night at home while David went to the DU hockey game with Ryan.  Yesterday we hung around the house and then, of course, watched the Horns lose again.  Today we are packing for Georgia (we leave Tuesday afternoon).  Austin is going to be a pro airplane passenger.  Later we are headed to eat dinner at Adam, Rachel and Brody's house.  Check back for a long post about Austin's first Thanksgiving in Georgia.

Here are some pictures from Austin's first sick day.

Sick little guy....keeping the head elevated

 I can still smile and talk though

Being sick is no fun

Go Horns Go!

Someone found his thumb!

3 Months!

Austin turned 3 months on Wednesday.  It is hard to believe he has been with us that long.  He has grown so fast and changed so much just in a few months.  To sum up the most recent development - when I picked him up from school earlier this week, his teacher, Miss Lora, said "Man, this boy loves to talk!".  We have a loud mouth on our hands.  He blabs and blabs pretty much non-stop when he is not eating or sleeping.  It is such a joy to hear these noises!  He also got a note on his daily sheet at school this week that said he was smiling at himself in the mirror during tummy time.  These happy things make me feel better about leaving him all day.  I know that he is happy there and acting the same as he does at home.  He is holding his head up better, but he is still not completely stable.  We have tried out the bumbo chair a few times as a way to practice.  When he plays on his activity mat in the mornings and evenings, he moves and kicks his legs so hard that I think he might bruise his heels on the floor.  This week he has started grabbing the dangling toys in the activity mat all by himself!  He has come close to a true laugh too.  I need to take a new video and post it soon - maybe this weekend.  He still love his hands and his teachers always comment on how he holds his hands in fists in front of his face (like he is boxing) and blabs away.  Today was picture day at his school so we dressed him in his best (see below).

Let's just call it a big, tough adjustment

Last Tuesday, November 1 was my first day back at work.  I am going to be working full time and Austin is going to "school" at Bright Horizons.  It is about 6 minutes from my office and about 2 minutes from David's office.  It is nice to have him so close to both of our offices so that either of us can take him or pick him up.  I can go during my lunch break to nurse him and then I send 2 bottles for the mid-morning and afternoon feedings.  His teachers are Miss Mira and Miss Jaime and he has received good reports so far.  He has been napping as usual and they say he is an easy baby, which is how he is at home, so that makes me feel good.  There are 11 "infants" in his room and three teachers.  They are around his age through 18 months, which is a wide range.  He is doing great and I am taking it one day at a time.  Last week was a short week since I started on Tuesday and Wednesday was a snow day for his school.  David and I split the day - I went to work in the morning and David went to work in the afternoon.  Thursday and Friday were rough since there is so much work to do and not enough time to do it in.  I just want to leave right at 5 every day so that I can see my little guy for a few hours before he goes to bed.  I definitely stress myself out about work since I want to still perform at my best, but I know that taking care of Austin is much much more important than my job.  There is just so much work to do and not enough time to do it in.  Please pray for me to realize that the work will get done and Austin will do great at school.  I think I am almost making myself sick thinking about it.  I was sick when we were in Houston - not sure what it was, but it might have been nerves.  And today I have felt sick most of the day.  I trust that God will get me through it and my little guy will be just fine.

This weekend was fun - we went to dinner with Christy, Corrie, Dianne, Hayden and Maddie (David's cousins and aunt) on Friday.  Austin slept the whole time and then also slept for 9 hours Friday night.  That was nice except that I barely saw him awake on Friday :(.  On Saturday we rooted for the Horns and did lots of laundry.  We went to our first birthday party - at Gymboree!  It was my friend Pippa's, daughter Hannah's 2nd birthday.  Today I went on a long run to Wash park while David stayed with Austin and Savannah.  And this afternoon we went to our friends' Brandon and Christina's housewarming party.  They just bought a house and had about 25 people over to eat, watch football and just hang out.  Austin was not the only little one - Brody (9 mos) and Kaylee (3.5 months) were there.  Good times!  Here are a couple of recent pictures.

 Tie-dyed baby

 Family photo (for the bulletin board at Austin's school)

 Take 2 - found the hands

 I enjoy being naked!

Boo! Or should I say, moo?

Happy Halloween!

 What am I wearing?

 I guess it's alright

My hands are the coolest

Houston - Meeting 100 new people in 4 days!

First I had to post a picture of Austin in the bath tub the night before we left Denver.  My mom and I strategically placed the rubber ducky.  Austin loves bathes as a way to calm down before bedtime.  He gets very serious and quiet in the tub; no splashing or playing yet but I am sure he will soon. 

My mom and I flew to Houston on Thursday 10/20.  Austin did great on the flight.  The hardest part was getting through security and the airport with all of our gear.  I carried Austin in the baby bjorn and my mom pushed the stroller with car seat and its base and the diaper bag.  We arrived at the airport about 2 hours before our flight, which was plenty of time.  I nursed Austin as we were taking off and then he was awake for about 45 minutes after that.  He fussed a bit when he was ready to nap and then fell asleep in my lap for the last 30 minutes or so.  Our flight was completely full so we did not get to bring his carseat on the plane, which they let you do on Southwest if the flight has open seats.  Ricki and Stephen picked us up at the airport and Ricki was kind enough to come inside to help my mom with Austin and our stuff while I went to the car to install the carseat.  My mom gave Austin his first cold bottle while sitting baggage claim.  He still drank it all, but we could tell he did not like it as much.  Warm milk is better.  We got back to my mom's house around 9pm.  Austin had his own room (Stephen's old room) and a pac 'n play crib that his cousins Ben and Summer used when they were babies.  On Friday, aunt Marilyn came by the house to visit. She brought Austin a "first Thanksgiving" outfit that we he will wear when we go to Georgia in a month.  That afternoon, we went to Ellen, Davy, Ben and Summer's house to play in the yard.  Ben and Summer were so excited to meet their cousin.  Summi even held him!  We had a great time just relaxing outside...until the mosquitos showed up.  Austin got his first bite, but he didn't seem to mind.  After meeting his cousins, Aunt Lauren arrived from Austin (the city!) and gave Austin his dinner-time bottle.

Austin's cousin, Summer, who will be babysitting before we know it (and Aunt Ellen, of course)

Lovin' being outside with his cousins and Mimi

Playing with Summi

I haven't seen you since I was 2 weeks old

On Saturday, my friends, Annie, Jenny, Sara (and baby Savanna), and Mallory came over to meet Austin and eat lunch.  Savanna is 9 months old and she was very interested in Austin except when her mommy held him.  She did not like that!  We had a great visit and look forward to seeing everyone at Christmas time when Austin can enjoy playing with Savanna more.  

Who is that pretty girl?

He sure is a cute little baby

I like Mallory!

On Saturday night, my Aunt Mary Carol and her family hosted a dinner for 30 family members to come and meet Austin.  He is one special little guy!  My grandmother and uncle and cousins from Austin drove to Houston to see him.  My dad and his wife came from Dallas.  My aunt, uncle, and cousins from Lufkin came too!  All of the Houston aunts, uncles and cousins were there too.  Austin tried to stay awake to meet everyone but did end up napping for some of the party. 

Hi Aunt Mary Carol! (pre-party outfit)

He was all smiles for his cousin Camille and aunt Jennifer

Party attire, check - with DiDi

And with Dad, who missed him after being gone a whole week

Enjoying a bottle with Michelle

Cousins Lisa and Mary loving on Austin

Christina, Lisa, Mary, mommy, and BB!

Thanks for coming to meet me, uncle Scott, Lisa, and Mary

Hanging out with Pop

On Sunday morning, we took Austin to aunt Ellen, uncle Tommy, and cousin Lizzie's house.  Austin has two aunt Ellens, one is David's sister and is his aunt, and the other is my dad's sister and is his great aunt.  We visited and said goodbye to BB, Scott, Lisa, Mary, my Dad and Michelle.  

Happy with aunt Ellen

and cousin Lizzie

and with Lisa and aunt Carrie

Austin always loves being held by great-grandmother BB

On Sunday evening we went to Mimi and Big Deal's (David's mom and dad) house for a BBQ dinner.  This was Austin's first time to meet Big Deal and he loved him!  We had fun hanging out with them and eating some Goode Company BBQ and homemade green beans, pinto beans, and brownies.  Austin had a blow out diaper the one time I didn't have an extra outfit so he was a naked baby for the rest of the night.  He loves being naked!  He was happy and playful most of the evening.  We can't wait to see everyone again at Christmas time!

Just before Austin had a blow out diaper on Mimi's white pants

Being goofy with big cousins Ben and Summer

Content, naked baby!

Chillin in Ben and Summer's baby swing

Napping with Mimi

Talking with Big Deal

On Sunday night Amanda and Cecile arrived from San Antonio just before bath time.  They drove to Houston just to see Austin - so sweet!  They stayed Sunday night and most of Monday.  Cecile helped my mom prepare for the Sip and See party that she was hosting on Monday evening.  We also had a special visit from Sara, my good friend from San Antonio.  David and I also took Austin to the church (MDUMC) to meet Steve, Sedonia, Mark, Carrie, Lynell and Kim.  

Meeting miss Sara

And hanging out with Amanda

The Sip and See party was at 5pm on Monday.  My mom invited her friends and Mimi invited a few friends too.  They came to meet Austin and Annabelle, his cousin (my step-sister's 7-month old daughter).  Of course, I tried to time it so that Austin would eat right before the guests arrived and then be happy and awake most of the party.  This plan did not quite work out because he only napped for about 45 minutes between feedings and woke up about 45 minutes before the party and was ready to eat.  So he only lasted about 30 minutes into the party, got fussy, and went to sleep on Mimi's shoulder.  We put him in his little lamb chair while my mom and Mimi's friends admired him as he slept.  The party was alot of fun and Austin was a big hit (even though he was asleep).  

All decked out for the party

Precious boy!

We flew back to Houston on Tuesday afternoon.  Austin again did great on the plane (he better get used to it because we will be flying alot!).  It was a marathon weekend full of meeting lots of new people and hanging out with family and friends.  We had a great time (despite me feeling sick most of the time).  We beat the snow storm, but as you read in my previous post, we only had one night at home before we had to go to a hotel for a night.  We look forward to seeing family for Austin's first Thanksgiving and Christmas!!