Thanksgiving 2012

Thanksgiving day sure was a busy one.  We spent a little time in the morning at MiMi and Big Deal's house.  We then had lunch at my mom's with Stacy's side of the family.  There were about 20 or so people, including 4 kiddos.  Austin was the youngest.  We had not seen Stacy's niece and nephew and their families since moving back to Houston so that was fun.  Everyone came over around 11am and we played with the kids before Austin went down for a nap.  The adults ate around noon.  After a yummy lunch, David and I took off for Austin for the Texas vs TCU game.  So weird!  No more Texas vs Texas A&M on Thanksgiving.  It's just not the same.  Thanks to Stacy we were given some pre-game field passes.  It was cool to be down on the field level with the players while they practiced.  I sure looked like a "fanatic" snapping photos.  We sat with my dad and Michelle using their other two tickets.  My dad also invited my uncle Scott and Marsha.  It was a fun time but I wish the Horns had won.  David said all along that he was indifferent as to who won but I think he really wanted Texas to win since they could have gone to a decent bowl game.  So much for that!  The frogs pulled out the win.  We are kinda crazy and drove back late after the game.  It was a super quick trip so that we could get back to be with Austin on Friday morning.  We had a nice long weekend hanging out with our little man (who is SO CLOSE to walking).    

Tried to get a family photo - not too great though

Rhett (almost 3), Marilyn, Morgan (2 1/2), Meredith, and Annabelle (20 months)

Waving to Annabelle through the window

Hi pretty cousin

Handsome boy in his Hamilton shirt (fancy!)

All the kiddos around DiDi's new kids table

Bevo, up close

The GIANT screen (TCU?!?!?)

warming up

David Ash (definitely NOT his best performance)

All grown up

Austin is growing too fast!  We went to the Nottingham Forest Club playground a couple of days ago for the first time.  This is the neighborhood park that is near MiMi's house, where David grew up playing, and where our rehearsal dinner was (in the clubhouse).  They have a little people's playground with smaller slides and a tunnel.  We helped Austin walk up the steps to the tunnel.  I was shocked that he knew how to crawl through the tunnel, turn around backwards to climb down the ledge.  Then he was able to sit up like a big boy while going down the slide.  He also knew how to turn around and slide down on his tummy.  I realized that he must know how to do all of this because of the playground time at school but we hadn't seen him in action yet.  He also liked getting sandy (of course, he is a boy).

We might have an engineer on our hands.  Austin loves to "build" things.  One time a few weeks ago my mom broke a cracker into 4 pieces and, instead of eating them, Austin stacked them on top of each other.  Austin loves nesting toys (boxes, rings, baskets).  He has also discovered legos and making towers with them.  He has some blocks that he stacks and says "Ahhhh" every time he stacks 3 or 4 blocks on top of each other.  It is like his in a state of "wow".  The other day he enjoyed resting the blocks on the ledge of the armoire in our room.  This was hilarious to me because he spent about 10 minutes just resting the blocks on the ledge, taking them off, then putting them back.  Such a funny little guy!

Austin is very fortunate to have 2 older cousins who are outgrowing many of their baby/little kid toys.  MiMi has been hiding a Radio Flyer wagon in her storage shed that was formerly Ben and Summer's.  She pulled it out last weekend and Austin loved it!

Houston Zoo

Last weekend, the three of us headed to the Houston zoo.  I had never been and David had only been to the Houston zoo as a kid growing up here.  We took Austin to the Denver zoo in August before we moved but he didn't get any of it then.  He still wasn't too interested this time but we had a great time.  The weather was nice (actually felt a little like fall).  The petting zoo had farm animals that were close-up consisting of goats, a cow, ducks, and chickens.  He liked watching the ducks splash in the pond.  Austin was not that interested in the goats, which might be because they are about 3/4 the size of Savannah.  He plays with and pets that big fluffy dog every day.  We also bought tickets to the Polar Express 4D movie.  I thought Austin might actually notice a movie on a huge screen (since he still has zero interest in TV even when I turn on a kids show....no rush on that one).  He preferred to eat his snack during the 10-minute long movie and was very frustrated when it was all gone.  David had to leave early with Austin.  Oh well; I enjoyed the mist, bubbles, and jab in the back through the seat (hence, 4D).  Austin noticed the elephants and giraffes, I think, but he was still just more interested in people-watching.  Too bad they don't have Cars at the zoo.  He did enjoy the carousel.  He rode on the cheetah and could even see Daddy each time we passed him on the sideline with the camera.  It was a fun family event and I am sure he will enjoy it even more the next time we make the trip.  

Checking out the goat

Would rather play with mommy's sunglasses than watch the giant giraffes

Riding the cheetah!

He wanted to stand on it - daredevil

Happy little fella

15 Months!

Austin turned 15 months old on Friday, November 9th.  Crazy!  He is turning into a toddler except that he is just beginning to toddle.  He is traveling and cruising all over the place while holding on to furniture or other people.  He is getting more and more brave and thinks it is so fun to let go of the couch or table and take steps towards us.  We visited his new doctor, Dr. Pielop, at Bluefish pediatrics on 11/9.  We had unfortunately just been there a few days before because Austin had a 104.5 fever (so scary!) and we wanted to get him checked out to make sure nothing else was wrong besides a viral cold.  He was clear of all other symptoms, thank goodness.  At Austin's 15-month appointment, he weighed 23 pounds, 4 ounces (58th percentile), was 33 inches tall (96th percentile), and his head was in the 96th percentile.  He is a growing boy!  

Dr. Pielop was not at all concerned about his walking status.  He considers Austin to be walking but he just hasn't chosen it as his preferred method of getting around.  Crawling is still much faster.  He has definitely had his share of bumps and bruises as a result of trying to walk or getting carried away while playing.  He bruised his forehead in the same place 3 times this week.  Trouble!  Dr said we need to focus on using an open cup or a straw instead of a sippy cup.  At school he will have to continue using a sippy cup for their convenience but we are going to learn an open cup at home.  He drank for open cups at Bright Horizons in Denver with the help of his teachers.  I wonder if he misses and remembers his teachers there?  We talked about when he should have his first dentist visit and dr said we are his dentists for now but that he can go when he turns 2 or around then.  I haven't counted how many teeth he has but I think there are at least 4 molar-types, maybe more.  We talked about his vocabulary.  He said that Austin should be saying about 3 words.  He says "uh-oh", "dada", "mama", and "oh".  I think he just started saying "moo" or some version of that.  He has a book that is called "Do Cows Eat Cake?" that he really likes reading at bed-time.  I have been telling him that cows say "moo" and just noticed the other night that he says "woo" when we turn to that page.  I think this is his version of "moo".  He has started talking much more.  It is mostly baby blabber but he is vocal and responds with blabber when we say something to him.  His hair has really grown in over the past 1-2 months.  He even has little blond curls!  I might need to start using a brush soon.  We also discussed his "clingy" and more fussy temperament when mommy is around.  Dr Pielop said that is normal and it is okay to start initiating some "discipline" when he does this, only when I know he is not tired, not hungry, not thirsty, and not in pain.  If he is just fussing because he wants me to hold him and is acting "over the top", it is okay to put him in his crib for a minute or so as a little "time-out".  I haven't done it yet, but we might try that.  He said to definitely do this or at least walk away and say "no" if he bites me for attention, which has happened one time so far.

His teachers say that he eats really well (the food that they provide) and naps for the whole nap-time (12-2/2:30).  Some of the items on the menu are: mini turkey hot dogs, pizza, chili mac, mini hamburgers.  All of the meals have a fruit and veggie as well.  I sure hope he is eating these too!  At home I know that he loves avocado, sweet potatoes, mixed veggies, cheese, yogurt, mommy's special spinach & blueberry pancakes (I made them for the first time this past weekend and he loved them!), chicken, salmon, and Cheerios in his snack grabber.  When he sits on the floor eating Cheerios from his snack grabber, the dogs thoroughly enjoy this.  He had to get 3 shots, all boosters of vaccines he had had before - no fun!  He loves to clap his hands and splash in the bathtub.  He still hasn't figured out waving or blowing kisses yet.  We will get there.  He is very attached to his "bear" that sleeps with him at night.  It is a little lovey and he gets a huge smile when we go into his room and get it himself by pulling it through the crib slats.  He is getting some quality time with DiDi and MiMi since they have been helping with pick-up/drop-off.  Mimi said when she picked him up yesterday from school he was busy pushing the yellow shopping cart around the room. She said he was blabbing as he pushed and was even able to turn the cart around when he crashed into furniture.  I wish I was there to see this!  Maybe we need a shopping cart for Christmas? 

Austin, you are such a happy little guy most of the time.  You do get a little upset when you are waiting in your high chair for food.  When we put you in the chair, you want to eat, Now!  We love talking with you in your hilarious baby chatter and can't wait to find out what your next word will be.  You are growing way too fast!  Love you baby boy.  

Game day with Uncle Stephen and Aunt Ricki

He loves climbing the step stool

Peek-a-boo

Where is Austin?

Ah!  There he is.  After this, he hit his head on the dresser behind him...oops!

Cutie pie

Reading "Boogie Monster"

He likes to boogie!

Practicing stairs - such a big boy!

Under contract!

We are under contract on a house in Houston.  It is in a neighborhood call Briargrove Park, which is about 10 minutes from my mom's house to the southeast.  We have heard it is a great neighborhood with young families our age.  There is a neighborhood pool/tennis area that is within walking distance.  We had the inspection today and a few things came out of it so we are hoping and praying that we can come to an agreement with the sellers.  Say a prayer! :)  We see it as a 5-year house as it is not in the best school district.  We could send Austin to one of the many great private schools if we decide to stay in the house.  It is 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and about 2,100 square feet.  It has a nice backyard and is well-kept.  We want to do some updating in the kitchen and possibly open up a wall between the living room and den but other than that, it is good to go.  I just have one picture of the outside.  Updates to come as we go through the close process....

Halloween 2012

The day before Halloween Austin's school had a parade and carnival.  MiMi, DiDi and I all went to witness this hilarious and adorable show.  They lined all of the kids up in order from oldest to youngest and they paraded around the school building.  The kids that were Austin's age and younger were in buggies, even the 3 month olds.  It was so cute to see the different costumes.  Austin was on the front row of the buggy and was so surprised to see us.  He refused to wear his tiger head so they drew whiskers on him with eye liner.  I must say he looked pretty darn cute.

Spotting people he recognizes in the crowd

Hi Mommy (Yoda doesn't look too happy over there)

Precious tiger

With MiMi (watching the cars...he is obsessed)

Why the sad face?

On Halloween day, DiDi picked Austin up from school and took him to Allison/David/Annabelle's house for a Halloween block party.  David and Stacy left work a little early and met them there.  Austin sported his tiger costume again.  I left work at 4:50 (goal was to leave at 4:30) and sat in traffic for 1.5 hours to arrive at their house at 6:20.  The party was wrapping up.  I cried the whole drive because I was missing Halloween with my little tiger...not so sure about this gigantic, sprawling city.  I did snap a few pictures of Austin and Annabelle, the owl (her wings had come off at this point).  

Silly Daddy

Tea party at Annabelle's

Hug for "Baby Austin"

Again, why the sad face?

Austin really liked the pink tea cups, Annabelle thought it was funny

Apparantly Austin dislikes posing for pictures as a tiger