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!