Christmas Cards

Each year our list of Christmas cards gets longer and longer. This year we get to add Austin to our cards. Today Austin received his first Christmas card. He read it excitedly!

New Positions

Austin used to cry when he wanted to be picked up, now he cries in his little protesting talk when he wants to sit up walk or lay on his stomach. He looks much like a turtle these days as he props his head up and tries and tries to crawl until he tires out. He is more amusing to watch then a good movie

3 Months Old

Happy three-month birthday to our handsome little guy.

Thanksgiving

So admittedly we've been a little busy as should be new parents. Our trip to North Carolina was successful. Despite an almost four hour delay for our flight to NC, Austin was in good spirits, and by the fifth gate assignment change he had fallen completely asleep.
As expected, the entire family had a really great time getting to know Austin and by the time we returned home it was apparent we was worn out. Here are some pictures of his first Thanksgiving.

Weekends Away

In Austin's first two months of life, he has traveled further than I had in high school, already experiencing Michigan and Wisconsin. Soon, this young traveler will add North Carolina to his travel journal.

It is apparent that our son is a curios little guy. He spends much of his day looking about and taking in all he catch his eye on. It seems that as long as he's fed, dry, and has something to gaze upon he will be content. He's getting bigger quickly and each new day with him brings us joy as we relish in the small things; a stare, a new hand movement or facial gesture. All these things fill our hearts with amazement that God could create something so wonderful.

First Halloween

Five years ago Wes went to a Halloween party with friends from church. A few hours later Melanie arrived at that same party. After some dancing, a card game and chatting Wes and Mel left the party thinking about each other...five years later Austin is celebrating his first Halloween. Grandma and Grandpa sent flowers I celebrate the occasion. And though he's a little young to be trick-or-treating, he did dress up as a lion... Roar!!!!
We're playing a lot more these days, by himself and with Mommy and Daddy. It seems he has finally discovered that it is his hand that make his toys jingle when he moves around. And though for weeks now he has been able to recognize us, he now can find us by looking around. "Better than TV," his grandpa said after watching a video of him. We think so. He is our biggest form of entertainment. I suppose that is just how God intended it to be. Finding joy in the company of His creation.

Cozy Fall Day

As autumn surrounds us we can't resist spending time outside. Seems like we walked more when I was pregnant. Now being busier with Austin, we try to get out when we can on these cool sunny days. He doesn't seem to mind the cold and he looks adorable in his fuzzy outfit. We're hoping fall lasts a while before the first snow arrives.

Playing Games

Like father like son. At seven weeks old, Austin enjoys laying on the floor and hitting (and sometimes just staring) at the little dangly toys that make noise or just look interesting. While changing him today he had on what appeared to be a white undershirt and stripped robe (onsie and sleeper). Punching his fists around in the air, my son looked like someone from an old Rocky movie. Earlier in day, Daddy took an intermission from playing video games with his brother and helped change Austin. Still available by headphone, Daddy didn't miss a beat.
By the end of the evening, Austin finally crashed, looking like a contender who was knocked not by his opponent.

For the Love of Touch

I've read that being held can be even more vital to a child's development than food. Here are a few pictures that lend proof to the love he's been given.

Late Night Bonding

At 2:50am my son awoke to let me know he was hungry. Though having my sleep interrupted night after night isn't always appealing, there is comfort in knowing that my son wants me. In the book "The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding" the authors describe how breastfeeding is more that just about the physical food but also feeding your child emotionally. A few nights ago Austin looked at me, smiling and cooing. What joy this brought to my heart, feeding MY soul!
Today I started my first day of work (I'm eating lunch while I type this) and though spending the day at work is tiring when I'm also getting up at night, I feel torn in needing to give some of the feeding over to my Hubby so I get get more sleep. The late night feedings are the one thing right now that Austin and I share, mommy and son time. This is the joy that sustains me each day and night...even when he spits up and pees through his outfit at 3:00am.
Each new day makes me feel more and more like a mother. And though I may never feel adequate to call myself that, I will cherish this gift God has bestowed upon my husband and I.

Saturdays

Though I may never sleep in again, Saturday mornings are now more fun with Austin around.

Waking up to feed at 7:00am, I brought him to bed with us (even I don't get to eat in bed). He fell peacefully asleep with us thereafter, allowing mom and dad to be lazy and catch up on the sleep they lost during late night feedings. Upon waking up, all three of us played in bed, jingling a rattle, cooing, and watching Austin follow with eyes and ears the noise of a squeaky giraffe. We all had a great time. And when it was time to finally get up, he contently hung out in his bouncy seat while mom made a yummy breakfast.

Though we lack sleep these days, and are already tired of leaky diapers, there are trade-offs that we're enjoying more and more.

Multi-tasking

Baby in arms, cake in the oven and tending to my diabetic Hubby who's sugar is low. I think I should get a gold star on the mommy chart.

It's hard to believe it's been a month since we went from being a couple to being a family. Watching Austin grow has been fascinating, from recognizing us to talking back...ok cooing, he's growing so quickly. Part of me can't believe he'll grow into someone who will walk and talk...use the bathroom on his own and rummage through the fridge. It's tiring getting up every night and having to tend to a baby when in the middle of something else, but I have to remind myself that he wants ME. I should cherish every moment with him now, as I know quickly he won't need to be held or want my attention. I just pray he'll always be a part of our lives and that we can teach him to love.

Daddy Moments

I'm laying in bed supposed to be sleeping...shhh, don't tell my Hubby...but all I can do is listen to the men in my life hanging out together as Daddy feeds son. I can hear praises for big and little burps in between feedings, and my husband helping my son find the nipple to the bottle. And as the feeding continues, they both gaze outside as Daddy comments on the beautiful changing fall trees. Though the crying and frustrations will continue from all of us, I smile as I secretly listen to theses blessed moments.

First Night Out

Today, on my son's one month birthday, I left for the longest stretch since his birth. I won tickets to a concert, and at my wonderful husband's prompting, went out. New things discovered: dad and son can handle being without mom for four hours (sad but reassuring), and loud vibrating concert speakers can do weird things to a nursing mom.

This first month has been both wonderful and challenging. Constant interrupted sleep, leaky diapers, spit up and crying at the very moment you thought you had time to accomplish something, sore mommy, and sour milk smells. But recently Austin starting responding to my "oh" with mimicking cooing sounds. He recognizes our voices and I'm convinced that not all his smiling is from gas, or other various bodily movements (the spitting up has my Hubby in a tivvy, while the free urination with diaper off makes us laugh).

So though I dread the changes in our day once I go back to work, I know God will walk with us each tiring day to remind us that He brought this beautiful blessing into our lives.