Nicknames

I am the king of nicknames.  I create one for just about everyone because it is my little way of expressing an endearment to that person. My brother Peter, is "Pedro", Matt is "bubby", his Dad, Kirby, is "the Kirbmeister", my Mom, "mommy dearest", and Austin is no different!

Let me list them:

1. Pooper Scooper:  Lets not ask why I came up with this name, but those that know me, know.  To me it means "cutie" and when Austin is "being cute", he is "scoopin poop"!
2. Austa Luego
3. A-Man
4. Oostin

I know I have more, but the above are the common ones!

Hasta Luego!

9 months and counting!

Well, happy nine month birthday my little man!  You are developing such a personality and it is just precious to start seeing you assert your wants and desires and show the need to do things "on your own".  

Boy you are a crawling fool and can now reach speeds that would leave a cheetah in your dust!  Constantly on the go and when you focus on something, there is no stopping you.  We are teaching you the word "no" but you just giggle at me although I am trying to be stern and show a straight face.  How do I not laugh with you???  Yoga moves are a new thing for you.  Doing the downward dog is a favorite as you build your legs up for longer range travels!

What are you doing over there???

That pose is perfect!

I am "Eating Well" Mommy!

I'm done Mommy

Doggies!

You are learning to feed yourself now.  You handle the bottle all on your own and we have ventured to frozen popsicles filled with pears, yogurt and other favorites.  You are doing well.  We are going to stop feeding you solely with the spoon and let you begin feeding yourself little bits of your favorite veggies and fruits.  I think you are ready to begin eating some chicken and other meats too; we are going to have some fun.

Today you had your nine month wellness check and you weighed in at 23.9 lbs and 30.5 inches.  What a big, strong boy.  You are very healthy and a big thumbs up from the doctor!  Truthfully, the doctor was mainly impressed with your hair.  It is so curly at the top and it is beginning to curl in the back and is a fond subject of each and every friend and stranger that you come across.  Mommy can't wait for more curls; Daddy not so much. Ha!  You have seven teeth now and the doctor and I think you have a molar coming in already.  Understandably, you have been a little fussy but who can blame you with such a big tooth pushing through!

Oh! Don't let me forget!  You said "da-da" twice today.  I guess we can consider that your first word since you repeated it at two separate times today!  Good boy and your Daddy was so excited to hear his name.  He is extremely proud.

Again, happy nine months my love!  Mommy and Daddy treasure you so!

Virginia Adventure and 8 mos old!

I can't believe it has been a month since my last post.  It has been a busy month though!  First of all, Austin turned eight months old!  He has been growing rapidly, but handsomely and we are loving his new found mobility.  We have cordoned off the fireplace and shelving on either side to keep those areas safe from the wrath of Austin, for now and we will see how everything else shakes out.  I had been waiting for this moment and although I love it, it is definitely a constant duty of baby proofing around here!

Austin loves being tickled and is very playful.  His smiles are contagious and he is definitely aiming for a reaction from us when he does it.  I have even witnessed him slapping his hands together (like we would knee slap) when he found something to be funny.  What a joker!

Mommy goosed me!

What a dreamboat!

We are blessed to have friends that loaned us their condo in the Virginia mountains located near Charlottesville at the Wintergreen Resort.  It was amazing and about 20 degrees cooler at 3000 ft elevation.  While there, we visited a few attractions, including the Luray Caverns.  We highly recommend seeing it.  It was pretty incredible as caverns go.

Amazing reflection!

Really amazing

The second place we went to was Monticello, the estate of Thomas Jefferson, our 3rd president of the United States, author of the Declaration of Independence and for the sake of our friends, the founder of the University of Virginia.  What an extraordinary mind and visiting the site made me want to learn more about him.  I see a biography to read in the future.  Definitely a must see folks.

All packed up and ready to roll!

View from Monticello of Mt. Alto.

Monticello estate

He was pooped!

View off the Blue Ridge Parkway

Who has Austin???

The drive to Virginia was a long one from Atlanta but Austin was absolutely a wonderful traveler.  We did a few pitstops, went with the flow and in no hurry.  Probably the right attitude when traveling with a little one.  I am really looking forward to future adventures with the little guy and can't wait to see the world through his eyes.  What a treat!