In Another Month, Austin Will Be One!

This time last year, we were hosting Thanksgiving dinner at our house.  I was about 32 weeks pregnant and just HUGE!  I was a waddler, I must admit.  We had my folks and brother over and Matt had his parents over, so it was the seven of us.  My Dad did most of the meal preparation, which he is very good at and Chris and Kirby brought pies and macaroni cheese (my request, yum!). 

Hello Austin! Thanksgiving 2010

Not sure if it was the excitement of it all but I ended up developing pregnancy hypertension and thus begun the watching and mandatory resting to make sure both you and I were safe and that you could stay in my belly for as long as possible.  The magic week to reach was week 38, if my blood pressure didn't go back down and allow Austin to stay in for a full 40 weeks.  

Well, we fell a little short.  I went in for my now bi-weekly checkup where my blood pressure was high and I was a little swollen in the face so they asked me to go ahead and check myself into the hospital.  That was Thursday,  December 16th.  Boy, I was nervous!  To be continued....

This last month, we did one of things that I had been looking forward to since you were born and that was to go to a pumpkin patch and a corn maze.  We went to Uncle Shucks Corn Maze in Dahlonega, GA and it was lots of fun.

The Maze

You really enjoy this vantage point!

It was hot this day!  In November!

Mommy, is this corn GMO?

We also visited with your cousins, Liann and Ellie @ Imagine It, Children's Museum.  It is more like a large play room but it has great props, like a John Deer tractor and a large, ball moving assembly for older children.  You mostly slid down slides and followed Daddy through a mole maze.  It was enough to tire you out!

Austin and Liann before the "smooch"!

We also dressed you up as one of the characters, "Sulley" of the movie, Monster's Inc.  You were very precious. "Sulley" didn't technically have one eye, but I didn't expect Old Navy to get it exactly right.  Nevertheless, it was a perfect costume for you, I must say.

Old Navy's version of "Sulley"

At eleven months, you are now walking behind objects as you push them around.  We have a large bucket that is the right height and you just push that around the living room.  You really love getting around that way and you look to us to make sure we are watching this amazing trick.  I created a "fort" in the living room for you to hide, play peek-a-boo or just crawl in and out of.  We often get on all four's with you and crawl in and out as well.  It is a great game and it delights you so.

The Fort

We are heading to California for Thanksgiving week to see your great-grandparents (Black side) and your grand parents (my folks) as well as some of our cousins.  Plane trip! By now you are a pro as this will be your third leg across the country!

Love, Mommy.

For Austin's Sake

When coming up with the name of this blog, I was really stuck on trying to come up with something spunky, catchy or all encompassing.  I had pondered for days.  Had things I wanted to post but as any blogger knows, you have to create the name first before you begin writing when it comes to a blog otherwise you are "out there" with "Iamnotcreative.blogspot.com" or "whoamIkidding.wordpress.com" (wait a minute, I like that one!).  Anyways, the purpose of this blog was to create an avenue that I can document Austin's first year or so for the "benefit of him" and then just simply said, "I am doing this for Austin's sake" and voila!

The very meaning has taken on a much deeper goal however, as now my purpose for almost everything I do is "for Austin's sake".  Not just this blog, but so many more important things.  Having Austin has changed the world for me: who I am, what I am willing to do, priorities, my interests, how I see world, how I view the environment, etc. 

For instance, I now cook.  Hated cooking before him.  Absolutely loathed it.  Would try and figure out a way to get my sustenance out of a bag, box, or someone ELSE is doing the cooking for me.  When my husband looked into my bare cabinets and fridge and saw cereal, milk and condiments, he knew right away what he was getting into.  The transformation didn't change right away for me but when I started understanding that I not only had a hard time carrying my ever-growing baby boy at 4 months and I also felt like I was hit by a mack truck every single day although he was sleeping better; it was clear something needed to change.  So I began my journey towards cleaner eating based on my research of hormone imbalances, fatique and stubborn toxic weight.  And if you are going to eat clean, you HAVE to cook unless you want to eat everything in its raw form.  Plus I didn't think it was fair to my husband to demand for him to change his cooking style to complement my new found directive.  Nope, this was a project of mine.

Secondly, I buy organic, as much as I can.  It is better for him and is also better for us.  Check!

Third, I am exercising again.  Now, I say again because I used be a fitness fanatic.  Running, Spinning, weight lifting (I was boning up to compete at one point).  I was about 50lbs less than I am now and not one part of my body hurt.  Now, I am not going to go down that road again, but I have a purpose that keeps me on track.  It is "for Austin's sake" that I feels better, my body doesn't ache so I can keep up with him, and that I stay healthy for the rest of my lifetime.

Lastly, I am more aware of the world around us.  I am paying attention to the government, the environment, the economy, etc.  What is happening now will affect his future.  I think it is our responsibility as parents to be cognizant of the world around us and be stewards to our children's futures. 

So, "for Austin's sake" is my purpose and I now have faith that I am no longer a mission impossible!

~J

10 mos! Oh My!

It certainly has been an amazing month.  You have graduated from crawling to standing up while supported by something and you do it every chance you get.  You have even "let go" and stood up for a few seconds before falling on your rump.  Daddy has lowered the crib so you when you stand up, at least your chest is somewhat below the top portion and can't climb over....yet, anyways!  It really cracks me up when I find you standing in the crib waiting for me to come get you from your daily naps.  Big smile, as always.

I am absolutely crazy with video taking and you as the main star.  You with Maggie and Jazzy, you crawling, laughing or standing.  In awe at your daily development and I cannot get enough!  I am positive you will be absolutely bored with all the video's taken of you but I have this obsession with letting people see you as I see you every time I can.  Not sure it is possible to convey such a thing but I can't stop!

You are my workout partner at my stroller workouts and training runs each week.  You just hang back in your stroller (more appropriately nicknamed "personal escort vehicle") and get a view of the sites as we run along and are just as content as ever.  Crossing your legs at the ankle is your signature position.  

Did I mention that you are getting into everything????  Your curiosity is boundless!

Does this hat make me look cute?

Maggie and Jazzy time

So, is this a permanent thing?

Hi Mommy!

Hmmm...something in your mouth again?

The reality that you will be one year old in a couple months is hitting me with both sadness and elation.  You are getting so big, so quickly, and I am longing to pull back and just cuddle with you as often as I can.  But I also know that seeing you grow and explore is just going to get better and better and I cannot wait to explore with you!

Love, your Mom.

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!

Country Roads

The other night, Austin and I were having a discussion about whether he needed another bottle to go back to sleep.  He thought he did; I disagreed.  After rocking him for a bit I decided to sing to him one of my favorite childhood songs and one that I had been singing to him since he was weeks old, "Country Roads" by John Denver.  

I have one specific memory that I am fond of when I think of this song and that is on my fifth birthday in Hawaii.  I was "queen for the day" and was proudly wearing, what I think was, a Burger King crown hat.  A couple neighborhood kids and I decided we were going to sing "Country Roads" to our parents and I got to stand on a tree stump as the center of attention.  Have no idea if those details are true or if they were conjured up in my day dreams (I did that a lot as a kid), but nevertheless, it is a memory that I love.  I love singing it to Austin as well and it seems to settle him just fine:

Country Roads, by John Denver

Almost heaven, West Virginia
Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah River
Life is old there, older than the trees
Younger than the mountains, blowing like a breeze

Chorus:
Country roads, take me home
To the place I belong
West Virginia, Mountain Mama
Take me home, country roads

All my memories, gathered 'round her
Miners' Lady, stranger to blue water
Dark and dusty, painted on the sky
Misty taste of moonshine, teardrop in my eye

Chorus

I hear her voice, in the morning hour she calls me
The radio reminds me of my home far away
And drivin' down the road I get the feeling
That I should have been home yesterday, yesterday

Chorus x 2