Big boy car seat

We finally moved our little pumpkin into a toddler car seat. We got the forward facing seat for Kyles car, since Austin is only that car to and from daycare. Anytime we leave town or go out as a family we take mine.
We let him check it out, and he loved it. He gets so excited that he gets to sit forward in daddy's car and look out the windows like a big boy.

(I swear Austin doesnt live in pajamas.. It seems every picture on here he has bed head and is lounging)

No Fun

Our little guy hasnt been feeling the best. Took him to the doctor yesterday... Broncholitis/RSV.....
We will be giving him breathing treatments every 4 hours, which ends in both of us crying. He fights it so much, and we have to hold him down... breaks my heart. Will be a long weekend.

Big Hair

For those of you that know me- you know that I LOVE big hair!!! My friends would give me so much grief in college because it would take me a good two hours to get ready - What can I say- it takes time to get that "prom" hair just right :)
I cut 15 inches off after I had Austin, and Im ready to grow it back out. My Bump-Its are waiting to be used.
Check out this link-- talk about the perfect bump :) Or as it must be called in the south "Poof"... :)

http://brodyfrancis.blogspot.com/2009/12/hair-poofing-101.html

Thankful

I came into work today to find gifts on my desk. They were wrapped and said "To a Good Boy- From Santa".
I asked around and no one knew who they were from. Well, finally I figured it out. A girl that I work with is teaching her 10 year old daughter the importance of giving.
And she wanted to buy something for Austin. Her daughter even used her own money to get him the gifts.
We are so blessed to have such great friends. All to often we get caught up in ourselves and materialistic things. I am so thankful that she thought of Austin, and that she would do that out of the kindness of her heart.
I am looking forward to instilling these values in Austin :)

Little Elf

We pulled the Christmas PJ's out last night. And I couldn't stop hugging and cuddling with my little elf.
He is surprisingly a very good listener and doesn't bother the Christmas tree, or the cat food, and never goes by the stairs.
But I wanted a picture of him in front of the tree, he sat pretty well. I hope he doesn't dash for the tree tonight when we get home :)

Birthday Presents!!

Austin had been fighting a cold, and was not a happy camper. So we cancelled his Birthday Party :(
I didnt want him to get worse, or to get anyone else sick. So he opened his presents at home, and wasnt too sure why we were staring at him with the camera and video-camera :)

I didnt bother changing his stained shirt, or trying to comb down his lovely bedhead. We will always remember how the first birthday didnt go exaclty according to plan.

O Christmas Tree

I love following the blog "Kelly's Korner" and thought I would get crafty after seeing some neat tree toppers on her entry "Show us your life- Christmas Trees".
Typically I dont have the time or the patience to do scrapbooking-crafts-etc, but I thought I would give it a try.
I went to Hobby Lobby and gathered up the goodies, went home and spraypainted-curled ribbons- put glitter on pine cones, and felt like Martha Stewart ;)
I am happy with the outcome- although its not exactly what I had pictured.

WEEKEND IN IOWA

My parents went to Dallas for the weekend to visit my brother and sister-in-law, so this was a great weekend to have some "me" time. I headed up to Iowa Friday after work, and had a long relaxing weekend "dog-sitting". Well, it would of been more relaxing if there weren't 3 dogs to control ;)
Snickers- the 7 year old Rat Terrier loves to play ball and bark.

Luke- the 3 year old Cocker Spaniel wouldn't let the other dogs near me- he was taking advantage of my parents being gone by acting out - bc he knows I will let him :)

Laddie- the 8 month old Brittney Spaniel is WILD......

This was the first time I had spent the weekend at my parents alone without my beloved Buddy.... It was hard being there without him. We would go for car rides and walks and he was quite the snuggler. He was with us for 12 years- and it is very hard going to my parents knowing he wont be there to greet me :( He passed away in April- so it is still very fresh for me. I love this picture of him, taking a ride to town with dad in the truck. This was taken a few days before he died. This is Buddy at his happiest :) (notice his hawkeye collar ;)

Mom and Dad had a nice time touring the new Cowboys stadium, and hitting up the local farmers markets and antique shops. My brother even took my dad to his first NFL game. Too bad it was a boring one- Cowboys beat the Redskins 7-6.
By the time Sunday rolled around I was ready to head home to pet-family of 2 cats!!! I was definitely missing my little man

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUSTIN

Our little monkey turned one yesterday. We opened presents and had cake- just the three of us. Austin wasn't too sure about his cupcake though, and he did not like getting messy. Lets hope he continues to be like that :)

It is amazing that he has been with us for a year. We love him so much, and he has brought us closer togethor as husband and wife. We have learned to me more loving and patient, we now stop and enjoy the moments as they happen.

It was a rough year, but I wouldnt change a thing. The trips to the hospital, the sleeples nights, the occasional ear infections... It was all worth it :)

We are excited to see what the next year will bring. All the things Austin will learn and experience. We love so much Austin :)

One Year

One year ago today I was in the hospital hooked up to all kinds of monitors, wondering if I would have a premature baby. I was told I had HELLP Syndrome and the only way for my body to heal was to deliver the baby. At 5:32 PM Austin was born! This past year has brought so many challenges, emotions, and a feeling of indescribable unconditional love.

I am very excited to start new traditions, and fill Austins life with love and happiness. Im anxious to pick him up from the babysitter tonite, to give him presents and to let him eat his cake :) His birthday party isnt for another week, so he should be a pro at making a mess with his cake and with ripping open presents.

Its funny- looking at him now, I cant believe he was just 3lb 9oz when he was born.

Halloween

Halloween was pretty uneventful. We didn't take Austin out for Trick-or-Treating. I figured he wont remember that he didn't get to go. We did dress him up for pictures in his cute little dragon costume though. Erica and Tyler came over and had pictures taken with him in their costumes as well.We had a nice weekend at home. Watched another exciting Iowa game- I thought for sure we were going to lose. And that is why I took a nap with Austin in the third quarter. To my surprise I woke up and didn't believe Kyle when he said that they had won.
On Sunday Erica, Karmen and I went to see the Michael Jackson movie "This Is It". I found myself wanting to get up and sing and dance (even though i cant do either). We even had some hard core fans in the theatre with us. At the beginning of the movie, some woman decided to yell- "We love you Michael" and alot of people would clap after each performance.

GO HAWKS N STATE

On Saturday Kyle, Kim and I went to Lincoln for the Husker-Cyclone game. For anyone that knows me-- I am NOT a husker fan- I always root against them. So I was very excited that Iowa State pulled it off.

We got home and Austin got to show off his Iowa gear. He got to stay up and watch some of the game, but was not happy when it was time to go to bed.

Weekend at the Farm

Packed up and went to Iowa for the weekend. Austin is such a great traveler now (granted its only 2 hours). Spent some time in Ida Grove with friends and family. Sunday we headed to the farm-- I'm really hoping Austin will grow up appreciating the outdoors and will enjoy spending time with Grandpa Jerry "working" on the farm. We let him sit in the tractor and 'attempt' to steer and honk the horn. It was too wet in the field to go for a ride in the combine- but we did get a couple pictures. Austin loves being outside- he gets the 'zoned out' look on his face and just takes everything in. Hoping that next time he will get to go for a ride.

Halloween Gift

We gave Austin his Halloween present last night.. Little silly halloween things in the traditional pumpkin bucket. And he was soo scared of the bucket for some reason… As you can tell by his face!!! And I was giggling-- which made him even more upset :( I think some of it was for show-- wonder where he gets that little attitude (maybe daddy!!)
After a while-- he actually picked up some of his gifts, and started playing with them.

Birthday Girl

We had a nice evening at Kevin and Karmens house for Ericas 10th Birthday. I cant believe how fast she is growing up- makes me think that Austin will be 10 before we know it. Austin showed off his new skill- crawling!! When it was time for the cake he was fascinated by the candles and tried grabbing for the cake. I hope he has the same reaction on his first birthday.