Austin is 4 months old!

Austin was 4 months old on December 10th, and time is flying by! 

Some memories and milestones...

He chews and sucks on his fingers all the time.

He is ticklish - especially his belly and under his arms.

He giggles when you give him kisses on his neck.

He prefers sitting up to laying flat. Likes to see what is going on.

His nickname is "boo-boo." I don't know why, but it's stuck. Of course it gets worse... Jeff started calling him "chicken" and it stuck too. Sorry buddy. They are definitely terms of endearment! :)

 Austin will nap in his car seat well, but he HATES getting strapped in to it (initially) to go anywhere. It's probably the number one thing he gets mad about at this age.

Has developed an interest in several toys, but especially loves Sophie La Giraffe from Aunt Jeanne. He chews the heck out of her head and nose.

Austin is saying "Mama" and it's for real. Days and days went by before we confirmed it for real, but he reaches out and says "Mama" when he's hungry or just wants me to cuddle him. Boy knows how to wrap me around his finger, that's for sure.

He likes to be talked to and does a good job of carrying on conversation, interjecting his sounds at just the right moments. He can get mad when you step away to do something else and kind of "yell" at you with an "Uhh! Uhh!" sounds. Clearly, he's a genius and has lots to say. Haha. The woman who watches him, Carol, said he does that to her too. She also said she and her assistant have a hard time not holding him all day long. I can totally relate.

Austin, we love watching you grow!

Merriest Christmas 2013

October and November 2013

Lots to celebrate in October and November!

Jeff's birthday - October 7th, 2013

The Butterfly Release held by Levine Children's Hospital and Kindermourn. It's always a beautiful way to celebrate Lucy's memory.

Here we are with Lucy's memorial brick in the Children's Walkway

Sweet Avery drew this picture at school and brought it home to me.  My heart melted. Sweet girl will always be connected to her sister and knows how much I miss her.

Austin continues to grow and grow and grow! He still loves his bath time best!

Austin started daycare at Ms. Carol's house and we are having a great experience once again with in-home childcare. We already feel like Carol is family and are thrilled with all she does for Austin.

Meeting new friends - Emma, Austin and Deke

Football seems to always be on the TV this time of year! Rooting for the Bears (and PANTHERS!).

Pumpkin patching

Down on the farm.

"I can see the whole world from up here!"

Sweet babe sleeping on me.

The Magnarinis

Avery and Will

We visited Nana and Papa in Hilton Head, and got to see cousins Parker and Miles.

Cousins!
Avery (4 years), Austin (3 months), Parker (4 years), and Miles (22 months)

OVER the photos.

Well, we tried.

For Thanksgiving, we spent the long weekend with Grandpa, Beggie and Non in Southport. (Does Avery look like a teenager in this photo, or what?!)

Avery taking care of Beggie's fish. She helped name him "Bubba" the Beta.

Jeff, Austin and Grandpa

Non, Avery, Austin and Beggie

Oh HEY, sweet boy!

Austin is 3 months old!

Austin continues to rock our world with his sweet smiles and content demeanor.

He loves to be rocked, cuddled, walked and bounced.

He sleeps about 8 hour stretches, nurses, and goes back to sleep for a while. He wakes up happy!

He went on a bottle strike this month which was stressful and confusing but we are doing much better now after switching bottles and being very patient.

He "talks" a lot. And loudly. He likes to be heard.

He met his uncle Martin and cousins Miles and Parker this month. He enjoyed watching the big kids play.

He loves to be outside and seems to be soothed by the fresh air. They go out every day at daycare so he will be used to it!

His favorite way to be held when tired is cuddled up on your chest with his head tucked into your neck.

He goes down to sleep when drowsy and sucks on his fingers to put himself to sleep.

He's getting bigger and stronger. Still is not a fan of tummy time but loves to sit up. He has great head control and neck strength.

Happy three month bday, little buddy!

August and September 2013

I'm so far behind again, but hey I have a newborn and I've been back to work since October 1st. So, you'll forgive me, right? Here are some pictures from August and September, the months I was able to stay home with the kiddos, which was the BEST! :)

Of course it's been fun watching Austin grow and change. I've also been able to appreciate all of the huge changes in Avery. This last year between age 3 and 4 has been so significant. She can really distinguish feelings and emotions and talk about them. She is very reflective and observant and always asks many questions. She also has very specific opinions and needs. I had no idea I'd be learning just as many new things about her as I am about Austin.

Avery performing for us at the park.

Taking up hoops.

She loves him. Like, a lot.

Meeting Grandpa.

Meeting Great-grandma Non.

Avery hanging with Grandpa in St. James.

Austin's first trip to the beach.

Cuddling with Beegee and Non!

Comfy.

Avery's 4 year old appointment. NOT IMPRESSED with getting shots.

Avery's 1st day of TK

Ms. Kathy and Ms. Karen's Class!

Very dramatic duo.

Avery went to Build-A-Bear with my sisters and brought back a unicorn she had named "Rasha con Sasha." I have NO idea where that came from, but Rasha is part of the fam now.

This was from a mommy-Avery date to Menchie's.
Love this little giggle I captured as we ate frozen yogurt and played "I Spy."

Austin's first bottle. He has despised every one since.

I so enjoyed my time home with Austin and Avery for two months. It was amazing. I loved having extra time with Avery to do things like play tea party in the middle of the day... just because.

One of my favorite pictures of our sweet boy.

Avery playing doctor with Austin.