Austin is 6 months old!

Time is flying so fast with this little bambino that I can't seem to keep up with the updates. :)

There is no doubt that Austin's love for his sister Avery grows every day. He adores her.

Austin is sitting up on his own and still loves to talk it up.

Austin has continued to get ear infections which is no fun for any of us. It pushed back our sleep "training" and I continued to nurse him in the night for comfort. It's exhausting, but I also know these days are short lived when it's all said and done.

This month Austin started reaching out to be picked up.

Austin understands the words "hug," "kiss," "milk," and "kick."

He has discovered his feet and likes to grab at them.

I don't know that 6 months could be any sweeter with this little guy. "We love you to Neptune and back, Austin!" (That one comes from Avery)

Austin is 5 months old!

Say hello to our little 5 month old!

It has taken almost 5 months for Austin to come to terms with the bottle.  It's been a challenge, but we've been doing our homework and bottle-training!

This month Austin did some back-tracking on sleep. Little man went from sleeping nice long stretches to more like 4-6 hour stretches. This was due in part to a cold that he got before Christmas that developed into an ear infection. That sent him into a tailspin pattern of waking up one or two times in the night and acting like it was imperative that he eat. We still seem to be doing this. I don't mind the extra cuddles and all, but I'm tired. Sleep training shall begin soon.

Austin can now support himself briefly in a tripod seated position. He is very proud of himself!

He gets excited about discovering new toys, sights and sounds.

Austin JUST rolled from his tummy to his back this month. He is liking tummy time more and more.

I do not think Austin's ego will be hurting any time soon. The number one phrase he tends to hear each day from his big sis Avery is: "Austin, you're the cutest boy in the whole world!!!!"

Austin continues to be like to be held, and he has done very well in the Ergo carrier. It's been great for both of us!

He is pretty friendly and will smile at people when they smile and speak sweetly to him. He prefers to be in the safety of my or Jeff's arms when meeting new people. He also will smile at people then immediately play coy and bury his face in my shoulder. So endearing and precious.

Austin love been read to! He sits quietly sometimes and other times he likes to talk during books. Either way, he grabs them, tastes them and tries to turn the pages already.

Have I mentioned that baby giggles are simply the best?! Austin is giggling and when he starts going at it, it's contagious. We can't help it - we all start giggling. It's just so darn stinkin' cute.

Austin is already over 16 pounds and is maintaining right in the 50th percentile range. He seems eager to eat solids so we will start trying over the next couple weeks.

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!

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!

Austin is 2 months old!

He smiles bright eyed gummy smiles.

He coos and crinkles his brow in concentration.

He gets especially mad when you give him raspberries (the kissy kind).

He loves his sister Avery.

He loves to cuddle with mommy but "talks" and laughs more for daddy.

He hasn't figured out a true laugh yet so he just makes a sound like "huh, huh." It's adorable. Trust me on that.

He is not the biggest fan of tummy time.

He started daycare and stressed mommy out by trying to hold out and not drink bottles. Smarty pants thankfully figured out after two days of that it wasn't the wisest of plans.

He's the greatest thing I never knew I needed.

Happy 2 months Austin!

Austin is 1 month old!

Hello, world! We have been adjusting to life with our sweet Austin. It's been quite the month, soaking in the craziness of life with a newborn. For the most part, all is going wonderfully smooth. He is eating, sleeping and pooping (he is a newborn after all) like a champ. :)

Here are some special moments and "firsts" from this month!

First outfit - the day he came home from the hospital in a special turtle outfit from his Aunt Jeanne and family.

First nights were spent sleeping in this precious Moses basket in our room.

First of many, many cuddle sessions with big sis, Avery.

First bath (at home!)

First SMILE!

First walk with the family at the park - snoozing away!

First silly face! Kissy-face?

The morning after his first night in his crib! What a big boy!

Not the actual first time in the bouncy/vibrating chair, but he sure does like to snooze in it and play in it!  Instead of calling it a "vibrating" chair, Avery calls it his "hibernating chair."

I'm smitten as my big girl tends to her baby brother.

Our first outing (just me and the kids!) was a trip to the Toy Store followed by lunch at Panera.

Avery actually takes a nap (it's rare these days) and proves to the world that she can sleep through anything as her brothers cries as loud as he can beside her.

First time sleeping in the swing.

"Touchdown" arms. Little football fan.

Our first road trip with Austin - to Southport to see Grandpa and Beegee White!

First time with two packed in back for a road trip - we're ready!

First trip to the beach! Oak Island, NC

Look at that belly - getting bigger and bigger!

Austin loves chatting with Daddy.

We think he will be a chatterbox like Miss Avery is!

Favorite napping spot: on moi.

He was very pleased with himself as he tried out the playmat.  Very alert!

"Here I Am!"

One month old - HOORAY!

Avery's FOUR!

Well, I'm almost a month behind, but our little gal turned FOUR on June 10th! I don't need to tell you that time is flying, because I know you feel it too. :)

We had an little gathering for donuts and fruit to celebrate, and Avery was very generous with the hugs this day as you can see below...

Avery's one request for her birthday was a park play date with a couple girls from school. 

Here she is with her best school buddies:

One her ACTUAL birthday, she was all smiles as she headed off for her first day of summer camp.

Birthday morning video:

We went out to dinner at Bad Daddy's for burgers and then to her true favorite spot, Menchie's, for some frozen yogurt. At dinner she drew the below picture of our family, including Lucy (far right) and baby brother (blue dude with the tilted head). She drew herself in the middle with Rapunzel-style hair. Gonna have to frame it; I love it so.

Avery's take on our family: Me, Jeff, Avery, baby brother and Lucy.