The Pumpkin Patch

So I was feeling the pressure to get some pictures of Austin at the pumpkin patch... since everyone else has posted cute ones on their blogs! Just kidding, we had been meaning to go anyway!

Last Friday afternoon the 3 of us headed to Halls Pumpkin Farm in Grapevine! It was honestly not the best time of the day for Austin, but it was the only time that Daddy could go with us- so we made it work. Hopefully this explains Austin's lack of smiles in the following pictures...although they are still cute!

First we rode the tractors. Yes, they were a tad big.

Next we posed with pumpkins.

And more pumpkins- even little ones!

Austin liked the corn stalks- he kept trying to eat them!

Along with the hay on the ground!!!

Overall we had fun, but we'll probably try to take some cute fall pictures on the front porch as well! On Saturday we went and bought pumpkins, mums, and pansies! I put the fall wreath on the door too, so we're all ready!

On Sunday we went to a Halloween party with our small group from church. We took the camera, but failed to take a single photo. But don't think you missed out on seeing Austin in his costume- he didn't wear one (it was too hot.) But he has one for Friday night!!

A few more photos of Austin earlier tonight. He had fun sitting in the exersaucer and watching us work in the flower beds! What a cutie!!!

Our Little Longhorn & Lubbock Trip

WARNING: There is a lot of burnt orange in the follow pictures!

We had a wonderful weekend! We visited some of our best friends, Zach & Christy, in Lubbock! They had never met Austin, and we had never met their little boy, Payce (4 mos)! We also got to see their home- which they have completely re-done since moving in! I LOVED IT! I've decided we need them to come and fix up our place, and I'll have Christy decorate while she's here too!

Anyway, we drove to Lubbock on Friday morning because I did a Pampered Chef party for Christy & her sister that evening- it went fantastic & is actually the largest party I've ever done! Saturday was more relaxing! We got up & Zach made pancakes- yummy! After getting ready & watching a little ESPN Gameday, we watched some football before heading out for lunch! We got lots of looks in Lubbock.... they didn't like the burnt orange I guess! :)

After lunch Christy and I went shopping while the guys watched the babies, and then Christy fixed a wonderful tortilla soup for dinner. Of course the highlight of the day was the longhorn game that evening- Hook 'Em Horns! I'm glad we have friends like Zach & Christy that share our love for the Texas Longhorns! We enjoyed brainwashing our children together!

We left on Sunday morning- so the trip was way to short! It was great to spend time together with our good friends... but it made me realize how much we miss them & wish they lived closer! Plus I know Austin would enjoy having his buddy, Payce, closer too! The boys really enjoyed one another this weekend & it was fun to see Austin interact with another baby (he loved playing with Payce's fingers!) Thanks to the Taylors for hosting us this weekend- we are already looking forward to next time!

On a completely different note, Austin has started the phase where he drops things on the floor intentionally & waits for me to pick them up. Fun times.

Boo! We're getting ready for Halloween!

One more funny one of Austin with his mouth open- it looks like he's roaring!

7 Months Old

Austin turned 7 months old today! I think he even looks a little older! :)

Here are a few new things that Austin has been doing this month:

1- Austin is rolling over from his back to his belly! Now I know that 7 months might be a little late for some babies, but it took him a while to get to the point where he would even roll over from his belly to his back. We're so proud of him! Of course he's rather be sitting/standing over laying on his back/belly any day! He loves playing by himself too- especially to look at books!

2- He has his mouth open all of the time. It's not just when he's smiling, wanting food, or teething. I notice he does it a lot when we hold him up in the air. Austin also enjoys chewing on Mommy & Daddy (our fingers, shoulders, chins, whatever is available.) Obviously that is more related to teething!

3- Austin is trying more foods! He's eaten all of the stage 1 fruits and veggies, and now we've moved on to the stage 2 fruit combinations...which he absolutely loves! I'm planning on introducing some of the meat ones in the next few weeks! Austin has also had sweet potato puffs a few times and still doesn't know what to think of them. The texture really confuses him- but it's a good laugh for us!

Austin eating a puff! After a few, he likes them though!

4- When Austin is on his stomach, he tries to pull his knees up underneath him. So he's on his way to crawling- but hopefully not too soon! Shane says he thinks it will be a while because Austin has a lot of weight to pull up on those knees. Nice.

5- We have successfully changed Austin's sleeping schedule! He now wakes up around 8am & goes to bed around 8pm. He also takes a morning & an afternoon nap (between 1-3 hours each!)

6- He has learned to completely put himself to sleep- which is absolutely wonderful. We have a little routine for nap time & bedtime where we change him into footed PJs, rock him for a couple of minutes, and then lay him in the crib. Usually only once a day he fusses (typically at night), and we sometimes go in after a while to reassure him & put his paci back in his mouth. But most of the time, he's out before I shut the door!

7- Austin likes to pet Max. I'm actually surprised that Max is okay with this, to be honest. But he always comes over to where Austin is sitting and lays next to him. I even caught Max sitting outside of Austin's door last night when he was crying himself to sleep- sweet kitty was worried about him. Anyway, when he is sitting next to Max he gets all excited & starts kicking his feet and squealing. And then he tries to touch (and sometimes grab) Max's tail. It's funny- until he hurts Max & playtime with the kitty is over.

Max always sits on the arm of the rocker in Austin's room... until we make him leave. He's protecting Austin, I guess! :)

And I'll leave you with one of my favorites- I always love a cute profile shot!! It must be those cute cheeks!

Fun Weekend

We had a great weekend! On Friday we started out having lunch with my aunt & 3 cousins who live in the metroplex- they had not seen Austin since he was a newborn! We had a wonderful time visiting & I am hoping we can get together again soon! We spent that evening roaming Central Market (one of our favorite places)... of course, we can't come out without spending at least $50.... which is why we don't go there very often anymore!

Nan Nan (my Aunt Ann), Deb, Kim, & Austin

Saturday was the big day- The Red River Rivalry between Texas (#5) and Oklahoma (#1)! We've gone to the game for the last two years, but enjoyed the game from home this year (Austin too.) It was a fantastic game overall... and even better when the Longhorns pulled off the big upset! Hook 'Em Horns!

On Sunday our good friends, Jason & Beth, stopped by the house to visit. They were in town for the UT/OU game! Their sunburned faces made me laugh.... and kinda happy that we watched the game from our air conditioned house! Ha ha! Anyway, they hadn't seen Austin for several months, & enjoyed playing with him while visiting with us. We all went out and ate BBQ for lunch, and then they headed back to Austin, TX.

Beth, Jason & Austin

Of course we're settling in for an afternoon/evening of NFL football... but let's not talk about the Cowboys this week. ugh.

6 Month Stats

Austin's 6 month stats (yes, 1 week shy of him turning 7 mos. old)

Length- 28.5 in (95th percentile)

Weight- 21 lbs 13 oz (95th percentile)

Head- 45 cm (75th percentile)

The appointment went fine, until it was time for the shots. He was already extremely hungry, and so 1 oral immunization & 4 injections did not help the situation. He cried, I cried, and it took a good 30 minutes to get over it. But now he's jumping away!!

On a side note, a few days ago I ordered Christmas stockings for the 3 of us (from PotteryBarn.) They arrived today.... and I love them!!!

Just too tired...

Austin does this all the time now- he falls asleep in his jumper.

His head will slowly fall down & he's out.... and then he starts jumping again.... and then seconds later his head will fall down again. And the vicious cycle begins. Shane said it reminds him of when people fall asleep in church.

Sorry for the dark video- I didn't want to turn on the lights and risk waking him.

Bye Bye Swaddle Blanket

We are finally rid of it! I thought I'd be a little sad (because he just looked so cute all swaddled up), but I'm not. I'd been thinking about it for a while, but was dreading the transition. A few nights ago he ended up waking up 3 times crying- because he was unswaddled and cold. So in a last ditch attempt, I threw on some footed pjs (yeah, on him.. not on me... ha ha) He fell asleep for 5 more hours until his regular wake up time!

I was a little worried that it was just a coincidence, so I tried it again all day yesterday & today- and he's done GREAT. He actually wants to be put directly in his crib and fall asleep on his own... fine by me buddy! He usually talks/fusses for 5-10 min and then he's out! WHOO HOO! So much better than having to walk/rock/sing him to sleep like before.

My next obstacle is trying to change his schedule. Currently he stays up until almost 11pm & sleeps until after 10am. While I enjoy sleeping in too, we can't keep that up. So I'm gradually waking him up earlier every morning until I can get him on more of a 8pm-8am schedule!

Oh, and he has officially transitioned to 2 naps each day! He sleeps for 3 hrs in the morning, and then 2-3 in the afternoon. If his afternoon nap is short, then he'll take one in the evening before his last bottle! My little baby is growing up!! Yeah, yeah- save the comments... I know he's not little.

So farewell swaddle blanket- we've loved you for almost 7 months!

A few more cute pictures from today~