Catching Up

I apologize for taking so long to post an update on Austin- we have just been very busy the last few weeks! My parents came to visit for a week, and while they were here I had a garage sale (thanks to my mom for the help!) It went well- got rid of a LOT of junk AND made some money!

So what else have we been up to?

*I finished my blog book and had it printed! I LOVE IT! For those of you that are interested, just go to blurb.com to get started. My hardback book only cost around $50! Here is a picture of the cover, and then the inside is all of my posts (without comments) & I was able to edit and re-arrange pictures & text!

*Swimming- at the neighborhood pool & also in the kiddie pool in our backyard.

*Visiting my grandma (notice in the 2nd pic how Austin has both feet up on the stool like a little monkey- he loves to climb on things!)

*Spending time at 'Let's Jump' playing on the bouncy houses and slides in the toddler room (and even better- it's free for kids 18mos and under!)


*Spending time with Papa Jim & GiGi- helping them unpack, and then Austin & Papa Jim talking during snack time.

*Meeting friends for dinner (Jared, Leah, & Reid)


*Celebrating our 10th anniversary! Okay, so we were supposed to go out for dinner, but since Austin was sick- we've put it off until a later date. Plus we'll be going to Cabo at the end of the month!!! Isn't the 2nd picture precious?

*Celebrating July 4th with Mat, Shanna, & Evie (Austin's little cousin)

*Spending time together & going to the park- swinging, sliding, and LOTS of climbing!

*And being sick :( Both Austin & I have been having allergy problems- funny thing is that Austin loves his paci so much that he continues to suck it even when he can't breathe. So he puts it off to the side of his mouth like the pic below- Shane calls him Popeye! And yes, this causes lots of slobber!

One last picture.... Shane got me flowers for our 10 year anniversary- aren't they beautiful??

Everyone have a great week! I'll be better about posting more frequently!

10 Years Ago

Ten years ago today I married my best friend! I love Shane so much for all that he is, and all that he does! Thank you for loving me unconditionally, for supporting me, for guiding me, and for being the most wonderful husband and father to our sweet little boy. I have enjoyed our first 10 years of marriage & I look forward to our next 10 (and many more after that!) Happy 10th Anniversary Shane!

And now a trip down memory lane.... (sorry if the pics aren't of the best quality- I had to scan and crop a lot of them out of my wedding album.)

Shane proposed on October 24, 1998- he had the proposal engraved on one of the bricks that lines a pathway on the front lawn of Harding University (where we went to school.) The proposal was very romantic and it took me by surprise! And I love that it will always be memorialized at the place where we fell in love! NOTE: Since this picture was taken, the brick was moved and all of the green around the brick is now gone- GROSS!

One of our engagement pictures... we look so young.

Some of my bridal portraits

The wedding festivities began on July 2, 1999- first was the Bridesmaids Luncheon.... Me, Kristen, Amie, Shanna, Karie, Brooke, Amy, & Jean

Then the Rehearsal Dinner (with Kristen & Kevin O'Quinn)


The big day- July 3, 1999

The wedding party

With our parents

Leaving for our honeymoon

Pictures of Austin to come on the next post- and soon, I promise! We've been been busy with out of town company, and then with Austin & I being sick.

15 Months Old

UPDATED- Stats from Austin's 15 month appointment below

I've decided that I'm not going to do the monthly posts about Austin anymore (the ones where I talk about what new things he's doing on his monthly birthday)- probably more like every 3 months now! I'll still be posting new pics and updates on what we're doing like before though! So Austin turned 15 months old today, and here's what he's up to!



*Austin is walking! He's been walking for about 6 weeks now, and he's getting FAST. I feel like all I do is chase him around the house! He's not really interested in any of his toys right now either- only in walking around and exploring everything in the house. Therefor, he gets bored very quickly.. it's going to be a long summer....

*He's still a fantastic sleeper! He sleeps around 12 hours at night, and then takes 2 naps during the day (ranging from 1-3 hrs each.) Our routine for nap time and bedtime is the same- we rock him for about 2 min, then lay him in his crib. If he is really tired he just goes straight to sleep. If not, he plays for a while in his crib until he falls asleep. The only reason I ever have to go back in there is if he's tossed his paci(s) out of the crib. He will also sleep through really loud noises (like hail, or even the when we got the house re-roofed.)

*Austin loves his pacifier. He didn't really "need" it until he started teething, and now he has it most of the time. I can tell it's going to be a hard habit to break.

*He's trying to talk more. Right now he still only says Mama & Dada, but I can tell that he wants to say more.

*Austin has started throwing temper tantrums- BIG TIME! It is especially bad when he is tired, but it can happen whenever. He gets mad when I take something away from him, or when I close the pantry or fridge door (so that he cannot play in there.) He flails his body around, does the arch-back, screams, etc. Lots of fun. I've learned to just walk away and let him throw a fit- just ignore it. That usually ends it pretty quickly (that or when he hurts himself.)

*He only takes one bottle a day now- before bed. He still refuses to drink any milk cold, so he mostly sips on water all day long (with a little watered down apple juice in the morning.)

*Austin is a little fish! He loves the water- whether it's a bath or going swimming. Now that he's been swimming, the thinks it's lots of fun to splash water everywhere during bath time. Mommy doesn't think it's so fun.

*He seems to be taking more interest in different toys- even ones that don't make noise. He likes his wooden blocks, big Lego's, and plastic tools.

*Austin likes spending time with other children- no matter their age. He loves to follow our neighbors around when they are outside. It's not that he even wants to play- he just gets right next to them and watches. He does enjoy playing more with children around his own age. I'm thinking I'm going to start taking him to Little Gym or Gymboree. Speaking of summer activities that are NOT outside- anyone have suggestions? It gets SO hot here, and he gets SO bored inside the house.

*His favorite foods are: black beans, rice, lima beans, fish sticks (gross), pudding, pasta with marinara, french fries, ALL types of fruit, PB&J, mac & cheese, corn chex cereal, yogurt, dried fruit (raisins, cranberries), goldfish, hot dogs, pizza... the list goes on.

*Austin loves going to the playground/park. He is starting to not like swinging as much as he did before- probably because he would rather run around on the play scape. But recently he's starting crying when it's time to go. Well, crying- which usually turns into a fit.

*He still dislikes wearing shoes. Now this is probably my fault for never really putting shoes on him until right before he started walking. He will wear them for a while, but then tries to take them off or start chewing on them.... yuck!

*Austin has 12 teeth- I think. He won't really let us put our fingers in there, but I know he has the front 4 on top, front 4 on bottom, and 4 molars. But he's constantly chewing on things, so I have a feeling he's getting more. I'm ready for this to be over.

*His hair is growing (despite what most of you think.) Granted it is growing more in the back, so he's going to need a haircut soon.

*Austin still doesn't like going to the nursery at church. I know we need to be more consistent about it, but still- he has such a problem with separation anxiety (when he's in an unfamiliar place.) One of our neighbor's teenage daughters has starting babysitting Austin. I wanted to have someone that he was familiar with, so that I'd have someone to watch him while I do Pampered Chef (if Shane is gone), or if we just wanted to go out. He loves Lauren, and hasn't once had a fit while she's watching him!

So happy 15 months sweet boy! We love you very much!

Stats from Austin's 15 month appointment:

Weight- 27 lbs 10 oz (85th percentile)

Height- 33 1/2 in (97th percentile)

Head- 47 cm (50th percentile)

He got 3 shots in his arm this time- and cried but only for a few minutes! No shots at 18 months! :)

Swimming

So we gave in and bought a kiddie pool for Austin... although we have it on the porch so as to not kill the grass :) We filled it up Saturday morning & took him swimming after church that evening- so it had warmed up a bit! He enjoyed splashing around & playing with some of this bath toys!

Standing in the pool- he does that most of the time!

On Sunday we went to Jared & Leah's house to grill out for lunch- YUMMY! The boys went swimming in Reid's awesome pool & had so much fun together! I love to see Austin interact with Reid- he just watches him do everything! Reid is around children more because he goes to daycare everyday, but Austin is pretty much just around mommy most of the time! So he really enjoys the play dates with his buddy! Both of the boys were worn out after a few hours, so we're hoping for a nice long Sunday nap (for him, that is.)

Austin watching Reid

They were both chewing on those golf balls the entire time- teething!


Austin (we borrowed Reid's hat- if you're wondering why he doesn't match!)

Reid- chilling in the shade

Shane put the child safety locks on all of our cabinets this weekend too- which is a huge help. Austin spends most of his time opening cabinets and pulling things out, so that will eliminate a lot of cleaning up on my part! But I'm sure that means he will just find something new to get into! It never ends....

One last picture- isn't he just the cutest cat ever?

Memorial Day Weekend

This past holiday weekend we traveled to visit Shane's family in south Texas! Shane was down in Austin last week, so on Friday Austin & I drove down and met Shane before heading to see his parents! We had a wonderful trip- only stopped one time (in Austin) to eat lunch and drop off my car! Austin did so good traveling!!! He just sat in the back and played with toys, napped, and looked out the window.

For those of you that don't know, we got a minivan a few weeks ago. I wasn't happy about it... hence why I haven't mentioned it before now. I've always been one of THOSE people that said I'd never have one. Well, Shane picked one for his work vehicle, so I didn't really have a choice. It's a nice one- a Toyota Sienna. But I'll admit that after this trip, I like it a lot more. I still don't like the idea of it, but oh well! We had a lot of room, and Austin had lots of windows to look out of during the drive. I do love the automatic door feature too!

We arrived at my in-law's house on Friday around dinnertime. We took a quick tour of the garden (we brought home tons of goodies!) Then we went and checked out the chickens which Austin always enjoys! After dinner we took him outside to the tree swing. Papa Gary had 2 regular swings last time we visited, but had set up a baby swing for this trip. Austin LOVED it!

Watching the chickens

Swinging

On Saturday Mat, Shanna, and Evie (our niece) arrived! Austin had a fun time with Evie- he is still so curious about her. We had to monitor the interaction because he is like a bull in a china closet and Evie is still pretty fragile at 6 weeks old! While the three of them napped from a long trip, we took Austin out to swim in the baby pool that Gran got for him. I'd say that was his favorite part of the weekend (as is evident by the pictures below!) He just splashed and splashed, climbed in and out of the pool, etc. Shane also helped his mom with some yard work that needed to be done! That evening we enjoyed homemade chocolate ice cream and other desserts when all of Gran's family came over to visit!

Swimming (well, splashing mostly!)








Evie didn't like the pool at first, but then she got the hang of it!

This is what Austin does when he's around people he doesn't remember- the stare down. Cute outfit, huh?

Shane, Maw Maw & Austin

We got up early and headed to church on Sunday morning! After lunch and a nap, we headed out to see Papa Gary's side of the family- they all enjoyed seeing the kids. The guys did a little fishing that evening while Sharon & I took the kids for a walk! The weather was so beautiful all weekend long!

Daddy & Austin

The Lumpkins men

On Monday we had a big breakfast & then spent more time with extended family before heading home. Our trip took 10 hrs on the way home- horrible! Lots more stops & awful traffic. Now I remember why I don't like to travel on holiday weekends. Maybe Gran & Papa Gary can come up here next time! :)

One last picture- Austin's new favorite "toy" is the watering can. He walks around the house with it. Max just thinks that means he gets to go outside...

From the last week

To end the harassment (from Papa Jim), here are some new pics and video......

Last Friday evening we had our friends, Jared & Leah, over for dinner. Their son, Reid, is 2 weeks younger than Austin- so they are good buddies! Reid has been walking a while longer than Austin, so it was funny to see Austin watch Reid run around!









Just a few from the last couple of days


He's a paci boy for sure (yes, one in his hand & one in his mouth)


Also loves playing with diapers... AKA making a mess.


I found Max hiding in Austin's room today.... sneaky


More walking... and boy is he keeping me BUSY!




Have a great weekend! :)

Walking

And here's the proof...