Sunday, June 14, 2009

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! :)


Sunday, May 31, 2009

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?

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

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...

Thursday, May 14, 2009

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! :)

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Walking

And here's the proof...



Thursday, April 30, 2009

Moving around

UPDATE BELOW
Just a few short videos of Austin cruising around with his walker. It was so funny- I've had it out for months, but it just peaked his interest in the last few days.... and now he loves it! He will also take 5-7 steps at a time when walking between Shane & I!






In the last few days Austin has starting walking around a lot more! He will walk halfway across a room, and only start crawling once he falls! Usually it's about 8-10 feet! And he pushes everything around now- boxes, toys, tables.... it's about to get CrAzY around here!

Monday, April 27, 2009

1 Year Pictures

Sorry it took me a few days to post Austin's 1 yr pictures- there was a slight delay in getting the proofs to me! We had the pictures taken in mid-March at the Ft Worth Arboretum! Austin was very interested in all of his surroundings, so he wasn't being very cooperative with our photographer! Thanks to Laurie for doing a great job (she is the photographer that did Austin's newborn pictures as well!)