Do Not Disturb

  Jeff and I always check on Austin before we go to sleep.  We crack open his door and use the light of our cell phones to peek in his crib.  Most nights, we stay for just a minute and he doesn't stir at all.  Every once in a while, though, he wakes up.  Tonight when we went into his room, he sat up in his crib, rubbing his eyes and whining a little.  I wish there had been a video camera there to capture the rest of the scene. When we realized he was awake, we clutched our phones to our stomachs to hide the light and dove to the floor.  We squatted there for a few minutes until we were sure he was back asleep.  While I was hiding on the floor, I started giggling thinking about how silly we must look. 

The things we do to preserve our kids' sleep. 

First Haircut

Austin's hair was starting to get really long, so we finally decided to cave and take him to get a haircut.  I had tried to cut it myself a few times, but it usually ended up looking a bit like a mullet.  I really didn't want to get rid of his curls in the back, but he definitely needed a trim.  I was really impressed with the lady who cut his hair.  He was moving his head the entire time, but she just kept cutting. . . and it came out looking even!!

                                                            I'm not sure about this, Mom!!

                                                       Oh, I get a sucker?  Let's do it!

Car Time

This is often how we pass time in the car . . . (Note: please ignore my voice :) )

Nursery Update

Since we are living with my parents until we move to SC, we have been going with them to church.  Austin  absolutely loves the nursery leader at Mt. Zion.  The first time he saw her, he shot her a big smile and a wave.  I went in the nursery with him planning to stay the entire time, but it was like I wasn't even there.  His cousin Kensi was there that Sunday and when he saw her he walked right in and started playing.  He stayed the entire time!!!  He did the same thing last week.  Keeping my fingers crossed!!!

Nursery

In our Church, when children are 18 months old they can start going to Nursery for 2 hours.  I have been looking forward to this since we spend most of the last two hours of church in the hall with Austin.  He went by himself for the first time last week.  I dropped him off, he went straight to the play-doh table, and seemed really happy.  So I left.  About 10 minutes later, I heared a child SOBBING outside of the Sunday School door.  He was crying so hard, I didn't even recognize Austin's cry.  When the nursery teacher opened the door, I saw how sad he was.  Even after I held him he didn't stop crying.  So I spent the rest of Church in Nursery with him (which is still way better than chasing him through the halls!)  Oh well, we will try again next week!  But didn't he look so cute for his first day?

(This picture is of him laughing so hard at his dad that he can barely stand up.)

Austin will be 18 months old tomorrow. I seriously can't believe how quickly time is passing.  A few bits of info about Austin:

* He is in the 93rd percentile for weight and the 99th percentile for height - he's a big boy! 

*He loves Elmo (nana)

* His favorite thing to do is run around and kick or throw a ball

*He LOVES strawberries, grapes, and yogurt

*He is such a great sleeper (finally).  He takes a 2-3 hour nap everyday and sleeps for 12 hours at night.

*He panics if we are getting him out of his carseat and he doesn't have a ball to take with him.  You can just see the relief on his face when we give him a ball.

*His new favorite word is "no."  And he loves to shake his head "no."

*He loves to say "Dadadadadadada"

*His knee is always scraped.

*When we say prayers he folds his arms and sticks his tongue out - pretty sure he learned that from his dad.

*He eats all day - literally.

*When we say "Time to change your diaper" he always hides behind the chair in the living room.

*He loves reading books - by himself and with mom and dad.

*He now sleeps with frog, big elmo and little elmo.

We love him so much.  He has the funniest personality. He keeps us laughing and smiling all day.  We can't wait to see what he thinks of our life in the Carolinas!

Elmo

Several months ago my friend Bre posted a video of Elmo tap dancing that her kids really like.  Austin loved it!  It was the first time he showed any interest in cartoon characters, or cartoons in general.  I have to say , I'm so glad we saw Elmo that day.  Ever since then, Elmo has made our lives much easier.

Austin will eat pretty much anything (even broccoli) - IF he can use his Elmo fork or spoon.

Right before bed we clean up Austin's toys  and read a few books.  Austin usually does this happily, and I think part of the reason is because when he's done with those two things he gets to watch Elmo for 10-15 minutes.  He lays on the couch so calmly and gets nice and relaxed before bed. 

Most of the time, he's happy to get in his crib because he knows Elmo will be waiting to snuggle with him.  As soon as we put him in his crib, he dives towards Elmo and gives him a big hug.  When I'm closing his door, I can usually hear him giving Elmo a kiss. 

Thank you Elmo!!!