And You Thought I Was Exaggerating

He's sleeping on the couch under the air conditioner.  Amazing, huh?

Four Month Checkup

Austin had his four month checkup today.  I was really eager to find out his height and weight.  He seriously seems huge to me...especially when you compare recent pictures to newborn ones.  Even though everyone warned me, I can't believe how fast he's grown.  I was actually surprised to find that he's pretty much average in every way.

When we arrived at the doctor Austin was completely exhausted, which I actually think was a good thing.  He took the shots a little bit more dramatically than at his two-month appointment.  But, after we got home he took an hour and a half nap.  The doctor said he's as healthy as can be.

Austin's Four Month Stats:
Weight: 15 lbs 7 ounces
Height:  26.75 inches
Head:  16.75 inches

I love that Austin is totally strapped into his swing in only the May picture.  As if he could have gotten anywhere then. 

 

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Also, today is our anniversary; yay for us!!  Three whole years.  Perhaps later this evening I'll write a post commemorating the best three years of my life....perhaps.

Perspective

Too often we take for granted the beautiful things this world has to offer.  We get caught up in our busy lives and lose perspective.  Luckily there are also people to whom the beauties of the world can be a life-altering experience.  Take, for example, the man in this video.

I bet you'll never look at a double rainbow the same way again.

Four Months Old

Just FYI, I did find a dress for my friend's wedding on Saturday.  It was a long and painful process, but it was totally worth it because I ended up with a dress I love (and will wear again) for only $30!  The wedding was wonderful, though shortly after the ceremony we got a call from the babysitter (poor Kalen) saying that Austin was screaming and to get home now.  So sadly we missed out on dinner, dancing, and, most importantly, cake!  Austin,of course, was totally fine after five minutes.  In fact, I think it took Kalen much longer to recover from the whole experience.  And, trust me, I totally understand. It's happened to me many times.  I just hope Kalen isn't too traumatized to babysit little Austin in the future.

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In other news, Austin is 4 months old today!  He is the happiest, smiliest baby ever.  He hardly ever cries, though when he does it can be pretty intense.  We love him more and more every single day.  At four months Austin....


...can roll from back to belly (though one of his arms is always stuck underneath and he can't quite get it out, which makes him very angry)
...sweats like a 400-pound man 
...has just started taking a 2-hour nap in the afternoon fairly regularly
...loves being in my baby wrap (this is how we do grocery shopping now)
...is enamored with his jungle mobile
...hates going to sleep
...scoots out of his swing if he's not strapped in
...loves his toes
...absolutely loves being in his Bumbo seat
...is starting to giggle more (or maybe we're just getting funnier)
...loves to dance with his Mom
...still loves being swaddled at night
...loves bath time
...is smitten with Baxter (even though Baxter doesn't feel quite the same yet)
...has a constant stream of drool pooling on his chest
...is desperately trying to be a thumb sucker

Midnight Rant

Have you ever had one of those night where, despite being overwhelmingly exhausted, you couldn't sleep?  You're lying there in bed, listening to the soft snores of your husband, your dog, and your baby, thinking, "go to sleep, go to sleep, go to sleep."  And you start counting down the remaining viable sleep hours and realize that the baby could wake up at any second, which just stresses you out even more.

That's where I am now.  It's after 3 am and here I am...wide awake.  I tried everything that usually works:  listening to Chapter 3 of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, practicing the meditation techniques I learned in World Religions, drinking a big glass of milk, and listening to a Conference talk (which, sadly, almost always sends me to dreamland in mere seconds). 

With body relaxed, belly satisfied, spirituality reaffirmed (I enjoyed 3 wonderful talks), bills paid, emails answered, Facebook friends significantly stalked, I shall blog.  Maybe with this checked off my To-Do list I will finally be able to catch a few Z's.

I'd like to blog about what I've recently discovered is one of the most frustrating things in life: finding a dress to wear to a wedding.

A friend of mine is getting married this Saturday.  It will be outside and in the evening.  All I want is a simple, knee-length dress with longer-than-cap sleeves.  So far, it's been impossible.

I shopped between two malls for 5.5. hours today (thank you Austin for being so cooperative and thank you BOB for making my life that much easier).  I scoured every rack.  What did I find?  Absolutely nothing.  Of course, being a frugalista, I started on the clearance and sales racks.  But by hour 4 I was willing to pay full price (I know, I know) if I could just find something....anything.  I did try on a few dresses, but they weren't even worth settling for.  So, I left empty handed (not counting the v-neck T's I got for $1.67 each at JC Penny...my consolation prize, I suppose) and irritated.

Tomorrow, though, we're going for round two.  Wish me luck!

And, for those who humored me through this entire post, your visual reward.  Enjoy.

Sweet Feet

Austin recently found his new favorite thing...his feet!  He can't keep his hands off them. And he's starting to love playing "This Little Piggy" with his little toes.  He does have absolutely adorable little monkey feet.

The Only Thing Worse Than Tummy Time....

...is being forced into a photo shoot during it!

Baxter actually did join in for a minute.  If you recall this post you'll know why.

Oh, and look!  There's that binky we've been looking for under the couch!  See, tummy time is beneficial.

On the bright side, I got a half-a-mile walk in.

Apartment living sucks.  I don't think anyone would disagree.  That, however, is an entirely different post.  Today's post is about one of the joys of apartment living: getting "special" mail.  What I mean is that when a piece of mail comes that won't fit in your 4-inch by 4-inch mail box you find a note that says: You have a package waiting at the Manager's office.  I was the lucky winner of one of those notes the other day.

A package!?!? As I loaded up the baby and began the the quarter-mile walk to the office, my head was swimming through through the limitless possibilities: a late baby gift, a care package for me (from whom I couldn't even begin to guess), a free sample I requested...  I was overwhelmed with excitement as I frolicked through the office doors and exclaimed, "I have a package waiting for me!"

"Oh, yes," the Manager replied.  "Enjoy!"  And she handed it over.

Yes, that is ESPN the magazine.  Just one more reason that sports are a big life ruiner.  On the bright side, I got a half-a-mile walk in.

Happy Waker

I went to check on Austin while he was napping yesterday and this is what I found:

Today...same story:

This happens a lot.  I'm never quite sure how long he's been awake.  I just know that he is awake and oh so happy. 

Note: He doesn't always wake up like this.  Just as often (usually after I just sit down to relax for a minute or two) I hear his shrieks and screams that can only be interpreted as "Mom...you better get in here NOW...or else!!!" 

Visting Great Grandpa Evans

We were so happy that Toren had today off work. We decided to take a long-overdue trip to see his Grandpa Evans near Vancouver, Washington.  This was Grandpa's first time meeting little Austin.  As expected, Austin was all smiles...until we took the camera out.  It was so nice to visit for a while.  When we left, Toren and I agreed that we really need to drive up much more often.

Dear Husband

Dear Husband,

 You're going to hate this.  Don't worry, I'll skip all the mushy stuff.  Happy birthday!!  I love you!  I look forward to spending many, many, many more birthdays with you in the future.  Have a fun weekend.  Go Cougs!

Love,
Your Wife

P.S. I won't tell anyone that this letter will secretly make you happy.

Dear Mom

Dear Mom,

I read an anonymous quote the other day that said “Daughters and mothers are closest when daughters become mothers.”  So true.  I always knew you were a good mom growing up. And later, after I got married, I decided you were a great mom.  But now that I’m a mom myself I realize: you are the best mom.  Seriously, I don’t know how you did it.  I don’t know how I’m going to do it.  All I know is that I’m glad to have you as an example and a source of constant advice and encouragement.

Today (well, tomorrow for me, but today for you) is your 50^th birthday.  Congratulations!  I don’t know much about being fifty, but I do know plenty about you.  And I know that your next fifty years will be just as exciting and full of life as the first.  Because, well, you’re an exciting, full of life kind of person. 

In honor of your birthday, I’d like to highlight 50 things about you that make you so….well….you!  And irresistible not to love and admire.

In no particular order…

1. You love to laugh.
2. You love Chipotle.  Enough that you could (and would if they had one in Thailand) eat there everyday.
3. You love to take pictures.
4. You have a testimony that you love to share.
5. You moved to Thailand and supported dad without hesitation.
6. You are an amazing cook.
7. You are a night owl and not really a morning person.
8. You are a runner.
9. You love sunbathing (with me especially).
10. You love to read.
11. You love to travel.
12. You have read almost every Jane Austen related book in the world.
13. You love shopping (with and for me).
14. You love a good deal.
15. You were an early morning seminary teacher for 15 years.
16. You do things you don’t want to for the benefit of others.
17. You understand the need for a good cry now and then.
18. You always let me whine about stupid things.  And you usually agree.
19. You love a good road trip (though maybe not anymore after this summer).
20. You put others before yourself all the time.
21. You always buy popcorn and drinks at the theater.
22. You are the most organized person I know.
23. You beat breast cancer.
24. You are a take-action kind of woman (prime example: without being asked you helped clear tables in an understaffed Pizza Hut so everyone waiting could be seated).
25. You learned to Scuba dive for Dad.
26. You do genealogy (and you love it).
27. You love to jam out to good music.
28. You have a blog (and keep it updated).
29. You have very nice calves (and as a result, so do I!).
30. You were happily sorted into Hufflepuff.
31. You know how to plan a vacation.
32. You don’t sew…and you don’t feel guilty about it.
33. You love to go to a late night movie in you pajamas.
34. You “hired” me as your secretary many times and paid me in lunch dates.
35. You are compassionate.
36. You are honest.
37. You love to people watch.
38. You Facebook.
39. You keep in touch with people.
40. You try to love, or at least seem interested in, football for my husband (even I don’t do that).
41. You admit your mistakes and try to correct them.
42. You are always willing to try something new.
43. You are close to your family.
44. You love the color green.
45. You are accepting and welcoming.
46. You are perfect at “softing.”
47. You are strong (physically, mentally and emotionally).
48. You have the backs of those that are close to you.  No matter what.
49. You make life fun.
50. You love your grandson more than anything.

I love you, Mom.  I couldn’t imagine what my life would be like without having you as a Mom.  You’ve made a great impact in the world over last fifty years.  And I know you have at least fifty more to give!  Have a happy, happy birthday!

Love,

Your Daughter

The (Still) Wild Beagle

The verdict is still out on Baxter’s true opinion of Austin.  I actually think he's more indifferent than anything.  But he sure loves all of Austin’s “stuff.”  I regularly find him snoozing on Austin's blankets, attempting to lay on Austin's activity mat, trying to sneak burp clothes off to his "beagle cave" (aka under the end table).  

But his absolute favorite things are the toys. Austin is just starting to really be interested in things that are really colorful or make noise.  And, when Baxter hears a rattle or sees something with a bit of flare — he comes bolting in from wherever he’s been sulking and turns in to the Wild Beagle.  He just goes crazy.  Of course, I can’t really let him play with Austin's toys.  Perhaps we’ll have to invest in a few toys exclusively for Baxter.  I did, however, let him destroy one of Austin’s washcloths last night.  He was just having too much fun with it.  I wish I would have taken a video of it.  Instead, I just got photos of the carnage.