Eight Months Down

Austin is eight months old today.  I can hardly believe it.  Eight months seems so close to one year -- which I can't even comprehend right now.  It's true what they say; it really does fly by.  Every day we see a little more of Austin's personality.  He's still the happy, calm baby he's always been, but he seems to be channeling a feisty side at times.  For example, this afternoon he crawled to the TV stand in hopes of getting at the Playstation yet again.  This time, though, he couldn't reach it because I had pushed it to the very back.  He reached his little arm as far as it would stretch, and when he had no luck he looked back and cursed me out (in the form of dramatic whines and yells). 

This month has been a big one for the Littlest Monkey Man (one of many, many, many nicknames).  At eight months Austin...

...has two teeth!  Well, we call them spikes because that's really what they are right now.
...is crawling, though he's not the most coordinated crawler yet.  He's face-planted at least a dozen times already.
...hates almost every vegetable (I have to mix them with fruit to get him to eat them).
...loves cords of all kinds (laptop, cell phone charger, headphones, etc.)
...still likes sucking his binky upside down.
...loves going to church -- he turns into the biggest flirt.
...cannot get enough of Baxter.
...sleeps at least 12 hours at night on a regular basis (with one quick feeding in the early, early morning)
...is starting to pull himself up onto things.
...loves being out and about.
...is the happiest when he's playing with Daddy and Baxter or in the bath.

We pulled out the swing for old times' sake today.  This time we absolutely had to strap Austin in.  He nearly flipped himself out of the seat within seconds.  I haven't put him in the swing for months, but he actually loved it.  Of course I had to keep him cruising at full speed, though. 

It's been an eventful week already...

Austin (finally) cut  his first tooth.  And he's legitimately crawling.  Oh, and I have an stye on my eyelid.

More to come later.

On the tooth and the crawling...not the stye (let's just hope that goes away quickly).

How to Sleep Like a Baby: Part II

I already briefly mentioned that Austin moves around like a mad man in his sleep.  Well, I decided to start documenting it.  I planned to take at least one picture of him sleeping every day (at nap or night time).  Initially I wanted to get a month's worth of pictures before I blogged about it, but I just couldn't wait.  Notice in one picture he has his binky in upside down, and in a few of him he's holding on to the crib bars.  Such a funny little guy.

In 2011 I Resolve to...

I've never been one to make a big deal about New Year's Resolutions -- or to really even make resolutions -- but I am always thinking of things I want to work on and setting goals (of sorts) to accomplish them.  This year, though, I decided to make a few resolutions/goals that I want to specifically accomplish.  And I thought I would list them on my blog, since i had so much more success by posting my reading goal in 2009.

So, without further ado, in 2011 I resolve to (in no particular order)...

1.  Drink 96 ounces of water a day.
2.  Cook at least 2 new recipes a month.
3.  Push my cuticles back on a regular basis (once a week? maybe more?  I have out of control cuticle problems).
4.  Read 24 books -- including one nonfiction (shocking, I know).
5.  Have more pictures taken with me in them (so my posterity will know that I actually was around).
6.  Finish typing/editing/publishing my grandpa's childhood stories.
7.  Be able to run at least 13 miles (preferably before June 25).
8.  Schedule one Girl's Night a month with friends or family.
9.  Fold and put the laundry away immediate -- at least half of the time (let's not get hasty).
10.  Finish Austin's Year One scrapbook.

Oprah once talked about the idea of a vision board.  Basically you create a poster that shows everything you want to accomplish in images.  You put the board in a place where you will see it often, so you are constantly reminded of what you're working on.  Apparently, people who do this have a greater chance of achieving their goals -- and in a faster amount of time -- than those who don't.  I made a family vision board last year and put it on the fridge.  I loved it and I plan to do the same thing again.  Perhaps I'll share it with you once it's complete.

As a family we've made other resolution (of a more spiritual nature) as well, but I'll spare you those details.

And just in case you wondered what else we were up to today:

Yes that's the fuzz under the couch.  And, yes, I stopped him from eating it -- barely.

How to Sleep Like a Baby

Not long after I put Austin to bed the other night he started crying an usual cry.  He wasn't really crying, but it seemed like there was something wrong.  So I went and peeked in his room to find this:

Notice his cute little crossed feet.  I had actually been meaning to take the crib bumper off for a while because he's been moving around his crib while he sleeps like a mad man.  So I took the bumper off and the next night we peeked in his room and found this: 

Ahhh, much better!

He's 7 Months!

Technically Austin is 7 months and 10 days old, but we've been a little busy around here.  Plus, I was just took him in for his 6 month checkup....finally (we'd been waiting for our new insurance to kick in).  He's as healthy as can be.

Austin's 7 Months Stats:
Weight: 18 lbs 2 ounces (50th percentile)
Height: 27.5 inches (75th percentile)
Head: 45 centimeters (75th percentile)

 And, at 7 months, Austin...

...has starting drinking out of a sippy cup, though he's always a bit surprised when he gets a big gulp.
...is desperately trying to crawl.
...still has no teeth.
...loves to giggle for no reason.
...takes great naps during the day (3 hours worth, at least).
...loves mangos, applesauce, and avocado.
...is not big on peas and green beans (but who is, really?).
...thinks knocking down small towers of toys is hilarious.
...loves to growl...especially if you growl back.
...slept for 6 continuous hours last night (which is his longest stretch to date).

The Big 2 - 7.

That's right, today is my birthday.

I could elaborate further, but I'm not going to.  Why?  Well, because today is my birthday and I'd rather go lay on the couch and watch last night's Biggest Loser while Austin is napping.  So there.  Happy birthday to me!!