Busy, Busy, Busy

Like I mentioned, we've been rather busy lately.  I'll try to bring you up to speed now before life gets real crazy (Austin's birthday, my Mom and John's arrival, my BFF's wedding, and all sorts of summer fun).

My Dad came to visit all the way from Thailand!!  He was on his way to Atlanta for some business meetings, but he was able to spend a few days with us.  We spent most of our time clearing out and organizing my parents' things that we moved out of storage.  It was a lot of work, but it gave us lots of time to talk.  Austin, as usual, was quite the charmer.  My Dad couldn't stop laughing at Austin's silliness.  Sadly, I really didn't take any pictures and I am totally regretting it.  And this is the only one I have of my Dad and Austin (sorry Dad!).

After my Dad left, Austin and I took the train down to Portland again.  Toren and my sisters-in-law (Maren and Mallory) were already there with my cute nephews.  We had tons of fun.  Once we got home, though, Austin spent a few days recovering from all the excitement and naps he refused to take.

During Toren's trip to New Zealand, Austin and I ventured over to Spokane to visit my BFF.  She's getting married next month, so it was great to just hang out and reminisce about the goold ol' days.  Sadly, we didn't really take any pictures.  I guess we were just too busy laughing about how stupid we were in college.  Austin loved being in a new place and still having a dog to pester (poor Rusty).  I will proudly mention that I made Amanda a t-shirt quilt all by myself.  See?  We have been busy.

We spent the rest of the time just bummin' around the house, running errands, going to the gym, and playing out in the sun. Austin's figured out how to turn on and off the TV, which he thinks is pretty hillarious (we, however, do not).

Kickin' with the Kiwis

I know, I know, I've dropped off the face off the blogging planet.  In addition to being quite busy, we've been having some serious technical difficulties around here.  Our laptop totally froze up and needed to be completely refomatted, and then our desktop got a virus.  Luckily I do routine backups, so we didn't loose anything important.  BUT it just made doing anything on the computer quite frustrating.  We're back up and running now, though.

In other, more exciting, news Toren just returned home from a 10-day business trip to New Zealand.  He said it was absolutely beautiful.  They started out in the South island, which is more rustic and rural than the North.  They traveled first through the Fjordland National Park, which is the home to the Southern Alps.

Toward the end of the Fjordland they took a cruise around the Milford Sound.  It might look familiar for the LOTR fans out there.  This is the spot where the elves, Gandalf, and Frodo sailed off in the end of The Return of the King.

Before heading to the more populated North island, they visited the Franz Joseph Glacier.  It's one of only two glaciers that flows into a temerate rainforest.  The glacier water was so pure that (as you can see) Toren took a sip.

The majority of New Zealanders live on the North island, but it's much less majestic.  Toren didn't take too many pictures.  They stayed in Wellington (the capital city), which has a very European style. 

He brought me back a pair of earrings and a necklace made with genuine New Zealand jade and he brough Austin back a stuff animal kiwi bird.  He had a great time, but, of course, he would have had a better time if we'd been with him.

More later on how Austin and I stayed busy while Toren was gone.

One Month Shy of a YEAR

That's right....it's been another month.  Austin is 11 months old today, and I'm almost in tears about it.  I'm going to be an absolute basket case this time next month.  Every day I see a little more of Austin's personality.  I still can't tell if he's more like Toren or me.  But he is becoming quite the teaser.  I'm excited (though emotional) to see how he changes in the next few months.

At eleven months Austin...

...loves to throw things...anything. (Last Sunday he launched a toy hippo four pews up.)
...can stand on his own. (Until he notices he's doing it.  Then he grabs onto something or sits down.)
... eats almost anything. (His recent favs are enchiladas, grapes, chicken noodle soup (minus the soup part), grilled cheese sandwich, peas, bananas, meatloaf.)
...loves to dance.
...would probably be happy taking a bath all day long.
...gives smoochies when we ask for them
...loves to "high five."
...thinks he's pretty cool when he gets a hold of something he knows he shouldn't (i.e. remote control, iPod, cell phone).
...loves driving cars along the carpet.
...gives his food to Baxter or throws it on the floor when he's done eating.
...loves to be chased.
...is busy all day long.
...loves running errands with Mom.
...is just starting to find joy in tormenting Baxter (pulling on his ears, tail, nose, and stealing his favorite ball).
...loves it when Daddy puts carries him on his shoulders.
...could probably drink his weight in water.
...loves to play peek-a-boo.
...claps when Mom is particularly funny.

Toys, Toys, Toys!!

We're always looking for excuses to get us out of the house...especially on rainy days.  So we were thrilled when my friend Missy invited us to a little Toys R Us excursion.  We were there for well over an hour just exploring all the toys.  The kids LOVED it.  Missy's youngest (of three total) is just a month older than Austin.  I've mentioned her before.

These pictures are taken with my phone, so they're not the best.

Gettin' Back in the Mood

I've been a pretty terrible blogger lately, and  I don't really have a good reason.  I just haven't been in the mood.  We've actually had quite a few adventures lately, so to quickly catch you up:

1.  While on our Oregon vacation we went on the underground Portland tour and learned about secret tunnels, shanghaiing, and really good donuts.  It was three hours and Austin loved every second of it.
2.  We had spaghetti dinner with the missionaries.  Austin couldn't get enough of the meatballs.
3.  We went to Northwest Trek with Grandma and Grandpa Forsberg (who came to visit us for spring break).
4.  We ventured downtown to take a harbor cruise and walk through Pike's Place Market.
5.  Grandma Forsberg gave Austin a sucker -- it was probably the happiest moment of his life.
6.  We checked out the awesome Museum of Flight and walked through Air Force One.
7.  Austin spilled printer ink all over the carpet and felt really bad about it.
8.  To teach him about consequences, I made him help me clean it up.
9.  With Toren out of town on business, Austin has assumed the role of "supreme mischief maker."
10.  Austin got a (much needed) haircut.

Oh, and also, I recently took up couponing.  I've actually always been a coupon shopper, but just recently I decided to really go crazy and see if it would pay off.  It's been two weeks and this is all the stuff I've scored for FREE or less than a dollar:

I know we probably don't need all that candy, but, well, Easter is just around the corner...right?!  Anyway, pretty amazing, huh?  And this picture doesn't include 3 (FREE) gallons of milk.  It was a lot of work up front to figure everything out, but I'd say it's worth it.  The only downside is that sometimes I can't fall asleep at night because I have too much anticipation for the great deal I plan on getting in the morning.  But what's a little less sleep when you're getting toothpaste for FREE?!

It's Been 10 Months (wow!)

As usual, I can't believe it's been another month.  I must admit that this last month flew by particularly fast.  Every day it seems more like Austin is turning from a little baby into a little boy.  He is always happy and has a silly little personality.

At ten months Austin...

...is starting to let go while standing up.
...babbles ALL day long
...pulls on his ears when he's tired.
...loves to dance to music.
...is eating more and more solid foods (mac & cheese, hot dogs, french toast, string cheese, cooked carrots and peas, bananas, cheese quesadillas, PB & J sandwiches)
...sleeps completely through the night.
...says ma-ma-ma-ma-ma and da-da-da-da-da-da
...is fascinated with all types of animals.
...loves to splash in the bath.
...laughs constantly.
...is starting to throw and drop things on purpose (and he always thinks it's hilarious).
...likes to be chased or play "hide and seek."
...loves to bush his teeth.

Taking the Train to Portland (and 9 Month Stats)

Austin had his nine month appointment Monday morning.  The doctor said he's as healthy as a clam, though we need to really encourage him to keep eating more solid foods because he's a bit of a lightweight.  She said it's probably because he's been burning so many calories by crawling around (nonstop), so she's too not concerned.

Austin's 9 Month Stats:
Weight: 18 lbs 10 ounces (25th percentile)
Height: 28.25 inches (75th percentile)
Head: 45.6 centimeters (75th percentile)

Then Monday afternoon Austin and I caught the train to Portland.  Toren is working in Southwest Washington this week so we thought it would be perfect to squeeze a visit in for all of us since he'd already be so close.

I was a little nervous about the 3.5 hour train ride.  I just knew it would be hard to contain Austin for that long.  We left right around nap time and I desperately (and a little too optimistically perhaps) hoped that he's just sleep for most of the ride.  Here's what happened, step by step...

He slept for only about 45 minutes, which meant that we repeated steps 4-8 about 100 times before we finally made it to Oregon.  It actually went much better than I expected, though we did have to walk up and down the train 4 or 5 times.  Luckily he very easily charmed the conductor and passengers -- as usual.