Crawling, and teeth, and cloth diapers, Oh My!

 Well, as usual, it's been awhile since i've written, so I'll try to make this quick!  Well, as quick as I can, because as most of you know, I have a daily word count that I must get in (and that doesn't matter if it's spoken, or written.  Sorry, Jared.).

Morgan has recently gotten her first tooth, one of her bottom ones.  I'm totally going to miss that sweet, innocent, gummy smile.  She has the most precious smile.  It makes my heart melt.  I know it did with Austin, but it's easy to forget as our children get older those small simple moments in life that make you realize what it is all about.  That smile is one of them to me.  And next month it will probably be something else.  I really wish we could just freeze time sometimes, but I know that's not possible.  But they really are growing up too fast.  It's hard to believe that she will be 8 months old in a few short weeks.  These two make our family and life complete.

Morgan at 6 months- just learning how to sit up on her own

How sweet and innocent can she possibly be?

Here are a few pictures of Morgan from her six month photo shoot with daddy.  As you can see, she's starting to come into her own, and looking slightly less like Austin at this point.  Granted, she still resembles daddy and big brother more so than me, but I think the bottom of these two pictures, in particular, she's starting to look like her own being.  And my, she is gorgeous, if I don't mind saying so myself.

Morgan getting into a stack of bills I'm working on organizing.  

Morgan is officially a crawler at this point.  She's very slow and timid with her movements, but she gets around.  It's adorable to watch.  She's up on all fours, unlike her brother who did the army crawl for months.  She's very curious and into everything at this point, and nothing is safe around her.  Austin is still trying to figure out how to keep her away from his toys, but he's very patient with her, and doesn't get upset with her (yet).  He's such a wonderful big brother though, and lets me know when she's got something that's too small that she shouldn't have.  Morgan is starting to want to eat adult table food and is getting upset when I try to feed her purees.  She typically blows raspberries at me, usually resulting in me needing a change of clothes almost immediately after meals.  I know it's a phase, like most things are with kids, but hopefully she grows out of this one soon.  It's cute, and frustrating all at the same time.  She's starting to self feed herself Gerber Graduate Puffs (she would eat the whole can in one sitting if I let her), bananas (i'm now up to buying around 12 lbs per a week for the family, ugh!), and i've given her really ripe pears and green beans.  She is still a good eater, and has quite the "tum-belly" on her as Austin would say.

Hanging out and watching basketball as a family

As some people know, I've recently gotten into the crazy, confusing world of cloth diapering.  There are so many options out there now, and it was honestly overwhelming and cumbersome at first.  I'm getting there with it though!  In all honesty, with Austin, I thought there was only one way to do things.  You buy everything-disposable diapers, food, whatever.  I'm not as timid with Morgan as I was with him.  I've made all of her baby food, started her on cloth diapers, have let her have bites of my food and drink from my cup.  These are all things I was terrified to do with Austin and I'm just a bit braver with her.   I almost tried cloth diapering with Austin, but it was when he was starting to potty train and I didn't want to invest the money in it at the time (and, we couldn't afford it, to be honest.  The initial cost was too much for us.).  So, Target started carrying a cloth diapering system (Charlie Banana) that I have been wanting to try, and I broke down and purchased them about two weeks ago.  So far, I love it.  I wish I would have done it sooner, but I sort of got wrapped up in making purees......and life.  Since she was an infant, Morgan hasn't really minded sitting in her own filth, which sort of concerned me with potty training (even though I know that's a bit down the road).  Austin hated it and I had him in cloth training pants before his 2nd birthday, and he was pretty well potty trained shortly after that (at least with the going number 1, number 2 was a totally different story!).  Morgan, not so much.  She blows out of every disposable diaper I've tried, and has always been red in the downstairs area.  Since i've switched to cloth; no blow outs, no redness....yet.  She still doesn't seem to be bothered with being wet, but she gets changed more frequently now that she's in the cloth as they don't absorb much.  It's a bit more work, but I like that she's not red, and I'm not wasting a bunch of money throwing diapers in the garbage anymore.  I feel like I'm doing something good for her, good for our budget, and good for the environment by doing so.  Not to mention that unlike the disposables, I can sell these once I'm done with them :)

Austin and Jared recently went to the Monster Truck show.  Austin was a huge fan, and Jared naturally tried to compare the Fort Wayne show to a much larger one he saw in MI growing up.  Not quite the same, but they had a blast.  Austin is changing so fast, and it's hard to keep up.  He's been in a more playful mood lately and not so literal and serious, which has been really fun.  It seems like at this point, he's more like our "buddy" than our son, if that makes any sense.  I hope that doesn't become a problem at some point, but it's what works for us right now, and it's part of the reason why he's such a great kid.  He really doesn't give us many problems and is a very sweet, kind, compassionate little boy.  Apparently we are doing something right. :)

We've all been sick lately.  Over, and over, and over again.  It's really getting old, and hopefully with the nice weather approaching (finally), we will get over some of it.  Here Austin is relaxing with Jackson, most likely watching a show, sick.  He's bringing home all of those lovely preschool germs, sharing them well with the family.  He's starting to do chores around the house again, and was just able to save up enough money to put $5 in the bank for savings, and buy himself his first toy.  He was so proud of himself when the Amazon package arrived today.  It was priceless to see his face and how excited he was.  I hope he enjoys this toy as much as he thinks he will, especially since he worked so hard to buy it.  it's interesting trying to teach a 4 year old responsibility and about money, but I guess we can't start to early with those sort of things.

Jared recently ran across the above quote.  And I don't know what's happened to us and our family in the past few years, but we've grown so much (both physically and mentally).  I don't know if it's been since the birth of our kids, since Jared switched jobs, since i've stayed at home, since or circle of friends has changed, or since we've gotten older (more likely a combination of the listed).  I'm really not sure, but we've been trying  around our house (as well as teaching the kids) to do the right things in life, knowing that eventually those things will be reciprocated and good will be done in the world.  I keep reflecting on a quote from Dr. Seuss that's in the Lorax "Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better.  It's not."  I long to get back to a simpler life; one where we aren't keeping up with the Jones's (although we haven't been doing that for years), where it's about helping our community and others around us, one where we live with what we need, and not so much what we want.  One that it's not just about "me". It doesn't take much to be compassionate, and it comes in all forms and can apply to most things in life.  I just hope that we can continue on this path in our lives and teach our children the same.  I apologize if some of this doesn't fit in, but I have a massive pack of Switch and Go Dino's next to me making a lot of noise from a very talkative 4 year old and have completely lost my train of thought.  So much for insightfulness :)

Winter and Introducing Solids!

Austin helping to make Christmas Cookies for Santa (Dec. 2012)

Well, the Holiday season is officially over, and it was wonderful.  Austin is finally at the age where he understands Santa, and we focused this year on him giving to others.  It's such a difficult concept for a 4 year old to get, but he did better than I expected him to this year.  I took him to Toys R Us this year and let him pick out a toy to donate, and he did great.  He started to understand that it's not all about him, and that other kids are in need as well.  He will even pick up toys around the house now and tell me that he doesn't need it anymore and we can donate it to another little boy who would like it.  It was a wonderful idea to do that from one of our friends, and it's a tradition we will continue to do with both of our kids.  He loved picking out gifts for grandparents, daddy; even his sister.  He did wonderful and actually tried to think of things that others would want, and not things that he wanted for himself.  We had a great Christmas, and felt very blessed and humbled for all of the wonderful things that have happened for our family this year.

Austin showing us what a T-Rex does.  And yes, he still thinks that he will grow up and become one someday! (Jan. 2013)

Austin is continuing to do really well in school.  He is beginning to read easy books to us (so far, we like the Brand New Reader's series).  We read the story to him once, and then he can read it back to us until we have to take it back to the library.  He's been asking about rhyming words, how to spell things, and the sounds that different letters make.  He has recently started to write his name, and is trying to draw simple objects (faces, monsters).  Most of his drawings look very similar, but his school has assured us that this is just one of the many steps in the process of drawing and writing!  It's amazing how he's able to do things this month that he couldn't do last.  He continues to develop at an amazing rate, which is pretty incredible to watch.  It's true what they say, they really do grow up too quickly.

Austin and Uncle Ben at Christmas with their Shields Protecting themselves from who knows what

Austin has got quite the imagination now.  He loves pretending to be different Super Heroes, Transformers, Zombies; you name it, he's trying to play it!  It's amazing to watch his little creative wheels going and to play with him.  I forgot how much fun it is to travel back and be a kid again.  Many times I don't understand what's going on when we are playing, but that's okay.  It's still fun!

Morgan Meeting her Nana for the first time. (Dec. 2012)

Just like Austin, Morgan is changing way too quickly!  She is quite proficient in rolling over now, and recently figured out that if she rolls more than once, she can actually get what she wants!  WOW!  She is laughing now, talking a ton, loves giving big smiles when people enter the room or start talking to her, squealing and shrieking,  and is starting to bare some weight on her legs.  She's recently trying to discover her toes; however, her favorite past time still remains chewing on her hands!  She still spits up on everything, and has good days and bad with it.  She's keeping me busy and on my toes when it comes to laundry, that's for sure!

Morgan during her 4 month Photo Shoot (Jan 2013)

Morgan has also recently been blessing us with 12+ hours of uninterrupted sleep each night (some nights).  Unfortunately, Austin keeps sharing his preschool germs very well with us, and that quickly put an end to our sleepless nights as we keep ending up sick!  The first few nights, it's nice getting to spend the extra minutes with the kids, but by night 3, the shit gets old!  :)

Morgan trying Peas (tried them in Dec. 2012  This picture is from Jan 2013)

Morgan has recently started solids and LOVES all of her food.  I made the decision this time around (and with some guidance from our good friend, Pam) to make all of our baby food at home.  I had no idea how easy this was with Austin, and am kicking myself now for never having tried it with him.  Its not only amazing how easy and cheap most foods are, but how many more things I have been able to make for her that Austin never even tried.  I've made peas, green beans, squash, carrots, sweet potatoes mango, pears, apples, prunes, pumpkin, zucchini, potatoes, apricots, papaya; just to name a few.  Next on the list for me to make and start mixing in; spinach!

Morgan playing at home (Jan. 2013)

Morgan is finally starting to enjoy her tummy time and play time on the floor.  It helps that we're at home more often now, since it's gotten cold and we aren't constantly on the run for a playdate or fun at the zoo or park!  We're having a difficult time getting Austin to understand though that he has to actually pick up his small toys so that she can't eat them!  Luckily, she's not that mobile yet, but I've got to figure something out with him before she gets there.  I know that's only a matter of time!

Morgan smiling and laughing at her big brother (Jan. 2013)

Life couldn't be better for us.  Jared and I have been teasing each other lately, especially since I turned the "Dirty 30" (thanks for that one, Chris) how much our lives have changed!  We used to spend our days going to dinner, bars, hanging out with friends, and our money and time on random crap.  Our Friday nights now consist of us going to bed by 9:30 or 10 if we're feeling crazy, having a nice meal at home (and arguing with Austin to actually try it); early play dates with friends, our bedtime routine, family time, and going to see a kids movie or buy a new toy (if it's in the budget for the month).  Our lives have changed drastically (to say the least); we for sure aren't the same people we were 5 years ago.  We're parents now; and if you ask either one of us, it's the most difficult, rewarding job there is around (as any parent would say), and we wouldn't change a thing.

Welcome, Miss Morgan!

Well, summer has come and gone and now enters fall.  It's getting cold outside, and more difficult to keep Austin occupied.  He's going to school two days a week now, which keeps him occupied somewhat, but this kid has so much energy it's ridiculous!  Luckily, he's been having playdates with friends, we're staying busy with Morgan, football games, traveling, doing good in the community, Jared's side business, and soon, the holiday season!  Here is a shot of Austin cleaning out his first pumpkin.  He was less than thrilled with it, but soon realized it's not so bad!

Austin is a wonderful big brother.  He loves Morgan so much!  He's so good with her, and loves holding her, talking to her, giving her kisses and trying to make her smile.  I was so concerned that he was going to be jealous of her since he's been an only child for so long, but he has exceeded our expectations.  He's been wonderful with her!  I can't wait to see the bond that they form together as the grow up.  It already seems incredible and she's only been in our lives for two months!

As for Morgan, the visitors have slowed down (sadly), and mostly everyone has met her with the exception of a few.  Here is Aubrey and Austin having fun when our best friends Chris and K were in town to visit Morgan.  Everyone has made it such a big deal with Austin that he's a big brother now, which has really helped to make his transition into big brotherhood easier.  He had a blast seeing people he hasn't seen in ages, and I loved watching him with everyone, and was thrilled to have so many people come to meet Morgan.



Austin is doing great in school so far this year.  He's beginning to draw things (his favorite is people, which he's getting pretty good at), and letters, his favorite being "A".  He's starting to do things like coloring inside the lines of drawings, and loves cutting paper and gluing small pieces together.  He must think that I enjoy the mess that comes along with this, because it's been his new favorite thing to do lately, and I get to clean up the floor daily!

Our precious little girl has also changed by leaps and bounds already.  She's smiling, cooing, working on rolling over from her back to her tummy, and has gained a whopping 5 lbs in her two months since birth!  She seriously is the sweetest thing!  She greets me with smiles every morning when I walk in to get her from her bed, is sleeping a decent amount and only waking us up once in the middle of the night now (and sometimes not at all if we're lucky)!  She loves getting a bath, having grandma and big brother talk to her, and is just a wonderful baby!  She has a bit of what we call "fussy time" every night for about 20-30 minutes, which is a blessing compared to the hour to hour and a half that it was.  She only cries when she's hungry, and does a lot of talking and sleeping in between.  It constantly amazes me that two people can make something so wonderful and perfect.  What can Jared and I say?  We created perfection :)  Twice!  We feel very blessed to say the least.

This is a picture of Austin at the zoo with his big boy Hayden, and Hayden's little brother, Alex.  Austin had a blast trick or treating this year, and for the first time actually did most of it on his own without Jared and I walking him up to the door.  We went to Ryan and Pam's addition so the boys could trick or treat together, and Austin loved it!  We're still eating the candy, one piece at a time, very slowly!  Austin insisted on being Iron Man this year, despite the fact that he really has no idea who Iron Man actually is!  Someday, maybe he'll get to watch the movie, but not yet!

As for Jared and I, life couldn't be better!  We've grown a lot together in the last year (and the last 13, for that matter), and life has certainly changed a ton!  What they say is true, going from one kid to two just seems insane, but we wouldn't have it any other way.  We're finally starting to settle in to a routine, and getting into the swing of things as a family of four.  We can't imagine what life would be like without these two, and are so happy to have our family and each other.  No matter what life throws at us, these two always make us smile and make everything that we have worked for and stand for worth while.  I couldn't imagine not having this in my life; it's what I live for, who I am, and what I was born to do!  I'm one proud mamma!

Spring 2012

So, it's been a busy few months, as usual.  I've been bad about writing posts lately, and honestly, they are getting much more difficult to write.  Although Austin continues to change by leaps and bounds, he keeps me busy, which doesn't allow me as much time to write anymore!  Soon, our lives will be much busier.  For those of you who don't know, our family is expecting another little bundle in September.  Austin even talks about it, although he's requested that he wants a baby brother instead of a sister!  Everything during this pregnancy has been going well so far, and is very much like my pregnancy with Austin.  I've had no morning sickness, no weird symptoms or cravings; I have just been really tired (although I attribute some of that to getting up most nights to take Austin to the potty or change sheets!).  Im just now occasionally starting to feel the baby move some, but hopefully, soon, it will be more frequently.  I'm measuring great, gaining weight as expected (only about 6 lbs, so far!), and the baby has a good strong heartbeat.  We're almost at 18 weeks now, and will have an ultrasound coming up the end of April.  And no, for those of you wondering, you won't find out the sex of the baby, because no one will until September, again :)~  I feel like I look bigger than I did last time at this stage, but i've been told that's normal.  Even at the doctor last week the nurse said I didn't look pregnant yet, and I just told her I was at that stage where you can't tell if I'm fat or pregnant yet!  

This year Austin has been busy playing, a lot.  Everything he does is play!  Even when you ask him about preschool, he says he plays.  He's learning so much through everything though, and he's getting very smart.  He's using words like comfortable, ridiculous, actually, predator, nectar, and many others properly in sentences.  It cracks me up to hear him say these words, because he's 3.5!  He's constantly asking "Why?" to everything, and even asks you to go into more detail most of the time.  He loved playing outside this winter, and begged us to go out at any chance he got.  We froze, but luckily we only had a few cold winter days this year, and only snow a handful of times.  He loves going to preschool, and has many friends there.  In our latest report from his teachers he's learning and trying all the things they feel he should be and mastered almost all of them.  The only thing he's lacking is sharing abilities (I wish he was better at this, but they attribute it to him being an only child), and he sometimes pouts when he's corrected for doing things wrong.  Although his pouting is adorable, we're trying to crack down on it by disciplining him more when he does it.  So far, it's working, somewhat.  He's got a very sweet personality and demeanor, and is very caring, loving, fun, playful, and happy.  So far, he's just a wonderful little boy!

We recently got a chance to go down to Cincinnati to see Austin's cousins and Aunt Taunja and Uncle Jim.   Jim and Jared were putting in a wood floor, so Taunja and I took the kids to the Children's museum.  Austin LOVED it there.  We have to take him back soon, because he still talks about it and begs to go to the museum.  He loves dinosaurs, and this is a fossil of a head of his favorite; the T-rex.  He swears that "Once he gets bigger, he'll grow into be a T-Rex!".  It's pretty cute, but he was so excited to see the fossils at the museum.  He loved running and chasing his cousins, playing in the water, and building things at the museum.  It was such a cool place to go!  We would have thought he would have passed out that night, but not Austin!  He never sleeps well when we travel, hopefully that's something he grows out of at some point!

We've had some awesome Indiana weather lately, which has allowed us to spend most of our time outdoors, cooking on the grill, riding bikes, swinging, and playing in Austin's Jeep!  It's been great to spend so much time outdoors.  Austin loves playing "tag racing game" that he learned at school from his friends.  In these pictures, he was even trying to hide from the camera so Jared couldn't get him.  He loves playing outdoors with the dogs, checking out our newly planted garden (we decided to give lettuce, cauliflower, broccoli, radishes, and carrots a try), and even eating dinner outside.  We can tell just by watching him play outdoors how much bigger he's getting and how he's starting to become a boy and less of a toddler. He's becoming (very slowly), more independent, he's running like a big boy now, jumping, getting dirty, playing with bugs, touching worms, etc.

Austin had his very first dental check up back in January and passed with flying colors.  He did better than the dentist, hygienist, and myself expected.  I was told that his teeth were excellent and that he has next to no plaque, which they said was surprising for his age.  There were no tears, and he actually listened to everything they asked him to do.  He's even using big boy toothpaste now and spitting, and rinsing out the sink!  Which is a good thing, because he has the most genuine smile, I want to keep it that way!

Right around Christmas time, I can officially say that Austin is potty trained.  Now, he's been in underwear since he was 2, but he hasn't told us consistently that he had to go until around Christmas.  Up until then, it was my job to remind him, take him to go, etc.  I helped out in preschool one day and talked to him about how some of his friends told someone they had to go to the bathroom and something clicked with him.  He's been doing it every since!  He's had a handful of accidents since, most of which were BM that he couldn't control enough, and I can't fault him for that!  Austin has also recently decided that he doesn't need to wear diapers at night.  Now, this was something we weren't quite ready to give up yet, but he's done really great.  When he was wearing Pull-ups at night, he would go dry for several days, and then have an accident, so we didn't think he was ready yet.  He told us though that he was, and we don't want to discourage him any.  He still has his fair share of accidents, which we expect, but most nights, he keeps his bed dry and wakes up to go potty in the middle of the night.  He seems to go through rough spells where he'll have accidents for several days, and then he goes for a week or two with none.  I wish it were a bit more consistent, but I have to remind myself that he's only 3.5, and he'll get there in time.  I think for his age, he's doing great, and we keep letting him know that!

Since we are going to be going to Georgia to visit our wonderful friends over Easter break (only 4 days until we leave!), we colored our eggs this week and are going to do an Easter Egg hunt at home and celebrate Easter this Sunday with Grandma and Grandpa.  Austin loved coloring the eggs, and Jared and I even mentioned how amazing it was to watch him because last year, he sort of threw the eggs in the dye, and this year, he gently set them in.  It's something small, but it's so amazing to watch and see him develop in these ways.  He changes every day, and every day I can say he makes me smile more than most adults can.  It's amazing that a child has that sort of pull with someone, but this is what people have always told me about kids; and they were right!  This little boy is our life, and we couldn't ask for more, or be a happier family!

Wee, I'm 3!

Austin and Grandpa at the beginning of Summer

Austin at the Zoo on the train this Sunday.

So, as usual, time has gone by way too fast.  It's been several months since my last post, and time has just flown by.  Many new and exciting things have happened to our family (as well as a few not so good) but we've managed to reflect and remember that what doesn't kill us, only makes us stronger.  We have been very blessed in the last several months; we've taken a vacation with our wonderful friends and what we refer to as Austin's "Aunt's and Uncles", Jared was offered a wonderful job opportunity at The University of Saint Francis, Jared and I celebrated our 6th wedding anniversary, Austin just started Preschool at The Children's Nursery School at Peace, and most recently, of course, today's his 3rd Birthday!  There are, of course, other things, but those are just a few. :)

Austin and I floating at Lake Webster :)

Jay, Austin, and I floating in the pool in VA

We were able to take a week long trip to VA with our friends Matt and Drew, and Chris, Kristin and their adorable daughter, Aubrey (Thanks so much to Darl and Rita for allowing us to use their timeshare! It was a great week with many wonderful memories made for all of us).  While we were there, we went to a Winery, beer and wine taste testing, swam in the pool a lot, hung out, made some great dinners, and we even made a wonderful day trip to Washington D.C. to see the sites with our awesome tour guide, and friend, Nicole.  We even got to meet up with another friend, Mike, and his fiance Leann.  It was an awesome day, and something that all of us will remember forever.  It's so great to make memories like those, and we're very blessed that we were able to share it with some of our closest friends.  Austin's favorite part of the trip was probably swimming, and let me tell you, he's a little fish.  He loves it!  His flotation device (called a Puddle Jumper if anyone's interested) was awesome.  Uncle Chris, Uncle Matt, and daddy even taught him some of the basics of swimming such as learning to kick his feet and paddle with his hands.  He's even a pro now floating at the lake with us and loves going from person to person while we all hang out!

Austin at the "Monster Truck" show at the Allen County Fair

For those of you that may not know, Jared showed Austin Monster Trucks on YouTube a while ago, and he's been obsessed ever since.  He loves to watch videos about Monster Trucks, and loves to play Monster Trucks with his cars and have the trucks "crush" on cars.  It's so funny to listen to him talk about them.  It's probably one of his favorite things right now.  We took him to the Allen County Fair to see them and he wasn't too sure about them in person!  He didn't like how loud they were!  His Birthday cake this year was even monster trucks.  Thanks, Daddy, for that obsession!

Austin outside in the Parking Lot

Austin in Front of his door at School

So, like I said earlier, Austin started Preschool this year about three weeks ago.  He's at The Nursery School at Peace right now and LOVES it so far!  It's so nice to see him get in a routine and to bring home art projects and play with other kids.  We can already tell that it's helping him out in many ways that we never expected.  It's like pulling teeth to get him to tell me what goes on there day to day, but he loves playing in the "big room" which is like recess.  He's not really to into art yet, as the pictures he comes home with typically have 2 items on them, but hopefully he'll get over that soon.  It's pretty cute to drop him off on Tuesdays and Thursdays because I can really tell that he misses me.  He just walks straight into his room without turning back!  It was really hard on me first to leave my baby, but i've known all along it was going to be a great experience for him, and so far, we made the right decision.

Austin and Jared on the Floor.

Austin on his Trike outside

As the day's go by, Austin looks up to Jared more and more.  It's pretty cute to watch him imitate the things that Jay does.  When Jared is fixing something, Austin has to go get his tools.  Even the other day Jared was dancing so Austin started to try to dance like Jared.  It's really cute to see how much Austin looks up to his daddy.  And not only that, it's like me and mini me!  The two look so much alike!  Austin even loves to ride his bike like daddy does!

Austin and Claire

This is Austin with his cousin, Claire, who's just about 6 months younger than he is.  I just think this picture is adorable.  Austin loves going to visit his cousins and has the best time.  They were all pretending to be puppies and kitties when we were down there last time, which was so cute to watch.  It's so funny to watch him play and interact with other kids.  His cousins even called him this morning to tell wish him Happy Birthday and he asked if we were going to see them today.  Not quite, but soon :)

So, we've gone Apple Picking two weeks in a row now.  Anyone need some apples???  It was my first time ever going, and Austins first as well.  He loved it!  Austins' eaten a few of the apples, but luckily Jared LOVES apples, so we haven't had to toss many of them yet!  We went last weekend just for fun and then again this weekend since Austin loved it so much.  This time though, we had the treat of Grandma and Grandpa going with us to enjoy on the fun.  Apparently, Grandpa and Daddy thought it would be fun to pick baking apples....so now I just need to figure out something to bake.  Thanks so much, guys!  

Part of Austin's special Birthday celebration was going to the Apple Orchard again, and to go to the Train Museum in New Haven.  Well, the Train Museum didn't really have much that was exciting, but Austin did get to climb around an engine and his favorite, the little red caboose.  We didn't have a party for him this year, just went to the Apple Orchard, the Train Museum, the Saint Francis Football Game, and this his friend Hayden came over to play.  It was a crazy busy day, but I know he loved every minute of it.  

Austin got many wonderful presents this year for his birthday, but this is by far, is his favorite.  Austin has been telling me for weeks that he wanted a Blue or a Black Car for his birthday.  Well, Grandma and Grandpa pulled through and surprised him with his very own Jeep!  He loves this thing!  His face was priceless to watch when he saw it.  Every time we would go to Toys R Us, or as Austin calls it "The Blue Store" he would climb into these things.  And, now he finally has one to himself.  He loves to keep it clean, run it through mud puddles, and wave to us when he passes.  It looks like so much fun, I just wish I could ride in it with him :)

Boys will be boys, right?  Ain't that the truth.  It seems like since Austin started school, we've seen a TON more "boy" tendencies coming out.  As some may know, it pretty much rained all last week here.  Austin played in a mud puddle and splashed around (as you can see by the mud caked on his face).  He was having the best time, and Jared and I just sat in the garage and laughed at him.  It's amazing to watch him do things like that and how much it makes people light up inside.  To be a child again!

Here are a few more birthday pictures of Austin.  Nothing too exciting really :)  Austin needed help blowing out the candles again on his Monster Truck cake this year (which he still won't eat, by the way).  It's hard to believe that he is 3 years old already.  We are so thankful everyday that we have been blessed with him.  I don't think a lot of people realize how lucky they are when children are brought into their lives, but it's a pretty amazing thing.  We're so lucky to have such an amazingly lovable, happy little boy in our lives, and I don't think we would want it any other way!  He's just the best!