New Van and a Bonfire

Well, I got a new van yesterday!  I am excited because now I don't have to rely on everybody for rides or wait until Scott gets home to go places!  Austin and I are going to have a great time exploring Jackson.  :)  It is a 2002 Honda Odyssey and is blue-grey.  I am so happy Scott realized that a van would be a nice extra to have and it is going to make traveling back to Grand Rapids so much easier!

Austin also let Mommy sleep in today and hung out with Daddy in the morning... turns out he really enjoys Sports Center!

We also had Becky and Jason over for a bonfire in our new firepit!  It was a blast!  The s'mores were delicious.  Austin enjoyed himself too.  We also saw a raccoon get into the neighbor's trash can.  What a great day! :)  Can't wait to have a fire again really soon.  Oh and Austin slept the ENTIRE night so we will be having bonfires more often, it must have been the fresh air!!!

Happy 2 months and First Shots!!!!

Well, Austin had his doctor's visit today!  He was such a trooper as he got 4 shots.  One was an oral shot, which consisted of him drinking sugar water.  He really liked that one.  The other three... not so much.  Scott was next to him and I was holding his hand.  As soon as the nurse stuck him with the first needle, Austin's face turned beat red and he let out a scream.  She was super quick with the other two.  He was crying for a little while, but I held him close and nursed him right away.  He calmed down immediately.  He didn't develop a fever either, but was pretty fussy for a few hours afterwards.  Austin didn't want to lay down with me either.  He only wanted to be carried and walked around.  So, I got the carrier on and took him and Mickey for a walk.  Austin was a trooper!  His stats for 2 months are:  24 inches long (86%), 12.5 pounds (60%), and a head circumference of 15.5 inches (50%).  

We also had a get together at Liz's tonight.  We had a blast seeing everyone again.  Austin was giving smiles and talking a lot.  He talked quite a while with Mary Ann and with Nancy too!  He was a real cutie.  I am convinced that he will only smile and talk to girls with brown eyes! We're working on getting Auntie Liz a smile! :)  Here he is with Kristen the kindergarten teacher from Queen's.

Grabbing for Toys

Austin took grab of a toy today while sitting in his exersaucer and he brought it up to his mouth.  He is getting so big!  He loves to sit and watch from his exersaucer.  He has got great neck control.

9 weeks and Pool Time!!!

Austin turned 9 weeks old today.  He is getting so big!  He is smiling and talking a lot to mommy and Daddy.  He even laughed when Daddy shook the bed.  He shrieked with joy!  :) 

Austin enjoyed his first swim in a pool!  He didn't cry like he did in the lake.  He even paddled a little bit too!  Thanks to Terri for inviting us over!  We had a great time.

Austin's First Hay Ride

We went to Travis and Mandy's for a fun get together.  We went for a "straw" ride in their fields.  It was a lot of fun.  Austin fell asleep toward the end.  All the kiddos took turns driving with Travis.  Even Austin got a turn... just kidding! :)

8 weeks

Happy 8 weeks!  Austin is really talking and smiling a lot!  Grandma and Grandpa got Austin an exersaucer. He loves it.  He can sit and look around all by himself!

Here is a video as well!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3pWM23Fduc&feature=youtu.be&a

Lighthouses and Bonfires

Today, we went to the McGulpin Point Lighthouse.  We learned that Scott would never be able to be a lighthouse keeper because he is way too tall!  The view was spectacular with Lake Michigan sparkling and the Mackinaw Bridge stretching across it!  I hate the stairs on the way down from the tower because they are so small and you can see the bottom.  It was hard with Austin in the front pack, but we managed without too much stress.  We also went to see this huge boulder.  It weighs more than 50 tons and is about 8 feet tall.  It was discovered in the early 1600s by the French who discovered that sometimes, the rock would be under water and sometimes it would be covered with water.  So cool!  

We also enjoyed a nice dinner at Darrow's.  I got my usual meal: hot turkey sandwich.  It was delicious.  Austin was so good during dinner.  He was awake the whole time, just quietly taking in the sights.  He got many compliments here too.  :)  

We also enjoyed a bon fire and s'smores.  Austin stayed underneath the blankets to avoid  the bugs!  I love summer!  

Austin's First Boat Ride!

Austin went on his first boat ride today!  We went on a sunset cruise aboard the Ugly Anne and even went underneath the Mackinaw Bridge.  It was really cool to see underneath the bridge.  We also saw 2 freighters and one even crossed underneath the same time we were under the bridge.  The wake was pretty huge from the freighter.  We didn't get to see a sunset due to clouds, but we still had a good time.  Austin was wide awake and seemed to enjoy himself.  My mom and I had to stuff our pockets with things for Austin just to be prepared for anything.  :)

Austin and the U.P.

We took Austin to the Upper Peninsula today.  The bridge fare was $4.00 to cross, but I had to get my Clyde's!  It was delicious.  :)  We visited Sault Ste. Marie and saw 2 ships in the locks.

We also took some pictures by the bridge on our way back.  Austin got a lot of comments about how cute he was with his big, brown eyes!  

We also walked around downtown Mackinaw City.  Austin got his picture taken with a living statue.  Austin was the youngest to get his picture taken for the day. We had lots of fun! :)