Christmas Disney Trip

I thought this was a great idea, but Jer felt a little embarrassed. I had Jer wear my nursing cover over Austin in the Baby Bjorn to keep him cool, but still protected from the sun. Jer called it his muumuu.

At the Spectacle of Lights

Austin and the snow






Jer took most of the week off so we could go to Disney to enjoy all the Christmas decorations. We are staying home this year so we figured we would need something fun to do to keep us from being lonely.

We had a great time! Like last year, we had to go to the Spectacle of Lights at Disney Hollywood Studios (formerly MGM). We love that place! Austin was able to be in his first snow. It may have been 75 degrees, but the snow was cold! The video is below.

Lex was one of the recipients of the Year of a Million Dreams promotion at Disney! It was probably the lamest dream ever, but Lex liked it. We went on the Three Cabelleros ride in Mexico at Epcot. Lex loved it so much and wanted to stay on. So they gave us a pass that we could ride it as much as we wanted and have our own boat. I felt like a jerk as other people waited to ride but weren't allowed on our exclusive boat, but Lex sure loved it! We rode it five times. I really don't understand why he likes that movie so much, but he is getting it for Christmas!

Even though going through the ride time and time again was a little boring, Jer and I both agree it was the highlight of our trip to see Lex so happy. We were sad during other parts of the trips since Lex is suddenly very easily frightened. Even Mickey's Philharmagic which he usually loves made him tremble with fear and cry. We think we sat too close to the speakers and the volume was too much for him.

Austin's new bed

Austin's Gastroenterologist recommended that we get this Tucker Sling for Austin to sleep on. The theory is that by having babies sleep on a 30 degree incline, it helps keep the acid in their stomachs and out of the esophagus. You just stick the wedge in a regular crib. We got ours in the mail the other day. Don't be fooled by the simplicity of a foam wedge with a diaper-like sling over it -- this thing cost $130! I told our engineer friend, Chris, that he chose the wrong specialty.

Anyway, no matter how much I know it helps him, it still just looks like child abuse. Austin seems okay with it, though!

Park Pictures

We went to the park the other night and I took some photos of the kids. Here they are! The video below is of Lex playing Tennis with a cameo by Austin at the end.

5 weeks old

Austin is now five weeks old! Here are some photos of our family from the past few weeks.This is him today enjoying the vibrations of his chair.
This was last night.


Austin still hates tummy time!

Lex loves to hold Austin. He comes up to you and says, "Hug, hug." We let him hug Austin whenever he wants. Sometimes Austin seems more thrilled than others!

Decorating the Christmas tree. Lex is a great helper!
Lex calls the baby bath a boat. He really likes it!


We took Austin in for his one month check up. He is doing great and seems to be taking after his older brother weight-wise. They were both at twelve pounds at this point and in the 95% for weight. I told the pediatrician what to expect if Austin continues to follow Lex's footsteps. He would be fifteen pounds at his two month visit, 18 pounds at three months, and 22 pounds at six months!

Happy belated Thanksgiving!

Family Photo
Lest you think that we took the above photo in one shot, here is one of the reject shots!
This wasn't on Thanksgiving, but I liked Lex's crusty look.




I don't know when I took this photo, but I liked Austin in it!
Lex loves to stand on Jer's shoulders. He can balance there for quite a while!





Sorry I am late with this! I got sick the day after Thanksgiving, then Jer went out of town for the week (New Jersey for work). He is due back in a few hours. Yea!

Anyway, we had a fantastic Thanksgiving. Chris, Paula and Jackson invited us over to their house. It was a fun gathering. Shalee and Greg's family joined us, as well as a coworker of Chris. Above are some photos of our day.

We know we have a lot to be Thankful for this year. It is hard to believe that last Thanksgiving we were dealing with the news that I would probably miscarry (I did the following week), and now this year we have this sweet little Austin added to our family. What a blessing he is!

We are also so thankful for Lex. He is such a joy for us. We love his cuddles, his sense of humor, and his sweet smile. We our thankful for Jer's employer. Not only for the employment and sending him to Beijing this year, but for the insurance benefit. Thanks to them, we only have to pay $500 of the $70,000 in medical expenses accrued bringing Austin into this world and getting him healthy. That would have financially ruined us to have that debt hanging over us.

We hope you all had a great Thanksgiving, too!

Random pictures

An Alert Austin
A sleepy Austin
Lex love holding his little brother!
Tummy time is the pits!
Austin sporting the cute I love mama onesie from Mikala.
Well, even if Austin doesn't think so, I think Jackson is very interesting!
Jer was very impressed with this sunset yesterday. Pretty!
This photo of Lex cracks Lex up. He loves it!
Paula, Chris and Jackson got this adorable onesie for Austin. You'll be seeing it again in our Thanksgiving photos!
Austin's cord stump fell off on Sunday night so yesterday we gave him his first real bath. Here is his curly hair.
The night before we checked into the hospital, the Sledge's from church brought us this great meal. Yum! The next night Austin and I were gone, but the Clover's brought good food for Jer and Lex to eat. Thanks!
Lex picking his nose. Classic.
Paula and Jackson getting acquainted with Austin.