Wordless Wednesday - Is There Something On My Face?

Branson - The Landing & The Ducks

We all got up early on Sunday morning because we were excited to see the sights, and Nana was whipping up an awesome smelling breakfast. Austin thought we were all taking way to long to get ready so he decided to take a nap with Pa before we left.
Our first stop was to visit the Branson Belle. We didn't have tickets to the show but we were lucky enough to see the the HUGE boat leave the dock.
The grounds around the Showboat were beautiful!
Dad being a tourist...
Mama and Austin checking out the lake...We didn't hang out long because it was HOT HOT HOT! Our next stop was the Branson Landing for a bite to eat.

One of Austin's new things on vacation was getting colors at the restaurants. He loved reading and coloring all over the pages.
We decided we wanted to "Ride The Ducks," but had a few hours to kill before the next tour left. We killed time by shopping and riding Clifford.Austin didn't last long once we finally took off on The Duck. He missed most of his first boat ride! Can you tell how hot it was??
Here's a picture right after we hit the water.
Grandpa, why is the land back there?!?
Branson Landing from the water.
Quack Quack!
You do it, Mom!
We headed back to the cabin to freshen up and cool down after the duck ride. We decided to hit the strip for dinner. We ended up a fantastic seafood restaurant that Jay is still talking about.

It was time to head home already on Monday morning. Austin slept from our cabin to Sullivan, Mo where we stopped for lunch. If only he'd sleep that much at home!

We are looking forward to many many more family vacations!

Branson - Hotel & Shopping!

The girls and Austin started our family vacation a little early. We left for Branson as soon as I got off work at 1:00 on Friday. Our goal was to do some serious shopping before the men arrived on Saturday afternoon!

I never realized how much stuff we'd have to take. This pile doesn't even include Jay's stuff, the pack and play or the stroller! Trying to figured out how to keep his milk frozen was kind of a chore, but we made it happen!
Austin did so well on the 4 1/2 hour trip. After his two hour nap, we stopped to get our taxes done grab a bite to eat.
We made it!! Everyone was so happy to finally make it to our hotel. I was super happy when we found out the bed could be pushed against the wall. I could check for dead bodies AND make sure Austin didn't roll out of bed in the middle of the night. We headed to the outlet mall for a quick preview before it closed for the night. I think we were all a little nervous about the danger ahead!
Checking out the Branson action...
Our first night in a hotel was a success! We had a few issues getting him to go to sleep, but it was nighty night for all as soon as he gave in. Saturday morning we got up early to get ready, pack up and check out before the mall opened at 9:00. I was excited when we actually made it just a few minutes after the stores opened!Austin was a shopping champ. He even feel asleep on his own while we were browsing the stores. Here he is passed out in the shoe aisle at Bass....Six hours later we were all ready for a nap. I'm pretty sure our shopping trip was a success!!Now it was time to head to our next "home" and wait for the men to arrive...

Branson - Our Awesome Cabin!

Nana and Pa rented us the coolest cabin while we were in Branson!
It was haunted!
Just kidding! My camera lens was foggy because the men liked to keep it SO cold in the cabin!

Austin made himself right at home...
The cabin was perfect place to spend some quality family time!It even came with a special "baby hot tub!" Austin's bed for the weekend!Uh oh!? I thought he was supposed to be sleeping in the pack n play!
Nana cooked us some excellent meals!
Staying in the cabin was so much nicer then a regular hotel room. We felt right at home! We thought we should see the sights on Sunday...even though we never wanted to leave the cool cabin!

Wish We Were There...

The Hentis' left for vacation the day after Austin's birthday party. We missed them and wished we were on the beach with them... especially after we saw these pictures!I should have known they'd come home with souvenirs in hand!
Thanks for always thinking of us!

One Year Old

If I thought the first eleven months went fast, then this last month FLEW BY! It's so hard for us to believe you are already a year old! I know Jill took some great wagon shots, but it wouldn't be the same if we didn't do a few of our own on your birthday...How many times do you think you'll wear a coat on your birthday?!?!

1 Month - 2 Months - 3 Months - 4 Months - 5 Months - 6 Months - 7 Months - 8 Months - 9 Months - 10 Months - 11 Months

So what are you up to now that you're a whole year old?

• You are pulling up on everything!
• You repeat "yeah, yeah, yeah" after Mama
• Everything is a phone -- the remote, a calculator, etc -- and you always tell us Pa is on the other end.
• You can't live with out TV remotes
• The doctor said you could try real milk, but you haven't had any because Mama doesn't want to waste the breast milk in the freezer. Soon, I promise!
• You've pretty much given up on baby food. Bring on the "real" food!
• You went on your first vacation!
• You went swimming for the first time!
• We've turned all of your car seats around.
• You took your first ride in a UTV, Dad's new Ranger.
• You stopped nursing a week before your birthday.
• You went on your first boat ride!
• You've started to think that clinching your fists and holding your breath will get you want you want. Sometimes it works.
• You're working really hard to say Cracker and Thanks!
• You are the sweetest one year old we know!

Here's a picture of you ringing in your very first birthday...One Year Old On July 17, 2009 @ 12:24 am.

Happy Birthday Baby! We love you so much!

A Letter To My Son

Dear Austin,

I carried you for 9 long months wondering what you’d be like. Would I be a good mother? Would we bond instantly? And most importantly, would you be a baldy like Daddy? Then 1 year ago today my life changed forever. After pain that only a mother can know you arrived into this world at 12:24am weighing 8lbs 7oz. You were already such a strong, healthy boy. The whole process of birth is still so amazing to me. I’m still in shock that I was apart of such a wonderful event. I had waited so long to meet you, but it only took a moment to realize what an amazing gift you were. A gift we would never take for granted.

The next few days and weeks were a whirlwind of emotions. We were so happy to have you home, yet so nervous to do everything just right for you. I didn’t want to be away from you for even a moment. You slept next to our bed for seven weeks before moving into your big boy bed. Those thirty steps felt like thirty miles the first time you slept in your own room. I’d be a rich woman if I had a dollar for every time I’ve snuck into your room just to listen to you breathe, feel your heartbeat, or just stroke your hair. Now you’re standing up in your crib when we come to get you in the morning. There’s nothing better then being greeted by your big smile. I know it sounds weird, but sometimes your smile makes me feel like I’ve known you my whole life. I mean how could I love someone this much that I’ve only known for twelve months?

I have watched you grow so fast. I couldn’t wait until I saw your first smile, heard your first laugh, or watched you roll over. You did that and so much more over this past year. You continue to amaze us with new things everyday. Your Daddy often tells me that he just can’t believe how much he loves you. The love you filled our hearts with is something that can never be spoiled and cannot compare to any other love on this earth.

Each day I cherish you more and more and I want you to know that you have changed my life forever. I will always try to be the best person I can be for you. I will always try to protect you and I will always love you more than anything in this world.

I honestly can’t believe you are a year old today. All day I reminisced about what we were doing a year ago. It seems like just yesterday you were in my arms for the first time. In a few hours, I’ll once again sneak into your room and wish you a very happy 1^st birthday.

Happy Birthday Austin! I hope each day of the next year will be just as wonderful as this first year has been. It's a year your Daddy and I will never forget.

I love you with all of my heart,

Mama

One Year Wellness Visit

Sorry about the lack of post the past few days. Vacation makes it hard to blog! This past weekend we took our first family vacation to Branson. Yesterday we went for Austin's One Year Wellness Visit.

Drum roll please...

Height: 31 3/4" - 95%
Weight: 23 lbs 12 oz - 65%
Head: 19" - 90%

He's grown a little bit since his 9 month check up!

The receptionist made our appointment three days early, which means he wasn't able to get his vaccines. Mommy was a little upset about the mix-up, but Austin didn't seem to mind! Dr. Kellow said it's no big deal to take care of the shots at 15 months. They did do the iron test. He didn't even flinch with the nurse pricked, squeezed and smashed his finger!

Branson pictures to follow!

Flashback Friday - Big Boy Chair

September 08 - 3 1/2 months

June 09 - 11 1/2 months