First Family Vacation

We did it! We accomplished the task of traveling 1900 miles with a 7 month old!

I had been looking forward to this trip since Amna first asked me to do her invitations last Fall. It wasn't until a few weeks before we left did I realize we were going to have to keep a 7 month old entertained the whole time. I mean, I knew he wasn't going to sleep the whole time but I could keep my fingers crossed!

Auggie was wonderful! We only had to stop for him once and it had already been a long time in the car. I"m sure anyone would get cranky after a few hours strapped in a car seat.

We left June 15 shortly after noon and made it to Atlanta, Georgia Thursday evening. We took our time driving and stopped when we needed to. We had plans to stop somewhere along the way between Vicksburg and Atlanta but there was nothing for us to do! It all had to be outside and we all agreed we didn't want to be outside on our breaks. It was too hot!

Jane and Sherwin went to the Georgia Aquarium Friday afternoon. Tim didn't have enough time to go out and then be back to be ready for the rehearsal so we stayed in. It was good thing we stayed because it took them 30 minutes to get through the line to get tickets!

The rehearsal was just for the bridal party so Auggie and I stayed at the hotel while Tim went to the ceremony site with Amna and Dave. The rehearsal dinner was at the hotel so we didn't have to go far!

At the rehearsal dinner

We knew it was going to be a long Saturday night since the shuttle from the reception for the wedding didn't leave until 1:15 am. Auggie didn't sleep very well during the trip so we took it easy. Auggie woke up a few times during the nights on the trip so hopefully being back at home means he'll be in a better routine (if you can even call what we do a routine lol).  Here are a few pictures from Saturday:

Amna and Auggie before the ceremony

Tim and Auggie before the ceremony

Tim and me at the wedding site

Dave (Backstreet) and Amna during an Arabic dance at their reception

The gorgeous couple towards the end of the reception

The wedding was great and went by way too quickly! We wish we could have spent more time with everyone but hopefully, most of us will be meeting in Dallas soon!

We left Atlanta around 11 Sunday morning and went south to Destin, FL. Jane, Sherwin and Tim had never been to another state's beach. It was such a pretty beach. I wish we could have spent more time there!

Auggie was all about eating the sand.. until he tasted it!

Sherwin in the water

Jane and Sherwin

We spent an hour and a half at the beach and the next morning headed on home.

We were able to take I-10 all the way to Houston. Along the way, we stopped in New Orleans to see Tim's cousin, Mallory, and he husband Jarrod. They just had a little girl almost 2 weeks ago. Her name is Maddie. She was born with a cleft palate so she's in the NICU under observation to make sure she's gaining enough weight. Prayers would be greatly appreciated. The NICU stops seeing visitors at 6 pm and we got into town at 6. We ran into some traffic caused by a wildfire outside of NOLA or else we would have made it. I was really disappointed we couldn't visit her but I was glad to see Mallory and Jarrod. We visited for a little less than 2 hours and then headed on home. 

We made it to College Station around 3:30 Tuesday afternoon. It is so nice to be back home. Auggie went straight for his toys in the living room when we put him down.

Here are some more pictures from throughout the trip

Sitting patiently in the car

Auggie's "new face"
after lunch at Cracker Barrel one day

A new fascination with spoons developed over the week
at a hotel in Lafayette, LA

Looking all comfy with Daddy at a hotel

Attempting to get water from a sippy cup

Sleepy boy

Cuddling with the fishy MawMaw and PawPaw bought him at the Georgia Aquarium

Hope everyone's summer is going well!

Until Tuesday!!

He's Growing Up So Quickly!

Auggie turned 7 months Friday, June 10.

I can't believe 7 months ago, we were in Austin with him! It seems so long ago. I've been reminded a lot of our time in Austin lately. Tim's cousin had her daughter on Friday. Little Maddie was born with a cleft palate. She's in the NICU. I've thought about them quite often. That's not a surprise any new parent wants to have. I know our surprise is always on my mind even though I try not to dwell on it. But enough of that... Please say a prayer for Little Maddie, Mallory and Jarrod as they go through this tough time. 


Another baby was brought into the family on Tuesday! Baby Joe Cole was born to Kalen and Joseph Tuesday morning! I am happy the new family is doing well!

Hopefully it won't be too long until Auggie can meet his 2nd (?) cousins!

and speaking of Auggie... He's been inch worming up a storm lately! He works his legs and feet really quickly but his arms haven't caught up yet. He'll watch our feet in the dining room while he's in the living room and eventually make his way to the dividing "wall." One of us usually catches up to him before he makes the move to climb into the dining room.

We've discovered he has an affinity for paper! I guess he is my son after all! :) While Laura (the AI sub for Melinda) was here for a visit on Monday, Auggie cried until he was able to play with a lime green sheet of paper. I kept moving it around the floor and he'd crawl to it pretty quickly. I kind of noticed it last week but this time he actually cried when I took it away! We've also noticed he has begun to cry when a toy is taken away. When Drake was here visiting Tuesday, he took away his Kitty and Auggie cried. Drake didn't want Auggie playing with his toy but Auggie really wanted to play with it!

He is definitely adding more character to his personality! He's also adding more hours to his time sleeping at night! It is amazing!! I feel so rested... well, sort of. I'm sure my body is wondering if I'm trying to play a trick on it.

Tim's 27th birthday was pretty low key. He took Darren to rugby practice and then we went to McDonald's with Darren and Kayla (our new neighbors!!). Happy Birthday, Tim!  lol It wasn't anything special but he got his Father's Day present early and an awesome card made by me. I mean, come on, who wouldn't want one of my cards??

We heard back from the insurance company about how much we'll owe for Auggie's BAHA. About damn time! Auggie's doctor originally said he'd more than likely have his BAHA by July. Well, it's the middle of June and we just now heard how much we'll have to pay. Now, we're just waiting to see if we should wait for the newest model to come out in July or if the current model is sufficient enough for Auggie's needs. AHH! Get on it already!

Well, I guess I'll leave you with some pictures and video. I feel like I'm forgetting to say something but I'm sure I'll remember it eventually. If not, then I'm sure it wasn't too important!

Getting up on his knees

Playing with a new toy

He's a cool dude

Playing with his new neighbor (aka Tim's Cousin), Darren!

mmm.. Maple syrup puffs

Gotta have those pacifiers handy... or footy

Peas were a no go. It was his first time to eat them.. or attempt to

Auggie was reacting to Tim singing the other night



Lunchtime with Auggie. He was being picky!






Auggie playing with Tim

A Few Videos

I don't have much for you today. I'm trying to get some cards done and in the mail in between laundry, keeping Auggie entertained and getting things ready for our upcoming trip!

I do have a few videos for those that aren't on Facebook.
On our way to La Porte last Friday, I got Auggie to play peek-a-boo with me really well.



Monday afternoon, I had pretzels and peanut butter as a snack while I was laying on the floor with Auggie. He wanted a pretzel so bad. He kept leaning to my bowl so I gave him one.



Auggie has been working really hard on his hand-eye coordination. In the video below, he's trying to eat a little star puff.



And last but certainly, not the least of the videos! Auggie is beginning to crawl! I know, we're in trouble as soon as he gets it down but he's doing so well! This video was taken Wednesday and he's even progressed since then! I'm glad he's getting it and he can actually go forward with it. He gets frustrated if he sits for too long because he usually wants to go somewhere or stand up.



Hope everyone has a great weekend! Until Tuesday!

Getting Up and Going!

Auggie has been a little mover lately! He is all about wanting to pull up on me or Tim or anyone/anything that will let him. He wants to get going but he doesn't know he can't. I feel bad for him sometimes because he wants to stand up but he usually doesn't hold onto anything so ends up falling. Luckily, he's only had a few close calls because someone is always there to catch him!

Auggie’s doing so good with all his milestones and everything. He was weighed twice last week- first time fully clothed, he was 16.01 pounds and then the second time naked, he was 15.8 pounds. So I guess, he’s between 15.5 and 16 pounds!  Every scale is different so I’m sure we’ll never know exactly how much he weighs.

We had an appointment with Toni (Dietician) and Melinda (AI) on Tuesday and then we saw Mandy (Speech) on Wednesday. 

His dietician appointments are getting more spread out now. Toni was very happy with how well he’s eating and how well he’s taken to eating solids. She said we could give him anything on our plate now that he no longer screams during meal time. We won’t see her again until late July/early August.

Melinda sees him every Monday over the summers. She’s with AI- Auditory something-or-other. I still can’t remember what that means. But she’s with the Brazos Valley Regional Day School Program for the Deaf.

Mandy sees him once a month, for now. She has really helped us with getting him to eat and she’ll start with helping how to get him to babble and talk properly when the time comes.

Last Thursday, Jessica, Rick & Ben came for a visit. We went to Adamson Lagoon just down the road from us. They have 4 slides (2 for little kids and 2 for the kids at heart), a lily pad run, a kiddy pool, a deep end and a semi-shallow end. It's a very nice pool and its only $6 to get in! It'll be a lot of fun for our other nieces and nephews when they come for a visit.

At Adamson Lagoon Thursday June 2

Ben about to go down the slide
At Adamson Lagoon Thursday June 2

Ben sliding
At Adamson Lagoon Thursday June 2

Jessica, Ben, Auggie & I
At Adamson Lagoon Thursday June 2

Mom, Lindsay and I hosted a "sprinkle" for Jamie & Zach in La Porte over the weekend. It was a great day to have people over! I hope Jamie and Zach enjoyed it!

The Diaper Cake

Jamie & Zach's "Sprinkle" for Zoe
Saturday June 4

The Scrapbook I made for Zoe along with the diaper cake I made and the "Woobie" from Ruby Dean Designs
Jamie & Zach's "Sprinkle" for Zoe
Saturday June 4

 One of the moms (Jen) I met through the Moms & Tots group on MeetUp.com makes paci clips, blankets, wet bags, slings and nursing covers. We were able to get a few paci clips for the Soothie brand pacifiers! YAY! That was one of the reasons why I didn't like those pacifiers was because nothing attaches to them! Jen's are really cute and come in all sorts of fabric choices! She has a Facebook Page called Ruby Dean Designs. She also made the "Woobie" in the picture above (the little blanket with the ribbon under the diaper cake).

Auggie chewing on the paci clip from my friend Jen @ Ruby Dean Design
Sunday, June 5

 Auggie has been sleeping longer and when we check on him in the morning, he usually has his butt in the air. I just love the picture below. His feet are crossed and he just looks so comfy!

Sleeping with his butt in the air! Love it!

 Friday, I took Auggie back to his pediatrician for her to look at his rash. She walked in and even before she closed the door, she knew it was eczema! He's had some form of it since he was 3 months old and she just now told us what it was. We're a little peeved at that but she gave us a steroid cream to use twice a day. Today is the 6/7 time to use it and all those red spots are gone! I'm so glad its gone! I just hope it stays away.

Auggie's mysterious rash on Friday, June 3

Playing with a balloon
Saturday June 4

Playing with Scout
Sunday June 5

Playing with a new toy
Monday June6

New Toy!
Monday June 6

Chewing on some paper before his AI appointment
Monday June 6

Mmmm.. Paper!
Monday June 6

Watching Baby Signs
Monday June 6

The morning after he SLEPT THROUGH THE NIGHT!!
Tuesday June 7

Bright eyed after 9.5 hours of sleep
Tuesday June 7