Far To Long

It has been far to long since I have done a blog update. Life seems to have been a whirlwind lately of Austin and all his cuteness. I will have to sit down and actually plan out a blog post, but for now I will update on his new words:

Hey Gato
Bugga Bee
Bugga Boo
Oh Geez
Oh Boy
Oh No
NO!
lav ou (you really have to listen to catch this love you)
eff (I think this is for Uncle Jeff who has been gracious enough to watch Austin for us while he is laid off and Grandma Ball is laid up from surgery)
Up
cac-care (Cracker)
ooce (Juice)
Nih-Nih (Night night)
Binkie
Daaadeeeeeeeeeeee
Mommeeeeeeeeeeeee
Elbos (I think I may have already posted this one)
Weeehheeeee (while Papa is pulling him around on the sled)

He is quite the mischief maker too! He knows where his treats are kept in the kitchen and goes right for them. Runs and climbs up the stairs at bath, bed time, or anytime he notices that the gate isn't up. He is climbing furniture and all around acting like a little boy!

Here is one of my favorite pictures from Christmas of Austin and his cousin Alexis

He Talks

Just a few of the words Austin has added to his expanding vocabulary:
Mama
Dada
Mimi
Papa
Bah (bottle now sippy)
Ba (Ball)
Hey Bebe (most recent and defiantly the most adorable)
Hey (whoever Mimi, Mama, Papa etc)
Tickle, tickle
its hap (I am trying to teach him Its Happening for Jeff)
Bebe
Poopy

Austins 1 year appointment shows that he is indeed growing into his head finally

Weight 24 lbs 8 ounces 75th percentile
Height 29 1/4" 50th percentile
Head 19" 95th percentile (he was off the charts at his last well baby visit.

Here are some cake pictures from his 1st Birthday

Horrible

I am so horrible about updating this blog. I need to be better about it, although I am not completely sure who actually reads it.

Austins 1st birthday has come and gone and his party was wonderful. He received a lot of very nice gifts. I have packed up the baby toys and traded them out for all the wonderful things he received.

We have our one year well baby on the 25th so I will updated with stats then. I do not have any pictures uploaded from his party yet,but I do have a couple from his 1 year photo shoot.
Enjoy! If you would like to see more go to www.amyoc.com, proofing, password is bp1 and bp5 (which is Austin and his 2 year old cousin Kiera my cousin Jeffery's daughter)

One year ago..................

Dear Austin,
On this day one year ago at exactly 10:34am you made Mama and Dada the happiest people alive. You came into this world talking, movin' and shakin' and haven't stopped since.

This past year has been a whirlwind of emotions for all of us. You have truly taught Mama the art of being patient. From the first few days of getting to know each other, to our silly games and funny songs you have made the last year of our lives the best it has ever been. Our family is more complete now that you are in it.

You are truly a remarkable baby. You defiantly have Mama's stubbornness yet an easy going nature like Dada. You are ALWAYS happy, smiling and a joy to be with.

There were times where we weren't sure we would make it. Sleepless nights, the flu at 3 months for both you and Mama, teething, feeding issues...but here we are one year later and Dada still has hair, Mama learned to survive on 1 hour of sleep at a time and you have grown into a wonderful little 1 year old who amazes us every day.

We love you Punky, Punks, Budles, Austy, our little Pumpkin Pie.
Mama and Dada

Someday you will be embarrassed by us or we may forget the words so just in case:
My name is Austin,
I am so cuddly, with a duckie
and I like to build.

I am on Dads team
I'm number 1
I like to dance
and fill my pants.

Only God Knows

Today I am especially reminded of what a precious gift Austin is.
A child was lost today and my heart aches for a family who will never hold their son again. A twin sister who will never be able to feel that bond again, or perhaps have a unfillable void. A new baby on the way who will only hear memories of how special their older brother was. I guess it is not right for us to guestion Gods plan. I cannot help but feel sadness for this family and yet still have anger that the God that I believe in could cause so much pain. Why this child, why any child for that matter. I know that he is playing in Heaven now, and will be an angel to watch over his family. God speed Jakob.
Hold your babies a little tighter tonight, and give thanks.

Holy Teeth Batman!!

Four, yes that's right, FOUR new teeth have emerged. All tops, and all at once. Poor little guy. No wonder he has been so "un-Austin" like the past few weeks. I feel horrible that I wasn't more patient with him. Not that it at all hurts him to sit in his crib and cry for five minutes while mommy or daddy take a five minute sanity break.
Patience...ahhh..my nemesis. For all of you that know me in real life, you are quite acquainted with the fact that I have none of it. I do not try to hide my lack of patience or for that matter make any real excuses for it. Except for the clever "I just do not have any tolerance for stupidity." However becoming a parent is probably one of the best things that could have happened to me in that department. I still get frustrated but not at all as quickly or frequently as I used to. There are somethings I cannot control and I have learned to deal with that now. Life is better for all involved. Ask Nate, I am sure he can attest.

Nine and a half months old!!!! I cannot believe it! He is so grown up and doing all sorts of new tricks everyday. Finally crawling!!!!!!!!!! All of a sudden he was just go, go, go. Since he now has the hang of that his newest trick is trying to pull himself up and cruising furniture. Still wobbly, but check back in a little while and I am sure he will have mastered that to. My little baby is becoming my little BOY. Amazing, heartwarming and sad all at once.

"Mimi went to Flordia last weekend and I tried to stow away in her carry on"

"and she found me a new friend 'Charlie'"

9 month well baby and Austin is tipping the scales at 23lbs 12oz, 28 3/4" long supporting a 19" melon. My short, sweet, solid, big headed baby! I LOVE YOU!

Not a lot of new happenings in the Ball household as of late. Nate is currently working a schedule that allows him to be home at night with Austin and mama, which has been wonderful. I forget how much fun it is to watch him and Austin interact. Or how nice it is to not be the bad guy who puts Austin to bed when all he wants to do is still hang out. Sadly come Monday life will be back as usual. Nate being a single parent in the morning and I at night.

Austin had defiantly been sir grouch a lot the past couple days. With a low grade fever and the numerous messy diapers either we have a little bug or a new little tooth waiting to emerge. I believe the later. He has taken to biting down on his spoon again as he did with the first two teeth, only this time he cries afterward. Last night we allowed to be "naughty" and play in his basket of bibs and burp clothes. Normally this basket is off limits but it seemed to keep him happy and content last night and mama and dada were all for that.

Still no more additional progress on the crawling front. He does get on all fours and Grampa has seen him move a couple inches, but he is far more adept at rolling and scooting on his back to his desired location. He is standing now and will do so for quite a long time if there is something to play with or keep his attention. He was trying to reach dada on the other end of the couch the other night, but couldn't quite figure out how to get there. I cannot believe our little guy is nine months old. I was going though our "No other baby will ever wear these clothes but Austin" box the other day due to moving it upstairs after the multi-floods in the basement and cannot believe how small those clothes seemed. I remember thinking what a big baby he was, and now looking back he was so small. We have our nine month appointment coming up and I will be sure to update with stats.