Austin: 2 Months

Austin,

Congrats kid, you've grown from sleeping/eating/pooping infant to baby! You are so much more alert this month, and your personality is starting to show.

The biggest development this month is your smile. Oh, the smiles! You are such a happy little boy and give us the biggest smiles. You have also become quite the talker. You've always been pretty vocal, but now you constantly grunt and coo. My favorite noises come right before you eat: as we're getting ready, you reach up, smile and give an excited "oooh, ooh, ooh!" (kinda like a little monkey) As vocal as you are, you're still not a crier. The only time you really cry is when you're hungry and I don't feed you fast enough.

Speaking of unhappy moments, you've developed what we like to call "the ugly face." Your dad has it, as does your sister. Daddy and Abby's look is really quite powerful and makes you want to crawl under a rock. It usually comes in a "what the hell?" moment. However, yours is this super sad little frown. It makes me want to melt, but only because I feel so bad for whatever your going through. If this continues, you will be able to get anything you want from me in the future. I'm in BIG trouble.

Thankfully, we've figured out our nursing issues, and you are now a super eater. We've even figured it out so well, that we can do it anywhere. I've fed you in the car (parked, of course), in stores and even in a crowded mall waiting for Santa. Thank goodness!

We're still working on your sleeping habits, as you've kinda napped on the go recently. I'm hoping to get you on a schedule after the holidays. Nighttime has gotten a little easier, thanks to Mommy's friends Jason and Lauren. You've always liked to be swaddled, but we've kept your arms out. Now that you've discovered your arms, they've become a detriment to your sleeping as you hit yourself in the head. It didn't occur to me to swaddle your arms in until you got a little out of control at a cookie party. Jason (or Lauren?) swaddled you tight and you settled right down. Now, we swaddle your arms in at night and we're getting at least 4hours the first stretch and usually 3 or so after that. Yay!

As for the arms thing, you are starting to bat at toys and love to lay on your playmat. (As long as your sister doesn't bonk you in the head. She also likes to lay on the mat, and tends to get a little too close. Though, a few times you've payed her back by grabbing a fistful of her hair.)

I could keep going on things you love this month, like I said you're a very happy boy! (The bath is another big one.) But, in an effort to make this letter NOT 6 pages, I'll stop.

On a slightly negative note, this month brought a pretty bad case of baby acne. Thankfully, it's almost gone.

Wow. What a month! I haven't even mentioned your first thanksgiving, another trip to grandma's, and your first visit with Santa. All three went very well.

Oh, Austin. You have been so much fun already, and I can't wait to see what's next!

Love you,
Mommy

PS- YOU'RE EYES ARE STILL BLUE!!!! :)