Journey Of Firsts

Austin is 8 months now.  He is such a happy, content, laid back and easy going baby.  He is not much of a talker like Riley was at his age he is a quite the little mover and shaker.  He is very curious about everything.  He loves to try and stand by pulling himself up on anything and everything he gets his hands on.  He loves to play with all of Riley's toys, especially the ones he is not supposed to have.  He tries so hard to walk but hasn't quite figured out how to do that yet.  I think he will be an early walker.  Riley took his first steps at 10 months.  His first words were mama as Riley's first words were dada.  He has 2 teeth on the bottom middle which he got at 7 months old- Riley's first teeth were in the same spot at 4 months old.  He is a wonderful sleeper and sleeps through the night on a regular basis.  He has been a good sleeper from day one, Riley was a good sleeper too as a baby but didn't start sleeping through the night until at least 4 months old. 

Riley is a wonderful big brother.  He is always saying how he loves his little brother and loves talking and playing with him.  When we first brought Austin home, Riley asked "Is he big enough to play cars with me?"  Austin is already after Riley's cars every chance he gets and now Riley asks "Can you tell Austin to stop drooling on my cars?"  Kind of funny.  These days Riley's favorite things to do are:  Playing basketball, going to the park, going fishing with daddy, playing Wii video games and of course playing on the "little computer" AKA my iPod.  Riley is at such a fun age we enjoy just hanging out with him.  He is quite the conversationalist and is a very social little boy. 

The holidays are already upon us and it is a reminder of how fast time is going.  I thought Riley's first year went fast but Austin's first year seems to be going even faster.  Life is so busy that sometimes we forget to stop and appreciate all the wonderful things going on in life.  It is ironic how your first child is born and you just can't wait for them to grow up.  You celebrate every milestone.  You can't wait for their very first word, their first smile or laugh and of course their first few steps.  With every new first you are looking ahead to the next.  Before you know it you are pregnant again and your baby is now about to become a big brother.  For me, with my second child I find myself holding on to every new first as if it could be my last.  I have been through this once and as exciting as it is to experience every new baby milestone it is a reminder each one will fade away with time and I will miss and long for those precious firsts that I can no longer get back.  The good news is their will be a lifetime of firsts throughout our lives and we can always look forward to more precious memories yet to be made.  Life is a journey of firsts and the precious moments we have already experienced will always stay with us. 

Happy Halloween!

Austin's first Halloween and Riley's first Halloween that he really had fun trick or treating!  Riley was a pirate and Austin was a parrot!  Riley was so thrilled that every time he went to a new house he got more candy.  Now we have a bag full of candy that I keep eating and trying to limit the amount that Riley keeps eating.  Jason wore an eye patch, an earing, and a red bandana to join in in the Halloween spirit too!  I wore a winter jacket for my costume!=)
New things happening in our lives....Austin can sit up on his own, he can pull himself up on his own and is trying so very hard to walk.  He is into everything!  Riley is his active little self and Lightning McQueen is still the love of his life.  He helped dad carve a pumpkin this year with Lightning McQueen on it.  I am having tons of fun dressing Riley and Austin up in matching outfits and taking pictures.  I just cant help myself!  Jason is out deer hunting with the time he has been getting off of work, hopefully he shoots a big one!

1 Year Anniversary

Hard to believe it but we have now lived in our house for 1 full year.  Last year on 10/14 we signed our lives away.  That was such an exciting day when we bought our first house.  Still, a year later, I sit on the couch and think how awesome it is to live in our own home.  I love looking at the backyard knowing it is actually OUR YARD!  I love having a place to call home.
Also Austin is 7 months as of yesterday. 

Country girls night out!

Went to Kelly's house to go to "Church".  Getting our spiritual time in for the week together as sisters!  Ok not really church, church.  Eric Church!  Went to the Eric Church concert last night in Milwaukee with opening performances by Kip Moore and Justin Moore.  The concert was AWESOME!  Had a blast and it was a great time for me to be away on my own like a single girl no kids, free to do whatever I want.  Rare moments these days!  Although I do miss my little ones and will be happy to see their sweet little faces.

Cousin Time

Spent the day at Aunt Marianne's house with cousins Abby and Brody.  Went for a walk to the park on the last warm day of the year.  The fall colors were at their peek and it was a beautiful day for some pictures.  Ran into Taylor who was on a field trip to the park, weird coincidence.  So much fun seeing the little ones play together.  Brody and Austin are almost the same age and Riley and Abby are less than a year apart.  They are all so cute and play so nicely together.  Had pigs in a blanket for lunch and root beer floats for dessert.   

Oktoberfest Fun!

Took the kids to the Maple Leaf parade yesterday.  Riley got lots and lots of candy.  Austin enjoyed the parade too.  It was a beautiful day for the parade.  Riley also got a giant horn. 

River fun, Apple orchards, Pumpkins and more

Well thought I would share some of our latest adventures and precious moments.  Tookm the kids to the Apple Orchard with Nana and granpa Ken.  As always had a wonderful time.  It is such a great place to take pictures.  Riley had a blast feeding the goats and Austin seemed to love the animals too.  We went through a corn maze to find "Charlie" the scarcrow!  After much walking and a few times getting lost, Riley, our leader led us to him!  We also road on a huge John Deere Tractor(and mini ones), took a ride in a spinning apple, climbed atop a mountain of hay, walked through a haunted house (all accept Riley and Nana) and played in a pumpkin patch.  Was a beautiful fall like afternoon and was a great day! 
Our next (first time) adventure we had recently was taking Austin out on the boat for the first time.  At 6 months he did great!  he only cried once when he got hungry otherwise he enjoyed the boat ride with all its waves and bumps.  Riley loves the boat and caught lots of blue gills and some small bass.
Our last precious first moment I wanted to share was Austin's dedication.  Austin was dedicated at church today.  I chose a bible verse for him.  Proverbs 3:5 and 6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and he shall direct your paths."  I hope Austin does trust in God throughout his life and that he lives a long life under the blessings of the Lord.  Both my parents and Jason's came to the dedication too.  It is nice having so much support from all of them for our kids.  We are truly blessed.