What a Treat!!!

Guess Whoooooooo's 1st Halloween!!

Lyla very quickly expressed her thoughts about playing dress up....

Now she is really starting to enjoy herself....what a hoot!!!!

Awww - isn't she just so precious!!!!

Photo shoot lasted a little too long ;)

Many many THANKS!

Thank you Grandma!!!

Thank you for taking care of me, mommy and daddy for a week! Mommy and daddy very much miss your company, home cooked meals, laundry services, cleaning services, your willingness to help with anything, and much much more! I very much miss seeing you everyday and your hugs and kisses. Mommy talks about you and grand-daddy all the time...I know I am one lucky little girl to have such loving grandparents.

I love you...MORE!!!!!

Love,

Lyla Anne

Thank you Grand-daddy!

Thank you for making the drive to Chicago to pick up Grandma. It was a short visit but worth all the hugs and kisses I received. I love you grand-daddy!

Love,

Lyla Anne

And thank you Aunt Carri!

Your company made the long drive to Chicago so much easier for Grand-daddy! Mommy also talks about you all the time...The Schneider family sounds like one rockin' cool family....I look forward to lots of Austin/Schneider family gatherings:):) Tell Josie I can't wait to meet her!!!!

Love,

Lyla Anne

We all knew it would happen....

It didn't take long...we've got a Daddy's Little Girl on our hands!! Everyday Lyla looks forward to daddy coming home so she can get some of his eskimo kisses! It is the cutest thing in the world to see. She just stares in his eyes - she is SO smitten with daddy! And can it get any better than cuddling with daddy! After a long day of work for daddy - and a long day of missing daddy for Lyla...cuddling is the perfect recipe to make it all better:):):)

Oh and I have to mention - I got a real hug from daddy a couple of days ago. The belly was in the way for so many months...it's a shame that I forgot how good a hug could feel. I just know Lyla feels so protected and secure in daddy's arms...what a lucky little lady to have such an awesome daddy!

1st Stroller outing!

Our first stroller outing:) I have never checked and re-checked traffic so much before crossing the street. Yep a tad paranoid but do you trust Chicago drivers...yep that's my excuse!!! Lyla caught some Zzzzzz while I got some much needed fresh air and exercise. Hopefully Chicago winter doesn't strike soon so we can both enjoy more stroller outings!

One week already!!!!

Wow how things change in one short week. Lyla is becoming more alert and has started exploring the world. She is a perfect angel - of course I have to say that right:) She sleeps 3 to 4 hours stretches through the night...she loves mamma's milk...and is already spoiled rotten by daddy! Week 1 - the scariest but most amazing week!!!

Introducing Lyla Anne Austin

Finally right:) Here are some pictures to get things started! I will post more details in the next few days. We are very much enjoying these precious early days with Lyla.

You can see more photos taken at the hospital by visiting: http://www.bellababyphotography.com/ click on: website click on: client enter password: 0556austin

Update:)

I had a doc appt yesterday. I am:

80% effaced

1 cm dilated

-1 Station

For some that may sound like a foreign language:) So in short things are happening and Baby Austin is definitely getting ready to make an arrival. The doc explained that it's great that I am almost 100% effaced. Reason being...because I am almost 100% effaced (thinned out) it will make dilating that much easier/faster. An analogy - hope it's not too graphic. Think of pulling a piece of rubber - is it easy to pull when it is thicker or thinner? I'll go with thinner:)

Now I hate when doctor's say this - they just shouldn't be allowed to get your hopes up - but he said, "I don't have a crystal ball but I don't think you will make it to your due date - you've already done a lot of work." But he is a doctor and knows what he is talking about - so I choose to believe him:):):) My hopes are exteremely high - I hope Baby Austin comes tonight!!!

Stay tuned!!!!!!

October 3rd - Our Real Anniversary!!

October 3rd marks a very exciting day for Michael and I. This is the day we consider our "Real Anniversary". This day goes back....way back...back into time! It's funny - every year Michael and I have to count the years...and every year we find ourselves in awe. Last night as we were laying in bed we found ourselves counting again. I found myself having deja vu as Michael asked again, "Are you sure you were 14 years old?" For those of you counting yes that makes 16 years. 16 years ago Michael and I started along our path together - 9th graders at Central Junior High School in Xenia, Ohio. I wouldn't change one thing about our adventures and path that has lead us to this very day. I have spent so many days thinking about this day that it's so hard to believe that it is actually here. I find myself saying and still convincing myself that I am FINALLY getting ready to have - MICHAEL LEE AUSTIN'S BABY!!!! I repeat it over and over in my head - there is nothing in this world that makes me happier. I love you Micheal Lee!!!