Thanksgiving 2008!

The "Johnson" Family!

I just love this picture - now this is what Thanksgiving is all about!

We spent Thanksgiving day in Marion, IN with the Johnson side of the family. We don't get to enjoy the Johnson side that often so it is always so great to catch up and give everyone a big ole' hug!!!! I am so sorry that I did not take a picture of our feast. Once again Douglas and Brent out did themselves...their hours and HOURS of slaving and preparing definitely showed. After last year and knowing what we were in for....we had been looking forward to this day for weeks!!! The day was absolutely perfect - thank you Douglas and Brent!!! And thank you Patty & Earl for your hospitality:):)

The day began with Lyla and Josie finally meeting for the first time. Josie had been practicing saying Lyla's name all week ...she finally showed her stuff right when we were saying our goodbyes....she saved the best for last by saying "Ly" (Lie)...which I must add is now her official nickname - thanks Josie:):):)

The day then quickly turned into everyone getting their moments with Lyla. Notice how everyone is looking at Lyla and not the camera...she is so loved!!! Who cares about the camera when you've got Lyla ;)

Josie even got a turn ;)

Another one of my favorite moments from the day...oh how things have changed!!!! Carri and I...PARENTS! I think we'll leave it at that - the picture does all the talking:):):)

Switcharoo...:)

And finally...the oh so very happy grandparents with their grand-daughters - awwwwww!!!! What a great Thanksgiving - SO much to be thankful for...

Our first video:)

Our first video...now that I have figured it out you can all look forward to many more:) Here is Lyla "tracking" her Spots and Dots book. It's amazing how everyday she becomes more interested and she most definitely has a favorite page now! I hope you're also entertained by the sound effects Michael and I provide in the background!!!!

Playtime!

Playtime has a new meaning. Playtime is both fun to watch and participate.

As you see here Lyla is enjoying what is called her Playpen..kind of wrong when you think about it...she is not an animal:) Lyla lays here and stares in amazement at her surroundings. The best is when she gets "stuck" on something...as you see here...very entertaining and so enjoyable to see her excitement when she discovers new things!

The next series of events will explain why we think playtime has a new meaning....participating!!! We like to dress up and pose our child for pure entertainment sake.

Can you blame us...we would not be good parents if we passed up this opportunity. Our little Spartan!

And finally...using our child to make a statement! Just in case you can't make it out - her bib says: Green...is the new black!!

Michael thinks this is her Karate Kid pose. You know the famous scene from Karate Kid I. For you true fans out that - you know - The Crane Kick - haha!!!

I am determined to get the video link up and running so you can all enjoy Lyla in action:) I need to share all those coos and smiles...stay tuned!!!!

Peace, Love and Happiness!!!!!

I can't help but grab the camera everytime I see daddy and Lyla relaxing together. I probably need to start capturing some of those moments when they are playing together...but I just can't get enough of the below moments. Maybe it's because I know this stage is going to pass so quickly...they are so peaceful...not a worry in the world!!!!

Lyla and Friends!!

Yesterday Lyla met all her "little" friends that she has heard so much about!! Unfortunately she slept thru most of the excitement but she assured me today that she had a great time and very much looks forward to seeing all her friends again very soon!!

Lyla was very excited about seeing Savannah and celebrating her very 1st birthday!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SAVVY!!!

Look at her in her adorable party dress:)

And how precious are they! Lyla will definitely pick up some style tips from Miss. Savvy:) Lyla is really looking forward to many many play dates and adventures with Savvy - she is one cool chic:)

And of course The Garland Family! Lyla was so excited to meet this pair - Reese and Kade - the coolest brother and sister of all! They've been a pair but now they are all going to be referenced as "The 3 Amigos." They have no choice in the matter:):)

And introducing Tyson James!!

Tyson and Lyla are 3 weeks apart. Fortunately for Lyla her future husband has already been determined - haha! I missed the perfect Kodak moment of the two of them staring at one another...love at first sight:):)

The cutest thing of all was seeing Michael and Marvin holding their babies together!!!!!! Marvin is a natural and didn't let go of Tyson the entire time...well outside of mommy (Donna) nursing him:) It was so fun for Donna and I to compare labor stories and Michael and Marvin to compare their new roles as daddy's!

Having a baby is a wonderful experience - but sharing the experience with such great friends and their children is such an added bonus! The Austin Family isn't complete without sharing it will all our extended families:):) We love you all and look forward to many family adventures!!!!!! And those of you without children...you are thought as extended families as well - we love all the same :):):)

Fun filled family weekend!

We aren't letting the winter weather blues get the best of us. This past weekend we ventured out and about...with much success:)

First on the list was our favorite sandwich shop/restaurant - Jerry's in Bucktown. It is so fun to discover all the kid friendly things now that they apply to us. Jerry's has a special place to keep strollers and was more than accommodating with the seating arrangement!! Lyla looked around and then fell asleep just when our food arrived! One thing that has not proven to be true is that parents will never again eat a hot meal...so far so good in this department:)

Next up a walk to the grocery!

Then we decided to press our luck - daddy and Lyla relaxed at Starbucks while I got in a shopping trip:) YAY for shopping for regular clothes again!!!!!

After a very successful Saturday we decided that Sunday brunch was an absolute must! For those that do not know about our tradition - Sunday brunch is something that Michael and I try to enjoy every weekend. Sunday brunch is followed by us locking ourselves in the house for the rest of the day - we don't answer the phone - and we just enjoy "our" day before the long work week ahead!!

What has helped make "outings" so successful is that Lyla will take a bottle of expressed breastmilk. This is good for several reasons...to name a few: Michael can help out...I don't have to pull out the breast in public...she drinks it like a champ (very efficient).

Stay tuned for more outing updates...Next on our list is going out for Sushi this Friday...keep your fingers crossed that our luck continues:):)

Happy 1 month old Birthday Lyla!!!

WOW - it has already been 1 month!! Lyla is so alert and loves to stare and focus on her surroundings. We often wonder what the heck she is staring at...the ceiling, walls, and space are some of her favorites...Well of course that is besides looking at her mommy and daddy which we of course think are her ultimate favorites:):)

This outfit just cracks me up. It is 0-3 months...her first time wearing it. It looked so big on the hanger...yeah not the case on. The girl definitely has long skinny legs so I fear pants may be a problem - I am still new at this but I don't think they make LONG lengths in baby clothes - haha. You'll soon see Lyla in lots of dresses...ha I love it - great excuse to dress her up:):):)

What we thought were smiles in the past are definitely smiles now. Lyla loves when I stick my tongue out at her and really loves when Daddy gives her kisses. But most of all Lyla loves eating. A picture of her smiling while eating would be a tad inappropriate (breastfeeding) so you'll have to take my word for it :)

There's a 1st time for everything!!!!

First on the list is Lyla got to experience voting for the 1st time. Even more exciting is that I will be able to tell Lyla that she helped mommy vote for Barack Obama..the next president elect :):):):) It amazed me how important voting felt now that I have a daughter - of course it's always gratifying to place your vote but knowing my vote will help shape the world for my daughter made it feel so much more rewarding!!!!!!

Next up....Lyla's 1st Spartan game! Much to our surprise we spent most of the time staring at Lyla instead of concentrating on the game ;) We decided recording the games would be best for the future!

Onto Lyla's 1st bath time experience. I decided it would be too sad to post pics from her 1st experience...it did not go so well. We were so scared of the water temperature that we bathed her in "cool" water...not a good idea...the poor girl started to shiver:(:( Below are pictures from her 3rd bath experience with much much warmer water. Lyla now loves bath time which makes it fun for all.

The best part of bath time is when we wrap her in a warm towel! Awww that clean baby smell coupled with a happy baby that looks up at you with those big brown eyes - could you ask for more?!?!?!?!

And finally I had to include the below photos so everyone could end with an "Awwwwwww" moment! Is this just not the most precious thing you have ever seen. This is Lyla's....and daddy's favorite position! They could....well they have...laid in this position for hours!!!!