UPDATES!

I know I have fallen very behind on my posts, I am just going to blame it on the adjustments that come with being a new mom! We have had an eventful 4 months. Austin is in great health and is the happiest and most social baby we have ever met! She smiles all the time, at strangers and people she knows. She wakes so happy, talks non-stop, giggles at the tv (especially when baby chickens or ducks are on), loves to cuddle, and really can brighten anyones day. We love our little girl so much and have truly enjoyed all that comes along with being her mommy and daddy. We look forward to all that we have left to experience. We just got the go ahead to start feeding her cereal so stay posted for those shots/videos.

 Here are some photos of the last few months:

                                                       One of her last days in the NICU

Her last picture in the NICU

Her first car ride.

Her first day home! We just all layed in bed and Ray and I loved watching her sleep at HOME!

Sleeping in her new chair...so little!

8-18-10 

One month

2 Months 

Game time with the cousins. 

Natalie & Austin 

Natalie TRYING to put makeup on Uncle Ray Rice. 

Daniel! 

Nap time. Life is rough!

Our trip to the apple orchard.

Natalie-the best apple picker!

She slept the whole trip away.

Daddy-daughter nap time :)

3 months old!

Puppy Ripken is always nearby for some attention.

Our Ravens cheerleader! Go Ravens!

With Juice and Jeanne

At the pumpkin patch.

So big!

Our little pumpkin.

First time in her bumbo.

Austin's first Halloween :)

After her first night in her crib and room (11-17-10).

4 months 11-18-10

  

Her newest thing is to blow bubbles.

With cousin Grant...

and cousin Nathan!

Her 1st Thanksgiving-and she is thankful for her Mommy :)

She really enjoyed watching daddy put the lights on the Christmas tree. 

We watched Danny for an afternoon while his mom and sister went to a movie. He loved Uncle Ray-Ray's train set under the tree.

I had to add this picture of Austin asleep with her fingers in her mouth. I thought it was sweet.

On another note, our dear dog tore his ACL. He went through quite a recooperation after the surgery but seems to be getting better by the day. We have no idea how he did this, other than the fact that he still has a puppy mentality and energy level in that big body of his. Hopefully he does not tear it again.

25 staples and a lot of money out of our pocket.

Here he is last week feeling MUCH better. He really takes comfort in his cuddle time with Austin.

Still there

At this point, Austin is almost two weeks old, and with that, has been in the NICU for almost two weeks. She is doing much better. Her temperature is being self-maintained, she is off of a few monitors, and they have made adjustments to how they are monitoring her heart rate. We have our fingers crossed that it will not be long before she comes home. She may still come home on a heart monitor, but we are hoping that is not the case. We will keep you all posted.

One of her last stays in the incubator.

Lost in all of those blankets.

Sucking her fingers, SO CUTE!

Family Photo

Our latest addition

So Saturday night Ray finally finished out bedroom, fresh new beautiful hardwoods and all. I kept telling him as long as we were moved into our bedroom before Austin came that we would be in good shape. So, we got one night in our new bed and Sunday morning at almost 5:30am I woke up to my water breaking, to our suprise! So, instead of me posting pictures of our new room and the progress of prepping for baby Austins arrival (like I had planned), instead I am posting pictures and updates of her.

Baby Austin Elizabeth arrived at 10:12pm Sunday evening (7/18/2010). She weighed in at 5lbs 10ounces and measured 18 inches. She was much bigger than what the doctors were expecting, which was a welcomed suprise.

After she was all cleaned up.

Proud Father!

I did not get to see much of her because after she was born they took her up to the NICU. Her lungs have been doing great so far, which was our biggest concern. Then yesterday afternoon her body temperature dropped and she has been struggling to regulate it on her own, so they put her in an incubator. She is warm, toasty, and adorable in there, but it is not easy to see your newborn in something like that.

First time Ray has ever changed a diaper, and he had to do it through these arm holes! And of course, she pooped all over the place during the process!

Luckily we get to take her out and feed her. She is really beautiful and I could not have done it without Ray, he is a great husband. My Mom was there too and she was a wonderful help!

We will do our best to keep everyone updated, on her and otherwise. We are looking forward to being able to bring her home in 1-3 weeks, hopefully sooner rather than later! Thank you everyone for the calls and support!