Austen's First Christmas

Well, it was an eventful first Xmas for Austen and Adler. Austen was actually very good on Xmas Eve despite battling a cold and teething (we think). He made a couple of excited squeals in church (he was singing to the music) but overall he did great. He even ate well and fell asleep instantly at my brother's house. Perfect Angel.

The next day was the total opposite. Our usually sweet and mellow Austen was not himself. He cried at the drop of a hat and proceeded to projectile vomit his formula and some fruit all over himself and me. Refreshing.

Next up is Adler...we take her with us on Xmas as it's a long day and we do both sides of the family. Our usually great dog gets so excited running around Tom's brother's house with our neice and nephew that she throws up on their carpet!

I guess that's what they call karma because we usually have it pretty easy with those two. Oh well.

Austen Loves Adler's Water Bowl

Hi all - sorry it's been awhile since my last post. It's been a rough December. To begin the month, Austen and I got stuck on I-65 North in an ice storm for 7 hours coming home from visiting a friend. But we made it back safely. Then Austen came down with rotavirus like 9/12 kids in his daycare class. Then I was traveling for work. Then Austen lost his grandfather. Tom said that Austen may never know his grandfather but his grandfather got to know him. How true. When he's older, we'll share the memories of his grandfather with him and he will always know who his grandfather was.

I'm sure many of you are asking about the latest antics of Austen and Adler. Well, Austen loves Adler's water bowl and gets upset when we tell him no, he can't go near it. Check it out for yourselves in the video below.

Our Trip to the Xmas Tree Farm

Every year since Tom and I have been dating, we've ventured to a Xmas tree farm where we vacation each summer in Michigan. (I guess technically the tree farm is in nearby Indiana but anyway, it's a short distance from our vacation spot).

Adler has been a regular on this trip since we got her and has always loved this trip especially when there is snow. Lucky for her this year they had snow even though we didn't have in Chicago. Adler was over the moon running around all the different trees and trying to find us when we were out of sight. I think this day ranks right up there with playing on the beach for her. And she treats the snow much the same way as she treats the sand - she rolls around in it, eats it and just can't get enough of it.

As for Austen, this was his first year at the tree farm. He did remarkably well even though next year, I can't wait til he can walk! Lugging around a 22-plus pound kid while romping through the snow and selecting a tree sure built up some muscles! Anyway, he sat wide-eyed on the bumpy hayride to the trees and just observed all that was going on around him. We can't wait to see him on Xmas morning!

Austen Gives Adler Treats

Austen is getting the hang of giving Adler treats. He doesn't like you to put the treat in his hand. He has to pick it up off the gound and then hold it out to Adler. I'm wondering how he knows its not food for him and try putting it in his mouth, but he hasn't. He just holds it out to his patiently-waiting puppy who is ever so gently in trying to pry that treat out of his hand without hurting her little brother.