Thrize.com

Our little computer programmer - we're so proud!

We had a great visit with Jeff’s parents in Dorset and returned home in time to meet with our social worker, Mandy.  More paperwork is signed and Austin is one step closer to becoming an Avery in name as well as in our hearts.

Austin has always loved our computers so we decided to give him a keyboard of his own so he can type along with us.  It’s not quite as good as his own “light box” but he’s pleased as punch to be able to type unrestricted by Mom or Dad.

Monday was spent with Jeff’s parents.  We ate too much and played both inside and out.  It was a wonderful visit.

We left Dorset on Tuesday and returned home.  Austin was a gem in the car throughout the four hour drive home.  He is a true SuperStar!

On Wednesday, we met with Mandy our adoption worker.  We had to sign some paperwork for the adoption.  One step closer…  Later in the day, Lisa and Ashlie came over to visit Austin.  We had dinner together before they left for home and Austin headed up to the bathtub.  How one boy can get so messy is a mystery!

Thursday we ran errands ending up at Egg Roll King with Austin.  He was an excellent baby during his second restaurant visit.  He couldn’t eat a lot of the spicy dishes that we ordered but totally loved the insides of the egg rolls. 

Friday we had one of Jeff’s friends from high school, Jenn and her family over for dinner.  Austin was totally entranced by four year old Aaron and watched his every move.  Aaron very graciously gave up some of his toys and clothes for Austin.  More loot for the baby – yay!

Saturday we had our neighbor Christine and her daughter Olivia over for dinner and a movie.  Olivia and Austin played as much as watched “A Bug’s Life” but that’s what entertaining is all about!

Sunday was Gwen’s birthday party.  She turned three.  We prepared a fruit plate and a salad and joined the rest of our neighbors for a BBQ to celebrate.  The house was filled with shreiking little girls and lots of beautiful baby boys.  Austin was thrilled – lots of people to play with!

It’s been another wonderful week.  We continue to enjoy watching Austin grown and learn.  He’s not yet crawling but is so very close – updates again next week!

Daddy and Baby

Time is flying by!  We had a great week with Austin.  He is eating more and more solid food.  He continues to stand as long as Mom or Dad is nearby to “spot” him.  He is so close to crawling.  He gets up on his hands and knees and rocks but can’t figure out the one hand, two hand coordination yet.  We had a big milestone this week when a first tooth appeared.  Our little omnivore is getting closer to a time when he can enjoy his steak with Daddy or “Da Da” and Austin likes to call him.

Monday was a quiet day in the Avery household.  We strolled around the neighborhood and chatted with Christine, Denise, Cole, and Kate.  Our new photo printer and iPod arrived in the mail.  The photo printer is not hard to explain.  The iPod is for Austin’s room so he can listen to lullabies as he goes to sleep (and no – we do not expect him to wear little baby earplugs.  We went to Zellers and got a player.)

On Tuesday our neighbor Christine hosted an Usborne book party.  Despite our best intentions, we order over a hundred dollars worth of books.  The children’s books from Usborne are just excellent!

Wednesday was another relatively quiet day.  We stayed close to home and got some chores done.

Thursday was a bit busy.  We went to Kids and Company to check out the daycare facilities.  We were very impressed.  Ideally we will send Austin to our neighbor Christine for daycare and use Kids and Company as a backup but we wanted to make sure that Kids and Company was a good fit.  We’ve had very positive recommendations from two of my co-workers so all is well.  In the evening, we attended the seventh annual Medicalis BBQ at Mike’s place.  We had wonderful food and enjoyed socializing with my co-workers.

Friday was my forth and most unique baby shower.  The Tap Chicks booked a pole dancing party.  We all had an opportunity to learn a short pole dance routine.  It was a great workout!  We returned to Tan’s place for snacks and bevies afterwards.  I believe we will all suffer great pain in our upper bodies in days to come.

On Saturday we left for Dorset.  We spent Saturday and Sunday with Jeff’s parents in their home.  Austin’s parental units relaxed while Grandma and Grandpa spoiled the baby. 

On Sunday, Austin’s first tooth broke through the gum line.  Grandma was the first to feel it and quickly shared the news.  Our baby boy is growing up!

Week 6 has been wonderful! Austin is starting to babble and this is the week when he managed “la,la,la,la” and “blah,blah,blah,blah” and even “da,da,da,da”. I’m still waiting to hear some “ma,ma,ma,ma” action. Jeff is not helping – he’s enjoying his “Dada” too much!

Austin is moving closer to crawling.  He can now get himself into the crawling position but has not yet figured out this whole “moving of limbs” together bit.  When he decides it’s time to move, he inevitably plants his face into the floor and tries to push with his feet.

Austin has started to bang blocks together (and his spoon on the feeding tray of his highchair).  This is a great developmental milestone and a lot of gooey mess for cleanup duty.

On Monday, Jeff took Austin to visit his co-workers and friends at RapidMind.

Tuesday evening we had neighbors Mike and Denise and their two kids Erich and Erin and Steve and Christine and their one little girl Olivia over for a barbeque.  It was cold and overcast outside so we all piled into the living room and ate around the coffee table (since the dining room is currently used as a baby staging area and not in any way shape or form for eating).

On Wednesday, Lisa, Ashlie, and Kayla came to visit Austin.

Thursday and Friday were quiet:  walks in the stroller, walks in the Baby Bjorn, impromptu play date with our friend Cole’s little boy Liam – the usual kind of stuff.

Saturday we took Austin our for his first restaurant meal.  We went to Ben Thanh Viet-Thai Restaurant with Steve, Christine and Olivia.  We had a great meal – Austin had his own rice cereal mix and some of Jeff’s Singapore Noodles.  I’m not sure the yellow curry will ever come out of his t-shirt but who cares!  He had fun and that’s all that matters.  We then went to Toys R Us for some scented bubbles – more for Mommy and Daddy than for Austin. 

On Sunday, we drove to Niagara Falls to introduce Austin to more great grandparents – Jeff’s paternal grandparents, Myrl and Marion Avery.  We also visited with Jeff’s maternal grandmother, Nan and Jeff’s cousins Janice and Marena.

We are blessed to parent such a wonderful baby boy!

We had a quiet week this week.

On Monday, we took Austin to the doctor to ensure that the rattle in his chest was simply due to a cold and not to bronchitis. Of course, as soon as we made the appointment, Austin’s cold cleared up completely. His nose stopped running, his cough disappeared and his chest rattle could not be heard. The doctor checked him out anyway and pronounced him completely healthy. We were very happy to see his stuffy nose disappear as we were afraid that he might be allergic to our cat Nick. That does not appear to be the case but we’ll continue to monitor how he reacts to the cat as time passes.

On Tuesday, Brenda and Terry from Family and Children’s Services came to visit. This was day 30 since Austin came to live with us and the third of our mandatory FACS visits to ensure that Austin is healthy and well with us as his new parents. We had a lovely visit – no issues at all. We’ll see our regular social worker, Amanda on July 22nd for our next visit.

Wednesday was Canada Day – Austin’s first. We stayed close to home and relaxed. Sandra and Austin made a lemon meringue pie to celebrate and invited neighbors Denise, Erich and Erin over to share a piece. We didn’t want to go to any fireworks displays since Austin’s ears could be damaged by the loud noises. It was a perfectly calm day.

Thursday was another low key day. Austin and Mommy went to the Medicalis office for a visit. Sandra had to sign new insurance paperwork and bring her computer in for a license scan. We stopped by the grocery store to purchase junk food to bring in for Sandra’s coworkers to thank them for the baby shower for Austin. It was a great visit!

On Friday, Jeff wrote a Calculus exam. Jeff was studying for the exam all month and it was nice to see the exam complete. Sandra and Austin made a coconut cream pie from scratch to celebrate. Daddy will now have more time to spoil Austin. This is good news!

Saturday was a chore day. Jeff cut the lawn, treated for ants and tackled some weeks. Sandra did laundry, dishes, cooking, and vacuuming.

Sunday was a beautiful day. Lisa and Chloe came to visit Austin. He’s doing a few new things this week – holding a block in each of his hands at the same time, standing while holding onto the coffee table, and more trilling and babbling. In the evening, the Avery family went to the Eppel’s for a swim and a BBQ. It was a wonderful day and another wonderful week.