He Sleeps!

Last night we did the "cry it out" method with Austin, and it worked!! We have actually been trying, but never so long because we have felt so bad about leaving him crying in his room alone...in the dark. Oh and did I say alone and crying...sad :( Anyway, last night we decided to really follow through and he fell asleep!! We put him in there at 8pm and checked on him every 5-10 minutes and by 8:40 he was out!! He did wake up once, but thats ok. He was sleeping is his crib...FINALLY

This afternoon Jason was home with him and he would not fall asleep in his arms. Jason decided to put him in the crib. He set him in there, turned on the mobile - and walked away. Austin didn't make a peep because he fell asleep on his own like a big boy!!

So glad we broke him of that bad sleeping habit. We will be enforcing this every night and Austin will sleep in his crib from here on out!!

1st Thanksgiving

I know, I am late putting this up. Things have been crazy with working, shopping, and getting ready for Christmas!!

Austin's Thanksgiving was great, and one I will always remember.

Jason went to Canada with Gramps for their traditional Hockey Game. While they were gone, Grandpa Geister and Cassie came over for a great visit and spent lots of time playing with Austin. He loved it!

Once Jason got home we had breakfast (yummy apple pancakes)with Gramps, Jason, Aunt Ashley, and Austin. While they were over they put on football and Gramps fell asleep on the couch.

For dinner we were off to Nana and Grandpa Mark's house in Toledo. It was very nice, and Austin had a couple of buddies to play with. There were 3 little girls over and they were cute. We brought a couple of Austin's toys and I think the girls played with them more than Austin. During dinner Jason and I took turns holding him, he was very good. He tried mashed potatoes and some pumpkin pie! I think he liked it, even though he isn't quite ready to eat it yet!!

After that we were off to Tracy's house (Grandma Rockett's fiance.) They had a house full of people and everyone loved seeing the baby. We visited for an hour or so, then headed home. Austin was exhausted and ready for bed!!

It was a great day, and I am Thankful for many things...My Health, Family, Friends, AUSTIN, and many other things~

Happy Thanksgiving to all **Pics posted very soon**

Thankful for Them...

This is Dr. Mehta, she was my High-Risk OB/GYN. I know it has only been 8 months since Austin was born, but it brought back a lot of memories. I really wanted to post it so Austin can see her, she was amazing and did so much for us.

I rememebr the first day we went to see her in August of 2006, I don't even think I was one month pregnant yet. It was her first day working there! We were her very first patients at her practice. Yes, I was terrified of that, until we went into her office and she explained some options for me and went over my previous pregnancy. She decided to monitor the pregnancy every week or so for changes in the cervix, and to join a research study for the cervix (to help others and to help research for preterm labor) and to receive progesterone shots once a week. The shots were not proven to help, but a lot of good research has been done. That was the scary part, Dr. Mehta didn't have any way to be sure Austin would stay full-term or survive. She was very confindent in her decisions, and that is what we did. I am glad, because it worked.

It was a very bumpy road, and we got to know each other well due to the fact she saw me once a week and I was in the Hospital many times with complications. There were many times she was tough on me because I was worrying too much. She would not put up with it and we didn't get along too well at times.

A huge reason Austin is here and healthy is because of Dr. Mehta and the care she gave us. She showed me that I can have healthy full-term Children and helped me overcome many fears. I was scared to be pregnant again and try for another child, but now I have Austin! I know this is her job, but we are very greatful for her. She is great at what she does and enjoys helping people. She will deliver the next baby as well (there I go again talking about the next baby.) I look forward to going back and seeing her in a couple years.

Shobha H. Mehta, M.D.
Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University

Dr. Mehta has a special interest in neonatal birth injury and factors contributing to high-risk pregnancy. She completed a Maternal-Fetal Medicine Fellowship at Hutzel Women’s Hospital and Wayne State University and is a member of the University Health Center Ob/Gyn Advisory Board. She has delivered dozens of lectures and published numerous peer-reviewed articles, book chapters and abstracts on obstetric and gynecological topics. Dr. Mehta is the principle investigator at Wayne State University in research involving pre-term premature membrane ruptures, and is the recipient of a research support grant from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. She currently serves as Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Wayne State University School of Medicine and Hutzel Women’s Hospital.

Specialties
Maternal Fetal Medicine
High-Risk Obstetrics


We also saw a team of Doctors that included Dr. Mehta. She was our main Doctor and the one I saw the most. I saw many others for procedures, research, and other reasons. A few of them stood out to us and we also got to know well. They were excited every time they saw me and I was still pregnant and hitting goals. I have to include them as well.


This is Dr. Mittal. We saw here every 2 weeks in the Research Clinic. She was the sweetest Doctor and very funny. I met her last year on my first time in the Hospital for Pre-Term Labor. She did my amnio and she helped to keep me calm. She understood how scared I was and was so understanding. She was the happiest for me when I saw her every other week and loved to do the ultrasounds on Austin. She would talk to him and make funny comments. She used to say Austin was flirting with her during the ultrasounds. If she had extra time, she would do extra measurments and things for more research. I looked forward to our visits and we got to know one another well.



This is Dr. Bahado-Singh. He saw me many times in his office, and the hospital. He was actually the Doctor who first caught that my cervix was getting shorter and put me in the hospital. I saw him a lot, from the morning sickness treatment (didn't work) to the many times he released me from the hospital. I even called him once at 4am for an emergency. He was very helpful and understnading.





I saw these two. Dr. Mari and Dr. Sorokin a few times. They were the, "Big Bosses" in the Hospital. It was reassuring to see such highly respected and educated Doctors. I knew Austin had the best chance with them caring for us. They were amazing.

I am Thankful to have seen all of these Doctors. I will forever remember them and I want Austin to know they all played a big part in his care and birth.

8 Months and Growing Like a Weed!

Today Austin is 8 Months old. Time is really flying. I rememebr last year at this time I was just sentenced to complete Bedrest. Now look at us, happy - healthy and Blessed with Austin.

The older he gets, the more fun he is. He is getting into EVERYTHING! He loves to crawl and explore what is around him. No more army crawl, he is up on a 4's crawling...everywhere. He is also pulling himself up on everything and walking along furnature. He almost stands by himself then falls down on his bum. When he is in his pack-n-play he likes to hold on with one arm and swing like a monkey. It's funny!

Austin is babbling like a pro. He loves to "baby talk" to himself. A few times it almost sounds like he is saying mama. It's too hard to tell right now, but so sweet to hear (even if he really isn't saying it.)

I am having a lot of fun dressing him up in little boy clothes. He looks so grown up and handsome. Can you believe he is already in 12-18 month clothes? He really is growing like a weed!

Hard to believe, the Holiday Season is here. I am very excited for Austin's 1st Christmas. I think he will be VERY spoiled by Mommy and Daddy! It's good though, because he needs new things to keep him busy. He flipped out of the walker yesterday because he is too big for it! He is fine and didn't hurt himself, thank God! Time to pack that away for the nex baby...Did I just say that? The next baby!?! Lets wait a couple years first and enjoy Austin for a while.

Our 1st Family Vacation!

We just got back from our first vacation as a family. It was for sure a different experience to travel with a 7 month old, but a good one.

We left last Friday for Gatlinburg, Tennessee. The drive down was a good one. We left around 7pm, and Austin went to bed for the night at 7:15. For the most part he slept through the night. He woke up a couple times to eat and for a diaper change. We didn't get there until about 3:30am. I was so tired by the time we got there, and it was so dark I couldn't see anything. We didn't get much sleep and woke up about 7am. When I woke up, I looked outside and the view was so beautiful. We were on a HUGE Mountain!!

We did a little every day and Austin had to take his daily naps. Mommy was on the same nap schedule as Austin and got lots of rest :) We had to go buy him a new fun toy because he was getting so restless with all the same old stuff. We couldn't babyproof the room too well and it seemed every day Austin had a new bump or scratch from falling. We really had to keep an eye on him, not that we usually dont.

Austin got so much attention from the Tennessee Folk. They are so friendly and really enjoyed him. Complete strangers came over to talk to him and hold him. This doesn't usually happen in Michigan. I had to get used to it, but it was really nice. Austin loved all the attention and he was too cute. He met Santa for the first time. At first he was ok, and let Santa hold him and play on his sled. After a few minutes he started to cry and wanted to get away from the crazy looking man. It was cute, and I had to sneak a few pictures.

The ride home was a rough one. We had to entertain Austin most of the time and lots of stops. He was very miserable, but I couldn't blame him. He is glad to be home and out of the car.

It was an amazing get away for us and we really needed it. We got a lot of Family time, I will forever treasure our time together in Tennessee. The slideshow tells the story, sorry its so long! I couldn't help it...Enjoy!

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

1st Halloween

Austin liked the big pumpkin

Austin and Gramps
On Gramp's Motorcycle!

Grandma Rockett

Mrs. Donnelly

Austin and Vlady

He was worn out by the end of his 1st Halloween!

Yesterday was Austin's 1st Halloween. He had a fun day. I could tell he enjoyed himself.


As I was driving through our subdivision on my way home from work, I noticed Trick-or-Treaters' were all ready out! It was only 5!! When I got home Jason felt reallybad because kids were knocking on the door and he didn't have any candy. We didn't plan on staying home, so we didn't purchase any. I could have done what my mom used to do...Put a really big bowl of candy on the porch and a nice note saying,"Please just take one. Happy Halloween!" Yeah right, I think every year the first kid would come and dump the bowl. Anyway, we hurried and packed up Austin and his fun Halloween stuff.

We headed over to Jason's Dad's house (Gramps.) He was getting ready to pass out candy. He had all the good candy, and some full size candy bars - A little kids jackpot when Trick-or-Treating. I went inside and got Austin all dressed up in his Monkey costume. It worked out very well because he was all bundled up and his ears were covered as well. We all headed outside to help pass out candy and pose for some pics.I was admiring all of the cute costumes. I have to say, by far Hanna Montana was the most popular costume this year! She was everywhere. I loved to see all of the other kids Austin's age all dressed up. There were Tigger and Pooh's, Pumpkin's and other little Monkeys. Too Cute!

Jason and I decided to put Austin in the stroller and head over to see Grandma Rockett. We surprised her and we visited with her and Tracy for a few. Then down the block to visit the Donnellys' and off to see Kurt. We made a couple other stops too, but I can't write them all down.

Anyway, we headed back to Gramp's house. Austin and I headed inside to get warm and eat. He was too excited to eat and we mostly played. He was in such a happy fun mood. He was crawling all over and playing with Vlady(Gramp's Dog.) Poor Vlady has Cancer, and it seems to be moving very fast. She has lost a lot of weight and has multiple tumors on her neck and chest. I don't think she has too long. That is a big reason we went there, so Austin could see her and so we could say Goodbye. I got a lot of beautiful pics of Vlady and Austin.

My mom headed over to see Austin after she got off work, and then he got really excited. They played for a while and she dropped off some goodies for him.

When we got home, Austin was exhausted. I gave him a bottle, and he was off to sleep. It was a perfect 1st Halloween. Jason and I didn't even go trick-or-treating and somehow we ended up with a bag of candy!

A Better Experience

Yesterday, Jason and I took Austin to the Doctor. We didn't go because he is still sick(he is feeling much better), we went because we were thinking of switching ped's. Just from walking in to the new office, I felt so much better. It was so different from the other. It was big, busy and had Children of all ages. The staff was very helpful and friendly. A Nurse came right out to look at Austin. He was sleeping in his carrier as she was "oogling" and "aweing" over him. She was very friendly and welcomed us to the office!


When we were called back to the exam room by another Nurse, she was just as friendly. She was great with Austin and gave him a fishy tattoo. I don't think I will put it on him, but it was a nice gesture. The atmosphere was very fun yesterday due to the fact it was Halloween. The nurses had on witch hats, green hair, spooky fun shirts, and painted faces. Austin was in a very good mood and he was all smiles.


We were waiting for a few minutes, then this lady walked in who was the most festive with her costume. I don't even think I could tell you what she was dressed up as. It was a combination of Witch, Hippee, and Ragedy Ann. She introduced herself as the Nurse Practioner who would be seeing Austin. She apologized she had to meet us for the first time in such a wacky get up. I didn't mind, it was Halloween and she was doing in for the kids. She was very friendly with us and great with Austin. I could tell she has Children of her own. She talked with us for a while, examined Austin, then talked some more. It was wonderful and we were very comfortable.

Austin did great and he weighs 18lbs 14oz and he is 28 1/4 in long. He is growing great and the exam went prefect. We talked about Vacation, and she said he is perfect to go and have fun in Tennessee!

I left there feeling great because all of my questions were answered and I feel Austin received wonderful care.