Holiday Cheer!

Whew! The holidays are finally over and we are pooped! So many people to see, places to go, and taking care of a newborn. Thanksgiving was the week after we got home from the hospital, so we took it easy. Went for lunch at my mom's house and then just relaxed around the house. Then Jordan had to go back to work and I was left alone to take care of Austin, all day, all by myself. It's pretty exhausting! I feel like I am constantly feeding him, changing diapers, doing laundry, and washing bottles. But I wouldn't trade it for the world! I definitely look forward to when Jordan or Katrina get home in the evening to give me a little relief and to have some adult conversation. We had so many visitors those first few weeks after Austin was born, accompanied by many delicious meals from our friends and family. So, thank you all so very much!

I rushed around over the past few weeks to get all my Christmas shopping done. Geez, it's challenging pushing a stroller, carrying all your bags, and looking through clothes racks all at the same time at the mall. Luckily, Austin usually goes to sleep in his stroller, so he's well-behaved when I take him out. My Nana came in for two weeks for the holidays from New Hampshire. This was her first great-grandson, so she was pretty excited about seeing him. We spent Christmas Eve with Jordan's side of the family at his parents' house in Arlington. Then we did my family's gathering on Christmas Day at our house. I cooked the turkey and everything; it was quite a feast! Being that Austin was only 6 weeks old at Christmas, he didn't have a clue what was going on. But he did get lots of clothes and toys that he will enjoy soon enough! Jordan and I exchanged gifts on Christmas Eve like usual. But the best gift came from Santa.........Guitar Hero World Tour for our PS3. We have seriously been rocking out to it, with two guitars, drums, and a mic. I didn't think I would enjoy it this much.

Austin stayed the first night away from home the day after Christmas at my mom's. It wasn't intentional though. We had all gone to dinner for my sister's birthday, and then Jordan and I were going to join her at the bar afterwards for two drinks while my mom watched Austin. Well, having not drank since mid-March, two drinks turned into alot and we ended up staying for four hours. I missed him so much, but we had a much needed break and got to sleep in a bit (even though we still didn't get to bed until 4am).

We had planned on going to hang out with some friends on New Year's Eve and stay the night. We had it all worked out for Jordan's parents to come stay at our house to watch Austin. But the crazy Texas weather lately has gotten me pretty sick, so we had to cancel. I laid in bed most of the night, and I think Jordan had 3 bottles of wine. ;) So, it was a pretty mellow night.

The holidays are always so busy, so I'm kinda ready to get back to a normal schedule. Austin has been sleeping 6-6 1/2 hours at night this week, so we're pretty excited about that. I got the all-clear at my post-partum checkup this week. My blood pressure has finally returned to normal and my incision from the c-section has healed nicely. And Monday morning I'm starting back at the gym. It's been a year since I've been, so it's going to be tough I'm sure. But they have a daycare on site, so I can go during the day and they'll watch Austin for me. I can't believe he is already 7 weeks old! This week we took advantage of the warm TX weather and went for a walk around the neighborhood. (He got some super-cool sunglasses from his favorite Aunt Katrina, so of course he had to put them on!) He has gotten so much more alert and awake during the day lately. The time has just flown by. In the beginning it felt like I was going to be off work forever, but now I only have 3 more months with him. I am definitely going to cherish every moment together that I can!