At the boat

Saturday, Austin finally got to meet his three cousins for the first time. All three boys were very excited to hold their cousin and took turns passing him around. Brenden is an old pro at the whole baby thing. Being the oldest of his two brothers and one on the way, babies are nothing new to him. CJ did very well with Austin and was kissing him and making sure he was covered up so he didn't get cold. CJ was very gentle with Austin. He is going to be a great big brother when his new brother arrives. Kaiden also did very well holding him the best he could since Kaiden is only 2. Austin loved Kaiden and just kept staring at him. I have a feeling those two will be very close.

We did it!

Well we did it! I think this is a bigger moment for me then it was for Austin but we finally moved the bassinet away from the bed! I know it seems like such a small task but for me it was a very long night. We used to keep it right next to the bed so that whenever I wanted to check on him all I had to do was lift my head. Yesterday I decided I needed to start getting used to the idea that one day (far from now) our baby would have to sleep in his crib in his own room. So the bassinet was moved across the room. Even though he was still well within earshot I did make John set up our video baby monitor. For the first 45 minutes I kept watching the screen like it was a home movie. I finally convinced myself that Austin was ok and I went to sleep. I am happy to report that I only got out of bed to check if he was breathing 2 times. I am sure Austin missed his mommy very much during the night even though he is acting like it didn't phase him. 

Brandenburg Park

Yesterday, Christina and I took Austin to Brandenburg Park for some pictures.

It's amazing how our lives have changed in a matter of 3 weeks...

Monumental Day!

There are a lot of firsts in every baby's life....first bath...first words...first time walking...


Yesterday, Austin reached a HUGE milestone. He got his first autograph! He met Candace Parker (first woman to dunk in an NCAA tournament game, first woman to dunk in a college game twice and the second player to dunk in a WNBA game).


It took me 8 years to get my first autograph - so Austin has a bit of a head start.

Misc. Photos and Video

It's amazing how awesome God is. Christina and I have been so blessed by Austin. To think he is only 19 days old - yet it feels like he's been here since the beginning. This post has just random pictures and a video on it. Austin has a lot of pressure on him being the CUTEST kid EVER, but we think he's doing a great job. See for yourself...

Video of Austin Smiling:

Daddy was so happy to see Austin shares his love for Sharpies! Celebs here we come!

Bath time

Drying off after his bath

Austin's still a little too small for his baby carrier

Austin's Big Day

Austin playing with his toys for the first time

First Tummy Time

Taking a nap after all his excitement

Yesterday was a very big day for our little guy. First, he got to play with his play mat for the first time. He really enjoyed it until he got a little frustrated that he wasn't coordinated enough to grab the animals. After he played for a few minutes, Austin had his first "tummy time". He did really well and didn't mind at all laying on his stomach. He even tried lifting his head a few times. After all that excitement, Austin was exhausted and fell fast asleep on his favorite blanket and took a 2 hour nap.

Austin also lost his umbilical cord yesterday. It was a little sad. I feel like our little baby is getting so big.

Last night Austin also got to experience his first trip to a restaurant. For our anniversary, John and I went to Mongolian BBQ. Austin did absolutely wonderful, never even opening his eyes - even when it was time for him to eat. He slept until we got home.

John and I at Mongolian BBQ

Austin passed out after his 3rd bowl of stir-fry

13 days old!

Austin is now 13 days old but I can't remember our lives without him. It feels like he has always been with us so its hard to think just two weeks ago, it was just John and I. We wouldn't change it for the world. Austin is the most perfect baby and we are not just saying that. If he cries for some reason, it lasts about half a second and then he's back to his content little self.

As you can tell, I haven't had much time to get on the computer and post updates. Life as a new mommy is wonderful, exhausting and overwhelming. Just this week Austin and I are starting to get in a routine.

The last two weeks have been a world wind of tiredness, happiness and amazement. To know that this tiny little thing came out of me is amazing. John and I just stare at him all the time amazed that we created this little human. The first week was extremely hard for me. Recovering from the C-section was very difficult and scary. Since we didn't know anyone that had ever had one, I had no one to get advice from so I was on my own. John unfortunately had to go right back to work so I was at home with Austin by myself. Of course I was trying to do too much so I got an infection and had to be put on antibiotics.

Austin had his first doctors appointment on the 7th and weighed in at 6 lbs 2 oz. The doctor was very happy with his weight gain since he came home from the hospital at 5 lbs 12 oz. On 7-10-08 Austin went back to the doctors for a weigh in and the little champ weighed 6 lbs 11 oz. The doctor was so pleased she said that we could stop supplementing with formula and just continue with breast feeding. Yesterday, we had another doctors visit because Austin's eye was very watery and goopy. The doctor said that this was normal and gave us some medication. Austin weighed in at 7 lbs 2 oz. Our tiny little baby is getting so big.

Austin recently stopped wearing preemie diapers and now is a big boy and wears newborn diapers. He also yesterday finally fit into his first outfit without it being huge on him. He still is a little guy and barely fits in newborn clothes but he is getting there.

God has completely blessed us with wonderful people all around us. Both of our parents have been wonderful and are enjoying their new grandson. My parents have been wonderful letting me hang out at their house with Austin so I am not home alone all day long. Dan and Katie have been a huge blessing in our lives and I don't think I could have gotten through these first few weeks without the advice and reassurance that everything that is happening is normal without them. God sure knew what he was doing when John and Dan started talking. John has been is school for many years and has never made a friend that he was so close with. I was unsure about hanging out with another couple but we all just clicked right away and John and I realized that these were people God had set aside for us to be friends with. They brought us the best meal ever and we can't thank them enough. Nate and Austin are going to be great friends and I can't wait until we can start taking family vacations together.

As for milestones, Austin has started gripping fingers when placed near him. At first it wasn't very strong but now he will grab onto my shirt or his daddy's finger. He officially sleep for 4 hours at a time (starting last night). Mommy was so happy and had no problem adjusting to this new schedule. Because Austin was so little when we brought him home, we would set an alarm and wake him up every 3 hours to eat. Last night I let Austin take charge and to my surprise he slept for 4 hours - only waking me up at 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. to eat. He is working on his waking up skills but, is in no hurry to perfect that task yet.

All in all the 3 of us are doing very well. I am healing and Austin is quiet and content. Today is our 3 year anniversary and we couldn't be more excited to share it with our new son!

Austin McMahon

Christina and I are very pleased to announce the birth of little Austin Rick McMahon!

July 3, 2008 - 11:25am - 6 lbs. 4 oz. - 20 in.

Christina and I went to the hospital on Tuesday, July 1st to get induced. Little did we know that we wouldn't see Austin for another 2 days! The inducing was increasing the strength and consistency of Christina's contractions, however it wasn't making her dialate. After laboring and going through strong contractions for over 40 hours (including an epidural that fell out), our doctor suggested that it would be best to do a c-section. Although we hadn't planned on a c-section, we both knew it was best for Christina's body and for Austin. Within 30 minutes of our doctor suggesting a c-section, Christina delivered Austin. Although I didn't get to cut the cord, it was very special being in the operating room with Christina.

Hearing Austin cry when the doctors delivered him and then seeing him just a few seconds later is something I will never forget. It was truly an amazing feeling to know that we were parents.

After the delivery, they had to finish stitching up Christina, so I went to change (you can only wear scrubs, a lunch lady hat, mask and booties for so long) and show our family some pictures in the waiting room. After about 45 minutes of some alone time with our new family of three, the rest of our family came into the room to visit Austin where we sang "Happy Birthday" and took a million pictures...

Christina in the delivery room

Austin getting his footprints taken

Daddy and Austin

Mommy and Austin

Dr. Beros and Austin

The nurse giving Austin a bath
Our first picture as a family

Singing "Happy Birthday" to Austin

Papa and Grammy Przystup

Grandpa and Grandma McMahon

Uncle Corey, Aunt Kathleen and cousins Connor & Carter

Aunt Anne

Uncle Dave

Cousin Brooke

Cousin Brennan

Cousin Riley

Uncle Tim

Cousin Noah

Austin and his cousins
(Brooke, Brennan, Connor, Riley, Carter, Cade and Noah)

Dan and Katie

Austin's first bottle

Austin's first piggy-bank money
(thanks to Papa)
Go Tigers!

Daddy's #1 fan
Look at those eyes!
Naptime
(or as it's called in the McMahon family "couch duty") Hi, I'm new here
Mommy and Austin
Going home

Austin's first car ride

Austin and his friend Nate