Trying out the walker

Austin is starting to learn how to walk using the push toy that Noni got him for Hanukkah. Look how he stands briefly at the end.

Baby Valentine

Since we last posted, Noni finished her trip to California.

She spent a ton of time playing with Austin so mom and dad could get a little break. Also, she helped out when poor Michael had the flu. Poor daddy had a 103 degree temperature, but luckily, the rest of us got flu shots.

Noni loved taking Austin for walks, especially in the nicer weather compared to Chicago. Even on rainy days, Noni sprung out the door as soon as the drops stopped falling. She took him to the mall and to the Dollar Tree, where Austin grabbed this balloon from the ceiling.

We miss Noni.

For Valentine's Day, we had a nice dinner at home. Per tradition, Michael made dinner. This year, he grilled filet mignon and sauteed spinach.

But unlike previous years, we had a little third wheel sitting in a high chair for our dinner date. At least, he eventually went to bed.

The next morning, we all headed up to Long Beach to meet the California relatives for breakfast. Great Grandpa, Helen, Great Aunt Diane and Great Uncle Dale drove in from Tucson for a visit, so we all got together.

We're all in this picture. Austin is hidden behind the glasses. You can only see Helen's hand waving above us.

Austin adores his twin cousins, Kylie and Katelyn.

And the girls adore him, too. They even helped me with a diaper change. Austin is holding his new Valentine's Day present from Great Aunt Susan. We named him Tino -- short for Valentino.

Austin also enjoyed seeing Aunt Diane.

And Great Grandpa.

Thanks, Aunt Pat, for some of these pictures.

Touchdown!

Just in time for the Super Bowl, Austin learned a new trick: Touchdown!

Yes, it looks the same as "So big!" But he responds the same way, throwing his hands in the air whenever we say, "Touchdown!"

His new trick coincided with Michael's family touching down in town for a visit.



Aunt Alison came for a long weekend. Noni is staying with us until Tuesday.

During Alison's stay, we all went to the aquarium in Long Beach. Austin is looking at Nemo fish.



Austin kind of liked the fish, but not as much as we thought he would. He mostly liked splashing his hand in the pools where bigger kids pet the fish.



The next day, we headed to the Fullerton Arboretum to see lots of cacti, trees and ducks.



We took Austin around in his new stroller. Here, he's showing his new pincher skills. He's starting to pick up Cheerios much better.



While I was at work, Michael and Noni took Austin to the park where he got to play in the sand for the first time. Apparently, he loved getting dirty and dumping sand. I didn't know anything about it until I got this cell phone picture.



Noni brought Austin a bunch of new clothes, including this adorable hockey jersey and the football jersey in the "touchdown" picture.



Before everyone got to town, we went out to dinner with our friends, Fermin and Laura, and Austin got his first balloon. It's almost as big as him! Austin is wearing the new outfit from Aunt Debbie.



For more pictures of the visit, check out the photos from Aunt Alison here.