Cousin Austin!

In August, I became an aunt for the first time when our nephew Austin Connor Raike was born! We saw Austin in the hospital the day he was born, but with the preschool opening and adjsuting to our new schedule we haven't been able to get to Toledo for another visit until this week. Adam wasn't able to go with us, but the kids and I had a great visit with Austin (& his parents, too, but we really cared most about seeing Austin).

Clark & Clementine were both so sweet and gentle with the baby. Yes, that's right, even Clementine was sweet and gentle. Surprisingly enough she was able to stay calm even while I held Austin. It could have been that she was too preoccupied telling Abbey & Jason's dog, Tressel, "No more!" because they seemed to taunt each other quite a bit. I don't have any pictures to illustrate how Clementine & Tressel got along well as long as they each stayed on their side of the room. Tressel was being protective of Austin, but Clementine really wanted to be up close to the baby. To get close to Austin, though, she had to cross over to Tressel's side of the room. Clementine & Tressel were great pals when both of them were calm and well tempered. It did happen occasionally. Clementine even tried to kiss Tressel once. I can't believe he didn't lick her face. That would have definitely prompted a harsh, "No more!" from her lips.

Clark especially liked to help Austin take his bottles. He also learned quickly that Austin likes his pacifier so anytime Austin cried Clark was quick to shove the pacifier in his mouth. This was actually quite handy while we were driving around town with all three children strapped into our backseat.

Clementine loved Austin's swing. Once she realized it wasn't for her she was happy to help entertain him while he was swinging. When the swing wasn't occupied by Austin, it was a place for Clementine to play with a baby doll that actually belonged to Abbey when she was little. I was shocked to learn that Abbey actually had a doll as a child until she told me about the creepy things she could do with it's eyes. That explained why tomboy Abbey had such a girly toy.

What a cute kid! Don't we have the cutest nephew? Austin hadn't slept much the day we arrived so he slept a lot while we were there. When he was awake, though, we got to see several smiles, and I was lucky enough to catch one on camera. He has a great smile. We love this little guy!