I can't believe October is almost over. Crazy! It's been a busy month but November is going to be even busier.

We have figured out our Tuesday babysitter situation ...at least for the short term...hopefully it'll work out! :) My mom is going to watch Austin Tuesday mornings (in addition to Mondays) and Andy will take a half day every Tuesday and make up the hours throughout the work week. So some weeks he will have 2 half days since he already has a half day on my Wednesday class days. Ahh...dont even want to think about next semester. (dont worry...we actually are somewhat)

Our former Tuesday sitter is still not happy with her current in home daycare so she asked me if I would like to babysit (for pay) for her baby on Thursdays & Fridays (to lessen the amount of days that he is there) until mid-December when he gets a spot in a new daycare center. I said yes....it will make my weeks so much busier but the extra money will be nice. I start this coming week....I already know him since I was watching him for free on most Thursdays this semester already since she was watching Austin on Tuesdays. Sorry for all that rambling...I could have just said..I got a very part time job. Haha!

Austin is doing great!! :) He is dancing, clapping and waving now! The clapping is hit or miss....he tries but isn't always successful. My mom took a long lunch on Thursday to take us the Wild Zoo Halloween. Austin was a cute little bumblebee! Had several options of costumes to borrow but I liked the bumblebee the most. :)

I am working very hard on teaching him not to bite me while he's nursing...it's a challenge. Prayers on that please. :)

Looking forward to the end of the semester ...the driving to Riley is very hard on me still. I just can't seem to get enough sleep on Sunday & Monday nights. I tried making my coffee more concentrated but I'm still having trouble staying awake while driving and if I am sitting still for very long during the clinical day. My preceptors are happy with how I'm doing. :) My midterm evaluation went well...better than I expected.

Starting to plan Austin's birthday party....most of the places we've looked into to rent are more than we want/can spend. Our house is too small and it'll be way to cold to try to have it outside! We are tenatively thinking of these date options: December 3rd, 4th, or 18th. My cousin Amy is having her twins first bday party on Dec 10th so that rules out that day and the 11th since my side of the family won't want to travel 2 days in a row. Then Dec 17th is Andy's cousins wedding. Most of his family all lives in town so traveling has never been a issue they've had to deal with! I personally like December 18th because it's closer to his bday and the semester will be over.

Austin still has his cold. :( Took him to the doctor this morning and he doesn't have a ear infection so we just have to wait out this cold which can take up to 2 weeks from the first day of his symptoms. Just very thankful that he didn't develop croup (he was exposed to it last week).

He stood alone for the first time on Tuesday night! He was taking a toy off the couch and let go of the couch for a few seconds so he could hold the toy with both hands. Then he just sat down like it was no big deal! I haven't seen him do it since but I'm sure he will do it again soon.

Still working out the details for November and the first week of December for who's going to take our Tuesday babysitters place. I am going to talk to Kelly and see if she can do any more half days or even full days (shes very busy) because Austin seems to really enjoy her. :) Thankful for that. I honestly wasn't sure how it would work out since we usually only see Andy's family twice a month or so.

Happy 10 months to Austin Jacob!! :)

Poor baby has been sick since late Thursday night. He has a cold with a fever off and on. Hoping he is better very soon!

As far as monthly updates...

-tooth # 1(bottom) is most of the way through...tooth # 2 (top) is about halfway through and tooth #3 (bottom) just broke the surface this weekend. :) Crazy!

-he is super fast at crawling now!

-pulls up on everything and now cruises along the furniture, dog crates, etc

-started waving recently! He doesn't do it very consistently yet but I think he knows what he means. :)

-still loves to dump stuff out of his pails/containers and knock over stacks of blocks

-will usually sit still and listen to someone reading to him...especially if its a touch and feel book or a book that has a button or two that he can push. :)

-loves to be outside still and go on walks :)

-transitioned to his "big boy" seat last weekend! He is rear facing still but was really outgrowing his infant seat as far as comfort and weight go (his went to 22lbs and he is probably 21lbs or so).

-likes to eat puffs, yogurt melts, & shredded cheese as well as his jar food...I think he will be ready for more table food soon.

-still working on the sippy cup...slow process...but thats ok

Found out today that our Tuesday babysitter is quitting at the end of the month! She's been working part time with/for my Mom (which is how we've been able to use her one day a week) but she has found a different job and starts Oct 31st. Sooo...now we have 5 Tuesdays to find coverage for! This also means that I'll be done babysitting her lil guy on Thursdays at the end of October.

Just pray that we can get something reasonable figured out! Andy is going to potentially start working every Saturday so he can get a half day every week to help out on some of the Tuesdays...he already watches him a half day on my Wednesday class days.

Can I just quit now?!? I don't really trust many people to watch him. I'm just so picky! What the heck am I going to do when I graduate and start working??

Starting to get caught up on my reading for school...I was able to get some done during naptime on Friday and then again during Sundays naptimes. :) Still behind and very glad class doesn't meet this Wednesday and make for even more reading! I need to function on less sleep so I can stay up later after Austin goes to bed.

Clinicals at Riley are finally starting to go a bit better. Still HATE the drive and HATE leaving before Austin wakes up. ...leaving at 4:30am is so overrated! My professor is pretty confident that I'll be able to go to Ball Memorial for Spring semester so that will be nicer (I hope). It will be a hour and fifteenish minute drive and there is only one NNP. I'm thinking it will be better suited for my shy personality.

Every time I make this long boring drive while half asleep my dislike for Donna gets stronger. If I still had my job, I could do clinicals here. If she even knew half of the crap we've been through since she fired me, she might feel bad! Probably not though...I haven't heard anything good about her. As you can see I am still not over my termination!

Time to shower, go to bed, and wake up at 3:30am again.

So many emotions this week already. Grr. Not going to type right now because it will just be one looooong rambling vent about clinicals, lack of study time, sleep issues for me, anxiety, missing my boy, etc, etc. Just be praying for me if you have the time!

Happy (belated) October readers! Meant to post last night but didnt get to it. :)

Had a great day yesterday visiting cousins!! :) Love spending time with my cousin Stephanie and her lil man Matthew. :)

This is another 3 day Indy week...then next week is only 2 days. Finally...it'll start alternating like its supposed to.

Need to start planning Austin's birthday party soon!! Can't believe how fast he is growing up. He is very, very active now. Constantly on the move!