The Russell Family

Hiatus

2011-03-13T09:07:00.000-07:00

This recent 11 month hiatus from blogging has been busy. We had a sweet baby girl, Daphne, on 2-18-11. Augie turned one (and will turn two in a month). Home renovations are almost completely done (finally ;) ), and I'm getting used to typing one handed once again. I will soon document these exciting happenings with photographic evidence just as soon as I find out what happened to all the pictures!

Augie get baptized...four months ago.

2010-07-23T05:48:00.000-07:00

Augie was baptized in Corpus Christi at the same church Bill and I were married in. My Pop's did the dunking and my good friend, Beverly, and my brother, Ben, were Godparents. It was all very nice even though Ben tried to burn the church down.

Look! the baby's praying along.

Wonderful action shot really shows the solemnity of the occasion.

Augie rocks the just dipped look.

The proud parents.

In the city by the bay....

2010-03-04T10:31:00.000-08:00

We went down to my ancestral home this past weekend and enjoyed many of the delights Corpus Christi had to offer.

As always the famous banana-horn of C.C. played a prominent part in all gatherings.

Augie was focused and centered during the city wide Thai Chi class.

Of course he had some downtime too, this is Augs cutting loose with the city jester.

Augie enjoyed himself but, as always, was left to wonder if his hair would always be this fabulous.

Sad day

2010-03-04T10:23:00.000-08:00

I was hoping we wouldn't see this kind of behavior until Augie was much older but he attempted to run away from home the other day. I guess I can't leave all the doors open now. Don't worry, he didn't get very far, first of all he can't walk and he doesn't have any money. When he asked me for cab fare I knew something was up.....

(first time down the steps alone!!!!)

A day in the life

2010-03-03T12:43:00.000-08:00

We begin today, a typical day, with baby waking mom up. As always he's a snuggle and a smile waiting to happen

After a leisurely morning, Augie goes to work. Those traffic cones aren't going to set themselves up.

And now lunch! Baby gets extra miles out of his food by not just eating it but wearing it as well.

Spaghetti is so in right now.

Augie continues his commitment to physical fitness by working out everyday. That medicine ball is his best friend.

At the end of a hard day nothing relaxes baby like a nice documented bubble bath.

Ridiculously somber baby photos.

2010-02-04T11:03:00.001-08:00

Lenny wants you to know that he does not appove.

Uncle Pat and Augie display a visceral level of contempt.

Though Lauren looks as though she is willing to put up with this Augie does not allow her to dilute his scorn.
Augie manages to look relaxed while expressing complete disdain for miniature recliners.

The Destroyer

2010-02-04T10:43:00.000-08:00

To the right you'll notice what we in the Russell home call the 'tower of power'. Augie delights in watching the towers construction and then pulls a Godzilla. This behavior was our first inclination that baby might have an alternate ego...The Destroyer.

The tunnel holds equal fascination for the child. He often attacks it from all sides. Though he does engage in the traditional crawling through method of tunnel play, he also like to attack the tunnel from above and show it who is boss. And this boss is not kind.

There are often times when we'll find Augie chucking balls willy nilly. We don't want to superimpose a meaning on this behavior but I think he's embracing chaos theory...chilling in one so young.

This last photo is probably the most compelling evidence that Augie has indeed embraced the persona 'Destroyer'. I've been waylaid and strewn about the floor and Lenny is whimpering and begging for mercy. What does the Destoryer do? Laugh, he just laughs and laughs.

Baby Mug Shots

2010-02-04T10:27:00.000-08:00

Photographic evidence that Augie is bad to the bone.

Holiday Round Up

2009-12-31T13:52:00.000-08:00

It has been two months since our last entry and boy have they been wonderful. Augie has made his first trip to Oregon to celebrate his first Thanksgiving and his wonderful paternal grandparents fiftieth wedding anniversary. Between you and me I was pretty thankful that those two got together! Augie has also survived his first Christmas with only minor bruising and a minimal amount of freakouts by everyone involved. All is good in the hood!

GRANDPARENTS!!!!

Family togetherness. aww.

Bill in a hat.

Augie playing with that baby that lives in the overflow.

A couple of the best gifts EVER!

Quack.

very VERY frightening.

2009-11-01T08:05:00.000-08:00

Dr. Frankenstein with his creations.

Augie's very first Halloween party. He's a mad scientist!

Gearing up for the outrageous fun he's about to have! But shhhhh, baby's sleeping.

Look at my pumpkin, it is FABULOUS!

The littlest pharmacist, awww.

Dr. Frankenstein gets told how it is done by the Green Hornet.

HeyHAY HAY

Augie is ready to go...

Dr. Augie considers the pumpkins.

Lenny, the dog, shows off his costume and struts his stuff.
Augie feasting on the blood and bones of the innocent.

6 months

2009-10-18T08:10:00.000-07:00

At half a year old baby has learned to do tons of things on his own. Soon our little snorglepuss won't need us anymore....

He can get up...

He can get down!

He is working on feeding himself.
He has mastered the straw sippy cup.
This last photo isn't depicting any particular skill but I think he looks just like Bill in this one.

Completely gratuitous.

2009-10-17T21:39:00.000-07:00

So Augie, Lenny and I went to the wiener dog races in the park today. It was a beautiful day and a great event. There were lots of dogs and most of them were in costume, I mean, is there anything cuter than dogs in costumes?

Crawling...almost.

2009-10-10T08:36:00.000-07:00

Augie has the basics of crawling in place and he can even manage some forward motion. But then this crazy flash dance mood always comes over him and he starts doing some dance routine on all fours...adorable but not terribly effective.

Step 1: Smile big and set your resolve.

Step 2: Get into the appropriate position to commence forward locomotion.

Step 3: In position now... MOVE!

Step 4: Forward ho!

Step 5: Reconsider..do baby floor dance routine.

Birthday Madness!!!!

2009-10-10T08:24:00.000-07:00

Bill recently had a birthday and we did it right. Party, hats, cake, pie and all the fun a guy can handle.

Gorgeous birthday boy.

Augie and Lenny are ready to yell surprise!

Singing a song and blowing out candles. Bill was rather impressed with my baking skills--I was rather impressed by the color of the icing.

The morning after.

Visiting two of many.

2009-10-10T06:55:00.000-07:00

So Augie decided it was high time to visit a couple of uncles. He enjoyed spending time with Marty and Pat and can not wait for more time with the relatives!

I'm up, where are the uncles at?

Getting to know Uncle Marty over a couple of delicious beverages.

Look we're the same height!

Uncle Pat was awesome--didn't mind me putting the moves on his lady friend--awesome.

Augie in Wonderland

2009-09-18T07:45:00.001-07:00

Augie had quite the adventure today....

"Well this isn't right...I'm tiny. How did this happen?"

"Well maybe if I take a bite of this it will help."

"No, this isn't right. I'm a giant. What will I do?"

"Maybe if I nibble this end...."

Our weekend.

2009-09-14T08:41:00.000-07:00

It was just me and Augie this weekend. We had a great time together and were able to reconnect on a deeper level. We laughed, he cried and had an all around stellar time.

We spent some quiet time reading.

We really had some great talks. Believe it or not this kid is a great listener

Of course he has opinions too and I was more than happy to hear him out.

We played games. Augie's favorite...'Guess what I'm hiding in my rolls?'.

I particularly enjoyed playtime. Augie impressed me with his unending repertoire of up/down dance combos.

Summertime...

2009-09-01T12:39:00.001-07:00

I realize our post have been limited this summer...mainly because we've been preoccupied with having a great time. Here's the photographic evidence.

Bill at a Redsox game in Fenway Park.

Nick parasailing in Mexico.

Nick getting his haircut by one of Texas' more
fabulous stylist.

Me, blowing out more candles than I will admit to.

Bill diving into a cheyoteh in Cancun.

All of us at Uncle Andy and Aunt Lyzy's wedding.

Augie taking me out with a lethal dose of cute.

Brothers.

2009-08-09T09:49:00.001-07:00

Nick, Augie. Augie, Nick.

The boys having a good time together.Meeting of the minds.

What kind of silliness is this?

Ack! It's genetic silliness.

We refuse the silly crown, for now, but how long will I be able to protect the baby?

A wedding and a surprise.

2009-08-09T09:36:00.001-07:00

"What? Where are we? New Mexico!?! NOOOOO!!!"

Augie get's over his initial disappointment when he sees the beautiful bride.

I'm not talking trash but that baby is a total lightweight.

New Mexico isn't that bad. I found Aunt Tiffany there...eventually.

Augie pre-enrolls at Harvard and MIT

2009-08-09T08:59:00.000-07:00

Augie decides to put his name down at Harvard. It's easy to tell we are at Harvard...see the ivy?

The very first computer (huge!).

Bill on a half dose of HGH.
A lab at MIT that Augie is considering.

Leaving Boston!

2009-07-06T17:40:00.000-07:00

Fourth of July!!!

Augie getting ready to go his first baseball game.

Family enjoying the Bombers. Augie is about to show the guys how it is done.

Clarence told a joke; Bill got it but it must be over the baby's head.

Having a good time at the game.

What is Clarence reading that boy?!

Telling the girls about the intricacies of child care.
The Dynamic Duo heading out to fight crime and injustice.

Aunt Lyzzy has an Augie shaped growth--I think she should get that looked at...

My sweet angel-sucking his thumb--and one for you too.

Playing with his mobile attempting to escape the confines of the common diaper.

ROCKET MAN.

Augie of the Jungle hunting big game (zebra).

Lesson learned

2009-06-17T10:56:00.000-07:00

During his visit to Texas, Skip attempted to pass down ancestral knowledge to Augie. At first Augie didn't show much aptitude, and then we weren't quick enough with the camera to catch him, but now the boy is a whiz and spends time every day practicing what Skip taught him. The evidence may be a little sketchy but that's because I'm no whiz with the camera.

Little Human

2009-06-04T08:03:00.000-07:00

So Augie's a full seven weeks now and starting to display some real personality. Here are some things we've learned:

1. He loves playing with Daddy

2. but is concerned (rightly so) when Dad dresses him

3. He likes the water

4. Ceiling fans are hypnotic

5. He's a total ham

6. Lenny is his best friend

7. Naps are for other babies

8. and suprisingly he prefers Sinatra to Elvis.

lots of photos, not much commentary

2009-05-17T19:51:00.001-07:00

The shepard look

Giving the 'you wanna go punk' look

Laughing and having a good time in the bouncy chair.

At the park with the family

Smile!

Grandparents!

2009-05-01T17:17:00.000-07:00

Of course this has been a busy time for Augie, first bath, first cheeseburger, first everything... And another first...First time wearing a romper with Frog Feet!

Skip and Sue came and stayed with us for a week and it was wonderful. Skip built us a beautiful chair for two, Sue organized the kitchen (it was a wreck) and they made having a newborn easy on us.

Augie and Grandpa watching the game.

Augie and Grandma enjoying some together time.

Dick, Dahlia and Lyzette came up the day Augie was born. We enjoyed a brief but wonderful visit.

Here's Grandpa and Augie getting to know each other.

Proud grandma with her brand new grandson!

2009-04-17T13:13:00.000-07:00

Doing what mom's and babies do, taking well deserved naps.

Augustus John Russell

2009-04-17T11:13:00.001-07:00

Augustus "Augie" John Russell was born at 10:38 in the morning on April 13, 2009. The sweet boy weighed in at 8.12 lbs and was 22 inches long.

Here's Augie and Daddy ready to go home from the hospital. Don't my guys look great together?

So we arranged an introduction between Augie and Lenny. Lenny wasn't particularly interested in baby the first day or so but he's warmed up to him. Lenny particularly enjoys looking at Augie and falling asleep near him.

Augie taking a nap. He seems to have gotten the hang of sleeping. He's such a smart little guy!

Daddy holding Augie's tiny little hand. Bill is great with Augie, he seems to know just what baby needs.

Here's looking at you!

MLK weekend in San Diego

2009-04-06T18:55:00.000-07:00

headed out to sea to reap the bounty of the ocean!

Nick, the tired warrior, has nearly had his fill of fishing.......but wait....

It's a giant rubber lipped perch! The catch-of-the-day on the Daily Double!

Glad that we could spend some time together on a beautiful day in San Diego.

Renovations...After shots!

2009-04-05T17:52:00.000-07:00

The green walled rooms are of half the living room, the half that's done. There is another half that is behind the camera that will be eventually be a seating/reading area but we need some seats first. The biggest changes for this room are the pass through on the right and the uniform floor throughout the room.

The pictures above and below this text are of the dining room after. It's an exciting room lots of color, drywall, insulation and a lovely wood floor that we laid in most of the house. We haven't decided whether or not to leave the hanging light solo or cluster a couple/one more with it. What do you think?

The next three photos are of our fabulous hall bath. It was a collaborative effort between deciding what goes in and where. I picked the tile and design and Bill picked everything else, that man has excellent taste.

The next couple of photos are of the babies room! I resisted posting about a dozen more (my thinking was to show every single space detail) for fear that someone may think we went overboard. You wouldn't judge us? It's a fun room, lots of vivid contrast for a little guy to get his head around. The planet hanging from a cord is actually a neat lamp that projects space shapes in different colors-it'll be a nice night light when he actually begins sleeping in his room.

We've still got a bit of work to do, mostly trim and touch up, but we are pretty pleased with the way things are coming along. I may not have understood Bill's reasoning for doing so much at once when we got started but now I can say I see the wisdom of not having to go through all this every few months.

Renovations

2009-03-24T12:16:00.000-07:00

Here are some before photos for you unluckies that weren't able to see the original splendor.

The dining room before. Something you can't see because it isn't there (yet) is insulation. There was nothing going on behind that wood panelling.

Once again the most interseting aspect of this living room is the part you can't see. If you were to continue on through the room the wood floor would come to an abrupt stop and turn into a fake brick linoleum (covering another similarly patterned layer of fake brick lineoleum). The "brick" abuts a nice 4 by 10 section of good looking tile.

This is the original hall bath. Those of you who are not detail oriented will please notice that the floor is covered in carpet. The carpet is covering rotted subfloor! As an aside, every place we have lived has attempted to force seafoam green on us but do not despair, we fought back!

This is the adorable little bathroom that couldn't. It is the bathroom that is in the original master and was the first room we tackled mainly because it had no toilet and we wanted to rip the hall bath apart. The original owners had some funny ideas about plumbing and the shower used to drain directly under the house. Bill sure enjoyed climbing under the house to fix that.

This is also the room that convinced me that we were going to need professional help if we wanted to tackle the rest of the house. I find it has definitely helped us being annoyed with the hired hands rather than our own house and each other :)

Baby Belly

2009-03-19T10:41:00.000-07:00

Here's a nine month baby belly.
Lenny and I are in the baby's room...we went with an outer space theme. Baby will probably grow up to
be an astronaut.

This is an 8 month baby belly. My dad and I are posing in front of some very clever diaper cakes made by my soon to be sister-in-law, Lyzzie.

A seven month baby belly. It's hard to focus on the bump with super awesome Lenny stealing the shot.

A five month baby belly all decked out for a Christmas party.

Initial Foray

2009-03-19T10:34:00.000-07:00

First post on the Russell Family blog.

It's spring break. Lenny is a year old, Bill and I are much older and dear Nick is in high school. We are expecting a baby boy in two weeks but I would be perfectly happy if he decided to come sooner.