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It’s hard to believe that little neck can support those huge cheeks. 😉

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Mommy brought a veggie platter, which was a big hit, and Austen tried a ginger bread cookie — she preferred peas and corn. Austen loved running around with the other kids, including her play group friend Natalie.

Mommy got candy cane bath wash in the gift exchange, but she can’t believe she’s now going to Christmas Parties that start at 10:30am!

Look at those Grandma Judi cheeks!

Austen is super quick. When she’s interested in learning something new (blowing a kiss, sliding a knob from side to side, making a top spin, the sign for “all done”), she learns within days. When she’s not interested, she notices but refuses to play along and do what’s prompted.

Animal sounds and exclamations are Austen’s favorite vocalizations. “Quack Quack” “Yea!” “Ooooh!” “What’s that?!” “Hi!” “Bye!” “Woof Woof” “Baaaa” When being read to, she loves books with animals, animal sounds and enthusiastic dialogue. Touch-and-feel books are also a favorite.

Austen is more and more gregarious, greeting people she passes on the street with a cheerful “Hi!” She’s started recognizing her friends and their moms but is more wary of people who approach her, preferring to initiate contact. When she does, people love having a tiny (30 inch) person accost them with a big-eyed stare.

Of course, Austen understands many more words than she can pronounce. When Mommy tells her “It’s time to go … Let’s go!” Austen heads for the door. When Mommy says it’s time to eat, Austen heads for her high chair. When Mommy or Daddy say it’s sleepy time, Austen waves bye-bye and heads for her bedroom.

Strange but true. Austen still naps in her baby swing, although she sleeps at night in her crib. Mommy and Daddy are very concerned about her dependence on the swing because she’s already too heavy for the swing’s weight limit and her legs are hanging over the edge. Austen goes down for a nap in her swing with a full milk bottle, which she tosses after she’s finished. Before bedtime, she drinks a bottle of milk before being put in her crib.

Happily, Austen can now play independently for long periods of time (assuming she’s not hungry or tired). This works especially well if Sesame Street, Teletubbies or a Baby Einstein video is playing in the background.

In the car, Austen is calmed by her Music Together CDs. For long trips, she watches DVDs.

Austen thrives in classes and at play dates, enjoying the excitement, activities and company. She often breaks into dancing and clapping.

At restaurants, Austen regularly eats in a high chair now and often orders from the restaurant’s menu. At a recent trip to Starbucks with Mommy (no, not to get coffee), she sat in a regular seat while eating cheese and apple slices. Usually, Mommy and Daddy order Austen some chicken, fruit and corn. Toys are required to help her get through a meal without too much squirming.

Austen’s hair is growing so long that it’s now falling into her eyes, but she’s not quite ready for pigtails.

Believe it or not, although Austen is the second youngest of the four cousins (who are all over 12 months), she is the only one drinking cow’s milk — organic, of course. Mommy and Daddy mix it with some formula and she drinks it as if there’s no difference.

A great change: Austen is more affectionate than ever. Mommy and Daddy get kisses and hugs every single day. How wonderful!

Austen likes to get into baskets now. And buttons (such as those on the washing machine) intrigue her.

Throwing food is an issue. Mommy wants to take her tray away immediately but Daddy is worried she won’t get enough to eat and wake up too many times at night.

Austen snatches cold sodas from the fridge and pretends to drink them, emulating Daddy.

Austen loves to play with musical instruments and dance — she even hums the clean-up song. Although she can’t clearly say clean-up, she manages to belt out “eeee-up, eeee-up…”

Her eyes are almost as big as her beloved Elmo’s.

The Becker’s Christmas Tree

With Cousin Virginia

Same Eyelashes!

With Liza and Jonathan

With Jonathan, Jeffrey and Liza

Monopolizing the John Deere Tractors — Chase in Background

Grace Opening a Gift from Austen

Eatin’ with Dada and the Guys — and Kristine

Oh, Christmas Tree! (Austen won’t be having one at her house this year … Mommy and Daddy are scared)

Opening Gifts

Gift from Cousin Virginia

Why is this the Famous Family Gathering if almost no one is named Famous? Well, everyone at the party is a descendent of (or married to a descendent of) John William Famous, most are also descendents of his son Frank Famous. Most were born with the name Famous.

Anna Becker was born Anna Famous — her children are Jonathan and Jeffrey. Susan Underwood was born Susan Famous — her daughter is Grace. Janet Wettig was born Janet Famous — her daughter is Katelyn (her son Jason was not in attendance). JoAnna Harvey was born JoAnna Famous — her children are Chris and Kristine. (Chris was at the party with wife Julie and children Chase and Liza.) Mommy was born Lucinda Lynnet Famous. Her father is Earl Joseph Famous. Grandpa Earl’s brothers, who were at the gathering, are James Famous and John Famous. James’ wife is Mommy’s Aunt Margaret. John’s wife is Mommy’s Aunt Gloria. Hope I haven’t lost you, Austen. John, Earl and James are the three sons of Frank Famous and Anna Famous (born Anna Townsley).

Virginia Martin’s mother was born Mary Famous. Mary and Frank Famous were sister and brother. Their father was John W. Famous and their mother was Louanna Famous (born Louanna Rigdon). Louanna had a sister named Lucinda, whom Mommy was named after. Mommy has Lucinda Rigdon’s gold pocket watch as a special keepsake.

The Famouses have lived in Street, Maryland (and been buried at Emory Church) for about seven generations, since the Revolutionary War.

Austen Famous Rodey — The First Famous Descendent Who’s Part Indian.

“Moooo!”

Daisy visited Austen at the farm.

Here, Austen tries on her Christmas gift from Daisy and Abby — a great froggie robe to help dry off after bathtime.

Austen then greeted Abby after her Sunday School class was finished.

Austen loved the Ball Pit best.

Cousins playing…

Getting cheeky-cheeky from Emma

more cousins playing…

having fun on the swing with the birthday girl…

fun to be had everywhere…

Austen at the Colonial Inn, with Colonial-sized room and crib. She enjoys turning on TVs and switching the channel to cartoons — must take after Dada.

At dinner with Cousin Morgan; the Andersons, Morgan’s maternal grandparents, Morgan’s great grandfather, Mr. Hunt; Grandpa Earl; Uncle Tod; Aunt Holly; Mommy and Daddy. Whew! Quite a large dinner party at the Colonial Inn.

Austen’s famous big smile

He stayed over last night and, as before, Austen seems quite taken with him, as are the cats, who like to jump on him. He’s very popular in this house.

Mommy and Daddy enjoyed some free time after dinner while Austen sat with her grandpa. She’s a squirmy little girl.