Austen has taken a liking to stuffed animals: Elmo, Pooh, her tiger, her tan ducky and her brown bear. At night in her crib, she gently hugs and pets Elmo and Pooh. It’s the most sensitive and touching thing Mommy and Daddy have ever seen her do. Amazingly, even Mommy and Daddy get hugs sometimes when Austen is sleepy, or has bumped her head, or hasn’t seen one or the other for a while.
Although she’s still talking up a storm, it’s difficult to make out what Austen’s saying. But, sometimes, when Mommy sings, Austen clearly jumps in with a word or two from the lyrics.
“
That’s Elmo’s world”
Austen’s emoting during ‘Pop Goes the Weasel’ also impresses the crowds.
Austen knows there are certain things Mommy and Daddy don’t like her to do, such as picking something off the floor, checking to see who’s watching, and then slowly moving the contraband toward her mouth. When Mommy says no, Austen smiles, tightly closes her mouth and runs away. Unfortunately, this “running from trouble” happens when she’s out visiting the mall. Mommy gives chase and, at times, fellow mall goers help Austen by assisting her in opening doors and escaping Mommy. Must not be parents!
After several scratches on the arm, Austen is wary of Squirtcup. Mommy hopes they’ll eventually play together. Austen still gets excited by cats and tries to pet them “Gently!” but sometimes she gets overexcited and lets out a really loud scream, which the kitties don’t like. Although we don’t have a dog, Austen loves doggies and gets excited when she sees them. She, almost coherently, shouts, “dog,” “woof” and “arf.”
Despite Mommy’s wishes that Austen rise to the level of Nietzsche’s Übermensch and be imperturbable, Austen gets very possessive of things, such as the beach balls at Gymboree. She even gets into non-violent scuffles with other little kids over who gets to hold the ball.
Austen does clever things like spying Daddy’s shoes and trying them on. She understands a lot more than she is willing to display on command.
Television is a part of Austen’s life. She watches public TV (Sesame Street and Teletubbies) and Baby Einstein DVDs. Sometimes Daddy has to use Teletubbies to help distract Austen while she eats in her high-chair.
Austen gets fussy not just when sleepy or hungry but when frustrated or bored, similar to a 2-year-old’s behavior. She’ll throw a toy offered her and then throw her head back. A change of scenery or singing usually helps calm the fussies.
Austen loves waving. She’ll wave when someone waves at her, when someone says ‘hi,’ ‘bye,’ ‘goodnight’ or nothing at all. At restaurants, she unrelentingly waves at innocent fellow diners who are trying to eat their lunch in peace.
It’s okay, Austen. Mommy thinks every last wave is cute.