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Austen and Mommy hosted a “Sound of Music” viewing party. They set the DVD to sing-along mode and tested the family room’s acoustics. There were snacks and toddlers roaming everywhere — Scout being a popular item of pursuit. Believe it or not, Austen is not the only little one who’s fascinated by Mommy’s singing. 🙂

Today, Sandhia got Austen to eat some garden vegetable baby food with a spoon. Maybe her aversion to pureed baby food is a result of her determination to be independent and feed herself.

At Austen’s First Birthday Party (“The Big Family Party”) on September 16th

Austen and Mommy went to Westfield for a trial My Gym class. First, they stopped for lunch at Tinga (great burritos!) with Kelly and Riley, then they went to class, which was similar to Gymboree but with more grown-up equipment. At the end of class, there was a special “separate play” time when the kids were supposed to “try their best” to play far away from their mommies. This was not a struggle for Austen. She wanted the whole class to be separate play. Whenever mommy tried to steer her toward a new apparatus, she balked. She likes to make her own play choices. The independent streak is strong in Austen’s family.

Westfield has great stores. Mommy found two things she insists on buying for Austen ASAP. A Nirvana tee with cashmere sleeves and a giant yellow-ducky stuffed animal. Daddy?

Two just about killed Mommy and Daddy. Too much work. Next year we’re spreading them out.

Forty of Austen’s closest family and family friends came for lunch and cake to celebrate her first birthday.

The food was special: catered sandwiches that received many compliments, three special ice cream cakes, delicious mini pastries, a cheese platter, tossed salad, crudités and fruit.

Austen hosted a tea for her little friends, featuring carrot cupcakes and heart-shaped tea sandwiches. Dean, Aaron, Ryan, Mia, Riley, Malina, Jack, Cousin Emma, Cousin Erin and their mommies were in attendence. There was lots of rambunctous and chaotic fun … kids running from room to room … and plastic teacups everywhere. Mommy and Grandma Rodey enjoyed themsevles immensely.

During her birthday week, Austen got to play with Cousin Emma. Emma started running around calling Austen’s name over and over again — then Uncle Davinder started running around repeating “Emma!” over and over again. Mommy was impressed to see Emma and Austen taking turns throwing and retrieving a ball: one would throw and the other retrieve.

Austen also played with Cousin Erin.

The party aftermath

Hopefully, Austen will play with Cousin Morgan at her birthday party in Massachusetts in December.

and she greeted him with a big hug.*

* Actually, he had business in Edison but don’t tell Austen.

Austen started Gymboree Level IV, which is officially for 16- to 20-month-olds, even though she’s only just turned 12 months.