Austen is all but done with breastfeeding.

She now eats pureed fruits and veggies three times a day, plus oatmeal and other grain cereals. She drinks Similac Advanced milk-based formula and water. Going out and getting things done is easier now that Austen is no longer dependent on milk from Mommy. At one year, Austen will try cow’s milk.

Mommy and Daddy are determined to introduce new foods every week. They also want to introduce more finger foods such as whole wheat bread, bananas, melon, and crackers.

Drinking Bottled Water

Austen’s first attempt at drinking from a Poland Spring water bottle showed an amazing capacity for learning. Mommy forgot to bring a sippy cup, so she emptied most of the water from an adult-sized water bottle and put the mouth of the bottle to Austen’s lips. Austen was eager to chew on it and drank a sip of water as Mommy slowly raised the base of the bottle then quickly lowered it. After repeating this process a half dozen times, Austen took hold of the bottle and lifted it herself. As the water started to flow into her mouth, she lowered the bottle before too much came out. She did NOT drop or throw the bottle as she sometimes does with her toys. There was some spilling but about half the water ended up inside Austen. She enjoyed it so much that she complained when the bottle became empty.

Standing Momentarily

Mommy and Daddy took Austen to a local park on Main Street in Metuchen. She tried out almost all of the apparatus, with some help from Mommy and Daddy. She even lasted longer on the spinning wheel than Daddy did.

While practicing walking in her new shoes (from Auntie Heather) Austen stood independently for about seven seconds before bending her legs and sitting down on the wood-chipped play surface.