Month: May 2006

so Mommy took some pictures of Austen at class. Notice the snack break.

Today, Austen said “Mama” all day long. It’s the first time “Mama” has outnumbered “Dada.”

For several weeks now, Sandhia has been coming to play with Austen for 2-3 hours while Mommy gets stuff done around the house.

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.

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.

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.

Daddy came to Gymboree and did all the songs and activities with Austen and Mommy.

Austen went shopping with Auntie Heather and her cousins — Daddy also tagged along. She got some beautiful clothing at Neiman Marcus, Janie and Jack, Hanna Anderson and Nordstrom Kids Shoes.

After finally finishing all major house painting and almost finishing work on the back and front yards, Mommy, Daddy and Austen (with significant help from Uncle Rin) hosted a Famous Family Gathering/Open House at home in Metuchen.

The weather was lovely and lots of chairs were set up on the deck where Mommy, Daddy and Uncle Rin cooked burgers (with Worschester Sauce and Montreal Steak Seasoning), buffalo wings, hot dogs, and corn on the cob. The dessert table in the dining room was loaded with homemade pastries brought by guests. In the late afternoon, Aunt Heather showed up with lobsters and taught everyone how to eat them. Thanks to all our guest who brought food and helped make the party such a success!

Visiting Austen were Grandpa Earl, Janet, Heather, Tod, Holly, Morgan, Mark, Jen, Emma, Erin, Uncle John, Aunt Gloria, Kristine, Ann, Jeffrey, Jonathan, Susan, Jeff, Grace, Daljit, Kimball, Devan, Angie, Sue, Mr. and Mrs. Husain from next door, The Badai Family from across the street, Aunt Ollie, Connie and Ralph.

Austen was so overwelmed with the excitement of seeing so many people she could barely calm herself down for a nap. She was passed from person to person. Mommy and Daddy didn’t even know where she was half the time. She loves getting to know new people and enjoyed crawling around on the deck with the other kids and sitting under her new parachute while Mommy and other guests sang.

Long, fond farewells.