Month: September 2006

Mommy and Daddy woke Austen up this morning with a giant Winnie-the-Pooh Birthday balloon — she loves Pooh and balloons — and danced for her while singing “Happy Birthday to you …” She looked quite overcome.

In the afternoon, the whole family drove to New Brunswick where Austen was born. We’d planned to eat at Catherine Lombardi Restaurant, reportedly one of the best in New Jersey, but found that restaurants in New Brunswick are only open for dinner on Sunday, so we ate lunch at an Indian buffet. Austen enjoyed the spicy chicken.

Afterward we went to St. Peter’s University Hospital where Austen was born. The nurses and staff were warm and welcoming as we remembered. Daddy told Mommy and Austen the store of Austen’s birth — neither remember that day. Too many drugs.

Austen,

It’s hard to believe there was a time we weren’t sure you would make it. After a difficult pregnancy, emotionally and physically, came a perfectly healthy baby. Your nine out of ten on the apgar scale was a sign of things to come. Nothing gets you down for long, not a trip-n-fall or even the chicken pox. You’re always quickly up and running, and smiling, again.

And at one year, you’re so much more than a vision of health. Smart as the dickens. Strong and energetic. Observant and engaged with the people around you. It’s clear what a beautiful future you’ll have. But don’t forget, you must do something special with that lung power of yours: a woodwind instrumentalist or opera singer are two possibilities. And if you want to be a rock star instead, we don’t mind.

Your smiles are contagious and make it easy to care for you. The fussies never last long. You’re built for play and fun. Mommy thinks you get your open, gregarious personality from Grandma Judi — and your laughing for no reason at all from Daddy.

Mommy must’ve passed on her love of fuzzies. Although you’re not able to catch the kitties, you give it your best effort every time. Continue to apply this go-get-’em attitude in all that you do. And remember, after you’ve become a great athlete in volleyball, soccer, tennis or whatever, be sure to let Daddy win once in a while.

Love,

Mommy & Daddy

Austen, Mommy & Daddy went to a picnic hosted by Daddy’s coworker. With plenty of food, drinks and fun to be had, there were no work related discussions (well, maybe just a little).

Within 5 minutes of arriving, George (Tom’s grandson) recruited Daddy to play in a 2-hand touch game of football. 2 adults vs. 2 kids (under 10 yrs old). Needless to say, it was a slaughter (in favor of the adults, of course!).

Austen plays in the water-filled container with Iris, a retired school teacher who was very friendly and apparently still loved babies.

So much ground to cover for one little baby.

Austen joins in on the fun, never intimidated by older kids. She likes them, often walking up and “talking” to them.

Mommy’s been putting it off for weeks, but it’s time to crack open her book on the Toddler Years. “The Baby” is definitely now “The Toddler.” Today, Austen went to a picnic and ran around on the grass, no assistance required. Mommy and Daddy got to play football and baseball while Austen acted as an obstacle on the field.

After lunching with the rest of the guests, Austen practiced climbing up and down the deck steps alongside an 18-month-old boy. She also played in a basin of water and was a social, smiley little girl, unless someone tried to pick her up. Her independent spirit and shyness don’t allow for that right now.