Mommy and Austen had their first real tete-a-tete today and Austen did wonderfully. First, they dropped off Morgan’s birthday gift at the Metuchen post office. (They probably won’t be able to make the ten-hour round trip drive to Morgan’s birthday party on the weekend.) Then they went to Main Street to pick up bagels and to have lunch at Brewed Awakening* where Mommy ate quickly as Austen watched with big brown eyes.
After lunch, Austen went for a stroll down Main Street to Amboy Avenue in her Peg Perego baby carriage. The weather was balmy for late November. Stopping along the way, Mommy picked up info on a day care facility, a music school, and also a playgroup – she’s excited at the prospect of getting out of the house on weekdays.
Driving home, Mommy noticed a sign for Lucinda Court and looked in the rear view mirror to find Austen sleeping contently.
Austen barely fussed at all during the four-hour excursion and when she did she was easily calmed by jostling her stroller. Mommy was so happy and proud.
Unfortunately, Austen became a bit cranky after she got home and had trouble eating, a strange recent phenomenon where she cries when you try to feed her even though she’s very hungry. Eventually, she gives in and eats, which sooths her. Up to this point, Austen has been an avid eater. Play and other distractions are taking on a greater roll in her life; now she is at times too focused on a novelty to bother with eating.
Tomorrow, Mommy plans to make some phone calls and sign Austen up for a class at Gymboree. While in Ayer for Thanksgiving, Austen went to Morgan’s music class at Gymboree, and Mommy became inspired to try to take Austen out for short jaunts while Daddy is at work.
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* This is the sandwich shop Mommy and Daddy went to with Grandma Judi only days before her stunning cancer diagnosis. On that day, Grandma Judi also toured the house in Metuchen for the first and only time – it was not quite finished. Grandpa Earl was there too. Grandma Judi was in good spirits although her leg was bothering her. Mommy was very enthusiastic about the house that day — much talk was of Grandma Judi’s future visits after Austen’s arrival. Mommy also discussed pregnancy-related issues and concerns with Grandma Judi.