Austen & Gage

Austen went to see her good friend Riley in Westfield (near Fanwood). Although Mommy got lost on the way there, upon arrival everyone had a great time eating burritos, then strolling (and swinging and crawling) in the park. As always, there was a stop at the toy store. Mommy is a toy-buying-aholic, and Austen is very happy about this. So far, Daddy has bought Austen zero toys and Mommy has bought Austen circa 100 toys. [Daddy would like to mention that he pays the bills for said toys.]

Austen went to play at Drew’s House and went swimming with Mia, Dean and Drew. Their mommies, Elieen, Heidi and Jenn, were also there … of course. Notice Austen’s inability to sit still; she’s climbing out of the pool.

[More pictures to be added]

Uncle Tod will be happy to note that Austen loves his adirondack chair drink coasters. Mommy and Daddy also give them a thumbs-up for functionality but a thumbs-down for aesthetics.

Austen had a great time, especially when playing inside her baby beach cabana. She saw seagulls and watched the waves crash in the wind. She was a little concerned about the feeling of sand on her hands and body and prefered crawling on the beach blanket.

[Click to see video]

During a stroll on the boardwalk, Austen took a nice nap and rejuvenated herself for the ride home.

Austen climbed all the way up the steps from the first floor to the second floor. But she hasn’t managed to climb down even one step yet. Her attempts at going down head-first always end up in an unintentional tumble.

On Friday, Auntie Janet arrived while Austen was eating in her high chair. Austen greeted Auntie Janet with a big frowny face and a pout, and shortly afterwards she went to bed while the adults enjoyed pizza on the deck.

On Saturday morning, Austen became more comfortable with Auntie Janet and played with her. They even got into a grunting match. After Austen’s morning nap, Auntie Janet, Mommy, Daddy and Austen went to Wegman’s to decorate a Father’s Day cake.

Afterwards, they went to Iselin for Indian food takeout. Auntie Heather arrived in the afternoon while Austen was taking her afternoon nap. When she awoke, Auntie Heather went up to get her and Austen again reacted with a frowny face, not recognizing Auntie Heather. Shortly afterwards, while hanging out on the deck, Austen let her guard down and went into her playful-grunting-crawling-grabbing mode, even getting tangled in Auntie Janet’s knitting yarn.

Everyone chatted for a while before Mommy and Daddy went out for the evening — a movie (a bust) and dinner at the Metuchen Inn (lovely food and Victorian atmosphere) — while Auntie Heather and Auntie Janet babysat Austen. With all the fun and activity, Austen got totally worn out.

On Sunday, Daddy opened his Father’s Day gifts.

Then the whole group strolled along Main Street in Metuchen in the heat, stopping for lunch at Paris Cafe where Austen cooled off with ice water and the rest of the gang drank icy teas and coffees.

Austen had a great time and is hoping her Great Aunties will come to visit again soon.

Austen screamed as loud as she could for Dr. Santiago, who declared that she was “strong willed,” “doing great physically” and “developmentally advanced.” Austen seemed to recognize the doctor’s office and nurses, like she expected to get pricked in the thigh again. She got one needle.

Weight: 17lbs 4oz (“a little below average but she’s very active”)
Height: 28 inches
Head Circumference: 17.5 inches

Austen is strong willed by nature. “When she’s older, she’ll never let any men push her around,” says Mommy. Mommy and Daddy sometimes call her the ‘baby dictator’ — or ‘crazy baby’ when she’s manic. She has strong feelings about what she wants and if she doesn’t get it right away, she lets out a protest scream. Just try taking the remote control our of her hands. Thank goodness there are no longer extended periods of crying where she’s difficult to soothe. Her strong-willed personality is closely related to her passionate attachments to things and people. Luckily she likes a lot of things, but dislikes only a few (face touching, being strapped into a seat for too long, slow food service).

“Strapped in again! At least I’m in my floppy seat.”

Austen can stand unsupported for up to a minute but doesn’t take a step unless holding onto something.

She does, however, jump, particularly if there’s music playing. When holding onto something or someone, she bends her legs and bops up and down. [Insert video of her jumping]

Her love of the cats grows. Whenever she sees one, she squeals with delight and tries to say “Caaa.” Squirt is her favorite kitty although Austen is much too rough with her. It’s odd to see the power-burst fuzz running away from a baby lest she get whacked.

Austen can climb up stairs, but going down unassisted is a complete wipeout and would be incredibly dangerous for her.

Austen’s loves to hold things … while getting her diaper changed … while being carried around … even while using her Haba walker. [picture of Haba walker] If only she had three hands, she could hold more than two things at once. It’s hard for her choose which thing to let go of in order to pick up something new.

Her favorite game is the “I’m gonna getcha” chase game where Daddy flees with her while Mommy chases after, yelling “I’m gonna getcha!” Austen laughs and laughs at this game.

Austen is much better at independent play than she once was. (She used to scream if Mommy left the room or wasn’t there to constantly assist her in standing or sitting or reaching for something). She can play for a while in her playroom while Mommy walks around putting things away. Or she can crawl around downstairs while Mommy types on the computer — but you have to keep an eye on her because she can quickly get into things she shouldn’t.

Socializing is something Austen always loves. She climbs and grabs other kids and mommies at classes and playgroups. Currently, she’s involved in Music Together, Gymboree, YMCA Swimming class, Middlesex Moms and MOMS club of Edison. Other moms comments on her smile and her eyes — and how she’s doing things early.

Austen still loves when Mommy sings to her … and doesn’t seem to mind too much when Daddy sings to her. Her favorite songs are the ones that include activities: “Pop Goes the Weasel” (jumping), “Pease Porridge Hot” (clapping) and “Ring Around the Rosy” (falling down). Anything said with animation and spirit is more appealing to Austen.

Notes:

Getting into trouble: unraveling toilet paper, trying to pull out nightlights, treating trash can contents like a smorgasbord, picking up dirt off the ground and trying to stuff it in her mouth, trying to pull herself up on a standing lamp in the family room, leaning over the edge of the bed (couch), whacking people with her flailing arms (mostly by accident), _______________

Austen naps two or three times a day and is going to bed around 8pm and waking up around 7am (but sometimes she gets formula in the middle of the night around 3am).

Less drooling, except when teeth are hurting. Less use of pacifier during waking hours and to soothe her. Soothed by toys and change of scenery.

Soiled diapers two times a day. Very squirmy during diaper changing but less crying.

[It’s Daddy’s fault that this post is not complete. It’s also Daddy’s fault that there are so many entries missing from this blog; the computer has been down. EVENTUALLY, all missing posts, dating back to May 20th, will be up, so please check back in a few weeks.]

When Mommy and Daddy rushed down to see Grandma Judi at the hospital on the day she passed away, Grandma Judi couldn’t speak very well, but when Mommy repeatedly said “I love you,” Grandma Judi replied in a soft voice, “Likewise.”

[Once in a while Mommy will be adding reflections on Grandma Judi to Austen’s Blog. To search for them, click on a month on the right side of the screen and use Find (under the Edit menu) to search for ‘About Grandma Judi’.]