Austen & Gage

Austen dropped off Grandma & Grandpa to Newark International Airport for their 2 week trip to India. As we drove there and saw planes in the sky, Austen shouted, “Plane’s going to India!” When Grandma & Grandpa had to go through the gates and say goodbye, Austen got sad and said she wanted to go on the plane too, which made Grandma & Grandpa sad. Shortly afterwards though, Dada distracted Austen with other airport activities before the drive home.

Austen had a fun time with her cousins for Easter. They enjoyed an egg hunt, egg dying, dressing up as princesses (who attacked Zack) and numerous yummy treats.

Brushing aside the traditional ham, we had a feast of burgers, hot dogs and plenty of chocolate.

Uncle Tod also diplomatically pointed out how Uncle Mark’s construction project was progressing, offering suggestions where he felt there could be some improvements. Soon the renovation will be done we’ll have to have another party to celebrate!

Group shot.

Egg hunt in full swing.

Egg-dying project.

Princesses unite and attack Zack.

Nice ear-ring!

See all the pics.

Austen took Chacha to an egg hunt at a local Baptist Church. Despite the obvious incongruities, the egg hunt was exciting, as always.

It used to be that there was always one person assigned “the con.” “Who has the con?” Davinder would ask. “You have the con, Chacah!” Lucinda would say when Rin showed up for babysitting. If you had the “con”sole (or “con”trol), you were in charge of making sure Austen didn’t get into any danger or break anything; you always needed to be aware of exactly where she was and what she was doing — and often you had to feed and diaper her solo.

Now Austen wanders all over the house (except for rooms that are closed off to her by child safety door knobs). She goes upstairs and downstairs by herself, chatting with Mama in the master bedroom for a while and then, on her own, returning downstairs to see what Dada is eating at the kitchen table. She’s no longer constantly monitored. Although, during naps and at night, Mama and Dada still watch and listen to the video monitor. Maybe they’ll give it up by the time Austen’s a teen.

When Mama is home alone with her, Austen is always being checked on and never left by herself for long, but it’s not such a big deal for Mama to go downstairs and get something. There’s not so much worry, especially when Austen can be heard talking or singing or making noises the majority of the time.

Austen is drinking water from her Born Free bottles all day long. There’s no current plan as to how to wean her from them because they’re what calm her down for nap and bedtime.

From birth, Austen focused on physical development. Kicking legs, using hands, pulling up, cruising, walking, running, climbing and now jumping.

At around a year, she started focusing on speech, first understanding it and then using it. She now constructs new sentences every day.

Currently, her focus is on behavior and what she is and isn’t supposed to do. As she lies down to sleep, she alternates between singing current Music Together songs and talking to herself about stuff she’s learned that day: “Don’t kick Mama,” “Don’t pull Guss’ tale,” “Say hi to your friends,” “Go pee pee in the potty,” “Don’t eat the soap. It doesn’t taste good” …

Just like Grandma Judi, Austen does what her Rice Krispies tell her…provided they give her some chocolate to pose with the box.

Austen hung out with close pal Riley during a Sunday brunch at Skylark Diner, celebrating Kelly, Mama & Dada’s birthdays. They shared a large plate of Mac n Cheese while Riley’s baby brother Julian stayed close to his Mommy & Daddy.

After handing over the Disney scrapbook to Austen and Dada, Mama noticed some major damage the next day:  pages were halfway torn out.  Dada insists Austen didn’t do it (although Austen has no beef about admitting to anything Mama accuses her of.   “Austen did it!” she cries.).  Perhaps the ghost of Scout Louise chewed on it.  She always liked to “put her signature” on Mama’s book.  We miss you, Scout! 

Austen went to an annual egg hunt sponsored by our Metuchen at a local park. She met up with her friend Julian and they filled their baskets with eggs in the under 3 year section. Afterwards, the easter bunny arrived on a fire truck and gave out even more candy!

More pics.