15 Mos and Counting!

I always find it amazing that these months pass by so fast and I am able to keep any memory at all given the speed that they go by.  Yep, the young chap is now 15 months!  

We are having a blast with the early warmer temperatures and have sprung into Spring with full force.  Austin really enjoys going to the park and observing the other kids, playing on the slides and spinning anything that "spins".  He has learned to go up the corresponding steps to reach the slide, will wait for someone to take their turn and often does the splits as he goes down the slide.  I just cringe with the thought of my body doing that.  Limber little guy!

His night "shooooeeeesss" and brace

He really has done a number on his crib with his night time shoes and brace.  Austin just tosses and turns and slams his brace and shoes on the sides of the crib each time.  He has thankfully, however, slept very well with them and has been wearing them for a year now.

Ready to enter the workforce

Austin really enjoys playing ball with the dogs.  Although Maggie is a great retriever, she hoards the ball and I am sure Austin has picked up "Maggie, drop!".  When she does, Austin puts the ball in his right hand and we help him throw it to the dogs.  It's a treat for all parties.

Prickly Alberta Spruce

Monster Feet!

We are lucky to get so many of Austin's clothes from a friend in Austin, TX (hmmmm).  Torin is about 1.5 years older and although they were born on opposite ends of the seasons, Austin seems to be about 6 mos ahead on clothing size, so the hand me downs are just perfect!

"Maggie, drop the ball!"

Pals

My dream of my child loving a dog is coming true.  Austin loves his furry friends and I think they kinda like him too.

13th and 14th months

Yep, January and February was so crazy around here that I simply could not get to posting anything about Austin's 13th and 14th months.  Besides that, ALL the pictures I took had been erased when I had to unexpectedly reformat my memory card for my phone.  So upset!

Luckily, I post some pictures to Facebook and was able to retrieve a few photos, specifically his first haircut! He did exceptionally well and was just curious about everything going on around him.  He already needs another one, though.

"My Mommy is paying, okay?"

It has been an exceptionally mild winter in the Atlanta area.  Except for at night, the temps may have gotten down to below 50 degrees twice.  Otherwise we have been enjoying high 50's to high 60's with at least two or three days of rain each week.  Austin has been able to experience almost daily walks in his stroller (or "personal escort vehicle", as we like to call it) and also sliding down the slides at the local park.

Baptism Family: Godparents: Salim and Meredith

Austin was baptized at McEachern United Methodist Church on February 12th.  Austin's Aunt Meredith and our dear friend Salim were gracious enough to accept the role of godparents and Reverend Cindy Blocksidge (whom married us) was able to assist, adding a special touch.

Some slide action

Yogurt is great for the skin we hear

The first two months of 2012 were filled with a lot of "firsts" for Austin including his first word (other than Mama and Dada), "shoe".  He will grab his shoes from the shoe rack and brings them to us to put on.  He also fancies the word "two" and does "da" for dogs, "shhh" for shirt, "ca" for car and "tra" for truck.  Quite a few words for someone that was just babbling when he turned one.  By the end of February, he had become quite confident in his walking abilities.  Austin also is mastering "stacking" and "sorting" with some of his toys.  He has an insatiable desire to "get it right", which is just so wonderful.  Shows he has a desire to learn and a will to keep trying.  So proud of him.

We hope this is not the last time he is this excited about helping Mama vacuum!

He loves the book, Good Night, Gorilla and will mimic my "uh oh!" when we get to a blacked out page showing just the pair of surprised eyes belonging to zookeeper's wife upon realizing that there are zoo animals in her bedroom.

Caught!

We hired a dear lady to watch Austin while I worked.  Her name is Katie and Austin just adores her.  They bonded right away and he even is taking on some of her gestures and laughing style (shrugging shoulders).  Austin LOVES to laugh, make noises and copy people that he sees often.  Perhaps we have a budding actor/comedian trying out his "routine" on his adoring audience.

Wearing the bare essentials with his Crocs!

Bean bag lounging for a few seconds

His monster knit hat in UGA colors.  Could not resist!

Amazing personality young boy!  We finally get to hear what you are thinking...what a treat!