Tooth Number 13

So, things have been crazy lately, and i've been slacking some. Sorry it's been so long since we've posted anything, but I've been trying to keep busy to keep from going stir crazy. Thankfully, this week brought some beautiful weather, so we were able to play outside quite a bit. Austin got some new toys this week for outside, including his favorite, a bubble mower. He also got a golf club, so hopefully he'll take after Tiger Woods, in some ways, and not so much in others!

His personality changes daily and he's such a joy to be around most of the time. Like the title of the blog says, tooth number 13 has arrived, which is the first of his "I" teeth. It hasn't been pleasant, to say the least. These have definitely been the most painful teeth to date in my opinion. He's had days in the past week that he just comes up to me, lays his head down, and doesn't move too much. As usual, the one thing that helps him with this is ibuprofen, and plenty of water in his sippy cup. I hate giving him that cup, because then all he wants to do is drink, all the time. Oh well, it sort of comes and goes with his teeth, which is nice.

Austin is getting so smart. He amazed Jared and I the other day when he grabbed a puzzle, and started to put the pieces back in on his own. It amazes us how quickly he catches on to some things, and some things, he just does it so naturally without having been taught what to do. People have always said that kids learn a lot, but it's so neat when you see it for yourself.

He's also starting to learn a lot more words and gestures. He now knows how to say the following, although they aren't totally clear, we know what he's talking about: Allie, Jacks (for Jackson), kitty, up, down, kick, mmm pie, book, mama, dada, ball, football, yuck, duck, color, thank you (it sounds like dank do), and many others that I can't think of now. He knows how to say brrr using words and shrugging his shoulders as if he were cold. He can put his hands up and say I don't know, and a few other gestures (hi, bye bye, blowing kisses, etc). He also knows now where his nose and fingers are now, along with his tummy, head, mouth, tongue, eyes. He's also trying to put on hats, shoes, and take off clothes and shirts. He has also learned to go get his shoes or socks for me, and to put them away. If I ask him if he wants a snack, he knows right where to go. He even helps us feed the dogs at night. It amazes me how much he has changed and how smart he's getting.

I thought this picture was funny, because it's one of the only times he's put on a hat and kept it on for a few minutes. Austin is pretty ornery, but he doesn't push our buttons too often. He listens really well so far, and is a really sweet little boy. He's such a joy, and hopefully he stays like that.

This is one of Austin's new breakfast favorites. Cereal and milk. He enjoys dipping his cereal in to his milk, which usually results in the milk being spilled all over his tray. I think it's hilarious. He's still a pretty picky eater, so hopefully things change soon. He recently tried breakfast sausage and turkey bacon and actually ate more than a bite of it. I'm hoping he's turned a new leaf with his eating, but I feel like that will never happen. The good news is, he still loves fruits, vegetables, cheese, yogurt, milk and most things that are fairly healthy for him, so it's not all bad. As people keep saying, it's just a phase, but man, is it ever a frustrating one!

So far, Austin loves to be outside. He actually goes to the door when he wants to go out to play, which is nice. I have a feeling we'll be out there most of the summer. I can't wait for that. This is one of his favorite things to do out there right now; carry around Jared's putter. Earlier this week, he was more entertained by putting water bottles in a cooler than he was by his toy car that he can ride in. I guess sometimes, the best things in life are free, or near free. Like playing with toilet paper rolls for 20 minutes. It just doesn't get any better than that!