Austin (21 Months)

My little Austin is 21 months now.  I refer to him as my other baby... which is so funny to me because I feel a little crazy to have two babies right now, but its true - at least for a little bit longer.  He is growing out of the baby phase and turning into more of a toddler.  He walks, he runs, he talks (a little), he is just growing up so fast!  ***sniff, sniff***

Austin loves to be right in the middle of things.  When I am cooking or doing stuff on the counters, he gets mad because he wants to see.  So, I have learned to sit him on a stool near me when he gets upset during those times.  When Daddy is wrestling with the boys, he wants to get right in the middle of the fun, and gets upset if he can't.  When I'm working on the computer (usually blogging), he wants to sit on my lap.  I try to get him to sit next to me if possible, but often I either have to deal with him on my lap, or pause my work for later. (He's sitting next to me now, but has been on my lap on and off while I have been blogging today.)

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Austin is very silly, loves to laugh when others are laughing, loves to mimic, and loves to help.  His favorite ways to help right now are getting my phone, unlocking it, then handing it to me; he also will go get diapers and wipes when I ask him to, and then lay down.  He also hands me any little thing he think may help me, like Lauren's binky, a cup of water that sits next to where I usually nurse, a brush, or any other little thing he finds.

 Austin found Lauren's bow one day, and had some fun putting it on. Here is a great blackmail picture.

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Austin can be very dramatic. He likes to throw himself on the floor when he is upset about something. Recently he found that it is fun to flop himself on the floor, even when he isn't upset about anything. He thinks its pretty funny, and he's right... what a crazy kid. 

 Austin also loves to pull the wipes out of the wipes container, as well as blowing his nose.  Here he is doing both.

 "What..., me cause trouble?"

 Austin loves to wear hats, and loves to go outside.  He gets so excited when you ask him to go find his sandals or shoes.  He will go find them, and often tries to put them on. He has learned to put on his sandals by himself, which I think is pretty good for a little guy his age.

 He is very good at getting into all sorts of trouble.  I've never had one that just seems to get into everything.  I've decided a lot of it is my fault.  For the most part we have always lived in smaller places where their toys were close by and easy to access.  In our house all our toys are downstairs, and I try to keep the boys from bringing them upstairs so that my house stays cleaner. I've had to start bringing up a few toys for Austin so he has something to do other than raid my house.  This has helped quite a bit, although the other boys then try to claim his toys, which causes a bit of a fuss and often results in even more toys being brought upstairs.  Oh, well... you win some, you lose some.  In this picture Austin is sitting stuff he pulled out from under our bed, and trying to put on some of Devon's shoes.

 The other night Austin wanted to take these toys to bed... and I let him.  =)

 This is the look Austin gives when he wants to hug Lauren. Her name is one of the few words he says.  He says Ma (for both Mom and Dad), La (Lauren), done, hi, hot, thank you, there, uh-oh, help, and he has a word/sound he says when he wants his milk or wants more food.

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Austin is a very busy boy. He always seems to be doing something and just goes from one thing to the next.  This is hugely why he doesn't sit very well during Sacrament Meeting at church, but loves nursery. At least Devon and I can sit and listen during some of the meetings! 

I have so much fun watching this boy each day. He just does silly things all by himself.  I looked up the other day to see this.  Of course I had to grab the camera and take a few pictures. If you can't tell what it is...

... its goggles he found on the floor from his brothers.

 I'm horrible...  I'll let Austin play with my cell phone.  The good news is he only holds it long enough to unlock it, and give it to me.  That's my helpful boy. 

 Can you guess who instigated this?  One guess... okay, it was Devon.  And Austin thought it was hilarious.  Ethan, on the other hand did not... but you can't blame him - its the pieces to his Mr. PotatoHead.

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Austin love to tease.  He especially loves to tease Ethan, who gives a great reaction.  Ethan is quite particular about things, and does not like Austin to mess anything up.  Austin has learned how push Ethan's buttons quite well.  I've seen him take a toy of Ethan's and either put it behind his back, or run away.  It's so hard to not just burst out laughing when he does it.  Isn't he too little to know these things?  Needless to say I am working on helping both of them handle these situations better.

I love to watch how much Austin LOVES and ADORES Lauren.  He loves to kiss her, hug her, get her binky for her, try to put bows in her hair.  He thinks she is the greatest. 

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When we sing together for Family Home Evening or scripture study he likes to stand up and "lead" the music.

Austin has little dimples, and I love them. I also love his crooked smile (which he isn't doing in this picture).  He loves to laugh I, which I hope will stick with him his whole life. 

I LOVE THIS BOY!!