Austen Famous Rodey

She grabbed the crayon and jabbed at the paper with enthusiasm. But then she decided to eat the crayon and Mommy and Daddy had to take it away.

Today she cried when she couldn't get a gallon of water off the floor. Daddy tricked her into trying. :) Earlier she was quite successful at lifting her new extra large bath ducky and carrying it around the master bedroom.



Notice the duck-quack mouth she's been making lately as she babbles on and on as if speaking a foreign langauge.

This year during our Cape May trip Grandma Judi's influence showed up in food choices and conversation, from soft pretzels to flying pigs to Kokepelli jewelry. There are a lot of memories. Grandma Judi went to Cape May every year from the time she was a little girl.

When Mommy was little, she stayed at the campground with Grandma Judi, Grandpa Earl, Mark and Tod. They used to ride bikes around the campground until they were lost and then use the campground map to find their way home. Early real-world development of analytical skills -- and it was for fun.

Sometimes Mommy would stay at Great-Grandma Emma and Pop-pop's condo. Other times she'd stay with Auntie Janet or Auntie Heather at a bed and breakfast. Her all-time favorite was the Queen Victoria, where everyone hung out in the palor during the rainy days.

Daytime was spent at the beach, where extra chairs were sitting ready for friends stopping by. In the evenings, it was cookouts at the campground or fancy dinners in town at places like the Mad Batter. Almost every night we went for ice cream at Uncle Charlie's, or strolled to the boardwalk for skeeball. Minature golf was another favorite evening activity.

Mommy remembers how everyone would walk up to her with a bag of sweets from Morrow's Nut House and offer to share. Fruit slices. Licorice. Salt water taffy. Fun times with the Lloyd relatives.

(20) Jim Close. Period.

(19) I'm tired of these motherf---ing snakes on the motherf---ing ceiling.

(18) Heather “packed” and headed home, leaving a closet full of dresses.

(17) Despite sharing a beach house, we didn’t once go to the beach as a group.

(16) Zack complained about the bad service at Frieda’s Café by knotting many of the dinner napkins.

(15) Lucinda offered to make French toast and then asked Mark, “How do you make French toast?”

(14) While driving on the Garden State Parkway (for about 20 exits), Beerinder asked, “Why’d we pass the turnoff for the GSP?”

(13) Morgan couldn’t figure out how to sweep the porch because she thinks brooms are a mode of transportation.

(12) Asked by a waitress where he's visiting from, Davinder replied, “New Jersey.”

(11) Holly spent considerable time looking for one of Morgan’s toys ("the little guy"). Afterward, the toy was segregated from the rest of the communal toys for the remainder of the vacation.

(10) Heather came to Cape May straight from India. She’s been there more than any Indian-Americans we know.

(9) “Patka that!” Much of the day was spent Patka-ing on walkie-talkies, using the following handles:

Austen: Crazy Baby
Lucinda: Dr. Lu
Davinder: Big Sikh
Beerinder: Running Indian
Heather: Lloyd Heat
Janet: Vodka and Cheese
Susan: Precious Librarian
Hannah: Jailbait
Phoebe: Smelly Cat, Stinky Cheese, Gorgonzola, or Gorgo
Mark: Grumpy, Grumpy Geek, or Broken Weiner
Jen: Grumpy’s Wife
Emma: Mudbutt
Erin: Grumpy’s Youngest
Tod: Pastey White Boy
Holly: Witchy Whitey
Morgan: Witchy Moo
Zack: Wimpy Whitey
Joey: Chocolate Salty Balls, CSB, or Mall Dude
Earl: Senior Grumpy

Clearly, the Rodeys came up with most of these.

(8) Running Indian did a rain dance and, soon after, it rained.

(7) Once again, Lucinda beat everyone at Texas Hold’em, much to Joey’s surprise.

(6) After relaxing at the beach condo for most of the week, on Friday Janet declared, “I’m taking a break today.”

(5) Quite shockingly, even Hannah’s parents started calling her by the nickname ‘Jailbait.’

(4) “Imagine the possibilities/I wonder what’s under your pants” is the potty training song shared with the group by Tod and Holly.

(3) Mark spits wine in Beerinder’s face while laughing at his own joke.

(2) Asked for Morgan’s date of birth, Tod replied, “Uhh, let me go check with Holly.”

(1) Austen developed a sudden strong attachment to Grandpa Earl, preferring him to all others, even her mommy and daddy at times. Miracles never cease.

Austen took her first week-long vacation and had a wild and crazy time in Cape May, New Jersey. She cruised the beach, roamed the boardwalk, ate at gourmet restaurants, and hung out with the Famous/Lloyd side of her family.

Ooh. Ooh. I can walk on this sand stuff.





Baby footprints in the sand.


She and Chacha had lots of fun together ... as always. They're kindred spirits, both young at heart. The other "hoodlums" in attendance included Zack and his friend Joey.


The beachhouse was filled to capacity: Grandpa Earl, Uncle Mark, Aunt Jen, Emma, Erin, Uncle Tod, Aunt Holly, Morgan, Mommy, Daddy, Austen and all three hoodlums.






Skeeball!


Strolling at the Washington Street Mall. Thanks for the push, Dada.


Uncle Tod has his hands full ... and smiles!


Which direction am I goin' in?


On the surrey, singing "The wheels on the surrey go round and round...all through Cape May."


Afternoon tea at the Physick Estate.

Erin, Morgan, Emma and Austen

The crowd in Cape May wished Austen a happy 1st Birthday.

Mommy and Daddy had an unforgettable anniversary dinner at 410 Bank Street. Most delicious fish ever.



Seven years ago we were dancing on Fifth Avenue, with a view of the World Trade Towers and the Empire State Building.

Austen can't resist the computer keyboard. She needs a baby computer ASAP.

Today Mommy found Austen inside the laundry room with the door shut. Austen has mastered opening and closing doors that she finds ajar. Watch out little fingers! You're in for it.

Mommy was so proud. Austen ate and played and smiled, letting out only a couple hollers, which were immediately echoed by the other babies. Like a firecracker, Austen is exciting but too loud at times.

Austen visited Riley for lunch today. They played together while the parents enjoyed the great food: chips and salsa, brie and french bread, shrimp tapas, chicken quesadillas, and apple tart with green tea ice cream. Thanks, Kelly & Sanjiv!




Stealing the first of two bottles from Riley.


Notice the Jane Austen quote on Austen's T-shirt.

Click here to see all the pictures.

Austen brought Daddy one of Mommy's books so Daddy read her a brief passage:

"Hush," he said. He gently ... [passage censored by Mommy]

I wonder if this should count as two books for Auntie Janet's summer book reading program?

Over the past few weeks, Austen has completed her transition to walking. Walking is her preferred method of transportation. In fact, if you chase after her, she gets excited, starts to giggle and run away, looking back every now and then to see if you're close to catching her. Otherwise, she loves to walk everywhere: indoors, outdoors, at stores, malls and restaurants. The downside is she's not as content being strapped into her stroller, making it a little tough when we're in a place that's not conducive to baby walking.

Although Austen took a break from jar foods for a few weeks, she's back to eating pureed organics now, but in a smaller quantity. This works out well because you can quickly feed her a jar and then leisurely let her feed herself regular foods like chicken, ham, turkey, string beans, whole wheat bread, fruit, and organic cheerios (of course!).

She hasn't touched a pacifier in over a month so that concludes the pacifier stage. It looks like Mommy and Daddy can skip over the weaning-your-baby-off-the-pacifier chapter. Lucky break!

Austen has an idea of what is right and wrong, or at least what she isn't supposed to do, but she can't seem to resist doing it -- or maybe she's "testing" Mommy and Daddy. For example, she knows she's not supposed to run into Daddy's closet but whenever the door is open, she darts in, grabs some clothes, turns around, gives Daddy a big grin as if to say, "I just couldn't help myself." Then she usually leaves after being reminded that she shouldn't do that. She also darts for the open fridge or open door leading outside; unrolls the toilet paper; grabs at electrical outlets and cords; tries to open drawers and cabinets; and finds anything you absent-mindedly leave on the floor. Quick and tricky little booger!

Sleep has always been Austen's sticking issue. She sometimes wakes up in the middle of the night and needs soothing or milk. She keeps Mommy and Daddy guessing. One day she naps for 4 1/2 hours and the next day she naps for 40 minutes total.

Personality is Austen’s best feature. She's still a people lover, albeit more wary. She warms to those who smile at her as long as she is given time to stare at them for a while, with a cautious grin on her face. When people are talking and laughing around her, Austen must join in and have her share of the laughter -- even though she probably has little idea what's being said. She thrives in social settings involving other kids and parties for hours without fussies. Flume rides and high swinging appeal to her thrill-seeking side. She laughs when you dangle her upside down or spin her around. Mommy loves the excited way Austen flails her arms and squeals whenever she "discovers" Mommy under the covers in bed. It's easier for Mommy and Daddy to teach Austen things now, as long as they use wacky voices in doing so. Austen is learning to roll a ball and identify face parts (nose, cheeks, and ears). If you’re sufficiently animated, you can read her a book.

Most surprising update of the month: Austen's interest in toys has actually DECREASED. Most of her playtimes, including a lot of independent play at home, is devoted to walking and exploring.

Austen practices her dancing moves while eating some cheerios and wearing a baggy (but clean) diaper.

Austen at two months of age.

After only seeing Grandma and Grandpa once in the past few months, Austen, despite her new tendency to be a little shy towards adults she hasn't seen in a while, took to them right away, without missing a beat. I guess Grandma and Grandpa leave an impression on everyone.

Chacha went to Texas and brought back this T-shirt (and a Hello Kitty DVD) for Austen. With this one purchase Chacha shows himself to be better at buying gifts for Austen than Daddy.

Scout is scared of her.






Squirt is usually tolerant of her screaming and swatting but has lashed out a couple times.

For about a week now, Austen has been able to stand up from a sitting or crawling position without holding onto anything. This really helps with her ventures in walking.

This blog is intended to be honest and forthcoming, not just a sugar-coated diary of events, so Mommy has to report that Austen threw a fit again at lunch today -- for the second time in less than a week. Mommy and Austen went out with Eileen and Mia and were having a great time until Austen got tired and started fussing loudly. Mommy is worried that she won't be able to take Austen to adult restaurants if this keeps up.

Lots of babies complain during lunches with their moms but Austen's complaint cry is much louder than average. Thus the dilemna. To take her out of the house, or not to take her out of the house.

Austen felt a little afraid of her Hershey's Kiss Doll.


But she's still kissable.