We're not exagerating here. Austen's favorite toys are books. Followed closely by stuffed animals (she sleeps with and carries around "Austen's doggie" and "Austen's tiger").
Austen now sleeps through the night several times a week. Here she is sleeping with "Austen's doggie."
Everyday she plays with puzzles. When Mamma ordered Austen a puzzle with the letters of her name, she took to it possessively and spelled out her name "A ... U ... S ... T ... E ... N ... Austen!" Dada has been practicing spelling her name with the letters decorating her bedroom door since she was a little baby (circa 12 months).
Austen favorite activities are singing, jumping and climbing. Her vocalizations when singing are amazing for her age -- ask her music teacher, Keira. Here, she's singing the Alphabet Song:
Austen is struggling a bit with holding Mommy or Daddy's hand when walking near streets or in parking lots. Mommy and Daddy have to pick their battles and this is one of them. If Mama makes sure to back off as much as possible and not tell Austen what to do unless absolutely necessary, Austen is happier, more playful and less stubborn. A first this month is that Austen, when she's in a obedient mood, can be left to walk alone next to Mama: no hands!
In the morning Austen asks for "Yogurt" (pronounced perfectly) and "Fruit Bar." We now understand a lot of what Austen is saying. When she's had enough of shopping, she says, "All done!" When she wants someone she says, "Come, Mama!" or "Come, Mimi!" Mimi is her nickname from Grandma Mindy. When she sees Squirt getting into something she shouldn't, she says, "No, Squirt!" Austen asks for "snacks" and "Coocoos" (cookies) and "Austen's water" and then says "Thank you" when she gets what she asked for. She also says "Thank you" when she does something nice for someone else, eliciting them to reciprocate the polite behavior she's quickly mastering.
Look at those long legs. Dada bought this dress in Tokyo.
As for make believe play, the day after her Jane Austen Tea Party, Austen was spotted serving tea to her doggie (AKA Austen's Dog, AKA The black and white sheepdog from Folkmanis).
Austen can follow two-step instructions. "Go get Dada's drink and give it to Dada." When happy, she'll share toys, fetch things, throw trash away and clean up toys. It just has to be her decision to do so. When she won't follow the rules and the matter is serious, she gets a "No!" or "Austen you have to ..." and if this doesn't work, she gets a time out. Grabbing things from the other kids at My Gym is one thing she struggles with.
Speaking of My Gym, the mommies and teachers there are impressed with Austen's jumping and climbing abilities, her balance, and how she "talks a lot." Mama has to admit she's proud, but she definitely never expected to parent an athelete.
One of Austen's super cutie behaviors is talking to Dada (or Grandma) on the phone. She has very long conversation, with tons of emphasis and dramatic intonation, but we can't really understand much of what's she's saying.
At the park or at the town swimming pool, Austen sometimes runs for the hills, which worries Mama a bit. She's noticed that the other kids aren't so independent; they at least glance backward. But it's nice the way Austen can play independently in the mornings, allowing Mama to rest a bit and not have to get up too early.
Like her Auntie Heather, Austen talks about shoes a lot. She likes to put on and take off her own shoes. And she likes to try on Mama's shoes. Maybe she's eyeing Auntie Heather's Manolo collection.
Austen now opens and closes doors using round door handles, so Mama had to run out and buy more babyproofing stuff, including door handle covers. It's cool the way Austen sometimes has the run of the upstairs or downstairs and Mama or Dada don't have to always be in the same room as she.
