Happy Birthday from Mom

So hard to believe our little Austin is 3 years old today.   He is growing up so fast.    It is so fun to see him learning and exploring, more and more each day.  We took a family vacation a couple weeks ago to Traverse City, Michigan, and he had a blast playing on the beach and taking paddleboat and kayak rides.  Like his Mom, he loves to be outdoors!  One day while we were there we took the kids to a Children's museum.  There was an art section at the museum and Austin had his first experience with scissors.  Surprisingly, and happily, there were no lost fingers involved and he loved to cut paper up.  So weird to see our little guy using scissors!

He has grown up so much lately.  Austin has really taken to his role of big brother.  He loves to hold his babies hands and help them learn to walk.  It is so cute how he gets excited and says "Good Job Gabe!  You can do it!"   Austin also gets such a kick out of feeding the babies – including cheerios and some of his own food.  Such a difference from the little guy who was perplexed when these babies started to move initially and wanted his toys!  Of course sharing toys is still causing tension but it is getting better and is so fun to see him play with them and vice versa. 

                                                             Austin and his Ryleigh-Roo

Austin's latest talent is giving people what he likes to call 'movie' kisses.  This involves him wrapping his arms around your neck, pulling you in close, and planting a lingering kiss.   He has realized that this little move is received with laughs and will often get Mom or Dad to be a little less angry with him :-)  As he likes to say, it is 'absolutely, positively, ridiculous'. 

Thomas the Tank Engine remains one of his favorite toys and loves to read books.  He has also introduced his siblings to Barney in the last week and likes to show them how to become completely drenched when you are anywhere near water.   This week he will start swim lessons which is very exciting.   Austin has no fear when it comes to water so this should prove to be very valuable!

Overall, Austin is a fun loving, smart, and energetic little guy.  He is turning into a wonderful big brother and a helper to Mom and Dad (when the terrible 2s and 3s aren't interfering).   I love watching him grow and am so blessed to be his Mother.  Happy Birthday Austin!

Happy Birthday #3 Austin

Austin's third birthday is tomorrow.  We will have a family party on Sunday to celebrate with everyone.   He is quite the little boy and so much fun these days. 

The last year had its share of challenges for our guy with the trio being dropped into his life.  We worked hard to give him attention, and family and friends were great about making him feel special.  Still, when we are out in public, the triplets are often treated like the Beatles.  There is a lot of gawking, some picture taking and just general curiosity by Joe Public.  Austin takes it all in stride and seems genuinely proud of  "his babies" or, as sometimes he calls them, "The Chiplets" (too much Alvin and the Chipmonks movies lately).  As the triplets have become more mobile the last few months, they have began to invade his space (and toys) in a major way.   He generally greets them with cautious love, and, at times, a forearm shiver.  The last few weeks they have even taken to pulling his hair when he is rolling around with them.  He shows great patience and generally calls for us to come help extract his follicles from their clutches. 

Austin is smart.  Not just, "my kid is smart" smart, but truly very, very bright.  He will get a new 50 page book on a Sunday, and three days later finish most sentences and absolutely call you out for skipping page 39 ("nope, missed a page daddy, go back").  He can whip his way around an ipad like nobody's business.   He will remember visitors vehicles and point them out when he sees the equivalent drive past. 

Two of the best parts of my day, everyday, is getting a hug from Austin when he first wakes up and then again as we say good night.   Looking forward to celebrating this weekend and excited to see what the next year will bring for our big boy.  Happy Birthday !