Austin & the Birds

They quickly learned the rule we all know -- don't touch Austin's snack!

I haven't done individual posts about the boys in awhile -- and they are true individuals, that's for sure. It's remarkable how a few months can bring such changes and developments, and I feel like Austin is on lightning speed to growing up. He's so vocal and expressive, determined to keep up with his brother, incredibly affectionate and truly stubborn -- a natural trait in this little family. :)

His feistiness is reserved for just us though, and expressed as endearing charm and pure sweetness to the outside world, where he gets lathered with attention -- even offers of adoption.

He's always verbalizing his wants, and the thoughts of this 2 year old just crack me up -- his concerns are so small and how he relays them to anyone who will listen is what surprises me most.

Virtually anyone he meets will instantly learn that he "spit his bed" a few weeks ago ("spit" is what he calls throwing up). This is mentioned to a stranger at least once every couple of days, prompting an explanation from me if it's someone afraid of getting sick! "I have a bad cough" is another common refrain, even though it too is in the past (for now..). "I made that" is one of his favorite declarations to us and anyone who will listen, and this includes things he did make, but also things never even touched, such as Tyler's artwork or the intricate sand castle that was next to us at the beach. If only just saying we made something made it true!

Austin cruises on his scooter

Not to say my little one is a liar ;) -- he's just getting a hold of how he relates to the world and events and these things are constantly on his mind. Another instance was with the seagulls at the beach that we drew with our eager snacking. Austin had a love/hate relationship with these bold creatures -- fascinated by their presence but concerned about their desire for his snacks and when one got his chip, literally snatching it out of his hand, his distress over the event colored his entire trip. To the hostess at a restaurant: "The bird got my chip!" At bedtime, or when in the car, "those birds! They ate my chips!" It meant war for Austin and we got a good laugh when he started charging the birds yelling at them that they can't have his chips the last days at the beach.

Oh to have the simple worries of a 2 year old. But he does have his plate full with some serious molars cutting and how he handles this is keeping busy and asking for lots of hugs. My little love is so very 2 now but I know this phase passes quickly, and his baby-ness is fading way too fast.

pure awe was his first reaction

feeding my little birds

bird chasing

on the defense -- guarding his chips

finally taking charge and loving it