The First Year

It’s official. My baby is a year old.

At 3:16pm today, Austin moved on from the “___-months old” category to one YEAR old. Sure, it seems insignificant, but not to a mom.

Our littlest man entered the world at 8lbs 10z and 20 inches. Today, he tips the scales at nearly 23lbs.

That sizable weight gain is due in part to his incredible love for food. I kid you not – Austin will eat just about anything. He has RARELY refused anything. He’ll at LEAST try it – and chances are he’ll probably like it. Zack, on the other hand, is a picky eater. Not so with his little brother. Austin not only eats just about anything – he ENJOYS it, too. Practically the entire time he’s eating he’s making noise. Something like, “Mmmm, Num Num Num” and such.

Our Austin also came into this world with some slightly misaligned feet. Today, you would never be able to tell.

(Below: Austin tries to find weak spots in Zack’s fortress)

Austin began his treatment for clubfoot when he was about 2 weeks old. He’s received EXCELLENT care from Dr. Dietz at the Ponseti clinic in Iowa City. What an amazing gift from God. Not only was the world expert on clubfoot in the U.S. – he was in Iowa… just an hour and a half drive from our door. We have known beyond a shadow of a doubt that God led us to Iowa. He has proven it over and over again. This was just further confirmation.

 

Now after spending weeks in casts and months in a brace – Austin is mobile. He’s been trying to walk and showing interest, but usually goes for crawling (because it’s just easier). Today, he turned a corner… He walked across the living room BY HIMSELF without any coaxing. He was SO EXCITED when he did it! It was precious! Then, of course, he wanted to keep going! I have a feeling he’s going to be walking and RUNNING all over the place in no time!

He’s growing and changing so quickly – and I’m so glad I’m here to see it all happen.

Here are a few of Austin’s other favorite things/new discoveries:

• Austin’s first word was probably ‘Dada.’ He says it ALL the time now. He has also started saying, “This!” and pointing to things. It’s SO cute (of course, I’m biased). He’s also starting to say ‘Mama’ (which makes me giddy, of course)
• Austin has figured out that many animals growl or roar. He’s also figured out that he can make such a sound. So now, most animal toys he plays with growl or roar… even if it’s an elephant.
• Austin also loves cars and trucks. So, the same “roaring” sound he uses for animals is also used in connection with cars and trucks. He loves to make an “engine” noise and push cars and trucks around.
• Austin LOVES Blue’s Clues. We discovered this kind of by accident. Now, he adores it and gets SO excited when he hears the music at the beginning of the show. He also says, “Cues! Cues!” (aka: “Blues Clues!”) when watching it. Of course, this show is in reruns now, so finding Blue’s Clues toys, etc is difficult…
• Last, but definitely not least, Austin loves his brother. I’m pretty sure he’d follow Zack to the ends of the earth – even if he had to crawl the whole way. In Austin’s eyes, Zack is pretty much the coolest guy on the planet, and also hysterically funny. Zack, seems to only be mildly aware that he’s revered in such a way. He adores Austin, but doesn’t yet realize the power he COULD have over him (I know, he’ll discover that eventually).

And so ends my birthday post for Austin. My sweet, sweet little boy. I should clarify: My sweet little boy is also incredibly onery…but is so darn adorable while being onery it’s distracting. ;P

Austin, I love you. We are so blessed that God has entrusted you to us. Our hearts have grown so much since you joined us a year ago. I’m so excited to see the man you’ll grow to be – but I’m not in a hurry to get there. You and your brother are treasures to your daddy and I.

Happy birthday, little bubba. :)