...Just a few more handfuls of dirt to move and my job here is done...










Here is a typical task at the end of a day... washing Augie's feet and hands off in the sink. Believe it or don't, this is a minimal amount of dirt for an hour's worth of play.

These pictures look like we are playing with our cousin Rosa, but we really don't. Brandon (Rosa's dad) said to me "so, is that what Augie likes to do? Move dirt?" and I said "Pretty much" to which he responded "Oh, Rosa likes to hit other kids... that's what she likes to do."


 

Here are some great pictures of Augie doing construction in Nanna and Papa Lowe's back yard


 

We went to the Petting Zoo at Strawberry days in Glenwood Springs!


 

This weekend we went to Carbondale to see our Papa Mark and Marmie. As you can see, the car seat is a great place for a snooze.

Ofcourse we walk to the park. We go in the backpack with dad, or in the stroller with mom (who's tummy is way too big to fit the backpack strap that goes around her waist). We sometimes like the stroller, but usually we have to have a cookie or a cracker every 2-3 blocks to keep happy

We only go to parks with sand or rocks, so we can put the sand and the rocks on other things...

It is silly that we haven't had the pictures up of where we spend most of our time... but by popular demand, here you have Augie at the Park. We like to go early in the morning because it is not too hot outside... and it helps mom and dad forget that Aug got us up at 5 am.

16 months...

What an amazing time this has been for us. Every day- literally- Augie does something different and better. I feel like the full fog of babyhood has lifted (just in time for another one to set in, har har) and Augie is really a little man. I was talking to Christine tonight about the congnative things he does... and they amaze me. Perhaps having children is one of the most meaninful studies in humanity. You don't appreciate small skills until you a. have a kid or b. lose the ability to do small things yourself.

In the past few weeks Augie has started to make so much more sense of things. He communicates so much better, even though the actual word part isn't there quite yet. He does like to say "Yeah" though... with gusto.

He is demanding in an intriguing way. (One day I might say frustrating or annoying, but today I will say intriguing). He knows what he wants and tells us so we better do it. His frustration level is lower in the sense that he can do more for himself, and higher because he can't do what we can do.

He loves to climb up and down the stairs... okay, on anything. On us, on his fire truck, on the cat. He even climbed steps and slid down a slide with no help for the first time a few days ago.


He wants to feed himself. He prefers to drink from mom or dad's cup... and is really angry if he isn't able to share with us. Not just food, cellphones, computers, wallets.

He knows where the fish are, and that fish in a book, at home and in the pet store are all the same thing.
He throws balls, kicks balls and runs. He's also dabbled in spelunking (sp?) for toys under the couch and tables, but does need a good belay partner on occasion.

He can turn on the TV, put the tape in the VCR (although not always right direction) and push almost every button in sight. One of the most interesting things about this is that he doesn't have but one video, and we don't really watch TV or change the channel from the set. He figured these out by the process of elimination or trial and error, or whatever people smarter than I call it.

He claps when you say clap, knows that the doors on the bus go open and shut, and runs away when I say "come here"

He is our little wonder. I am so glad to see these things, to be thankful for the experience, to learn them with him... I guess because we all miss out on them the first time. I can't belive mere months ago he couldn't sit up or put his hand where he wanted it to go, and now he can accurately turn pages in a book and place objects into small spaces. (Although this is not always a joy).

Thank goodness I have paid attention enought lately to enjoy these things. They have really become a delight.
 

We are getting so excited for Becket. Finally, I think he feels real! Not just the kicks or the indigestion either. I can really imagine Augie playing with him, them teaching eachother things, Picking on eachother, playing t-ball. Since Becket doesn't get near the attention Augie does, I included some "pictures of him" at Jeff's 30th Birthday party.


Jeff asked me the other day if we just had 2 boys would I be okay not having a girl, and I would. There is a part of me that will long to play dress up, and some of the pretend games that the boys probably just won't play. There is another part of me that knows I would definately have much more heated and fighty moments with a daughter. If we go for 3, I will be glad to have either. A girl to play with, or another boy to tower over me. There is something really neat about thinking that these boys will be protective of me some day... like my brother was (and, frankly is) with me and my mom. I also prefer dirt to make-up... oh and not having to worry quite so much on dates.

On the dad side, it may not get much better for dirty, stinky, rough-housing men like Jeff than to have all these boys. I know he will love any baby, but is secretly glad to have all boys.

I have noticed one interesting reaction, the more boys that surrond me (husbands, sons, cats and roomates) the more pink I wear. Let Freud wrestle with that one.

So- with 3 months left to go- bring on the boys!

There are about a million reasons I love to be a mommy. One of my recent favorites it how much it has changed my life. When I am having a weaker moment, I don't appreciate these things- changing your life can seem impossible- in fact I can hate it and I sometimes cry. When I put things into proper perspective, and enjoy what I have, they are phenominal. Funny what a point of view can do.

Today

Today I sat out in the sun for one hour and watched Augie play. I did not have a cell phone or an ipod. I did not wish I could go inside and do dishes or watch TLC. I did not even take a book or magazine. For one hour I sat- mostly quietly- and watched Augie move dirt, and pull up grass. I noticed birds, and the fact that the weather was perfect. The only thing "productive" that happened was getting a little sun on my Langley-white legs. It made me think about the quiet that I miss when I am obsessed with being busy.

Thank you Augie.

*** Some new photos... Augie falling asleep in my arms (never happens) Augie and Jeff sleeping on the couch after a too early get up in the morning time (if any one knows how to get him to sleep in past 5:30 am I will pay you for the secret. )
Augie mad becasue he can't play with Roomba, who lives under the couch. ***

Coming soon...A day at the Denver Aquarium starring August!

Brilliant!

So, it is always fun to see Augie learn new stuff, but when he goes above and beyond you have to boast. Here's the story.

Kelly and I have shows we watch together on Wednesday and Tuesday. Augie is not a fan though.

However he can reach one side of our VCR. He can't reach the channel button, which wouldn't matter any way cause he doesn't like anything on TV. What he can reach is the eject button. This pops out the only VHS tape that is ever in the VCR: Stomp. He then pushes the tape back into the VCR and it overrides everything else, and Stomp begins. He then backs up quickly and enjoys. Of course when we fumble around for a remote control, change it back to our show, he looks at us like we have just rudely barged into his TV time.

For those of you who don't know, we are expecting a second son!

Becket Joshua Cook should be here some time around August 23rd... and we are so excited. We even think Augie's excited, but he could just be hungry.

... but as far as "Augie Bloggie" goes, we need help. What can we re-name Augie Bloggie to include baby Beck?

The prize will be fantatstic. Jeff suggested letting the winner be the second middle name for Becket (I.E. Becket Joshua Christine Cook) but I don't think I am quite ready for that. I was thinking along the lines of a mocha at Starbucks... so, prize TBA.

So shoot us your suggestions in the comments section of this entry by July 1... and we will annouce the winner shortly after.

Good luck!
Kel, Jeff, Aug and Beck