Author: daustin23

I offer that melodramatic historical scenario to offer this news.  Fast forward from the Spring of 1861 to October 2010.  A young and energetic descendant of the Austin clan has found his balance and the will to walk upright on his two feet.  If you don’t recall, it was all captured in this post. At the time, the entire Austin clan celebrated the success of their youngest member.

Fast forward again to March of 2013.  Our newest broodling has decided to follow in the footsteps of his older brother and those who predated him, including the venerable Abraham Lincoln.  Carefully placing his feet squarely on the ground, Mr. Cooper Austin took his first official steps!  Since this video , the young man is quickly gaining confidence and speed.  We expect, perhaps by the end of the week, he’ll be walking!

Judging from Coop’s Magellan-esque desire to explore, I would quickly invest in those companies that make childproof products like gates and electrical plugs, cameras etc.  We’re about to embark on an adventure that even Mr. Ryan couldn’t give us.

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There are two types of people in this world.  Those who live for the spotlight and those who run from it.  Of course, like all things, there are varying degrees within that spectrum.  There are those who think they live for the spotlight when, in fact, they are terrified of it.  There are those who claim they’re terrified only to find that they can’t live without it.  There are the Carol Kings of the world who absolutely deserve the spotlight only to find they fear it.  There are those like, say anyone from The Jersey Shore, who absolutely don’t.  Then, well then there’s the Austin Family.

http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?videoUrl=http://redirector.googlevideo.com/videoplayback?id%3Dd9eaf4431bfd0866%26itag%3D5%26source%3Dpicasa%26cmo%3Dsensitive_content%253Dyes%26ip%3D0.0.0.0%26ipbits%3D0%26expire%3D1419410509%26sparams%3Did,itag,source,ip,ipbits,expire%26signature%3D32E492FFFB1E5F7AF9B066C5407DE3D2BC6D33AB.3D947C54DB86E3A4EF53C49A56EC698F8FECB725%26key%3Dck2Let me get the easy ones out of the way first.  Jenn, who is accustomed to performing music in front of crowds and conducting her bands, has no problem performing in the spotlight though she’ll readily admit she doesn’t thrive for it.  I’ve had some experience speaking to large groups but generally I’d prefer being the center of attention as long as that center isn’t too far from the edge.  Then there are the boys.  Ryan appears to be one who’s happily thriving in any sort of spotlight he can find.  Even at 11 months, Ryan was constantly performing, dancing to music and always wanting to be in our arms.  Coop, well Coop is different.  He is perfectly content to live within his own world and, given the chance, he’d prefer to explore a drawer full of DVDs then catch a moment in the camera.  Maddie falls somewhere in between, apparently, where she’ll gladly show off a tail to the camera but won’t stay for long.

So I hope you can walk away from this blog entry thinking, “What kind of person am I?”  Or, at the very least, you an enjoy a quick video of two very different kids.

Over the years I’ve spent countless hours reading and watching lectures on project management and professional efficiencies.  Invariably, each lecturer recommends that every project be broken up into its logical next steps.  The thought being that it seems incomprehensible to carve the face of America’s greatest Presidents on the side of Mt. Rushmore but it’s not so daunting to take a chisel to a rock.

So, it’s said, take “baby steps” toward your goal and you’ll be set.  Even wiser pundits caution that it’s always prudent to learn to crawl before you stand and stand before you walk.  Incidentally, I’ve taken all of these cliches way too far, I realize.

So, it is with great pride and excitement that I happily report Mr. Coop-a-doop is officially standing!  While it’s daunting to think of him as the starting QB for the New York Giants in 20 years, I’m reminded of my earlier lessons.  You have to walk before you throw a 60 yard pass.  Of course, the other option might be the NY Jets… I hear they’re looking for a QB.

For those who know me well know that I graduated from SUNY Geneseo with a grade point average equal to roughly the average interest rate of traditional passbook savings accounts.  For those who know me well know that I’m about as creative and artistic as a medium sized pile of rocks.  For those who also know me well, they’d know that my wife is very intelligent, very driven and is a lot more creative than a rock.

With all that on the table, this morning as we’re getting ready for work, we find Mr. Coop-a-doop (It seems to be a nickname that’s sticking) under the table with a pen and paper….drawing!  He’s just approaching 11 months and he’s off to the races doing things that are both creative and fun.  Kudos to Coop.  Here’s to hoping he has his mother’s brains…

At first glance you might look at this picture and see it as the painted face of our eldest young tribesman as he stands outside the safari at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.  You’d be right.  But, if you look closer, you can see the gleam in his eye as he prepares to pounce on his prey like the Bengal Tiger that adorns his face.

The Bengal Tiger is most heavily populated in India and, though they remain on the endangered species list, continue to hold a place of prestige, respect and fear.

I say all that to tell you this.  I love my wife.  Upon our return from Disney midnight on Wednesday, Jenn started packing for an overnight trip to Syracuse – leaving Friday and returning tonight.  I’ve had the boys overnight a few times before but, after ten days in Disney, I wasn’t fully prepared to fend off the vicious attacks that would come my way.  It turns out that all was good until a major skirmish tonight at my parent’s house derailed our near-perfect weekend.  All in all though I’m alive, the boys are alive, the dog is alive and the house is still standing.  I believe I can declare victory.

I’m not an overly vulgar man so pardon the offensive title.  I believe swearing, when used appropriately and in a reserved manner can be very useful in emphasizing a point in a quick way.  To that extent, I’d like to re-introduce my bloggersphere to one very tough boy.  Mr. Coop currently has a decent cold as well as a double ear infection and an infection in his eye on top of which the rest of his incisors are coming in and his nap schedule is way off because it doesn’t match with his brother’s nap schedule.  To get to see some of Disney, all of us are making some sacrifices but none more than our little tough guy, Coop, who has yet to complain and is really only crying when he’s hungry.  Which, as you can tell from this picture and specifically the large bulge coming from my belt line, is exactly when I cry.

They say it’s the most magical place on earth and I’d say, aside from the clubhouse at Saratoga, they may be right.

The boys have settled in nicely to a complete lack of routine and Coop is particularly proud of the new ears he earned.  The weather is gorgeous and a constant reminder that the world would be wonderful if snow would exist just on ski slopes (I hear California is like that but I’m looking for a place with slightly lower taxes.)

So as we continue our journey, I’m reminded just how lucky we are to be able to enjoy this wonderful place!

We’re headed to Disney World on Monday and this weekend is completely dedicated to getting ready!  For Jenn and I, this means remembering everything from Cooper’s antibiotic to my underwear… and by “I” I really mean Jenn.  For the boys, this means helping to pack their suitcases and watching a few key Disney movies to raise their excitement level.

Watching movies has never been a problem for Ryan but interestingly, and what is becoming an increasingly common theme, Coop has zero interest in TV.  I’ve seen many a baby sit and watch the moving pictures and colors, Ryan was that kid…so much so that we cancelled our cable in an effort to make sure we didn’t watch too much TV.  Coop sat for literally three seconds before he started teasing his older brother.  So, as we prepare for our trip, here’s to hoping Mr. Coop enjoys himself!