Friday, September 26, 2008

Laugh, baby, laugh...

Tonight, Austin actually laughed! Except that no one else was around when he did it, and he wouldn't do it in front of Jeff. So even though I know it happened, I have no witnesses to the big event...

However, assuming it really did happen, it was his first!

In the process of changing his sleeper for a clean, non-milk covered one, I was singing him his "Austin's Full of Milk" song, and he was enjoying it (as evidenced by his big smile). But, then, as I looked down at the big milk-filled belly below, I just had to activate the "kissy-monster". Then I heard it... that sweet little baby laugh!

It only happened once, though... and then it was gone - replaced by a silent ear to ear grin. Oh well. Maybe tomorrow I can make it happen again - maybe even with a witness!

Of course, Austin had another good reason to smile tonight, as did we all... we attempted another family night out, and this time it was a true success!

Instead of a serene Italian restaurant, this time we took the brood to Friday's (compliments of a buy-one-get-one-free coupon).

Tyler was in rare form. Considering how close we cut it to his bedtime, he was in a remarkably great mood. Aside from the tear constantly forming in his left eye, you'd never have known he just had a surgical procedure done.

Anyway, as soon as we sat down, he started hitting on the older woman seated behind him. She was 2 years old, with flowing blonde hair. Every few seconds he'd peek around to see if she was looking at him, and he'd wave (regardless of whether or not she was looking back). We tried to subtly let him know that perhaps he should be a little more discrete, and that most girls don't really appreciate stalkers, but he believes in following his heart. And tonight, it was all about her.

After she and her family departed, though, Tyler was willing to once again acknowledge our presence. After filling up on fried green beans, he was ready to dance to the beat of the loud music playing throughout the restaurant and wave to anyone within a 10 foot radius of the table. And as the lights dimmed to set the evening mood, he "ooooooo-ed" with joy.

In fact, he was so pleasantly distracted by the girl, the green beans, the music, the servers, and the lights, that he didn't even leave a huge mess in his wake!

And as for Austin, well, although he spent most of the evening with a bottle in his mouth, he wasn't crying...

So, all in all, the evening was a success all around!