by leaps and bounds

3 milestones in one day--

1. He went from 9:15pm to 6:30am without eating! woo hoo! And with the exception of a crying spree around 12:30am, he slept rather soundly. It was magnificent!
2. Poppy and Gramsy taught him how to clap-- it's just the cutest thing ever-- and really the first coordinated motor skill, other than reaching and grabbing, that he's learned. i wish i had it on film. he gets so excited. at first he just banged his fists together. Then one fist and one palm. Then finally both palms open. And he's been doing it all day. Mostly spontaneously, but sometimes he'll mimic. It's so amazing to watch him learn.
I just put him in bed (exhausted from his day-- gotta love that!), and as he lay down, rolled to his side, and put the binky in his mouth, he gave a few final claps (eyes closed and on his side), and drifted off to sleep! He's a clapper. He claps!
3. He can now pull himself to a standing (however wobbly) position without assistance. For a week or two he's been obsessed with standing and being upright. For days he's constantly asking to be picked up so he can stand and bang on the couch cushions or whatever he can reach from a standing position. Today Gramsy had him in the "mini crib", and after several failed but determined attempts, he was on his feet, grasping the rail. At one point he even scooted along the edge, sidestepping a few times before he fell (into the crib, not out!).

Just 7 months ago he was 5 days old!

a couple of flirts

Molly came for a visit today. She's still 2 months younger and 2 pounds heavier than Christian. They were so cute together... I think he asked her to be his girlfriend. I think she said yes...


"Molly, you have such a round and beautiful head!"

"Has anyone ever told you how pretty your eyes are?"

"Molly, will you be my girl?"

"Well, ok, but let's take things slowly."

Neat Freak Friday

I know it's probably not the best reason to have people over, but it really motivates me to clean my house. Today I got really into it. I actually dusted! Using an old sock like a dusting glove is really quite fun :). It's amazing what clean surfaces can do to boost your morale. Having cleared countertops and all the toys put away, and vacuum lines in the rug felt so good it was almost addictive. I couldn't stop. So I think I'm going to start having dinner parties on a regular basis. I rather enjoyed preparing the meal throughout the day, having the time to do that (thank you very much Christian for taking a 2 hour nap!!), and clean, and have a lunch guest, and throw in a load of laundry, AND take a shower-- it was a rather successful day! I never thought I'd ever say that I enjoy cooking and cleaning. EVER. but, at least for right now, I'm giving myself the June Cleaver award.

His Feminine Side

Ellie came over to play with "Baby Christian", as she calls him. She introduced him to blonde curls, sparkly shoes and purple blankies. Of course he was smitten. He learned the words "Pretty", "Barette", and "Pink Bow".

Watcha readin?

Can I touch your hair?

Tickle, Tickle

Purple Blankies are really the best, Baby Christian! You should get one!

And you thought LUNCH was messy!

Since I really love to gnaw on things, Gramsy told Mommy about Teething Biscuits. . .
Thanks Gramsy!!!!

Lunch!

Learning to eat is fun! Especially when Mommy lets me use my hands to help her feed me. Usually she tucks them under the tray of the high chair so they "stay out of trouble". But today she let them out to play... i mean... help eat.

Tummy Time! At Last!

Finally-- A child after my own heart! I put him in the crib to play, and a few minutes later, this is what I found: