Sunday, October 10, 2010

Falling

It is fall.




You can tell by all the leaves everywhere.





So we took a walk to soak it all up before it's all gone.





Sometimes we danced.





But not Evan.






He rode.





I love fall.





Except when I remember that it inevitably leads to winter.






Which I don't care for.





At all.





But for now I'll enjoy the harvest.




And the sunshine.






Before it's all gone.

Friday, October 8, 2010

Indian Summer Treat

Because...


...sometimes...





...you just have to indulge.

Magic, etc.

Three months. Evan turned three months old yesterday.





We're now into that golden age of baby hood. The part where he gets happier, less fussy and focused on all his intense needs. He suddenly learns that there's a whole world out there to explore and learn about and boy, is it fun! Life isn't so scary, it's great! We have a good routine to our day, and there's lots to do.

This time is fantastic, since the fun is not yet coupled with daily efforts to take over the world. That comes later.





Of course, along with that comes teething, which we already seem to be embarking upon. Not so much fun, but everyone has to do it.

As I type this, he is lying across my lap, sucking his thumb. He learned how to get that appendage to his mouth whenever he wants it, so that's that. No binky for him, it's thumbs all the way. Everyone has dire predictions for me on this count (you can't take it away! they tell me), but such is life. On the plus side, thumb-sucking makes bed-times a cinch. When I know he's tired, I lay him down in his bed. He gives a half-hearted fuss, finds his thumb and goes to sleep. Just like that.

[ETA: I sucked on two fingers until I was like 8, and well, I turned out okay, right? Right? I mean, I'm sure my 7 year old spitty hand was gross, but my teeth are fine and I did grow out of it.]




I think I have finally adjusted as well. Like I said, routine makes a world of difference. I am an awful lot busier than I was when Jonah was this age, and I feel like I'll never catch up, but I suppose I should get used to that.

One thing I may never adjust to-- shopping with kids. Yikes, that sucks. One kid is not so bad (though I have to say that Jonah has been getting more obnoxious about it ever since he stopped riding in the cart). I'm guessing that the difficulty increases exponentially with the number of children. Thankfully, I don't do it often-- I pretty much hook up the wagon and trot on into town once a month to requisition supplies. A few days ago, I was in Meijer, both boys in tow. I don't get to shop there often but I like it so much better than Wally World, so I wanted to make the best of it. The plan was that Evan would stay asleep in his carseat, but he didn't, of course. Halfway through my list, I was ready to pull out all my hair (er, what's left of it, anyway. The only -ONLY- thing I miss about pregnancy is the hair). I really need some new socks and underwear, but how in hurk am I supposed to focus long enough to choose the proper leg cut, height, size and -egads!- color when Evan needs the cart to keep moving and Jonah needs his shoe tied and mommommomwhenarewegoingtobedone?

Oh dear. And now I've ruined a perfectly nice post by talking about underwear.

Anyway, yes, Jonah can help me shop --he loves to help find things on my list and pull things off the shelf for me-- but sometimes I just need to think thankyouverymuch.

While in the toy aisle, attempting to find the perfect, but budget-friendly, birthday gift for a friend, Evan started to scream. When I picked him up only to discover that he was a mess from a leaking diaper, I grabbed an acceptable toy, abandoned the rest of my list and headed for the nearest checkout lane (through which Evan continued to scream).

No, I didn't get any socks and underwear.

As I was saying... this time is golden. As long as we stay home.

Monday, October 4, 2010

Taking Notes



Jonah: "Evan, look at the Saturn 5 rocket I built!"




Evan: "Duuuuuude."

Friday, October 1, 2010

Slurp and Squoosh



Many animal mothers come equipped with an instinctive compulsion to lick their babies all over.






When the babies are first born, this licking cleans them up and stimulates them to stand up and get moving and find some milk.







As the babies grow, the mothers can keep them clean by licking them all over regularly.






It also stimulates the baby's bodily functions.






It helps their blood circulate better...







...and aids the flow of lymph.






It even gets their digestive systems going.










I may not have to lick my baby all over every day, but I sure can't seem to stay away from those chubby cheeks... Surely there is some essential biological reason for this.

Conversational

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Plotting


[Sinister voice off set] The guards stand vigilant as the giant baby monster lies in wait near the castle, silently and patiently planning his attack... as soon as he figures out how to use his arms and legs.

To be continued...