More moving...

So the crib has been lowered to its lowest position to prevent any climbing babies from making their way out...this necessitated a move of the whole crib since once the mattress was that low, it would let Jack grab at some outlets and cords.

As you can see the little guy doesn't sit still anymore - there is quite a bit of backward motion. In fact, there is lots if you leave him on the hardwood!

Oh Crap

He is climbing... and he was extremely happy about it. There was a lot of squealing and laughing accompanying this escapade.

More Tricks!

Ok, taking these photos was a little dicey. I had to take them while making sure he wouldn't fall. I succeeded. He actually has pretty good balance and enjoys playing standing up.

Back from the Gym

We started a new type of class today, called MomSWIM. I get a workout and Jack gets to explore the pool and hear lots of songs. It is a pretty original program from what I have seen. So far the instructor is fantastic, which of course makes or breaks most classes. She is very engaging while being educational - we learn some ASL. I think this despite that she appears to be a size 2 with a totally flat stomach and is 15 weeks pregnant with her second! Normally I hate those people;)

It is at the Arlington Girls and Boys Club which has an amazing number of programs. Many of which I will grown into in about a year and can't wait.

Lift off

Today is the first time I have seen Jack try to get to his hands/knees. He isn't quite there, but can get his tummy off the ground briefly and has started moving backwards. I will try to get video soon.

Fine Dining

I have been to restaurants quite a few times, but this is the first time I got to sit in restaurant-supplied seating.


This looks so good I will eat it.


Where's the food already??

New Face

This weekend I got to meet yet another cousin (ok, once again, she is technically my first-cousin-once-removed). We had a lovely visit. Sadly, for me, I won't get to see her for awhile - she is leaving soon for a semester abroad South Africa!

Bon Voyage Juliette!

Giggly Jack

In Action

Oh boy...

Jack's newest trick: crying and whining when you take something away from him that he wants. Up until now, we pretty much could just take things out of his hands if we didn't want him to have it. Now, we get a very strong reaction. I suppose this shows cognitive development so we should be pleased. It was cute the first time, but not sure that lasted even until the second...

I tried to look up whether this was a "milestone" or not. Some websites say it is normally happens at 10 months, some 9 and some 5. (The 9 was from the most reputable site). Gives you an idea of how useless it is to compare babies when "experts" aren't even remotely consistent!

7 Months Old

What is going on?

* He rolls around much more than he used to. Tummy time has pretty much ceased as as soon as he is on his tummy, he rolls to his back. This means he can not be left on the floor for a second as he is quasi-mobile. He tries to inch worm and army-crawl to get to toys, but hasn't quite got the hang of either. He can't move too far on his own, but enough we need to watch him. He also isn't onto his hands/knees yet, so full-out crawling is likely still a month or three out. (Good as we haven't bought baby-gates, etc yet).

* He is sleeping better, but not great. He sometimes will only get up 2 times over about 13-14 hours, but usually gets up 3-4 (usually only 2 or 3 while we are trying to sleep). For example last night he was down at 8, slept until 1:30, then was up at 3 and 6, until he finally got up at 8:30. I do like he sleeps later than he used to though! Waking up at 8:30-9 is very civilized. He naps WAY better though - consistently at least an hour in the morning and usually 45-60 minutes in the afternoon. This is a huge improvement and allows me to get some downtime and things done.

* We have introduced a lot more solid food - rice and and oat cereal, green beans, peas (his FAVORITE!?), carrots, sweet potatoes, pears, apples, bananas and soon some mixed fruits/veggies and squash. He eats at least a tablespoon of cereal and 1/2 a jar of food at a time. We try to feed him 2 times a day. He can eat up to a whole jar and 2 tablespoons of cereal at a sitting.

* We have transitioned into the convertible car seat and a new stroller. He has gotten a bit taller, evidenced by his 12-18 month pants fitting him pretty well now. His smaller 6-12 month pants are packed up as are his smaller 6-12 month tees and onsies.

* We are trying to get him to drink a little water from a sippy cup. So far he is pretty uninterested.

* He laughs and giggles at more and more things.

* He is starting to enjoy kids music and the presence of other babies/kids. He lights up when we get into class each week.

* We also suspect he is starting to understand that it is really us in the mirror. He sometimes will look at the mom in the mirror, then me, then the mom in the mirror and have a puzzled/interested look.

* He makes new noises, a few times truly babbling (ba-ba-ba) and there are some new screeches. However, generally, he is actually a pretty quiet baby.

Recent Adventures

I don't have pictures, but I recently had my brain waves studied at Harvard. I got to wear a mesh cap covered in little sponges that were soaked in a saline solution. They showed me pictures of different numbers of dots. They want to understand how humans innately understand math/numbers so they can adjust math teaching accordingly. (Or so they say). They said I was an amazing subject as I made it through the full 4 minutes with minimal squirming - apparently most babies lose interest quicker than that. For my efforts, I got another of those Harvard t-shirts Grandma/Grandpa don't like. They should send me a Yale one to counteract the bad influence;)

Out for a spin

The weather today, was simply lovely. We took a walk around Coolidge Corner and it was nearly 70! Mom was hot in a thin cardigan and tee shirt. It was a nice change from last Thursday when mom had to go to the doctor and I had about 8 layers covering all parts of my body. It was like 8 degrees with some wind...brr...

She got to take her new stroller out for a spin. The one she had been using wasn't opening/closing properly anymore, plus she wanted one that closed with one-hand now that I am in the big-boy car seat that doesn't come out of the car. So, she bought this super nice one a few weeks ago. She got a big discount as it was the 2007 model - believe it or not strollers have model years like cars! The 2008s are about to come out so this one was on deep discount. Also it is supposedly the best brand for tall parents, so it isn't too bad for dad it push either. (Most strollers, "they" say, are designed for someone 5'3'!).

Showing off mom's new toy

this was taken & posted from her iPhone!

Big Boy

Goodbye Snugride,


hello Diplomat!




Dad spent New Year's Day installing my new car seat and lowering the crib to the middle position. I was at the height limit for my infant car seat so I have a really snazzy new one. Mommy is happy she can now fit in the front passenger seat if daddy is driving. Before it was a really tight squeeze with her long(ish) legs.