Seth

You may have noticed fewer pictures of Seth. Dear Seth has entered a new phase of life. It's a very difficult phase for me. You see, I have been shopping for a much fancier camera with many more bells and whistles. However, one of my two favorite subjects to photograph has decided it is good fun to shriek, "Don't take my picture!!" [This coincides with a turn of the head or a ridiculously pouty face, neither of which makes for a cute photo!] I'm hoping this phase will pass quickly! Can you see the look of defiance in this photo? Or am I imagining it?

Okay, this one he wasn't really taking cover from the camera. He actually should've gotten in a lot of trouble for wrapping himself up in my curtains, but sometimes I am forced to laugh rather than cry!

This is just one of my favorite recent photos. I prepared his plate and put it on the table to cool a bit while we got our plates ready. I turned around and found him, in my chair, using my fork, to help himself to some sour cream off his plate!

And finally, today we went to the museum. Our niece, Ashley, is spending a few days with us. She is 15. It is nice to have another set of hands for outings like this!

Too big...

Luke is just getting too big! After being at my friend's house, who has a baby only 8 days older than Luke, and noticing her Bumbo was out, I felt inspired. The Bumbo seat is a very nifty invention which allows littler babies to sit up, somewhat on their own. Of course, I believe there was a less-than-brilliant person who put their child on a counter or table in the Bumbo, walked away, and caused a recall of the Bumbo. But I figure if I don't leave him suspended in mid-air (we like our Bumbo on the floor) and don't wander away, it's all good. Clearly, he is enjoying his new found freedom. Seth was a bit taken aback however. His look screamed, "give me back the blob that lays on the floor and shows no interest in touching my toys." As if nearly sitting up wasn't traumatic enough for mommy, we also started Luke on cereal. He seemed amused at the situation. He cried, but I couldn't tell if it was 'please give me more' or 'please stop with the torture.'
He did manage to make a typical new-eater mess, but that's what bibs and bathtubs are for! And, apparently, you can have too much of a good thing. A few nights later, he actually fell asleep in his high chair. He had some cereal, then a bit of a bottle, and clearly he was content!

Four months old...

Luke is 4 months old today. To celebrate we took him to the doctor, so they could pin him down and make him cry. Uugghhh. I explained to him ahead of time that I only let them give him shots because I love him so much. But when the tears are streaming down his face and he's screaming and turning bright red with anger, I'm not so sure he remembers our little talk! Anyway, according to the nurse, who herself seemed surprised enough that she measured twice, Luke is 26 1/2" long. This puts him in the 90-95th percentile for heighth. He now weighs 16 lbs, 1 oz, which is 75th percentile. He is not a small boy! Sometimes I worry because he would rather chat with me than eat, but the doctor indicated he seems to be just fine!

This is a picture I took during his bathtime Monday night. I think it's my new (current) favorite photo. He just looks so sweet.

Cooking

Okay, I'm not a great cook. I'm not even a good cook. I can make appetizers all day long. I can whip up a plate of brownies (from the box). I even made some mini cheesecakes recently which I really enjoyed. But apparently the concept of a real meal is lost on me. Thankfully, I was blessed with a husband who likes to cook. However, since I'm at home now, there is the expectation that I will prepare most of the meals (except in the summer I get a bit of a reprieve because Dave loves to grill out!). Anyway, I'm trying to plan my menus and do my shopping and be the dutiful little wife. So, why, oh why, did Seth join us for dinner last night wearing his hard hat? Maybe I'm being too sensitive, but it seems maybe he was trying to send a message! By the way, I thought dinner last night was actually pretty good. Seth however had bread, pears, and some graham crackers. I convinced him to eat a bite of lasagna if I fed it to him. He ate it, said "yum" and refused to eat any more of it. Uuuggghhhh!! (And feel free to send me any *foolproof* menu suggestions!)

Speaking of talking

Talking...

My sister and I were talking today about how much we like to hear our children talk. Sure, there are days that I think, "if I have to hear 'MOMMY' one more time I might cry", but I would never trade my little talkers for peace and quiet. I did use the plural there as Luke is doing some crazy jabbering lately. Besides the normal cooing, he has a really loud noise he lets out every once in awhile and I'm amazed that it came from such a small little body! But Seth has, of course, progressed well beyond jabbering! Having the privilege of being with him all the time means that I am pretty good at interpreting for him when necessary.

Today I was heading downstairs and wanted him to come with me. His response was, "hang on, wait a minute!" [Do you think he's heard that before?].

Yesterday we went downtown for the Strawberry Festival and I think he asked 25 times, "Where am I going?" I did finally have to fake a smile and tell him he was going the place I told him he was going 10 seconds ago and he would need to sit quietly while mommy tried to park the car.

But I think my favorite was Wednesday's desperate cry. He knows he's not supposed to go upstairs without mommy or daddy. He also knows if I'm feeding Luke he can get away with more because I'm a little less mobile. So, he suddenly sounded distant and I called for him, "Seth, where are you?" "On the stairs." I replied, "Can you get down or do you need help?" His response, "I need mommy, mommy." Just like, 'I need a drink, mommy.' Except that mommy was what mommy was supposed to bring this time. So, I rescued and then asked, "Did you learn a lesson or do I need to put up the gate?" His response, "put up the gate." At least he knows he cannot resist the temptation.

Last night during his bath I hit my knee and said "ouch." His response was, "Do you want me to kiss it?" Who could resist that? Especially since a couple of days before he informed me he "didn't need lubin'" [loving]. As if that would stop me!

All this to say, I have had many people tell me, oh just wait until they start talking and then you'll wish they weren't. Not true. Completely not true.

Yummy!

I think the smirk says it all. Coupled with the contents of the bowl anyway! Probably 90% of the time, when asked what fruit Seth would like to eat, the answer is "stwawbewwies!!" So, for a treat, I made some shortcakes and we had strawberry shortcake. He loved it!

An adventure to the Children's Museum...

We took a little vacation day about a week ago and hit the Children's Museum. We have a membership so museum adventures are becoming the norm. However, this one was very special because Daddy got to go with us! We started with the choo choo trains, wandered on in to Playscapes for some time with the water, then hit the slide in the Curious George exhibit, and finally watched others ride the Carousel. [an update: we went again Monday and he "rode" the carousel - although in my arms again, but NOT screaming this time]

Looking good in the water cape.

Checking out a race car with Daddy.

He didn't quite make it home before the nap started!