Gardening

Linus helped Matthew plant carrots yesterday. Yes; I know that it is only March and we are in Wisconsin. Matthew felt the urge. Linus also face planted. He was squatting in front of the garage and fell face first onto the cement. My little one has a scraped nose and a funny pattern on his forehead. We think the marks on his head are from the hat he was wearing being pushed into his skin when he fell. The tip of his nose is pink and has a scrape and the side of his nose is also scraped. These are the first of many scrapes, bumps, and bruises in his future and I suppose I'll get used to it.

At story time this morning Linus danced to the "Shake Your Sillies Out" song. He looked so very cute.

Here is Linus walking around with his first animal crackers. I couldn't resist buying them because I knew he would like carrying them around.

Sniffles, Writing, Playing, Etc.

I've been remiss in blogging because Linus has been sick. In addition, I've been working on projects, like sewing him a growth chart and making his birthday party invitations.

Linus is back to his normal self, except for his nose that continues to run profusely and, might I say, grossly. He has slimed me a lot this week. He also continues to drool. Now and then I find wet spots on the wood floor the size of a quarter or larger. I couldn't figure out what they were from until I witnessed a stream of drool come gushing out of his mouth.

Last night Linus took the little Magna Doodle from me and wrote on it. That is a first. He also figured out how to slide open the Spiderman Pez. Now that he feels better, he is back to drinking milk with meals and is doing better about drinking more than a sip or two. So weaning is well underway. He continues to be a good eater, but dislikes zucchini. He likes eating avocado at Johanna's house, but not at home.

These photos are from last Sunday when Matthew and Linus joined Linda, Alex, and Johanna at the zoo. Linus fed a giraffe!!! Linda and Alex took these photos.

Sick Ward

Linus is sick; sicker than he's ever been in his short life. Poor kid. So I'm busy looking after him and trying to comfort him. I'm trying to get him to take more liquids, but he is refusing. He won't take ice chips, Pedialyte, water from my glass or a sippy cup, milk, and not much formula in the last 24 hours. He isn't eating much either, although I did get him to finally finish 4 ounces of applesauce. He isn't listless and his fever isn't at 104 degrees, so the clinic said we didn't need to bring him in unless we felt we needed to for peace of mind. It is rather stressful monitoring a baby's illness.

First Museum Visit

I took Linus to the Fox Cities Children's Museum in Appleton this morning. The woman at the front desk cautioned me that I may feel we weren't getting our money's worth since the museum was geared more for older youngsters. I thanked her for warning me but said it was okay because we were looking for something new to do to get out of the house. Plus, I knew Linus would enjoy being around kids. He had a very fun time playing with toy pizza in the kid store, a real stethoscope in the doll hospital, bean bags and fabric blocks in the Happy Baby Garden, as well as watching all of the children running around. He lasted an hour and a half. Then we went to a nearby coffee shop for a snack before heading home. While we were snacking, he liked interacting with a young woman who was studying at the table closest to us. She played peekaboo with him behind her papers. And when he bobbed his head to the music that was playing, she joined him.

Linguaphile

Linus hasn't said anything in English yet, but maybe he is researching languages to decide which he would like to speak.

We had a fun playdate yesterday here at our house. Johanna had a pink barrette in her hair that Linus tried to pull out. I explained to him that it was a hair pretty and I felt a bit sad that boys don't typically wear barrettes. If he wants to, maybe he can borrow some from Johanna. Baby James has very sweet curls and doesn't need any hair accessories.

Linus had a rough day of teething yesterday. Having guests helped keep him distracted. He didn't sleep so well Sunday and Monday, but he slept for over 12 hours last night and woke up very chipper this morning. But, alas; still no tooth!

As an aside, someone wrote a guest column in our local paper complaining about Brit-speak getting into our language lately. Firstly, what do they mean by lately? We speak English, don't we? And that came from where?! Secondly, I love Brit-speak. I especially like the use of "whilst." The columnist complained specifically about the use of tarmac and centre. He said that it made users sound pretentious. I disagree.

Intuition

Yesterday my mother's intuition kicked into gear for the first time. I sensed that Linus was getting into something he shouldn't and sure enough, he was just beginning to get into the spider plant's potting soil. He hadn't even been quiet for very long, but something told me I should check on him. Or in this case, check on the plant.

Frog Friend

There were live frogs at the library story time today and Linus pet one. It was the coolest thing to see his curiosity as he intently watched them jump near him. When he reached out, I took his hand and helped him to gently touch a frog. A bit later he reached out and touched one with one finger. It was adorable!

He fell asleep on the way home and didn't wake up when I got him out of the car, which is unusual since it is cold out. He is napping right now with most of his snowsuit still on. He curled up when I put him in his crib, so I only got it unzipped and one sleeve and the hood off.

Linus is teething again today. He isn't fussy, but he is pulling on his ears, drooling, and chewing on his fingers.

Here are some tongue-sticking out pictures, as I know several blog readers like these kinds of photos.

Toddlerhood

Linus turns eleven months old on Saturday and is sliding rapidly into toddlerhood. He is getting into everything and sassed back at me for the first time yesterday. Yes, my sweet baby boy sassed at me. I'm still shocked. When he started getting into Matthew's cd's I told him "No," and he went at them again. I said "No," and as I started to get up he stood very stiffly, had an angry face, looked me straight in the eyes and hollered the baby talk version of "You're mean! I'm mad at you!" Then he switched gears and moved on to a new activity. Which was a good thing because I was struggling to hold back laughter and least he couldn't see me smile. What a sight: an angry Linus. I know not to take it personally, but I can't help but feel a little bad. That was another tiny step in his gaining his own identity and I'd better get used to it.

In other developmental news, Linus has begun learning how to use a spoon. After he's fed himself much of dinner with his hands, I put some food on the spoon and he grabs the spoon and shoves it into his mouth. Other interesting variations include him putting food on the spoon with his hand or grabbing the food off of the spoon and eating it. He also waved bye-bye to Mattthew yesterday and today. Babies' waves are so endearing. He danced to the sound of the washing machine chugging along and he has started to look at books on his own. In true Linus fashion he does not sit to do it, but squats down and turns the pages.

Exploration

Here is a picture from last week when it was warm enough to play outside. I still thought he needed a coat, but Matthew disagreed and just put Linus' hat and mittens on him. It sure did feel good to spend time outside. It was a nice break before more snow arrived.

I'm thinking maybe I should get Linus a passport since he was walking around this morning with a Greek phrase book. I have a travel calendar in the kitchen and it is making me feel the travel bug. Last month featured Tahiti. What a gorgeous place that would be to visit. I got a book at the library that says Tahitians love babies. I think that means we have go. Yeah, right. Fun to dream about, though.

Sledding

We got about 13 inches of snow the last couple of days. It actually looks like Wisconsin for a change. Although the snow makes for lots of shoveling and sloppy parking lots when running errands, it is kind of fun having so much snow. Our neighbor came over with his snow blower and cleared our sidewalk on Sunday and later brought over a sled for Linus to use. It is the one they used when their kids were little about 17 years ago. After work yesterday Matthew pulled Linus around the neighborhood. Linus wasn't too sure about it and kept his arms out the whole time. He didn't enjoy it, but he didn't cry either. Well, he did cry bloody murder when they came back into the house and I was gone on a short errand. Poor baby.

We ran to the store today to stock up on necessities like hot chocolate before the next storm comes. Linus smiled at a man who talked to him. He doesn't usually smile for guys. He really likes young women, especially the college students studying at Kavarna.

Walking Update Part 2

Linus has started walking more than cruising. Yesterday I was blown away by his walking across rooms and bypassing the furniture he usually uses for cruising. We played outside for a while and he walked around the deck without holding onto anything. He cracked me up this morning by following me around the kitchen as I swept. He is walking longer distances before grabbing onto something. I'd guess that he goes about 12 feet or so without grabbing onto a chair or me.

Mall Mice

We could hardly be labeled as Mall Rats since we rarely go there. We go to the mall only for specific purchases at particular stores. We don't hang out there on weekends or wander stores looking at things. Consumerism has a weak hold on us for the most part. But it turns out that the only place in Green Bay that would engrave something purchased elsewhere is Things Remembered in the mall. I wanted to get Linus' cup and spoon engraved with his name and birthdate. They were ready to be picked up so yesterday I took Linus to the mall for the first time.

He got new pajamas on clearance at Kohls and an outfit for his birthday party. On our way out I decided we should complete the experience with a snack in the food court. We shared a cinnamon sugar soft pretzel. The customer service was atrocious, but Linus liked the pretzel well enough and enjoyed people watching. I kept thinking the money would have been better spent on a biscotti at Kavarna.

For his birthday I got him his first button down shirt and a sweater vest. The dilema for me is that while I love sweater vests on Linus and Matthew, they have become trendy. When something becomes trendy, I begin to dislike it. I tried to push that aside as I made the purchase.

The mall wore Linus out completely. When we got home I changed his diaper and planned to take him for a walk. He had other plans. He napped for over two and a half hours! That is what the mall does to me, too!

Cabin Fever Reprieve

Thank heavens it has warmed up above freezing. Linus and I walked around the driveway on Monday. He held onto one of my fingers and walked around and around and around. He touched the dirty snow and picked up a leaf that he ended up bringing into the house.

Yesterday our play date was hosted by Sarah and baby James, the newest pair in our play group. Linus and Johanna had fun checking out James' toys and Linus got to pet their kitty, with my help.

When it warms up later we will go for a walk and play on the sunporch. It was warm enough out there yesterday to be out there with our sweaters on. It feels so good to be outside without the wind hurting our faces and lungs. It is amazing how warm 37 degrees feels after highs of 2.

Shaken, Not Stirred

Linus has adopted an empty hot chocolate container as his latest favorite toy. I put a ball in it and he walks around shaking it, stopping to pull the ball out and then putting it back in, and returning to shaking it.

A new madeup song we sing is:
Shakey, shakey, shakey;
Making music!

Shakey, shakey, shakey;
Making music!


Linus quickly picked up that when he shakes his little percussion instruments (bells, clackers, etc.) I dance and sing the Shakey Shakey song. Now he dances when he shakes most anything that rattles, such as his peek a blocks.

P.S. From this photo you may recognize that the coffee table now belongs to Linus.

My Little Valentine

Here is Linus making valentines for me with Matthew. Matthew says Linus was into creating 3-D art, so I got a few valentines that certainly didn't lie flat. They are the best! Linus has enjoyed playing with his valentines. He walks around with them and crinkkles them up a bit. Our neighbor gave Linus a little stuffed Snoopy with a fabric Valentine in one paw.

Poor little Linus is teething. He was up at 5 a.m. in tears and wouldn't go back to sleep for about an hour and a half. He fell asleep on top of Matthew while I showered. He's very fussy and clingy today. I'm plying him with teething rings and Tylenol. Oh, and of course lots of hugs and kisses.

My Sweetpea

Just look at this face! Is is any wonder that I would do anything for him? I more deeply understand why women wage peace and kill their abusive partners to protect their sons and daughters.

About two weeks ago Linus started dancing. Actually, the exact date was February 3, which Matthew has proclaimed "Dancing Celebration Day." He says we should celebrate it each year. Linus dances by bobbing up and down while bending at the knees. It is positively adorable. First he would dance to Oh Susannah as played by his busy box, then to the music played by the caterpillar ball drop toy, and now even to Matthew's singing. Last night he danced to music on the Higher Ground radio show, which is international soul music. After Linus went to bed, Matthew and I danced to it in the kitchen.

In addition, Linus has started initiating play with us. A couple of days ago he went behind the lace curtain in the living room and started playing peekaboo with me. Then he stayed behind the curtain, holding still, while I kept asking, "Where's Linus? Where's Linus." Then he laughed while remaining hid. What a silly goose. Another time we were on the floor playing and he walked around me and stood up against my back hiding from me. After I asked, "Where's Linus?" he peeked his head up over my left shoulder and giggled. I can see why people have multiple children so they can keep experiencing this.

Fangs?

I noticed yesterday that Linus has what appears to be two teeth getting ready to break through the gum. They are the top incisors. He'll have fangs!

Linus has gotten two Valentines in the mail, which is very sweet. I'll let him play with them tomorrow, along with the one I made for him.

It is very windy and cold here. Linus thinks that when my scarf is around my face I'm playing peekaboo with him. He pulls it down and then back up again while I say, "Where's mama? Here I am."

In other news, one of the houses across the street has sold and the other one is pending. What I want to know is if any new friends for Linus will be moving into the neighborhood.

Linus thinks his new humidifier is fun. The first few days we had it he would stick his face down where the air blows out.

I trimmed his hair last week, over his ears and in back. At the nape of his neck his hair was longer at the sides than in the middle and it was sticking out all over. I just evened it out. In this picture you can see his sweet neck. When Linus was born, Jean gave me a locket. I'm putting a lock of Linus' hair in one side and a photo in the other.

Blue Eyed Baby

Linus has started outgrowing some of his clothes that he has been wearing since fall so I dug out some of the next size clothes, including these great corduroy overalls. Matthew paired them with this blue shirt and the blue of Linus' eyes was really popping.

This same day Linus adopted an apple as the toy for the day. As he walked around the house with my finger in his left hand he had the apple in his right. He carries things around more now. Yesterday he was carrying around a page of the newspaper and shaking it as he went.

He's a real sweetheart and such a good kid. He's an easy and fun baby to have. He learns no pretty easily. He leaves the spider plant and Matthew's cds alone for the most part. He is giggly and snuggly and oh, so cute.

Colds, Again

We are on our fifth cold of the season. Which means Linus is halfway to having the average number of colds that babies get in their first two years of life. I think we keep catching viruses when we go in for my doctor appointments. It didn't help that Linus picked up another child's fabric book, carried it around a bit, and then when we gave it back the kid coughed heavily. So I'm blaming it on little Jacob, whose dad said he already had tubes in his ears and he was just over a year old.

It is still bitterly cold, but we can't hibernate. We went to the grocery store yesterday. Linus' favorite part appears to be the two aisles above which hang large pinatas. I tell him he can have one at a birthday party when he is older.

It sounds like tomorrow Barack Obama will announce his run for the presidency. I've decided to support him in the Democratic primary. Linus laughed when he saw him on his website. I guess I should show him Hillary, too, and see which he prefers.

Here is Linus napping with Winthrop-Linus'-Monkey serving as a crib bumper. The other napping pal is Floppy Dog.

Walking Adventures

If I'm in another room, Linus is apt to walk unassisted. I spy on him from around corners to see him navigate over books and around toys. He takes very slow, careful steps. He gets into trouble sometimes when he bends down to pick something up and then gets stuck in that position. He cries out and I pop out of my hiding place to help him stand back upright. He still falls around three times a day. I scoop him up and hold him close. Once he feels better, he is ready to try walking again.

If I'm nearby, he grabs my finger and off we go. The other day we were in the kitchen and I was trying to scrub part of the floor on my hands and knees. He walked over, reached out for my hand, and proceeded to walk into the other room, effectively pulling me from my Cinderella task. Worked out quite well, as I'd rather play and read with Linus than scrub a floor.

We met up with Pat at Kavarna yesterday and Linus took my hand and walked us behind the counter. Maybe he was looking for Linda. At this age, he knows no boundaries.

Even if he's walking by holding onto me, he does let go and walk on his own if he wants to get into something, like the trash.

In this photo Linus is looking at the book catalog we got at Butterfly Books. We took Linus there to redeem his gift card from Star and John. A Newbery Award winning author was there, Cynthia Kadohata, and he walked right up to her. The bookseller introduced him to her, so she now has the honor of being the first author Linus has met.

Recycling Assistant

Monday was recycling day and Linus offered to help out.

Linus likes walking around the house with one of my fingers in one hand and another object in the other hand. Some of his preferred objects include aquarium tubing, the monkey from his train, an orange ball, an ice cube tray, and the stuffed snow monkey. Picking up the house after he goes to bed is rather interesting. This morning I discovered some things I'd missed.

Brrrrrrrr

No story time today at the library. The schools are closed due to the dangerous wind chill factor and story time is cancelled when school is. Good thing I remembered that before we headed out. Yes, I was planning to take Linus out for story time. The high today is projected to be -2 with a very cold wind chill. We'd lay low at home, except I have an appointment this afternoon. I'll warm up the car before putting Linus in it and we'll bundle up. We're of hardy stock!

The power went out for an hour yesterday evening and the house dropped 6 degrees in that time. Linus thought it was pretty neat that we had candles lit around the downstairs. The living room did look nice with a soft glow of candlelight.

Peek-a-Boo

Here is a picture from last week when I was playing peek-a-boo over a box with Linus. He cracked up into a fit of giggles each time I popped up from my side of the box. Sometimes I'd stick up just an arm or a leg and call out, "Peek a boo!" and he'd burst into laughter. It was tricky taking this picture and getting it in focus.

Linus is taking more steps each day. He took quite a few steps in the basement yesterday. He really, really wanted to get to the stack of bubble wrap, so he let go of his spot and took off for it. He is cruising a lot and taking more independent steps, all to explore the wondrous things around him: calling card, cardboard tube from wrapping paper, frog bookmark, etc. He had a fit of giggles while swinging the cardboard tube around. He is having a blast each and every day. So am I.

First Ikebana Show

Last Friday Linus and I attended the Ikebana show at the Botanical Garden. Linus was a huge hit with the ladies there. They admired his rosy cheeks and oohed and aahed as he walked holding my hands. The grande dame of the show proclaimed that he loved her best.

Before we left the Garden, we took a bried walk outside. Here are Linus and Matthew posing in front of Linus' oak tree. This is the tree that made him laugh last summer when its leaves rustled in the wind.

Baby Steps

Linus slept in over an hour this morning. I think that is because he played so hard yesterday. He stood for much of the day. The only time he wasn't standing was when we read to him or were holding him. He was having a lot of fun exploring the living and dining rooms yesterday by cruising along furniture or scooting the high chair around.

Walking Update

Yesterday Linus walked on his own across part of our bedroom and today he walked at the libary. During story time he started walking toward the librarian and during the play time portion he walked to the toys. I know he walked in the living room this afternoon, but I wasn't there to see it. I was doing a bit of laundry and came back to find him in a place to which he could not have cruised. Hooray for mobility! He is a lot less fussy now that he can get around a bit on his own.

Linus has also started clapping his hands. During story time he clapped after each clapping activity, but not during. Very cute. He is also more verbal. He talks to his toys and us.

Here he is cruising with the high chair.

Assisted Walking Device

AKA: high chair. I was copying some recipes down while Linus played near me in the kitchen. The next thing I knew, he was cruising around the downstairs by pushing the high chair. He was persistent at getting out of stuck positions, such as running into a chair, until he realized I was watching him. Then he whined for me to help him. I'll post a picture of it soon.

We only have a couple more months of formula and bottles. I need to remember to give him a sippy cup more often so he gets better at drinking from it. I'll miss the bottle snuggle time.

Trumpet Call: First Steps!!

Yesterday Linus took four steps without holding onto anything. I was walking him around Kristin's kitchen when he let go of my hands and stood in one spot. Then he took one step forward. Kristin held out her fingers for him and he took three more steps toward her. It was so exciting and such a big moment that I cried. I'm glad Kristin got to see his big walking debut. That is something that should be witnessed by more than just me. Linus took one step last Saturday, so I knew it was only a matter of time.

Linus is in a needing-mama phase. In this picture, he is refusing to take a nap. Instead, he is cruising around the inside perimeter of the crib while blubbering, "Mamamamamamamamama," in a mournful voice. Last night our neighbors were over for a bit and Linus hid behind me, held onto my legs, and peered around to watch them. Little ones are so tough and resilient, while being vulnerable at the same time.

Snow Baby

We got a fair bit of snow on Sunday. After we were done shoveling we took Linus out into it. He wasn't so sure of it at first, but by the time we brought him in, he had a big smile on his face.

I'm very excited to have signed Linus up for his very first reading program at the library. My sisters and I participated in a number of reading programs when we were kids and I was so excited when the librarian announced the program at the end of story time yesterday. For signing up, Linus got a Cat in the Hat bookmark. I had to pledge how many books we would read to him. I pledged to read 60 by early March, but by the end of yesterday we had already read 18 books to him (we read Old Hat, New Hat 9 times!), so our pledge won't be difficult to fulfill. He has a great attention span for books. I stopped reading to him on the floor this morning because my leg was falling asleep. He got grumpy and went right back to the stack of books. So I altered my position and read two more books.

He has started squealing with excitement at people and things. The only person who has been worthy of a squeal so far was Johanna. There is a bear in his Dirt is Delightful book and he gives little squeals for him.

Newfound Independence

Since yesterday Linus has been feeding himself his bottles. He has shown little interest in holding the bottle up until now. Instead, he held onto my thumb with his whole hand. So he is cruising all over the place, figured out that if he pulls knobs drawers open, and feeds himself bottles. What next? Posting to the blog himself?

This goofy picture shows him wearing some new pajamas I got for him. They fit snugly, which they are supposed to do so they don't catch fire (huh?), but the neckline gapes oddly. I said that orphans in Russia have better pajamas than that. I won't buy that brand again. They kind of fit like a leotard. Maybe he'll tackle ballet this weekend!

First Shoes!!!!

Linus got his first pair of shoes on Tuesday and wore them all day yesterday. We got him Stride Rite Groov'n Stage 3's and the shoe box is so small and cute. I'm still getting used to seeing his feet in shoes. His footfalls sound different as we walk around and around together. He cruises anywhere he can. He falls sometimes trying to go between furniture that is a little bit too far away.

A bad thing happened this morning. I accidentally pinched his fingers in a door. I had even checked where his hands were, but he moved one really fast. I still feel terrible about it. He's over it, of course. Right now he is cruising around my craft room and pulling postcards out of my postcard basket.

In this picture he is trying out his new shoes and playing with a contacts case that my eye doctor gave him. He was playing eye docter, because as you know, eye doctors wear shoes. :)

Baby-Proofing

We've been busy trying to make the house safer for Linus now that he is cruising around so well. He got from the chair in his room out to the hallway by cruising along the walls. Within the hour I was at the store buying a gate for the top of the stairs. Matthew installed it Sunday and yesterday Linus made it from his room to the gate. Good thing that is up. I'm starting to rearrange the kitchen so that dangerous things are in only a few drawers. The drawer latches are difficult to install and we want them in as few as we can get away with. He has so much fun finding new treasures in the kitchen cabinets. So many wondrous things to explore.

Teething Biscuit

Linus enjoyed his first teething biscuit last weekend. Enjoyed isn't a strong enough word to describe his experience. At first I didn't put a bib on him because I thought he wouldn't need one. Boy was I wrong! He was drooling teething biscuit goo all down his chin. It took him about 45 minutes to finish the thing and by the end, Matthew was in tears with laughter. Linus was dropping the gooey thing and anything he touched was slimed with it.

What Did You Find?!

I was walking Linus around and around the house when he stopped, bent over to look at the floor, then progressed to sitting and then lying down to get a closer look and taste. It was a bit of dried up banana from earlier in the morning. It was hilarious to see him go at it.

Last night Linus has lentils for the first time. He liked them okay. He also had graham cracker yesterday. He really loved that. He gobbled the piece up really quickly.

This morning he pulled a pot, lid, and colander out of the cupboard and played with them on the floor. He is seeming more like a toddler than an infant these days.

Cruising

Linus is getting more confident and competent with cruising. He does a great job in the kitchen cruising from the Graco Entertainer to the chair to the highchair (note to self: do not leave the highchair tray on the chair or baby will fall when he grabs it). In this photo he is using his bedroom wall to cruise toward the closet, which we now keep closed.

He has been rather verbal this week. He jabbers to himself, toys, and us. I love to hear his voice.

Gobble, Gobble, Nibble, Nibble

Munch, munch, scrunch! That is the final line from Linus' Dinosaur Roar book. After I say, "Scrunch," I gobble him up. Linus has us read to him now. It started dramatically on Christmas day when he pulled a book off of his shelf and sat down with it and waited for me to read it to him. That had never happened before. His favorites are two books that have pages that slide out to reveal either birds or insects. We've been reading them over, and over, and over again. He also likes a book about babies getting ready for bed. He sometimes licks their faces.

9 Month Well Baby Check Up

Linus is healthy and happy at nine months. Here he is this morning just before we left for his check-up. Doesn't he look dapper in his sweater vest? He'd just finished his breakfast of Cheerios, banana, and yogurt.

Since his six-month visit he gained nearly two pounds and grew two inches. He weighs 19 pounds, 13 ounces and is nearly 30 inches tall. He is in the 90th percentile for height and 50th for weight. We thought he had gained more weight than that. He certainly feels heavier. Dr. Gast says it is time for Linus to get his first pair of shoes. That's a big milestone! I wonder what he'll think of them. Dr. Gast also says we can try feeding Linus eggs. I suspect he'll like them because he is good about trying new foods and liking them. He still isn't a fan of green beans, although he didn't feel well the last time I gave them to him.

Playing in the Bathroom

Linus is enjoying the new bath toys he received for Christmas, including a squirting fish. Linus likes chewing on it and Matthew has fun squirting Linus with it. Our little one still won't sit in the tub. He insists on standing and walking from the front to the back. At the front he plays with the faucet and at the back he plays with the frog that suctions to the tub to hold his toys. It takes both me and Matthew to bathe him; one to keep Linus from falling and one to wash him.

Linus' newest morning activity is standing at the tub, holding onto the side, and peeking around the shower curtain at Matthew, who is showering. He also likes flushing the toilet now and then (not when Matthew is showering). A couple of times he has played with the toilet paper, but fortunately, that isn't much of a draw for him. Yet.

These Feet Are Made for Walking

As you can see from the photos, we have no snow and the grass is green. If I'd planted crocuses, they'd be poking their heads out of the ground. We are having highs in the 40's this week. Since it was relatively warm out, Matthew took Linus to help turn the compost on Monday afternoon. This was the first time Linus got to "walk" outside. He was grinning from ear to ear.

Linus is standing more without holding onto anything. This morning I was walking him around the downstairs and he stopped at the bag of paper recycling, let go of me, and pulled a few things out. He even shook some cardboard around and didn't fall down.

Happy New Year!

Linus wasn't feeling well, but was a good sport and briefly wore the party hat to humor us. He was suffering from a cold and was also teething. If I touched his upper gum, he cried. I thought for sure he'd wake up on New Year's Day with a tooth, but none in sight yet. He was only slightly interested in chewing on the chilled teething ring or washcloth. Distracting him with walking around didn't work. We finally resorted to Tylenol and that eased his discomfort; ours as well, since his crying was getting to us. Poor kiddo.