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.