Portrait of a father

Des is getting more and more intent on being mobile and, as such, he doesn't take kindly to sitting still for long periods of time anymore. So.... where Marc and I were able to attend choir practice together each Sunday evening, we now have to take turns staying home with Des. Last Sunday I went to choir and Marc stayed home. When I arrived back at the house I was greeted by a true portrait of a father: Marc changing a diaper, getting a bath ready, talking on the cell phone and he had pumpkin spit up all down his right arm and he wasn't even phased! I was impressed. =)

Like I said Des is focussed on being mobile. Marc has, again, appointed himself as personal trainer. A good portion of the day is spent with Des on the floor, enticing him with toys, or holding his hands helping him practice walking. The developmental lists for his age say that he should be protesting when we take toys away, he doesn't really care when we take toys away, he just moves on to something. *But* when we stop practicing walking he throws a fit! Its pretty amazing how much he loves to move around, but, as Marc said, he's always been a motion addict. And looking at his parents he will undoubtfully be an independent type. =)

It seems that this summer we have two gears: full throttle and full stop. This last week has been full stop. Other than helping Des with his perpetual motion we have been pretty laid back. We've even taken a couple naps. Our one project was to purge our "dump zone," that is, our desk. We can actually see the surface of it now. Pretty exciting for our little household. =)

A visit to the park.

This is how much Des likes to eat - He opens his mouth as wide as possible.

Trying to be mobile.

Family Reunion

Again I say "whew!" We are just back last night from a week long family reunion in Estes Park, Colorado. It was beautiful, fun and truly a joy to get reacquainted with my mom's family. It was also a touch exhausting dealing with an 8 month old in a small hotel room and cafeteria style eating (read: *very* messy, due to child continually looking this way and that at all the sights in the cafeteria and not focusing on eating). But we were patient with the spoon and consistent with naps and truly it was not bad considering what might have been. He slept through the night (10pm-5:30am) every night but the last and was very social to all the new folks that he met - although they were all very social with him so who wouldn't be smiley? He learned that if he popped his head up high enough he could see us over the edge of the pak 'n' play in the hotel room and know whether or not to go to sleep or ask for attention so Marc and I started 'hiding' and he did well enough.


He taught himself how to make a fish face.

Hangin' in the sun, watching the activites.

Happy Baby.

Whew!

Wow. This summer is already flying by with much to do and more to come!!!

We were VERY excited to have Nathan and Julie here for a total of 38 hours. We gave them the grand Wyoming treatment complete with exhaustive tour, drive toward Yellowstone to appreciate the scenery, trip to Buffalo Bill Historical Center and Marc taught Julie how to handle a firearm. Des was glad to have some more faces to charm and did his best to put his good foot forward.

Marc, Des and I then took a trip to help my mother wade through decades of memorabilia to organize and condense for the upcoming reunion. Des was an angel at night - every other time we've traveled *anywhere* he hasn't slept at night and this time he did 10pm to 5 or 6 am - much to my pleasant surprise. =) We went to the park for another swing adventure. He is doing his best not to crawl but can't help but turn and scoot a little when he gets distracted by toys. He has also been graduated to Cheerios! Took him awhile to get used to the texture but now he chomps down like a pro with his two teeth. He still makes a face at bread like substances but will now try them - before he was just spitting them out with a sort of "I'm going to vomit" look.

Marc was asked to give a recital this summer so that has been added to his daily schedule. He is also giving some private lessons to some of the students.


Practicing his new skill: sticking out his tongue.

Family photo at Shoshone Dam

"I like food!"