Thunder Thighs

I realize that we should probably be careful about how frequently we refer to Saul's weight and size so that we don't give him a complex. But, before then, we must enjoy these pictures! Saul was wearing non-stretchy pants yesterday that were cutting in to his belly when he was sitting. So, we just took them off. And then he transitioned to playing in his exersaucer. I just couldn't resist the opportunity to get some fun pictures of his thick legs. Yes, I realize that he's building up for walking and growing. For now, though, those thick thighs are just super soft and ticklish.


Baby Einstein commercial.


Hmmm. Me thinks there's plenty of cream in his milk.


Heel, toe. Heel, toe.

Happy feet.

7 months old

Saul turned seven months old today. And, I finally charged the battery in my camera yesterday so I was able to capture his day. Below are some picture highlights of our day's activities.

A few notes first:

(1) He is officially pulling himself up now - at least on the activity cube. He started tentatively last week and after a day with Grammie Barbara and Grandpa Tom, he is now demonstrating his skills at every opportunity. Of course, we have to counterbalance the activity cube so that he doesn't pull it over on himself. And then I look around the living room at all of the other items that are risks to his safety. It's a good thing he still can't crawl! We have a little more time to prepare ourselves.

(2) Saul demonstrated a preference to the pages in color in Goodnight Moon. We've been reading it consistently since he was tiny. Now, he helps me turn the pages. But, he turns quickly past the black and white pages and then we stop and look at all that is going on on the pages that are in color. It's quite fascinating how this transition happened. Just two nights ago he started reaching out and touching elements of the page. The kittens, the fireplace, the red balloon. Oh, the learning process is amazing!

(3) Saul likes swings and swinging. We went to the park two days in a row. It's really blustery out, but it's so beautiful we endure the chill. And, he gets to laugh and giggle while swinging. Such a happy little guy we have!

Here are the pictures:

The birthday chair!

Saul slowly goes into the splits. Ouch.

Swinging is fun - I can't see my hands or feel my toes, but I laugh anyway!

'T' is for 'touching toes!

The full scene - lot of playing and lounging going on!

6-month stats - but no pics

Saul had his 6-month plus appointment last Monday, January 5. He weighed in at 19 lbs, 12 oz and was 27 1/2 inches long. His head circumference only keeps getting bigger, though I don't recall the measurement.

Despite how sure I was that he would be in the 90th percent, his height was in the 73rd percentile and his weight in about the 75th percentile. We don't have the exact weight percentile because the computer at the doctor's office only put him in at 19 lbs, 1 oz - that was the 68th percentile.

Most importantly, he's very healthy, happy and doing all the things he should be doing at this age. It's only a matter of time before he's crawling!

The Wheels are Turning

I really, really wish that others could have been witness to the Saul play I observed. Or I wish I'd thought to grab the video camera. The next series of pictures just doesn't do the scenario justice . . . .

Grandma Beth, Aaron's mom, gave Saul this cute little wooden rattle toy. It's cylindrical, with a head that pops out of either end when shaken - accompanied by a nice, not obnoxious wood clinking. The toy proved challenging to the little guy trying to slobber all over it. Gravity would cause a head to drop out the bottom, which Saul immediately recognized as slobber worthy. But, but the time he got the toy up to his mouth the head would be gone, but would have shifted and popped out the other end. He could see it happening! He still slobbered plenty on the toy, but you could tell that he knew that he wasn't chewing on the prize. So, he'd tried to grab ahold of the head as he raised it to his mouth, but by then it was so slobbery that it would just slide through his fingers as he would reach his mouth with the toy and the game starts over. Poor guy! I doubt Grandma Beth ever intended for this to be such the challenge. Despite the evening drawing to a close, Saul never whimpered, cried or otherwise indicated frustration. Those wheels in his head just kept turning and his determination was obvious. Hmmm . . . which side of the family is that from?

Christmas Morning with Saul

Santa was a little lame this year, but we figure it's the only year he/she can get away with it. We never did manage to get the tree in the house. We got a live tree and Aaron put it in the garage to dry out so we could bring it in last weekend. But, then the weather got nasty and it was slick and the tree is heavy and then there was a snow drift IN the garage. Then I decided that it would be cool to decorate it Christmas Eve, but then we didn't. By Christmas morning Aaron suggested that we could bring it in and, well, the motivation was gone. I just couldn't see putting that much effort into it when we would simply take it back down four days later. There are plenty of other things to spend time on this year.

To be even more lame, Saul only had one thing in his stocking from Santa and it was pre-owned, used, re-gifted, whatever you want to call it. In fact, he'd pre-slobbered it, though I guess this means that we knew he would like it! Michelle got the rubber giraffe (Sophie) for Claire (see picture below). Saul showed his affection by slobbering on it so much that Michelle just gave it to him. I'd planned to get him one for his stocking, but he just couldn't wait and then the weather got bad and I didn't get to the store in time. So, for the sake of it, we still placed Sophie the giraffe in the stocking, partly because it just looked so cute and I wanted a picture to prove that we did something. And, more importantly, I wanted a picture to show off Michelle's handiwork - she made the beautiful stocking just for Saul.

Then, Saul got his one big present, an activity cube. The plan is for Santa to leave presents unwrapped. The cute pajamas he's wearing are part of another tradition we're hoping to start - wearing Christmas pajamas all day. And he did wear them all day! I just made sure to change his diaper extra frequently to avoid any leakage.

Saul's First Christmas Eve

Saul's first Christmas is one we will remember for a number of reasons. First, it's his first Christmas. And, second, it's a real white Christmas. We had a low key couple of days, which is what we aimed for, but the weather made them even quieter. It just wasn't safe for Aaron's parents to come across town Christmas Eve, so we hung out with Michelle, Jeff, Claire and Ingmar and Krista. Here are a few Christmas Eve pics.

Unwrapping his first package.

Look! It's a soft elephant on wheels from Auntie Michelle!

Saul squirming on Krista Saul's lap (yes, Krista's last name is Saul).

Escaping the house

Yesterday was day 8 of "arctic blast 2008". We don't have television any longer, so we're counting on others for the appropriate name for this year's storm. All I know is that by yesterday we just needed to get out of the house and move. Fortunately, the strong east wind had died down and we were able to get out without worrying about causing Saul too much discomfort.

We packed him up in the hiking backpack, all bundled in his warm snow suit, and marched off to Jim & Patty's for coffee and a pig newton (modern version of pig-in-a-blanket). Jim and Patty are the original owners of Coffee People, a classic Portland coffee spot from before Starbuck's, and provide tasty coffee drinks and treats like coffee cake. After getting fully caffeinated and rested, we moved on to Marian's to drop off a little gift and the check for Saul's day care. As we were leaving Marian took these pictures:

And we then made our way to the local market for a few groceries and the walk back home. Saul did great! He talked, he kicked his heels, he rubbed my head and he took a nap. Then, the last three blocks he final cried and let us know that he was done. When I got him all unbundled and his diaper changed I found that his poor feet were red and colder than I would have liked, so he got a nice bath to warm him up. Maybe we should go do it all again today -- he slept six hours straight last night, the longest he's gone in weeks!