August 2006
In August, lest I become too complacent in my baby rearing, Alex gained mobility. No more convenience of changing the baby on the counter in the bathroom. No more leaving him for a moment, confident he will be where he was left. His crawl, which Dr. Sears describes as "Commando Crawl", Joanie describes as "Battle Crawl", and Grandma Barbara describes as "Jungle Crawl", means that both of us explore the ground together. As a result, I have calluses on my knees.
Joanie also advised that I don't let him walk around holding onto my fingers until it's absolutely necessary, to save on back aches. But it's so cute when he toddles after his big purple ball, kicking it along! Yeah, well, so I have an ache in my back, and bigger calluses on my knees. The next time she suggests something, I'll try taking it as advice from someone who's been here.
At any rate, Alex is starting to be really fun! His toys are starting to be more fun, too!
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August 2. For parental convenience, it was decided that we would accustom Alex to playing in this cage. (He slept fine in it on our vacation in June.) It doesn't work. He screams. Somehow, playing with toys on the carpet floor is different from playing with toys in a cage. Anyways, this is how Alex stands - using both hands and his mouth for balance. |
| August 6. Alex at the Wild Animal Park. Looking at a deer in the 'petting kraal'. We're not sure what he makes of it, but the deer did not give him great pleasure. He did like the park though - I think he likes looking at grandmas and grandpas. |
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August 6. Papa and I tsometimes have a discussion regarding suitable toys that goes something like this: Alex: <grunt, reach> Tara: <Hands object to Alex> Travis: I don't think that's a good idea for him to have. Tara: Then you take it from him. Travis: <Attempts extrication of object> Alex: <whine, scream> Travis: <Returns object to Alex> In this case, I had given Alex some of my rootbeer float, and he was so thrilled with the spoon, I let him hold it. This picture was taken after Travis tried confiscating the spoon, so Alex is still wary. Although Travis ceded this match, he stands firm on remote controls and telephones. |
| August 6. Alex has fallen asleep. Most pictures will show Papa pushing the stroller, for *we* have decided it is his job. If you notice, he still carries the backpack with the camera equipment. What am I carrying, you ask? Maybe my drink. People have been asking me if I've started teaching Alex sign language yet. Teaching babies standard sign language is, from what I can tell, the latest craze for mommies to do for their babies. Proponents claim that it enables babies to communicate what they want before they can articulate it. I had no idea before Alex that babies can let their mommies know exactly what they want by staring, reaching, and / or grunting / whining / fussing / screaming. "More water" you want? Let me teach you that sign. Stare at the tippy cup. Extend hands toward it. Grunt. You want the remote control? Let me teach you that sign. Stare at the remote control. Extend hands toward it. Grunt. Are you tired? Let me teach you that sign. Rub eyes. Suck thumb. Fuss. |
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August 10. Sometimes, I won't bother putting clothes on Alex when I'm about to feed him. Those days, I don't bother with a bib, either. Or particular neatness while feeding. Given such an attitude from Mommy, Alex takes advantage and has fun. It's my habit when I'm done feeding him to let him finger and play with the food receptacle - until he drops it on the floor (I move him into the kitchen area). Sometimes play time is short, others, longer. He decides. |
| August 22. Alex has emptied the contents of his sippy cup into the spots on his tray. And is taking some early bath-time play of splashing. We got some really interesting pictures of mid-air water (below). (They look more impressive at full size.) |
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 August 22. Alex and one of the cat toys. This is another object that some might see as questionable as to the appropriateness, but Alex enjoys it, the cat enjoys it, and he's always being watched while he's playing with it. (By me, in addition to his feline attendant.) As he enjoys playing with 'homemade' toys (this is a drawstring from a pair of flannel pajamas and a squeaky bath toy) just as much as more expensive, store-bought toys, you'd think I'd be able to resist buying ones from the store. Nope. |
| August 23. Alex watching Boohbah. Chewing on above-mentioned cat toy. As he likes the boohbah zone website, I thought he'd enjoy watching the show (he has shown some interest in tv - Farscape being a particular favorite). This was his first day watching it, and it seems to be a success. At this point though, I think I like it more. The Story People are my favorite. Alex is doing the exercises along with the boohbahs - open legs, close legs...  |
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August 26. Alex getting into a crawl position. He was just kidding though. We were waiting for the first hands-and-knees crawl... and waiting... and waiting... and it figures that when he finally does take a few steps, it's Papa who sees it, not me. (This wasn't until Sept 3.) |
| August 26. Another toy. Alex and Caira both like playing in, around, and with laundry baskets. Why buy expensive toys? We're not sure why Caira likes the baby so much - perhaps she thinks he's a toy? |
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August 26. The littlest ones reading the instruction manual that came with the baby gate at the top of the stairs. Autumn, by the way, commented on my setting Alex down in front of the television to watch Boohbah. "You're letting him watch TV this young?" She asked, somewhat appalled. Oh yeah. I'm going to remind her of this when she has an eight-month old. |
| August 30. Grandma Barbara came to visit us for the last week of August! Yeah! Did Grandma get to see his first crawling steps? Noooo. Did Grandma get to see the first teeth break through? Noooo. But I think she had fun and enjoyed him nonetheless. They played and played and played and played. Grandma taught him how to climb the stairs and pull up to standing on the couch.... |
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August 30. ... and how to make a mess while being fed. Not that Grandma's efforts were any less spectacular than some of mommy and papa's feedings of the Alex. |
| August 30. Alex in his new stroller. I would recommend anyone searching for a stroller to NOT test drive a BOB. Once you do, you really will not want anything else - at least not anything else that costs less. Travis had wanted a new stroller for 'jogging' since before his birthday, and we finally got around to getting one. You may notice the fluffy sheepskin seat Alex is on - this was custom made by Travis. Well, we bought the sheepskin at Ikea, and Travis cut it to make it fit the stroller straps. Before Travis came home, we had set Alex in the stroller on top of the sheepskin - and he hated it. We (Grandma and I) didn't mention this to Travis when he went and fitted it, or when Alex started crying when he was put in it. In a few minutes, Alex settled down, and he now tolerates the warming fur. |
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