Walks like a man!

So the camera, and all of it's lovely pictures, is still in Wisconsin, keeping the dogs company, waiting to come home this weekend.  Which means...I still haven't looked thru most of our pics from the past 2 months to see which may be blog-worthy.  Perhaps by the time Arjen turns a year old, we'll have updated the summer blog. 

I do have a handy phone with video though, and I figure the video is almost more fun anyways!  This one is a little on the longer side, but Arjen shows off his fast improving walking skills with one of his new favorite toys, and busts-a-move at the end (at least to the trained eye).  Worth watching thru, if only for the smile he flashes towards the end.  :)

In other news, Arjen turned 10 months old a week ago Sunday, and the unofficial weigh-in at Gma & Gpa Anderson's house was 19 lbs (well, 18.5 one time, then 19.5 the other, so we averaged), and 28 3/4" tall.  The boy is getting big!  He's been home with Gma Eileen last week and this week while Shana and family are on vacation.  He is having a grand ol' time exploring the house, learning how to open all of the cupboards, take all the cd's/dvd's/books off shelves, and generally just having a good time.   Childproofing has officially begun....

Here come the tooth fairy and some walking shoes!

As a good friend pointed out, I've been slacking this past month.  I'm on vacation!  :)  At some point, I really do intend to get some photos from father's day at Rio Vista, 4th of July in Wisconsin, and some better quality pics from our current trip in Wisconsin up.  Until then, this little video and phone photos below will have to do! 

Arjen discovered grandma's cooler yesterday at the beach, and it has quickly become his favorite thing to play on/with in the living room.  I mean, the lid goes up and down, the handles go up and down, you can bang on it, stand at it, what more could a little guy ask for?!?  As he proudly demonstrated in the video, he has been wowing us for the past few days with his quickly diminishing fear over standing without holding on to anything.  He's even started to look ready to take a step or two, although, he hasn't quite figured out how to move his feet so he just starts into a free fall forward.  Fortunately, he usually only does this with either mom/dad or a piece of furniture just beyond his reach, and catches himself.  He has definitely mastered crawling, and is thoroughly entertained now by scurrying across the room to whatever it is we've said he can't play with, laughing all the while.  Oh boy....

In other news, his first tooth (teeth?) is coming!  It's in the stage of appearing one day, then disappearing the next, but you can definitely feel something sharp, and he has the drool to prove it.  It's the bottom right front tooth, and possibly the left one too. 

Other than that, no real big news.  He's been having fun playing with his cousins, watching their every move to try and learn how to be a big kid.  He loves pianos, and finds his way over to any piano within eyesight - big or small - and bangs on the keys.  Oh! He dances!  Doing my best to get it all on video, but I haven't been quick enough with the camera lately, so you'll just have to wait and see! 

Sorry for the quality (or lack of) with these, but they were quick and easy to load from the phone - clearer, bigger pics to come, maybe next month.  :)

Arjen loves crawling over to the piano and climbing up to reach the keys.  He knows what he's doing!

Enjoying a cool, rainy day at the beach

Playing in the super fun box that arrived from Great Aunt Susie (holding true to what they all say that at this age, kids are more interested in the box/packaging than what is in the box itself!)

Arjen knows what it means when we all sit down for a meal, and can't possibly be left out!  He got to try some mashed potatoes for the first time...if only the phone was fast enough to have caught him trying to stick his whole face in the bowl of potatoes!

Proudly sporting his John Deere onesie while playing with the farm

Enjoying a warm, sunny day at the beach!

Too interested in the shovels to pause for "say cheese!"

CRAWLING!!!

Here he goes! He's a little frustrated at the beginning because he's still working on the whole how-do-I-get-down-to-the-floor-when-I'm-standing thing...but he did it! He's also mastered the art of just sliding his knees forward when he has pants on (because yes, our summer weather today requires pants!).  Go Arjen Go!

Happy 9 months (and 2 days) Arjen!

This will be a short post pic/video wise - in the past month, we've celebrated Father's Day at Sherman Island (need to sort thru many pics!), and been to Wisconsin for the 4th (need to sort thru many pics!).  So, photos will be coming soon. 

In the past 2 days however, Arjen has learned a new skill!  HE IS CRAWLING!!!  Like really crawling.  The kid knows what he wants and is now mobile enough to more or less get there.  He's definitely still working on the walking thing too, and sometimes isn't quite sure which style of mobility to use to get where he wants, and this leads to baby frustration.  He's also taken to giggle fits lately, which are my absolute fave!!  Among his other silly baby tricks, he can make noise with his mouth on command - the kind of noise you make when you say "ahhh" and bat your hand on and off your mouth.  I'll be sure to post pics/videos when I a) get them, and b) have a little more time. 

For now, here's a little video of Arjen having too much fun with Aunty Shanny the other day!

Happy Father's Day!

Dear Dad,
I love you!  I really enjoy singing with you and playing the piano with you.  It's fun too when you serenade me with the guitar.  I especially like your singing when I'm taking a bath.  You read to me, play with me, and you know how much I love being outside! You really know how to make me smile. You are very special Dad, and I'm glad I have you as my Dad to help me grow up to be the best I can be! 

Love,
Arjen

 

Happy 8 months Arjen!

I know I sound like every other parent out there when I say this, but where has the time gone?  I can't believe we have an 8 month old son! 

Shana (the nanny/daycare provider) weighed Arjen for us last week, and he is officially heavier than his 6 month older new BFF Devi!  He weighed in at 16 lb 11oz.  We'll get an official measure next month at his 9 month check up.  He seems to be getting longer quickly as his 6-9 mo size pj's seem to already be getting too short! 

Arjen's current tricks:

• He's trying to decide whether he wants to crawl or walk
• when sitting, he's trying to transfer over onto his hands and knees, but can't quite figure out how to roll sideways over the one leg. 
• when standing, he's starting to reach for things that would require him to take a step, but he hasn't quite figured out how to take that step without losing balance
• He's enjoying the new eating thing...so far he's tried sweet potato, avocado, banana (probably the leading fave right now), squash (not a fan), broccoli (also gets the bitter yuck face), and oatmeal. 
• He's pretty self-sufficient with the bottle, but still needing help to tilt it back to get much out
• He really likes his car walker that Andrew proudly found for him - he's getting better each day about controlling where he wants to go
• And he's started sleeping on his stomach - at least when he's really pissed off...
• He really likes eating his toes
• He's a big fan of making raspberries with his mouth, and all sorts of noises.  Sometimes I think he's even blowing kisses (I especially think this as I drop him off at Shana's house in the mornings!)

Some photos and a couple of videos for your viewing pleasure!

having fun with his ATV

"Hanging around" with Gpa Dave

just looking cute!

sometimes we're not sure if it's what's on the spoon, or just the spoon itself that he really likes

just got this toy - after 1 time of watching me pull the yellow knob, he already knew to reach for it!

swing time in the backyard

best buds

Sweet Holy Moly!

The video speaks for itself...