bittersweet 11 mos

James is 11 months old today. He has learned to give hugs, where his
toes are, he is clapping, waving hello (more of a salute, but what can
I say), cruising, and today he stood alone for a good 2 seconds before
regaining his balance on thecoffee table . He loves the book "I like it
when" and choose a book out by himself at the bookstore yesterday
("That is not my dragon"). He still really loves music, and dances when
his favorite songs come on. He loves 'waltzingmathilda ', and is a big
fan of they might be giants. His favorite hobby is taking apart
anything that looks assembled, whether it be socks in a drawer, a block
tower, or simply toys that are put away. It is his current mission to
createdisarray wherever he goes. Like a miniature tornado. He is eating
several foods, though is still not totally convinced food is edible. He
is eating 2 small meals a day (more like tasting foods 2 times a day).
His current favorite is any fruit I am eating that I am willing to
share.

He likes the nanny and her daughter, they seem to get
along very well when I am here. He is not a happy camper when I am not,
and frankly neither am I. I am not answering the phone much, I know
several of our 'readers' have called. I probably won't for several
weeks, so e-mail me if something gets desperate. Anyways, here is a
picture of the jellybean from this morning showing off his cute little
chompers. And yes becs, he is modeling that shirt from that link I sent you. You know Lexie needs one. Ans yes everyone else, those are lots of electrical wires in the second picture. Our Darwinian approach to child-proofing is coming to an end though. The nanny insists ;o)

ok ok becs here it is!

So I have been a bit lax on the updates. It's been a pretty big week.
sandy (the nanny) and her daughter Dani have been coming for half days
all week. James seems to really like them, though hasn't really been
left alone yet (while awake). Tomorrow I have training stuff to do, so
it will be the first real time. I hope it will go well. Monday I start
full time. This weekend we are supposed to meet a few friends at theChildren's
Museum, and I am really looking forward to it. I am really just doing
anything at this point to forget I am going back on Monday.

So
here is a picture from this afternoon of the little diddle eating
watermelon. He likes to take his own bites (and yes, I ate most of it).
Our camera is broken (which is why the picture is all weird looking),
so we will be getting a new one soon. It's been a long time coming, it
was supposed to be for Joe for Christmas. Needless to say we don't take
large purchases lightly!

thanks uncle mark and aunt betsy!

We recieved a super cute new Hanna (one of my favorites!) outfit in the mail Saturday. Here are a few pictures of it in action!

auntie emily

My best friend from late high school and college (she was my roomate, the maid of honor in my wedding, and just all around a lovely person) has been in to visit this week. She just completed her MBA and is set to start working on Monday. She is also getting married this upcoming October in a vineyard, and James and I will both be in her wedding. James going up the aisle in a wagon. awwwww. Here is james with his 'favorite' auntie (well one of a select few favorites!)

us as taken by irene

here is a picture Irene just forwarded me of James and I at the park with her (and Amit of course!). James did not look to sure of her here, but warmed up to her over lunch!

arboretum

This morning James and I went and visited with Irene and Amit. It had been too long since I had seen them, I cannot believe Amit
is nearly 2 (and Lexie IS 2 for crying out loud). We lamented a bit
about internship, and how quickly it is approaching. After James woke
from a nap this afternoon we went over to the arboretum to hike (it is
a HUGE green space for being in the city--300 acres!). It was so much
fun! I am really enjoying our new neighborhood! The one picture is of the bonsai hutch, which I thought was gorgeous. And check out my little tree hugger in the last picture! He'll be climbing them in no time!

cruising

yikes! this is all going too fast! He attacked his toy cabinet from across the room (relishing taking out one toy at a time--this is his new game, whenever anything is 'cleaned up' he takes great pains to take it all apart again. I wonder why I bother putting things away at all!)

crawling

this picture is from June 1, within seconds of the first time James crawled! Somehow I forgot to post it a few days ago. He finally found the impetus to go forward--some seashells outside my Aunt Jill's house. He has also mastered pulling up, and has started cruising. My little baby is mobile, and he waited just long enough for us to move in (though our place is still a baby death trap).

visiting

Here are a few pictures from our recent visiting. James is respectively with Uncle Mark, the fish, my dad (Poppy) and my mom (Grammy). We had such a great time seeing everyone!

mother's milk

A friend of mine (Liz C) e-mailed this to me, and I thought it was too good not to share:


Students in an advanced Biology class were taking their
mid-term exam.

The last question was, "Name seven advantages of
Mothers Milk," worth 70 points or none at all.

One student who had also partied the night before, was
hard put to think of seven advantages.

He wrote:


1.) It is perfect formula for the child.
2.) It provides immunity against several diseases.
3.) It is always the right temperature.
4.) It is inexpensive.
5.) It bonds the child to mother, and vice versa.
6.) It is always available as needed.

And then, the student was stuck. Finally, in
desperation, just before the bell indicating the end of the

test rang, he wrote...

7.) It comes in such cute containers.

He got an A.