Roly Poly

Evander started rolling over like a week ago (oh my gosh I am that awful mom who didn't manage to record anything regarding her second child!!! No wait, I can figure this out...Evander started rolling over last Thursday when Nana and Grandma came to visit, so that would be November 19th.) I've been trying to get a decent video of him doing it, but so far I've been unsuccessful, so instead you can watch this video and see him roll most of the way over.



So far he can only go one way, from his back to his stomach over his right side. He spends a lot of time working on getting himself over his left side but he just can't seem to manage that last little bit, that pulling his arm out from under himself bit, and I can't even express to you how intensely frustrated he is that he can't do it yet. Once he's on his stomach he's not particularly happy about the arrangement since he's not a huge fan of tummy time, but he hasn't even really attempted to roll from his stomach to his back yet. I suppose that's next!

Don't Worry

I happen to believe that there is nothing sweeter than the sound of a child singing. And of course my child singing is the sweetest sound of them all. I managed to start recording this video tonight without Sofie noticing (because if she had noticed there would be absolutely no singing and a whole lot of close-up shots of Sofie's nose pores!) Consequently there is absolutely nothing to watch, but just listen to my sweet girl singing.



As a side note, this song has never really been one of my favorites but we recently checked out a children's CD from our library by Elizabeth Mitchell called You Are My Little Bird and this is one of its tracks. I absolutely love the CD. This song, especially when a child's carefree voice sings it, has been such a message to me this week. Here we are entering another crazy holiday season and I know so many people who are deeply worried about so many things. I hope you'll all find a moment to join me as I work towards casting off my worries and embracing life's simple pleasures in their face.

Thomas the Train

Or, "the tain Thomas" as Sofie fondly refers to him, is a huge hit at our house. This little battery powered engine has provided Sofie with hours and hours of fun. Daddy bought Thomas for Sofie's birthday, and while the $20 price tag seemed a bit lofty at the time, Thomas has definitely earned his keep here. Thomas doesn't need a track, and loves to take excursions down the long hall outside our apartment. He is quite strong and is often successful at climbing over small obstacles or, as you'll see in the video, shoving them out of the way. He can also be pushed without stripping his mechanics. So, all in all an awesome toy for any well-loved kiddo on your Christmas list. Last night Daddy was feeling compelled to get in on the fun and set up some obstacle courses for Thomas to conquer as the kids looked on...



And here you can see that Evander is already well on his way to becoming a Thomas enthusiast as well...



Rah!

Three Months

Young man, you are three months old. I had completely forgotten how much three month olds totally ROCK until we somehow blinked a few too many times and found ourselves here at the three month mark. You are happy happy happy and oh so very happy to smile and coo at us whenever we've got a moment to devote to you and actually look you in the eye. Poor second child! As a condolence, though, you think Sofie is absolutely fascinating and you're only too pleased to grin away at her crazy antics. She's equally enthralled with you and reminds us often that you're her brother.

You are starting to enjoy the typical baby games, like So Big and Pat-a-Cake, and the not so typical ones, like practicing your jab on your sister, clapping and dancing around the living room with mom. You're still a huge fan of your toys, especially the bears above your changing table and Mr. Monkey. In fact, I think you talk to them almost as much as you talk to us. You've figured out that you have control over your hands, albeit very jerky control, and sometimes I find you practicing intently, holding your little fist steadily right in front of a bear's face. You are showing preference for your left hand (cool!) and have figured out how to bring both hands together, mainly for the purpose of slobbering all over them. You are still pretty interested in your thumb when you can manage to pop it into your mouth.

You are getting stronger every day and starting to enjoy tummy time for longer periods of time, especially if there's something interesting to look at. When you're on your back you crane your neck around and pull your body up onto your side. I imagine it won't be much longer before you accidentally flop yourself over.

This month I buzzed off your fuzzy little grandpa hairs, and while it was technically your first haircut there are no pictures because Daddy was oddly attached to them and refused to participate! I did, of course, pack away your peach fuzz for memory's sake. I think you look quite handsome without them, and while we're on the topic of looks, don't tell your sister, but I think you're much cuter than she was at your age!

Van Van, lately I've been working on finding a job, and since I'm hoping to be hired somewhere relatively soon we've been trying to get you familiar with a bottle. Despite our early successes you are now absolutely REFUSING that stinkin' thing. If you're in a good mood you'll patiently use your tongue to shove it out of your mouth over and over again until we grow tired of trying and leave you alone. If you're anxious to eat you just scream bloody murder. It's causing me a fair amount of anxiety, imagining how awful it might be to leave you for so long without your comfort, but it's also helping me take the rejection inherent in trying to find work in stride. How can I let anything upset me when someone like you, with your big smiley eyes, wants nothing more than to spend all your moments with me :)

For Grandma Debbie

Translation:

Mama: Ok, where is Grandma Debbie?

Sofie: Where is Grandma Debbie?

M: Yeah, where is she?

S: Uhhhhh, Ca, ca ca, ca ca, Colorado?

M: Yeah. How did she get there?

S: ...

M: How did she get to Colorado?

S: Up the airplane!

M: That's right! Did we take her to the airport?

S: Grandma, Grammie, Grandma Debbie's all gone up the airplane.

M: Yeah. She flew to Colorado. Did she fly to Colorado to see Lillian and Clayton?

S: Yeah.

M: Do you miss her?

S: Yeah.

M: Wish she would come visit soon?

S: Yeah.

M: Say, "I love you Grandma Debbie."

S: I love you!

M: Bye bye.

S: Bye bye.

How Sofie Learns

Here's Sofie's version of, "Why?"

What a crack-up!

Trick or Treat

Just wait 'til you see what we're cooking up for next year :)