Closeup of first haircut

Followed by volumnous vomit at megan's dermatologist appointment

All Wrapped Up

Alex learning how to steer his bike

A fat lip, and balls at the Providence Children's Museum

Tantrums

Sweet Alex has decided he needs to be heard a bit more in the family, and the tantrums have begun. Often they involve his beloved tennis racket (found at the preschool garage sale, and purchased by Ben from piggy bank proceeds) - like when one of his parents want to take it away to wash hands.

Alex is saying more words every day - and is getting better at expressing himself. In the middle of the night, he'll clearly say "Up! Up!" (much to the dismay of his parents). When we rode the carosuol earlier this week, he was super excited at first, and then cried loudly "All done!" (said the same thing after a LONG bus ride to pick up Ben).

His latest word, is following any statement to him with "Why?" - it's gotten quite a reaction so far from the whole family.

Fall in the city

Ben and Alex playing at the Crissy Field beach

At the Playground

Alex with his own school gear

Alex liked Ben's school lunch box so much he needed his own. And clearly based on how much time he spends playing with all the zippers on Daddy's backpack he needed his own. In fact, on several occasions Jeff has found little presents from Alex in his backpack at work: toys, water bottles, etc.

Ben inflicted black eye

Finger painting

Go! Go!

Alex is getting into the swing of the morning preschool drop off routine and whenever he sees shoes being put on he yells, Go! Go! and gets his crocs so that he doesn't get left behind.

Meanwhile he is getting faster and faster, not running yet but really walking quickly enough to wonder where he's wandered sometimes.

He's also saying more and more words: Bubble, Cheese (also before photos), Truck (applied to trains, cars, and all moving vehicles, sounds like Tuck), Ahh-lex (alex).

He loves playing with the pretend birthday cake and he blows out the candle and puts the pieces in the oven.

New Photos in My Gallery

BEST of MN visit You've been invited to view an album on MobileMe Gallery. You can add to this album by mobile phone or email. Just send your photos or movies to: ohsuzannah-3fq9@post.me.com

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  Have fun on your further adventures in Minnesota and Wisconsin.  With love,  Grandma Zannah and Grandpa Chuck

Suzannah Martin

We'll catch the broken thread again and finish what we here began -- heaven will the mysteries explain and then -- oh, then, we'll understand.

Working in yard with grandma

Minnesota Summertime

We are back in Minnesota for some summer fun, and Alex's favorite part so far has been "Ga-Ga" - the word both for his tigers, any stuffed animal, and in this case, the resident dog Cundrie. Cundrie isn't sure about all the attention and has been known to sneak down to the basement.

We also think Alex's word for Ben is "BA!" usually shouted - and he also says "Ga-Goo" which is an imitation of thank you.

Alex has been experiencing a bit of separation anxiety and has really wanted mommy time both daytime and night - I think a new place combined with new independence skills has made the adjustment hard. But today he had a great time at the playground with Grandma Zannah and Grandpa Chuck while mommy went to hang out with her friend Saebra so all was good!

Walk in st. Paul

Stacking and Talking

Alex, with the walking now mastered, has moved onto other fun stuff!

Yesterday while playing with Daddy he stacked four little wooden blocks one on top of another. He's also got lots of words now, including:

- Agua
- Mama, Dada
- Patos (Zapatos)
- eeyougo (Here you Go)
- bye, bye
- truck (with vigorous pointing)
- duck
- cracker
- "mas" (more of a hand signal)

Locomoting!

Alex has been busy working on walking, and now in a matter of a couple of weeks, can manuever with speed. One day he worked on walking and turning - into the kitchen from the hallway was a favorite - and the next day, walking and getting started without having to hold onto something for support.

Walking!

A few days after his first birthday, Alex took his first 3 unassisted steps - and spent the rest of the day walking between Grandpa & Grandma Himan and Uncle Sly Dog - lurching into their arms SO excited.

Shoes!

One of your favorite things for months has been to crawl over to the closet with the shoes, and pull shoes in and out of the mesh drawers.

Today you took one of Ben's sandals, looked at it, and were very clearly trying to put it on your feet. I took some baby sandals that are still too big for you, and put them on, and walked you around by the hands around the living room. You giggled and giggled and were so pleased!

For the past few weeks all you have wanted to do is practice walking around, holding mommy or daddy's two hands (or other friends who come over, you just grab them and lead them where you want to go).

Stairs!

Alex has been interested in climbing up on Ben's stool for a couple of weeks. A couple of days ago, with Ben and I upstairs (without him!) Alex decided to take matters into his own hands. I heard a bit of rumpus downstairs and Alex had made it up a couple of stairs - and then promptly fell down. Today he climbed the entire flight of stairs, by himself, twice!

Heading toward walking

Alex (now 9 1/2 months) is REALLY interested in being up on his feet. We just got back from Minnesota and he wanted to spend most of the airport time being up on two feet, and "walking" around holding onto our hands. Today Daddy got him pushing Ben inside the red wagon, all the way down the hallway, and out onto the patio. So proud!

Alex is also waving "bye bye" a lot, and is really interested in books. Sleeping has been troublesome lately, though. He's waking up multiple times at night, and often won't go back to sleep without a fight. We just moved him into Ben's room (which Ben is super excited about) but we parents are exhausted. Hopefully there is a next chapter on the sleep front...

Communication

This week you were crawling around downstairs and playing while I was puttering about putting things away. All of a sudden I heard some thumping on the stairs - I walked over and you very clearly wanted to go up. "Do you want to take a nap?" I asked, and brought you upstairs, where you promptly feel asleep. Last night after dinner we were taking a bit of time and you crawled right into the bathroom and pulled yourself up to the bathtub, as if to insist, bathtime already people! I think these are your first steps at communication!

We've been doing a bit of baby signs and you always giggle when I say "All Done?" though it's a bit harder to confirm it's going through. 8 1/2 months already!

Making Sounds

You are now 8 months old and big changes have happened the past few weeks. You were really sick in Mexico over New Year's, but you're feeling better now and it shows.

Tonight as I was nursing you and rocking you to sleep you were pretty much asleep in my arms, and while I held you another minute you started making a clicking sound with your tounge, and then started babbling "da da go ga ahhhhh". You were happy with all the sounds coming out!

Today on the patio you also started pushing the big red wagon and taking little steps behind it. Watch out world - I'll be walking before you know it.

So proud