Hanging With Daddy

Today is Daddy's first day back to scool. Fortunately, the two had some time together to celerate being guys. Daddy swears he did not intend to dress the same as Solomon in the lower right photo. You can't see it, but both have on khaki short and both of their navy t-shirts are baseball related - The Boy for the Mudhens and Daddy for some Japanese pennant race. In the Bengals gear shot, preparing to cheer on the team for the first Monday Night Football on ESPN, we also have the added bonus of the bulldozer. And it's orange! I'm not sure how to relate the unside-down game to sport, although I suppose it could be practice for gymnastics or diving

Family Fun

Grandpa and Grandma paid us a visit this weekend. Somehow, much of the time was spent with Grandpa and Mommy working on a special project for Solomon. I can't be letting the cat out of the bag, so to speak, so the reader will have to wait for the unveiling. The bad news is that it might take another month to finish the project.

While Granddad and Mommy virtually secluded themselves in the basement, Solomon loved his time with Grandma. They played with toys and even took a snuggle nap, which is quickly becoming a favorite way to hang with The Boy.

Speaking of The Boy, he's eating like a champ. So far we're just slurping down rice cereal. Well, that's not completely true. We went out to Bob Evans with Grandma and Grandpa and Solomon was so interested in our food that we let him have some grits. Grits are okay for babies, especially if one lives in The South. Which we don't, but who's checking? I'm convincing myself here.

Naps

As John and Paul said, "Please, don't wake me, no, don't shake me Leave me where I am - I'm only sleeping"

Mmmm...donuts

Well, no so much donuts as organic rice cereal for infants. But who would say “Mmmm…rice cereal?” Obviously, Solomon would. Solomon’s been telling us he’s ready for solids for about a week. The doctor cleared him for take-off and here are the results. We’re planning to teach Solomon some sign language, such as more, finished, drink, sleepy, and help. I’m thinking he won’t need the sign for “more”, he’ll just give us this face.

I'm Fine

Solomon was a trooper after his shots: a smidge fussy, slightly apathetic. In some ways, it’s an easy day, if one has the time to snuggle nap (Daddy duty, today). During diapy-free time he decided it was time to take the bandages off his injection sites. Then, because it’s his job, he immediately put the band-aid in his mouth. And just to remind us that he’s still The Boy, he gave a nice pose for the camera. Cheese.

Chillin' with Nany

Nany came over for the weekend to catch up on Solomon's feats. Or feets, given his knack for sticking them in his mouth or otherwise using them for entertainment. Solomon took full advantage of his new audience by displaying his bag of tricks, most of which include shoving something in his mouth or grabbing something we don't want him to grab (i.e. hair, jewelry, eyeglasses, tender skin on my neck). The Boy then talked Nany into a snuggle nap (hey, where'd that hour go?) while Mommy and Daddy sneaked off to see Little Miss Sunshine (highly recommended). Okay, we didn't actually sneak away, that would be cruel.

The Boy also wishes to pass along his news. Since Mommy's typing, she picks the first item to be the fact that he slept from 8:30pm until 7:30am WITH NO CRYING! There is a chance however, that this was at least partially brought on by the trauma of a bee sting during our evening walk. Daddy heard a fuss then saw the bee on Solomon's lip. At first we were unsure if Solomon was really stung, since he only cried for 15 seconds or so. Then his lip swelled so that he looked as if he had been in a brouhaha. No stinger was visible, so we just stuck a reusable ice cube on it. Solomon was so interested in sucking the cube that I could hardly keep it on the boo-boo. At this point, we're considering looking to arrange a bee sting every night as part of the sleep prep. Plus it was good practice for the shots The Boy endured at today's doctor visit. Solomon is healthy (duh), with his weight is dead center (17 pounds, 12 ounces). His height has slipped back down to the 25th percentile. That's okay, though, because Doug Flutie is only 5'6" and I don't believe for a second that Steve Nash is really 6'3".

Hello Mat

When we stopped by friend Natalie's house the other day, we saw that they had mats down on the patio. So we stole the idea. Now Solomon can roll around on the front porch. Well, he could have rolled around there before but it would have been cold, hard, and dirty. Solomon was playing with his usual toy, the Susan G Komen bracelet, when he dropped it on his face. Apparently this was not seen as an unwanted event, but rather just another way to play.

Gog and Magog

I know Nany had a pretty good idea what this posting would display, given the title. When I was a kid, we visited Greenfield Village, even though we lived in Buffalo at the time. I looked for a photo of me in front of the Gog and Magog clock, but didn't find one. Those photos must be at Nany's. Solomon insisted that we visit before the season pass runs out this weekend. As expected, he was thrilled by the outing. Or at least by the event of being carted around in the Bjorn for the afternoon.

Swing Low

We bought this bouncy swing at a garage sale maybe a month ago. Solomon wasn't able to use it right away because his balance wasn't so hot. While initially The Boy was apprehensive, it turned into a real hit within a minute. Now he can sit/jump for a spell while Mommy gets a chore done, or alternatively, sneaks a moment to play the Word Game of the Day on the Merriam Webster site. P.S. I am well aware that the previous posting was not as exciting as you had wished. Those are the breaks. One can't be marvelous all the time.

Zoolander

Did you see the movie? Solomon is giving the Zoolander look here. A future model, no doubt.

Good Times, Good Times

For Solomon's six-month birthday, we took him to the park. He didn't really know it from any other day, but we had a good time nonetheless. Solomon got to commit a little indecent exposure by the river. He was having such a good time on the walk in his Jeep that he refused to nap. It was Mommy and Daddy who paid the price for that later, but all was recovered in time for Mommy and Daddy to have a date. Solomon went to stay with Kelsey for a couple hours (who was also kind enough to take our picture) so that we could overspend on a couple steaks. And good steaks they were! Scott even broke down for some red meat (it was a special occasion). Mine was practically mooing. All in all, a banner day.

Open Mouth, Insert...

If you thought "foot," give yourself a kewpie doll. But you could have said "anything Solomon gets in his hand" and still have been right. For example, you could have said, "camera strap." Get close enough, and it could be your nose.

Clearly, The Boy is well-fed. In this shot, I think he looks like he's posing for Rubens. I mean, if Solomon were a girl.

Diapy-free time tends to be an opportunity for exploring new talents. Aside from the toe-sucking, Solomon practiced his rolling around. At one point he rolled himself into the grass. At first he was surprised and at least slightly interested in the new texture. Then he was pretty sure he hated it.

No Elephants

The Detroit Zoo sent its elephants to a California refuge because the pachyderms were so unhappy living at the zoo. It was a controversial decision. But that's why there are no elephants at the zoo. We learned this after our visit. Grace, Granny T, and Pops joined our family for the adventure. It was a hot day, so the animals were mostly taking it easy. The two exceptions were the penguins and the prairie dogs. Most of the times I've seen penguins at zoos, they just stand there, which is disappointing. Today there was a threesome swimming around in circles. The prairie dogs were digging holes like they were preparing for an air raid. Notice Grace and Solomon poking their heads out of the prairie dog simulation holes. The Detroit Zoo is vast. A bit too spread out if you ask me. Also, it's a lot nicer if one is interested in seeing lots of the Botanical Gardens kind of stuff. Apparently the lack of animal exhibits is part of their new philosophy on emphasizing rehabilitation for animals and not just showing off to the humans that track through. As you may have guessed, Solomon was grooving the whole scene. I'd like to think that he truly appreciates the zoo membership we got, but the truth is probably somewhere closer to The Boy just being happy to be carted about the out-of-doors where there are lots of things to see and smell. See him pleading with us not to leave?

Grace-ful Visitor

Cousin Grace came to visit with Granny T and Pops. Solomon showed her how to have a good time on the porch swing.

Rock N Roll

The last few days are a bit of a blur. For a while, it seemed as though he had forgotten how to get from tummy to back, which is the easier of the two directions. He has clearly remembered. The rolling also makes diapering and clothing changes a time to practice patience. You know the game at the fair in which one must guide a metal loop over a curved and twisting wire? Well, I think dressing a kicking, rolling infant might be the new game of skill on the midway. The kind in which you have no hope whatsoever of winning the humongous stuffed Scooby Doo. Solomon has discovered rolling as a mode of transportation. During this diapy-free session, Solomon found his way around the nursery, challenging Mommy to keep him on pee-proof surfaces and clear of hazards. You'll see Solomon has adopted a new toy. Never mind the rattles and animals, The Boy wants Mommy's breast cancer bracelet. As far as new tricks, Solomon has added a shrill squeal to his vocabulary. He doesn't seem to understand the concept of inside voice yet. Also, he's really into pinching. Owee!

Freaks and Hippies

Clearly, Mommy is the freak in this case. Even Solomon was starting to express his exasperation with this endeavor. It's just that making tie-dyes became a really fun project and perhaps I got carried away. At least it keeps me off the streets.