7
Turtle has passed the seven month mark! And even though I haven’t been posting much (has it really been a whole month?), he’s been getting himself into plenty of post-worthy, photogenic adventures.
New coordination is making all sorts of new games possible. He’s pretty good at “out”–as in taking toys out of baskets and boxes, inspecting them, and dropping them just out of reach on the floor. He hasn’t figured out in quite yet, though. He’s figured out that rattles make more noise when they move, and that all sorts of toys can be banged on the high chair tray. His noises have evolved from lots of long “ahs” into a string of babbles and gurgles and raspberries. We’ve been playing with water, and he loves putting his hands in a stream as we pour or bringing the cup up to his lips to sip. It’s a messy process–we won’t be asking him to drink milk or juice from an open cup for some time–but it’s adorable to watch.
He’s also gotten much more mobile–turning my back on him his no longer an option. There’s no crawling–yet. Lots of spinning in circles on his belly and lots of scooting backwards, often until his backside is lost under a bed or couch or table. He really wants to go forward, though, and I am both excited for him as he learns this new skill and scared for our still-unbabyproofed house when he is able to move quickly and with intention.
The coordination and mobility are also a way for him to make his preferences known. He’ll flop into your lap while playing on the couch, or brush an offered toy away in favor of grabbing your hand when he wants to be held. He’s generally all smiles (still charming family, friends and strangers), but he now knows how to show his disapproval as well. And his grin is infectious. It comes out when he’s listening to music, when I’m singing him silly songs, when Christer flips him upside down, when we’re about to pick him up or when we re-emerge into his view.
Above is a picture from strawberry picking at the beginning of the month. Can you see the baby in the strawberries? The adventures into solids have taken a bit of a detour. For the first couple weeks Turtle was loving it–his little mouth opening eagerly for a spoon or a fistfull of food. Then about a week ago he lost interest entirely. Even with his favorites (still those first bananas, avacados and sweet potatos) we’re sometimes able to trick him into opening his mouth for a bite or two. But no more than that seems to be making it in. I’m not worried–he’s still a little chunk and nursing well–but I can’t help but be a bit frustrated when he turns his nose up at lovingly mashed veggies and then proceeds to chomp on my flip flops. Really, are peas that bad?
Turtle’s baptism was this month. It was a special day, just how I wanted it to be. It was a time to celebrate welcoming Turtle into my church, a caring community of characters that I am glad will be sharing their faith with him as he grows. And also it was a day to celebrate the rest of the community of adults who will be surrounding and teaching this little boy. My parents were able to make the drive up for the weekend, so there was lots of good grandma and grandpa time for the Turtle–also plenty of catching up for the adults and free babysitting for us parents! So many of my friends (including Christer) aren’t Christian, and yet I know that their values will be important in shaping his. So I was especially happy that many of our friends were able to share in the festivities, and to bring their varieties of beliefs and disbeliefs to the table to share with our son. And yes, that is an Oliver & S pattern that Turtle’s wearing on his special day. 
