Wiggleworms

Dexter had his first Wiggleworms class at Old Town School of Folk Music today. It is a music and movement class for 6 - 12 month olds. He really enjoyed it and often "sang along" to the delight of the teacher and the rest of the participants. Mommy and Daddy had fun too.

Dexter and the Professor

Professor Duck, that is.

Beating the Heat

After a week of 90+ degree weather, I decided to stop at Walgreens and pick up a kiddie pool for Dexter.

Literary Appetite

We've been reading to Dexter since the very beginning. When he first noticed the books, he wanted to eat them. Didn't matter what the story was, didn't matter what the pictures looked like, didn't matter what the book's texture was - it was going in his mouth. Last night, for the very first time, Dexter look at specific pictures in the book as I read it. He reached out to touch the pictures on the pages but didn't once try to eat it. Same thing tonight! Let's hope this is the beginning of his true literary appetite.

Walk a Mile in Daddy's Shoes

Not really walking. Not really a mile.

Good Karma

After learning about a family friend who suffered a stroke in Jamaica and needed medical transport back to the US that would not be covered by insurance, Dexter's cousin Riley (4 years old) held a fundraising bake sale during my sister and brother-in-law's yard sale last week. She raised $200! I created a link to the local newpaper article (scroll down to the left) that has a short article and picture. We are so proud of you, Riley.

Mission Accomplished

Even though Dexter had transitioned to his crib for nighttime sleeping long ago, we continued to use the swing for naps. Part of this was that it worked so well and part of it was that we hadn't established a real nap schedule for him, just put him in the swing when he looked tired. Well, a couple of months ago, we started establishing a nap schedule (one in the morning and one in the afternoon) and tried to put him in the crib but it was a miserable failure. We were concerned that Dexter would never get a nap and we would never get a break so we went back to the swing but at established nap times. Then we tried again to move him to crib for naps and he wasn't having any of it. Around this time, Madoka mentioned that she learned that babies experience even small transitions as big disruptions and Ben's sister, Steph, suggested we first move the swing next to his crib for a little bit. So that's what we did for a couple of weeks. Saturday, we finally made the final transition to "regular naps in the crib" and moved the swing into storage. Dexter didn't do much napping on Saturday (just a bunch of screaming), there were vehement nap-time protests on Sunday but he eventually fell asleep, and he only put up minor protests yesterday. Today, I am thrilled to say that he has gone down for both naps in his crib without a fuss and slept like a baby.

Encore Performance

At Rosemary's request...more drinking from a cup (in his Bootsy "Star Child" get-up)!

Father's Day Car Show

After giving Ben breakfast in bed, we went to the annual Fathers Day Car Show in Lyons.

Daddy Dressing Dexter

Pants don't go on head!!! Dexter didn't mind.

How Does Your Garden Grow?

Last year we so successful (with such little effort) at growing tomatoes that this year we also planted summer squash, peas, green onions, yellow onions, and all sorts of lettuce and greens. I planted everything 6" apart in rows 6" apart. The summer squash began growing fast and furious, encroaching on the peas with leaves stretching up the side of the house. When I looked at the directions on the packet of seeds, it said to plant them 36" apart. That's 3 feet! Nevertheless, both squash and peas are surviving and I've never seen HUGE squash. We had the peas in some tomato sauce the other night and I don't know how I'll ever eat non-fresh peas again. They were SO tasty!

The Many Faces of Dexter

At 6 months old, Dexter's repertoire of facial expressions seems to be growing exponentially. We had a lot of fun capturing a few in photos last weekend while he tried his first "bites" of peach (through a mesh contraption).

Li'l Gene Simmons

When did Dexter attend the Gene Simmons Tongue Training Camp?

The Joy of Sharing (Yogurt)

This Week

This week's new activities include:

* sticking out tongue and moving it around
* babbling
* rolling from back to belly
* scooching towards toys on belly

He also seems more interested in finding the tag on the toy than the toy itself. He'll play with the tag (move it in his fingers and mouth it) for extended periods of time.

Love Songs

When we first got My Bologna, a skinny, timid, former stray, we made up the following song (to the tune of, "Hey Good Lookin'," by Hank Williams Jr.):

Hey, My Bologna
Why you so bony?
Hows about beefin' up your butt with meat!

After Dexter's 6 month check-up, we came up with one for him (to the tune of, "16 Tons," first recorded by Merle Travis and made famous by Tennessee Ernie Ford):

2 foot 2 and a bucket of poo
Another day older and covered in goo.
Oh Dexter don't you wake up 'cause I gotta sleep,
If you start yer fussin' then I'm gonna weep.

Rowdy Rooster

Sometimes there's nothing more exciting than a rooster on your head.

Dexter Says, "Ma Ma"

My Bologna Can Also Say "Ma Ma"

Ma Ma!

It didn't matter to me that he was looking at My Bologna when he said it - today was the first day Dexter said, "Ma Ma"!!! And Ma Ma Ma Ma Ma Ma Ma. I managed to get it on video tonight but can't find the cable to upload it. Stay tuned!

Fashion Statement

As Madoka says, "Our guys' bodies weren't made for french fashion".

Riley on Stage

Cousin Riley has been busy lately! She was the Sun in the school play last week and has a dance recital this week.

Petting the Puppy

Coffee Lover

Drinking Problem

The doctor said we could now "introduce" Dexter to a cup of water. The first time I did this, I handed him the cup of water and he poured it down the front of himself. When I checked my notes from the doctor, it specified that I should hold the cup for him. That worked out much better.

6 Month Check-Up

Healthy as an 18lb 12oz horse.

Memories

I remember the first couple of months of breastfeeding - late into the night, exhausted, leaky, and literally counting the days until I planned on weaning at 6 months. It's been six months and I'm down to breastfeeding only in the morning and before bed (and if he wakes up in the middle of the night as he's still prone to do) and I don't want to give it up. During last night's middle-of-the-night feeding I couldn't stop thinking about how perfect everything felt at that moment. He's a good size for snuggling at the breast and he controls his head and knows what he's doing so I get to just enjoy the quiet, warm, together time we share. I am really going to miss these times and am thankful I'm conscious of how precious they are.

Rockasauraus Dex

More of the boys on the swing, enjoying a sunny Sunday afternoon.

Rockin' and Rollin'

Thanks to Sky (again), Dexter has some cool shades to protect his eyes (and enhance his reputation) on these sunny summer days. He couldn't have been cooler chillin' in his buggy on Sunday.

Wailing

Poor Dexy had had enough of his "car". We look forward to when he wails on his guitar rather than just wails...