Chewing

While discussing the foods we give our babies, a friend of mine said, " Wait, you break Axel's 'O's into pieces?"

Well, yes, I was until then. Until about two weeks ago, Axel would gag on everything of size that I put in his mouth if it wasn't baby food texture. So, not enjoying the gagging, I had been breaking his Joe's 'O's into quarters. I decided maybe I was babying him a bit too much. So we moved up to halfs for a week. Axel proved himself a total animal when it comes to chewing. So, now we are onto full 'O's as well as bite sized pieces of bread and overcooked veggies. I even have him playing with his fork with little bits of cheese on it.

My very favorite is when Axel gets a piece on his face and has does not know it is there. We adults are so paranoid of food on our faces. He just sits there without a clue. It's really too cute for words.

Apparently, Axel thinks he is ready for big food. He enjoyed the mandarin peel quite a bit.

Of course, I had to fish a piece out of his mouth.

We Are So Thankful

There are many things I am thankful for this year, and every year. Family, friends, a home, employment, and all the other blessings I have. But, there is nothing I am more thankful for than my two boys. The two that I spend each day with. We laugh, we cry, we play, we share our lives. I cannot fathom being without these boys. They are my loves. Thank you, God, for my little family.

Happy Thanksgiving!

And He's Up

The other night, Axel and Ram were roughhousing on the bed and Axel just decided to hold onto daddy and stand up. Then, a few minutes later, I undressed Axel in preparation for his bath and made him sit down on the bathroom rug. I then turned to the tub to start the water, and when I turned back around, he was in the process of pulling himself onto his feet! I know these things happen with no warning, but I did not see this one coming at all.

Since then, everywhere he goes, Axel wants to stand up. I am now starting to understand what people mean when they say that their child is into everything. Thankfully, we have planned ahead and have very little stuff for him to get into. If I need to limit his access, I just close a couple of doors.

We have had many bumps already, with no sign of those letting up. Axel has yet to learn that it is easy to fall when you get distracted and let go of the couch, the tub or the rails. We may have a little adventurer on our hands.

Teeth

It has taken us so long to get any photos of those tiny little teeth. Axel now has four teeth, but has kept them hidden from the world until now. These two photos are the best we have been able to get. Each time we see an opportunity, the camera comes out, and Axel sealed his mouth shut. During a bit of fun, Axel finally lost his awareness of the camera. We got a couple good shots of the one upper that was really showing.

However, that was not good enough for us mean parents, so we forced a pose to show those teeth in all their glory.

Since then, the fourth one has come out and is now about the size of the upper tooth that you see in this photo.

Portland

On November 2, we took a five day trip to Portland. It was a nice time for the three of us to get away and enjoy one of our favorite cities. Ram and I were in Portland a little over a year ago while I was pregnant with Axel. In fact, it was the first place that I felt the tiny baby inside of me move around and kick me. I must admit, being pregnant made me quite a home body, so a trip out of town was difficult for me to fully enjoy. The fondest memory of the first trip was feeling that little kick inside. It was such a joy to walk around the city this time with my little baby on the outside, taking in all the sights with me.

Getting ready to go on our trip was a family affair. Axel really got into packing this time, literally. I was able to fit all of our clothes plus Axel's food in this one suit case. That was really nice, since I also had a stroller, car seat, and backpack. Any more than this and we would not have had such an easy time taking the train and then bus to our B&B.

Little Mister has grown quite attached to my necklace. Here he is reaching out of his nursing cover on the plane, looking for something to twiddle his fingers in.

So, we went to The Original, a new restaurant in Portland, that serves traditional favorites with a twist in a very modern setting. The calories displayed are astronomical, I am sure, but we had to give it a try. If you know Ram, you know he has to try a cheeseburger, if it offers something unique. This one did just that. Yes, this is a cheeseburger made with a glazed doughnut as the bun. Interesting combination of flavors, but strangely good. This was the first and the last one Ram ever eats.

Axel drinking out of the famous spring water fountains, many of which are spread throughout the city.

A spectacular Portland view from atop the aerial tram tower.

Getting ready to board the tram.

We love Portland for it's great public transportation and walkability. This time of year was so beautiful. There is so much nature in and around the city.

At a great brew house for our last lunch in Portland. Right after this photo, Axel slammed his moth right against the table, resulting in screaming and the need for me to walk him around for 10 minutes while dabbing the blood from his lip. Poor baby. this marked our first bad restaurant experience with him. Not bad that it took 8 months for it to happen.

Happy again with daddy.

We didn't get to spend a lot of time with Ram on this trip, as he was taking a bonsai workshop, but the time we did have with him was fun. After our last lunch, we walked to get a voodoo doughnut. We came across this bronze sculpture in a park along the way. Last time we were in Portland, I thought that the baby in my tummy would love to see this elephant-like creature some day.

Eight Months Old: part 2

Axel is 2/3 of a year old, and it's showing. In the last week, he has been crawling on his hands and knees, has a third tooth with the fourth on it's way and is getting into everything. Last night, while I was cooking dinner, I opened his cabinet in the kitchen so he could make a mess. That he did. After a couple of minutes of spacing out and not paying much attention, I looked over to find Axel in the cabinet, reaching for the last of it's contents stashed away in the very back.

Eight Months Old

This month has been a great month for us. Axel has been growing so much, I don't know where to begin. I decided early in the month that it was time for night nursings to come to an end. So, after a couple of nights of crying for an hour or so around 3 am, Axel learned that he can go back to sleep on his own. He has been doing it ever since. For the last 2 weeks, he has not been waking up in the middle of the night anymore. We now have a baby who, almost nightly, sleeps from 6:30 or 7 pm to 6:30 or 7:30 am! Quite amazing and quite enjoyable, I must say.

Axel has become so quick with his scooting. He goes everywhere he can. Toward the end of the month, he began crawling on all fours. He likes to go under his ottoman to find his toys. We set up a mirror so that he can see himself playing in the living room. He loves that little baby looking back at his. He smiles and shakes his head at him. He kisses that little baby and even sometimes tries to bump heads with him. It is so funny to watch.

Axel's favorite place lately has to be the front door. He love to crawl over there and just sit and watch. I think he is looking for cars driving by as well as just looking at the leaves on the bamboo. Sometimes, I get down on the floor with him and look out. What a different perspective: looking at the world from down there. We celebrated my 31st birthday in the middle of October. The family party was at my parents' house. I was so excited to get to pose for this family birthday photo! I will cherish it forever!

Halloween was fun. Axel has a little suit that my brother, Ben, and his girlfriend, Kiki, bought for him in China. We spent the evening at some friends' house with their little pumpkin. The babies were hilarious. They mostly just relaxed on the floor in their costumes.

Axel is such a joy! Now with three teeth and a fourth on it's way, he is looking so grown up. I just love my little boy.