Blue Mounds State Park

We got back from a short 30 hr camping trip we took to SW Minnesota -- Blue Mounds State Park to be exact. The weather wasn't ideal, but wasn't all that bad either. We rented a tipi and mostly did a fair bit of hiking around the Sioux Quartzite outcropping and quarry that gives the park its name (apparently the red stone really looks blue from a distance).

S did pretty well on the trip and really enjoyed the opportunity to hone his rock climbing skills.

A few pics of the proof.

Unsafe at Any Speed

Our dear S, the joy of our gushy parental lives continues to engage our world at ever increasing speeds.  Over the past week or so, under the loving tutelage of his grandparents (all four, yay!) he has upgraded from the worm to a real, honest-to-goodness crawl.  His field of vision has greatly expanded and he now explicitly seeks out cat food, chocolate bars, small (now broken) carved stone frogs, containers of recycling, containers of mittens, containers of magazines, containers of plants, all other kinds of containers, cookbooks and brooms.  It's fun to watch.  We. Love. It.

Video, because it really did happen.  We're not sure who that awkward adult male voice in the video is... clearly not P, because he does not talk like that.

Progressing Like a Worm

Development of a small child is truly amazing to watch. Right now we're getting a firsthand look at how our little S works to understand the mechanics of crawling.  From the push-ups and "Cobra Pose" to the rocking back and forth on hands and knees, we've gotten to see a lot of techniques being tried out.  Recently the desire to have independent mobility has inspired S to do something C is calling "the worm."  It's not quite like the "worm dance," but you can maybe see the inspiration,  if you squint.

Mostly, for the family...

So, there are many updates we could/should be providing, but here is a brief update as to S's accomplishments of the day.  Lots of jumping, maybe even 30 minutes worth.  He took a nice long nap later that afternoon.

Food Progress

In the past month it is fairly clear that S is becoming more accomplished at eating solid foods and using sippy cups, but it's also painfully clear that his dad is slipping further and further into slightly embarrassing baby talk.

Well, this has been the year of updating electronics for us.  Recently P bought a "new" computer.  In my mind a new computer meant a nice new plastic or metal box all put together and ready to go, but of course P does things slightly different.  (And I appreciate his frugality, it means I can buy more clothes at thrift stores.)

He began by disassembling our current computer and selectively taking parts from an old box that had been collecting dust upstairs.  Of course, he had also purchased some updated hardware, and then this past Sunday evening he spent a few hours assembling our "new" computer on the living room floor.  It only took a few of hours, and voil la we have a new computer!  It works much better, is quieter and even has a little port where I can put the memory stick from our camera (which we also finally bought this past year).

...And thus, with this tidier port, I've recommitted to blogging every once in awhile.  Well, here is the latest video of our little guy.  Enjoy!

 Mr. Sockmonkey was introduced to S over 2.5 months ago and S took an immediate interest in him.  I use the word interest, not liking, because it took a little time to establish a trusting relationship.  However, now S lights up when he sees Mr. Sockmonkey and has a chance to soak him in saliva.  We trust the previous owners of this argyle sweater/sock washed it before transforming it into it's current form as a monkey.  This has the potential of developing into a long-term relationship.

This last picture was taken today and I'm amazed to see how much he has changed in 2.5 months.