Working on a social life

Last week, Daddy and Graham had their first play date with Eric and Ethan DeVries. Graham seems to like other babies and isn't afraid to touch them (grab a facial appendage). It is interesting to see how Graham compares to other kids. Ethan has almost 3 months on Graham so he was more mobile than Graham. Graham likes dogs more than Ethan, so Ethan's dog was a little surprised that this new baby wasn't afraid to touch him. Our dog, Dakota, can empathize - she wishes Graham wouldn't touch her! Mommy and Graham are still having their weekly story time at the library. Graham likes the other babies and you can tell he would love to be able to somehow 'get' to the other babies.

We continue to try new vegetables. The first was carrots - those were okay. Next we moved to peas. He seemed to like peas. We just tried sweet potatoes. Those went over well too. All in all he seems to like to eat. We have to limit the first few servings of each veggie to make sure he doesn't have a reaction to it. Graham would prefer to eat as much as he wants, but doesn't get frustrated either.

Graham likes to stand more and more. He can pull/push himself up as long as he has something to hold on to and pull himself. He is a strong little guy.

Graham is working on sleeping better. He has really gotten better. We suspect he might be working on a tooth which might be interrupting his night. He is a busy guy so he needs the sleep but once he is up those eyes are wide and he checks out the world to see what is happening!

Grandma was in town to celebrate her birthday. It was a good chance for Graham to experience someone other than Mommy and Daddy to put him down for nap and bedtime. He wasn't phased by the change in routine and of course loved playing with Grandma. Everyone took a turn at feeding him his cereal or veggies including Uncle Greg. As long as you keep it coming, he doesn't care who feeds him. The bottle can be more of a challenge - he will pause to see what else is going on or assert his authority by pulling it out and putting it back in his mouth. He is a strong little guy!

Change is a constant

It has been another big week in Graham's life. He started showing increased interest in the dog. Chris decided it was time for Graham to find out what Dakota feels like. Dakota wasn't in agreement, but Chris held Graham so he could pet Dakota. Graham liked it, Dakota didn't. Dakota will position herself for you to pet her but if you grab Graham so he can pet her, she will shift herself away. Graham gets really excited when the opportunity arises. It doesn't matter that Dakota is 4 times his size.

The below zero temps kept Mommy and Graham homebound for a couple of days. Since we didn't have to take him out, we thought it was best to keep him in his warm home! When the highs finally reached the teens, Graham made a trip to Cost Cutters for haircut number two! It is a little shorter than the last cut, more of a little boy haircut. He did pretty well when the lady used the scissors, but once she turned on the clippers he whimpered and looked scared. Mommy and Daddy keep telling him how handsome he looks!

Graham ate his first vegetable - carrots! He did pretty well. The first few times we will give him a partial jar to make sure he isn't allergic. He might appreciate it so he doesn't get too much of a good thing! After several spoonfuls, he started making a face like they were bitter or tart.

I roll!

Hey everyone - I have been so busy lately. In the last update, Mommy told you that I had rolled from my back to my tummy. It is much harder than rolling from the tummy to my back, but I seem to have mastered it. Sunday I rolled from one wall to the other in the family room. Saturday I did two 360's and Mommy thought that was a big deal, but now I will roll as far as I can! Just last week, I started sitting up by myself. By the end of the week I could sit on my own for quite awhile! I know - I am BIG stuff!

Today Mommy and I went to baby story time at the library. We signed up for an 8 week session. We sing songs and a lady reads books, then we can socialize with the other babies. I really had to check it all out. So much to see and hear!

So that is the latest of what I do. I am still working on getting teeth but nothing yet. I chew anything I can get in my mouth and drool a lot. We have been traveling a lot. For Christmas, we went to Grandma's house in Sigourney. I got this tractor steering wheel thing - it makes lots of noise and I like to chew on it. The next week my great grandmother Beebe passed away so we went to Kansas City. I tried my best to make Grandpa feel better since he lost his mommy. I am sure that would be tough. I also spent some time at Nanny's house. Last week Uncle Brad and Aunt Lisa gave me a new cousin - Benjamin. I haven't met him yet. I hope we can play together soon. Daddy says he is just over half my size - I don't know how that impacts playing together. His fingers surely taste almost as good as my own - maybe he would let me chew them.

Well I gotta run (or roll!).

Love,

Graham

As Graham has told you, he is changing constantly. We can't believe how fast he has changed in just a couple of weeks. It is lots of fun but we are going to have to keep our eye on him. Baby proofing hasn't been a priority until now. Neither of his bouncy seats are suitable now. Laying on the playmat is pointless since he will just roll across the room. Graham is now wearing 9 month clothes. It makes me sad to put away his 6 month clothes. He is very observant - looking around when he is in a new place or turning to whatever sounds he hears. He doesn't miss much.