It's the smile that keeps him out of trouble

Guitar Hero

Just hangin' out in my favorite guitar shirt made by "Aunt" Melissa!!

Diaper Duty

So, Alan and I take turns getting up at night to change Alex's diaper. He no longer eats at night, but the boy is a pee machine and around 2 in the morning, he wakes up with a very wet diaper. I try not to make him any more alert than necessary at 2 a.m., just doing the basics of changing. I leave the light off, I whisper to him if he jabbers, and I only use warm wipes. Generally, this works well and he ends up with a nice, dry diaper ready for several more hours of blissful sleep. The other night, however, I was extra tired. I went through the whole routine and put him back to bed, happy that I had completed my motherly duty (and thankful that the next night would be Alan's turn). When we woke up in the morning, I went to get Alex ready for the babysitter's. When I went to change his diaper, I was astonished that it was even halfway attached to his little butt. I had fastened the strips all haphazardly and the diaper hung off of him and would likely not have caught anything seeping from his little self. I think that this is all the more reason that Alan should take more of the 2 a.m. diaper duties--just so his little man will not have to endure such poor middle of the night mothering!

Seven Months and Still Bald and Beautiful!

At Papa's Lake

We got the beat

Anything that makes noise--the louder the better--is Alex's current passion, just like Daddy! The video at the bottom shows Alex's skills at playing the measuring cups.

Undercover

Alex has found a new passion . . . climbing into the bottom of his "Command Center". You would think he would find it much more interesting to explore all the toys located on the top of the toy, but he is much more mesmerized with being "inside" the toy. He figured out over the weekend that he could climb inside and it has been his favorite hideout ever since. I am pretty impressed with just how adept he is at climbing inside and out of it. Today, he even figured out how to back out all the while chewing on a teether! The kid has mad skills!!

But, the remote control still holds its allure and Alex will show just how fickle he is when he is faced with choosing the remote or the command center. No contest!

Tulsa Zoo Extravaganza!

We took Alex to the Tulsa Zoo when Alan's family was here in June. At the time, it was a bit disappointing as several of the exhibits were closed and the temperature was a bit too Midwest summer (ie: hot and humid)! This time, however, the temperature was perfect, the exhibits were all open including a super cool Rainforest Exhibit, and Alex was old enough to really start having fun.

Cousins in the Patch

Pumpkin Patch

Treasure Chest

So, Alex has been exploring his world for quite a while now. I have this basket of toys by the end of the couch. The basket is not filled to the brim, so from his vantage point, he does not see the toys within. The other day, he spotted a cord behind the basket and tried with all his brute strength to pull the basket out of the way so he could reach the coveted cord, never noticing the treasures that lay inside. Today, however, he decided to figure out what was inside. He had to pull each toy out, exam it, stick it in his mouth, and toss it to the side!

Bizarre New Toy

So, we have realized that there are some really bizarre toys out there. We have seen miniature ATM machines that require a "debit card" to give you money, life-size "babies" that cry and "wet" their diapers, and McDonald's cash registers that teach young minds how to ring up plastic containers of fries that would probably last the same amount of time as the real versions. But this toy that Alex loves drives his mommy crazy!

It is developmental and it rolls all around, encouraging him to chase it. It has a high pitched woman singing a song and beckoning my baby to "come and play with me. . . roll me!" It rolls all around the hardwoods in a schizophrenic nature and I am wondering if toys like this lead to ADHD in children. But, I am assured it is all developmental and Alex does seem to love the lights, music and singing. So, I will enjoy watching his excitement when he chases after it.

The lighting on this short video is very poor, but you can get an idea of the toy's nature from it! :)

Reading, sort of