noodle legs

Yesterday morning, JQ and I bought a new couch. We were in the car when we bought it, so later that afternoon JQ went back with his truck and picked it up. It was a wet day with the snow that had fallen on Friday melting all around town. The entire couch was covered in plastic with the exception of the bottom. That was a huge flaw in protection because once we picked it up we wouldn't be able to put it back down without soaking the bottom.

I grabbed my end, JQ grabbed the other end, and we started our trek towards the front door. We only had a few dozen feet or so to go from the back of the truck to the house. That was a few dozen too many in wet weather.

I could not keep a good grip on the slippery wet plastic and about ten feet from the front door I had to squat down to keep from dropping my end on the sidewalk. Not a good idea. I steadied my grip but for the life of me could not stand back up. Try as I might my legs would not cooperate. I was in quite a predicament but could not stop laughing about it. I had no idea how I was going to get back into a standing position. Somehow, by sheer willpower I did manage to stand up and we got the couch into the house without it spilling onto the muddy grass.

I however, did not make it through unscathed. My legs felt like I had been doing walking lunges for hours around several football fields. Just walking down the steps yesterday hurt. Today, my quadriceps are still sore. I had no idea my muscles were so weak. Apparently I need to start working on goal number 2, pronto.

fuzzy

A month or so ago, my Mom mentioned that she wanted to buy Gideon a snowsuit for the impending winter weather. We had some difficulty finding one that we liked in his size and ended up with this really cute coat. Brown and fuzzy with little bear ears on the hood. It wasn't a snowsuit but it was adorable.

Gideon hated it.


Lucky for him it was way too big and had to be taken back. When we returned the coat we found a snowsuit that would be perfect. It it so soft and cozy looking, JQ wants one for his very own. It's absolutely hilarious. Gideon just lays there in it totally content. He's like a giant blue puffball.


I can't help but laugh a little every time we put him in it. That's okay, right?

growing up weeks 29, 30, & 31—a haiku series

Twenty-nine weeks gone
I missed the monkey picture
How could I forget?

30 weeks

Unable to stop
Calling Gideon "peanut"
The rabbit's old name

A big chatterbox
You and I talk all the time
Not just one-sided

31 weeks

We bought you a cup
The first shot of apple juice
Not so fond of it

first time with juice & sippy cup

6 months

Dear Gideon,

Just under three weeks ago you turned six months old. I know, I know...what the hell am I doing writing this three weeks later? The truth is, I just haven't found the time. You are so incredibly important to me that I want to spend every free minute I can hanging out with you. That—and your unwillingness to take nice long naps—puts a damper on my letter writing time.

26 weeks

27 weeks

28 weeks (with guest appearance by Hip O.)

A major growth spurt—both mentally & physically—has occurred for you over the past several weeks. Around 23 weeks, I started making a list of things you had experienced. Here are a few of the things we've seen and done with you:

Blowing raspberries (zerberts) on my arm sitting in the yard.
Blowing raspberries at me with your little tongue sticking out.
Just sticking out your tongue in general.
Grunting and screaming like Godzilla.
Understanding cause & effect (9.2) by trying to turn rainforest "tv" on.
Sitting up unassisted like a big guy.
Giving kisses—big, open-mouthed, drool-filled, on my cheek
Laughing uncontrollably.
Crawling! (week of 9.20)
Saying "mama"
"waving" goodbye

This is by no means a complete list. In reality it all happened several weeks ago and I just never got back to adding to it. You've done so much more. It's like you woke up one morning and thought to yourself, "I am really digging this world I live in and I think I'd like to explore every inch of it. Right.Now. You crawl and sit like a champ. If you're on the floor and you see something you want—look out—in approximately 15 seconds you'll be across the room and honing in on your target.

One thing in particular that you are fascinated by is the toe kick that separates the kitchen and the dining room. Something about the gold phillips head screws inset into the thick natural woods captivates you. I could wash an entire sink full of dishes with you sprawled out on your belly several feet away inspecting that minute architectural detail like it was lost treasure.

How did they get that screw in there?

This past month has been a whirlwind for you. We do so much exploring that the ordinary is becoming fascinating again to me. When you get mesmerized by a sight or sound that I've been desensitized too I ponder how that must be for you. To experience something—like the sound of water swishing in a bottle—for what might be the first conscious time in your life. It's very cool.

Getting a book.

Reading with Mommy.

You are really smart and have a personality that is often lacking in the world. You are nothing if not the cutest, most charming and well-behaved baby I have ever met. That seems to be the consensus. The ladies at Weight Watchers adore you and tell me on a weekly basis how fabulous you are. It never gets old. You flirt with your eyes and that is going to cause me much unrest in the future. I hope I'll be able to teach you to wink someday. That will really knock 'em dead.


Every day gets better with you. That's saying a lot since there has never really been a bad day with you. You've been a dream since day one and I love you more and more as the weeks and months go by. You are my little monkey. My peanut. My sweet potato. My Baby Gideon and I'm so glad you are in my life.

Love,
Mommy

Apple picking at MacQueens Orchard.

*This post is up at the baby blog too. You are not experiencing deja vu.

garden specimens—cockcumber

From our garden.
Any thoughts?
Questions?
Quips?

is this thing on?

Dear blog,
I know I've been neglecting you lately. And when I do visit? It's just for a quickie and never fulfilling anymore. It's not you it's me. I have a new life now and making time for more then a fleeting moment with you just isn't easy anymore.

I have so much to say but when I get a moment to write it all down...well, it's gone. Shall we take a look at what post gems you've been missing?

"Show us your boobs"—Half the content is no longer relevant and the rest just keeps growing.
Potty training book review—I really have to get this done.
Faux-cocktail book review—See above (These aren't sponsored posts. My only gain is a free book—and more work.)
Frank Caliendo live—He is a really little guy.
Blogger award from Shades—They like me. They really really like me.
Baby Genius—Are you kidding? Not one single comment? I thought Josh's commentary was great and I plan on making this & putting Gideon in it. Where is the love?

I'll be around soon. I promise. I've still got two weeks left before I have to be back to work.

Perhaps a picture will make up for it?

Love,
*pixie*

more stuff on my kid

I took this picture the other day and per Cruel Shoes request I'm sharing it with all of you. It was Gideon's 3 month birthday when I took it and when I showed it to Josh in the viewfinder of the camera he asked if it was supposed to be a party hat. Nope, just something to amuse me. For those of you that aren't sure, it's a coffee filter. Unbleached number 4 to be exact.