Sitting Happy

This past week Sabien began sitting very confidently. It seemed to happen quickly, just as it did with his rolling over. Trying trying not quite not quite then very capable.

Within twenty minutes he went from not rolling over to rolling over quickly and constantly. Similarly, within a short window he went from ::wobble left, tip over right, wobble left, wobble right, tip over left:: to just sitting with the occasional backwards fall.

With both of the boys, the milestone of sitting brought big changes. Some physical discomfort dissipates as he can sit more comfortably and with a better view of his surroundings.

Sabien enjoys sitting with something to chew on and watching Wesley and me play on the floor. He can choose to lean over in order to reach something, and if he topples, he can roll over onto his tummy. In this way, he has much more control over his environment, and it's easy to see the development of his sense of agency. "If I roll, I bet I can reach that toy", etc.

While he's happy to scoot on the bed, he doesn't inchworm on the floor. For now, he's sitting pretty.

Finally, a warmer day. . .

* * *

5 months

Sabien is five months old...and he wishes he was a toddler. Not really, but he definitely wishes he could be in the mix with Wesley a little more. He would so love to play with those trucks and trains, though mostly for the sake of sucking on them. Sometimes he gets really mad that he can't suck on the ABC road (it is very brightly colored and looks inviting).

Sabien is generally a happy guy. He's full of squeals of delight anytime he sees one of us enter the room. He is in the phase of development where there is a fair amount of frustration at not being able to (or not allowed to) get into everything he thinks looks fun. His protests and demands have become louder, but he generally fusses rather than screams.

He often fusses constantly if Wesley is out of view. For the hour before Wes wakes in the morning, Sabien is not as happy, but once Wes appears he's all laughs and smiles. He really loves his brother.

Though I have no pictures of it, he also enjoys being outdoors. He loves going on walks, which is by far his preferred way to fall asleep and is often the only way I can get him to nap in the mornings.

He is an adept finger, thumb, and toe sucker. He's getting stronger at sitting up for as many as 10 or so seconds without toppling. He has some core strength to self correct his sitting wobbles. He can pull up holding our hands to a standing position and likes to stand a fair amount.

Sabien adores Wesley. He laughs hysterically when Wes jumps up and down or throws a ball or tells a story with great animation. Wesley enjoys the captive audience and will continue to repeat a behavior if it's getting a big laugh.

Wes can hardly wait for Sabien to join in rough and tumble play. He helps Sabien a lot, though he does not like it when Sabien grabs his toys, and boy is Sabien getting quick at grabbing things.

This boy is also ready to eat--coming up next month, buddy! He lets us know in sound and body language that he is ready to join the eating community. I think he'll love it.

Christmas 2012

Christmas was great fun this year. Wesley was a very sweet age for Christmas. He was excited for the presents, but not present crazy. He didn't "get" the idea of asking for gifts, but was excited that they kept appearing under the tree and looked forward to opening them.

On Christmas Eve morning we woke up and opened presents as a family, because we were going to grandparents' house for Christmas. We spent a leisurely morning opening gifts, reading new books, playing with new toys, etc. before going for a drive for nap.

Sabien loved opening gifts. As long as the item inside was soft, he was pretty handy in ripping the open the wrapping.

Helping little brother

Wesley enjoyed his new umbrella and slippers...

Spontaneous hand holding...

This is a great book, very informative

We tried to warn everyone against getting trucks for the boy with a million trucks, and then broke the rule ourselves. So, Wes got one new truck for Christmas. It is an amazing one. He was very focused on learning its many working parts.

Christmas morning we awoke and Santa had visited us, leaving stockings full of goodies, and a few presents, which we opened before going to Napa.

Highlights included a new golf club set and a magnifying glass...

New golf clubs

Christmas day was lovely and laid back. It was Grandma and Grandpa D and Oma. We opened many gifts and ate great food. 

Wesley was excited to get a big crane ("Cranky") to go with his train set. Grandma and Grandpa gave him many new traincars, so he enjoyed playing with them on Grandma's tracks (which used to be Casey & Uncle Jesse's).

A glimpse of the past month

Oh, so much has been going on. Before Christmas I wanted to bop in and highlight some of our previous fun...

The love of my life turned 30. He just keeps getting better and better, and I am so thankful for him. A great father and my special match.

We had a wonderful day celebrating and honoring the transition at his mom's house.

On his actual birthday we had a celebration at our local coffeeshop/restaurant. Many of our friends were able to join us. It was one of those evenings of merriment that had a special glow.

We also had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Wesley enjoyed playing peek-a-boo in the laundry basket.

And there was plenty of cuteness. Sabien lifted his head during tummy time...

The weather turned to winter. Wes got to splash in some puddles with his sword.

And there was everyday cuteness...

Godfather (& Liz)

Our dear friend Joel is Sabien's Godfather. He and his partner, Liz, recently came to visit. It was an awesome visit. They slept in our living room on our super deluxe air mattress. Wes would run out there every morning and chat them up. Sabien adored them. We had hours of fun adult talk time after the kids went to bed (back when Sabien was sleeping reliably after being put down). It was such a rejuvenating few days.

Liz was a skilled playmate and entertained Sabien while playing trains and puzzle atlas with Wes at the same time. Well done.

Wesley had his first round of putt putt golf during their visit. We needed four adults to comfortably manage both the kids while we all played. It went totally smoothly, though. Wesley LOVED all eighteen holes and couldn't get enough of it. Sabien was generally happy being passed around as we each took our shots.

We also went to Lagunitas Taproom. Here is Wesley asking Joel if he's ready for more beer. He enjoyed handing Joel the glasses from his sampler. He's such a little host. Or, a beer pusher some may say. It used to be impossible for guests to drink beer in our house without Wes coming by and tipping the bottom of their beer up into their mouth, or ordering them to drink. What a funny little guy.

It was a great visit. Every time Joel leaves we miss him a lot. He usually visits us when he's in California on work business. This time Liz flew down, too, and it was such a treat.

Did somebody say air mattress?

Tot School (28 months)

Here's a photo-heavy, word-poor glance at Wesley's work this week...

We cut and glued #16-20 to match our previous numbers...

We played with cards, sorting by suit and number...

Spelling words...

Began and did not finish (due to total melting when he accidentally cut into the "i"...giving up the nap is sometimes hard) our cutting and gluing ABCs in order...

geography puzzle with Liz

more thankfulness leaves

Wes had the playdough out constantly this week. I got out a spatula for him and he loved playing with it and the playdough.

Practical Life...

washing windows

dusting

prepping kale for soup

sweeping

Here's a look at how trucks come into most games, and a peek at melon scooper fun (this was the first day he played with it. what a hit it was!). I was unsure where the baby dump truck was, thus the alternate suggestion...

Check out the other posts at 1+1=1 Tot School.