Feeding Himself

Okay, so usually I put a bib on him.  An industrial-sized, sleeved bib.  But he decided today that he wasn't going to eat more than two bites at a sitting.  Earlier in the day I was turning myself inside-out, using all of my painfully-acquired mothering tricks to get him to eat maybe 10 bites.  This from the boy who usually devours two bowlfuls of food at a sitting before asking for more.  Was he going to starve?  No.  Was I completely perplexed?  Yes.

This pattern continued for most of the day.  I'd get him all ready - in his seat and bibbed - and he'd eat two or three bites before losing interest.

Now, usually, Asa is a neat eater.  At worst, he'll sneeze with a mouthful of zucchini... but usually the industrial bib is somewhat superfluous, a holdover from the days of fingers being as interesting as dinner.  So finally, I gave up.  For the two bites that he was going to eat, I figured, why bother with a bib?

Asa: 1.  Mummy: 0.

Wouldn't you know that he'd decide it was time to take things into his own hands?

Of course, the moment I turned on the camera, he stopped - the one above was the last of about a dozen grabbings-of-the-spoon.

Results?

Then he rubbed his eyes.  (Look closely at his right eyebrow.)

Other result: one happy baby, one proud mummy.  Oh, and one mid-afternoon bath.

A Little Love Affair

Between a boy and his Auntie.

Hi, Auntie Sarah!

A photo shoot? Be sure you get my good side.

Wait... where are you going?  You're not going away, are you?

But... but... I'm cute!  And I love you!

Mommy - help me out here.

Yay!  Hi, Auntie Sarah!

Happy, happy, happy.

(And I think Asa enjoyed it, too.)

Sleep Deprivation

Frequent nighttime wakings seem to be tooth related, as do super-short naps.  Not sure who's grumpier - him or us.  And then I saw this... better timing hath no comic.

Except the lullaby has different words when I sing it:
"Cut a tooooooooth, Cut a tooooooooth, so we can sleep, little baby..."

Monkey see, Monkey do.

I couldn't quite get them both doing this at the same time - you'll just have to imagine the two of them looking at each other and smacking their lips.  Super cute.

Drool Monster

Did I do that, Mummy?

Yummy denim fabric!

Eight Months

And he's getting so big.  Just blows us away.

It's hitting home in multiple ways, really - putting him in the cradle room during church services, rather than keeping him in the sanctuary with us, for instance.  

He loved the swings earlier in the day.  By the time we got back later with the camera, he was a little tired.  Usually, he spends the day smiling, chatting, and laughing spontaneously.  He's become so much more responsive - to us, to other children, to his grandparents on Skype.  He even said "Arrr!" to Granna, recovering from surgery and sporting an eye patch.  

And he's becoming mobile.  At the moment, his favorite direction appears to be backwards - he can get across the room in about 30 seconds.  

On the other hand, given Oliver's fondness for lying just out of reach, I think forward motion is not long in the future.  Of course, I've been saying that about his teeth for weeks, if not months, and there are still two white bumps on the bottom and one on top.  Same as there have been for three weeks.  Poor kid.

Early Morning Snuggle

So beautiful!

In other news, welcome Cousin Sofia!  We can't wait to meet you!