Bloom and Sprout: February 2011

Chilly Hilly 2011

Paul and Will biked their first 33 mile Chilly Hilly today. The race definitely lived up to its name with rain, sleet, snow, wind and cold hill climbs. Will is likely the youngest rider in this event to do it under his own power. There were kids in Burley's and trailer bikes but none his age riding their own bike. When I picked him up at the ferry this afternoon he was beaming with pride.

But he also came home at the end of the day completely soaked to the bone. Now I'm left hoping he doesn't get sick!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbwhF_1xKY4&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Big Fish, Little Fish

I'd like to think that being born in water has given Jasper a special connection to it. I'll never forget both the relief and the joy I felt seeing his plump little body quietly surfacing to meet us.

A waterbaby!

And he has already spent a lot of time around water with his brother around. How many hours we've logged at the pool either swimming with Will or watching him in swim lessons. How much time we've spent at beaches, sailing Lake Union, or just simply enjoying the view.

We also have tried to go weekly to a warm water therapy pool nearby so he can stretch his little limbs in the warm waters. I opted to not do any infant swimming lessons both because the public pools here are awfully cold for baby (read: me) and because I could get more value for the money by using it on pool entrance fees at therapy pools insead of classes. Turns out I much prefer the flexibility to go whenever we can, stay for as long as we want, and progress at our own pace. The only thing I miss is the larger group of babies for songs and dancing.

I do see him really enjoying the water more fully than his brother at this age. The other day towards the end of an hour in the pool he stretched out on his back like a cat and backfloated while I just pulled him around the pool. This weekend we found him copying his big brother's jumps off the side by plopping off the edge of the pool after a "ready, set..." with a big grin on his face.

Biking Around Town

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJq27IGG9hU&feature=youtube_gdata_player

The Second Nine Months

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First Burley Ride

Spring is in the Air

Lefty

My mom says that I was actually born with my left thumb in my mouth. Jasper wasn't born with it in his mouth but he does prefer it. Here's to hoping that this guy is a lefty like his mama!

Going for a Walk

Jasper loves walking around with his wagon. He was driving us batty because he would walk across our tiny house with his wagon and then bang bang bang on the wall or cupboards when he couldn't continue forward. Getting out in parks and shopping centers has really helped because it gives him more space to just walk as long as he would like. And he just goes and goes! I'm amazed at how many laps he takes around the park while watching all the kids running around. He does draw some attention with his little red wagon too which feeds his pride as he walks along smiling and calling out, "Hiiiiiiiii!" to dogs and all his "other" admirers.

Another New Hat

Seriously, it is an addiction. This is the "Jane" hat from Ravelry. I modified it quite a bit to fit a baby but I loved the pattern and it is super warm with a double knit band!

Another Gained, Another Lost

Jasper finally cut his 4th tooth yesterday and Will lost the exact same tooth tonight! I held his little baby tooth in my hands, the exact one that I've consoled his brother with these many weeks. Such a profound moment.

Will does not tend to have much time between a "loose" tooth and a "lost" tooth. Pretty much the minute he discovers a wiggle in his tooth he works and works and works until it is out. He gave his tooth a mere eight hours and then he just pulled it out himself. But if there is a genetic marker for this type of behavior it doesn't come from me. I like to leave things alone but Paul is very surely a tooth puller.

Slim and Trim

Mr. Baby is in a long and lean phase in his growth. At his nine month check yesterday he bumped up to 90th percentile for height and down to 50th percentile for weight. He weighed in at a measly 21 pounds! No kidding, his doctor wrote down on my prescription pad for me to pick up her "How to Fatten Up Your Baby" handout! We think it is just a mere case of illness, teething pain, and growing taller. I bet he'll be back up on the charts in no time!