Six months old February 28, 2009

Someone I met asked me if I am proud of Ari for who he is or for what he does. Raises a good question: is he even an “is” yet? (Banish thoughts of Bubba.) He definitely has a spirit, a chen: he is full of gentle joy and a bubble of energy. But he isn’t self-aware, so is he an “is” or something else?

I enjoy what he does (sucking on pineapple, rolling over, pulling his Mission: Impossible move) but I don’t need any of that to be proud of him and love him.

So: his self is waiting, its essence is there (and I love it) but he hasn’t yet shaped it himself. I am delighted for his inner essence (what a kid!) but I know my love for him can only grow deeper as he learns himself, shapes himself, thinks for himself, and makes himself. Can’t wait to see who he decides to become.

He is off to a great start. Happy birthday, munchkin.

Portrait of the artist as a young man February 26, 2009

Or. Early training for his stint as an election observer.

Definitely our kid February 26, 2009

Loves pineapple

Toga! Toga! February 25, 2009

I used to have a yoga instructor who did toe-ga (yoga for the feet).

Ari and I have been doing short morning yoga sessions at home. He’s super into the yoga toe hold. (So into it in fact, that at times he tries to eat his own toes.)

Check out our little contortionist:

I love the last one. A total mess, but nearly as good as video.

Monday Morning/Holy Cuteness/Gear Recommendation February 23, 2009

Today I remembered this clamp-on seat, which was given to us when Ari was born. It completely resolved the Ari’s-too-big-to-sit-in-a-bouncy-seat-on-the-counter dilemma. So now the Meatball is keeping me company while I make coffee, check email, make peaches, etc.

After a whopping 10 minutes, there’s only one problem, though its not really a problem. Seems the seat is a gateway drug to throwing toys on the floor to have them picked up….

(Also, these are my favorite pajamas. I think they are hysterical and adorable and whenever they are clean, they are the first ones I grab.)

My Latest Obsession February 22, 2009

Le Petit Appetit in combination with Ball’s jars.

I’m not sure I expected to be quite the freak I’ve become about making baby food, but alas…

I think its a combination of my love of CSA delivery, the amazing produce available in Northern California (one MAJOR plus of living here), and the satisfaction of knowing I’m giving Ari the most nutritious food possible. I also find it as relaxing as I find baking, and a hell of a lot easier (and faster). Also, I like writing in Sharpie on tupperware (thank you Deb and Lola’s) so it satisfies that quirk (also my love of our Cuisinart hand blender). Lions and tigers and bears, oh my.

If you deduced that we have a freezer full of these little jars, you’d be correct.

Sitting up February 22, 2009

Its been building for awhile, but Ari is now officially sitting up on his own, with minimal wobbling (other than the sitting to tummy move, but that is intentional and while wobbly, not wobbling).

I realize I’m repeating myself, and everyone else, but its amazing how fast it all happens. He’s turning 6 months next week, and today I found myself thinking that we have only 35 more of the same increments before he goes to college (ALARMING).

Which reminds me something I’ve been meaning to say for awhile. Parenting is an amazing challenge to be present in the moment, in a great way. Its so easy to look forward to the next milestone (or think about all of the other things it would be nice to get done) and far more challenging to make the micro-decisions every day that put your family first (e.g. do I really need to Facebook or should we play– WE SHOULD PLAY!).

He’s Looking and Reaching February 12, 2009

Just wishin’ and hopin’ and thinkin’ and prayin’…

I jest. Shula asked me today what Ari is doing. Its a hard question for me to answer– I see small things every day that interest only me and Roy– and the big things as a result feel less big, and more like logical progressions.

That said, after she asked, I looked back at the Costa Rica pics and realized there is a definite Looking and Reaching theme going on. Check it out.

You may notice Ari’s reaching for beer a lot. While I am noting this as a warning sign, I would like to note that this beer is yellow and that he is attracted to all things yellow. Coincidence? Time will tell.

On worrying February 12, 2009

I’m quite sure I was outed as a worrier long long ago. While not in denial about it at all, I’m always reminded how bad it is in photos. Furrowed brows especially. As we all know, I have very expressive eyebrows.

One of the more interesting faces Ari makes (to me at least) is the same furrow.

See? Which leads me to wonder if my worrying was preordained, and more importantly, whether I can minimize it (in a death match of nurture over nature) in him. I hope so.

We’re Trying On Food February 2, 2009

And its really fun. Our pediatrician recommended waiting until six months, but this kid was ready at five. He was tracking everything we put in our mouths and grabbing at spoons. We are actually those people who make their own baby food, BUT I’ve accepted the advice of many other moms to use the jars to test allergies before making huge batches. So far? Yams (above), squash, applesauce, prunes (below), bananas and carrots (below below) have the all-clear.

It is taking every bit of self-control I can muster to not tell the prune story. Its gross, but I’ll blab in person without too much pressing (shocking I’m sure).

Think he likes it? Notice how he’s figuring out how to get increasingly messy?