Third Tooth Spotted

Not that we need to document every tooth as they break through, but #3 is interesting in that it continues the trend of bottom teeth. Still nothing on the top, despite prognostication from friends and family that have gone through this as well: all said the next 2 would be on the top.

You Say It's Your Birthday! It's My Birthday, Too! (kinda)

I am six months old today! Thank you to everyone who has given gifts, shared kind words and, especially, those willing to babysit me or hold me for 5 minutes while mommy and daddy eat. Special thanks to Great Auntie Meg, Great Uncle Joe, cousins Brian and Justin, Grandmom Lin and Grandpa Matt, Nana Ann, Aunties Claire and Sue and cousin Luke, and "Aunties" Sheryl and Elizabeth for their much apprecated and varied contributions to my well-being. I couldn't have done it without them. Of course, some credit to Mommy for the whole gestation and delivery...I've heard that can be quite a challenge. But, as they say, I'm worth it! Right? And Dad, for translating my baby-talk into missives for the blog.

Six months down, let's recap:
Born on due date, came pretty fast, born at 1:31pm, 7lb 4 oz, 21.5 inches, give or take.
Have flown twice, checked out the cultural attractions of our nation's capital, been to a Red Sox game, have two teeth, can roll from my back to my tummy, can sit up, can sleep through the night, I'm very cute, like to smile and people-watch, enjoy bathing, drooling and grabbing. I'm willing to put just about anything in my mouth. I've been on the T. I've risked life and limb going through the Big Dig tunnels (and Dad's driving). My blond lockes and blue eyes stop the girls in their tracks. Did I mention I'm cute? I've become a regular at Mommy's Monday night dinner. Have developed nicknames like Squiggles, Squiggiford, Nathanimal, Nate-dog, A-vast-yee-Natey, Miles of Smiles...Have been to pools, been bitten by a mosquito, been Baby-Bjourned and survived family gatherings.

I'm sure I've missed something, but, with six months under my belt, rest assured, I'll be doing more and more interesting things.

Thanks and Happy Half-of-a-Birthday to Me!

Parting Shots From Bethesda, MD

What a trip it was! A tooth made its first appearance, I slept in my new pack and play, Maggie didn't eat me, I swam (ok, well not quite, but I got wet wearing a bathing suit, that counts!) and I got to see lots of people that think I'm just so cute! And, I started sitting up...or at least being sat up by others and not toppling over (for the most part).

Can you spot Maggie's tail?

Surf's Up, Dude!

OK, so I'm not quite ready to do laps, but Mommy and I had some serious fun in the pool. So much fun, in fact, that we got a little pool for home to splash in as well.

Pool Time, Another First

Mommy, Grandmom and I hit the Y for some pool time to cool off one day. Interesting stuff, water...very easy to get it in my mouth...although it tastes kind of funny.

Is There Anything Cuter Than Grandparents and Grandchildren?

If we're talking degrees of cuteness, then yes, the answer is "pictures of me with grandparents."

Number "2th" With A Bullet

I have a second tooth poking through. Man, does it hurt! It makes me fussy, which in turn makes those around me fussy. Ah, the joys of raising me!

Dispatch From Bethesda...

Developmental Milestone...a first tooth spotted...lower right front...Nate also displaying greater ability to sit up by stabilizing himself...for the record, Dad said that Nate would be showing a tooth by time he returned...

Off To Bethesda, MD

Bethesda, MD? Sounds like a new medical drama on CBS. It's not, it's home to Grandmom and Grandpa, Maggie the dog and maybe a visit from Uncle Louis. I've had a busy few weeks, learning to roll over, jumping and bumping in my Jumperoo, going to my first Red Sox game, visiting Dad's office...I need a break, to get away from it all for a while and recharge my batteries for the rest of the summer.

Happy Fourth of July to one and all and in the words of the Guvernator of Khaliforniah, "I'll be back!"

Bjorn Free!

We went for a walk at World's End in Hingham, a peninsula comprised of two drumlins formed by glaciers tens of thousands of years ago. Dad knows that because he did a report on Eskers, Kettle Ponds and Drumlins in the 6th grade and he was able to find examples of each in the vicinity. Or so he claims--I take him with a grain of baby rice at this point. Anyway, Mommy and Daddy did the walking...I was snuggled into the Baby Bjorn, allowing Daddy to do all the work of carrying me around. Rumor has it that Bjorn Borg, the former tennis player, created this device to hold his extra tennis balls after he retired and became too old to bend down to pick them up after missing a return of service. As I approach 20 pounds, let me tell you, Daddy was pretty tired by the end of 3 or 4 mile walk. Me, I was well rested, visually stimulated and fairly cool, given how hot and sticky it has been since the Biblical proportion type rains ceased a week ago.

Hhhhhhmmmmm...Yummy (Semi)Solid Food

OK, so Mommy and Daddy are calling it solid food, but to me, it's liquid in a spoon. I like it, but it just isn't the same thing as nursing with Mommy...it lacks that human touch, if you know what I mean. Bye the way, that splotch on Daddy's arm is a birthmark. He keeps looking for one on me, but alas, since I decided to be born on my actual due date, there was no chance of being "well-done" like Daddy, who was three weeks late!!!

DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONE!!

Attention Mr and Mrs America and All The Ships At Sea...(insert sound of Morse code)...Nate had (semi)solid food for the first time on June 27, 2006. It was his way of celebrating his 5 month existence. With the introduction of solid food comes his latest piece of furniture--the high chair! At first he was less-than-thrilled to be sitting, confined and strapped-in, but once he got a taste of that formula and rice concoction babies around the world have come to love, he was a happy little guy. Coincidently, the bib hanging on Nate's neck also got solid food for the first time as well-Nate likes to share.

Alas, no pictures, as the battery of the ever-ready digital was not charged. We captured stills on a 35mm, but who develops film anymore, really...we might as well teach Nate to write on a slate and count beans on an Abacus.

This just in...

...Attention Mr and Mrs America and All The Ships At Sea...(insert sound of more Morse code)...second developmental milestone reached by Nate...he got a hold of the television remote and changed the channel from the Red Sox/Mets game to the WB Network. Oh the horror! While we are thrilled he can use the remote, we continue to pray that he is able to refine his clicker-wielding ability. We shudder to think what could happen if he fails at this most crucial task...stay tuned.

Fenway Park, "A Lyric Little Bandbox Of A Ballpark"

Noted author John Updike described Fenway Park thusly...I haven't a clue what he meant, but I had fun. Everybody continued to think I was just sooo cute, it was visually stimulating but really loud for my little ears to handle. I had a good time, slept through a six-run second inning rally that put the Nationals to sleep as well and lasted longer than most starting pitchers...into the 6th inning, before we called it a night. I stopped to pose for a few pictures behind the left field wall, AKA, the Green Monster (pronounced "Monsta" if you're a local and can speak--I'm only half way there...). There are a lot of strange and interesting people on Landsdowne St behind the Green Monster. And no, we did not grab a cold one at The Cask and Flaggon...

My First Baseball Game

Mommy and Daddy took me to my first baseball game. It was quite a day. We drove to Daddy's office and I got to look out the building at Boston--that's the highest I've ever been, except for flying of course! And many of Daddy's colleagues thought I was just "soooo cute"...and you know what? They're right...Daddy works with very smart people. We out-fitted Daddy with the Baby Bjourn and he "sherpa-ed" me on the Green Line to Fenway. I think he was more excited than me...

JUMP!

I'm in serious training for the rest of my life. I'm turning it up a notch in my new Jumperoo, developing my legs so that they will be able to carry me for the rest of my life. Of course, when I'm done training, there is no Baby Gatorade for me to refresh with...oh well.

Developmental Milestone!

Let the good times roll! I've started to make like a retiree's 401k...and rollover. Dad says that's a funny joke, but I don't think so. I can go from back to front, but not the other way just yet. Apparently, I've been rolling for about 2 weeks, first showing off for Nana last week and then wowing Mommy and Daddy this week. I would like to thank Cousins Brian and Justin for inspiring me (along with Auntie Meg, of course!).

Mommy & Me

I'm cute on my own, but me and Mommy make for an irresistable photo-op.

Yummy!

Some people can't pass a mirror without stopping and checking themselves out. Me? I can't resist chewing on a mirror, or anything else for that matter.

Tummy Time

I'm still working on it, but eventually I'll enjoy spending time on my tummy. This morning, I had some tummy time on Daddy's tummy, holding my head up and posing as Mommy took some candid shots. At this point, though, all I can really do on my tummy is drool and hold my head and shoulders up a little bit.

A Memorable Memorial Day

I had my first picnic at Webb Memorial State Park overlooking Hingham Bay. There were lots of kids, dogs and sunshine. We found a shadey spot and enjoyed a picnic lunch whipped up by Mommy's friend, Elizabeth. And yes, it was (finally!!) so warm and sunny that I needed a hat.