Recent pics

I've received some complaints that I haven't been posting enough...but things have been busy. Some non-Paul related news first: I recently heard that I'll be receiving a dissertation fellowship for next year. I was also hired this week to teach a 3-credit ecology course for Central Lakes College. And I just made a spatial analysis break-through, so I can finally finish up my first chapter of my dissertation and get that submitted to a peer-review journal.

Other than that, John, Paul, and I took our first "vacation" to La Crosse, WI last weekend to visit our friends Nate and Alesa. You can check out their blog and see pictures of their cute kids. Halene is a vivacious, active, verbal 2-year-old, and Sam is a mellow, happy-go-lucky, smiley 2-month-old. It was fun to see Paul and Sam together--Sam is a big boy, already 15 pounds, and could already outlast Paul at Tummy Time.

Paul has really been changing quickly. Just this week his ability to grasp things has really improved--yesterday he grabbed a pencil off my desk and got it to his mouth before I even realized he had something in his hand. He has also figured out that if he arches his neck while lying on his back, he can see stuff happening behind him. I don't think it will be too much longer before he rolls from back to front. I think it will still take him awhile to go from front to back.

I'm also learning that just when you think you've got something figured out as a parent, your child throws you a curve ball. For the most part, Paul has been going down easily for naps. But all that has changed in the past three days, including his preferred sleeping position. Oh well, I guess I can take "comfort" in the fact that as soon as we get a new routine nailed down, then something else will change. Anyway, here are some recent pics:

Grandma Cindy came to visit (Paul and Nora were happy to see her!)

This picture was overexposed, but I was amazed that Paul actually got his foot in his mouth yesterday. Where did that flexibility come from? Not from me or John, that's for sure...

Paul showed an interest in bath toys for the first time this week

Lately Paul really kicks his feet a lot (usually straight up in the air) while lying on his stomach. It is kinda funny to watch...I don't think he'll be getting anywhere too soon with that strategy.