New Trick

Stephen recently learned how to do hand stands on the couch.

Sitting up, with help

IKEA in Chesterland

On our way to Cleveland for Thanksgiving, Stephen was in sore need of some spazz time. What better place to let him run around and climb on things than Mama's favorite store?

My camera died shortly after this... but I love the way he posed for me when he really wanted to keep running through the rainbow ribbons.

Usually we just window shop, but this time we left with a rocking moose (for Munchie) and a square platter with a colorful bird design (for me.) Joe put the moose together last night, with his little helper right by his side. I'll post some buckaroo pix once I get them off my camera. (Edit: here's a video of Stephen rocking the moose at the store instead.)

Table dancer

Stephen has liked dancing for a while, but a couple weeks ago we finally decided to get it on video. His moves include bouncing up and down, stomping one foot, and bending down to smack the floor.

Walking pro

After being carted around the Paducah BBQ festival all afternoon, Munchie was ready for some green space. We let him loose on the lawn of the Quilter's Museum.

Thursday's dose of cuteness

On the move... all the time!

When it gets really quiet in the house, then I have to wonder what my son is up to. Lately he's been zipping around... one moment beating the bongos with a honey wand, the next moment cruising over to the couch to grab CDs off our stereo shelf, the next moment giving the back door raspberries...the next crawling under his excer-saucer.


"I did it myself, Mama!"

Cruising

Stephen is getting pretty good at inching along his crib. I've built him a three-sided corral of sorts with the crib, his infant seat and the futon chair. And I guess I serve as the fourth side, waiting to catch him if he starts to teeter.

Yesterday he even pulled himself up from sitting to standing by grabbing onto the crib bars. It's only a matter of time before we have to lower the crib mattress. Bye-bye storage space.

I'm looking forward to moving into our new house. Hopefully that will be in the next few weeks, but I'm not holding my breath (or packing, mom!)

I'm envisioning lots of wall shelves to house all the breakables and potentially hazardous things to keep them well away from little probing hands.

Look what I can do, Mom!

Don't worry, filing cabinet is locked and Joe is right behind him in case Stephen goes "Timber!"-- which he often does when he forgets to hold on or tries to stare at the ceiling fan for too long. As a side note, you can tell why it's so difficult for little guys like Munchie to mobilize-- his head a great deal bigger than any other part on his baby body. Must take a colossal effort to stay upright!
It's a quiet morning at the Parrino's. Stephen is taking yet another nap!!! Maybe this will be his new routine.... taking a nap every day. I would love that, but I'm not going to hold my breath. I'm thinking this week's snoozing is just a product of that mean and nasty head cold.

Creeping

OK mom, satisfied?

Couch creeper

Evansville

Crib workout

I just found Stephen in a funny predicament of his own design. I had to take a photo before rescuing him. :-)
As I post, Munchie is kicking the bars of his crib over and over and squealing at the noise he's making.

He's been in a really good mood. He was so well-behaved while I went to get my Kentucky driver's license. (Yes. I'm very bad. I've been living in Hoptown for 3 years and I was still hanging on to my Illinois driver's license.) But my birthday is in two days and it was about to expire so I had to bite the bullet. Anyhow, the waiting room at the Justice Center is just two long cushioned benches facing each other, so I was nervous about Stephen getting fussy. But he just sat on my lap contentedly, looking at the half dozen people also waiting. Smiling at each one until the strangers reciprocated. Very cute. He made mama proud. He didn't even fuss much when I made him lie in my lap so they could take my ID photo :-) Joe joked that if Munchie was sitting in my lap, my driver's license would have a little wisp of hair sticking up under my chin. That would have been pretty cute, but I thought it safer to keep him out of the frame.

The poor kid is over the nasty cold he had in January, but now his little GI is on the fritz. I've been trying to give him Pedialyte, but you'd think it was turpentine or something. He spits out most of what I get in his mouth. Oh. gross. He's just spit up the rest on my leg. Well, better post now!

tummy prop

Stephen was only happy for maybe 15 minutes out of the entire day yesterday, but I was fortunate enough to capture some of those minutes on memor card. Tummy time is much more enjoyable when a giant plush peapod holds you up; leaving hands free to grab and chew.

Snuffly but awake at 5 months

Stephen is feeling better and he's almost back to his old self as far as waking before the crack of dawn and doing his daily kick aerobics.
Today marks 5 months for the Munchie!

Alternatives to tummy time

Sorry again for the lapse in daily posts. This was taken last week. Stephen seemed to enjoy lounging around on Daddy's lap with his gund dog for a pillow.

Tummy Time

Up until a couple of days ago, Stephen would grunt, fuss and then cry after about 10 seconds on his tummy. Joe and I were both happy to discover that he's getting more used to the exercise that all the books and doctors say babies need to develop the muscles needed for crawling.