Boy's getting some skills

Though you can't see it in these photos, Nathan's been enjoying watching our train go round and round. I hope we may have another train guy on our hands. It's been awhile since I talked about where our guy was developmentally. I'm sure I'll miss some stuff, but here goes. 

He's really started to get a better grasp on cause and effect. Peek-a-boo has reached a new level where he can remove the blanket, sheet, lovey hiding either you or himself. It tickles him to no end. I have a video of him doing it with Brian that I'll post later. It's fun to know that we're not forgotten even if we're out of sight. He is also a big fan of light switches.

Mom brought him a few toys from the baby consignment store and they are big hits. He actually "gets" the drum/tambourine below. At first I though the just liked the music that it plays when you push the drum down, flailing his hands and grinning, but then he started pushing it down on his own when the music stopped.

He's a pretty solid sitter these days unless something catches his fancy or he is overly delighted by something. Which really means, he still lurches his whole body on a whim and makes it not at all that reliable. He's totally capable of it now, it's just that the world is such an exciting place. 

There's no question that first thing in the morning is the most exciting part of the day for him. He laughs unprompted, and JUST. CAN'T. STOP. SMILING. It's the best alarm clock ever. 

Blowing raspberries and smacking his lips are very common during pretty much all activities. It's especially funny when he decides to do it right after taking a spoonful of food. Right in my face. I need to start wearing a bib too.

While totally affectionate and social, he's not what you'd call a cuddler. You can tell when he's really really really exhausted because he may lie his head down on your shoulder for a few brief and wonderful seconds. Other than that, he's wanting to touch, grab, explore - thankyouverymuch. In general I try to remember that means that he's able to entertain himself and not so clingy that I can't get anything done. I am just grateful he can't crawl yet. 

Speaking of crawling, there's no question that he's INTERESTED in the idea. He hasn't quite figured out the mechanics yet though. On his tummy he'll have all four limbs working in coordinated movements and if he were underwater he'd be making some serious progress. Basically, he does breaststroke mid-air. He's also figured out that getting one leg under himself can help propel him forward so he'll do strange little lunges forward but nothing that would actually constitute crawling. Like I said, I'm in no rush, his reach seems to be a 5 foot radius around him, and that's enough for now.

Still lots of babbles, dadas especially, but no mama yet. 

We can't wait to see everyone for Christmas!

There was clearly a lot of oversight going on here.