Nine-Month Check-up

I forgot to mention Cal's measurements after his nine-month check-up.

20# (50%)
29" (90%)

"Long and lean -- just how we like 'em", says Dr. Blue.

And a third tooth has popped through; his upper right canine. Roof!

Trick-or-Treating

'Round these parts, trick-or-treating rarely takes place on Halloween. It is scheduled for a weekend day from 1-4 p.m. Lame, I know. Don't get Eric started ....

Nevertheless, we took advantage of the sunny Sunday provided and set off with Calvin. We had two houses to hit on Cal's first Halloween -- across the street to "Grandma" and "Grandpa" Bauman, and around the corner to Amy and Ryan Eikenbary-Barber, pastor and friends.

Our little lion cub didn't trick many, but was a treat for one and all ....

It's Curtains for Calvin

Jake the Cat spends a fair amount of time "outside" on our screened-in porch. This time when he excused himself from the room, Calvin followed -- or tried to, anyway.

He crawled over to the doors, stood up, found his way under the curtains, and called to Jake. He wasn't overtly successful, but did discover a new part of the house.

New video: http://www.vsocial.com/index.php?action=2&d=53686

Nine Months Old

I've known Calvin for eighteen months.

For nine of them, we had a monogamous relationship; a secret language of kicks and squirms. I've had to share him for the latter nine, though experiencing daily life with him has been well worth it.

Cal continues to be a content little guy, finding joy in simple pleasures (notice the lotion is his hand) and exploring wherever his curiosity leads.

http://www.vsocial.com/video/?d=52564

Mom's Special Helper

With Calvin fully mobile, normal tasks are different. Like laundry. He used to sit contently with toys while I folded laundry. But this week he crawled over to the basket, stood up, and proceeded to help me "sort" the clothes.

Gee, thanks honey.

Last Swim Lesson

Eight weeks passed quickly, and Calvin completed his swim lessons. He enjoyed his time in the pool, but perhaps more notable than his progress in the water were his other changes during this time.

Put simply, he now has two teeth, crawls, and pulls himself up to standing. Might not sound like much, but it was definitely eight weeks of hard work -- particularly with the teeth.

He hasn't mastered the back stroke just yet, but he is comfortable in the water. He can go under without inhaling or come up without gasping for air. And with an inflatable beach ball as a carrot, he almost passes as a swimmer.

Friendly Faces

Two friends have been nearly as excited about Calvin as Eric and I have been. I met Nadia and Jessica while working at Covenant Retirement Communities, but our friendship has extended far beyond those walls.

They threw a shower for Calvin and were in the hospital when he was born. And they've made numerous trips from Chicago to watch him grow.

This weekend they came for a visit and we made it a priority to take pictures -- finally!

More memories mades, this time captured on film. And let's face it, it's about time they made the blog. :)

Crib Alterations

We lowered Cal's mattress about a week ago and not a moment too soon. After his first nap in the new space, I found him like this: frumpled, disheveled, moist ... and sitting up!

Since then, his bed has become a playground. Instead of lying down, grabbing his blanket, and rolling over to sleep, he immediately rolls over and sits up with renewed energy to play.

This is not a happy discovery since he doesn't know how to lie down as well as he can sit up.

It does, however, make for an adorably warm greeting when he awakens.

Finger Food

Calvin has some finger food with each meal. Grapes, Cheerios, banana, bread ... I think it helps him feel like he's part of the process and practice his coordination.

He's getting pretty good at it. Most food makes it to its happy destination, as you'll see in this video. It's one of his rougher attempts, but it's too cute to miss.

http://www.vsocial.com/video/?d=50357

Crawling

Static no more -- Calvin crawls!

Left leg, right arm.
Right leg, left arm.

This guy has all the moves -- and some really manly grunts! :)

http://www.vsocial.com/video/?d=51018

Sounds Good to Me

Calvin is practicing new sounds.

Last night it was "dt".
Deedt. Doodt. Dudt. Dadt.
All enunciated and punctuated.

Tonight's dinner inspired tongue clucking, which I managed to catch on tape. (Yay Mom!)

http://www.vsocial.com/video/?d=50092
http://www.vsocial.com/video/?d=50094

S-t-r-e-t-c-h

The boy is up on his knees now but doesn't want to move them much. He rocks back and forth, stretching in every direction, but keeps his knees well planted.

He seems content since he knows how to return to a sitting position, lie down, roll over ... all your basic tricks.

And Eric and I appreciate the way he stays where we put him. Good boy. :)

Under the Bed

On his belly, Calvin scooches backwards across the room. Such behavior lands him in interesting places -- like under the bed.

One of these days he'll learn that he can move forward, too.