Seven Months at Jacques Penne!

SuperT took Vake to the Jacques Penne yesterday while Eric and I went to Chuck and Julie's wedding (big congrats C&J and what a nice party...)

I've resisted the naked shots for awhile now, unless of course Vake is in a bathtub with his cousin Domingo and the appropriate accoutrements. But Tarenitup had no such reservations.

Oh hello there, I am feeling a little shy because I am NAKED.

So NOW I've got clothes on again...

But it is MORE FUN to be naked.

A LOT more fun. (NB all the cute fat rolls and the cumulus cloud legs on this baby...)

This is my naked and contemplative pose.

I'm ready for my close up!

And now I am dressed again.

I LOVE the outfit Grandmary made for me.

Oh hello there. Didn't know you were behind me.

I'll do a pushup for you. I am super strong as WELL as being super cheerful.

Happy Sevenmonthiversary Vake and Happy Birthday Grandmary!

Could you be any happier, Vake?

Today Vake is seven months old!

Here are things that Vake likes and is doing at seven months:

• Eats cereal, fruit, veggies and rice;
  
• Wearing a Size 5 diaper;
• Sleeps from 7:00pm to about 7:30 am every night;
  
• Rolls from back to stomach & stomach to back;
• Laughs and SHRIEKS all the time;
  
• Very ticklish;
• Loves to pull my hair;
• Can get up on all fours and rock back and forth;
• Loves to snuggle;
• Recognizes favorite people and shrieks a greeting at them or raises little hands to be held;
  
• Cut 2 teeth on the bottom within 1 week of each other;
• Loves to take baths and drink the bathwater;
  
• Is jealous of little H when Taren's taking care of him;
  
• Drools less than before.
  

I mean, really, look at this million dollar smile. Could we be any luckier?

And guess who got to stay up past his bedtime last night to wish Grandmary a Happy Birthday? Here he is, helping with candles!

Happy Vacation, Taren...

Dear Taren:

Huff and I got the message today that you are not going to be back until Monday. All we have to say to that is "AAAAAAHHHH". As you know, that's my disappointed/hungry/frustrated shriek.

Maybe I'll just sleep until you come back. Like I am doing in the picture above. If anyone tries to wake me up, I will be grouchy, like in the picture below. At least I still have Raffi.


Don't forget us, Taren. And come back soon. We will miss you!!! Look at how pitiful and sad we are without you.


Love,
Vake

Busy Busy Bee

So I've gotten some constructive criticism that the blog always shows Vake dressed in pajamas. And apparently, Vake's blog audience needs more action shots of my busy little bee.

So today, Supertaren (aka Tarenitup) took care of my problem by snapping some action shots. Here's Vake with his current favorite toy. One thing that should be exciting to those tracking developmental milestones (and really, who's not?) is that he now is really good at moving the toy from one hand to another.



Hi there, fans. I am single and like to mingle.

This next toy is probably his second favorite and also the leading candidate for "most likely to drive Mommy and Taren out of their ever-lovin' minds. It is an interactive book! Yikes.

Here he is trying to open it for his buddy Huff.

Now when he likes something or is interested in it, he expresses that interest by shrieking. It is truly hilarious.

I will own you, book!

New Pajamas and Vake's First Tie

Vake and I have had a busy week together: Eric's gearing up for a big trial so has not been home at all and I've been a little less busy at work so I've been picking up the slack with little V. He is now a master of sitting up on his own.

This week, we've also made the move into bigger pajamas. Vake weighs about 24-25 pounds now and all of his 12 month pjs were, shall we say, a little snug. He sort of looked like he was wearing a bikini. Here he is rocking his new size 2t pajamas.

Aunt Martha just got back from a trip to Nantucket and brought his some of the cutest pjs I've ever seen- they are so sweet- with little castles on them- but my camera ran out of batteries so I will have to take pics of them tomorrow to post.

Doesn't he look like a little boy in these pictures? Where's the baby? He's not even six months old yet!!!

Aaahhh. Mom, stop taking pictures of me in my nightclothes. It is embarrassing!

Today, one of the bibs that super-Taren ordered arrived- too funny. His first tie.

But Mom, I don't want to be a summer associate. I want to sing and dance! And figure skate. In my white sequined pants!!!

Happy Father's Day 2009

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY, Eric!!! It is almost impossible to believe that we were just getting used to the idea of a little Martin at this time last year!
You are doing a fantastic job as a father- thank you so much for working so hard for the family: I know all the travel cannot be very easy- and Vake is your Number One Biggest Fan. We miss you when you are gone during the week and we are happy when you are home.

We had a big breakfast this morning and Eric got his presents, including the apron that Taren and Vake made- too cute!
Here are two pics of father and son- they are both wearing blue polo shirts today- how cute that they match!

This picture is turned sideways and I cannot make it turn correctly, but the important takeaway is that little V is now DONE with the Bumbo seat- his little legs got stuck in it this morning and he couldn't get out. Poor Vake.

And last but not least, here's what Domingo does when his daddy Dennis leaves. Awwww. Too sweet.

Uncle Dennis, Bright Shiny Lights and Yet Another Reason Why Taren's Terrific

So Vake, Eric, Mary Sabra and I want to send a big "we're thinking about you" to Vake's Uncle Dennis. A week from today, Dennis will take his exam to become a licensed clinical social worker. He's completed all the requirements and just needs to take this test. For those of you who don't know Dennis, he's the most laid-back, patient person who gets along really well with everyone in our extremely high-energy family. We are super-psyched to have Dennis (and the new puppy Domingo) up with us in June. GO DENNIS.


So as I have posted before, I think, most days I get home from work as the V is winding down from his day. There's basically time to give him a bath, feed him and read some stories and cuddle as I get him ready for bed. There's a fussiness quotient in play too- he' s pretty tired. But he's never too tired to look at lights- here he is about to fall backwards out of my arms staring at the kitchen lights.

Last but certainly not least, I wanted you to see why I am such a huge Taren fan. So today, I come home from work and Vake has a Mother's Day present for me- I've attached a picture of it below- such a thoughtful thing to do! She called Mom for help and planned the whole thing!