Take a Stand.

Here are a couple of clues that it is time to lower the mattress in the crib.

And if you missed those clues, then maybe you need to be hit over the head with this video:

The mattress is now at the lowest position. And we have officially lost the race as Parents of the Year.

Things that I (Avery) have learned from crawling:

1) Until they invent baby knee pads, I'm not going to waste my time crawling on tile.

2) Turning while crawling is harder than it looks.

3) Crawling is more fun when there are dogs to chase and torment.

4) Sometimes, crawling just doesn't cut it. I have to be creative and resort to my ninja moves, Uncle David-style.

Crunching Numbers...

This is what ONE child looks like playing with his toys:

And this is what THREE kids look like playing with their toys.

Conclusion: ONE is easier.

Hat a Boy!!

Avery's DNA

Phil and I were bored this evening and were looking through some old baby photos of ourselves. WOW. Neither of us were very attractive babies.

Phil: Look at his large head. Once you are able to tear your eyes from his "watermeloness" (reference from "The Bird Cage"), note the blanket he is on...that is the same blanket that Avery has played on for several months, handed down from Phil's mom and sewn by Grandmother Joy.

Emily: Also sporting a weird shaped skull and unattractive profile. And what's up with the Michelin arms, man?? I am apparently making an early fashion statement by donning the vest minus the shirt and pants. The vest will also be passed down to Avery (a gift from the awesome Uncle Tommy), but I will make sure that he wears pants with it before I snap a photo...

Avery: Two wrongs have made a right.

Not to be discouraged....Phil and I redeemed ourselves as toddlers...

Now, here was a creepy discovery...Phil and I apparently looked similar in some of our baby pics, down to similar sleepers. Can you guess who is who??

Mommy & Me: 7.5 Months

Big Boy Carseat

It may not be listed as a milestone in the baby books, but changing from an infant carseat to a "big boy" carseat is a significant rite of passage for your child, at least in this particular mommy's eyes.

First of all, because your baby is no longer riding around in his infant carrier while you run your gazillion errands, it means that he is no longer in the protective "bubble" that has symbolically existed since birth. I think that most strangers understand that a baby in an infant carseat means "look, but don't touch". Therefore, I am not forced to tell them "do not to touch my child or I will rip your heart out and eat it in front of you"....they get it just by looking at the carseat. However, once your child can not fit into that priceless carseat, he has to take on public life by riding in shopping carts, sitting in highchairs at restaurants, and hanging out in your arms while you run to the post office for stamps or the gas station to play the lottery (come on....it's the Powerball!!). This means he is exposed to the WORLD...and all of the world's filth!!! He is out there for all to see! If you have an interactive child (or flirtatious child, in Avery's case), then your baby is practically inviting strangers to come over to look, talk, and potentially TOUCH them. Yikes!! This is frightening to a mom...especially during flu season and at TJ Maxx's clearanced layaway sales!! I am struggling to come up with a polite and funny yet direct way of saying "get your grubby paws off of my child". Somehow, I just can't sugarcoat that phrase in my brain or out loud, as much as I want to.

More poignantly, your child moving from his infant carseat to the big carseat is such a milestone because it means your baby has exceeded a particular weight and/or length limit for the infant seat that he has occupied since birth. This in turn means that he is no longer a newborn or "little baby" anymore. He is now growing up, getting older, and marching (crawling) towards late infancy and toddlerhood. One day, it's the big carseat...next thing you know, it's college graduation. Better keep playing that Powerball!

On Bended Knee

Avery is getting closer and closer to using crawling as a mode of locomotion. He can army crawl like heck (I don't understand why he does; he is going to get carpet burn on his belly one of these days). He also uses a combination of army crawling and "the worm" if he needs to get around quickly. He is starting to slow down and be more patient with the crawling thing, though. He is up to about 6 consecutive arm/leg advancements before he wipes out and resorts back to his made-up belly movements. He is already trying to pull up on things (mainly Mommy), so he might just give up on crawling and cruise all of the crap that is in our living room. Better keep him away from Willie's cage!!

Brought to you by the Letter "B"

In honor of Sesame Street's 40th Anniversary, this week's blog post is brought to you by the letter "B".

1) Babysitter

Here is a pic of Avery with his first official, non-family member babysitter. What can I say...our child is such a huge flirt!

2) Bathtub

Avery has graduated to the big boy bathtub because Mommy and Daddy got tired of cleaning up his splish-splashy's every night. He loves to kick and play in the water and his infant bathtub was just getting too tiny.

3) Big Boy Carseat

Avery has exceeded the length limit on his infant carseat. We have purchased a Britax convertible carseat and have it almost ready to go in our car! Unfortunately, there are no pics of Avery in it yet, as we have to get the installation double-checked at Babies R Us sometime this week. The only drawback to bigboy carseats: I have become awfully dependant upon the infant seat for quick and dirty errands that require use of both of my hands. Guess I'll have to stop being lazy and actually carry my child in public.

4) Bottle Holding

Avery is practicing his prim and proper manners while eating. Check out the pinky in the air while he's drinking his bottle...one would think there was tea in that bottle, wouldn't one? Quick, fetch me the crumpets!

5) Blanket Time

Okay, this last one is a stretch. But it's a cute pic anyways.

Onesies

Avery is sportin' a Onesie that was inspired by his parents...

Book-It

Like his Mommy, Avery loves to curl up with a good book.

By the way, the title above is in reference to the Book-It program sponsored by Pizza Hut in the early 80's. You had to read 5-6 books to earn a certificate for a free personal pan pizza. I think David and I read so much because it was the only time we ever went out to eat, haha.