Quote Board

Mommy: Simeon you need to go put on some pants. Simeon: (wearing the cyberman helmet from Halloween 2011) I...AM...A...ROBOT...ROBOTS...DO...NOT...WEAR...PANTS.

Joy of LOVE: Now and Then

I would have loved to do this with Justin, especially because he currently has a gigantic beard, and long hair, but alas he is not any where near my camera right now. So I thought I'd take photos of the things I loved to take photos of when my boys were infants, their hands and feet. I think the funnest part is comparing, especially with Reuben. You can tell just as much about my photography journey as you can with my boys growth.

Reuben's Feet at four months old: His little feet, always stuck in that bouncer while I worked away rocking him with my own foot. He'd kick and kick when he got excited, or needed my attention. (And, since I don't have my hard drive hooked up, I got this off of my blog, remember when he had to optimize photos to get them on the internet?)

Reuben's Feet today: Running, Twirling, Jumping, Skipping. He puts those feet to good use. They are always bare, because he thinks socks stink.



Reuben and Simeon's Feet (Sept 25, 2009):


Simeon's Baby Feet (Dec. 25, 2009: Day I got my 50 mm):

Simeon's Walking-on-His-Knees Feet: Simeon begs to put socks and his little shoes on.

Simeon's Just-Barely Walking Feet: He is getting a bit more brave, but still can move so fast on his knees that the teeter totter on his feet isn't compelling enough.


Simeon's Baby Hands

Simeon's Toddler Hands: My favorite thing about his hands now is that he pats my back when he gives me a hug. He wraps his little arms tightly around me, then after a while starts to pat. Baby fat wrinkles are so kissable, but show of affection I get now is magical. I also think it is hilarious that he hits when he is frustrated, the manner in which he does it is so methodical that I always have to hold in my laughter when I tell him, "No hitting."


Simeon 09/09/09 Napping after an eventful day of being born

Simeon 02/03/11 Laying down for his nap


Reuben's Second Day of Life

Reuben's 1847th Day of Life: He does not like having his picture taken, he told me today.


Reuben holding Simeon 9/16/09

Reuben holding Simeon Today: Simeon was turning on the TV, and Grandpa told Reuben no babies playing with the TV last night, so Reuben was going to enforce that rule no matter what.

Joy of LOVE: how he looks

I'm pretty contented with Reuben's birthday photos so I didn't even ask him to slow down and look at me today. 

My own personal goal was to get a some of the faces that Simeon makes. While we most often see this first expression, he does make some pretty hilarious faces. I wasn't exactly successful, but I did get a few keepers.


He really is a calm contemplative little guy.

making faces

Simeon on January 18th.

Simeon has been walking on his knees for a while. He is pretty good at it. So good, in fact, that I've been afraid he wouldn't be motivated to be a biped who uses feet. But yesterday this is what we did for a while.

Almost as good as being there, right daddy?

Haircut

This is the photo I took to remember Simeon's baby hair. It was longer on this side than the other. Fine and lighter at the tips than the roots. I loved to pull it gently down between my fingers and watch it curl back up into his neck.

I find the first haircut rather traumatic. I can't help but recognize that it is a gate, a gate that locks behind you as soon as you pass through it. The ultimate symbol that your baby has grown to much to remain a baby, and unlike most other milestones, this is one that YOU initiate. 15 months went by he grew and grew, grew out of infant, grew out of baby.

While Simeon isn't toddling on his feet yet, he is toddling on his knees. With the first hair cut I pushed him into toddler years. I said, you grew to much to still be a baby, and cut off that baby hair. See the trauma?

This is not to say that I don't find toddler Simeon totally awesome, because he is. He is hilarious. He still cuddles. He still sits quietly. He still smiles sweetly. He still makes funny faces. But, he walks on his knees. He communicates with mono syllables. Hmm? and Yeah. He mimics those around him. He dances. He refused to sit in his highchair. He growls. He lays down or hides in corners and will stay there until someone makes eye contact with him.

15 months flew by. Have fun being a toddler sweet Simeon.

Nov 4 I heart Simeon

I am thankful for Simeon.



I am thankful for his calm demeanor, for his decisiveness. I am thankful that he cuddles. I am thankful that he plays happily by himself as long as you don't leave the room. I am thankful that he can handle Reuben "cuddling" him.

He loves to watch people throw things, especially if it is Reuben. He laughs and laughs.

He has started climbing into the little rocking chair and rocking back and forth. He's been getting a little too brave and pushing the limits.

He loves to dance, and rock, and bounce.

He does not like to sit while he eats. He stands in the high chair, precisely balanced so he can see what is on his plate, as well as Grandpa's. He thinks that Grandpa's food is better than his own, and ends up eating more off of Grandpa's plate than his own.

I taught him to sign more. He uses it to mean I'm hungry, or I'm hungry and that food you are trying to give me is not what I want, or I'm thirsty.

Fall in MN

The boys and I found a lovely spot to take some fall photos on the first sunny day of the week...Saturday. But that is part of the beauty of fall weather, hot chocolate, sweatshirts, vibrant colors that glisten during those fall showers. I love fifty degree weather, I had forgotten how much I love it. Don't you think it is lovely that while the as the air gets colder, the colors get warmer?

Every way but forward

Simeon is mobile. Not crawling, just mobile. He can move in any direction as long as it is not forward.

Sweet Potatoes: Before and After

Simeon: Teeth and Talking

Two little razors have cut through. I noticed when he bit me.He won't let me see them, he protects them with his tongue.

Simeon is learning how to talk from his brother. Most of you will only need to get an idea, but for those of you who love my child here is a 2 minute story by Simeon.


6th month talking from Cook Shack on Vimeo.

Meet Simeon

Five months old. Heart stealer. Loves to cuddle, suck on fabric, and touch faces. Patient with older brother. Favorite words: Ahhh, and Bababababababah.

Simeon Laugh

Notice how I'm not holding a baby today so I can update the blog?

Anyway, watch this for a little bit to make your heart happy, watch it all the way if you think Simeon has the cutest laugh you've heard in a while or if you like listening to Justin make nonsense noise.

Simeon Laughs Jan 10 from Cook Shack on Vimeo.

which is which

Here's a fun game... can you tell the boys apart? Its a little easier than I had hoped because of the difference in cameras (was that too big of a clue?)

Secrets

I get the feeling that my children know a lot more then they let on.

Smiles

Simeon smiles in his sleep. Its usually in those moments where he isn't all the way asleep yet. He smiles and laughs, then wakes himself up from laughing and immediately cries because he wishes he was asleep.

Justin was holding Simeon, Reuben was sitting next to them looking at Simeon. Simeon smiled, twice, at Reuben. It just so happened that I was saying the prayer for FHE, and none of those boys had their eyes closed when it happened.

And, just so you don't tell me it was a smile caused by gas I will tell you this. Gas makes Simeon grimace and cry. His little face wrinkles up, and turns red, he squirms and cries.

Blessing Day: Mothers

Early Morning

Seven in the morning after a wonderful night. Only three feedings nestled between four hour periods of sleep.