We're not doing anything except taking pictures in it and maybe passing out candy, but I could not pass up an opportunity to dress him up. I bought the hat and then decided he needed a coat to go with it, so I found these great directions to sew one! By drafting my own pattern! So empowering. I used stitch witchery for the first time too. The fabric is a wool skirt I found at a thrift store. It was so much fun and surprisingly easy that I'll probably make more when I get a chance. This one fits pretty well, but I got the sleeves too long and narrow for everyday use. Oh well. Next time I'll know better.
The little boy keeps ignoring my requests to stop growing so fast. He is the proud owner of 4 teeth and can scoot around on the floor a lot. He fed himself for the first time at Grandma & Grandpa's last weekend. Peaches and graham crackers, mmm. He has eaten a bunch of different foods and pretty much likes them all. He likes bouncing in the exersaucer, and at the baby-sitter's he loves pushing himself backward in the walker. We think crawling is just around the corner.
He loves splashing in the bath. His favorite toys make fun noises, and anytime I have anything plastic and crinkly in my hand he dives for it. He loves the bags with wipes in them. His laugh is so great-- I could listen to it all day. He tells us stories very intently, and we try to respond with some of the same syllables to show him that we are listening and that we care. He lights up whenever he sees Shelby, and they like to take turns licking each others' faces. In related news, Hendrik has started giving kisses. He comes at you and presses his open mouth against your cheek. So so sweet.
And *cue angel chorus* he is sleeping better!!! *angel chorus again* It's not an every night thing-- maybe we have two good nights out of three--, but we sure appreciate it when it happens. He has also developed an angry cry that sounds like he's screaming, "How DARE you put me down??!" A week or two ago he discovered that his voice can make a high-pitched screaming sound, and he enjoyed practicing that. Thankfully this week he has forgotten about it.
Dirk has been so great to encourage me to let off steam by sewing. That's my current creative outlet of choice, and it really does help me relax and feel like I'm bringing order to chaos. It's a definite choice to do that instead of other things. The perfectionist inside wishes that I could do it all, but that's just not happening. So the laundry goes unfolded for another day while I sew some buttons on and watch my wonderful husband playing with our son, and I feel so thankful.
Here's to you, little secret agent man! Almost 9 months old. We love you!