Our Trip to Illinois

In the beginning of June Philip and I traveled to Illinois to visit my grandfather and attend a family reunion. Taking a very active child on a plane by oneself is really not all that fun.
However, we did enjoy seeing Grandpa (Philip's first time meeting him) and my Aunt, Uncle, Cousin, and my cousin's children.

The farmhouse where my father, uncle, brother and sister and I were all born. I lived here until I was about four.


Philip in a cornfield at our family farm. No, he doesn't really have a mohawk, it just looks like that in the picture.


Philip and Teagan (who is a few weeks older than him) hanging out on a blanket on the lawn. Philip isn't a big fan of grass, so this arrangement is great because it creates a playpen area without the walls.
As you can see, Philip and Teagan are *in love* (ha ha ha).

Easter and a Visit from Grandma

Of course, it has taken me nearly a month to make this post.

Over Easter, Grandma (my mother) visited. She spoiled Philip, of course, and he (I'm sure) dazzled her with his antics. She also cultivated in him a love of reading books, rather than just chewing them. He particularly enjoys books in which you feel fuzzy things, and a book with a mirror makes him laugh at his reflection and then kiss himself. We like to start the self-absorption early, here at the M. household.

Philip and Grandma reading.
(And no, our couch does not actually look like that color. )

For Easter dinner we went to the Pirate's Cove with Grandma and Grandpa M., Uncle Chris, and William. Here is Philip's latest look in headwear (we call him Pirate Philip):

Did you know that babies love straws?

Lastly, me and my baby boy. Yes, I have actually posted a picture of myself on this blog. *Ugh* But, we are delightfully color coordinated! I am modeling what some have referred to as my tight-lipped mother smile.

The 9 month doctor visit: Philip was 25lbs and 29inches. He still has a big head. Good!

More soon.

We went to see Philip's orthopedist yesterday for his regular check-up; we haven't been in about 3.5 months. The doctor says he is pleased with the correction of Philip's feet, although his right foot seems to have a small deficiency in ankle movement that the left foot does not have, which forces the midfoot to compensate. Not quite sure that this means much in practical terms (as far as future use of the foot goes), but since there wasn't any modification in treatment, I think things will turn out fine.
Currently P is wearing his boots and bar at night time. Once he began pulling up, we started removing his shoes during the daytime. We're just supposed to keep this up, and we return again in four months.
During the visit Philip made sure to look the doctor (a very nice guy, very talented, and the target of much Philip baby pee back in the early days of treatment) straight in the eye and tap him on the head. Philip's standing balance is reportedly very good. But what can we say. He's an awesome kid.

Developments in Food, Teeth, and Environment

I think we have entered a new stage of eating. Philip is in love with food. He will screech at me when I am eating something and don't offer him some. I usually oblige, but have to draw the line at the ice cream. And I'm still not giving him dairy (or shellfish, honey, meat, non-freerange organic eggs, or sugar). Not only does he enjoy playing and mouthing the food, but he really does eat it. It makes the diaper wait a little more interesting...
There also seem to be more teeth on the way, given the amount of fussiness and drool we still have.
And, I made babyproofing efforts around the house so we could let him out of his baby yard/prison, and he really loves to wander around exploring things. The kitchen linoleum is very perplexing to him, though. When he first saw it, he smacked his hand on it in curiosity. Now he will travel over it, but he won't crawl-- he insists on walking on his hands and feet so that his legs don't touch the floor. Hilarious. I won't let him go into the bathroom, though-- that's just gross.
What is Philip like? Incredibly, incredibly happy, alert, intelligent, smiley, and adorable. He's a downright joy.

Much News From Philip Land

1. Philip has a new tooth. It broke through a few days ago-- his right bicuspid (I think that's what it's called, maybe I'm wrong). This tooth was preceeded by much fussiness and drool. The tooth total is-- five.

2. Today was very sunny and much warmer than the past week, so we decided to take Philip out for his first trip on a bike. The youth helmet we bought him ended up a little too big (surprise!) so we had to take a quick trip out and buy a smaller size. We only rode around the parking lot, but he seems to dig it.

(Don't mind my butt...)

3. Philip also seems to say "Dada" and "Mama" in actual connection with Jon and me. It's so cute when he wakes up in the morning, pulls up on Jon's back, shakes or pats him, and says "Dada, Dada." Exciting!

4. William's birthday was this past Wednesday; he turned eleven. This is the birthday present he chose, over a sleeping bag for his birthday sleepover:


Isn't it obscene?

The Pink Flamingo Day

February 25-March 1 is the Baha'i holiday of Ayyam-i-ha. We opened presents together.

Philip got this cool hat from his grandmother (and the book too).

We decided he should wear his hat, and matching outfit, to the Baltimore Zoo. It was the first day of the season, so admission was free.

We saw flamingos.

But Philip was more interested in the trees than the flamingos.

There were so many people there at the zoo....

that we decided to leave and have lunch in Hampden, at Cafe Hon.

It's a funky place, as evidenced by the large pink flamingo.

Philip enjoyed banging on the table, screaming, and being a high-energy crazyman.

(Here he appears rather mellow, but don't let that fool you.)

I believe that he was recently replaced by the devil. I think this devil's name is likely "Teething." (Again. Yay!)
An alternate explanation: Grandma has told Jon that this high energy kid is really the great karma bus running him over.

'Till next time...

This is Philip's new toy:

Apparently the cheapest toys are always the most fun.