Rules for dogs

Amelia: "Momma, these are my rules for dogs: Number One, if the dog comes near me, then I don't like it; Number Two, if the dog barks, then I don't like it; Number Three, if the dog stays near his mommy, then I like it. What are your rules, Momma?"

halloween preview

hands and toes

you think i'm cute? just wait until you see my hands and toes...

house tour, by amelia

amelia has taken to hijacking my camera these days, and has apparently mastered the angled shot. here is our dining room:art corner, painting by amelia:
and living room, with poor gaby shunted to the swing:

yum

tummy time stinks!oh wait...
ohhhh, i'm so much closer to my tasty, tasty hands!

ruffian

between his inability to nap for longer than 30 minutes and his newfound refusal to take a bottle, this kid is lucky that he's otherwise quite smiley and cute.

outfit of the week

between amelia's fluffy dress and leggings, and gaby's polo shirt with khakis, i think we're looking pretty stylish these days:

and doesn't he look so ready for middle management, with the paunch and the polo shirt?

big boy

mildly unhappy:really really unhappy:

future thumb sucker

photo by amelia:

first ever family photo

plus a couple of adoptees:

magical menagerie

poppa bought this set of paper animals for amelia ages ago, and it's so wonderful. it's the perfect level of difficulty for her--she can put together the animals without help from us, and it keeps her from being underfoot. and the animals are so cool looking!

baby kangaroo

awake in the sling:asleep, showing off his eyelashes:

booster seat, finally

and she couldn't be happier about it.

today's challenge: name that baby!

the yellow/weight update

those following the jaundice saga should be reassured that gabriel's bilirubin is down a bit--from 14 to 11, from yesterday's doctor's visit.

in response to those who have commented that he looks like a big baby, yes, he is indeed. he's now 13 pounds, 5 ounces. the nurse at the doctor's office had this to say: "he's a big guy, but he looks strong, you know, not just all puffed out like a marshmallow." i'll say.

check out his neck skills:

pugilist

what are you looking at?you wanna fight?
no? ha! i knew it, you big wimp.
i win again!

a decent picture with momma, finally

courtesy of amelia's photography skills:

photo comparisons

poppa and amelia, four years ago:like father, like daughter--check out how oblivious amelia is to how gabriel feels about amelia holding him:
annie yi-yi and amelia, nearly four years ago:
annie yi-yi and gabriel, yesterday:

size comparison

and now he's smiling!

and getting some life lessons from his big sister: