Ain't Nobody Here But Us Chickens

Chris at 90

Our friend Sheldon sent this to us recently and I couldn't resist posting it:

All I have to say is I am one lucky woman.

Having Teeth is Overrated

After two weeks of bad naps, grumpiness and lots of drool, Elliot officially has his first tooth. He celebrated with his first cookie. I sat in the corner and wondered how we would get through this 20-odd more times.

Slightly Less Controversial Than Maternal Tattooing...

I'm not sure it's a good thing to feed the grandparent's new addiction, but here are a few pictures of Elliot's recent attempts to learn how to sit.

My Little Tough Guy

There was a temporary tattoo in this week's New Yorker.

My first thought: A temporary tattoo?! In the New Yorker?! What is the world coming to?

My second thought: A temporary tattoo! I know exactly what to do with this!


My little tough guy.

It's a boy!

Yesterday, after we got home from church, I was playing with Elliot and accidentally stumbled on his new favorite noise -- burping. I have never, ever seen him laugh so hard. As you might imagine, this resulted in some rather immature behavior on the part of his parents. We didn't pull out the video camera until the end, but this should give you the idea.

Poor Nicholas the Bunny

Elliot has very decided preferences when it comes to books. If he thinks the book we've chosen isn't up to par, he'll let us know--squawking and squirming until we pull out one of his favorites. Who knew a five-month-old could be so opinionated?

As a result, we usually end reading the same 5 or 6 favorite books over and over again. This gets quite boring. Both Chris and I can recite Goodnight Moon--frontwards and backwards--from memory. We know that if 9 hippos, then 8, then 7 etc. show up for a party, you end up with 45, grooving, partying hippos.

In order to make things a little more interesting, Chris and I have resorted to some fairly odd tactics at times. I've tried reading books in different accents. I've tried reading them backwards. But nothing tops what I heard Chris doing, while reading I'm A Bunny yesterday. The story is about a cute little bunny named Nicholas and what he does during each of the four season. Chris's version of it was a bit more sinister...

(Imagine an urgent, rushed Jack Bauer-like voice)
I am a bunny!
My name is Nicholas!
I live in a hollow tree!

Apparently, in Chris's version, poor Nicholas was being interrogated regarding some suspicious anti-bunny activities. I hope the poor guy came out of it all right. Then again, maybe I don't...

Elliot Loves His Keys

The best $2 purchase I've ever made.

Diaper Changes Made Difficult

Dear Elliot-

We are very proud that you've figured out how to roll from your back to your belly. We just wish you would refrain from doing it during diaper changes. No, it's not funny.

Love,
Your Parents