Cael's no longer the baby in the family. Now he's the older cousin, ready and willing to teach the young and impressionable how to drool, open cupboards, and get stuck in small crawl-spaces. Whee!

We went straight up to Portland as soon as we heard the news. Mom and baby are happy and beautiful. I'm pretty sure I looked like I got hit by a mac truck a few hours after Cael was born. Sarah looks like she stepped out of a salon. Unfair!

Cael was more interested in flirting with the nurses than paying any attention to his new relative, but I suppose that's to be expected. He is related to Martin, after all.

I fear for the teenage years.

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Cael now can say "Dad" and "Hi, Dad."

He is completely independent with his cup. He'll even walk around the house while drinking it. He still sloshes it a bit, but he does really well.

He's also independent with his spoon, as long as whatever he's eating is sticky enough. I give him two spoons (one for each hand) and a bowl of Cream of Wheat and he'll get down to the bottom of it all by himself. Granted, a good portion of it ends up all over his face, but still! Progress!

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Cael's picture was on the front page of the local section in today's Statesman Journal. He's doing what he does best - shoving something into his mouth and slobbering.

I'm so proud!

Class provides early start on bilingual learning for babies

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Cael has a remarkable ability to get himself into spaces he can't get out of.



He used to scream until I rescued him. Now he just gives me the "a little help please?" face.

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I don't have a baby anymore - I have a little dude. He's incredibly mobile and becoming more and more vocal and independent. He's an expert at walking, running and dancing (thanks to Grandpa Paul, Cael prefers to dance to bubble gum music and is especially fond of "Do[ing] the Freddy").

His new favorite trick is to bring Ryan or I our shoes and make us put them on, then grab us by the finger and drag us to the front door so we'll take him outside. Since he discovered he could pull on a finger and take someone wherever he wanted them to go, I've covered a lot of ground.

He's not saying words yet, beyond "hi." He also says "sssshs" for shoes.

Though he's not talking, he's very much aware of words and their meanings. If you say the name of something, he will bring it to you (his stuffed animals, books, shoes, blankie) or he'll point to them (belly button, dad). And if you tell him it's time to change his diaper, he'll find his way to the changing table and wait to be put on it (which is incredibly compliant for someone who still squeals and wiggles like a greased pig when he's being diapered).

He has eight teeth in front and more coming in - including molars. Pretty soon he'll be able to chew through that raw steak we've been giving him without choking.

Eating has become messier, as Cael has decided that he would like to hold his own cup and spoon. I'd say he's got a 50/50 chance of making things into his mouth on each attempt. Plus, he hasn't figured out that spoons have to be right side up or everything in them falls onto his lap.

Things are about to get even messier. On the schedule today is a trip to the craft store to buy some finger paints. Be afraid, be very afraid!

(Pictures of the Sunriver trip to come at a later date.)

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