And we're on the move!

Cael is crawling - rapidly. Yesterday it took him 30 minutes to cross the room, now it takes 30 seconds. I suppose it's time to babyproof? =)

Also, he has learned how to stand up in his crib. Unfortunately, he hasn't yet learned how to sit back down. Lately every time I come into the nursery I find a screaming, stranded biped.

And, just to spice things up, he's taken to flipping himself over while being changed. I can now diaper upside down!

(I am totally looking forward to more baby showers that have the diapering competition. I will rule!)

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On Sunday night Cael's blankie was violently yanked under the wheels of the stroller. After initial shock subsided, Green Blankie was rushed home, torn and muddy, where Cael's mom performed corrective surgery.

This photo was taken after being sent through the washing machine.
The "before" washing machine picture was deemed by the AP to be too gruesome to publish.

Being a novice surgeon and unfamiliar with this particular type of patient, Cael's mom was only able to do an amateur patch job. We're hoping it holds out.

The family asks that your hopes and prayers be with them.

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(Click to enlarge)

Look at all those teeth!

Are you surprised he's not screaming?

ME TOO!

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The boys wait for their second swimming class. Cael is chatting it up with Jon and Kadin. (Cael is totally going to be the, "Mom, why do we have to hang out with that little runt?" guy for poor Kadin and Logan. Meanwhile, Cael will be like, "Mom! Can I hang out with the big boys again?!")

Here is Cael working on his breast stroke. Nice form. (Or maybe he's reaching for his toy. Either way, looks good, no?)

"We kick the ball to Cael, to Cael, to Cael. We kick the ball to Cael and Cael kicks it back!"

Cael's glide to the instructor.

His glide back - underwater! I have it on good authority the glide back is not nearly as much fun. Probably because he has to go back to his dad. How uncool is it to hang with your dad in front of all these peers? (Note: Cael watches Gilmore Girls with me, so he knows that being with your mom is cool. I'll have to find some way of convincing him Ryan's not as big of a loser as Cael thinks he is. Good luck with that, huh?)

"I want the instructor back!"

A little one-on-one time while they turn into raisins.

Seven weeks left. Then he grows fins.

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Cael is nine months old today, and to celebrate he went to the doctor. Boy, does he know how to have a good time!

The stats:

Height: 25th percentile
Weight: (17 lbs) 10th percentile
Head: 50th percentile

So, nothing's changed. He's still a runt with a huge head. A smaller, skinnier runt, but a runt nonetheless.

Food:

He's still nursing and eating solid foods. He was strictly an oatmeal man, but this morning he had his first batch of Cream of Wheat for breakfast. Ever the adventurer.

Bread for finger foods (he failed at rice cakes).

For dinner he has veggies, stews or quinoa. We tried meat earlier this week, but he would have none of it. I can't say that I blame him though - I wouldn't want to eat watered down ground turkey either. So, as of today, he's still an herbivore.

He's a huge fan of drinking water from a cup/glass. He can't hold it himself yet, but he tries valiantly.

Motor skills:

Still not even the least bit interested in creeping or crawling (or anything to do with being on his stomach). He's a big fan of standing and assisted walking/running/chasing Clio. Cruising is coming along gradually.

He can lean to get something that's fallen out of his reach, but if he leans too far he falls onto his stomach and can't get back upright (usually with his face smashed into the stray toy). He sits like a champ, but isn't able to get into a sitting position by himself. Nor is he able to pull himself up to standing.

His fine motor skills are well honed. He can even pick a sprout out of my hand.

Talking:

He says things that sound like "mama" and "dada" but it's totally random. Words at this point still have no meaning. He doesn't know what "no" means.

Teeth:

Two on the bottom. It looks like there are four on the top about ready to burst through (very swollen and red today).

For fun:

He is learning to "clap, clap, clap!" his hands, adores the itsy bitsy spider and is working on waving bye-bye. Peekaboo is also a hit.

Other:

He's done with the pacifier. No interest at all. He has gotten himself very attached to his green blanket, and always clings to it while sleeping.

First swimming class on Saturday. That should be terrifying fun.

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We're currently without our video camera, so you'll just have to add the hissing sound in your head. ;)

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