this is just so cool!

...watching my little person become, well, a person. I'm just surprised over and over at how many things he's able to make sense of, you know? In the last few days, he's developed a strong preference in reading material. The Wheels on the Bus board book was a gift from his Aunt Jen and Uncle Pat for Christmas, and after I read (sang) it to him this past week, he's been enamored with it. He manages to find it, no matter where I put it, and bring it to me, saying what seems to be his attempt at "round and round." He knows that a dog says, "woof, woof". And, just now, he got a potato out of the bag I keep in the "pantry" (which is actually just a cubby on my kitchen desk), came and took my hand, and led me to the silverware drawer to get a fork so that he could eat his (still-raw) potato. And, of course, I couldn't resist just baking it up for him in the microwave right then. He ate the whole thing, saying "tado" over and over again.

...and we're back!

Whew. This place is dusty! Needless to say, my blog got the cold shoulder over the holidays. We're back in action now, and better than ever! Though, I suppose that's not saying much. Anyway, we had a wonderful Christmas and New Year's. Matt had a lovely, lovely Christmas break from work (I tell you, no one knows the true value of paid time off like a former construction worker and his wife. It's pure bliss.). I'll save you all a long-winded post about all the happenings of the last few weeks, but since you're here...here are some highlights (in no particular order): 1. Ambrose is a lean, mean, walking machine! This is now his primary mode of transport. I'm having such a good time with him (usually), and he's doing all sorts of funny, c-u-t-e things. He's recently started grabbing books off of his bookshelf (or any bookshelf, really) and wanting them "read" to him (for 10-15 seconds), and *must* have a plate and fork or other eating instrument when he eats (though uses both very ineffectively). 2. He also frequently attempts to play peek-a-boo with a blanket in front of his face while walking. This often results in him running straight into closed doors, walls, bookshelves--you name it--and then falling flat on his rear end. Sometimes, I try not to laugh at this. 3. We are home-birthin', baby! We found a wonderful home birth doctor a few days before Christmas, and are thrilled that baby boy #2 will enter the world in his home come late March, barring any real disasters or complications. 4. Speaking of baby #2, I'll be 29 weeks this week. I feel like this pregnancy is flying by--which is good, because I'm a zillion times more uncomfortable than I was last time. I am, however, really trying to savor feeling the baby move, stretch, and kick. Strange as it is, that was something I really missed after the Ambrose was born. 5. That's about all I've got for now. I'm looking forward to having more time to blog now that the holidays are past. Though, as I sit here watching my son eat his lunch (fork in hand, mind you), I'm noticing that he's not actually consuming the baby carrots I cut for him...rather, he's popping them in his mouth, chewing them as though he enjoys them, and then spitting them out. I am constantly amazed at his mess-making capabilities. And the record-setting time he can do it in. I'm just beginning to wonder if there will be time for anything at all other than diaper changes and cleaning up once the new baby comes?