I think Doc is teething right now. He drools like crazy, gnaws on everything and now has a runny nose, cough, and keeps pulling on his ears. Thanks Emily and baby Ember for telling us about Baby Mum Mums. Doc can get a cracker down in just a few minutes. They say that they are good practice for babies learning how to eat solids. He was almost there last time we tried. He swirls the cereal around in his mouth but ends up pushing it out with his tongue. Now he leans forward and opens his mouth like he's ready for it, though.

I've been thinking about how every generation of people talks about how kids grow up so much faster than they did; Doc already likes to play with the computer. He'll watch me work, opening and closing screens and typing, then he'll lean forward and touch the pad and keys intrigued by the things he makes happen on screen. He'll understand html by the time he's five. It's so much fun to go out with him. He used to just watch and observe everything that was going on around him, but now he responds. You can see which new things he's learning and he tells you when he wants to look at something closer.

Doc is wearing some of his 18-24 month clothes now (which I thought would last through the winter). His thighs are really bulking up now but the extra chubs don't hinder his movement. I'm sure he'll be crawling by Christmas. He's always on the move now. I have to put on a variety show every time I change his clothes. He's pretty into The Boys in the Bright White Sports Car especially if I shake my hair around (I get more animated than anyone else has probably seen). It seems that when you have kids, you lose all your pride and will do just about anything to keep them entertained. Thanks Maddy for teaching me a few tricks.

I broke down and bought Doc a tub with some of my consignment earnings at Wee Ones. He gets too slippery and wiggly to keep him in the sink. His tub provides a little support. When I first bathed him in it by myself I filled it kind of full and he just laid back and kicked his legs--I got kind of wet.

Doc watched Tom & Jerry from the bed today. He lays on his tummy and chews Sophie while watching. He's been extra snuggly, too. Yesterday we shared an apple and watched Spirited Away and today we watched Pom Poko. He pays attention to the first half hour then I wrap him in his Little Giraffe and rock him to sleep.

Boots

Today we tried out Doc's new boots for our walk down the road. They're a little big but are furry inside and nice and warm. Even if he's exhausted and super mad we can go for a walk outside and he's put at ease. He also enjoyed me picking his super big toesie fuzz when we got back.

Stripeys

American Apparel handed down from cousin Maribel, but he makes it look tough.

Apple chow fest

Our favorite Autumn gray sky

On mornings when Doc wakes before the sun comes up we go downstairs for morning coffee and lay in front of the fire (propane stove) on our bearskin rug (old rose comforter). I sing him whatever song has been stuck in my head for the past four days and he chews on Carter cow's feet. Then we go back to bed.

Doc finally has a mobile over his crib. After searching online and in stores and several attempts at making something worth looking at, I settled on the origami paper maple branch and I sure know my baby because he seems to love it (when he can stop himself from rolling over long enough to look at it). I'll try to capture one of those artsy videos of it moving with shadows cast on the wall in the background so everyone can admire my work (can you tell I'm pretty pleased with myself? proud proud proud).

4 months

Tomorrow Doc will be four months old. He's close to 17 pounds and has very knowing eyes that can catch your gaze from across the room; most people are surprised he's so young. He looks like he should be toddling by now. I'm experiencing a little bit of heartache at how fast time is going. I packed all of the things he's already grown out of and had to memorize the newborn bodysuits and kimono jackets before putting them in the box. At night I have to force myself to lay him down; I know I won't be able to pick him up forever. I already miss his soft skin and the smell of sour milk on his neck and he can't even crawl yet.

His body is thick, not necessarily chubby like most babies. He's a nursing pro; I didn't realize he'd be figuring out how to get inside my shirt by himself this early. We've been sharing honeycrisp apples. He gets them nice and slimy for me. A month ago I was exhausted from nursing so often and couldn't wait to start feeding him cereal but I'm in no hurry now. We've got a nice routine and I'm sure he'll be chowing solids in no time.

I'm excited to answer all of the standard developmental questions at his appointment on Monday. He pushes up when he's on his belly, he blows raspberries, he can pinch things between his thumb and forefinger, he rolls (non-stop)... I miss the newborn but being able to teach (and learn) new things everyday is definitely satisfying.