A Birthday & a Half-Birthday

My birthday was earlier this week and it turned out to be a very happy day indeed.  In addition to all the warm wishes and phone calls (I felt quite loved), we received a VERY welcome delivery.  While most of our household goods went to storage, we were able to set aside a few things to be delivered to us in temporary housing.  So, on my birthday the kids got back a box of their toys, their Duplos (I love, love, LOVE Duplos - hours of fun and entertainment), Thane's Jumperoo, my recipe books, more jackets, and our printer.  Hallelujah!  It's made for a much better week.  Happy kids, Happy Mom.  Plus, having the printer back meant we could get back into our home school routine and having that structure has also made a big difference.  

If I had planned ahead better, I would have set aside more things to be delivered to us here.  It's the little things that I miss - my apron, clothespins, Christmas books and decorations, hole-punch, baby blankets, knit hats, etc. 

Today is Thane's 6-month birthday.  Can you believe it?  He certainly doesn't want me to forget it. He strikes me as the kind of kid that's impatient to grow up and do what the other kids are doing.  He's just starting to sit up because he'd much rather be on the ground crawling and rolling around.  Recently he's been trying to get up on all fours; not quite hands and knees yet, more like forearms and knees. 

He's been desperate to try solid foods.  His eyes get big when he sees food and he makes cunning lunges for anything he thinks might be within reach.  When I eat with him in my arms, he cries mournfully as if to accuse, "I can't believe you won't share!"  My preference is to wait till 6 months and with all the craziness of the last few weeks, that became a necessity.  "As soon as we get to Washington," I promised him, "we'll start you on solids."  I tried cereal a couple times but ultimately decided to skip on to purees, so this week he's been eating sweet potatoes.  I think he's a fan.  He cries if I don't get the spoon in his mouth quick enough and heaven-forbid if I happen to get distracted!  Still, it's a work in progress because he hasn't quite figured out how to keep the food in his mouth or swallow well.  He ends up eating each spoonful two or three times as a result.

I'm convinced Thane is bound and determined to break my nose.  So far he's only managed two fat lips, but he's constantly working on the timing of his hard head smashes.  Watch for future reports.

 Thane has pretty much gotten over his initial colicky tendencies.  He's smiley and happy, but also opinionated and determined.  He loves to watch Aubree and Bryce and they adore him as well. With his huge brown eyes and big grin, he always catches the attention of strangers when we're out and about. 

We love this boy!