Alex likes to eat!

We've introduced Alex to solids over the last few weeks. They're as big a hit with him as they were with his brother. The first few meals, we actually had difficulty getting the food into his mouth, because he would lean so far forward that his face was only an inch or so above the tray. But, by tightening the straps so he sits bolt upright, we've made it possible for him to get good-sized helpings of rice, squash, prunes and peas. The first bite of every meal is always a bit of a surprise - Alex makes a face and squishes up his nose. But after that he settles in and tucks it away. Heaven forbid we try to eat an evening meal with him in the exersaucer - he yowls indignantly until he's in his high chair.

He also likes to move! He's been scooting backwards and spinning around on his belly for a month. He's been so frustrated that he can't move forwards - but no longer! He plants his toes firmly in the carpet, then extends his ankles. That moves him forwards an inch or two. Then he replants the toes and does it again. Jonathan has had his first taste of Alex going after the cool toys, and he's going to have to learn some better strategy. It was pretty funny this evening to watch Jonathan try to keep his sticker book out of Alex's hands. Used to a stationary baby brother, Jonathan would say "Aaaah! No, Alex!" and move away an inch or two. A plant and a flex later and there was Alex's hand on the stickers again! Jonathan retreated and Alex pursued, an inch at a time, around the coffee table.

And he likes to laugh, as of tonight. I was especially happy to hear it because my return to work has been hard on the baby. He weeps any time I walk out of the room in the evening, and clings to my hair every chance he gets. So it was nice to hear him guffaw as Jonathan jingled the coins in his piggy bank. Like everything Alex does, the laugh was LOUD!