Things Jonathan Loves This Week

- SMASHING his rattle as hard as he can onto the plastic frame of his bouncy seat

- Sitting in my lap and having his hair brushed

- Watching the fire in the fireplace (that can't be a good sign!)

- Seeing the world go by in his stroller with the seat back bolt upright

- Talking and laughing at the animals on his mobile

- Eat the thumb! (Or knuckle, in the case of Auntie Liz)

- All the commotion at Guadalajara restaurant on a Friday night (until he falls asleep in his Bumbo seat)

Cry of the Yeti

Jonathan is experimenting with his vocal cords these days. He has discovered how to make a truly awful combination squeal-crack-growl, which I think might have the power to shatter glass at close ranges. He uses this "cry of the yeti" for generalized happiness and delight. Now, when we put him under his beloved mobile, he performs it for the animals non-stop.

He is reaching out and grabbing, but only a few specified things. He loves to lace his fingers through the blankie Aunt Liz made him. He enjoys swiping at the elephant on his playmat - one day he is determined to get it into his mouth! And he'll take his wooden rattle out of our hands, and promptly swing it upwards into his eye. Close enough. I hope he learns how to satisfy his chewing needs soon. When I pull him up into a sitting position these days, he keeps right on going and face-plants himself onto my thumb, then starts to gnaw at it. It's very funny to watch, but it's wet.

Sunday was a busy day for us. We drove to DC and had a nice lunchtime visit with Grandma Kwon, and then on to Frederick for Helen's wedding shower. It was nice to see the old fraternity gang! Jonathan was quiet and wide-eyed, taking it all in. We got back home to Charlottesville just as the sleet began.

Crazy Baby.

We really enjoyed having Alex and his parents over last week - you can see him in the new crop of photos. Alex is three weeks older than Jonathan so it was a little preview of coming attractions for us.

Chris has taken on the role of funny facemaker for the family. He can get Jonathan to laugh out loud and squeal. My similar efforts are met with a blank stare - oh well! I have started to see his very first efforts to use both hands to manipulate objects. The "talking" is more frequent and a lot louder! Jonathan's neck and stomach muscles are getting stronger. He has been doing crunches all day, and now leans forward when put in his bouncy seat. He'll have to be buckled in at all times from now on.

He'd better learn to sit up quickly, because he is rapidly running out of room in the Bumbo. Yesterday we had to take off his pants before he could fit in it.

Some of our favorite moments of the past week. . .

Jonathan's 100 day party was a wonderful affair. We are so truly fortunate in our family and friends. Later in the same day we were thrilled to meet some new family members at Liz and Jim's engagement party. Some of the nice memories included:

- Jonathan holding court at the end of the table at Matuba in his blue Bumbo seat.

- Grandpa Westin coming early to the party and using his invaluable "Surf City" skills to get Joanthan down for a pre-party nap.

- Grandma Kwon's incredible buffet spread. I didn't think we'd get it all done, but of course once all of Grandma's friends showed up, the food just flew out the kitchen and onto the table. Delicious!

- Trying to tell Mom how to spell "mandu" while whipping cream for the horseradish sauce.

- Jonathan's eyes opening SO WIDE when he saw the giant Mickey Mouse!

- Jonathan and Uncle Jack adopting one another at the engagement party.

- Jim's grandma signing "cute" at the baby.

- Everyone toasting Liz and Jim - we're so excited for the wedding!

We got home and spent a good thirty minutes unloading the car. Jonathan is enjoying his new blocks and wooden rattle.

I hesitate to write this next bit because none of you will believe it, but it really happened. Chris and I were both witnesses to Jonathan's first word! He was bouncing on my knee and I was telling him "Oh, you're sooo sleepy." And he looked at me and said "Sleep." I looked over at Chris on the couch and Chris said "Did he just say 'sleep'?!?" He really did! I almost dropped him.

We've had lovely walks in the warm weather - seventy degrees yesterday! I have just about given up the front carrier as he is getting too heavy - we use the stroller now. However, we did go grocery shopping using the carrier on Monday. The clerk said to Jonathan "Boy, it doesn't look like you miss many meals!" It's the cheeks!