After a long hiatus, more Xander pics

It's been nearly 2 months since we put up new photos, oh dear! In June, Xander's cousin Kayman Kingston was born, all 5 lbs 14 oz of him. We went to visit him in Portland, OR on Fourth of July weekend. Mommy Emma and Daddy Vince hosted eight out of town guests.

Here's Emma and Baby K.

In June, Xander perfected sitting up on his own, and in July he's perfected rolling as a form of locomotion. We put him on the rug sitting up, go into the kitchen to make some food, and look out two minutes later and he's rolled off the rug and is halfway under the couch.

He also loves eating solid foods. We're making him fresh baby food. He's had sweet potatoes, peas, spinach, banana, oatmeal, egg yolk, avocado, carrot, apple, chicken, and his favorite: pear.

Just last week he began to sleep through the night with some consistency.

He's a cheerful, curious, active little boy, and we expect he'll be crawling within two weeks or so. Got to babyproof now!

IMG_1850
Originally uploaded by lauren buckland

Much Traveling

The whole family went to the east coast in May. First stop was Miriam & Mattias' wedding in DC. It was a beautiful wedding, in an intimate chapel in Georgetown. They are a very happy couple.

Grandma Dixie was in town for the wedding, and Lauren, Dixie and Xander flew down to South Carolina to visit with Xander's Auntie Jen and Uncle Steve. Micah stayed in VA to attend a work conference.

Xander was a great traveler--he only cried at the very end of our 18-hour trip from SC back to SF.

He's now beginning to sit up and his favorite word right now is da-da-da-da-da-da-da. That and blowing raspberries.

Oooh, ice water!
Originally uploaded by lauren buckland

Baby's First Camping Trip

Last weekend the family camped in Yosemite at Hodgdon Meadows Campground. We were originally intending to go climbing (taking turns with some friends watching Xander while we went up the rock) but two bum shoulders prevented that. Instead we hiked, carrying Xander in a baby backpack. On Friday, while hiking the Four Mile Trail, it started to snow a bit.

Weather was chilly - 55 to 65 during the day and down to 32 at night--but we had Xander in a snuggly white bunting borrowed from a friend. He looked like a little polar bear cub. He slept between us in the tent and was really cozy and warm all night.

What else is Xander doing? Here's a list:

• babbling and practicing "goo" "koo" thhppbbt" and "aaaah"
  
• reaching for Bootsie
  
• flirting with the girls at daycare
  
• transferring toys from one hand to the other
  
• experimenting with gravity by dropping things
  
• eagerly lunging for spoonfuls of oatmeal
  
• waking up multiple times in the night for snuggles
  
• laughing after being held upside down
  
• waiting to roll over until he's good and ready
  
  Click on the photo for more pictures from our trip.
  
  Baby's First Camping Trip - Hodgdon Meadows, Yosemite
  Originally uploaded by lauren buckland
  

Nudie Shot!

It's so hard to keep up with all the photos we take. Now that I'm at work three days a week, I have a lot less free time to post photos. Xander is now five months old.

What's he doing?

• doing pushups during tummy time
  
• cracking up when he sees dogs run around
  
• riling up all the other kids in baby yoga by laughing
  
• starting on rice cereal
  
• not sleeping through the night
  
• smiling and snuggling up to people
  
• reaching for forks, placemats, plates, bowls, anything else he can pull off the table
  
• transferring toys from one hand to the other
  
• grabbing his toes
  
• getting really chubby
  
• rotating azimuthally (ask Micah)
  
• screeching, squeaking, burbling, grunting and otherwise trying to communicate verbally
  

In short, he's really amazing, and has become quite an aware little guy. He loves daycare (they love him) and comes home in Sophie's underwear once in a while (!) He's very calm and happy most of the time. He loves people and is now becoming more and more interested in toys. He's a joy to be with.

Nudie Shot!
Originally uploaded by lauren buckland

Snoozing

Hee, hee, we love it when he sleeps like this.

Snoozing
Originally uploaded by lauren buckland

Where'd you get that sideways hat, man?

You just buy a normal one and turn it sideways.

Where'd you get that sideways hat, man?
Originally uploaded by lauren buckland

Where'd you get that sideways hat, man?

You just buy a normal one and turn it sideways.

Where'd you get that sideways hat, man?
Originally uploaded by lauren buckland