No Use Crying Over Spilt Toys - 11/24/09

So, I don't have any photos to post tonight, just a quick funny story about something that literally just went down in our den.

Corban is a little emotionally unstable this evening; crying one moment then giggling the next, followed by some serious whining and grunting. So, he and I were sacked out on the couch and I was trying to raise his spirits by singing songs to him and bouncing him around. Nathan was playing with our hairy son, chasing Cooper around and throwing his ball for him. Corban's basket of toys was sitting in the middle of the room, having just played with some of them before dinner. Can you see it? Can you picture Corban squirming, me singing, Nathan chasing and Cooper running? The toys laying innocently in the basket in the middle of the floor?

Then the unthinkable happens. Nathan throws Coopers duckie and he takes off like a bullet. Unfortunately, this bullet has feet and his back one gets caught on the handle of the basket. Cooper trips and Corbans toys scatter across the floor. Corban looks over, sees his toys spread caddywampus on the floor and bursts into tears.

Mouth open, tears spilling, voice wailing.

He throws an accusatory look in Nathan's direction as if to say, "You made the dog do that. You made him spill my toys!"

Nathan began gathering the toys and placing them back in the basket, under Corban's watchful, soggy eyes. Corban supervised intently as Nathan picked up each item, crying the entire time. Then, once all the toys were placed back in the basket where they belong, Corban simply stopped crying, looked down at the basket and smiled! Then he looked up at Nathan, an approving glance, then turned back to me and resumed smiling as I sang to him.

Nathan and I both had to stop and ask each other if, in fact, that had really just happened. I said, "wow, OCD much, Corban?" and Nathan said, "Hmmmm...I wonder where he gets that?" I think he might perhaps be implying that I show some of those same characteristics.

Goofy

There is so much going on these days and Corban is growing, changing and learning almost faster than we can keep up! One new change that we aren't so excited about it Corban's sudden and extreme dislike of veggies. He still loves his bottle and of course, he'll eat all the fruit we give him, but he has made it very clear that he is on a veggie strike. It is so weird. He has been eating various veggies for over 3 months now, twice a day, then last week he just decided he was sick of them.

Nope. No thanks. Not interested. Not even a little.

Every time I try and feed him beans or sweet potatoes, peas, yams, all of the things he used to love, he screams and cries in his high chair. It is pitiful and adorable and frustrating all at the same time. Then, suddenly, he decided to show his distaste in a new and hilarious way.

Check out his reaction after being fed one itty bitty pea:

Our little monkey quickly figured out this is a good way to get an easy laugh since everyone who sees it finds it hysterical. But, seriously, this kid needs to get back to eating his vegetables.

Mr. Independent 11/07/2009

Walk, walk, walk.

That is what Corban loves to do! The only time our energetic 8 month old seems content to be on his knees, is when he is headed up the stairs! He can't walk on his own yet, but he is resourceful. He use anything in the house that can hold his weight to keep himself balanced on his two feet. Anything is fair game to keep from having to crawl to get from place to place. He uses the couches, the wall, the kitchen drawers and cabinets, chairs (any and all furniture, really), his own toys, our legs, and occasionally, when he's feeling really confident, he uses Cooper. That never ends well.

Well since walking seems to be his passion, when we were out this weekend and came across an "Activity Walker" we just couldn't help ourselves. Nathan put it together in a snap and Corban took to it immediately. The one thing we didn't expect is that he would instantly figure out that he can use to walker to combine his two favorite activities -- walking and climbing stairs. He pulls himself up on the walker and zooms to the nearest staircase, parks the walker and up the stairs he goes!

Check it out!

Grampa Comes a Visitin'

A few weeks ago my dad, the boy's Grampa Steven, came for a visit. He drove over from his home on Bainbridge Island and spent the afternoon with the boys. Well, actually, the boys had to go down for a nap about 30 mins after he arrived. Then, of course, they both decided to take perfect 2 hour naps that day. So, once they woke up and ate, dad had to hit the road again. But, it was nice to visit with him for a few hours and he did get some quality Grampa time in. And quality it more important that quantity.

They boys are fascinated by Grampa though. I think it's his voice and his glasses. They are absolutely captivated by him!

Grampa's #1 Grandson!

Grampa's #2 Grandson! (Just going by birth date, not by actual preference)

Grampa: Gasp! Levi: Wha??? Hahaha

Corban is wise to keep a weather eye....

The Adventures of Giraffe and Monkey

Corban's first Halloween came and went without much excitement. After a week of Levi and Katherine battling the Swine Flu and me (Melissa) beginning to feel fluish myself, we settled for a calm evening at home passing out candy to trick-or-treaters. But, since Corban isn't old enough to appreciate the awesomeness that is free candy, he didn't know the difference!

As you can see, he was a cute, cuddly little giraffe. Nathan and I thought he was adorable, but I don't think he shared our feelings of fondness for the outfit -- as evidenced by the fact that I did not capture even one smiling picture from him the entire night! Grandma Lynda, Papa Reggie and Auntie Lexie stopped by briefly and brought Levi along and, as usual, we got LOTS pictures!

Giraffe, Fairy Princess, Monkey!

Grandma and Papa

Try and contain your excitement boys!

Monkey tail, Giraffe tail

Cuteness

Adorable Monkey Boy and his banana!

It's Beginning to Look a lot like Halloween!

Thanks for the cute jammies Grandma!

Not so Silent Nights (and Days)

The crib is no longer a place for rest, but for play and

baby acrobatics! Now that Corban can pull himself up, nap time has changed quite a bit. We lay him in bed and leave the room and he stands up, drops his pacifier and screams. We play this fun game a few times, each playing our own roles, until finally we just leave him alone and let him scream it out. Although this makes nap time (and bed time) more difficult, it sure is adorable to walk into his room and see him standing there in his crib like a real person. And when he sees me and that huge smile stretches across his face, I'm a goner....

"Hey everyone! Come see how cute I look! Too cute to sleep, right?"

"All I know is, I'm not going down alone. I'm bringing everything in this crib down with me. That includes you Mr. Giraffe."

"Attica! Attica!"

No, this is actually his happy scream. Which he is doing in this pic because he is so proud of himself for fighting sleep off for a few more minutes and keeping mommy in the room snapping pictures.