Morning Exercise

Some mornings, Elijah likes to coach Samuel through a little exercise time:

About every thirty second, Samuel has to put his head down for a rest.

The other little one likes to be included, too.

Samuel -- 7 Months

Samuel started his seventh month with a fabulous trip to Baltimore, Maryland and Lancaster, Pennsylvania. A long plane trip stuck in mommy's arms = his dream vacation. He was a model traveler enjoying his time being held and hanging out in the high chair at restaurants. Historic ships, art galleries, Fort McHenry, Catherine's wedding, and more!

He got promoted to the high chair and sampled his first foods. He has yet to meet a sit-and-be-with-people situation that he does not like. Samuel's not big on being spoon-fed but he does like to try to pick up food and attempt to get it into his mouth. Sucking on cucumber slice is his favorite!

For more sitting options: the pool and bath tub are hits!

Brothers' swim lessons are also fun because more sitting and hanging out.

Swings are great, too -- more sitting and being with others!

Sitting and playing!

The first question I hear every morning is, "Can I play with Samuel first?"

Tummy time is sometimes tolerable!

But being upright in the exer-saucer is much better!

 

Samuel still thinks he a newborn with regards to sleep--on a good day he takes one 1-2 hour long nap all by himself, which is, sadly, a significant improvement. The other nap is hit or miss--sometimes happening in the sling, the car, or briefly when I'm trying to transfer him to the bed. 

He's a momma's boy through and through. He cries if I step out of sight, but grins as soon as he sees me. He would like to spend his whole life right next to me.

In the last few days, he getting more and more "mobile." Samuel's perfecting his long reach and his slow sitting scootch. He is always disappointed when he reaches too far and ends up on his tummy.

Samuel -- 3 Months

Samuel has taken very seriously the idea of the "fourth trimester" -- I'm pretty sure he would rather have gotten to stay inside the womb for those three extra months. But as three months approached, he started finding life outside of mommy's arms significantly more inviting (though mommy's arms are still the best).

Samuel got to go on lots of outings: Long Beach Aquarium, beach x 2, roadtrip to Fresno, Natural History Museum. Outings = being held by mommy the whole time = fantastic!

In Fresno

2nd beach trip!

On the lawn outside the Natural History Museum

Allowing himself to be put down has opened up new activity options for Samuel:

Black and white books are fun to look at!

Favorite new activity of the month

Story time with boys

And sleep occasionally happened outside of my arms/beloved sling:

Magic swing -- the only place he'd sleep
outside of my arms for more than a few minutes

Samuel continues to be well adored by his siblings. He loves it when they talk to him, and he is quick to smile back.

Bath time with siblings! I'm not sure he appreciates how lovingly
Josiah and Claire like to bathe him.

Hanging out with big brother

Claire likes to point out all his body parts

Fresno!

Morning snuggles

Morning snuggles

Our chunky baby weighs 14 lbs. and is 24 inches long. As noted by Josiah, he has yet to sprout any teeth.