Head-Scratching

Just like Daddy, Micah likes to have his head scratched! In this video you can here him make the "sleepy" noise while he gets his fix for the day. Latest cute thing he does: pulls the plug out of the tub when he's ready to be done with bath-time. This works great when we're actually "done," i.e. mom has had time to scrub the elbows and knees, etc., and various pieces of pasta, peas, etc., have been washed from the hair. Still working on that!

EIEIO

Here is a video of Micah singing "Old MacDonald" with me. This is a fair representation, but sometimes he really gets into it!

Mmmmmm!

Micah is learning to feed himself. Here's a video of his "skill" at shoveling the spaghettios in! As you can see, there's not much spoon action, but at this point, I'm happy that he is grasping it hasn't thrown it on the floor.

WARNING: I fully embrace my right to mom-brag in these next few paragraphs: He did a couple of things this weekend that made me take note that he's growing up. I always talk at him about things and I wonder if he understands half of what I say. Yesterday, I told him that we needed to put our shoes on. I picked up his and went to go scoop him up like I usually do. Instead I found him sitting on the floor looking at me and pointing to his feet. I was so proud! Now if I could just get him to leave them on...

Also, this weekend we had been reading one of Micah's favorite books--"Old McDonald." He likes this book because it has rotating wheels you can manipulate to change the pictures on the pages. Anyway, I asked him what book he would like to read. He walked over and picked that book off the shelf, brought it to me and began singing "E-I-E-I-O," which is all of the song he can pronounce at this point! He loves to sing it with me and he just hums the other parts. I couldn't believe he recognized that book. I guess he really has been taking in more than I think he has.

Sara Marie Lawrence

This is a shout-out to our friends John and Becky who just welcomed a baby girl this week! Yeah! Many blessings. (We haven't seen pictures yet, but we hear she's a redhead ;-))

Exploring the Christmas Tree

This is a video of one of Micah's first experiences with the Christmas tree. For the most part, he left the tree alone, except for the present with the lime green tissue paper you see in the video. This was a present for him, and he must have known it somehow since he seemed to "unwrap" it every time he got near the tree.

It's amazing how much he's changed even in the month since this was taken. He puts less and less in his mouth now, preferring to explore with his hands more. He can turn the lights on and off in his room (it's a dimmer, so he has to push the button) and is close to figuring out the other switches. Being "in charge" of this duty delights him to no end :-) He also has started naming things instead of just imitating the sounds we make. The other day we were playing on the floor and he picked up a tissue and brought it over to me while saying "tiss-ooo" over and over again. With all of his allergies, it's no wonder that this is one of his first words! He's babbles on and on using words that sound like they might mean something but don't quite yet. It makes me laugh :-) Since he is becoming frustrated when he can't complete a task he has in mind (i.e., reaching toys in the bottom of his toybox--he's not quite tall enough yet) I'm trying to teach him a simple sign for help--touching his hand to his chest. Right now, he'll just kind of whine and point to whatever it is he wants. When he's hungry he points to his high chair or brings the sippy cup over when he's thirsty. Even though he can't talk, just having him be able to signify exactly what he wants is such a relief! It's hard not knowing what he wants when he's upset. With all of these fun things, there are also not-so-fun things too. He's started clinging and crying at daycare when I drop him off--a telltale sign of the separation anxiety kicking in. The workers are really good about distracting him with toys before it becomes a full-on meltdown, but I have to admit, it's hard not to just cling right back and take him to work with me!

Sledding!

Good times on the sled with Grampa!

And the Band Played On

Here's a cute video of Micah playing with his new instrument set on Christmas Day.

Here are a few more photos from up north. As you can see, there was plenty of snow on the ground. This photo of the yard was taken from the porch about an hour before we left the house. I guess it was good timing, since they ended up getting a foot of snow that day! Of course, I don't think Gramma would have minded if we'd been stranded there another day, even though we were taking up her and Grampa's bedroom! We also celebrated my 30th b-day, as illustrated by this photo of me with the moose :-) As most people who know me know, I have a soft spot for the ugly-cute animals. A soft spot which my mother-in-law indulges at Christmas and birthday times!

More from Grantsburg

Gramma, can I have some more?

Fun with Grampa

Some more of the Inouye clan

Here's some pictures from the latter half of our trip to Grantsburg this Christmas. Micah got to play with his cousins at their house (Gramma even offered to babysit while the parents went out to lunch!). As you can see in the first photo, Micah was not hurting for food handouts while there. He got to sample lots of new foods, including broccoli cheese soup--a new favorite! Right now, he is learning to eat more table foods so I give him something new everynight in addition to the old standbys, like spaghetti. We're experimenting with allowing him to practice with the spoon. A messy affair, but enjoyable for him! We just got internet at home so I hope to post some more this weekend.

Computer problems

Sorry for the delay, folks. I have lots of show you, just can't get it to post. I'll try again later.

Winter Wonderland

Oooh, dad, it's coldMicah-sicle

Whee!

Well, we made it back! After 40+ hours in the car (and one incident with carsickness), our trip to Wisconsin is over and we are back in Arkadelphia and back at work and daycare. All in all, we had a good time. Micah got to see snow falling for the first time (he woke up and pointed at the window saying "ooh, ooh", like what is that stuff?) and play in it! We took out the sled and Grandpa Roger and Daddy pulled him around on it. After arriving at the house, it was apparent that the most interesting thing in the room, was not the lights on the tree, or the new surroundings--it was the bows on the presents. I think before Christmas even came, Micah had removed every one and scattered them around the house. Sorry Grandma, I guess we need to get you some new ones! We went shopping and just enjoyed some quiet time at home with family. I'll post more pictures and video this week if my computer cooperates. Hope you all had a great holiday too.