Busy with the "busy box"

In an effort to feel like I have accomplished something today in the wider world besides doing laundry, grocery shopping, and managing to shower while Soren bounced in the Johnny-Jump-Up, I am posting these recent photos of our charming little lad.

I was trying to capture the lip tuck in the second photo from the bottom, but the other shots are awfully precious as well. He's getting cuter by the day!

Note that Soren outsmarted this new "busy box" toy within one day -- instead of puzzling over how to shift the lever, pull the ring, etc. to pop open the compartment with the animal, he figured out he could simply pry open the lids. Sigh. At least it keeps him sort of busy...

Cuteness update

Yippee-ti-yee, here's the latest cuteness report on Soren William. He's awfully adorable wearing Mommy's hat...
...prettily proud of himself for practically chewing through the spine of a cardboard book (!) -- guess that was an otherwise mind-chewingly boring car ride...
...bouncily balancing on a big ball with Dad's help -- note proper crawling position...
...poshily posing on the potty with Mom (we're excitedly experimenting with Elimination Communication (aka Diaper Free technique) and would love to connect with other families similarly pottying their babies before toddlerhood)...
...and, lastly, smilingly swinging with visitors Olivia and Charlotte from Olympia. This is Soren's newest favorite outdoor activity, being pushed in the kid swing handed down from the Marxes (thank you!) that we hung under our deck.

Check Soren's blog for even more cute pix!

Soren on trapset

The following 27-second video demonstrates the musical and life skill we are teaching Soren. We have read that boys who have drumming as a physical outlet experience less stress and aggression. And he can accompany us in our living-room music jams.

Soren's "trapset" consists of his bodhran drum and a cowbell. Little does he know that when he's ready, there's his dad's full drumset in storage the basement, waiting for him! (Jeff plays a very boring role in this video, as he sits on the floor beside his son, paying bills.)

Soren bouncing on the bed

Er, make that bouncing in the bed. Here's a short video (25 seconds) shot on May 22, of Soren amusing himself just after waking up from a nice nap in his hammock bed. That, and letting me know he's ready to be picked up!

Auntie Nora in Port Townsend

Auntie Nora has even lighter blue eyes than Soren!
She captured some really cute expressions -- boyish looks, not baby faces.
Snoozing on my back in the Ergo carrier.
"Cruising" along the cedar deck furniture, in his sun hat with the neck flap.
And in crawling position...video to come. He's finally mobile on his hands and one knee (!).

Auntie Nora returns - Anacortes visit

My sister Nora finally got a break from grad school in Colorado and was able to visit for the first time since December! She totally bonded with her nephew (really, they were inseparable) and we got to hang out with her in Anacortes and then she visited us in Port Townsend (see next post).

Here they are on the beautiful beach at Washington Park in Anacortes (above).
With Grannie and Papaw pushing the swing at the 1-year-old "community-built" playground in Anacortes. The large and varied park (more fun and photos to come from many future visits, I'm sure) was assembled in 5 days by volunteers (they helped) and was designed by Leathers & Associates, which does this sort of thing with playgrounds all around the country. Very cool!
On a hot day, Soren chilling in his great-grandma Rees's stainless steel dishtub. Just the perfect size for a 9-mo.-old boy!
Posing in a colorful orange-juice corner when Nora and Grannie took him to the supermarket. Soren LOVES riding around in a shopping cart!

Saturday events with Shelly & Jeff

Yes, Soren's parents do have lives of their own! This weekend is a busy one for us both. If you are a local who follows this blog, you are welcome to join us for one or both of these fun events.

At noon on Saturday, June 6, Jeff's company is sponsoring (read: Jeff did a lot of legwork to set it up) a screening of the documentary, Fuel, at the Rose Theatre. "An insightful portrait of America’s addiction to oil and an uplifting testament to the immediacy of new energy solutions." It will be followed by a panel discussion. Read more at http://thefuelfilm.com/ or scroll down to see the photo of the incredible shrinking Jeff on Power Trip Energy's homepage.

At 7:30 p.m. the same day, Shelly directs and reads in a PT Shorts program titled "The Story Girl" -- short stories by L.M. Montgomery, the author of Anne of Green Gables. This is a monthly free reading series put on by Key City Public Theatre, and she's always thought it would be fun to highlight some lesser-known tales by her favorite childhood author. The press release was submitted with the above photo of Shelly dressed as Anne Shirley on a 1998 visit (pilgrimage was more like it!) to L.M. Montgomery's native Prince Edward Island.

OK, 10:30 and bed is seeming more important than blogging!