Lisa n Tom (n James n Joseph)

Lisa writes: Last couple of perfect fall days.We were outside for at least 30 minutes before a mosquito found us. James can sit for about 30 seconds nowadays and is quite adroit with that binky, pulling it out and putting it back in like a boss. In the past week he has GROWN. The last three outfits I put on him were too short or too tight. These were things that he's been wearing for several weeks with no problem, and then today? Too small. Two nights ago he moved from the bassinet to the crib. He actually prefers to sleep in the bassinet, but he's just too big for it now. His feet are sticking out of the bottom. He can sing, he can scream, he can jabber single syllables. He can eat from a spoon. He can try to drink the bath water. He can grab anything he can reach. He sticks out his little pink tongue like a kitten. He pats and pounds with his hands and fists. I suspect he is starting to drop things just for the fun of watching us pick them up. The sunshade of his...

Lisa writes: That's the White House behind us. And those are the extra-safe security portable bike-rack fending that was put in place after some nutjob scaled the fence and the security dudes on the lawn totally didn't see him and let him into all the way into the building. Poor security dudes.  

Lisa writes: Every Sunday from Spring to Fall, "The Flying Circus" performs in a big, grass field in Bealton, Virginia. It's been going since 1970. Crazy old guys with referbed WWII biplanes and some slightly newer models fly in formation, do tricks and stunts, wing walk ( without safety harnesses), and crack lame, old-guy jokes. It's a great trip. WWII biplanes in formation in the background. Baby Bigfoot front and center. Christi, Lisa, James, Mom Robbins, Dad Robbins, Christian (12) Aunt Christi photobomb Those daring young men and their flying machines Up-ditty up-up. Down-ditty down-down.

Lisa writes: So, the thing about taking a boat ride is that you can't take a picture of the boat while you are riding on the boat. So just pretend you can tell we are on a historical reconstruction of a 150 year old canal boat on the C&O canal, and that all of the small children on the boat are tethered to the rails with leather harnesses (which, historically, they would have been so as not to drown, and also, gosh, that would just make watching a lot of small children so much easier). Costumed reenactor explaining how the locks worked. James was fascinated by this. Seriously. Mules towing the boat upstream. James and Aunt Christi.

Lisa writes: Tonight at ECHO James was babbling and started clearly saying "da da da da."

Lisa writes: James' inner eye (after a trip to Trader Joe's and raiding the sticker roll).

Lisa writes: My parents flew into town today. Their flight was delayed and they didn't get to the house until almost midnight. Mom was so sad that she wouldn't be able to see James until morning, but as we walked in the door we were met with the sweet sound of a baby screaming to be let out of bed. Mom was thrilled and, as you can see, James was happy with his unexpected reprieve.

Lisa writes:  The fancy new website for TwinGo Carrier is up and looks great! Click on the link and try to spot the two pictures of our baby James. (Hint: He is acting the part of a very small Asian child.) Link: TwinGo Carrier

Lisa writes: It's October. James wore this to an event at Tom's tai chi school. Lots of Chinese classmates. Got complimented on his "panda sweater." Took me several seconds to figure out what they were talking about. The "panda" sweater

Lisa writes: There will come a day when he has opinions about these things. When he won't let me stuff him into silly costumes just because it amuses me. When he won't let me post pictures of him being stuffed into silly costumes just because it amuses me even more. When he probably won't want his bare legs sticking out like that. But today is not that day.

Lisa writes: Never, ever go full penguin.

Lisa writes: James is six months old and does lots of things; unfortunately he is doing none of them in this video. But as you can see he is bigger and bigger all the time. He is stronger and has better aim (for grabbing and smacking) and louder and has a wider range of sounds -- from shrieks to growls to la la la las and raspberries. Six month check up yesterday wasn't fun for anybody. He got five shots and an oral vaccine that he kept trying to spit out. There was also some "manual release of adhesions." Moms of boys, you can explain that to everybody else. James doesn't want to talk about it. The big upcoming change for us is that my FMLA runs out at the end of this month and, starting Nov 3, James will start going to daycare for 2 days a week. We're trying to psych ourselves up for this. 27.5 inches long 16 lbs 14.5 oz 17 inch head circumference

Tom doing a little shopping at Trader Joe's. What's in the bag Tom? Hi baby! Photobomb by friendly neighborhood Trader Joe's dude. Lisa writes: Besides imitating groceries, James' new hobby is jumping. Jumping and jumping and jumping in your lap until your arms give out from holding him. We got him a Jumperoo, but apparently that isn't nearly as fun as having Mom or Dad act as the springs.

Lisa writes: The Fairfax County Animal Shelter is right across the street from the Costco we go to almost weekly. We will never, ever run out of small animals. Meet Joseph the Gerbil. Joseph is 3 1/2 years old (they live to be five ... maybe). He is black with a white patch under his chin and a very long black tail. His hobbies include eating, sleeping, and kicking his bedding out of his cage. He is hand-tame, but very fast.