Slide show of Summer 2009

So much has happened this summer it's hard to cover it all. For a quick summary, check out the photos: Summer 2009

Jonah has been doing some amazing things lately. He's been walking, with our assistance, for about 5 or 6 weeks. He started out very wobbly, but over time he's gotten really good at it. Initially, he needed us to help him up and then hold both of his hands. He loved it so much that he started reaching for our hands: I would put him down in front of me, facing away, and he would reach behind to get my hands. And the off he went! Later, he made another interesting leap: if he happened to be facing me when he stood up, he would switch hands all by himself to make sure he was facing out. Pretty cool -- I need to get it on video.

On his 10 month birthday he took his first real steps on his own. For quite a while he really needed our hands to walk. We'd been trying to "ween" him off the hands, but it was tough: whenever we'd let go, he'd immediately sit down. Then, when we were in our hotel room in Boothbay Harbor he took several steps completely on his own. He was balanced and controlled, although he didn't seem to realize that he was walking without help. Even now, he still insists on holding our hands whenever possible, even though it's clear he doesn't need it. The funniest thing is that we can trick him into walking without help by giving him something that requires two hands to carry! He was helping mommy today by carrying a little laundry basket down the hall. I need *that* on video, too.

Some other amazing things he's been doing lately:

• He was eating cheerios the other day, and started feeding them to me.
• Today he put the pacifier in mommy's mouth -- initially, he gave it to her backwards, but then figured out the problem and turned it around.
• He figured out where the balls go in a plastic pinball table we bought. At first he put the ball into a hole in a table and was trying to reach in to get it. Then he figured out that the balls come out in a little tray on the side, and he would look there after putting the ball in the hole.
• Playing the bongos

Finally, he got his first haircut today -- boy, did he need it. He looked like a hippie. See pictures below...

Month 9- walking and talking!

This month was monumental for Jonah! He has been walking (while holding onto hands) and just this past week took his first unassisted steps! He got up from sitting to standing and just walked right over to Mommy. Boy was I surprised!

As for talking, he mimics what we say, so I say "bottle" and he says, "baba". He has also said "Papa" while looking at a picture of Sam's dad (we call him Papa) after I said it. And, he says "Dada" although it's not clear if that just means, "I want something" or if it actually means Sam.

His favorite activities include: reading himself books (he even turns them right-side-up when they are up-side-down!), of course walking/running, playing soccer (which involves kicking his ball while walking), dancing (he dances every time there is music on) and making music with random things and also with things intended to be instruments.

We started another Music Together class a few weeks ago and he LOVES it. As soon as the music starts, he stands up and bounces around and plays his instruments. So fun.

Today we went to Nantucket. It was Jonah's first time on a boat and he loved it! On the trip out, the breeze was blowing so hard and he just opened his mouth and laughed hysterically. Everyone near him couldn't help catching his infectious giddiness. It's interesting to compare this trip to Nantucket with the one we took last summer. On that trip we spent all day on Nantucket and a leisurely evening in Hyannis. The only issue was that Aliza felt very pregnant -- our bicycle ride out to the beach was a real slog. On this trip we were a lot more hurried and stressed. We spent much of the time worried about Jonah's eating and napping schedule. On the plus side, it's a lot easier for Sam to take Jonah now!

A few weeks ago we went to Osterville on Cape Cod to visit with Jacob and Jenna (who is about to have her baby in September). Jonah went swimming for the first time in the pool where we stayed and although he was nervous at first, he really seemed to enjoy it.