Sunshine!

So the sun has finally returned. After weeks of warm but rainy weather it's a nice change - time to get outside. We all got bundled up and went to the park to visit the ducks yesterday. Sadly the pond had frozen and there were very few ducks to see. Augusten was happy though - we tested out our new travelling companion, a Kelty convertible backpack stroller! It's pretty cool and will be great for travelling in Europe. As you'll see in the new photos it can be either a backpack carrier or a stroller. He enjoyed being in it for the most part - especially when he was up high - I bet he'll love it on his Dad's back, he'll get to see everything!
I am happy we made it out at least one day before Augusten got his first cold! He is currently a big bag of snot. He is still pretty happy although he hasn't been sleeping well, between sprouting teeth, endless pooping (which is over with now, thankfully) and now a head cold and chest congestion who could get any sleep anyways?? It's taken it's toll on Darren, Mr. "I never get sick". I think babies change all that, more germs all over the place. Unlike adults who keep their germs in check by blowing their noses, covering their mouths when they sneeze and washing their hands, Augusten is one messy, snotty, goober machine - and it gets all over everything. Especially my shoulder.
So were keeping him inside, trying to keep the little guy well hydrated, and making sure he gets lots of sleep (at least during the day. Ok well, that's the idea anyways.).
I love that he is starting to understand more and more words everyday: I ask "where's the baby?" and he looks in his little mirror, I ask "where's the cat?" and he's scanning Phoebe's usual hangouts (like the back of the sofa) or the floor. He probably understands way more than he lets on. He can feed himself veggie booty (aka baby crack) and baby mum-mums and he's starting to enjoy a wider array of "adult" food. Like whole grain bread. and yam fries. and dahl - he loved the dahl from the Silk Road café. We are trying keep his diet varied and adventurous so that he has a much more complex palate with which he can truly enjoy food. And neither of us have much patience with fussy eaters. We'll do our best to have him eating (and enjoying) sushi and pakoras and gorgonzola right along with us. Easier said than done. Like everything about parenting.