Sunday

John before Mass this morning. Note his snappy new Robeez knock-offs from Target, which are sized looser around his fat ankles.

We place a little border of pillows between the living room and the kitchen areas. While John can, obviously, climb over the pillows, they actually slow him down. It's mostly a psychological thing. (Yet if we put up a real barrier, like the ottoman, he "feels" trapped and howls in protest.)

Throughout the day, John is trying to stand by himself. Last night he sent two successive new records: first standing alone for five seconds, then for seven!

Also, John's sign language for "fan" is becoming more precise. To make the baby sign, I point to the ceiling and articulate my wrist in a circle, imitating the circling ceiling fan. At first, John could only point to the ceiling and squiggle his fingers. Now he is bending his wrist forward repeatedly in an imitation of my articulating my wrist. It is neat to watch!

This afternoon we attended the once yearly reunion of the Labor of Love doula clients. There were eighty families who showed up, so many little kids and babies to coo over! The youngest baby there was only eight days old!