Visit to Mom's hometown

The old house (built 1730) at 66 Union St., Hanover, MA.
Nothing has changed since mom left 9 years ago. She lived here from age 5. The green shrubs in this photo used to be clipped back every year and now they've gone wild! The steps to her old treehouse are still on the tree.
What's more shocking is what has been built across the street in the woods she used to play in!
Note the street name is Jutila Farm Path, named for the Jutilas who formerly owned the land. Two houses have been built, with 5 lots on the road.










Andrew and I were down in Hanover to go to a semi annual baby consignment sale. We got a couple fun toys and some clothes.
Afterwards, we met Kerri and Sophia for lunch. We then went to Sophia's and Andrew his his first "close encounter" with Tia. It was also Tia's first encounter with a baby! They both did really well.

No more rock'n eat!

Andrew started to gain quite a bit momentum rocking in his (securely attached) high chair that the wood chair was actually lifting off the floor! Dad came up with a clever solution: to tie-wrap it to another chair. It works!With Oskar in the ball pen at the Friday playgroup.

The playgroup facilitator, Randi, in the background.

At lunch he took multiple bites from my sandwich! At breakfast he can now eat 1/2 an egg yolk, along with his usual fruit mixed with fortified infant cereal and toast. We enjoy exploring all sorts of tastes and textures lately. His favorites seem to be what's on my plate, of course. In order to feed him a baby food puree I trick him by letting him mouth a harder piece of food or plastic ring while I sneak the spoonfuls in. It's all about patience and technique ;D. He's started being able to eat entire jars or "2nd" foods. Other foods we tried this week: plain whole milk yogurt, various cheeses, homemade shephard's pie put through the food mill (well, he had two spoonfuls of that, both of which he gagged on so I didn't want to "push it"), and even homemade chicken salad (first experience at breakfast, thanks to dad). Other regulars have been the Beech-Nut sweet potato puffs (to keep him occupied before and after meals), avocado, and low-sodium ritz crackers. Moving forward, we are more fearless than ever!
Breastfeeding is now less frequent though it seems to have shifted to more frequency at night (our latest issue). We nurse at 4am, 6am, then at 9am nap, 11am, 2pm nap, 4pm snack, 6:40 bed-time feed (bed at 7) then he wakes for a feed at 11pm. The goal is to now eliminate the night feedings. Geez- he slept through the night so well for a while there.... When he awakes at night he is seemingly stuck in the crawling position, on all fours. It is so easy to get him back to sleep with a little nursing, so we shall see.

Playground fun

But first and more importantly, waking up to watch the Red Sox!

We didn't miss the season opener at 6am vs the Oakland A's in Tokyo, Japan!

Playground time! Oskar is now leading his mom farther and farther away on "expeditions". He was with us then decided to head over to the basketball court.
We noticed upon leaving that Andrew was missing a mitten so Mom lent him hers. Once we arrived at the playground we found it! (left behind from a couple days earlier)
Unfortunately for the pink glove, a little girl asked if he was a girl! OK Andrew, promise that'll be the last time... Though inappropriate, I answered that he's a cross dresser.

Crawling away!

A mere 4 months ago... Andrew was Sarah's age (background). Soon enough, she'll be looking to him as Andrew does to Oskar (or Andrew just stealing her toys, hehehe).

We have to keep a watchful eye! Had to fish out a pebble...Ha! What are you going to say if I just take that away from you? We are friends, right?

Playing with Sarah's bottle cover.

Examining a twig while getting covered in them, rolling around (break dancing).

Let's Eat!

Gourmet, Andrew-style: Garden vegetable Gerber topped with hard boiled egg yolk and herbed goat cheese with low-sodium Ritz.

Swiffer

The Swiffer really gets him going! He gets upset since I won't let him grab it.
In recent times he wouldn't even "allow" me to Swiffer without getting really upset.
Now that he can crawl, he just chases after it.

Happy Easter!

Tevukas & Brian hosted a wonderful Easter dinner!Uncle Mike tickling & Cousin June playing peekaboo with Andrew!

Silly Uncle Mike, isn't that my frog hat you're wearing???!

June & Aunt Maureen (and incubating baby-to-be, "Tickly").

The Easter Bunny was here!

A couple days ago.... He keeps crawling off to explore the kitchen, finding these holes along the stove particularly interesting. We now have a temporary barricade to keep him contained in the living room.

What's on the coffee table?
Yesterday he pulled himself up enough to peer over the top!

Moms Brunch

Melinda & John and Christopher hosted a delicious brunch today! They had lots of great food: quiches, fruit salad with granola & yogurt, coffee bread and greek pastries. So good!!!
The usual buddies were there: Katie and Oskar, then later on (not pictured), 4 month old Sarah with her mom, Jen.

Peng & Katie

Oskar & Ragnhild

Andrew's foot fetish~