City Park
Chris did NOT like the train that went by...
So THAT's how you turn the firetruck lights on...
Look at me!
What a monkey... yes, he did make it all the way up!
Chris and his cousin Isaiah (Melanie's son) watching Baby Einstein
Chris loves Beignets - French doughnuts with powdered sugar on top! I think he just liked licking the sugar...I am sorry it has been so long since my last post... things have been wild and crazy in the Billman household!
First, I was able to go camping with Mark and our friends, as Chris resumed sleeping through the night before we left. It was a wonderful break for Mark and I! It was so nice to be able to sleep in, relax, hike, and just enjoy being with our friends. Chris did fine with Mark's parents - we are so grateful to them! We did miss him, though, and were glad to get home.
One week after we got back, we left for a month long stay in New Orleans - and won't be home until Oct. 5. Mark's work wanted to send him here for some training, so Chris and I tagged along. It has been nice to get a change of scenery, and we've enjoyed seeing someplace new. The city is pretty dirty and run-down, and in some parts of town there is still considerable Katrina damage. However, we are staying in a fairly nice extended stay hotel, where we have a living room, kitchen, and separate bedroom. We've pretty much kept the same daytime routine: Chris and I hang out in the hotel room in the morning, then we explore the city, then after naptime Mark comes home. One of his friends from work, Matt, is also here, so after they get home and work out we wander the city until we find a good restaurant. (Having Matt here is somewhat like having a nanny along - he picks up after Chris at restaurants, pushes him in the stroller, entertains him, and even babysat once!) As much as we have enjoyed ourselves, I am looking forward to returning to our quiet little life in Melbourne next week.
Notable accomplishments: The biggest one is that Chris is now quite a proficient walker! Last Wednesday he took 2 timid steps, by the next day he was going 4-5 feet, and now 1 week later he can walk as far as he wants. I can hardly believe how quickly he learned! He seems quite pleased with himself, and loves to run into my arms laughing.
I think he'll be weaning soon, as we are down to 2 feedings a day. I am looking forward to a bit more freedom! And I am really grateful that the weaning process has been initiated by him, not me. However, he is not exactly the world's best eater. He absolutely adores bread - in any form. That means that the only restaurants we try to go to are ones that serve bread - because he'll gnaw happily on a loaf of crusty bread so we get a break! He also likes crackers, toast, cheerios, etc. In fact, the only way I can get him to eat any fruits or veggies is to either put his chair in front of the TV and put on his favorite Baby Einstein video (I can shovel in 2 jars with that diversion!) or sing to him while I feed him. I am now trying different tricks - today I gave him french toast so he'd get some protein (it worked) and yesterday I made him a little pizza on an english muffin (it didn't). Ah, the joys of parenting... :)
We hope you are all doing well! We'd love to hear from you.
