"Learning Photoshop is hard as crap"

Yes, that's a direct quote from the conference. And so true. Usually when work sends me to a conference, I come back inspired. This time, I think I came back smarter. I'm not sure which is better, but I'll take either one. I feel like I learned a ton. There were plenty of tips and tricks to make my workflow more efficient. And I was reassured that (for the most part) I have been doing things right all along. And since Walter still seems to love me after being gone for four days, I'll say it was all worth it. (He has developed a fear of the bathtub though... can you explain that, Nate??)

Here's a little Photoshop before and after. Not a startlingly good example, but I couldn't resist using this photo. Walter's first bike helmet...

We've been told he's not allowed to ride in the bike trailer until after he turns one. But come June 13th, I'm back in the saddle - so to speak.

Mama's Home!

I just got back from Boston - my first time away from Walter for an extended period of time. The boys were on their own for four nights while I attended a Photoshop conference with a couple of co-workers. I'm happy to say that everything went really well. I knew Nate and Walter would do great together - no worries there at all. The conference provided me with plenty of entertainment to get me through the days. My biggest fear was that Walter would forget me while I was gone. Nate and Walter met me at the airport this afternoon and Walter snuggled right up to me. Hooray! I missed my little guy and I'm happy to be home. 

(More about the conference after I catch up on some sleep. The hotel was under construction. Grrr...)

Eric Carle rocks!

Happy 40th anniversary to "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" – the best children's book ever written (in my humble opinion.) And now they even make a pop-up version! I have to get my hands on one of those...

He's here!

No more bed rest for my sister – Finnegan Thomas arrived yesterday, March 16, just a little ahead of schedule. 7lbs 1oz, 19.25" 

Kristin and Finn are both doing well and Kyla is excited about being a big sister. Congratulations Lee family!

On the move

Here's a little video of Walter's new moves. The song playing in the background – "Little Walter Rides Again" by Medeski, Scofield, Martin, & Wood. Happy Monday!

We have a crawler!

Walter woke up this morning and decided to try a new method of getting around. He's been crawling all over the place. It totally makes it worth getting up at 7am on a Saturday.

9 months

It's been a big month for Walter. He went from holding our hands and leading us around the house, to taking steps on his own. Now he can walk all the way across our living room, stopping to find his balance as he needs to, all by himself! His confidence is growing – sometimes he'll go it alone with no encouragement from us at all. He's been sharpening his other motor skills as well. He is very, very close to crawling, but he's not quite there yet. And he's starting to figure out how to pull himself up to standing too.

Walter has two new teeth and a couple more on the way. He has successfully made the switch from breast milk to formula, and he's trying new foods all the time. He's getting better at feeding himself, although the slippery stuff is still pretty tricky. Molly is enjoying the mess and hangs out under his chair at meals.

I would talk about his sleeping habits, but I'm afraid I might jinx it.

Here are the stats from his 9 month check-up this morning. He's still a beanpole.

Height: 30" (93%)

Weight: 18lbs 1oz (13%)

Click here to see photos from the last month.

Poor Molly

Molly has been completely patient and accepting of Walter. She puts up with him pulling her fur and banging on her as we try to teach him to be gentle. But tonight, Walter walked right up to Molly and puked on her head. I can't be sure, but I think she's giving us the silent treatment.

Eeeeww...

Walter and I were playing tonight and there was a lot of bouncing and flipping around and such. Somehow, don't ask me how, he managed to get HIS drool up MY nose! Gross...

Bookworm

Walter LOVES his books. He likes being read to, sure, but he also likes playing with his books. He stands next to his bookshelf and inspects them, opens them up and sometimes talks to them. (Reading aloud?) He also likes to drop his books on the floor. Maybe we should set up a card catalog and start teaching him the Dewey Decimal System so he can stay organized.