this photo has little or nothing to do with this entry, but I just love it!

My latest entry here has been delayed, although that's no reflection on Gus' growth. Actually, he had a bit of a growth-spurt recently and is now looking so big it's hard to believe. A lot of his pants are now high-waters (theoretically appropriate for the season here in the NW, but in practice: a little chilly.) In addition to growing in height, he's getting rounder in the belly. He loves, loves, loves to eat. Thankfully he still loves good-for-you food - lot's of apples, yogurt, raisins, Indian curries... The latter, along with roasted pumpkin and sage risotto and the like are among the dishes he prefers these days. It's looking like we have a little Epicurean on our hands!

Gus' appetite has been increasing for books too. He loves to "read" and is really good at it! He's been making amazing associations. For instance, we'll read in one of his books about ladybugs, then he'll climb down off my lap and run to his room to dig out a different book, bring it to me and flip to a page with ladybugs on it!

The "new science" of child development these days warns against over-praising your kids, so I'll just whisper this out of Gus' earshot: Man, is he the greatest!!!

p.s.

Here's the ice cream...

happy birthday, mama!

The three of us spent a beautiful day at the beach to celebrate a joint day-off (and my birthday!) along the Oregon coast. Gus had seen the ocean once before, but really, really got into it this time - splashing about in an estuary at Cape Lookout and getting so sandy that he required a complete hose-down in the adjacent campground's water faucet post-beach. Afterward, we hit the Tillamook cheese factory and enjoyed an ice cream cone (his first - and only until he's a grown up?!)

Ahh, a nice, nice birthday with my boys!

happy birthday, grammy!

Welcome, Autumn!

Gus has been exploring the change of seasons by spending as much time as possible outside these days. Every morning we go for walks in the neighborhood (not to mention every mid-day, afternoon, evening...). He indicates his desire to do so by picking up his two shoes and walking over to the front door, pointing outside and grunting all the while. On our strolls Gus examines pebbles, sticks, slugs, you name it. And the cooler weather (downright cold today!) hasn't deterred Gus from our daily walks in the least. In fact, he seems to love Autumn and the bounty of crisp, golden leaves it brings! With everything fall-like to check out though, his main interest is still knowing all about the parked cars lining the street. "That? That?" That's a car, Magoo, that's a car...