Climbing...Climb On!

Well, Evelyn June's first birthday is just one week away so I thought I'd better share about her noteworthy "Pre-One" adventures before they got overlooked and forgotten in the wake of her birthday celebrations. Jen last posted about Evie's resemblance to me with our very fetching mug shot. Yes, yes, in addition to teaching her intriguing facial expressions, I must also take credit for showing her how to stick out her tongue like a dinosaur spitting out feather pillows and rub her chin while saying, "hmmmm" in a most Sherlock Holmesian way (though not at the same time.) However what I'm most excited about (and probably have the least influence in) is her tenacious desire to climb on, over and under EVERYTHING.

For a dad that enjoys rock climbing, I can't help but be a bit ambitious about fostering this healthy (yet very, very, very safe I promise grandmothers) skill in my daughter.

Since we only have one step in our house, Evie mastered ascending it about 2 months ago, although descending always ended in a carpeted "thump" and subsequent cry for help. While visiting our good friends Lowell and Cassie earlier this month, I set Evie at the bottom of their 20 or so carpeted steps to see what she'd do.

In no time that girl learned to crawl all the way up and then figured out how to slide back carefully. Yeah I know, all babies eventually figure this out - but do they all immediately do 8 sets of stairs for interval training? There was no stopping her.


Here Evie's just a blur during her 5th set.


She has mastered climbing up on the trunk, pulling a dyno with her arms over the couch arm, and then scootching backwards off the cushion.

Here she's doing a bit of spelunking under the coffee table.



She's so refined in her downclimbing that she starts backing up 5 feet in advance of the laundry room step. Cracks me up.

If you've ever met me, you'd agree that I'm not a big man. I'd like to think that what Iack in power, I make up for in a high strength-to-weight ratio. I think my petite daughter may inherit the same fate - which is perfect for a couple of monkeys that like to climb...


Sure does bring a whole new meaning to the term "baby pullups" doesn't it?

A proud father,
Jimmy

Picture Book

Evie's mouth has been working overtime since Jimmy bragged about the oral hygeine routine. She popped tooth number five, and now six and seven (both eye teeth) are racing to break through first. You can imagine how exhausted Evie June has been, and with the runny-nose rash on top of it all, its been a tough week. Still, she's managed to have a few fun moments.


The princess enjoys a Costco supply run atop her shopping cart throne.


Horsing around with Dad after a run. She's just overcome her fear of this hobbyhorse, now we just have to be careful that she doesn't knock out one of those lovely new teeth when she hits her canter.


Now I'm starting to understand why people think she looks like us.

At least she's got better rythym and seems to share our love for books. Check out this week's video for evidence of both.


Jen

PS: Check back soon for Evie's climbing spectacular. If she keeps up her progress, Jimmy's going to start looking for a harness and helmet a little sooner than we anticipated. I wonder if they come in pink . . .

Cavities . . . BEWARE!

Since Evie has increased her mobility, she's discovering all kinds of new, fascinating things...that she can try to eat. What this really means is:

CRAWLING + BABY = PARENTS SWEEP FLOOR MORE OFTEN

Among the cute nicknames parents bestow upon their kids, I never for the life of me thought I'd ever be using "Streetsweeper." But since we aren't soooo religious about sweeping our floors...Evie's gotten both the title and experience of munching on crusty old fried potatoes and the occasional pine needle with her 4 front teeth.

Though this may be a cause for alarm for some parents, I'm not worried one bit. See, Evie has been taking after her mom (thankfully) when it comes to her commitment to outstanding oral hygiene. After her last bottle of the day, Evie June excitedly awaits the everso yummy flouride drop.


She always smiles and giggles afterwards. (I'm clueless here, it doesn't taste good at all.)

Occasionally she's find a nice string, blanket fray, or sweatshirt hood pull to floss with.


After that, she opens wide for us to brush her 2 up and 2 down teeth.


And on occasion, we'll let her do her own cleaning work.



Here's a short video of Evie demonstrating incredibly responsible oral hygiene. We're thinking this could be a helpful instructional cavity fighting tool for use by other babies . . . and dads too. Enjoy.



Jimmy