this month in the life of duke

This month Duke discovered his feet. as soon as I get that diaper off him, up go his feet!

caleb's kitchen drum song

So Caleb invented his own drum set (with Maisie's kitchen toys) and was working on composing his own song the other day.  Each item in the drum set had an abbreviation, and he was writing down the abbreviation of the item he wanted to hit next on each line to compose his drum "song."  He's such an inventive/creative kid!

maisie's first conversation

Too cute!

I told her lunch was ready and we needed to wash her hands.
"Duhty haads, duhty haads," she said as she headed toward the bathroom.
Daddy was using the bathroom.
Knock knock knock, "Duhty haads!  Duhty haads, Daddy!"
"Just a minute, Maisie."
"Duhty haads!" Knock knock. "Duhty haads!"
"Okay, Maisie. Just a minute." (a little louder)
"Whaaat?!"
"Maisie, I'll be done in just a minute and then you can wash your hands."
"OKAY!"

just an ordinary evening

the many faces of maisie

over christmas break...

...caleb fixed his hair one morning, using Daddy's gel. 

duke's first food

We began the new year by feeding Duke his first food...literally--on New Year's Day.  I made him some oatmeal.  He slurped it down, enjoying every bite.  He was fascinated with the spoon.  I'm not sure I'd want anyone taking such close-ups of me eating, but babies are so cute...even when messy and slurping.  :)

duke and daddy

our handsome 6 year old

duke at 6 months

Little Duke at 6 months:

-has rolled over once (back to front at 5 months) but not again since
-can sit up for several seconds on his own
-is sleeping 12 hrs straight through at night (FINALLY!!!!  He was waking up every 45 min- 1.5 hrs all night every night. He was still sleeping in our room and would normally end up in bed with me about 1/2 way through the night because I was so tired. I read something that said some babies don't sleep well near mommy, so into Caleb's room he went that night. He slept 6 hours straight, which he hadn't done in 3 months!  That was just 2 weeks ago. Who knew? I didn't. I kept each of the other 3 near my bed until they slept through the night.)
-is rather a quiet baby
-is super happy and cheerful all day long
-enjoys being on his tummy for short periods--still can't figure out how to not get stuck on that arm in order to roll to his back
-takes his two 1.5-2 hr naps happily, most days he goes down without even a peep
-spits up still, though not as much
-can burp like the best of 'em
-is teething
-between spit-up and drool, goes through at least 5-6 bibs a day
-loves to grab his toes/feet when I change his diaper
-has eaten oatmeal once, but his momma needs to get it together and try some more solids
-loves to jump in his play saucer/jumper--definitely his fave place to hang
-discovered over Christmas that when he bangs on things it makes a noise
-loves to chew on his wooden keys, wooden owl and his elephant toy
-would much rather stand in your lap than sit...though that's not really a 6-month thing, he's been doing that since 4 or 5 weeks
-wears 6-12 mos clothes
-weighs 16 lbs 7 oz (25-50th%)
-is 25 3/4 in. long (25th%)
-head is 44cm (50th%)
-is called "The Spit-Up Champ," "The Duke-ster," "Doogie/Dookey" (by Maisie), "Buddy" and of course just plain Duke
-has a lot of songs all his own, "Yankee Doodle Duke," "Skinamarinkaduke," "Dinka-dinka-duke," and of course the 50's classic "Duke Duke Duke..."
-has light blue eyes, fair skin and a fuzz of white-blonde hair growing in nicely now
-looks most like Maddie
-likes to chew on his tongue
-just started repeating syllables like da-da-da

two cute pix of the duke I had to post

He's so smushy!

 And one funny one of my oldest and youngest men.

Christmas, part 7

After Christmas, Shawn, Uncle Thad, Aunt Louise and Aunt Gail all came to visit.  Maisie was leery of everyone, but Duke smiled at everyone and enjoyed being held by them all.

Duke and Aunt Gail

Maisie and Aunt Louise

Christmas, part 6...no, part 1... ?

I found one picture from Christmas with my family!  Maddie presenting her book report on A Christmas Carol by Dickens. 

Christmas, part 5 -- with my kids

I'm always behind the camera, so I wanted to make sure that this year I got a photo withe each of my kids.

Christmas, part 4

Pictures pictures!

 I think Caleb's most exciting gift!

Facetime is wonderful!

 Granny's creche

 Our white Christmas!

 Getting a ride in Granny's chair

 Enjoying his Christmas toy

 Maddie had requested on her Christmas list a "swet soot." We just had to get her one.

The special watch fixed as a gift from PopPop.