Epic teething

Based on his propensity to put everything in his mouth, we thought Foster was teething about 3 months ago. He is still doing it without any signs of the pearly whites. The carrot is a great substitute for all those things he wants to chew on, but can't have (necklaces, fingers, cat ears, cat tails, newpapers, etc).



Who says I can't dress Foster like me, just because he's a boy?

A tradition begins

My dad, Foster's Papa, got him his first Hess truck for Christmas this year. They are such popular gifts, it had to be ordered and it finally arrived in the mail this week. My brother Will grew up with them and has one from every year since his birth. Foster was a bit overwhelmed with all the sirens and racing noises, but loved chewing on the grill of the smaller race car. We'll probably have to shelve them for a few years until he is old enough to not swallow any of the tiny parts. I'm sure they will be favorites in the near future!



Despite the cold weather so far this winter, we've gotten Foster outside almost everyday for a walk. We like to think he enjoys it, particularly because he loves looking out the windows once we are back inside. He is such an active kid, but sometimes he is happy just taking in the view. Perhaps we have an outdoorsman on our hands?

Foster meets Tim and Libby!

We were lucky to have Tim and Libby Blakenhorn visit today to meet Foster for the first time. They are good friends of Roy and Betsy's from the Cornell years (Roy, Tim, and Libby's alma mater). Foster was too enamored with Tim's voice to even consider drinking his bottle. You know he's entertained if he chooses not to eat. Thanks for making the trip from Villanova T & L!
We always do a little crib play time before his bath. He was in a particularly charming mood tonight.

"Ma"

I don't have much to report this week. I knitted a hat for a friend at work who is due any day now, so of course Foster had to model it! He was in for his monthly RSV vaccine today (only preemies qualify for it) and weighed in at 20 lbs 2 ounces, which I think is around the 80% for a normal 7 1/2 month old. Foster has obviously caught up in weight and height quickly, but he will be developmentally delayed up to 2 years. He hasn't really started babbling much in repetitive syllables, mostly lots of cooing and levels of happy screaming. Wednesday morning he definitely said "Ma", but he was addressing his applesauce in the babysitter's hand...not me (but I was there to witness it). It's good to know he is capable of making more sounds and hopefully we'll hear more soon. I'm not concerned about these delays, we're just glad he's a very happy healthy baby who loves to sleep at night (12-13 hours). We don't have many pics of him sleeping, so I'll share one of the few.

Milestones

Because Foster was a preemie, we have to be patient about him reaching developmental milestones. We're enjoying watching him reach a few, including rolling from his tummy to his back and sitting up. He still acts like a beached whale on his back, so rolling in the other direction will still take some time!

Odds and Ends

We finally decided we had to get Foster a real high chair after really having to work to get the Bumbo off him each time we stuffed him into it. His thunder thighs were no match for it. The chair was a bit of an impulsive buy, and it may be the most hideous chair out there, but it serves its purpose and is easy to clean. Less mess for us to clean off our table and more comfortable for him.
You may not have noticed, but I don't think I've posted any pictures of Parker and Foster together yet. Perhaps because we've been over-protective of him around the dog, only because of her energy level (abnormally high for a 12 year old dog) and the potential for her to step on him or scratch him by mistake. In fact, Parker is great with Foster and Foster LOVES Parker and the cats. Here she is "watching the flock."

Happy New Year!

A few pictures to start off the new year. In order: Foster in a sweater knit by my sister Sarah for her son Taylor when he was this age (7 1/2 years ago). He looks like a little rugged fisherman in it (fishing from his Exersaucer...)! Next, Foster LOVES to eat and is usually very happy during a meal. We haven't found a food he doesn't like yet. Third, Foster ready for a rugby match (thanks to the Smith family for the manly shirt). And lastly, a picture for Don Chambers, who I hear appreciated the picture of the hoar frost in the previous post. Here is the "big picture" of that day (credit to Sarah for this beautiful shot)!