Tani's seven month update

Tani has learned so much this past month. He turned 7 mos. Aug. 14. He's now sitting up on his own and really enjoys the new view. Although not yet crawling, he can roll to get to where he wants to go. He can control his grasp much better and reaches for everything. When he wants to be picked up, he raises his arms to indicate this to us. He has had several encounters with a piano or keyboard. He first bangs on the keys but then plays them individually listening to the different sounds. When someone plays the guitar he focuses on their playing and reaches out to try to play it himself or at least bang on the guitar. He clearly loves music - when we play different CDs from children's songs to Klezmer he's delighted. In the car when he's in a fussy mood we play a CD of Hebrew children's songs called Meah Shirim Rishonim (100 1st songs) - he loves the song about the baby elephant (track 19). His current favorite foods are oatmeal, avocado, and fresh peaches/nectarines. He enjoys eating but not wearing a bib. We're going to have to find one that can tie in the back instead of the velcro which he can often just pull off. The picture with this blog entry was taken by his Auntie Heather on Aug. 22. She installed the security gate at the top of the steps so we'll be ready when Tani starts to crawl and walk. This was no easy task and Tani's mommies are very grateful.

Tani summer update

Tani's had a busy summer. He spent the week of July 9 in Ithaca, NY. He got to see his cousin Max, Uncle Mitch, and Aunt Val and her family at Lake Skaneateles and spent several days with his Grandma Diane and Grandpa Arthur. He got to swim in the lake, take nice walks, and hang out with family. He grabbed a handful of carrots off Mama Neysa's salad at the Moosewood Restaurant, which was a new achievement for him. See Ithaca and other pictures at http://www.flickr.com/photos/nevinsklein/. When we got back to PA, Tani got to spend some time with Grandma Susan and Grandpa Morris, who came to Philadelphia on their way to NH to help his mommies clean up their Mt. Airy apartment before it is rennovated. Tani is realizing all the fun things he can do and gets frustrated when he can't do them as soon as he'd like. But mostly he's a happy explorer and enjoys people. When he swims with his mommies in the pool he doesn't seem to mind if he gets his face wet. He smiles at everyone at the pool. At synagogue last Saturday, he enjoyed the prayers if they were sung but got fussy at the responsive readings and sermons (i.e. the talking parts). He's also eating more foods. This past week he ate avocado and today he had peas for the first time. He really enjoyed them, as you see from this picture.

Tani dining

Yesterday, Tani got a new space-saver high chair that attaches to a regular chair. We're planning to take it to our Mt. Airy place and buy him a regular high chair for Allentown. But in the meantime Melissa decided to try it out in Allentown. Tani's been eating simple solids for about two weeks now about once a day (if that). He's had rice cereal, apple sauce, and pears. But today prunes were on the menu. He apparently enjoyed them (see for yourself). He enjoys the eating experience much more when he feeds himself.

Weekend

Tani had a fun weekend. We went to the Poconos for a day to celebrate a friend's birthday. Tani slept in the car there and back. We've been lucky that he enjoys car rides or at least gets a good nap along the way. There were other children there who enjoyed playing with Tani as well as adults - Melissa got to swim in the lake which she enjoys very much. Melissa and Tani also swam in the pool at the Lakes, our apartment complex in Allentown. Tani loves to splash around... as long as he doesn't get his face wet. He's wanting to eat more - last night he downed a large portion of rice cereal and then had a tummy ache until he burped. He's grabbing anything in reach - the blinds, the clock, hair, whatever. He loves to sit up but can't quite do it without assistance. If you prop him just right, he can sit in the love seat with pillows on either side as shown here. He eventually slides down or will droop forward. Don't worry - a Mom is always right there!

Hold onto your food!

Melissa decided to have a nectarine for snack and play with Tani on her lap. Before she knew it, Tani had grabbed the nectarine and was happily munching away. We have some video to chronicle his first fruits. He really is showing us how to enjoy food! He drank 7 oz of milk during the 3.5 hrs he was in day care today, Wednesday June 20. He goes to the Allentown JCC day care twice a week for 3-5 hrs. He seems to enjoy the interactions with the other babies and care providers.

Swimming, swimming in the swimming pool

Melissa took Tani swimming last Sunday June 17. We weren't sure if he would like the water, but on such a hot day he had a blast!

Happy Tani

Wanted to include a picture of Tani here. He's really happy most of the time. He was a bit fussy today - we call him Fussy McDoogal when he gets fussy. I think the hot weather and the fact that we think he's in a growth spurt might have had something to do with it. In this weather he likes to hang out on the porch with one of his Moms.