Life As We Know It

Ok, I am officially a sporadic blogger. I can live with that. Since I haven't posted in awhile, (and I know everyone is as absolutely fascinated with Gideon's development as I am...?), I thought I would do a quick update on the family life.

Things are going well. We seem to have graduated out of that marriage stage linked to the presence of the newborn - you know, the one where you view each other as relief workers and co-admirers of the baby's geniosity and amazing physical feats, like turning his head toward the noise, or reaching for something sparkly. The stage where you think other parents are weird for wanting to go on dates, not just hire the sitter so they can get some sleep. Now, we seem to have returned to being conscious, interacting persons with a house that is, at least sometimes, under control, if not really clean. We do fun stuff like talk to each other about news or other non-baby related topics and watch "Merlin" episodes on Hulu after Gideon goes to bed and go on the occasional Home Depot date (we go together, we have fun, we spend money. Kind of like a date...right?)

And, I am trying to break into the working world. At my current pace, "break in" might be the correct word choice. It isn't exactly like the nonprofit world has thrown its front door wide open, inviting me in, but I'm still excited for what is to come. I'm just getting started with networking and making all the initial calls and emails. I'm setting up shop as a consultant, offering grant-writing, program evaluation, and advocacy (issue briefs, for example). While I did not like school for being such long days + commute + not making any money, I am looking forward to this part - real life application. I enjoy research and writing and making progress towards goals, making things better, and feeling like I'm accomplishing a purpose. And getting paid. It should be good. :)

Gideon is doing great, too. He is sitting wonderfully and has developed a new skill best labeled, "keeping the toy." Previously, he could see it, he could hold it, and then, after dropping it, he would push it around the floor until it was out of his reach. Now, he is a champ at picking it back up. It's great fun to see him growing up - I can hardly believe how much babies learn each week. In some ways, it is like seeing a plant sprout up and grow a foot right before your very eyes.

Also, we are making progress on the food front. Gideon has decided that vegetables might be real food after all, although he steadfastly refuses to attempt anything with lumps. If a lump sneaks in, he makes the gag face. We're currently using a small regular cup (accompanied at all times by a washcloth under his chin) to let him drink-and-drool his daily drinking water, since he has so far had no luck with sippy cups. He gets SUPER excited to see anyone drinking from a cup, and then is always ready to have some water himself. It's pretty cute.

Lastly,(my baby's so big!), he seems to have given up his pacifier permanently. This isn't anything I thought I would mind, and certainly not something I thought would happen so soon. Unfortunately, this means that we now have no plug to stem the tide of Gideon chatter in church and other quiet, public places. Darn! And,he is way too young understand any sort of indictor signifying he should be quiet. Pacifer 2.0 seems to be books. He will endlessly turn over board books, observing the spine, the covers, and the edge that should open. He then diligently tries to open a page, waves it around, puts it down and tries again, etc. It isn't exactly inconspicuous, but it is quiet, and it occupies him for a really, really long time. I'm sure our rowfellows in church aren't distracted at all...

Ok, that's it. I am updated. I am very, very thankful for all the things listed here as well as many, MANY others, and even more thankful to Him who gives the good and perfect gifts in our lives. Hope you are mentally in thankfulness mode, keeping the spirit of the holiday! Happy Thanksgiving to all :)