Still enjoys a juicy pear

Playdate

It looks more like a wrestling date with his buddy, Ben. Believe me, Ben had the upperhand.

Christmas Tree Farm

Just a couple of free-range turkeys

Zoo

Would do this all day

Hand-me-downs!

BTW--through WWII, pink was considered a color for baby boys and blue was for baby girls. This is just to say that fashion is an expressive and arbitrary artistic medium that is connected to gender only for those who lack imagination. And Gus totally rocks this pink coat and purple hat. Thanks Sibbie!

Seven Months!

Gus Can:
Sit and play for long periods
Scoot and pivot
Clap in response to something fun or funny
Pass objects back and forth between his hands, turn them around and carefully manipulate them
Remember where something he wants is and fuss for it
Help with simple tasks like straightening his arms through shirt sleeves, reaching up to be picked up, pulling a spoon toward his mouth
Say combinations of different phonemes (like Ah-Dee instead of just Dee-Dee)
A little simple cause and effect (his favorite is smearing his hand with food and holding it out so the dog will come over)
Splash in the tub
Just starting to follow a point
Respond to his name and look for "Mama" and "Daddy" and "Louise" when the names are said
Flash TWO teeth (yay! The two bottom ones)

Gus loves:
Nursing
Our dog Louise
Walks and hikes in his carrier
Anchovies (it's true), chicken, anything with garlic, lamb, peas, sweet potatoes, beans, soup, barley
Swimming and baths
The Johnny Jump Up
Tom Waits (especially the "Orphans, Brawlers, and Bastards" album)
Other kids and babies--or looking at pictures of them
Blocks
"Forbidden" items like cell phones, important papers, the computer mouse, etc.
Adventures (zoo, grocery store, beach, etc.)

Gus does not love:
The careseat (a major and ongoing nemesis. Any suggestions?)
The snot sucker
Being hungry
Having something taken away (see cellphone, above)

Spooky

Gus the Gnome had a cold for his first Halloween, so he hung out at home and was haunted by his friend Sibbie the Ghost. Boo!