Too Cute or Too Tawdry?

MOM and Dad both want Liesel to wear something that makes her instantly recognizable as a girl since, when out in public, too many people ask "Are they both boys?"

"Really?" they ask each other after-the-fact, "We would dress our one son in a pink outfit and stroll him around in a pink stroller?"

She is too young to have her ears pierced and Dad doesn't think it appropriate at a young age any way. So that won't suffice.

Both Mom and Dad dislike, with extreme prejudice, those infant headbands.

http://wanelo.com/p/2375057/pink-flower-headband-baby-girl-infant-newborn-headband-chiffon-lace-head-band

Not to insult anyone New Family blog reader's taste, the Parents know you like them and respect that. However, it is not for Liesel.

So they settled on a barrette. But Dad cannot decide if it is cute or tawdry.

Dad would be more comfortable if it served some purpose other than communicating to perfect strangers, "Hey, I am a girl!" But since she lacks sufficient hair to make it worthwhile, and strangers will ask silly questions anyway just to have something to say, he doesn't know if he likes it. Mom thinks it's adorable.

Can't Keep Him Down

NOW that EJ has figured out how to climb up on the couch, any object he fancies is reason for him to shimmy his way up.

Here he spied a cork trivet and had to have it.

He is so happy to have it.

But, he is still an infant and prone to falling. And he in fact did fall on to the carpet beneath and bumped his head. His eyes got real wide as he lay on his back and waited for just a moment before letting out a big wail. He wasn't hurt, but it scared him. Dad will have to be close by when he gets a hankering to climb. However, moments later the tears were forgotten and replaced by the desire to climb up again after he realized the trivet hadn't come with him.

Tub Time

RESTORING that New Baby smell.

Liesel is first.

Clean and dry with frizzy hair.

EJ is next.

He loves to splash in the water.

Every six months or so you gotta give 'em a bath whether they need it or not.

Determination

EJ "protests" quite a lot when he doesn't get his way. But, he has shown remarkable determination.

With yo-yo weather once again warm he has exposed arms and legs which provide good traction on the leather couch, thus he has no need for a step stool.

He is after Dad's remote again.

Not quite there.

He has got his center mass up on deck.

Enjoying his reward.

Dad is convinced that, at this age, this kind of determination cannot be taught. A child either has it or does not. Fortunately EJ does. For awhile Dad was concerned that he did not because he gave up too easily. There was an  instance when he encountered difficulty and decided to go and do something else rather than persist.

A strong will is a double edged sword. A child can use that will to accomplish remarkable feats, but can also use that will to defy parents. Dad would rather have strong willed child needing a rigorously structured environment to tame that will rather than a child of mild spirit.

Dad is happy for you Buddy.

Superstars

COUSIN Amelia shares her headband with Buggy. They look like lens-less sunglasses, but they are actually for holding back hair.

Buggy blue eyes

Now that They Walk, Will They Want to Ride?

IT was a beautiful day to learn to walk. Mom and Dad decided to take them out and let them roam freely.

Yup, EJ is free standing now. Three days ago this was unimaginable. Now it is just another thing he does.

Onward! To the Park.

HAVING had enough of playing in the grass, the New Family headed to the park.

Dad foresees the stroller's early retirement.

Now that the can walk, this mode of transportation will fall out of favor.

They checked out the alligator.

Buggy climbed the "stones."

It was a perfect end to an eventful day (did Dad mention they walked today?)