Scott and Helen’s Wedding

Friday, July 9th, 2010 – It’s been record-breaking hot.  We’ve been meaning to go swimming but haven’t because we were worried that Ender might be dehydrated without being able to cool off at home.  Ender slept downstairs for the last two nights. He cried a little at first the first night, sounded like he was scared (I got him to play a bit in the pack’n'play but not so much downstairs prior). He slept the second night with no problem at all. In fact, both nights he slept till after 8am, whereas he used to wake up at 5am sometimes (anywhere between 7-8 usually). So we’re wondering if the darkness helps him sleep at night. And maybe we can move him to downstairs now (in the remote chance we might have another baby). But as of today, we have central A/C! It’s nice and cool right now. We survived the hottest days! Now is another good time to visit us, again! Ender just had a great time playing with some kids that are 1 and 3 years older. He is now exploring the kitchen. ! Yes, he crawled all the way to the kitchen for the first time, and he looked up to the fridge a lot, where I have all the photos, and plays with the mats on the ground, flipping it over and over to see what’s in front and what’s on the back. He is getting more mobile now, and pulling to stand instantly whenever possible. He also has learned a long time ago how to sit back down from standing onto his butt. He’s a pretty good problem solver. He is able to pull himself up and go down without falling from the very beginning of being able to do this. Very cautious, but not timid either. He has definitely no interest in his toys (except when the other kid kept piling them up to give them to him to play — but I think that girl was more entertaining to Ender than any of his toys, he liked the kids a lot and smiled and winked at them when he smiled). Instead, he is perpetually interested in real things. Wires, modem’s flashing lights, x-box, VCR (yes we have one of those), roomba, floor mat and carpet (he flips them over to see what’s on the other side). He LOVES figuring things out. Real life stuff. Then he moves on.

He has begun to eat again. LOTS of cantaloupe in the last two days. Not so much yam anymore. Still fond of pasta. He is now smiling and winking (or flashing close his eyes slowly when he smiles/laughs) at me pulling himself up by the oven and cabinets. I gotta get him outta there soon.

Saturday when Grandpa visited we went to Coho Restaurant to have dinner. Ender was captivated by the two little girls at the table behind us and looked at them turning completely 180 degrees around the entire time. Then he surprised me when he hollered at them trying to get their attention and trying to "talk" with them. I wonder if he is an extrovert like me, and is not shy socially. Later that night he also did something for the first time while Dad was singing to him before bedtime: he bounced and jumped up and down on his bed. I guess he has pulled himself up enough times to be extremely confident about his footing. He is growing so fast.

Sunday while we were at another Italian restaurant to celebrate Scott’s birthday on Monday, I discovered Ender actually has 6 teeth. Perhaps that’s why he has been not wanting to eat very much for about a month. The 5th and 6th teeth have both come out and already broken through and showing next to the bottom 2 center teeth that he already has. He is as happy as ever these days, still loving cantaloupe and tolerating Amy’s Bowl organic multi-grain cereal enough for me to feed him pretty well these days. This afternoon when he woke up from his nap, I thought his head looked bigger and his cheeks chubbier and his body heavier. Ender is soon going to be a toddler. Time really flies.

Monday – he went straight for the baby at PEPS when we went to Kid’s Quest.  I don’t think he is shy at all.  It was Scott’s birthday, and he was extremely happy to see Daddy when he was home.  It was a very good day for all of us.  So good to see Ender happy and healthy.  We have a good baby.  I love him so much.

Tuesday – he didn’t want to sleep and Daddy picked him up to join us at our very last community group that we hosted with Mars Hill.  He was turning back and forth at whoever was speaking, very engaged and listening, happy and smiling when he looked at us.  Such a good, happy, healthy kid. He is the joy of our lives.