Going, going, going!

Quite a lot has changed for Otis and our family since our last post. Otis has been walking (and running) for several weeks now, and he's going from the moment he wakes up until he ends his day by escaping the bathroom after his bath and taking a few naked laps around the house. Otis is interested in everything these days. His love of cats and dogs has deepened, and now he is equally enthralled by trucks and tractors. He loves to read and still brings us book after book to read to him. He is getting better at solo play, which is nice for times when we need to unload the dishwasher or use the bathroom. Otis is saying a handful of words now, or at least making consistent attempts. He says dada, mama, dog, ball, shoes, down, truck, baa (for the sound a sheep makes), moo (for the sound a cow makes). He signs "more" and "all done" at mealtime. He recognizes most common animals and objects and will point to them correctly in books when we quiz him. He also is learning his body parts and can follow basic commands like "Rub your tummy!" or "Pat your head!" Particularly cute is his attempt to flex his muscles. Even though he's a busy, busy boy, he's still lovey toward his mom and dad. He gives lots of kisses, and while I'm rocking him before his naps he scoots down, lifts my shirt, lays his head right on my belly, and falls asleep within a minute.

He's just an all-around sweetcuteloveysmartboy. Steve and I still sit around at night and talk about how much we love him and can't believe he's ours. (This will probably be hilarous when the "terrible twos" set in!)

I made the switch to being a full-time mama when I quit my job at Sequoia Riverlands Trust at the end of July. I was nervous about the decision, but it has been wonderful for all three of us. I'm still working part-time from home on certain projects when they come up--now I'm writing and designing the fall newsletter.

There are newly-uploaded photos at our photo site, http://tootlefam.shutterfly.com.

First haircut at Mom's Salon


The look of the season: shades and slobber.


A visit to the pumpkin patch this morning.

Otis's First Year (You will cry)

11 Months

My baby boy is already 11 months old, and it seems like he is doing new things every day. Here's a quick update: A late teether, he had no teeth until Mother's Day, until two popped through. He now has five and is working on three more. Otis is getting ready to take his first steps. He pulls up on everything, and uses objects like his highchair, a stool, and a laundry hamper to push in front of himself as he walks around the house. (We should get him a real push toy, I guess!) When he gets up the courage, he can stand by himself for a second or two before either slowly and deliberately squatting down or losing his balance and plopping onto his rear. Otis is a big talker now. He babbles all the time and even pretends to read his books to himself. He can say dada, makes a throaty "kkkkkkkk" sound when he sees our cats, and can also say dog. Another sound he often makes is "O-toe", which makes us wonder if he's trying to say his own name. But cutest of all is his fake laugh. He will babble away, and every once in a while add an "aaaahhhh-hahahaha" and then go on babbling. Otis has figured out how to turn on the CD player and stands up, holding onto the shelf, and bounces up and down to the beat. Besides dancing up a storm, Otis's other favorite past time is reading. He can keep himself happily entertained by looking through his books by himself for several minutes, but he also loves being read to. I would guess that we spend a good two hours a day reading to our boy. This week he has started to bring books to us so we'll read them.

We just added pictures to the photo site, http://tootlefam.shutterfly.com. They include Otis's first swim, playtime around the house, and our anniversary/Father's Day trip to the coast. Enjoy!

9 Months

Otis turned 9 months old yesterday, and to celebrate, he learned how to give kisses. I can now say "Otis! Kisses for mama" and he will look at me, open his mouth wide, and press his drooly little mouth on my lips. Then, he figured out how to pull himself up on things. While I was running an errand tonight, he showed Steve how he could pull up on the TV stand, the ottoman, the end table and the couch. It's on! Yikes!

This blog post is so overdue that I'm not sure what else to say. Some biggies: Otis learned how to crawl, celebrated his first Easter, journeyed to Ohio, and took his first trip to the zoo. He is still toothless. For the record, he didn't do any sleeping through the night.

As I write this, photos are uploading to our shutterfly site (http://tootlefam.shutterfly.com) of months seven and eight. I hope the photos will do a good job of keeping you up-to-date on the life of Otis.

Here are some recent favorites:

Otis loves the cats, but hasn't yet learned to pet gently. Here he is tormenting the sweet and patient Sherman kitty on one of this spring's first warm days.

Otis liked his first Easter basket, especially when he figured out there were snacks inside the eggs!

Otis and Grandma Bein putting their heads together.


Otis found a comfortable spot. He loves his Uncle Wade.

Hmm, I wonder if anyone loves Otis?

Here is Otis on his way home from the farmer's market last Saturday morning.

I'm at the park!! Yay!

Peas, please!

Seven Months

Upon turning seven months old, Otis has decided that he's a big boy. He's going, going, going all the time! Though he is not quite crawling, he is beginning to be mobile. He can roll across the living room floor. I think it's a bit frustrating for him that he hasn't quite figured out how to go forward, though. When I place a toy in front of him, just out of reach, he goes around in circles instead of forward. I imagine him wondering, "Why is this happening?!"

Otis eats one or two baby food meals per day now. His favorites are the usuals: butternut squash, sweet potatoes, pears. The only thing he has completely refused is broccoli. Here he is, eating something green. Maybe peas?


We've had fun during the past month. Otis's grandma and grandpa Lutterbein visited from Ohio in mid-February. We had a great time with them, and Otis was especially cute and lovey toward them. Did he remember them from Christmas? It's hard to tell. But he sure loved them. Grandma Bein (who is a reading teacher) reads to Otis here. She knows what she's doing! He's captivated.


Here are Otis and Grandpa Bein hanging out in the kitchen. Otis thinks Grandpa Bein is the most hilarious and interesting person in the world. They are buddies, for sure!


More grandparent love.


The following weekend, we headed up to the snowy Sierra for a weekend in Ponderosa with Steve's side of the family. What fun! There were eight kids and eight adults packed comfortably into Carie and David's warm and cozy cabin, though most of the kids and half of the adults spent the days outdoors sledding, building forts and having snowball fights. It was pretty darn cute. Steve's mom commented that it could have been the best weekend of her life because all of her grandchildren were together and cute. I agree--I've never seen kids (especially kids who are related) who are so sweet and kind to each other. I'm looking forward to next year when Otis can get in on the sledding action. Here is a photo of all the cousins, with the honorary ninth snowman cousin.



Finally, I love Otis's bottom lip, cheeks, and eyelashes in this picture. Just had to share. Otis's 6-7 month pictures are uploaded now at tootlefam.shutterfly.com.