Weekend with Liz

Its a bit past the weekend now, but due to serious sleep deprivation, Mom hasn't really been keeping up with the photos and blogging this week. (Did I say Simon had settled into waking twice a night? Ha! We wish! Try four times a night for four of the past five nights...)

So, a few updates on Simon and life here at the Gubbins' residence are in order. Simon is more alert than ever and wants to play, play, play! He will hold onto toys if you place them in his hand, and more than likely bring them up to his mouth, where he is surprised to find that the object entering his mouth is not his own hand. He's not quite reaching for things yet, though in his bouncy chair or rocker his hands will often 'catch' the toys and he'll end up grabbing them--it doesn't seem to be very intentional reaching, as far as I can tell.

Simon's first taste of fish...of the plush rattle variety

He is also much better at sucking his thumbs--he'll suck either one now, and is more adept at getting the thumb into his mouth on the first or second try. He still loves to suck and lick and generally explore his whole hand much of the time, but if he's getting sleepy he'll often find his thumb.

cozy on Dad's lap for storytime

Simon is also very good at bringing his hands together in front of him--an important step to being able to really explore toys, pass them from one hand to another, and so on. Right now he just explores his other hand, of course, unless someone else puts a toy there.

look everybody, my right hand found my left hand!

Liz was a great help over the weekend, keeping Mom sane. I was already amazed by single parents, but now actually having a little one, I am further impressed with their ability to get anything done at all, and to keep a sense of humor and not go crazy! We were very glad to have Aunt Liz here so Jess didn't have to single parent all weekend--just Thursday was enough for us, thank you very much :).

"I like you and all Liz, but the lights are still more fascinating sometimes..."

playtime with Liz--and more fish, yum yum!

When Dad came home after four days away, he was amazed by how much Simon had grown and changed. I think sometimes it takes a brief separation to realize some of the less obvious changes that have happened. Simon is doing very well holding his head up, for instance, and seems to have improved a lot in just a few days in that regard. And, his little legs just love to push out against things, which means recently, with his improved posture/back and neck strength, he loves to "stand" with Mom or Dad's help. I'm hoping this love of being stretched out doesn't mean he'll skip crawling altogether and be an early walker--I wouldn't mind a few months of slower-paced crawling before he gets his running legs!

showing off his new tricks for Dad--standing and holding his head upright!