dat guy - 11 mo

says "uh-oh" and "thank you" (dat doo)
signs hello and goodbye, finished, and ciao-ciao
waves, points
crawls like lightening
loves other kids and can't understand when they get upset when he plays with them (by taking their toys)
does not understand what's happening when a kid steals a toy from him. just looks at him (or her) as if to say, hey, what was that about?
will take your hand and have you do what he can't, then observes and mimics. he's getting pretty good at "typing"
plays patty cake and itsy bitsy spider.
is still calm. doesn't cry very loud.
enjoys baths, especially with cousin friends. and splashing.
loves to "chat"
loves peas, cheese, berries, beans, rice and veggie burgers
hates having to stop playing to have his diaper changed. we're talking full on meltdown mode.
otherwise, he's generally full of sunshine and smiles

yep. we love him.

dat guy - 9 mo

i kind of botched his photoshoot this time - not my best set-up. and i couldn't get him to hold still, hence the flashlight. but whatever. can't win 'em all.

alex is generally happy and relaxed, unless there are new people or loud noises. he loves to army crawl his long self around to explore and occasionally pull himself to standing. he manages to find and investigate all the things he shouldn't: power cords, phones, outlets, trash, the diaper bin, the plunger (ugh), and so on. he finds the vacuum an object both fearsome and fascinating. the short walk to the mailbox provides all sorts of curious things: keys, little boxes with papers in them, trees, the occasional dog, and airplanes overhead. each and every person encountered must be started at gravely, preferably with at least one finger in his mouth, before judging them worthy of a tiny smile or hiding his face completely. upon retrieving the mail, he inspects each piece for us before turning his attention to the door knocker and chain lock back home. (safety first!) he is endlessly intrigued by glasses and hats and will take them. he will not wear his own, but will inspect every article he can get his hands on. he has learned, through keen observation, how to use the remote control. AND and how to turn pages of books.

dat guy - 8 months

has discovered his tongue
likes sweet potatoes best
enjoys stealing the spoon and "feeding" himself
has decided mobility might actually be worth it: scoots and scuffs and faceplants, but eventually gets there. poor kid is eating a lot of carpet.
is getting long and skinny
loves to be outside to watch the cars and trucks
survived (and enjoyed) his first boys' weekend with daddy

dat guy named owlex

guys. he's SEVEN months old already. when did that happen? literally, 7 days ago. 

alex likes:

foods that are orange, bath time, swinging, hangin out with his feet up, mama, balls, being outside, daddy, being held…always, things that crackle and/or jingle and/or generally make noise, being upside down, and watching the cars go by on the corner.

alex does not like:

new people (at least not for a while) putting clothes on, taking clothes off, and sleeping through the night

that's pretty much it. he's a pretty easygoing guy. he likes things pretty quiet and likes to observe before he gets involved. everywhere we go, people comment on how cute he is. and sometimes it gets me free sodas. 

dat guy named owlex

this guy is 6 months old and…

he loves to be outside
is very intrigued by cars, trucks, any moving vehicle, people, dogs, loud noises, squirrels, birds, sticks and grass. but really cars and trucks
he has very little interest in movement, unless it gets him out of tummy time. then he'll roll only over his right shoulder. #notanambiturner
has more interest in cords/phones/water bottles/mama's keys than his own toys
cries during arguments on tv and sad music
flaps his arms like a hummingbird and kicks his legs when he's excited to see you - particularly after a nap
he smiles for the camera (or phone) then tries to take it
wears 12 month clothing
is already quite the lady killer with his shy guy act
loves zerberts
sounds like an owl when he's upset
loves him some paper
is generally pretty quiet and content to sit and take it all in
loves dat guy in the mirror
loves his bath, particularly the part where he gets to lay on the counter
is very interested in ALL THE THINGS
loves growly, barky and snorty noises
loves to fly and bounce and be held upside down
holds objects in one hand and pats them with the other