First beach trip

We just got back from Myrtle Beach last weekend.  Beach week with the Lundbergs is always fun, but it was even better this year since James was with us.  He loved the beach almost as much as he loved having thirteen adults give him their full attention.  James played in (and occasionally ate) the sand, splashed in the waves, and generally had a great time.  See footage below.  

We went to the doctor yesterday for a weight check (the doctor thinks James is too skinny), and James is up to 16 pounds, 11 ounces.  That's over a pound more than he weighed 3 weeks ago.  He's also eating better; for a while there he was not happy about his food.  He has a big appetite now, however, so hopefully the doctor will be satisfied with his size.  

James's favorite activity these days is walking around.  He needs to hold on to someone's fingers to keep his balance, but he walks all over the place now.  He's fast, too; it looks like he's pulling mommy and daddy around by the fingers when he gets going at full speed.  The cats aren't too happy about his improved mobility, though - chasing them around keeps James entertained all day.  

Mommy goes back to school next week, so James and daddy will be on their own during the day.  That also means no more sleeping late for daddy.  Not a problem for James, who never sleeps late, but daddy enjoys having mommy to cover the morning shift.  And mommy enjoys the summer break, so going back to school will be painful for her too.  But we're planning some fun activities for the weekends that hopefully James will enjoy, so we have something to look forward to. 

James is Awfully Good Looking

So, you guys should all go check out James's pictures on Stylized Portraiture's website (http://www.stylizedportraiture.com/blog/).  Just scroll past their Christmas ad and you'll see a number of highlights from James's last photo session, which, I think you'll notice, he loved.  He just grinned the whole time and was a complete ham for the camera.  It gets increasingly difficult to decide which pictures we will purchase as they're all so freaking good, but, tragically, also freaking expensive.  In a week or so, Heather (the photographer) will put all the pictures up, and we'll let you know how to see those when we do.  Enjoy!  

9 Months Old!

James will be 9 months old tomorrow!  The fun thing about this blog is we can go back and see what he was like when he was born, and see how different he is now.  

For instance, he couldn't throw a ball back then.  As you can see above, he has learned how much fun it is to play catch. He doesn't release the ball at a consistent point in his swing, so the ball can go anywhere.  That makes it even more fun.  He had a few really good throws this afternoon, but of course there was no cameraman available.  You just have to take my word for it.  He usually uses his right hand, which does not bode well for his future as a left-handed pitcher for the Braves.  Sorry, Grandpa.  

James continues to enjoy walking behind his wheeled toy, and did this until about midnight last night.  His balance continues to get better, and on the occasions when he does fall down, he aims himself well enough that he usually lands on his caboose instead of his face.  Quite a useful skill; Daddy still hasn't perfected it.  The only limit to his walking fun is the small track; he crosses the room in about 15 seconds, and the horsie is quite difficult to turn around.  Mommy or Daddy do the turning, which keeps us quite busy.  We need to find a bigger runway.  

Yesterday evening, James went biking for the first time.  Daddy was actually driving the bicycle, and James rode in his rickshaw-type wagon attached to the back of the bike.  And Mommy jogged alongside.  James looked a little unsure about the whole experience, but he wasn't scared at all.  Hopefully he'll get used to it; we have a nice neighborhood to go biking in.

In another display of rare baby fearlessness, James endured two needles at his recent doctor visit and didn't cry either time.   At his 9-month checkup, they gave him a flu vaccination and then the doctor ordered a blood test to check his iron levels.  James sat (relatively) still and got through both needles without a peep.   Some adults can't do that. 

We're all still enjoying the summer, visiting the neighborhood pool often and finding fun things that James can do.  We're getting ready to go to Myrtle Beach in a couple of weeks, and we're close to a state park that provides plenty of activities for us.  Hopefully this will help James learn to love playing outside, and keep him from wasting too much time with TV and video games.