Although we're always sad to see her go, Grandma Susan is heading back to AZ today. The timing couldn't have been much better, really, because I'm finally starting to feel a little better. Whew! I cannot possibly overstate the amount of help she's been to us. Hands down, these last couple of months have been more challenging for me than when Joseph was a newborn. Aren't these shots of Joseph and Grandma saying goodbye at the airport this morning just wonderful?

For a while now, dancing to Joseph has meant falling down and getting back up Ring Around the Rosey style, but now he's really learning how to get down! Of course, "Old MacDonald Had a Farm" may not be at the top of the dance charts, but it definitely seems to be working for our little jammer!

As it turns out, Joseph is not only learning to sing his ABCs, but he's also learning to count all the way to ten! He just can't seem to get enough of words and talking!



Just a few minutes later, here's more proof of that insatiable appetite for all things verbal! Despite conventional wisdom to the contrary, Joseph does most most of his book judging by cover alone. He loves the cover of the book "Hoot", with nothing but big open eyes, and he couldn't resist bringing it over to his daddy for a little reading time. Tim thought he'd quickly tire of just hearing all those words without pictures, but he ended up listening for several minutes, all snuggled up on Tim's lap!

Here are Joseph and Aunt Angie again this morning playing with a whole bunch of blocks. Joseph sure loves knocking down those big towers!

Aunt Angie is here for a visit! She arrived by train last night all the way from NYC where she was displaying her jewelry in a big trade show. She'll be heading back to CA tomorrow, but for now we're all so glad to have her here! The last time Joseph saw Aunt Angie, he was less than a month old, so they sure have a lot of catching up to do!

I used to wonder when I would know it was the right time to introduce Joseph to his own utensils, but just this last week he started grabbing our big forks and using them to spear and eat his food. I guess he was sending us a not-so-subtle message that he was ready! We put a couple of little forks, spoons, and knives in the utensil drawer, and let him discover them for himself. He sure was excited when he pulled them out!

It's time to eat, and pancakes are the perfect thing to practice on! He knows he's supposed to get the food on the fork and the fork in his mouth, but he's decided the easiest way to spear those syrupy pieces is by picking them up and pushing them on the tines. It's not exactly conventional, but since when has Joseph followed the crowd?

Grandma Susan is here to save the day! Tim's been gone at job interviews every week lately, and I've been so much sicker than I was when I was pregnant with Joseph that we've really been struggling to keep up with everyday stuff. I don't know how I did it, but I somehow talked Mom into coming out to be with us for the next three weeks, and things are already in much better shape! For one thing, Joseph is actually getting out of the house again, and although he's been a good sport about his recent confinement, he's having a great time outside today. Grandma helped him strap his little doggie into the stroller, and he's just pushing it around and around the car. What a great way for a little guy to spend the afternoon!

This really is amazing! With very little help or encouragement from us, Joseph is already learning the Alphabet Song! He can't recite the whole thing yet, but when you sing a few letters and stop, he'll follow up with the correct letter or series of letters ("LMNOP"). He just simply loves words and sounds! Other parents of kids his age have commented on his huge vocabulary, too. He is already speaking in phrases ("go in the car"), asking for help ("hep!"), and repeating almost anything else you say ("push buttons"). What a amazing little guy!

Lately, Joseph's been sitting down on almost anything he can find that will work, from the stairs to these big cans. I guess we're going to have to find him a little seat of his own!





This little screwdriver has become a treasured companion, useful for everything from exploring the murky depths of the floor vents to opening those tricky new door knobs. Sometimes I'm just amazed at how little training and guidance he needs in being a little boy!

Recently, Joseph has decided that even stuffed animals deserve a little love and affection! Here he is this afternoon giving kisses to these little rhino and monkey finger puppets. What a sweetheart!



We just love having our silly little goose around!