Enabler

So Jamesie has not yet begun to move because of his older brother's loving, albeit enabling, assistance in getting him his toys and entertaining him.  One thing James has been "on time" about is his ability to eat finger foods and develop his pincher grab with thumb and forefinger.  Cheerios have again become a staple in our home, consumed at nearly all waking hours.  Yesterday I found one in the bathtub *after* I had drained the water from the boys' bath.  I have also found whole (uneaten) cheerios in Jamesie's diaper-- I still can't explain it. 

While I am proud of James's independence in eating (he also did a plate full of avocado and banana by himself the other day), Sean seems determined to keep the child in the remedial stages of eating as well as moving.  The other day I asked Sean to give Jamesie some Cheerios to pacify him while I got both of their lunches ready.  It started off OK, but sure enough, leave it to Sean to serve his brother, and enable him out of doing anything for himself:

Sean thinks he's hit the jackpot-- mom just left me with this whole box! Jamesie anxiously waiting for his share...

Just two brothers having lunch together.  Note that there are actually a few cheerios on the tray, in case James wants to feed himself.

But why would he go through the trouble of picking up one of those pesky things when Sean is going to put it right into his hand for him?! James is so happy with this development!  But wait, life is about to get better for him...

No need to develop survival skills such as moving or feeding oneself when you have a brother to do it for you. If only he had a few grapes and a fan. 

Crawling 101

We had Jamesie's 9 mo appointment the other day, and the doctor prescribed Baby-Boot Camp to teach the little fella how to crawl.  As it turns out, 9 month olds are actually supposed to at least *try* to move, at least once in a while.  Our little guy is quite content just where he is about 99% of the time.  Some of it is his personality-- he's very subdued and content, and some of it is his older brother, who is very much a servant and very entertaining.  So, as Jamesie sits in the middle of the family room Sean will bring him any toy under the sun, and even if James doesn't need a toy he's very content to watch Sean run, flip, spin, jump, tackle, etc etc.  For example:

Here is Sean giving James every toy out of the blue toy bucket.  And, just in case that weren't enough to keep the boy entertained...

He turns around to tackle dad (see background)

(See background for progression of above tackle.  hehehe)

So, we have now enlisted Sean's help to teach Jamesie how to crawl, or at least make him want to learn how to crawl.  We're teaching him by example and making sure to set his toys at least a few feet away from him now to get him motivated to move. Sean is very into teaching him (although he did walk up and put a block in his hand earlier today at the first sign of a fuss-- he can't help it if he just wants to serve his brother).  Here are some shots of tutor and pupil in action.  or, rather, inaction as the case may be:

Resident Poet

The other day Cody and I were eating pistachios in the kitchen before dinner when this conversation ensued:

Sean:  Seannie want a Peanut.
Erin: These are called pistachio nuts.
Sean: Seannie want a 'stachio nut.
(I give him one)
Sean: What color is the stachio nut? (requesting that we now ask him the same question)
Cody and Erin: What color is the pistachio nut, Sean?
Sean: Its green.  Like Daddy's eyes. 

Trip to the Dentist

In my opinion, going to the dentist is never fun and always a source of anxiety.  If your Sean Groeber though, and your beloved DaDa is your dentist, I guess its a different story.  Sean visited DaDa's office where he "brushes teeth" over Christmas, which was *almost* cute enough to curb my dentist-angst.

What a nice old dentist talking the pint-size patient through the visit. 

Sean was completely relaxed in DaDa's capable hands.  Cody, however, seems to be overseeing every step with an eagle eye. You never know, this dentist could be nuts. 

The dentist gave me these great gloves to wear around!

Sean was so relaxed-- just chatting away with Dad while lying in the big chair.  We commented that any other dental experience might have sent him into sobbing theatrics as Sean has been a little "sensitive" to strangers and new experiences lately. 

Yes, Sean's velcro shoes are criss-crossed...remember doing that as a kid?

Sean even got to help with Mom's exam!  This would have been a great way to help me relax, except that Sean was in charge of the suction, and at a pivotal moment when my eyes were closed, concentrating on not "losing it" and staying calm (strangely similar to labor), Sean decided to try the suction in my ear which made me just about jump out of the big chair.  ah!

Even Scooby Doo needs a dental exam every six months.  Part of the deal for sean getting his teeth cleaned was Scooby getting in the chair too.  Sean did a great job cleaning his teeth....or gums, as Scooby doesn't actually have any teeth.

Sean looks amazingly serious given the lack of teeth to clean in Scooby's mouth.  Maybe that's what's making him think in this picture.  Perhaps he has a future in dentistry?

Scooby and Seannie all cleaned up!  Thanks to DaDa for a very succesful and minimally traumatic (for sean at least) visit to the dentist!

Heard Around the House

While Sean and James were eating lunch today I chatted with Cody on the phone for a few minutes, as we often do around the lunch hour.  When I got back to the table Sean said:

"Daddy left us here all by ourselves."

Yes, I suppose he did.  Just like he does everyday when he goes to work.

Too Cute Christmas

I'll try to do more pics of our whole 12 days of Christmas a little later.  In the meantime, check out our little man decked out for Christmas mass!

She Said Yes!

We have certainly had an eventful Christmas and New Year's season around here, not least because my wonderful sister accepted her boyfriend, Michael's, proposal, here in Charleston on Dec. 30. It was romantic and beautiful and exciting, and, after much scheming by the Groebers, Galloways and Maleys, a surprise! We could not be happier! The next morning Sean woke up to Denise in his room and said "See Neesie's shiny ring?"

The happy couple enjoying a frosty after the Big Event. Well deserved-- great job Michael!

The happy couple canoodling. Michael popped the question in Marion Square, all lit up with Christmas trees and lights, right across the street from a restaurant where we were all waiting for them. Cody actually was hiding behind bushes at the park snapping pictures, but most of them are too dark to see.

Just for good measure: The sister and the shiny ring. Bling.

BTW, how happy was I when Denise came down dressed in a Kate Middleton-esque dress for the big night, even though the proposal was a surprise!? I had to bite my tongue not to say anything when I saw it!

Congratulations to Denise and Michael! We love you and are so happy for you!