Guess what I found?

What should I find, but Ezra STANDING UP IN HIS CRIB this morning when I went to fetch him from his nap!

Here he is digging in his book shelf...little monkey.

And here is a short video of him pulling himself up to standing. Shucks, he's cute.

Five Month Fancy Moves

Thanks Jenn and Ian!

His first mohawk. Oh yes.

5 Months

Once again, we had a tremendously difficult time getting Ezra to sit still for his photo. Or stop eating the card. Such is the busy body life for a super active 5 month old. We absolutely cannot believe it. Ezra is crawling! He sits, he spins, he pulls himself up to standing every once in a while (climbing on Mom and Dad is his favorite). At 5 months he is 17# 14 oz and 25 1/2" long. He's a machine. He's a smiler. He's a spirited, strong, determined baby boy. But things are moving so fast for Josh and I...What happened to our little infant? Guess we just get on board and see where he takes us:)

5 Month card eater.

He is up for anything. Even snow storms.

Some of his moves.

The First Christmas for Ezra

Christmas. Only 3 weeks past, but feels like months ago already. How does that happen? We had a wonderful season of celebration. We had Christmas with Imma and Grandpa Salminen here in McGregor. Grandpa built Ezra some very fine wooden toys. Hooray! Thanks, Grandpa. And Christmas with the Rude's was celebrated in Crookston. We all managed to build a giant snow fort, complete with chandelier. It was so lovely, we decided to eat Christmas dinner inside of it! Don't you just love magical moments arriving spontaneously...

Here it is! The guys actually snow-blowed the yard to get all the snow together. In MN, no home is complete without an antler mount.

With the yard then being shoveled down to the grass, why not a game of croquet? Of course we all know who won. FAIR AND SQAURE.

The back yard really did evolve into a lovely gathering spot.

Kristen, Josie, myself and Ezra hanging out inside the quinzhee.Dinner under the chandelier.

And what's Christmas dinner without a few games played afterward? Josh and Natalie: speed scrabble champs 2008. Better luck next time ya'll.With all the activity inside, it really did heat up.

Ezra really loves his sled!

Opening presents with Grandma Salminen. He is a paper eater. Watch out.
He would eat the styrofoam peanuts, too, if we let him.

Florida

I must post these pictures before Christmas strikes. We had a great time down south even when we had to work! And that's not that hard when it's a balmy 74 degrees. Sigh.
Here are some highlights.

OoooOO! Finally Ezra and Hannah meet!

Our last day in Naples was warm enough to be a beach day. Pure delight.

Ezra just loved being without clothes. (still does)

Makes me misty eyed.

Here he is sporting his toughest of looks.

Playing with Rachie! We are so glad you are now in FL, Rachel :)

Yahoo! The Thatcher family. We went to Solomon's Christmas program in Everglade City. Way to go, Sy.

Fishing in the Thatcher's back yard for snook and tarpon.

Josh 2. Natalie 0.

Disneyworld! Here we are with more Rude's. It was great to see them.The boy and I staying warm on a chilly day at DW.

Josh says that when Ezra asks to go to Disneyworld, Josh will tell him he's already been there. (Four months old doesn't count!!)

Here are 4 generations. My Uncle Bill and Pa, Ezra's great grandpa. It was wonderful to spend time in Ocala with everyone. Carmen and Jose celebrated their birthdays with a fun party.

Ezra with Great Grandpa

And Ezra and Bill sporting the same fashionable hair styles.

The Almost Crawl

This weekend my mom and dad were over to celebrate Christmas. Ezra had lots to show them! The crawl is knocking on our door. (!)
Lots of rocking back and forth. Man oh man, is he ever excited and determined! Take a look at this movie...it's only 2 minutes long, but I was having trouble editing the audio and the song runs for another 7 minutes after the film is finished. Not to worry when you see the 9:00 price tag. It looks like my new and glamorous editing skills were a bit too much for quicktime to handle, so forgive the opening ( and over all quality!). I'm new at this:) and will gladly accept any tips.

With all of that, enjoy the show.

4 Months

Well this one is a bit late as we were just leaving around the 4th for two weeks in Florida. Then I couldn't find my camera... You wouldn't believe all the new things he is doing!! Josh and I can barely believe it. He sits, he rolls, he gets up onto his hands and knees and rocks back and forth. It's the "almost crawl." He scoots backwards, though. He is moving across the floor now when we put him down. At only 4 months old this is just plain nuts. We've got photos of Florida, too, coming soon...

So the 4 month photo shoot was an entirely new ball of wax. Instead of just sitting there like a nice pacifist, this time he scooted and thrashed. He did not want to lean back into the chair, but insisted on sitting up (or sitting very forward). A difficult position for the photographer to work with. Not only that but he insisted on eating the 4 month card. Lots of gumming and drool.
Here's proof.

Growing

Up late and as always, whenever the clocks strikes oh, about 9:30 pm, I find myself in the constant company of a particular thought: "I should be in bed." This thought parks and stays for a few hours. And I want to write about Ezra so awake I'll stay. This week he grew up. He is strong. He is vocal. He is leaving the infant stage in physical ways and it almost makes me want to post an obituary to his baby-ness. He will be 4 months on the 4th. I know, I know that is still a baby. But things are changing so fast! I suppose all parents navigate this space; the space of mourning and rejoicing at the same exact time. Parenting is vast and complex, but commands an introspective respect. I find myself wondering so much these days. As in wonder-ing. Being full of wonder. And so I close this night with a toast. To wonder, To Ezra Monroe!

3 Months

The trusty saying, "time is flying" cannot be more true. Has it been a month since we even posted? Tisk, tisk. Ezra is weighing in at 15# 4oz and measuring 25 1/4" at 3 months. That's a whole 6 inches since birth! His personality continues to emerge. He's a lover and a fighter, and for now, a mama's boy (to my delight). Here are many new photos. Enjoy.

Three months!

Smiling at play. New parent affirmation.

Little fingers have found the mouth.

Tummy time. Rolling over every so often on Imma's quilt.

Our happy bear. Thanks to the Issacs and fam.
Ezra would like to give a shout out to all at NP.
Up at AC with Mike, Nicole and camping buddy Aulis. Nicole and I had due dates one month apart. Thanks to Aulis coming early and Ezra late, they are two months apart!
He loves to sit up. Laying down is for babies, he says.
Rocking the johnny jump up at 2 months!
Tough dude. Tough Rude Dude. Watch out.