warm weather, new friends, and potty time

The weather has been unbelievably warm for January and we are not complaining. We are getting out and enjoying it while it lasts. Alder has been especially enjoying the time outside though he is doing exactly what he would be doing inside...gnawing on stuff. We can actually see his central upper teeth about to poke through so he will be a snake baby no more in a few days.


He was very intrigued by the wind chimes...

and I just love this picture b/c those chubby hands are so sweet and you can see his funny way of curling in those toes.

We went to visit a 3-month-old friend, Charley, last week. It will be very fun when they can play together! Alder enjoyed playing with different toys and was very gentle with his younger pal. Alder also 'played' with Sylvia who is just one week older and they were interested in taking each other's toys and swatting at each other...mostly Alder swatting. I look forward to him playing with friends and learning to interact, but we parents agreed that the stage where you teach kids to share will not be particularly fun...

And lastly, here is Alder shouting out to all the other infants out there that it is cool to use your potty! Yup, we have been 'catching' his poops almost every morning and fairly regularly catching some pees (recall 'elimination communication' mentioned earlier as something our friends are doing with their daughter)! Fewer diapers to wash is great and we are learning a great deal more about him and his patterns in general. What is most amazing to me is that just two or three generations ago (just talk to your grandmas) this was the standard and in many other countries it still is. Sylvia, we will take care of your sunglasses until we see you again.