Six months - large and loud

Rhys is six months old today and amazingly enough, actually had his six month check up today, too.
He is now 27 1/2 inches and 18 pounds, 10 ounces - compared to his birth height and weight of 20 1/2 inches and 7 pounds, 9 ounces.
The time has truly flown by. Dom and I didn't know what we were missing before Rhys arrived - and now we do.

Likeable Lout or Charming Bandit?

A worrisome theme is being replayed by our dashing young hero. Our friends, Sheila and Patrick, have used their blog to subtly accuse Rhys of commandeering all available toys from their son Jamie, while sharing the pack-n-play this Saturday last. It appears their suspicions were well founded as evidenced by this photo. Rhys is caught red-handed absconding with a toy that his friend Jonas seemed rather attached to. Well, lovable lout or charming bandit, we are giving Rhys the benefit of the doubt until he can defend himself verbally.

Yoga for babies

Rhys has been attending yoga classes since he was 5 weeks old. It seems to be working as he has discovered a new way to try to catch a glimpse of TV. Instead of rolling over, he has figured out how to do the "fish" pose quite well. All to see a bit of golf. Amazing.

Midsummer's Eve

Wow - I knew I was a mom when I willingly shared my birthday celebration with my son for his half birthday.

Since Rhys was born on Dec. 27, many people have asked us if we plan to celebrate his half birthday. I don't think we will be that organized but since my birthday is about half way, Rhys may in fact get two celebrations for the time being.

He doesn't look too happy about sharing.

Dining out in Wicker Park

These days it is common to see harried moms and dads carting their young ones out for a quick bite to eat in the city - and a few moments of adult interaction. Dom and I have enjoyed taking Rhys out since he was a few weeks old. Most establishments are happy to see us - before 6 pm. As you can see in this image Rhys likes to participate in our outings. In this photo we are at Crust, a really good "organic" flatbreads/salads kind of place about a mile from our home. Great baby service by the way.

Father's Day

As everyone knows who reads this blog, Dom is quite the tennis enthusiast. While I have taken beginning tennis lessons - not once, not twice, but five times in the last seven years - I think we all know that sports are not my thing. I really want to like playing tennis - but going for a walk along the lake, meeting friends for a glass of wine, attending a yoga class, or simply reading a book, are some of my favorite weekend activities.

It will be interesting to see what Rhys likes to do. However, this year, Rhys is showing his fatherly love by sporting a new T shirt made by the cleverly named T Shirt Deli in Bucktown (and now Andersonville). It is almost Wimbledon season again (it has been five years since Dom and I went!) and Rhys has 18 years to prepare. Pimms anyone?

Food Glorious Food

Well, not so much if you are Rhys Oldham. He had his first taste of Rice Cereal (from Happy Belly Baby Food) a few days ago and we captured it on film. It seems like there are as many different philosophies about feeding as there are about sleeping. There is one camp that says - breastfeed exclusively for 6-8 months (no solids needed) - and at the other end of the spectrum, some folks begin solids at 4 months. We fall in between and started at 5 1/2 months with some rather bland cereal. (A quick editorial comment - Rhys ate a tablespoon of cereal this morning and seemed to enjoy eating it and spreading it all over his body.)

I am a bit overwhelmed learning about what kinds of food to serve Rhys - again there are many different camps on this one (Buy Organic, Why waste your money, Make your own!). I did buy a few small jars of Earth's Best Organic Baby Food at Target today. We don't even own a food processor so the idea of making my own, while tempting, just won't happen today.

Hint - someone's 35th birthday is just around the corner and a mini food processor might be the perfect gift.

Jump up, Jump up and Get down

Rhys loves his jumperoo. Thanks to his friend Jonas's influences - and wise parents who bought him a Rainforest Jumperoo - Rhys is now the proud owner of said jumperoo. While our living room turns into a nursery - Rhys is enjoying showing off his new skills of jumping on one foot. (Is there another word for jump - bounce, spring, lunge, frolic...?)

Uncles and Aunts and Cousins, oh my!

Three sets of my great-grandparents came from their respective homes in Europe and settled in the Chicago area. One great-grandfather was a family doctor, the other a hog butcher, and the third an accountant. Slowly, however, over the years, almost all of my immediate family left Chicago and don't seem to be coming back. (And after this last winter I can't say I really blame them.)
Like so many families, we are spread across the United States - and in England on Dom's side.
Therefore, we are so pleased when family comes to town to see Rhys or makes time for us when we visit them. He may not remember these times - but you will.