First christmas tree + general cuteness

We have a lot of traditions with friends & family and I am looking forward to Rowan becoming a part of those traditions.  Today is actually Belsnickel Day, a fun and quirky Dankert tradition.  Rowan won't be able to really participate in this one until he is a old enough to know what is going on.  Long (and probably made up) story short, the Belsnickel is a rather maniacal, bell-covered henchman to Santa Claus and he comes around after dark on December 5th, pounding on and slamming doors, shaking his bells and throwing in treats for good kids (coal for bad ones.)  He also picks up your Christmas list from the mailbox and takes it to Santa.  My sister and I always loved Belsnickel Day, probably mostly because we didn't know anyone else who celebrated it (other than relatives and close family friends that caught our weirdness.)

One of our other Christmas traditions is getting our tree at Power's Farm Market with our friends Rachael & Jake the first weekend of December.  Rowan wasn't too impressed by the trees this year, but he did enjoy looking at the lights.  Next year I'm sure he'll have fun running around, checking out the animals, and helping pick our tree.

These trees do not impress me.

Our little family

Simple, beautiful lights display!

I love having the Christmas tree up - it makes the house feel so warm and peaceful.  I have a tendency to leave it up excessively long.  Other than the tree, I don't usually put up much else for decorations.  Of course, once Rowan gets older I might come up with some fun ideas if I can get him psyched about crafting.

This kid is too cute - he can be so expressive (rarely when the camera is out, though.)  I always get a big grin when I come home, even though I'm only gone for about six hours most days.  He gets especially excited when he's on his changing table and I get right in his face - he scrunches up his whole face into the biggest grin and coos really loudly.  So wonderful.  Of course, he can also be very moody - lately he's been snapping from that delirious happiness into crazed unhappiness.  One second he's smiling and giggling, and literally the next he's tearing up and his lip is quivering.  Maybe the teething pain is just coming in waves.  We try to keep our boy happy.

Oh - hey, Mom.

Four months old + counting

It seems like Rowan got super strong and agile overnight!  A few weeks ago he started grabbing things and now he's pretty good at it.  There have been a few times when he got frustrated because he forgot how to let go.  :)  He can also grab his feet and he is clearly very proud of it.

Now how do I get this entire thing in my mouth??

Hey birds! Look what I can do!

Rowan's Likes: Grabbing his cage ball, raspberries on his belly, having his chin or belly tickled, "fighting" with Chewy (the bear), snuggling, chewing on his hands/bibs/burp cloths

Rowan's Dislikes: Going to bed, the car seat, being away from home

Oh, hi.  I'm just busy growing out of my 9 month clothes.

I noticed this week that Rowan's left eye is starting to turn in a lot again - it had seemed like it was getting better.  Oh well, he's still young and his vision seems good.  And he's gotten very good at following moving objects with both eyes.  He also makes good eye contact now.

Teething is probably going to be a challenge.  However, we have found some homeopathic remedies, plus we have baby Tylenol for when he's really in agony.  Rowan is also getting fairly good at self-soothing - he likes to chew on soft things like his hands, his bib, a burp cloth, or one of our hands.  Occasionally he'll go for his cold teething ring.  Distraction is often the best remedy.  Rowan likes to play with Mom & Dad: