Halloween Highlights

The whole costume thing wasn't a big hit at first.

But he looked so cute in Beck's old costume.

Earlier in the day he was just a pun'kin head.

Mama knit his hat.

Pun'kin head and the Great Pumpkin.

Grandma made Alana's costume.

Cousins Ciera, Rye and Alana.

Grandma made Ciera's princess costume, too.

Baby bear got very hungry since he wasn't allowed any candy.

Happy Halloween! (Early!)

Play, Step 1

Rye is intrigued that hitting the swinging bell toy rewards him with a sweet sound! (Don't mind the hiccups.) Eventually, he gets frustrated—either he wants to do something more, or he's suddenly hungry.

Instant laundry-maker

Quiz question: How long does it take to create three loads of laundry?

Answer: Only about four seconds!

Including a 14-inch long Linda Blair-style projectile spit-up, that climbs four inches in the air and narrowly misses the protective waterproof liner on the bed.

Sleeping cuteness

For a short movie of Rye fussing around in his sleep, including an Elmer Fudd grunt, click here.

He moves around and stretches his fingers a lot.

Rye does a lot of sleep-smiling. What do you suppose he's dreaming about? Probably only one thing...

Sacked out.

Essential Mommy Gear *

*This post is occasionally updated.

I've made a list of the essential items I haven't been able to live without over the past couple of months as a new mommy. Hopefully this will help new parents who are planning for Baby, and friends who are shopping for gifts for them!

That's his name, wearin' it out...

Teresanne, a St. Pete friend who is a freelance graphic designer, set Rye up with his own logo-wear.

Two months

Wearing the crocheted outfit that Jill the math coach gave him.

Rye was 11 3/4 lbs and 23 1/2 inches last week at our last checkup!

Rye is grabbing and touching, and he holds on a little when you carry him. His arms still flail a bit, but he has enough control to hold the pacifier in his mouth sometimes (though he hasn't figured out that pulling on the leash pops it right out of his mouth!). Rye enjoys looking at the Wee Gallery drawings while in his crib and stroller. He went to mommy group last week and was quiet and napped, although the noise and the crowd overwhelmed him a bit for the rest of the day.

Rye's hair is getting a little longer and there is more dark peach fuzz. He has bushy eyebrows that are coming in. His blue eyes are getting lighter and lighter. We're hoping he ends up with hazel eyes like Mommy.

His skin is still soft, like angel velvet.

The pants from Nana that last were worn rolled up are now clamdigger length, so we're moving on to some size 3m clothes now, along with the 0-3m. The FuzziBunz cloth diapers and Baby Kicks wipes are working out great.

All of Rye's cries have changed, so we don't understand how to help him again. He now complains if his diaper is wet and uncomfortable; in the beginning he didn't seem to care. He is developing his own language of grunts and sounds, muttering "ay-yah, ay-yah" to soothe himself when he starts the pacifier when he is agitated.

The poops are getting colossal. We have had several impromptu baths with the kitchen sprayer.

Grandma and Daddy are trying to teach him "cobra" and "up-dog" yoga poses, so he can roll over properly, with conviction. He is spending more time in the sling with Mommy during the day.

Sleep stabilization

Rye has slept for a four-hour stretch two nights in a row, whoo-hoo! We are giddy with rest.

Rye's room

In the crazy clutter of modern living, we're hoping to keep Rye's home base simple, calm and low-key. We're trying a Montessori approach with his room, with inspiration from Meg's Sew Liberated and the room she created for her son, Finn.

Grandma gave Rye the beautiful gift of a handmade quilt and pillow sham just for him. The sham was inspired by Gees Bend quilts.

Chowin' down

Rye tries to eat Daddy.

Later, Rye gives his opinion (until his handler shuts down the paparazzi).

Rye just being himself

Here's some quick video of Rye after his bath and munching his pacifier.