Fun in Cedar Hill (bonus episode)

Seeing as the pool in Minot was not even open when we left in June, Henry had not experienced one of the best parts of summer - the pool. This picture is our first attempt to show him that the baby pool is actually fun and not scary, haha. He would cry and squirm every time we went near it - maybe he has a fear of inflatable baby contraptions, I don't know. He did scream bloody murder when we tried to use an inflatable baby tub in the shape of a rubber ducky (so we wouldn't have to bring his regular tub on our trip) back in Minot. Needless to say, that tub went back to the store after a traumatic week of baths! As you can see, he was none too pleased with our efforts. At least mom and dad cooled off!Here is the second attempt:

Penny and Bailey like it!

"Well if Penny's not scared of it, maybe I could consider letting go of the edge of the pool."

"Okay, maybe I can enjoy this... maybe."

Finally! Having some fun.

Here is the much anticipated video of Henry's "scooting." He has never been a big fan of laying on his stomach, but he always loved sitting up. He developed this technique in order to get toys out of his reach, and eventually figured out that he could move across the room this way. It's actually served him quite well because he can move across concrete without hurting his knees - he brings his one leg through without touching the ground. He occupied himself for a long time one evening on Mothie and Pawp's driveway by scooting and inspecting each tiny pockmark in the concrete. He's a detail guy like his dad.



His other favorite activity in Matt's parents' yard was grabbing handfuls of pea gravel, raising them high above his head, opening his fists and watching all the gravel fall back down. He never once put a single rock in his mouth. He looked through Matt's old Micro Machines, and again never tried to eat one. He's perfectly capable of feeding himself, but he gets so distracted with inspecting his food with his hands, that it rarely makes its way into his mouth. The only guarantee? Bread with apple butter, a Cedar Hill staple. The first night we were there, I gave him a few bites, then put a few pieces on his tray, and for the first time ever that piece of bread went straight to his mouth!

I found this Fisher Price Little People carnival set at a garage sale in Minot for $5, and we brought it with us on the trip. One day at Matt's parents' house, Henry found it absolutely hilarious when we would send the people down the ramp instead of the cars. This went on for a long time - here's the tail-end of the giggle fest:


Henry has been rather cranky this past week, which at first we figured was just from all the traveling. Yesterday we realized he's cutting a molar! Well that explains it! The answer to soothing this pain you may ask? A teething toy? No. A sealed bag of Swedish Fish? Why yes! How did you know?! He finally chewed a hole in the bag last night, so we bought him a new bag at Target this afternoon. While Matt was emptying the cart at checkout, Henry quietly snatched the Swedish Fish off the conveyor belt and shoved it to his mouth. Good thing Matt noticed before he'd paid for everything else!