twenty-six weeks

seth's first strip show

Yes, you read that right!

I asked my friend Carina if she would babysit Seth one morning.

She hesitated... "you see, I need to go to Tom's work at lunch time because

I got him a stripping gorilla for his birthday."

You can't make this stuff up, folks!

seth's first taste of (sort of) real food!

This is Seth's first taste of rice cereal!

celebrating seth's baptism

blowing bubbles!

This is a new trick of Seth's:

listen to me when i'm talking to you!

Seth is starting to babble!

It's unbelievable how quickly he's developing. It seems like just yesterday I was complaining about his lack of conversational skills (it WAS just yesterday)... and now here he is talking in full sentences. Well, full baby incomprehensible sentences. But my mothering instinct tells me he was saying "Hello Mum, how is the weather today? Do you think we will get to go for a walk? I would prefer the left boob first, please."

say cheese!

Today we set up Seth's play mat with the toy bars that go over top of him. He loves it! At first he just enjoyed looking at all the colourful toys, but after a while he started (accidentally) hitting the toys with his little fists. Each time it surprised him.

Seth has started really interacting with me, at least with his eyes. You can tell how he is doing through his eyes - open and shiny means he's happy, really wide-eyed usually means he is over-stimulated and needs a break. I read that babies will often try to mimic your facial expressions, so I've been spending some time making funny faces - happy, sad, surprised, sticking out my tongue, etc. A few times when I have been sticking out my tongue Seth has also stuck his out, but it may just be a coincidence!

Today on his play mat Seth smiled at me. Real smiles, not just gas. I don't know if he "knows" he is smiling, or knows what it means at all, but he was definitely giving me big, open-mouthed smiles - AMAZING!

Also: Today was the first day that Seth found his fist and started sucking.

do you hear what i hear?

Seth has started responding to noises! If we hold a rattling toy up he will turn to look at the noise - a great step!

He also is getting more used to tummy time on his lily pad mat. He is holding his head up for longer and longer periods.

Christmas eve!

Today Seth met Uncle Craig! Craig seems to be quite smitten with him! Also, he has brought home his HD video camera so he is shooting lots of video of Seth!

Also: Today Seth had his first non-sponge bath - in Grammie's sink!

birth day!

Today Seth Michael Coates was born at 8:05 pm! He was 9 pounds, 7 ounces and 22 inches long!

The birth was not an easy one since Seth is so big. Twice we almost went to c-section, but in the end pushed him out the old fashioned way. He was born with his umbilical cord wrapped very tightly around his neck, so he was grey and lifeless and Ryan was pretty nervous. Seth recuperated well and in the end everything was okay. I'm pretty sore, but getting to hold baby Seth makes it totally worthwhile!

Ryan and I are pretty tired, and sure are happy that Grammie and Grumps are here to help us cope with lil' Seth!