Horsey rides on Daddy's knee are pretty exciting when you are an advanced 5.5 month old.

Morgen has reached new levels of excitement, it seems. Today, she was so excited to be in her bath that she stood up (despite my attempts to keep her safely settled DOWN in the water), and then squeaked and stamped her feet. I had my hands on her, and it was only for a moment, but still, it happened. She is becoming more and more assertive every day...and I am finding myself even more inspired to learn about Geminis and consult her star chart...anything to give me the heads up on interacting with our little girl. 

And the bath isn't the only thing that we enjoyed more than usual today. Morgen also discovered for the first time that she can actually sit up in her stroller. I was happy to see her work that out. We rolled along for a good fifteen minutes, me with a big smile, and Morgen with lots of bouncing and gurgling, before she slipped backwards and fell into her usual subway habit of staring at strangers until they look away. Next time we go out there will be far less slumping along looking dejected and far more leaning forward and chewing on the rail. Or playing with Mortimer. Or looking at stuff. 

Happy Hallowe'en (From Captain Pumpkin and the Sugar Kids)

Captain Pumpkin and the Sugar Kids did their best to spread Hallowe'en cheer and treats this evening. I hope you and your candy girls and guys did the same.
  
 
 
 

(Nearly) No Hands!

This isn't the best picture of either of us, but it does capture one of the first moments that Morgen sat up with nearly no assistance. She's working very hard at sitting on her own these days, on the floor, on the couch, or on laps.

It may sound a bit mean, but I have to admit that my favourite part of all this is not in fact when baby Morgen manages a minute or so on her own. It's when she's managed a minute or so on her own and then becomes distracted enough to move her head a bit off centre.  Why, you ask? Well I'm going to tell you (aren't you lucky). Because then, the most entertaining thing happens. 

She oh so slowly leans backward or to the side, all the while gripping her tights or pants as if to pull her self upright, but focussed on whatever it is that has caught her eye. She can't pull her self up yet, of course, so she just keeps slowly toppling over, until she's lying on her back with her legs stuck in the air and her hands on her shins. She keeps her head turned towards the new object of her interest, but otherwise, it's as if her world has tilted by ninety degrees. And that is good for a giggle on a cold October day. When Morgen falls forward instead of to the side or back, its not as much fun, because she just folds in half and complains about it. But it's still fascinating. I think Morgen will have mastered this sitting skill very soon...we'll keep you posted.

Five months old, four days from Captain Pumpkin

  

So, I've been lagging in my enthusiasm for posting, feeling that nothing very exciting had happened lately. Then, I had my ego suitably kicked by a friend, who reminded me that no one reads this blog because it's interesting. The implication, of course, is that it's all about the pictures. So, here are some shots, with my apologies for the delay. 

First: What's better than getting a bag full of second hand clothes from your boyfriend? Getting a bag full of seasonal clothes from him, and wearing some of it like a cape instead of like a bib. And doesn't every girl love a seasonal sleeper from her grandmother? It's enough to make you stick your tongue out at the photographer.

Second: Here's the birthday girl in her party dress. Note the pretty gold shoes (a gift from her great grandmother) in action. Morgen is five months old today!

  

Play Time

Sometimes, all you really want to do is lie on your back and contemplate the bright green foam block in your hands.... And then someone shoves a camera in your face. 

Morgen has experienced a lot in the last couple weeks. She had her first (Canadian) Thanksgiving, where, to her eternal confusion, she received presents - 

some really cool toys like this one from Grandpa and Grandma Lovett. She has also begun to 

sit up a bit on her own and survey the world from a slightly different angle. (OK, so we have to get her sitting, and she sometimes decides to balance for a few seconds before either slowly tipping over sideways or jerking herself backwards.) Baths have also become more fun, ever since she noticed all the strange liquid around her. In short, it has been a fun, but exhausting week for everyone.