The lounge

People often call Ronin "Prince Ronin." It's kind of spooky. Perhaps it's his very regal eyebrows. Maybe all babies get called princes and I just didn't know it. 

Or maybe, just maybe, he's got a little something royal on us.

Check out this lounge position, baby. Now feed me some grapes.

Counter-shard

In an attempt to be productive and happy around the house, and to keep Ronin from as much danger as possible on the ground, I've become devoted to my Ergo baby backpack.

After the wee Kilaru has thoroughly exhausted himself crawling and climbing all around the kitchen and family room, and when it becomes clear that he's starting to grouse with boredom and look for a little adventure, I just hoist him up, strap him on, and carry on with chores as before.

I really dig it. EXCEPT. He's so squirmy. I totally block his view in the backpack. I'm this big huge mama lady in the way. Ronin has to bend and twist all around to see what's going on. 

AND. Those fingers. Those hands. Always grabbing something, holding something, picking it up, banging it around. Turns out I STILL have to be careful, even with this child strapped tightly on to my back. 

Shard

Today I was baking some very delicious vegan chocolate chip cookies and Ronin was playing on the floor. 

He was actually playing in a kitchen cabinet that contains some pottery cookware.

As I beat the oil and sugar, Ronin chucked the bowls around. As the mixer whirred, one of the bowls broke. Ronin began to play with a shard of pottery.

I looked over from happily beating my cookies to see him lifting this shard to his mouth. 

I removed the FREAKING PIECE OF DANGEROUS GLASS from his little hand, which had two small nicks on it. He didn't seem to mind at all.

I next became terrified that he had swallowed a tiny piece of the pottery. Never mind that he has a hard time directing large chunks of food toward his mouth. I kept examining his lips, tongue, gums, and mouth for any signs of bleeding.

HOLY FREAKING COW. We are getting a nice baby fence to cordon off a section of the room that we can certify is safe. I am also considering a straightjacket, for him and for me.

Awake

This smile is the reason to have fun when Ronin's awake! Today, it was 65 degrees outside...gorgeous. 

Ronin likes to climb on me, which is pretty cute and fun. Except when the very sharp little baby nails or the very pinchy little baby fingers get too worked up. But even that's cute. His fingertips are so small.

Anyway, he's pushing up and standing, which can be practiced often on the mama jungle gym. Spring time is fun! Aw man, it's not the spring. It's January.

Asleep

Here's a sleeping baby. There are so many reasons to love a soundly sleeping baby. 

It means they are growing. It means you have free time. And it means the baby is quiet and still, which is otherwise impossible.

My great-grandfather made this for me

Ronin's great-grandfather, who just turned 91, made this little stool for Ronin. Mochie gets up and goes to his shop every day and putters around and makes sturdy, lovingly crafted furniture for his family. HOLY COW. 

Meanwhile, my grandmother makes homemade chicken salad and scrubs the floors and gardens and runs errands all around town and will talk with you about everything going on in your life with complete attention and presence.

They are both so interesting and so vigorous and I'm so impressed by them. I just wish we could see them all the time. There's so much I'd like to learn from them that I am missing through distance.

Alas. They are just a few hours' drive away so now Ronin's been to visit twice! And they came the week after he was born. We enjoy every moment we have with them.

Yesterday he couldn't do this

Yesterday, he could crawl up to the dishwasher and pull up on the door when it was in this position.

Today, he can pull up, and pull OUT plates, knives, forks, you name it. He can also come around to the soap compartment and compress it so that the lid springs open and toxic, dangerous soap is right there beneath his fingers.

And then there was the time he fell down the stairs...

Seems I can't take my eyes off this child for a minute. Thank goodness babies start to get really cute once they pull through that newborn phase. I don't really want to take my eyes off of him, and it's a good thing, because if I did, the house might burst into flame in no time at all. 

Put a cork in it

I swear, Ronin did this of his own accord.

He never would take a pacifier (we called him Binks just cause we thought it sounded cute) but he's really taken to the cork.

Delightful. 

Little drummer boy

We bought this Indonesian drum at an antique show this past weekend. 

We all really like it. Ronin also sounds pretty good playing pots and pans, but it'll be very nice to hear the tones on this thing...

Next up: a gong! A really big lovely mediation gong. I just can't get enough of gongs. 

I'm sure Ronin will make very, very meditative sounds on it. Soon I will realize that I've definitely had enough of the gong.

Hats with ears

When I was pregnant with Ronin, I swore that all hats he wore would have ears.

I have not strictly adhered to this, because ALL hats look so cute on him. But hats with ears have a particularly special place in my heart. This is also, by the way, what I love most about cats. Their pointy ears. So perfect and alert.

I digress. This hat was given to us by Carolyn, the world's most wonderful best friend (and also owner of the very delicious Miller Union.) She has given us a ton of adorable hand me down clothes, and all of our cloth diapers, and an Ergo, and a breast pump, and the list just goes on. Oh, and such good advice! And she was there for Ronin's birth, and how can I ever thank her for that?

May the cuteness of this picture be a big thank you for today for all she and her family have done for us. 

Atlanta Christmas delights

Here's Ronin in Atlanta, hanging out with his cousins Julia and John, his Bee and Grand Ted, his Aunt Kelly, and also on a walk in front of the blow-up holiday house from hell. Either you love this guy's place or you hate it, and it gave me the serious urge to deflate and put away everything as fast as possible. But it's unique!

We had a lovely time in Atlanta visiting with family and eating at Miller Union, the DELICIOUS and elegant new restaurant owned by my best friend, her husband, and their good friend, who's an amazing chef. Merry holidays and happy 2010 to all. 

Christmas coffee

These shots were taken on Christmas day at the Starbucks around the way from my parents' place in Atlanta. I was so happy and content holding my little boy. He was the best Christmas present, ever! 

But seriously, doesn't he totally look 45 years old? The little baby combover...the intense stare...the gravity with which he wears his Christmas sweater.

Just like his grandaddy

Is it just me, or does Ronin wear the exact same expression as his grandaddy is this Christmas picture?

It's so funny to see what a blend he's turning into. Now, from whence did he get this very strong, feisty personality? I can't imagine...

Fur brothers

You may notice the can of saline spray under the couch in these pics. It's Ronin's very favorite toy (still), so, like a cat, he has pushed it underneath the couch, where all favorite toys hide.

So far, Ronin likes cats more than anything.

He's also still remarkably like a slow, hairless kitten. 

He laughs and laughs and squeals with delight whenever one of our furry family members walks into the room. He's just so enchanted by them. I understand! I am too!

I'm very glad to be raising an animal-lover. Cute little vegan ailurophile! Good karma for you, Ronin.

Privacy, please

Hello dear ones. 

Not sure how this will work but I *think* I have made this blog private. Flips of joy! It's time to keep our haps on the down-low.

I haven't posted a thing in yet another MONTH and I tell myself this is because I'm worried about crazy stalkers hunting Ronin. My mom and stepdad suggested I consider this over Christmas holidays and I've been sweating it ever since. So here we are, with a blog you must log in to view -- I think!

Warm happy joyful 2010 to everyone. I hope we see you all soon.