The fist shot is Merritt being a ham around the house. He seems to have the most energy first thing in the morning! The second shot is Merritt in our front yard. He thought that having the entire sidewalk at his disposal was way better than the 10 feet inside the house.

The things I forgot

Merritt is now dancing! He has two favorite songs- "Take It easy" by the Eagles and any cheesy electronically generated children's toy song. Thank you mom Brennan for the fridge Leap Frog. It is the new big hit since we moved the toaster oven. Our boy really likes to shake his booty.

Merritt also said "mama." It may have been an isolated insidance, but it was very clear and Mark confirmed it. He had just woken up and was crying on the changing table. He stopped crying, very clearly said "mama" and started crying again. Regardless of wether or not it was legitamate, I have noticed that he does associate the mama/daddy words with the right people when we speak them.

Merritt likes to help dad by eating his dirt (note the black drool on his bib).

The Farmers Market

Mark and I had a great time yesterday. One of the best things about our new house is how close everything is. So, we walked down to the farmers market, got lunch, bought food for our Bible study group and spent some time at a nearby park.

I't been a long time!

Well a lot can happen in a month! I was inspired to get on and write after reading a friends incredible blog entry today. I don't expect to be nearly as eloquent as she was, but I would like to let everyone know Merritt's new tricks and skills!

When we went to Chesterton last month, Merritt was just starting to crawl and stand while holding on to something. Now...Merritt is a super crawler, whose mom can't always keep an eye on him (when do those eyes in the back of your head start to grow?). He really likes cords of all types, and especially the button for the toaster oven. We have since moved the toaster oven to a much higher location.

Merritt is now standing on his own with help from the walls and door knobs (unaided when he is really focused). He can walk sideways down the wall and has even learned to "gently" lower himself back to a seated position.

His new favorite toy is a little walker "cart" that we got for him. He can stand behind it and walk on his own. It has wheels and a lot of other bells and whistles. Stay tuned for a picture shortly. In the last week he also learned to get up to standing using this very unstable object.

We have also moved to two naps a day. What a big boy! Another new favorite game of his is jumping on his bed. He likes to hold the railing and go boingy boingy boingy ...you get the picture...

I AM THE MASTER OF MY CRIB!

When Merritt woke up this morning at 5:30am crying, Mark staggered out of bed (I was getting dresssed for work in the bathroom)and went to check on him. Then, I hear..."Renee! come here." Merritt was standing in his crib, holding the rail, tears were streaming down his face and dripping off of his chin. It was precious.

Yesterday, while Mark was on duty, Merritt was making a big ruccus during nap time. Mark went to see what was going on and found one arm grasping the elephant music box, and with the other he had ripped off the mobile and was violently thrashing it around in the crib. This child DEFINATELY TAKES AFTER MARK! hee hee...