Yes, indeed, he's walking

Elgin had a burst of 16 steps this morning. I would say that we're very close to having a full on walker. He was stepping left and right at school this morning, too. One parent noted his jazz hands, and I hope I catch them on video soon. He's changing so quickly!

I also ordered his birthday invitations today. Unbelievable.

More from H's teachers

I picked up H today, and one of the teachers made her way over with a wide grin to tell me "the funniest story." She was teasing Henry and asked if she could go to the beach with us next week.

Henry: No
Ms. Michelle: Why not?  I could be Elgin's babysitter.
Henry: You don't have the right stuff!
Ms. Michelle: What do I need?
Henry: A breast pump, of course!
Ms. Michelle: Well, I do have one of those!  Does that mean I can come?
Henry: No, you have to have medicine, too.
Ms. Michelle: What kind of medicine?
Henry:  I'm not sure.  I just know you have to take Tylenol to the beach.

Yesterday, Henry pulled a list of names out of his school mailbox.  It was obvious that he had asked people to sign their names to this list. I asked what it was for. Ms. Susan, overhearing said, "I sure did sign it. It was for if you did NOT give him the present of an eye patch, an earring that broke the first time he tried to wear it, and a mustache that was only good for one day."

Me: Henry, I gave you that present! (It was just a surprise pirate kit from the Target dollar bin.)

I can just imagine H musculing the other kids.  "Did you buy me that crap present?  No?  Ok, then.  Sign here."

Firsts

Here's the face of a 10 month old having his first popsicle just a couple hours after he took his first step.

Elgin made it clear that, when we got home this afternoon, he did not want me to put him down.  But, alas, I had to put him down for a minute, so he was placed in front of the little play table that he typically pays about two minutes of attention to. He cried.  I melted and came right back but halted when I thought he might be making an attempt to raise a leg. 

Well, he did.  He gave me his trademark huge grin then took one tiny step to me before doing his typical squat down to crawl. 

My ten month old took his first step today.  Wow.

On another note, he has eight teeth and is cutting more.  He has been standing, unassisted by furniture or human hand, since he turned nine months old.  He crawls without the use of knee to floor contact--he's up on his feet like a bear, crab, spider, whatever he reminds you of.  He has three words:  Dada, Daddy, and Uh Oh.  They are used appropriately and randomly.  He won't even try to say Mama.  It's OK.  This baby already taught me that good things come to those who wait.

H. Hughes, Esquire (Or just a contrarian)

I picked up Henry from his classroom this morning, and in the midst of a casual conversation among H, Ms. Shannon, Ms. Susan, and myself, Ms Susan said, "I've been teaching school for a lot of years, and I taught a lot of kids, but I never, ever taught one like Henry Hughes."

I laughed, a little nervously, but then she described a scene where she was discussing with another child and her parents about their upcoming family vacation for which they would use an airplane to get to their destination.  Since their class just wrapped up a unit on airplanes and airports, complete with a mock security checkpoint and xray machine, Ms. Susan was exclaiming about how this particular child would get to see the real things at the airport.

Henry, overhearing the conversation, said, "They don't have those things at a real airport."

The back and forth'ing ensued.

And, as Ms. Susan said, Henry more or less won.  "It's almost like he comes somewhat close to convincing me even though I know that he has no idea what he's talking about."

Ms. Kelly, the new teacher, remarked some weeks ago that she thought Henry would grow up to be a lawyer.  She had no idea that Cory is one.

Ms. Susan says that, in the midst of his arguments that some of her lessons don't make sense, she has visions of him arguing in front of the Supreme Court one day.

For now, though, we just manage his daily insistings... his miniature omniscience.  It can be tough, but we know that it will serve him well.  And, sometimes, it's just too hard to correct him.  Or too funny.  I love that he calls the lab teachers "loud teachers" and insists that it's so.  Loud teachers is way better.

We got Henry on stage...

Where he belongs... I love, love this kid!

From Karaoke!

(Work party on Friday evening:  H kicked off the karaoke.  By the time we left at 8:30, no one could compare.)

Still here... still lots of cuteness

I'll get back to blogging... promise! Meanwhile, here are my favorite Mother's Day shots... thanks, Cory.  You are an excellent, excellent stager.

 My most favorite of the day.  And, no.  The boys didn't get out of PJ's.

Elgin sits!

He started sitting unassisted for a few seconds every now and then last week, but this afternoon, in the front yard, he really got the hang of it.

Coincidentally, he also pushed himself to all fours and rocked back and forth a few times this morning. We watched in shock and worry. Would he crawl early and skip sitting?

Alas, we have a sitter. Yea, Elgin!