Mr. Adorable

We learned that Truman has a whole other identity in Dallas. It seems he's known there as Mr. Adorable, according to Paul's mom, aka Grandmommy. Hmmm. Obviously his North Texas fans have yet to see him in the late afternoon without a nap, when he's Mr. Not So Adorable.

Anyway, Truman enjoyed a nice afternoon with Grandmommy while Alison and Paul caught a matinee. Thanks, Joyce!

Baby's Best Friend?

Truman has been especially interested in Luther lately. Luther seems a little cautious around him—those unpredictable hands! that screetchy voice!—but he's willing to offer a lick now and then.

Today they hung out while watching the Democratic National Convention.

Catching Up

We've all been sidelined with colds since last week, but relief is definitely in sight. Truman is almost completely recovered, so he decided to resume his aggressive workout regime. He seems intent on meeting all developmental milestones, like sitting up. Note the attempted sit-ups (or "crunches"), above.


He can sit up unassisted for about five seconds at a time. Here, he's enjoying The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Upside down. (Hey, he can't master everything at once.)


A view from the back.


More tummy time. It's still not a favorite, but ever since he started daycare, he seems very motivated by his older peers who are all rollling, sitting up, crawling, etc.



He's also becoming a champion self-soother.



And finally, reluctantly modeling a hat I made him for his late fall trip up north. (All he needs is a union card and a job down at the docks unloading fish.)

Adult (and baby) Swim

Despite Truman's swimming debacle last month, he had a much more favorable response when wading in a friend's pool recently. So Paul and I decided last Friday to take him to one of our nearby parks, which has a 15-inch wading pool and a slightly deeper one for the big kids. He liked being "walked" in the wading pool, so Paul took him into the adult pool. No big smiles, but at least he isn't crying. And he still looks sharp in his monogrammed trunks, not to mention his spiffy hat from Great Aunt Ellen and Uncle Bill.

The Office

We decided to buy an exersaucer now that Truman is four months old AND given that he seems to want to "stand" all the time (What happened to sitting up? Isn't that a worthy goal?). The "pants" that hold him in the seat allow him to be upright unassisted, and the 360-degree turning feature means that he can access all the toys on his own. (In theory.) He didn't seem to like it at first, but now it's one of his favorite hangouts. In fact, he's such a busy bee while in it that we've taken to calling it "the office." (I'm sure we're not the first parents to come up with this!)

Here he is conversing with an "associate" about recent sales figures....

And organizing his "tape dispenser," which he is obsessed with. And I do mean obsessed. (Notice how his hand rests protectively there in the first photo.)

Big smile! Must be because he's playing with that tape dispenser. Again.

We've kind of cheated and haven't yet installed the batteries in the sound machine (right background) that makes animal noises. For now, Truman just thinks it's a bunch of brightly colored things he can bang on. Hey, whatever works.

One more thing

As I mentioned earlier, Truman received a lot of special gifts, but we just had to spotlight this one, made by his illustrator aunt, Linda.



A close-up . . . .

Holy Baptism!

Truman had a busy weekend that began on Friday morning when his New Jersey aunts landed in Austin. They were so eager to meet him that they started snapping photos at baggage claim. I don't think he knew what to make of it all, but by Monday when they'd left, he was a sad boy after all that attention. (His mom was sad, too.)


Family continued to arrive on Saturday, and on Sunday we all assembled for Truman's baptism at St. Austin's, where Alison and Paul were married. Here are the proud parents with the baptismal candidate right before the ceremony.


He wasn't too happy about the starchy outfit, but he looked pretty snazzy.


Here we are with godparents Elizabeth and Harvey. Thanks for coming in, guys!


One set of proud grandparents....


An action shot! Truman looked a little uncertain but didn't cry when the water hit his forehead.


An uncooperative baby with Uncle Harvey and Aunt Linda.


Yum! This cake was identical to the one that Grandmommy supplied for Alison's shower. As with that one, it was all gone within 36 hours.


I think Truman was asking Paul for a piece of cake.


Thanks, everyone, for making the trip, coming to the after-party and sending all of the good wishes and generous gifts. Truman's one lucky baby.