Grow Baby Grow

Chris and I are each working on blog posts, but I decided to do a quick post about what Elliott has been up to over the last month. This month included his 4 month check-up, which proved what many had been saying about Elliott. He is big for a 4 month-old.
His stats:
Weight: 17 pounds, 85th percentile (up from the 58th% at 2 months)
Height: 25.8 inches, 77th percentile (up from 59th% at 2 months)
Anyhow, he is starting to look adorably chubby and accumulating several chins.  We're very proud.

A while back I found Chris and Elliott hanging out on the sofa together. Notice the resemblance?

Elliott has been enjoying following us around the house (read: being carried from room to room).  Here he is helping me with the laundry. He really likes sitting in the basket with the warm clothes.  He watches me fold them while I talk to him about each item. "Elliott, these are Daddy's red boxer shorts."

 

Check out this adorable hat!  I think it was Elliott's Grandpa Jim/Jones. An antique!

On Labor Day we enjoyed the day off with a trip to the park and Chris's first time pushing Elliott in the swings.  I love this picture.  They were both looking at each other like they weren't sure what to do next.

 Apparently, Chris's first time pushing children in swings ended with his cousins (Sara and Danielle) falling on their faces in the dirt.  So, I showed him first how it is done:

 

Fortunately, Chris's swing-pushing skills have improved, and here they are enjoying themselves:

To round out this photo post, a montage of Elliott in his guitar monkey outfit:

 

 

 Tummy time:

Grandpa Jones

Summer and I have had our first major conflict about how to raise our child. Summer's family tends to refer to grandparents by their first name: "Grandma Carren" or "Grandpa Buddy." I grew up calling mine "Grandpa Jones" and "Grandma Manternach." I didn't even know my grandparents' first names until I was five. This decision will obviously shape the way Elliott interacts with grown-ups, and ultimately could determine the entire trajectory of his life. Do we set him up respectfully treating adults with a certain degree of deference, paving the way for a lifetime of sweater vests, chess club, and safe, responsible decision-making? Or do we, like hippies, suggest to him that adults are primarily friends, signaling to him that they are equals, inviting him to test boundaries and trust in his own judgment, which can only result in a future full of adventure, excitement, and risk? Perhaps we can split the difference, with last names for my parents and first for Summer's, which will either help promote balance and moderation, or hinder his mental development by assaulting him with such chaos of naming conventions.

As you can see, it's tough being a parent. From the looks of things, though, it's great being a grandparent. Here are some photos from Grandpa and Grandma Jones's (not so) recent visit.

Elliott and Grandpa having a calm and rational conversation.


Most people visit Kerry Park for the stunning view of Seattle and Puget sound. Elliott is primarily interested in Grandpa's finger.


This isn't strictly a grandparent picture, but it was taken during their visit, so I think it counts. Elliott wasn't as enthusiastic about his first s'more as I had hoped he would be, but he'll come around.


All tuckered out.