Children's Museum

Since Leif is extremely enthused these days about any new place where he can walk around freely and practice climbing on things, we decided to take the plunge and get a membership at the Minnesota Children's Museum in downtown St. Paul. So far Leif and I have visited the museum twice, and we had a great time both times. The Habitot room was excellent exercise for both of us -- for Leif because of all the carpeted steps and ramps he got to toddle up and down and up and down, and for me as I followed along closely behind him, nervous about him getting overconfident and taking a tumble or getting plowed over by one of the older kids zooming around the room. (I did find it a little odd that the room is designated for ages 6 months to 48 months -- way too large an age range, if you ask me!)

On our second visit, we explored the Our World exhibit. Most of it seemed aimed at older kids, but Leif seemed to enjoy it nonetheless. He especially liked the water tables -- it was his first time playing in one. A wall with six small doors that Leif could open and close was also (predictably) a hit.

I'm a-gonna drive my car

Now that Leif has been walking for almost two months, the next logical step in his ever-increasing mobility was bound to be...DRIVING. We just thought we had about 15 more years to go before that step! Guess not. Leif seemed to enjoy his new mode of transportation (and Mom and Dad of course enjoyed pushing him). Leif says thank you again to Granny and Grandpaw G. for the flashy new wheels.

Leif-in-the-box

Another great toy in our front entryway: the box into which our mail falls (at least on good days, when the mailman manages to push it all the way through the slot). It has nice, low sides and there's even a bench next to it that Leif can hold onto while he is climbing in and out...and in and out and in and out and in and out!

Shoes

Leif has discovered the joy of taking things out of their containers and down from their shelves (and sometimes putting them back). He particularly likes pulling laundry out of baskets, reorganizing the drawers in the kitchen, and, most recently, removing all the shoes from the shoe rack in the front entryway. He occasionally tries to put some of the shoes back on the rack, but that is a little bit challenging (and/or boring) for him at this point. It crossed my mind that we could get an enclosed shoe cabinet so we wouldn't have to deal with perpetually having a big pile of shoes in the entry, but then I thought, what we really have here is a great toddler toy that we didn't have to go and buy because it was already here, just waiting to be discovered. Why mess with a good thing? :)

Bib gallery redux

Leif acquired enough bibs in his first year that he certainly doesn't need any more at this point, but sometimes I just can't resist. Cheap thrills!




Although at 13 1/2 months, Leif still has very kissable, pudgy cheeks, you can see that he is no longer quite the round-faced cherub that he was when I posted the original bib gallery back in early September 2010 (when Leif was about 6 months old).

Spring has sprung!

Spring is finally here, even in Minnesota! Well, OK, the snow is not *TOTALLY* gone yet, but it's only April 7th; give it time. We are down to the last few little pathetic piles stubbornly continuing to exist here and there (like the mound that built up next to our driveway from Aaron shoveling his way through eight blizzards); I'm sure even they will be gone soon enough.

Since the sidewalks are now essentially dry, Leif has taken the big step (ha ha) of starting to go for walks outside -- by which I mean, actually getting to walk on the sidewalk with his own two feet for the first time ever, rather than always being carried or pushed in the stroller. I quickly learned that getting a toddler to "walk around the block" is no small matter. In fact, I can't say we have actually succeeded at that quite yet, after several attempts. For the time being, Leif seems most interested in exploring all the different types of terrain available and comparing how they feel under his little sneakers, and so we wind our way around and around in zig-zags and circles, onto the grass, back onto the path, down into the playground, back up on the path.... When I want to make actual forward progress in any given direction, I usually have to pick him up and carry him for a while, until he becomes more interested in whatever new vista is before us than he was in the thing I have just (o cruel Mommy) forced him to leave behind. Then we're back to toddling and circling and exploring.

(Hopefully this weekend when Aaron is home with us we can get some pictures or video of one of Leif's walks; when I am on solo Mommy duty I am too paranoid about him making a break for the street or doing a face-plant on the sidewalk to attempt any photos on my own!)

Love is a highway

Back when Leif got this card on Valentine's Day, he did not yet appreciate what cool toys musical greeting cards are...but he eventually figured it out!