Leaps and Bounds

The flu ended up sticking around longer than we would have liked. Callum was sick in total for about 10 days. The worst part lasted about 5 but he wasn't 100% until 10 days had passed. When he returned to daycare, it was only him and one other baby. Everyone else now has it! Nasty stuff. Callum's enthusiasm for eating has waned somewhat which is disappointing but at least he's eating again. We experienced a hunger strike for about 3 days when it was a bottle or nothing. The child wouldn't open his mouth. The day I was about to call the doctor's office for the fourth time that week, he choked down some cereal and I knew that we were going to be okay. Since the plague of 2009, Callum's been doing beautifully with everything an 8 month 4 week old baby should be doing. He is crawling slowly but surely. It doesn't help that we have hard wood floors everywhere but he is pretty impressive on carpet. Callum can also pull himself up on chairs, the couch, coffee table, etc. as well as walk with help. My favorite is when he sees something he wants and, while standing, thrusts his body towards it head first. Basically his upper body lunges but his feet stay planted to the floor. He has no fear. I'd say on average he bumps his head about five times a day although he hardly ever cries when doing it. His crib has been dropped down too because he loves standing in it. Callum's also successfully said his first two words-- Da Da and Ma Ma. Each were said purposefully to get Iain and my attention after one of us walked into a room. Absolutely wonderful feeling. I would have given him some chocolate if I'd had some after hearing it. So far, almost nine months, and no teeth. I'm not sure what's going on with that, but Callum has the most wonderful gummy grin that I almost think that a tooth or two would screw it up. Although I'm not sure how he will ever eat real foods. I guess it will be pureed vegetables forever.