Big brave boy

The first time we put on a swing, at Christmastime in California, it was big tears and a terrified expression. So when his occupational therapy Emily wanted to take him to the park to swing, I was a little nervous. As further proof that the Quinn we knew is not the Quinn we know now, he defied expectations and LOVED it. He laughed and squealed and each time we stopped the swinging he screamed for more. He's getting so brave!

Quinn's baptism

In addition to the egg hunt, Easter was Quinn's baptism day. Godmother Susan suggested he should dress in white, and Grandma Marj scored with an adorable white suit - complete with pants, jacket, shirt, vest, tie - for $18 at Sam's Club.

The day was spectacular and the church was beautiful. Besides Grandma Marj getting to see her beloved boy baptized in her beloved church, Tom's family came from California for the big day. So it was extra special all around.


Here's the honoree with Obaachan and Auntie Bonny.

Here's Godmother Susan and Godcousin Kimberly, who Quinny LOVES to kiss!

The whole crowd, including Uncle Steve and Aunt Marie, who came down from Show Low, and Great Aunt Jan (better known as Gaj).

Quinn filled the time before the service with one of his favorite activities: playing with Grandma Marj's earrings. (He likes to dangle them, but he never pulls!)

I love this picture. Doesn't Grandma Marj just look so happy?


We took this picture pretty much the minute I got him dressed because I was convinced he'd be covered in dirt and dog food within minutes. Shockingly, he kept the whole ensemble on until nap time hours later!
Just before we traded the suit for a nap and some blue jeans.

A sweet moment with Obaachan.

Laughing with Aunt Susan.

It's (okay, it WAS) Easter!

Yes, I'm a little late in posting these. But I am determined to get back on track organizationally, so here goes.

On Easter Quinn was baptized (those photos coming soon). After church we had a big open house, which pooped him out so much he took a big long nap right in the middle of the party. When we woke up my mom pulled out the eggs she had boiled and colored just for him and they had a private little Easter egg hunt. Here are some photos:

Learning a new language

I mentioned before that Quinn is starting to talk. He also is building up a good list of words of phrases he understands and does an action to:

Clap, clap, clap
Kiss kiss
Open, close (with the fists)
Twinkle, twinkle (identical to open close, but hey, he's just a baby - give him a break!)
Twist, twist, twist (full body action with this one)
Chew
How big is Quinn? (arms out wide - So big!)
Knock knock

These are my two favorites:
1. Peekaboo - Say it and he'll put one hand on each side of his mouth, index finger against his face, his pinky sticking out. In no way is his face covered up, but it sure is cute.
2. Ta da! First the hands go on the tummy, palms down and fingers wide. Then up go the hands. But because of his brachial plexus injury, the left hand goes all the way up but the right hand sort of sticks out in front of him. It's beyond adorable. Come to think of it, I'd better get a picture!

Quinn speaks!

Quinn's first "word," uttered a couple weeks ago just shy of 22 months, was hi. Mind you, it's silent - he just opens his mouth VERY WIDELY in the shape of the word. But it's always consistent and it always means hello, so I think it counts. Since then he added "up" and "uh oh,' which sound suspiciously similar but he uses them in the proper context ("uh oh" always comes after heaving his spoon onto the floor signaling the end of the meal). He also says "Mama" quite a bit, to a group that includes me, Tom, my mom, his OT and today his speech therapist. She said kids often use a word for an entire group of people and mama is frequently used for anyone doing care giving, so that makes sense. But still!

But today - today! - he started mimicking our words. During speech therapy this morning it was "push" - the sound of a dog bark (not sure why...) followed by a series of "pah" "pah" sounds. At lunch we moved onto "yum yum." He was very proud of himself when he got that one. And then after dinner tonight I asked him if he wanted a cracker and he pointed and said "ack."

The speech therapist said that by 24 months a child should have 50 words and the ability to string two of them together. Umm, I don't think so. Not by June 8. But we are moving!!

Guess it's time to babyproof!

Honestly, one benefit of Quinn's eating issues is that we didn't bother to baby proof the house very well since he didn't put ANYTHING in this mouth - initially no food and until now no toys, no nothing. Well, well, well. Yesterday Mr. Baby threw up two pieces of dog kibble. And after I let him crawl across the freshly mowed grass he had an unmistakable potting soil mustache. He's been eating food for a couple months now, but I guess this means he's officially putting stuff in his mouth!

Quinn's first steps!