Update

I've been back to work since late January, as you might be able to tell from the lack of postings. Steve is currently in week 5 (or so) of his 7-week FMLA leave and I think he's enjoying his time off. He finished the floors and is about to cut down the jungle in the backyard (thanks, Dad Saito, for helping with the front!).

Ryan is now almost 10 months old! His list of experienced food now includes rice cereal, mixed grain cereal, yo baby yogurt, peaches, pears, apples, mangos, avocado, peas, green beans, sweet potato, squash, regular potato, cheerios, happy baby chick chick (yes, this is the name of the meal - it includes chicken, spinach, butternut squash, and green beans. It's actually not that bad), bagel, tofu, ground beef, zwieback toast (holy cow, what a mess!), orzo, shredded cheese (but he doesn't really like the last two). He often crams a bunch of food in his mouth and then gnashes for awhile or cries when he realizes he has to try to swallow all of the bits. He is a very good eater...wonder where he gets that from? No teeth yet, but lots of drool, which has pretty much been the case since he was 2 months old. He's weighing in at about 21-22 lbs. and is about 29" (when we went to the dr., he's average weight and length); his big ol' noggin continues to register in the 9oish percentile.

He's gone on a few outings to places like the SF Zoo (he found the ducks and goats very funny), SJ Earthquakes game (where he managed to fall asleep until I started yelling with excitement), Santana Row, and various friends' houses for get-togethers.

Yesterday he finally starting to do a forward crawl. Up until now, he's been rolling about, backward scooting (and getting really angry about not getting where he wants to go), and doing a drunk man's stagger by holding on to the fingers of whomever is willing to hunch over and take him around the house. He's fascinated and entertained by the animals and has given Montie and Kobee (Grandma Pat and Yeh-yeh's dog) a few snacks (intentionally or not). He still is a very happy little guy and has lots to say to anyone who will listen. Photos coming soon!