Just Because

No reason in particular for the photo shoot.  We had an overcast day and the muted sunlight (good for picture taking when you are an amateur like me) seemed a good enough reason.

Here are some of the best ones:

That smile took some serious work (teething again...) 

Sophie, the giraffe, has ears--who knew?

Love the flower.

Eat the flower.  That's my boy.

Ezra-isms

Ezra is a nine-month old baby, which is hard to believe!  I thought this might be a good opportunity to chronicle some of his funnies and personality.

• He adores avocado.  He will eat an entire half right out of the skin in one sitting.  He also likes it made up as a baby guacamole with some cumin, lime juice, and green onion.
• Baby cereal (oatmeal) is a favorite too; just the sight of the box produces a big grin.
• Ezra can say "mama", and mama is code for "Mom, giver of milk, I am hungry.  Can we eat?"  He knows I am mama, and mama = food.  So, my name is associated with some angst (sigh).  
• Speaking of sigh, Ezra loves to copy me when I sigh.  I started letting out a happy, contented sigh as a game between us two, and he would copy me.  Now, sometimes, he initiates so I can copy him.
• He is starting to understand the concepts of "in" and "out" and "open" and "close."  One of his favorite toys is a little red bucket with colored shapes and wooden blocks.  A few weeks ago I showed him how the shapes went in, but he would just observe.  Now, when we play "in", he will help, but of course, "out" is much more fun.
• When Ezra is scared or unsure of a new situation (and I am holding him) he grabs the inside of my upper arm and squeezes.  Apparently, I make a good stress ball.
• I am trying to teach Ezra how to wave good-bye (the open and close fingers kind of wave), but the learning curve is steep right now.  Occasionally, when no one is around, he will practice it to himself, but he has yet to use his new trick to communicate hello or goodbye.
• Ezra loves being around children.  He isn't so interested in babies smaller than him, probably because their entertainment value is low.  He is a regular flirt at church, though, when any little people come into view.  He especially lights up whenever his six-year old cousin comes for a visit.
• Ezra has a distinctly different personality than his baby cousin (of the same age).  He is cautious, mellow, observant, a thinker/daydreamer, and snugly.  Physicality and speed are not his strengths, but he is keenly aware of people, sights, smells, and sounds.