Monday, August 5, 2013

Summer in Rochester

July flew by far too quickly, but it was a wonderful month. We spent the majority of it in Rochester, visiting family and missing all but a few days of the month's most intense heat. So many great things happened in Rochester, it's hard to even know where to begin! James gained almost an entire pound, and was weighed at 18 lbs 5 oz when we returned home. He grew and learned so much with the help of so many relatives around :)

- tolerating more solids, including his first pasta (little pastina stars) as befits an Italian kid.
- racing around on all fours at breakneck speed
- flying both up, and now also down, the stairs
- making a range of new noises, mostly in the form of blowing raspberries
- smiling at and allowing himself to be held by everyone
- playing with his new kitchenette while standing
- opening and closing and opening and closing cabinet doors
- swimming in his baby pool and (more or less tolerating) the big pool too
- discovered a love of chocolate custard

Thanks to our family for a great time, and a lot of babysitting help, and teaching our boy to be sociable!

Peter and I enjoyed our days and evenings out, and feel rejuvenated by the time spent on our own. James already misses Grandma's, and has expressed his displeasure in our lack of cabinet doors and carpeted stairs in the Bronx. He started standing all on his own in the past few days - we knew he was close!

A few pictures from our summer adventures:

chocolate custard and beach time


family outings: waterfalls and sculpture garden...



...and pooltime fun with uncle George


watermelon and duck watching by the canal