Baby Rules: Drink the Water

I left Jo playing with her toys at the table you see in the foreground and came back to find her engaged in this diabolical thievery!
So naturally I took a picture.

Glad it's only water in the bottle - nothing stronger. 

Soda or anything. Of course. 

Baby Rule: Whatever Works

Since Jo has started to enjoy standing upright while holding onto something while also pulling things off shelves, I thought we might try a variation on a theme and see what she thought of the kitchen drawer. Since these are old school hand build drawers they don't go anywhere without some real force. Perfect for an investigative baby type. This was in an effort to keep her happy long enough for me to achieve something. I think I was trying to do the dishes? Of course the method fails if you spend so much time taking pictures of her that you don't complete the task.

We started out with "Why are you taking pictures of me?"

And proceeded on to reckless abandon! 

Park Rules: Take Your Baby

We took Jo to the park for the first time last week.
I thought she would really dig the slide. I suppose I should have known better. The swings were a much bigger hit. Not surprising as she had such a deluxe swing early in her life:

You see an Aunt, Baby sees a swing

Step one:

Get your shoes on. Make sure they are rocking. 

All stars preferred. 

Step Two:
Corral your audience.
Canines preferred.

Step Three:
Practice your modelling pose.
Blue Steel preferred.

Step Four:
Start to enjoy yourself
Belly laughs preferred.

Step Five:
Try the slides
Indifference Preferred

Step Six:
Check out the sand
Oral testing preferred

Step Seven:
Announce that it is time to leave
Any method preferred

Poor Jo.

Clothing Rules: Use What You've Got

Don't you have a pair of massive fuzzy socks that you put on your baby to act as leg warmers?
No?

Huh.
That's strange.

Dogs Rule: Teaching Responsibility

Don't people get dogs to help teach their kids responsibility?

We're starting them young here at the Bliss house.

I think Jo was just pleased someone else was in her tiny bathtub. 

Ted on the other hand was not thrilled. 

But he's really cute when he's wet - almost as cute as Jo. Almost.

Baby Rules: Being Upright Is Awesome

Jo isn't really one for much motion. She hasn't really shown much interest in getting herself around. She will still be in the same spot you left her if you go out of a room and come back. She might be lying down instead of sitting up or she might have scooted slightly to the left or right but nothing major. If you stand her up she'll enjoy it and if you hold her hands she will walk with you. She likes to stand holding onto things - not for too long though. This week she was not only holding on, she was pulling things off the shelf. Multi-tasking at its finest.

Jo looks pleased with her work

The perks of being the oldest child I suppose - your Mum still thinks stuff being pulled off the shelves is cute. Picture worthy even. 

Dogs Rule: All Is Not What It Seems

You win some, you lose some.

In this case, Ted loses some.

Earlier statements about genius are being reviewed as we speak. 

Ralphie on the other hand, is clearly studying up to take over the world.

Dogs Rule: Gone

We said goodbye to Desmond over the weekend.

Dear, sweet Emma drew me this picture in church and it is going on our fridge.

We are so sad. 

Dogs Rule: Loved and Lost