Last week, we were fortunate to be visited by one of Izzy’s first cousins, Austin Lemnios (and the rest of his lovely family: Connor, Chrissy, and my stepbrother Mike). Austin was born ONE DAY after Izzy so it’s really fun to see them together.
I can’t wait until they’re old enough to really play together.
At 9 months old, Izzy is a voracious reader. That is: he loves to eat books! Below are some recent pictures from my phone, including one sitting up with a book Brian gave him, and one chewing on the wonderful “indestructible” books that our friend Becca gave him.
How Izzy rolls – gangsta lean at the grocery store:
He LOVES cats (and by the way, look at those teeth!):
Last weekend, I was looking at Izzy and he seemed to age before my eyes. On Saturday, I took him with me canvassing door-to-door for my old friend Mark Kleinschmidt who was running for Mayor of Chapel Hill. Izzy enjoyed it most of the way, and I figured it couldn’t hurt to entice voters with an adorable, friendly baby. It seems to have worked, because on Tuesday Izzy turned 7 months old and he also attended the victory party of the next Mayor of Chapel Hill! (He had already gone home to bed by the time the picture at right was taken.)
Izzy seems to have taken a great leap forward in understanding the world around him, and in developing a sense of his own self as well. More and more he can play independently (for a little while). He is also developing some interest in “solid” food, which is a bittersweet milestone for me. It’s the first time since his conception that Izzy’s life isn’t being fully sustained by my body. I look forward to the independence this will bring me, but it’s also the beginning of the separation of us into two truly separate organisms. Yes I know that sounds weird.
The older Izzy gets, the more fun he is to be with. I never thought I would like infancy with its crying and its diapers, and I still don’t enjoy those aspects of it. But I can honestly say that the past month with Izzy has been a lot of FUN.
Abby at 10 weeks
So I think that makes them second cousins. Anyway, Here’s Abby’s web site, complete with many adorable photos: http://aacohen.com
(I have some better pics, this one is from my phone.)
On the left, Izzy at 5 days old. On the right, Izzy at four months. Is this the same baby?
Izzy has been with us for four months today. I still keep thinking of things to write about him here and I still never seem to have the time. I drafted this post from my phone while Izzy played next to me in a (recently) rare moment of quietness. He has really been finding his voice, and it’s a loud and shrill one. He probably gets that from me.
He’s also getting taller, or longer as we’re supposed to say, and I’m relieved that he seems to be taking after his father in that respect. Almost every day he seems to develop a new skill or habit. He definitely recognizes his name, knows when he’s being spoken to, gazes at things you point at, and smiles to see his favorite people. Well actually he smiles at almost everyone – the boy is social!
He’s outgrowing the newborn-to-3-month size clothes, and I’m starting to look at Fall clothes at the consignment shop. He’s also eating TONS at the moment, but these growth spurts seem to ebb and flow. He’s working on sitting up, crawling, and standing – let’s hope these don’t all come together at once! I’ve taken him to the kiddie pool in our neighborhood, about which he was quite nonchalant. And he still loves walking around outside more than any other activity besides nursing, I think.
I was recently reminded that we still haven’t sent out thank-you notes to the many generous friends and family that gave us gifts before and after Izzy was born. We frequently note how grateful we are, especially for the hand-me-downs that have met critical needs for clothing and equipment that we couldn’t live safely without.
Take my word that I have a long and thorough list, because I want to write personal notes to everyone. But meanwhile I just want to issue a gigantic Thanks to everyone for your gifts and for your patience with us. 
Baby gift registry