Orion at 6 months

I can't believe Orion is 6 months already. The day before Thanksgiving was his half birthday. He sits on his own now, is a wiz in his walker, gives kisses and zerberts, spits with his tongue out, scooches, rolls over easily, rocks on hands and knees, and I claim he can already match pitch. (Once while "playing piano", he played a middle C and immediately hummed the same note. Coincidence? I think not! )

We've had a wonderful few weeks. The weekend before Thanksgiving, Michael's mother Jolynn came to visit us, along with our nieces Heidi and Lydia. It was a short but wonderful visit. We spent the day at Santa Monica Pier, and had wonderful weather, and so much fun. It is so great to be able to share our little guy with other loving family members, and it's not too often we get to do that. Orion was so happy to see his grandma, he practically hyperventilated and rocked back and forth with excitement for like five minutes on his hands and knees. Then when she held him, he just rested his head on her shoulder to give her a hug, and then, without prompting, gave her a big kiss on the mouth. It was amazing. I couldn't believe he remembered her, since he was only 3 months when he last saw her. They definitely have a connection, the two of them. It made Jolynn very happy, since she so rarely sees him, that he does know and love her.

Last week, we had a wonderful Thanksgiving visiting my Aunt Jeanette and Uncle Dean in Arizona. We stayed with them in Phoenix, and enjoyed seeing the desert, and enjoying the warm dry climate, and the relative peace and quiet. Highlights of the trip were seeing my cousin Amy and her husband Derek and baby Nathan, having dinner with Michael's cousins David and Jake and their adorable families, hiking in a beautiful state park filled with saguaro cactus and rolling hills with views of mountains and mesas, going to the Botanical Gardens, hanging out in Scottsdale, seeing the Mesa Temple Christmas lights, and spending quality time with Aunt Jeanette and Uncle Dean, and enjoying the wonderful food of Thanksgiving. Other than the long car-ride home (9 hours of post-Thanksgiving traffic), Orion had a great time and loved meeting everyone.

This coming weekend, my Dad and brother Hans are coming to LA for a visit. I'll look forward to blogging about that soon! I'm thankful for family and the opportunity to share wonderful visits together.

The Collins Family, Thanksgiving 2009 in Pheonix, AZ

Orion at 5 months

A fun day at Babies R Us!

Yummy Toes...

Cereal on his 5th month birthday

So much to document this month! Orion is starting to sit up with help, and he wants to get everything into his hands and then his mouth. He has started an annoying habit of constantly pulling my hair and pinching my face with his dagger-sharp nails! He is a pro at eating his toes, he has graduated into the next phase of baby toys-- the exersaucer/jumper/walker stage. He currently has a walker our neighbors handed down to us. He wants to explore, but he can't quite do it yet (thankfully, since our house isn't baby proofed yet). He's trying to crawl, and he's rolling from his back to his front now. He has begun eating rice cereal, although it's more of an entertainment to him. He loves to grab the spoon, and loves to spit out the cereal. His laugh is adorable, and he loves to have fun. As long as you're entertaining him, he's a happy camper. Halloween was great fun-- we dressed Orion as a little pirate. Thanks to our friend Alicia for the homemade pants and shirt she made for Orion. We can't keep up with all these changes!!! Slow down next month, little guy!

First Halloween!

Orion at 4 months

Orion Elijah, 4 months old

I like to try to sit up

I like to eat my toes

I like to laugh

I like my tummy time

I like watching TV

I like chewing on things, cause my teeth are coming in soon!

I like when my Mom carries me in a wrap

and I like to look at books with Papa

Back to School!

September came as I knew it would, and it was back to work for me! Life is so different now, and I sympathize so much with the many families out there who juggle work, home, and family. Thankfully, I have a wonderful job doing something I enjoy-- teaching music to children. Here we are at the back to school picnic at PS#1 Elementary School, and playing around in my office, giving Orion an early introduction to musical instruments. He looks like a natural, doesn't he?

Michael is working from home as well as teaching video editing part-time at a performing arts high school. And taking care of the baby when he's at home. Quite the mulit-tasker! So he and Orion are getting lots of bonding time in their mornings together. I'm so thankful that my husband is so amazing.

The Collins boys at bath time!

Orions' first Interview with Charles St. Vincent

Kirstina and Orion, documented...

It seems like I'm usually the one taking the pictures around here, so I made a point to ask Michael to take some pictures of me and Orion.  We found the perfect occasion.  My dear friend Debra, who resides in Italy, was in town visiting.  She invited us to a barbeque at her uncle's ranch out near Riverside.  We had a wonderful time, and it was a wonderful break from urban life.  Thanks Debra and family!  Even though we had very little sunlight to work with and Orion was getting fussy, we got some really nice pictures.  I treasure the moments with my baby and I want to remember them forever!

Time with Papa

Orion loves his dad.  Right now, Michael is known as "papa" to him.  Michael loves his beautiful boy to pieces.  It's so fun to see the two of them together. 

Music Time

Play Time

Adventure Time

Just Hangin' Out

Morning Snuggles

A little boy and his "papa"!