No to Stroller?

Today, we went to Siliguri's only "mega" mall and I wanted to try using the umbrella stroller that we brought from the States. It is the only place where I can actually use it, and since I didn't want to carry him or try to wear him (it's way too hot to wear him - sometimes even in the mall), we brought it with us as we did some shopping for containers for our new place. He kind of resisted a bit initially, but we thought perhaps it was due to the heat in the parking lot. We got inside the mall and after some time, we noticed that his eyes were starting to get puffy and red. We were getting concerned that perhaps he was having some kind of allergic reaction to something, but we soon realized that it was not the case. He was not crying yet, but was getting ready to cry. As soon as Paul took him out and held him, he was fine and the puffy eyes disappeared. He was happy, smiling, and his jolly self. He is so used to being carried that we wonder if he had forgotten about the stroller he so loved before. Or perhaps he was overwhelmed by all these passersby who would touch his cheeks as we strolled along. (It's amazing--strangers touch him all the time and that is the norm...) We carried him for the rest of our visit at the mall and used the stroller as a cart. I hope he eventually likes being in the stroller, especially when we travel internationally because I can't imagine carrying him all the time.... It is to be seen...

Is it possible...

...for a six month old to cue his mommy when his diaper needs to be changed? Ever since we started using the cloth diaper, I feel like he has been letting me know when it is wet. He used to never do this, but he'll suddenly stop playing and lightly hit my lap with his hands or come to me as if he wants my attention. Initially, I thought he was asking to be fed, but it was not the case...Each time I would respond and check his diaper, it would be wet and he wanted it to be changed....He also does a similar kind of thing if he wants me to hold him when he is feeling tired.

...that Elijah now knows his name? Whenever I would call his name, he turns to look at me... or is he just responding to my voice?

...that he already has a sense of humor? It's different than knowing we are playing together. He seems to know when I am joking with him. For example, I would give him a Zoolander look (no words, no sounds, just a glance) and he would break out into laughter. Sometimes, if it is not that funny, he'll kind of give that "half-laugh" that says, "It wasn't that funny but I'll laugh to make you feel better mom..." It is quite interesting and endearing to observe his developing sense of humor.

"All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth..."

Here are yours.... You might have another tooth coming out on the top as your gum was bleeding a bit the other day, but it's hard to tell right now....

Dogs, Frog, and a Giant Spider

God created them all, whether we think they're cute, ugly, a nuisance, or disgusting! What do you think of them, Elijah? We can find them inside or just nearby our apartment.

A Letter to Elijah

Dear Elijah,

I decided to write a short letter to you about today. Today is Sunday, so we went to church. Mommy and daddy discussed a bit whether it would be better for you and I to stay at home or go to church with him. Daddy was preaching today and the whole service lasts usually over two and a half hours long. Usually we go a little late after your nap, but we couldn't today. We decided that we would all go and see how it goes. Unknowingly, mommy and daddy chose the hottest day since our arrival in Siliguri to be the day that we ventured out to spend over two and a half hours in a small but packed church service.

In the middle of the service, we stripped you down to your diaper because it was so hot and we could hardly feel the fan in the room. You were sweating all over, but you were such a champ. You didn't whine or cry one bit. Instead, you were so intrigued by the guitars, the drums, and the people around you that it seemed as though you hardly noticed the heat. But mommy and daddy did, so we took turns blowing on your head and body to cool you down a bit. You decided to make it even more adventurous for mommy by asking her to feed you in the middle of the service. There is no "nursing" section here, so mommy discreetly nursed you in her seat as people were singing. You eventually fell asleep in my arms. Unfortunately, your sleep was interrupted by the clapping around you....but, again, you didn't fuss or cry. You just snuggled right up to mommy and watched the people behind you as they tried to make you smile. When we returned home, you were overly tired and a bit hyperactive....you were very tired but fighting sleep. Eventually, you calmed down enough to take a nice nap. You woke up feeling refreshed and ready to play again! Mommy just wanted to say "Thanks for being such a good sport and for being a flexible kid so that we could all worship Jesus at church together with our friends. You're our little champ! We love you so much."

The jury is in...

no sweet potatoes for our son. He doesn't like it. I did not get to test it out to see if he is sensitive to it because he refused to let me feed him....How did he let me know that he does not like sweet potatoes? He kept his mouth shut, puckered up his lips like he does when he's unhappy about something, and finally he spit it out. So, I stopped trying and pureed bananas to give him. He liked bananas! So amazing that at six months, he knows what he likes and what he doesn't like....I tell ya, babies are little people, that's for sure!

New Words

About two days ago he started saying, "Mem mem mem..." and "Babababa" So, I think he's trying to say "Mamamama," and "Dadadada..." or possibly, "Um-ma or Ah-pa" (mommy and daddy in Korean). Or maybe I'm just wishful... :) He loves saying these new discovered words and I love listening to them!

Eli and I went swimming today for the first time with a few YWAM ladies. Although it was 4pm in the afternoon, the water was warm from the hot sun beating on it all day and it was a perfect way to cool off. I wasn't sure how he would do in the water, but he LOVED it!! He spent probably over an hour in the water. He even started moving his arms and legs as if he was trying to swim and had so much fun. We need to do it again. Of course, I had my camera, but left the memory card in the computer back at home....Oh well, next time.