I’m finding photos I haven’t posted. I’m sure most of you don’t care, but as I’m keeping this as a photo-journal of Paul’s life, I’m going to be posting some of them up here!
Back in June, the family took a train ride downtown to Melbourne. Here he is, a bit sleepy in his pram on the train.
![CRW_7387lr[1]](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7167/6603529519_33db09a6ec_m.jpg)
He had his checkup yesterday. Here are his stats:
Weight: 8605 grams (about 45th percentile) I could have sworn he was 10 kg. He’s so heavy!
Length: 68.5 cm (about 35th percentile)
Head circumference: 44.2 cm (about 25th percentile)
I love my boy! I can’t believe how little boyish he is; he’s not such a “baby” anymore.
We’re going to spend his eighth-month day by going to downtown Melbourne.
Tell me what you think:
Is he crawling?
Lest you think I’m a horrible mother, unable to control my son, here’s proof that he does successfully take a nap most days.
Video in which Mommy sings Paul a lullaby
![100_2913[1]](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7015/6604448601_17a08e4cfa.jpg)
Video 1, in which Paul does not want to take a nap
Video 2, in which Mommy checks on not-napping Paul twenty minutes later, after she hears loud shrieks of laughter
Video 3, in which Mommy gives up on nap time and Paul is happy
ETA: I changed the videos because apparently it wasn’t clear that there are three.
I’m posting lots of pictures lately. It’s Grandma Peggy’s fault: she sent Paul a few really cute outfits. Every time I get him dressed, I feel like I need to take a picture because he is just so darn cute!
![100_2883[1]](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7013/6604504735_2fc73db220_m.jpg)
![100_2885[1]](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7171/6604505061_14ee9ea95a_m.jpg)
![100_2892[1]](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7169/6604505401_a8096ed82e_m.jpg)
![100_2899[1]](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7167/6604505753_d112550c2a_m.jpg)
![CRW_7362.hr_[1]](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7154/6604506363_ae74399149_m.jpg)
![CRW_7365.hr_[1]](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7170/6604506669_606100ed6f_m.jpg)
Last Tuesday, Paul and Mommy went swimming with mother’s group. They had a fun time. Paul looks forward to going swimming with his grandma and grandpa too.
Note: Paul is a bit sleepy in this picture. Can you tell?
Here are the happy swimmers!
![img_1340lr[1]](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7160/6604448259_248dd475be.jpg)
![CRW_7333.hr_[1]](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7160/6604501491_faeb8be982_m.jpg)
![CRW_7334.hr_[1]](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7169/6604503215_d7068e4d30_m.jpg)
![CRW_7341.hr_[1]](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7167/6604504003_c247fab055_m.jpg)
![CRW_7360.hr_[1]](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7003/6604504371_9aa057468f_m.jpg)
![100_2868[1]](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7146/6604499045_776fa3e314_m.jpg)
![100_2869[1]](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7026/6604499265_aa8bbbe2b9_m.jpg)
![100_2873[1]](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7010/6604499535_647650851d_m.jpg)
I lift him above my head: his mouth opens wide in a baby-grin and he laughs loudly, soaring above me, arms outstretched. I smile too, my heart memorizing the sound, the sight, and the feeling of chubby childhood joy.
***
I turn away: in my mind I still see the tears on his pumpkin-covered face and in my ears I still hear his constant scream of baby indignation. I sigh and grab a towel to wipe away the blood on my finger, wishing someone would kiss my sore better.
This is motherhood: a daily dichotomy.