We're back!

Finn starts his first week of four-days-a-week daycare this week, instead of two. He doesn't know yet, and I'm curious to see how much he notices the change. I just started my new semester, had a one-hour online class session tonight, have my internship all day tomorrow, and have a four-hour in-person session once a month. It's going to be an interesting fall, and Jonathan leaves for Switzerland Saturday morning. Whee!

Hey, anybody have Labor Day plans? 'Cause Finn and I don't.

Here's my new favorite picture of Finn, who decided the other day that the spray bottle I use for cat discipline and pie-crust-making is the awesomest thing ever. He thought it was hilarious when Jonathan squirted him in the tummy and hair. He also seems to think it's delicious. He drinks out of his sippy cup much better if there's a little juice in the water, but apparently high velocity also improves the water's flavor.
He's gotten much faster at scooting than he was pre-vacation, so we're finally doing that whole baby-proofing thing, starting with Finn's room. Yes, it took us this long. We needed the storage space, I guess.

He's also getting reasonably good at cruising, and I wouldn't be shocked if he was walking by 10 months. I also wouldn't be shocked if he wasn't. He's getting more adept at pushing himself up on short objects, like suitcases. Tonight he tried to use his high chair, but we didn't have the brakes on at first. Ooops. He likes to lean against the glass sliding door in his room, too - and lick it while he stands there. Good times.

Favorite new toy: the music/motor piece of his mobile, which hasn't been on the crib in months. It looks more or less like a hockey puck with a little knob and small plastic hook, and when I wind it up to the play the Winnie the Pooh song, he holds on to it with both hands like it's a little treasure, and shakes it and smiles at the music.

Favorite new habit: when he's nursing, especially if he's tired, he's taken to either stroking his luxurious locks or pulling on his ear. This is both cuter and less painful than the old practice of digging his tiny little thumbnail into the space between wrist tendons and wiggling it, so I'm a fan.

More pictures at Flickr, and Jonathan should have some up sometime this week, too.