Helmet

In case you were wondering how Ro feels about his helmet...

The Best Season

New York does fall a lot differently than California. It's my favorite season. People sometimes ask me why I moved here and I never have a very good answer. It was a spur of the moment decision. I can't really say why I came, but these leaves are one of reasons why I've stayed.

Lyons Visit

Grandma and Grandpa Lyons came to town to celebrate Roan's birthday. Roan walked them down 7th Avenue and pointed out all his favorite attractions - dogs, leaves, fences (he grabs the slats and shakes them as if he's just been locked in an insane asylum), and drains (he sticks his fingers in all the holes).

Jay very wisely positions himself between Roan and the fence.

Grandma, Jay, and Roan bang a gathering drum at music class.

Roan shows Grandma how to do his dance.

Back at the apartment, three generations of Lyons sniff the marinade to make sure it's just right.

The birthday cobbler approaches.

Birthday

On November 4th Roan turned 1. He weighs 23 1/2 pounds. He has four teeth. He is no longer afraid of the food processor or the blender. He is still afraid of the torre in Murcielago, a pop-up book about bats. He no longer wants me to rock him to sleep, he falls asleep much better alone in his crib. When he wants to play peek-a-boo, he grabs my hands and pushes them on my face. If he wants you to read him a book, he will chase you around the house with it until you do. He doesn't know how to go down stairs, because he can't understand moving in a direction he's not facing. When I show him things, like how to flip a light switch or bang a drum, he doesn't copy me with his own hands; instead, he grabs my hands and makes me flip the light switch, or bang the drum, or pet the dog for him. This makes me worry he is too literal minded, too much like me, and will grow up constantly misinterpreting the simplest things. His favorite foods are hot dogs, pita chips, banana blueberry smoothies, succotash, and sweet potatoes. He dances by moving one arm up and down, like he's in an old Snoop Dogg video. He is just beginning to run.

Here are some photos from his actual birthday (last Wednesday)

First bike (well, technically a trike)

His legs are a bit too short for it, but he doesn't mind

This bike one-ups my fixed gear by having one less gear and no brakes at all. Hard. Core.

Lunch. The usual mess.

The birthday banana bread muffin, with chocolate chips.

We ate it.

November 4th also marked the maiden voyage of the Frankenbike, a bike I bought on Craigslist and transformed into the ultimate Roan carrier. Sadly, no photos mark this historic event, since once I got him into the bike seat I realized that I couldn't let go of the bike (which made putting on my shoes and leaving the apartment somewhat difficult). Roan did not react well to his helmet, but has since warmed up to it. Photos will eventually be shot and posted, once Jay overcomes his Frankenbike issues.

Hi

Halloween

Mia and Taj came over on Halloween, which is also their 1st birthday (happy birthday twins!) You can see they are seasonally dressed, and all three babies are playing very nicely together. Sure, Taj is eating Roan's hammer, but that's actually highly civilized if you consider the full spectrum of typical baby behavior.

Mia and Roan have always had this connection. They seem to have a lot in common.

We always find them playing together, while Taj is otherwise occupied.
This is an amazing moment - all three babies are focused on the same toy, yet are not fighting over it.

Then, the twins put their costumes on. Taj is a monkey and Mia is a kitten. All hints of civil behavior are gone. They turn into wild animals.

And the Robot, well, turns into a Robot. He becomes singleminded in a way that only robots are. His mission is to eat an entire hot dog bun. He does it without distraction.

The rear view. Not pictured: a lateral powder compact.

Group photo #1. Taj looks like he's escaped from the set of Where the Wild Things Are. Robot remains focused on his hot dog bun mission. Mia gives a thumbs up?

Group photo #2. Robot is malfunctioning. Mia considers a cat nap. Taj, as usual, is unaffected.
The babies didn't last long in their costumes - 10 minutes tops. Cheap thrills.