Growing and Gaining

Besnik hasn't been officially weighed or measured in a few months, but I think it's fair to repeat Dr. Pohl's catch-phrase at this point. He feels much heavier, sleeping in the Queen size bed has become a little less comfortable, and I no longer have to bend to hold his hands while he walks. He also is getting very strong (perhaps super-human strength?!? what is that show about with the cheerleader and the people with super abilities? he could probably get on that show... As, I type, he is pulling off his bib -- freakish strength, I tell you!) Anyway, he has almost knocked the wind out of us with well-aimed kicks, which seems pretty strong for a 9-month-old.

Lately he has been trying to stand up without assistance. It ends up looking like he is trying to crawl but he doesn't stop with the knees on the ground -- he keeps pushing and trying to straighten his legs so he can stand up. He used the bed to pull himself up yesterday and was VERY proud of himself. The walking is coming along well -- he only wants to walk alone when he has somewhere to go that the parents aren't too keen on or when both of his hands are occupied with holding something up. He has taken some pretty long strolls, though, which usually end with a fall straight back (hopefully into someone's arms but occasionally onto the floor.)

In other news, Besnik applied for his passport on Monday! He took a priceless picture a few weeks back (all smiles, staring right at the camera) and turned it in to the USPS for his very own passport. He should be ready for international travel in approximately 4 weeks!

Please see below for some pictures of the man fueling up for all of this work. He had grown bored with bananas recently -- until I put the entire thing, peel and all, on his tray. This was apparently much more suitable for babies. He couldn't decide whether to focus on the banana or the bagel...