So I can use my feet for more than putting them in my mouth?

Malcolm got a new toy from Nonna and Papa to exercise those legs and start supporting himself on his feet.





The downside is that in this contraption, he can't put his feet in his mouth.

But he sure is excited about being upright!

Nonna comes to help

My Mom came to help me out and spend time with Malcolm since Paul is in Florida. Nope it's not déjà vu. He's back in Florida for another volleyball tournament. I'm sure Paul would have preferred Florida in winter, but the volleyball is played indoors so that's where much of his time is spent. Though he still manages to get sunburnt.



Back in Wisconsin, I was able to get the oil changed, grocery shop, wash the car, take a nap, and get work done. We also went to a cafe and my Mom made stew. All this in a single day.






Here's Malcolm expressing his happiness about the visit! (I couldn't have put it better myself.)

5 months: Same old, same old

More and more Malcolm's been noticing details around him. He loves to watch cars and people. He's not shy about sharing his smiles with everyone who gives him attention. He's becoming familiar with those he sees often and will hold his arms out when he wants to be held or picked up.


Malcolm will give kisses when he comfortable doing so. These kisses are generally wide-open slobbery mouth first head butt contacts to the face, but we call them kisses and love getting them.


As Malcolm falls asleep, we'll still catch him smiling to himself like he did when he was born. Wonder what he dreams about?

During this past month he had his first cold. His little head was full of snot and he had little coughs. Nothing serious and it didn't last too long. Just had lots of boogers to pick out of his nose for him since he hasn't figured out how to do this himself - yet.


He exercises his motor skills by grabbing with a purpose for objects around him. And sometimes that purpose is just to grab. He holds himself up on his hands and lifts head while on his belly to get a look around. We can tell he's trying to figure out how to make himself go from here. It won't be long.





The spitting up is still going strong. And when it's not spit up, his newest thing is to blow little bubbles with his drool. He loves to show people this skill.





This morning when we woke up, Malcolm greeted us with smiles. This is pretty much the way it goes every morning. We expect great big smiles in the AM to completely wear off by his adolescence if not sooner. But for now we enjoy the smiles - all day, every day.

Viv's Volleyball Visit

We had the pleasure of having niece Vivienne come to visit. She came to my volleyball camps and basically made Malcolm smile and laugh for 3 days. It was a great time, even when she was beating me in games.

John or Paul?

An ongoing debate among Beatles fans is "Are you a Paul or a John fan?" This has been a topic of many a nights' debate with friends.


Here, we guess that Malcolm is establishing himself as a Paul fan as it appears he's playing his air bass and Paul played bass for the Beatles. But Malcolm's young, and opinions can change.

Catching up with friends

My friends from the ol' college days, Gwen and Taylor, came into town for a visit recently. And, of course, to meet Mr. Malcolm. It was great to see them and we can't get enough of the terrace. You should visit too!

4th Camping

Over the 4th of July weekend, Malcolm and I went to visit Grandpa and Grandma, aunties and uncles, and cousins camping at Devil's Lake.

Grandpa and Grandma outfitted the grandkids with holiday t-shirts.











Malcolm spent some time chatting around the fire with Uncle Dave and Grandpa.



Then we decided to take in the lovely park with a hike up one of the bluffs. Malcolm loved the walk and the view.



After dinner we celebrated cousin Oscar's 1st birthday and Malcolm and Oscar "played" with Oscar's new truck - or maybe they're establishing whose truck it is?



Finally the evening ended with a little sparkler show that Malcolm enjoyed watching the cousins do at dusk.














It was a great day and all the family fun wore out a busy Malcolm.

Malcolm Minute 7: Laughin' and eatin' toes

Just the norm:

Papa lends a hand

With Paul in Miami for volleyball, I had a little help over the week taking care of Malcolm. Papa Grunze came to watch Malcolm and help get our mulch pile out of the driveway and into the garden (finally!).

The boy was held a lot while he napped -

which eventually lead both of them to fall asleep.

Seeing how cute Malcolm is, Papa couldn't resist taking a few pics himself.

Thanks, Dad!

And thanks to Em for spending time with Malcolm to help me out this week too!