Bunch of Paynes

Rooke and I went on Saturday to Ryan's school for a picnic/study break (Ryan has since taken his final and is finished for the summer!!!!). I rarely get pictures with Rooke, so thought I'd share a few that Ryan took from our time together.

Ryan can get Rooke to laugh so hard! I love it! Here's another video that I just had to share.

I am getting this look a lot lately . . . "Mom, I've crawled over here to you, now will you please grab my hands and help me stand up?!"

Rooke had just woken up from a nap and it was cold, so I put a sweatshirt on him. Not sure what inspired the egg poacher to be offered as a toy, but it worked!

It hit me the other day how big Rooke is and how much he has changed in the past six months! i know it's all in your perspective, but to me, he is such a big boy!

Watching his dad shave . . . he loves the noise the electric razor makes!

Rooke loves to crawl under the coffee table.

He is such a good eater! This was the introduction of bananas for breakfast. Yummy!

He's crawling!

Since Rooke was born, I've wanted to get a onsie for him that says, "Made in China". I've had no luck finding them, and thought handwritten Sharpie is a little too ghetto, so I'll just honor the country of his origin with these pictures . . .

The pictures didn't turn out great, but this first one is of Rooke in his first outfit that the girls on our team in China gave him. The printed English words say, "Our give you the best in baby". While diapers are growing in popularity, most families resort to using "split pants", as seen below. Seriously. I'll let the picture of his behind and NOT the front speak for itself.

Having changed out of the pants, this is another gift one of my dear Chinese friends made for Rooke. I wish I remembered the details of the tradition, but it has something to do with a hard-boiled egg, which you'll see below.

Finally, our newest little friend is half-Chinese! Our neighbors are a Chinese-American couple and they had a little boy last Sunday. He is so healthy and big! Rooke and I got to drive the grandparents to the hospital to see their new grandson and were able to snap a picture before leaving the room. Rooke: "Uh, Mom, please don't leave me here. This kid could beat me up."

Saturday we spent the afternoon at the Asian Festival in the International District. We had a wonderful time observing all the people, eating Korean, Thai, and Chinese food, making conversation with others who were at the festival and remembering life in China. We even came across a Chinese Church where we were able to spend some time visiting with the members!

Waiting for lunch at the Korean restaurant

Playing with Daddy on Sunday after church . . .

Such a mature look . . .

Rooke is now six months old! It seems to have happened so fast. He is sitting up really well on his own, has mastered the army crawl, is enjoying "solid" foods, and talks all the time!

Everything goes into his mouth

And he still loves his feet!

Rooke has found a new way to enjoy his bouncy seat . . .

. . . just slightly unconventional, wouldn't you say?!

Some friends are letting us borrow this Bumbo seat! Rooke loves to sit up, although he doesn't sit for too long in this before he is trying to wiggle his way out.

Rooke is now eating rice cereal as he approaches six months! Dad started the first feeding and then Mom finished. Rooke seems to like it so far and is getting the hang of eating from a spoon.

Such effort for just one bite . . .

He's honoring his grandparents, who live in London, by slurping from the side of the spoon like a proper Brit would eat his soup.

Spitting it back out, only to be caught by the spoon for another try.

And one bite is finally finished - more please!

Ok, that's enough

We have been so blessed to get to see so many special friends these past couple of weeks! This weekend included a visit from some friends who moved overseas the same time we went to China and are back for a short stay in the U.S. We had a great time catching up.

Rooke's needed extra sleep with all the excitement of having friends here. He often ends up falling asleep cuddling with his puppy.

Ryan was able to take a break from studying this weekend. Rooke loved having his daddy to play with!

We've introduced the sippy cup! Rooke hasn't quite figured it out yet. He mostly just chews on the mouthpiece and is really surprised when water actually comes out!

I'll start this post off with a video that is sure to make you smile. Rooke's laughter is contagious! I'll learn one of these days to calm down when the boys are playing, but for now you'll hear my concern in Ryan tickling our son to the point of an excited scream!

A more calm moment together

Not sure what this silly expression is supposed to communicate!

He is standing up all on his own!

Ryan went to get Rooke from his nap yesterday and this is what we found. Sorry if it grosses you out, but I just couldn't resist.