Milo has become quite the magician lately.
He cast a spell on his “link” collection, willing them to be with him always.

Yes, Milo has moved on from the loss of his small foam 8. He no longer yearns for his two-holed companion. One zero shape is enough for him now. Instead of a blankie, pacifier, or stuffed animal, Milo has become extremely attached to carrying around a link. Luckily he seems to have no preference any one particular link. Any link will do… green and bumpy, blue and wavy, black with red polka dots, or black-and-white striped. Generally, Milo chooses a different link each day to cherish. Today it was the green and bumpy one. This is where Green and Bumpy Link went today:

Chosen from a pile of all different sorts of links, Green and Bumpy started its day at 6am.
Clutched in the hand while reading several books first thing in the morning.
Held while Milo ate some peach, banana, and oatmeal babyfood.
Had to be rinsed off after getting pretty sticky.
Dragged around the kitchen while Mom cleaned up and Milo listened to music, practiced pulling up, and went through our recycling bin once again.
Accidentally dropped into the recycling bin.
Recovered by Mom after Milo panicked and started to cry.
Taken into the living room for some play time.
Was not put down while Milo played with various other toys, sometimes with the same hand that Green and Bumpy occupied.
Upstairs for a nap, still not put down.
Waking up from nap one hour later, clutched in Milo’s hand while also holding onto the crib standing up, Green and Bumpy was used to bang against the crib to make more noise to get Mom’s attention.
Toted to story hour at Canton Library.
Not put down, not even while Milo held the bells required for a couple of songs, not even after story hour when Milo was free to explore all sorts of other toys, crawling and clutching a mastered skill.
Taken on a stroller ride with friend Ben after story hour.
Held while eating blueberry and apple babyfood and drinking milk.
Held at the park swinging for a half-hour, waved through the air in joy.
Gripped tightly in the sleeping fist of baby in carseat on the way back home.
Carted from room-to-room while Mom cleaned and baby played.
….
I mean, I could go on and on. I kid you not, this baby carried that link around ALL day with him. He would not put it down during his bath. I had to pry it free and let him hold it in his other hand while I washed the hand that held Link all day. He even held it while nursing. He cried when Andrew took it away from him, and immediately stopped when he gave it back. If he accidentally dropped Link, he went back for it before moving on. He is holding onto it right now, as he sleeps in his crib. Yesterday it was Smooth and Purple Link, but I found her discarded beside Milo’s crib this morning. He was so over her. But Green and Bumpy Link… ah, new love.

As Mary put it today, Milo definitely marches to the beat of his own drum. Well said.

One Link-free picture, taken on Thursday:

Father’s Day we had a fantastic time. Andrew, Milo, and I drove to Georgetown and checked out some neighborhoods just North of Andrew’s office (one favorite is just 2 miles north of his office on the river, which would be great for a quick commute on a bike). We then had lunch on the Potomac and walked around to enjoy the lovely weather and our family.

If you look closely, you can see Milo’s chosen link for Father’s day- Wavy Yellow

I apologize for not giving Andrew the recognition he so deserves on Father’s Day. Really, every day is a good day to say thank you to a man who amazes me daily. From the very start, Andrew has been a natural. He knows consistency is key in parenting, and is the most tender, loving father I have ever seen. He also knows how to make Milo laugh like no one else. He senses when I desperately need a break, and gives me time to regroup or even sleep. He supports my decisions, and challenges me to look at the big picture. He often knows what will work for Milo long before I do, but voices his opinions on parenting in such a diplomatic way, and waits patiently for me even when he knows it will work (i.e., letting Milo cry a little bit longer so he can teach himself how to sleep on his own; moving his crib out of our bedroom, which resulted in instantaneous better sleep for all three of us; keeping up trying solid foods and the sippy cup instead of giving up…. the list goes on and on). Andrew kisses and hugs his son, reads to him, plays his guitar and harmonica and sings for him, dances around like a goof, talks to him, sits on the stoop with him, feeds him, tickles him, and teaches him. He is the greatest dad, and Milo and I are the luckiest people in the world to have him.

Okay, this post is officially waaaaaay too long. But for those of you who are hear for the pictures, here are a couple to satisfy you.

Yesterday, Milo practiced the new and favorite skill of page-turning. He loves books…

… And the camera!