Playing

Gabriel is learning to play more actively, and he is able to keep himself entertained for 15-20 minutes at a time (for comparison: His dad can play on the computer all by himself for hours on end). One good time for playing is in the morning.

Although he pretends to be a poor little prisoner, he actually enjoys himself quite a bit in the morning, doing gymnastics...

... or playing with the stuffed animals.

We can often hear him "talk" to the animals after he wakes up. Whenever we come into the room, he turns to us with a big smile.

Playing has more nuances now. When he gets a new toy, Gabriel first studies it carefully.

Then, he eats it.

Beware, you who take away his toys. You make a baby cry.

Playing is also more varied. Gabriel likes playing with the same toys as his parents. He loves books, for example. I have to give him a baby book if I want to be sure that Gabriel won't try to eat what I'm reading.

Thus, when I read, Gabriel reads. When I work on the computer, Gabriel... ah, well.

Gabriel has started spending more time in his room, which we have intended as a place where he can leave his toys, and where there is little risk of him breaking or pulling down things.

As I mentioned in my last post, Gabriel has become much better at sitting without assistance.

Therefore, Michelle had the great idea to put a few toys in a bowl and to sit Gabriel next to it. Gabriel enjoys taking out the toys (we hope that in a few months, he will start enjoying putting them back in!), and playing with them and the bowl.

Of course, this much playing takes its toll.