Playtime adventures of a nearly-one-year-old

Carlton loves the computer. That was clear long ago. He especially loves doing video chats with our family, so I finally snapped a photo recently while he was "chatting" with his Meme and Poppy in Atlanta. It takes some strategic positioning of the computer to accomplish this - close enough to the edge so that the camera can be angled down to focus on Carlton, but far enough from the edge that his little fingers can't actually pad around on the keyboard (Mark's work computer temporarily lost the letter "k" for a while) or pull the whole thing down on his head!

This is a spot in the house where some of Carlton's toys often get stored....the other day we found him storing himself there instead :)
Our friends Andrea and Cashel came over to play the other day, and the boys seemed to really have a good time together. Sharing Carlton's favorite lift-the-flap book,

and striking funny poses. You'd think they actually knew what that meant, from this photo.

We recently acquired a hand-me-down riding toy from some friends, so Carlton is loving exploring the backyard with it. He's a champ at pushing it around, but hasn't quite gotten the idea yet of propelling it with his feet while sitting on it. Just posing here.

I love how in this shot he looks so tall and skinny - I think it's because he's actually standing up straight, with his legs together, something his little baby body doesn't do too often yet!

Autumn leaves

So we do have a few deciduous trees here in Seattle, and they have recently turned colors. Mark got home from his work travels just in time to catch the end of the fall leaves, and to play in them with his son.

We imagined that Carlton would have a blast playing in the classic pile of leaves, but he didn't quite know what to make of them.

He may have even seemed a little grossed out by them.....

When it was time to clean up, Carlton enjoyed watching Mark work from the back door. I know he can't wait to be able to get out there and help his dad!

October days

Here are a few random shots of Carlton I've taken lately. Carlton's exersaucer has transformed into an enormous S-shaped activity table. He was done with being constrained by that contraption - now he has to have freedom to move at all times! He usually stands and plays with all the fun attachments, but of course, while I was taking photos he only wanted to sit.

You can tell the fall has arrived....the first time he wore a big boy coat I just had to take a few photos.

Here is what usually happens when I pull the camera out now.....it becomes the most fascinating item in the room.

He's a quick one - he got to the strap before I could react. Ahh, sweet victory.

On the move

Carlton is so mobile these days! He loves being able to explore independently....and therefore, is constantly getting into things. We daily discover new places the house needs babyproofing :) This phase is so much fun.

He just got this walking toy and is LOVING walking "on his own" all around the house.

Still loving playing in the park.... especially with his dad.

And still loving music of all sorts - here, with his new maraca he got as an early birthday present from Grandma Ann and Papa.

And here, learning the banjo with his dad. Note the different outfits... you can see this scene happens a lot in our house :)