Pre-diaper changing rundown (this father's perspective)

1) Sell it. If he thinks you're enjoying it he will too.
2) Don't sell it too much. Excessive joy seems to make him need to go more.
3) Be fast you fool. Just because he went doesn't mean he won't go again. Soon.
4) His body is entirely capable of going pee then poop, poop then pee, both simultaneously, and any number of unimaginable combination (see #3).
5) Bundle the old diaper after the new one is on. It can wait. His can't.
6) Even though the old one can wait, at least get it out of his reach. Remember, now he can grab and chew.
7) Watch for the kicks. Changing him on the bed puts his legs level with your pelvis and you've talked about having more kids.
8) Do not be shocked and distracted by color, quantity, or smell. You lived in the dorms, you've seen worse.
9) Breathe through your mouth.

The Texas Lexicon

While wandering through Baby Gap the other day, a cute little Texan boy approached Booker:

"He's FIXIN' to grow!!"

Indeed, little cowboy, he is.

Progress

This is the first footage we have of Booker laughing which may be his best developmental milestone yet. Watch until the end to see what else he's mastered.

A discovery

Booker found his feet today. Whether he knows they are his is debatable.

1..2..3..FOUR! Cheers for The Action Sampler!

These are the photos our new camera takes. It may not look like much, but this shiny chrome box of plastic is a dream!

"Where did you get that name from...?"

At least two ladies in church asked me that question today. In one form or another we've been asked that since his birth. My favorite variant by far has been, "C'mon now, what did you really name him?" He doesn't have a namesake per se, but if he ever tires of answering that question we'll let him choose from a diverse yet solid short list:

Booker T. Washington: Known philanthropist, educator, and social activist.

Booker T: Six-time world champion: five-time WCW World Heavyweight Champion (four times in WCW and once in WWE), one-time World Heavyweight Champion, native Houstonian, and known anabolic steroid user.

Booker T. Jones (second from left): Grammy-winning musician, producer, frontman of the M.G.'s, and one of a select few able to work the velour without an undershirt. I highly recommend the Melting Pot and Green Onions albums.

In answering the query of the dear ladies I went the well-traveled route with something like "Oh we just liked it," which is, incidentally, the truth. But the better question that they--along with past, present, and eventual inquisitors--should be asking themselves is not why our son's name is Booker, but why theirs isn't.

Blessed.

Booker was blessed today by his father. That's Josh's new title: one he is growing into, while I try to fit the corresponding title of "mother." We are lucky. And Booker is funny. And still very bald. We love him.