Little man Jones

Dylan, 6 months

Great book leads to e-book quandary

Normally, reading gives me immense pleasure. But thanks to the competing e-book formats on the market, I'm getting the exact opposite of pleasure (Pain? Agony? Glenn Beck?) trying to solve a reading-related quandry.

I read a review about this great book The Other Wes Moore : One Name, Two Fates. The synopsis from Barnes and Noble.com: Two kids with the same name were born blocks apart in the same decaying city within a year of each other. One grew up to be a Rhodes Scholar, army officer, White House Fellow, and business leader. The other is serving a life sentence in prison. Here is the story of two boys and the journey of a generation.

The story looks at how, despite the similar backgrounds, critical decision points and adult influences in each young man's life ultimately lead them to their wildly divergent current positions. As the mom of a Black son, I'm fascinated to read about these young men and how they and their families successfully and unsuccessfully navigate the difficult influences of modern urban living.

But the book isn't available in the e-book format I want for perusing on my phone (Mobipocket) at a good price. It's the same price as hardback! Or it's available in the proprietary e-book formats of Amazon's Kindle, Barnes and Noble's Nook reader or an iPad/iPhone reader for $10-$12 less. But I don't have any of those devices! Aaargh: I feel like I'm back in the days of Betamax vs. VHS vs. Blu-Ray vs. DVD.

I think it's a book I'll want to keep in perpetuity and refer back to or loan out, so I may have to spring for the hardcopy and the e-book for ease of reading right now (while putting the baby to bed at night). I know: so 2002, but necessary I guess.
 
How do you prefer to read these days? E-book or real book?

First spitting up, now sitting up

Dylan had his 6 month appointment last week and is progressing as expected. By "expected" I mean 90 something percentile for head circumference, height and weight.

He's tipping the scales at a healthy 18.4 lbs. He's got a few rolls, but he is just a solid chunk underneath with a grip like he's been using those hand-strengthening squeeze balls on the sly.

The other day Jason saw him stretched out in my lap and said, "You know it looks like you're nursing a small man." Yes, a small, adorable one with a toothless grin. Which is kind of a creepy description now that I think about it, but he is cute as a button. A large button, like on a piece of lumberjack clothing. But still...

Friends loaned us a Bumbo seat, which seems to have helped him improve at sitting up both in and out of it, as evidenced by the photo. I suspect he's got a baby 6-pack under that belly because he twisted up and out of the Bumbo today to get a toy just out of his reach.

Doing tummy time with sis

Which means he's officially out of the "okay to leave unattended on elevated surfaces" stage. He can roll over with impunity and is now inching his way backwards, like a car with a blown tranny that can only go in reverse.

Using restaurant high chairs with ease now. This is at Suncadia resort near Cle Elum, WA.

Last week he inched off his sister's bed and hit the floor. Twice in two days. The second time it took mere seconds for him to get from the back of the bed to the edge. I felt like the "Don't do this" pictures in the parenting brochures they hand out at his checkups.

Despite our gaffes, he seems none the worse for wear and continues to thrill and thrive. He said da-da a couple weeks ago but hasn't said it or anything close to words since. Ah well: all in due time.

Chillin' with Dad at Suncadia's restaurant

I'm off to show him how to use that monster grip to make fresh squeezed grape juice. Might as well get something out of it besides missing hair chunks.

5 months old on first hotel overnight in Portland, OR. Showing his love of remotes early.

With his hair fried, dyed and laid to the side - actually just brushed down after a bath

Pensive Ava returning from Suncadia

Dylan does Suncadia - 6 mos.