Horseback rides

OK, I admit, I forced this. For months, I've been trying to get Nathaniel to balance on my back so I can give him rides around the living room. And finally in recent weeks, he's kind of doing it. I pick him up, drape him over my back, then get down horsey-style. He's recently begun clinging to my neck and laughing (and drooling) while I wander around the house a little.

The best part: While I was lying on the ground recently, he tried to climb on my back as if he were looking for a ride. Very, very fun and cool.

The downside: He doesn't quite seem to get the danger of being up on my back. Once in a while, he'll decide to stop grasping my neck and try to get up on his hands and knees. If I didn't stop him, maybe he'd try to stand and surf on my back. We'll never know, though.