Home sweet home

Today was my last day of daycare. It was kind of bittersweet, because I had fun there and I like to hang out with my new friends. But I couldn't nap and I wasn't eating well, which was leading to my Hollywood-style thinnification. So Mama and Daddy decided (with the Dude's support) to take me out of daycare so that Mama can make sure I get back into my routine.

So now it's going to be Mama and me, like it was in the old days. I often reminisced about those days with my daycare buddies, and I'm looking forward to going back to that lifestyle. It will be different now because I'm less obliging than I was when I was little, but I think it's going to be a good time. Even though I'll have to listen to Mama singing cheesy 80s pop songs or musicals all day long.

The wonder of it all

I've been awfully cranky the past few days. I woke up at 12:30 AM last night (this morning?) and cried and screamed until Mama finally gave me the milk-drug at 2 AM. I also woke up crying and screaming at daycare, and again when Mama was taking me for a walk with Oliver and his mom. I didn't want to eat my dinner (I'm not so sure about this avocado thing) and I haven't been nursing very well. Basically, I'm all out of sorts.

Mama has been trying to figure out what's going on (Am I teething? Did I hurt myself? Do I have a fever? Am I having digestive issues? Is my acid reflux flaring?) and then she remembered the last time this happened. That was when I was 19 weeks old (based on my due date rather than my birth date), which is one of the "wonder weeks" she's read about in one of her many books.

As I've mentioned before, a "wonder week" is an inappropriately upbeat name for a developmental spurt. Basically, we babies get cranky and fussy because we're working so hard to achieve some new skill set. These wonder weeks tend to happen around the same times for each baby, and so far I've been following the schedule pretty closely.

So now that I'm Fussy McCrankyPants again, Mama got out her book and looked up the next wonder week. Not surprisingly, it happens at 26 weeks...and I am exactly 26 weeks and 2 days old (gestationally). Apparently, I'm struggling with the idea of "relationships" right now and learning that I am separate from Mama and I can't control where she goes or whether she leaves me. It's supposed to make me clingier and more wary of strangers, but I don't think I'm being needy or impolite. Unless you count screaming at the top of my lungs until Mama holds me (you should have seen her trying to carry me in one arm while pushing my empty stroller down the Burke Gilman trail today -- go Mama!).

Wait a second. Mama can leave me behind? I can't control what she does and where she goes?? What?!?

Sock it to me

I think it's pretty funny when Daddy dances around and waves his socks in the air. It makes me laugh, and when I laugh, I really let loose.

Even though I look like I'm sitting up all on my own like a big boy, Mama is actually helping me keep my balance while she videotapes. She's pretty good at multi-tasking.

What's on the menu?

So I've been eating solids for over three weeks now, and it's going pretty well. I'm discovering what I like and what agrees with me (they're not necessarily the same thing). Here's the summary so far:

Food	Like?	Agreeable?	My Thoughts
Rice cereal	Yes	No	Gives me the runs and super stinky fang-pi
Peas	NO!	Yes	Yucky yucky yucky!
Carrots	Yes	Yes	Gimme more!
Bananas	Yes	No	Stops me up and makes my acid reflux flare up
Pears	Yes	Yes	Low acidity and helps keep things running smoothly

Right now I'm eating carrots and pears for dinner, and in a couple days Mama is going to give me avocados! After that (following the four-day rule, of course) I get sweet potato, and then maybe green beans. I suspect Mama is going to try to sneak some peas back on the menu, so I'll keep my eye out for them.

Cruisin'

Now that the weather is getting nicer, Mama and I have been cruising around a lot more with the BOB. Mama used to always carry me in one of my carriers (the Babyhawk, Ergo, or sling), but walking around belly-to-belly can get awfully warm in 80 degree weather! So now I have my own wheels.

This picture was taken last weekend when we went to visit my fairy godmother Margaret in her new house. We walked around the neighborhood and had a little picnic in a nearby park. It's a super nice area, and I'm looking forward to hanging out there a lot more this summer! And since it's not on the Eastside, Mama might not get lost every time she goes for a visit.

I did that

My range is improving. Cowboy is quite impressed. And as you can see, baby spit-up goes nicely with any outfit.

Baby sign language is fun

You too can be happy

People often mention what a happy, friendly, and laid-back baby I am. I've decided to share my secret: the babyhill fail-proof method of coping with discord. You see, like anyone else, I have my rough moments. The difference is that I know how to get to my happy place. For the low cost of $0.00*, I am providing a step-by-step breakdown (including pictures!) of how it works:

1. Things are not good
2. Locate middle two fingers on left hand
3. Insert fingers in mouth for immediate sucking
4. Cover fingers and mouth with right hand and forearm
   
5. Enter happy place (note relaxed brow and blissed out expression)
   
6. Once internal harmony has been achieved, suck on middle fingers as necessary to sustain good feelings
   

*My fees are very affordable right now because I have Mama and Daddy wrapped around my little finger and they'll buy me anything I want

Peas porridge NOT

1. You're kidding me, right? You want me to eat this green stuff?
2. OK Mama, I'm trusting you. If you say peas are yummy, I'll try them...
3. Blech!! You call that yummy?
4. You seriously want me to eat more??

Cowboy Jr

Since starting solids last week, things have been a little...uhh..."stopped up" for me, if you know what I mean. Mama was starting to worry after two days went by with nary a sign of my previously explosive personality.

Finally, this morning, things started moving along nicely. But now there's a new twist. Welcome to the Stinky Diaper Club! For those of you unfamiliar with the nuances of baby poop, there is a big difference when you move from mama's milk to solid foods. Now Mama won't be able to say things like, "Oh, I'll just wait until I get him home to change him" anymore.

Who knew there'd be so many exciting milestones in my life? I'll make sure Mama puts this in my baby book. Right after "ate first solids" and before "sat up unsupported", we'll add "stank up the house". I'm wearing my Lil Cowboy outfit in honor of this momentous occasion because my role model is Cowboy, the master of stinking up the house.

Happy Mama's Day!

I had the best Mother's Day! During brunch, I gave Mama a really nice book called "I Love You More". She liked it so much that she read it to me right there in the restaurant! Then I played all day with Mama and Daddy (except when Mama went to get something called a "mani/pedi" with my fairy godmother Margaret...sounds suspicious, if you ask me). Best of all, I got to take my first ride in the swings at the playground! Those swings are COOL.

I've also discovered my new favorite diversion: Cowboy. I never really paid much attention to him before, and I had no idea what I've been missing! He's hilarious! I watch him all the time now, and he makes me laugh and laugh. That wagging tail, those big ears, those funny "whuffing" noises he makes when he's excited or impatient -- he's a regular comedian! Except when he tries to lick my face. Then he's not quite so funny.

Anyway, check me out in the swing! I'm rockin' the striped hat too -- pretty sweet.

Mama's turn

This is Mama, taking over the blog for a minute because I have something to tell my baby boy.

Six months ago, you gave me a gift: you made me a mother. It's the most wonderful gift I've ever been given, and I'm so proud that you chose me to be yours. I've never had a job that is more important than this one, and I hope that I can be as good a mother as you deserve. Thank you for entering my life and for making me more complete than I ever imagined I could be. I love you, my sweetest of the pie.

I'd like you to meet my buddy LP2

This is Lil' Peanut. He's actually Lil' Peanut II, because I'm the original lil' peanut. Gramma Hill gave LP2 to me to keep me company when I hang out in my Pack-n-Play while Mama or Daddy are busy doing other "important" things like showering or cooking or feeding Cowboy. I like to stick LP2 in my mouth and gum his head or drool on him in hopes that he'll want to come out of his shell. He's shy.

The other day, Mama took LP2 out of his shell and stuck him in my pocket. I don't know what that was all about, but I fixed the situation immediately.

Weight watchers and rice cereal

Today was my 6-month check-up with the Dude. I'm starting to not like visiting him, because it seems like every time I go I end up getting stuck with needles. Today it was three needles -- one in my left thigh, two in my right thigh. I do NOT like the needles.

Other than the needles, things are going pretty well with me in all ways but one: my weight. Mama and Daddy have always teased me about being a little on the thin side, but I guess I'm heading towards being downright skinny.

When I was born, I was in the 5th percentile for weight. I've tracked along pretty well since then, staying squarely in the 3-5th percentile...until now. Today, I came in at the -3rd percentile. Yes, negative. I weighed in at a hefty 13 lbs 2 oz. Then I nursed on one side and weighed in at 13 lbs 5-1/2 oz. Then I wet my diaper, nursed on the other side, and ended up at 13 lbs 6 oz.

The Dude isn't too concerned yet because my length (25-3/4") and head circumference (42.8 cm/16.9") are both steadily following the 25th percentile curve. He thinks that starting solid foods will help with my weight, as well as increasing the amount of the milk-drug I get at daycare. Maybe Mama will start feeding me Cheetos and milkshakes at every meal.

The Dude also thinks that working on my naps at daycare will improve things a lot, as it will get me back on my regular schedule and I won't miss feedings because I'm so exhausted from my lack of naps (that's what happened today -- I fell asleep in the car seat before we even left daycare and I didn't wake up again until we were pulling into the Dude's office 2-1/2 hours later). Mama is worried about the nap thing, because she's been trying all along to get them to help me take my naps.

Anyway, did you see those two exciting words in the midst of my rambling? "Solid food"?!? Yeee-haw! When we got home from the Dude's office, Mama and Daddy got me ready for my very first taste of solid food: rice cereal mixed with the milk-drug. They were worried that I wouldn't like it or that it would take me awhile to get the hang of things, but they're silly. I am so ready to eat solids. I ate it all up and wanted more, so Mama ended up giving me a double serving. I tried to take the spoon out of her hand so I could eat more quickly, and when she didn't let me do that I tried to slurp directly from the bowl. But she wouldn't let me do that either. Hmph.

Afterwards, I finished off with a cool sip of water from a shot glass. I feel like such a grown-up now, like I should have an after-dinner cigar or something. And I bet I'll feel even more grown up once Mama and Daddy put me in a proper high chair instead of setting me in the middle of the coffee table to eat.

It's beginning to look a lot like...

...Christmas?

Why yes, it is! Last weekend, Mama took me to meet Santa Claus! She told me that Santa usually only comes in December, but I was too small last December to go visit him. But since I'm such a sweet boy, Santa couldn't wait to meet me. So he came early!

It was really fun to hang out with Santa and show him some of my favorite outfits. I tried to give him my Christmas list but he said I'd have to wait until next Christmas for that. But he let me pull on his beard, which was even better! I wish Mama had a beard.

Santa and I must have been pretty handsome, because some really nice photographers found us and took pictures. It was kind of like how Mama constantly takes pictures of me, but they were much less pushy. You can see some of their pictures on their blog, The Fish Dish.

must...play...

but so...tired...

Half-y birthday to me

I'm six months old today!

6 minutes old 11/4/07	6 months old 5/4/08
Stats
5 lbs 7 oz 18.25 inches long size NB diapers are too big and have to be folded almost double to fit sweetest baby in the world	14ish lbs (250% increase) 26ish inches long (150% increase) size 2 diapers are pretty comfy still the sweetest baby in the world
Newest Trick
Screaming at the top of my lungs	Sucking on my big toe while sticking the rest of them up my nose

I'm lagging a bit

The jet lag has wreaked havoc on my sleeping. That 3-hour time difference is a lot harder to handle coming this way than it was going the other way!

When I got to Maui, Mama and Daddy kept me up until 7 PM Maui time, which was 10 PM Seattle time. By the time they let me go to bed, I was so exhausted I fell asleep right away. Tonight, however, Mama tried to put me to bed at 7 PM Seattle time...which is only 4 PM Maui time! Of course, I wanted nothing to do with it.

After screaming at the top of my lungs for nearly two hours, I decided to give in and go to sleep. Daddy's out of town and Mama's sick (you should hear her croak and hack and wheeze -- it kind of scares me), so I figured I'd give her a break. After all, she did take me to meet Santa today.

A-loooooooooo-ha!

I'm back from my first vacation, and boy did I need one! This whole "growing" thing is hard work! Do you realize that, nearly 6 months ago, I weighed less than 5 lbs? Now I'm almost three times that! Plus, I've learned tons of things, like where my hands and feet are, what Mama and Daddy sound and look like, where I find food (Mama) and get changed (Daddy), and all kinds of skills: how to roll over, sit up (with support), hold my head up, make all kinds of noises, suck my lips in, smile, laugh, grab things, suck on my toes, suck on Cowboy's tail, bang my toys on my head, scratch my face, scoot around on my back in my crib, drink water out of Mama's cup, suck on a straw...it's been a busy 6 months! So I was in dire need of some rest and relaxation.

I decided to head to Maui for a week with Tatum and Thomas (our parents came along too). It was pretty neat. I saw the ocean again, and this time it was actually warm, not like in Seattle. Mama wouldn't let me surf, but Daddy got to body-surf (at least, that's what he called it, even though it looked to me like he was just doing somersaults and headstands in the waves...Mama called it "getting pummeled"). Mama and Daddy also took turns snorkling while I hung out in my cool UVF50 tent on the beach.

I spent most of my time either by the pool or napping in the room. I was a big fan of napping. Oh, and of nursing too. Mama counted that I nursed 12 times in one day, which is twice what I normally do. She thought that maybe I was dehydrated or still getting over my cold, but in reality I was just taking advantage of the opportunity. I mean if it's there, go for it, right?

I had a pretty good time at the pool. Tatum and Thomas are a little more experienced than I am, so they had no problem getting in the water and playing around. It was a little scarier for me, but once I went in with Mama or Daddy holding me, it was fine. I bet it will be even more fun when I can actually sit up or crawl or walk! And I must say, I looked VERY chic in the swim gear I borrowed from Jammy.

I also got man-handled several times a day by either Mama or Daddy wielding a pink bottle of something they called "sunscreen". I didn't really like that stuff -- it smelled funny and gave me a bit of a rash. But apparently it's better to get a rash than to get sunburn, and Mama and Daddy were very proud that they managed to get me through a week in Maui without any sunburn.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot to tell you about my first two airplane flights! I wore my airplane outfit for the first one, and made sure to smile at everyone around me so that they could see just how cute I am. The flight was full, so I had to sit on Mama or Daddy's lap, which wasn't too bad. I found that I could get one of them to take me for a walk around the plane if I made even the tiniest noise, so I took full advantage of that. Then Mama put me in the Babyhawk carrier, and I don't remember anything after that. Darn carrier, puts me to sleep every time.

The flight home was a bit more exciting. There was an extra seat, so I had my car seat to rest in. However, I was well-rested from my vacation so I had plenty of energy to fuss. Mama and Daddy spent most of the flight passing me back and forth and walking me around the plane.

Mama added a bunch of pictures to flickr and I'm including the link at the end of this post. In addition, enjoy a couple shots of me and the fam. Mahalo!



Pictures: Maui - Ka'anipali