If baby has outgrown his diapers, don't try to "finish off" the last two or three.
Unless, of course, you like smelling like baby poo.
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Monday, June 25, 2007
Zookeeper Peter
It's probably just a baby thing, but it sure seems like Peter's life is covered with animals. There's his jungle-themed stroller, carseat, and pack-and-play, the hippo gym, and his tummy-time blanket also is a cute jungle theme.
All of his toys are animals as well, with the exception of the baseball glove Kevin bought for him, because, really, it's never too early to start playing catch.
Peter's menagerie includes:
So, yes, I spent probably more time than was needed thinking of educational names for Peter's animals. And there are some flaws - calamari refers to squid, not octopus, and I have no idea if it's an alligator or a crocodile.
I'm in the process of composing theme songs and dances for each animal, so that Peter can learn to recognize them with three senses - visual, audio, and tactile. So far, we've been working on Monterey and San Jose, mixing Galapagos and Serengeti into the mix occasionally.
Peter also enjoys his two Busy Bees (neither of which is a bee).
All of his toys are animals as well, with the exception of the baseball glove Kevin bought for him, because, really, it's never too early to start playing catch.
Peter's menagerie includes:
So, yes, I spent probably more time than was needed thinking of educational names for Peter's animals. And there are some flaws - calamari refers to squid, not octopus, and I have no idea if it's an alligator or a crocodile.
I'm in the process of composing theme songs and dances for each animal, so that Peter can learn to recognize them with three senses - visual, audio, and tactile. So far, we've been working on Monterey and San Jose, mixing Galapagos and Serengeti into the mix occasionally.
Peter also enjoys his two Busy Bees (neither of which is a bee).
goodbye, Gram and Pop and Aunt Brey
Peter said goodbye today to his grandparents and aunt, as they returned to NJ after visiting with him for about a week. I think he handled the loss well; both he and I spent pretty much the entire day sleeping. While it's great to have visitors, it definitely exhausted us both - we're used to a few more naps during the day!
I think I can speak for Peter when I say he's looking forward to seeing his family again in December. Who else can spoil him like this?
Don't tell Sean, but Aunt Brey may have a new man in her life.
A very mature-looking Peter hangs out with his Poppy.
Gram steals a kiss
I think I can speak for Peter when I say he's looking forward to seeing his family again in December. Who else can spoil him like this?
Don't tell Sean, but Aunt Brey may have a new man in her life.
A very mature-looking Peter hangs out with his Poppy.
Gram steals a kissnew tricks!
I have several updates to post, but this one is breaking news:
Peter has TWICE rolled over from stomach to back. I would have dismissed the first time as a fluke, if he hadn't done it again minutes later, as if on demand, for our waiting video camera.
He's seven weeks old today, which means that the rolling-over feat isn't crazy early, but it is on the early side of rolling skillz. Given that he's had pretty good head control since birth, though, I guess we shouldn't be surprised that he's moving on to other developmental milestones.
We'll post a video once we get the appropriate connector cable, but it's pretty funny.
Peter has TWICE rolled over from stomach to back. I would have dismissed the first time as a fluke, if he hadn't done it again minutes later, as if on demand, for our waiting video camera.
He's seven weeks old today, which means that the rolling-over feat isn't crazy early, but it is on the early side of rolling skillz. Given that he's had pretty good head control since birth, though, I guess we shouldn't be surprised that he's moving on to other developmental milestones.
We'll post a video once we get the appropriate connector cable, but it's pretty funny.
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Peter takes on the city by the bay, and his second beach to boot
Peter was a trooper during the Ross family visit to San Francisco, including two long-ish car rides, being Bjorned all day, waiting on line for an hour for a cable car, riding said cable car, and walking around in the sunshine all day.
Ross Family with Golden Gate Bridge
Peter and a cable car
Did I mention getting a tattoo and getting a beer?
He also fared a bit less successfully during our attempted drive down Highway 1. I'm blaming it on his 6th-week growth spurt, which has made him hungrier and crankier than ever before.
The Ross Family walk into the ocean, at San Gregorio Beach
And, I'll go on the record as saying that there's now a part of me that sympathises with Britney Spears's holding-a-baby-in-the-moving-car, as there was nothing more I wanted than to scoop baby Peter out of his carseat and comfort him. (Note: I was not driving.)
Ross Family with Golden Gate Bridge
Peter and a cable carDid I mention getting a tattoo and getting a beer?
He also fared a bit less successfully during our attempted drive down Highway 1. I'm blaming it on his 6th-week growth spurt, which has made him hungrier and crankier than ever before.
The Ross Family walk into the ocean, at San Gregorio BeachAnd, I'll go on the record as saying that there's now a part of me that sympathises with Britney Spears's holding-a-baby-in-the-moving-car, as there was nothing more I wanted than to scoop baby Peter out of his carseat and comfort him. (Note: I was not driving.)
Grandparents! (and an aunt)
Peter is getting to know Gram, Pop, and Aunt Brey this week while they're visiting from New Jersey.
Monday, June 18, 2007
Peter's surpisingly large family
Tomorrow, Peter will finally have a chance to meet his other Grandmother, as well as his Grandfather Ross and Aunt Bridget.
You may think that our little guy is bereft of family, being so far from everyone out here in California. Ha, ha! Peter actually has more aunts and uncles than one could think possible. For example:
Great Uncle Al. That's Al Gore. Yep, the love affair with Mr. Inconvenient Truth continues. We find ourselves referencing Great Uncle Al when walking around the condo, turning off lights, or lamenting the fact that we keep a radio tuned to static on all night. (Note: sometimes, he's Grandpa Al Gore, which kind of makes us Cosby Show-ish, in that Peter may end up having 15 grandfathers.)
Uncle Homer. Mmmm, doughnuts.
Uncle Larry David. Because Peter really likes the Curb Your Enthusiasm theme music, and because we find ourselves saying, "pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty" more that we'd like to admit.
Uncle Charles. Because Peter and the Round Mound of Rebound have so much in common.
Uncle Kari. Peter's waiting for some guitar lessons, or at least for Sammy Soil to come perform at his birthday parties.
Semi-Aunt Jen, or Should-Be Aunt Jen. She should technically be Aunt Jen (especially if Charles Barkely gets an upgrade), but we're hoping to throw a celebratory party when it becomes official. (Ahem. Hint hint.)
It seems that everyone we know out here has claimed to be an uncle or an aunt of some sort as well, including Uncle Father Bob and Uncle Father Oscar. Really, Uncle Father Oscar is far, far too much to resist.
You may think that our little guy is bereft of family, being so far from everyone out here in California. Ha, ha! Peter actually has more aunts and uncles than one could think possible. For example:
Great Uncle Al. That's Al Gore. Yep, the love affair with Mr. Inconvenient Truth continues. We find ourselves referencing Great Uncle Al when walking around the condo, turning off lights, or lamenting the fact that we keep a radio tuned to static on all night. (Note: sometimes, he's Grandpa Al Gore, which kind of makes us Cosby Show-ish, in that Peter may end up having 15 grandfathers.)
Uncle Homer. Mmmm, doughnuts.
Uncle Larry David. Because Peter really likes the Curb Your Enthusiasm theme music, and because we find ourselves saying, "pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty" more that we'd like to admit.
Uncle Charles. Because Peter and the Round Mound of Rebound have so much in common.
Uncle Kari. Peter's waiting for some guitar lessons, or at least for Sammy Soil to come perform at his birthday parties.
Semi-Aunt Jen, or Should-Be Aunt Jen. She should technically be Aunt Jen (especially if Charles Barkely gets an upgrade), but we're hoping to throw a celebratory party when it becomes official. (Ahem. Hint hint.)
It seems that everyone we know out here has claimed to be an uncle or an aunt of some sort as well, including Uncle Father Bob and Uncle Father Oscar. Really, Uncle Father Oscar is far, far too much to resist.
Saturday, June 16, 2007
photo shoot
slightly cross eyed
male bonding
Peter and me
smileyLater, we took long walk down Castro street to run a few errands. On our way back, we stopped at Pioneer Park for what turned out to be a baby feeding/diaper changing/costume changing. Nothing says good times like a wet, warm glow down your chest from a baby with an ill-fitting diaper.
It turns out, this wasn't the first diaper leak of the day, which means that Peter went through an unusual number of costume changes. He took it all in stride.
Friday, June 15, 2007
the moro reflex
The most entertaining newborn reflex is the Moro, or startle, reflex. Whenever an infant feels like it's falling, or is startled, it will throw up its hands as if it's saying, "Whoa!"
The reflex is a holdover from our more ape-like days, in which baby apes would need to reach out to grab hold of mother's fur if falling while swinging through trees or eating bananas, or whatever it is that apes do all day.
startled asleep?
An unswaddled Peter often will fall asleep half-Moro, as if:
(1) he's anticipating some future startle and wants to be extra ready;
(2) he's actually in a perpetual state of half-startle;
or, my personal bet
(3) he's fallen asleep half-way through his reflex, as if he couldn't be bothered to finish.
The reflex is a holdover from our more ape-like days, in which baby apes would need to reach out to grab hold of mother's fur if falling while swinging through trees or eating bananas, or whatever it is that apes do all day.
startled asleep?An unswaddled Peter often will fall asleep half-Moro, as if:
(1) he's anticipating some future startle and wants to be extra ready;
(2) he's actually in a perpetual state of half-startle;
or, my personal bet
(3) he's fallen asleep half-way through his reflex, as if he couldn't be bothered to finish.
Peter's new trick?
I think Peter's very close to finding his thumb or finger on a regular basis. He's definitely shown much more perseverance and dedication in trying to get something jammed in his mouth - not to mention an awareness that those arm-things might actually be under his control.This lasted for about as long as the video, which makes me thankful that I had the camera right there.
