He made it until the very last present.
(c) 2004 Scott Everett
Friday, December 31, 2004
Thursday, December 30, 2004
Its a three hundred and sixty degree world
Not only is the world a whole bigger than a month ago, but its all over. Andrew's newest discoveries have been volume (to go along with sound), reaching, and the coolest yet ... wait for it ... if I sit up the world is all around me. There are things to look at everywhere. Up, down, left, right, forward, everywhere. For those who think his head is permanately turned to the side, yes he does look forward, just not when facing you. Drew's sitting abilities are getting better everyday. He still can't get him self up with out a head start (reclining and something to pull on), but if you sit him up, he'll stay that way for a while. There's definitely a lot of concentration involved, but we're making progress.
Andrew is also learning to reach for things. Its very cool, when you watch him as he sees something and tries to reach for it. I know in a short while it won't seem so cool as he gets into everything, but right now its amazing to witness the discoveries. When was the last time you looked around your house as if it were all new. I get to everyday. Of course his favorite thing to watch is still Midnight. I have a feeling, they're going to be great friends. Especially after Drew starts finger foods. Midnight will never leave his side then.
By the way, who replaced my little boy with a pteradactyl? Andrew's vocabulary is increasing as well as his volume. He still coos, but more and more he's trying out new sounds, including raspberries. I swear he does the best dinosaur imitations you've ever heard.
As for foods, applesauce is by far the favorite. Followed closely by sweet potatoes. Peaches weren't a big hit, but we're going to keep trying. Poor little guy even feel asleep eating his applesauce today. His morning nap got interrupted, so when it was time for second breakfast he was really tired. He made it to the next to last bite before he just couldn't go any more. I was watching him and his eyes would close when the spoon went in his mouth. Finally they just stopped opening when I took the spoon out. After that he went down for a two hour nap. Talk about living life to the fullest.
And the fun continues ...
liz
Andrew is also learning to reach for things. Its very cool, when you watch him as he sees something and tries to reach for it. I know in a short while it won't seem so cool as he gets into everything, but right now its amazing to witness the discoveries. When was the last time you looked around your house as if it were all new. I get to everyday. Of course his favorite thing to watch is still Midnight. I have a feeling, they're going to be great friends. Especially after Drew starts finger foods. Midnight will never leave his side then.
By the way, who replaced my little boy with a pteradactyl? Andrew's vocabulary is increasing as well as his volume. He still coos, but more and more he's trying out new sounds, including raspberries. I swear he does the best dinosaur imitations you've ever heard.
As for foods, applesauce is by far the favorite. Followed closely by sweet potatoes. Peaches weren't a big hit, but we're going to keep trying. Poor little guy even feel asleep eating his applesauce today. His morning nap got interrupted, so when it was time for second breakfast he was really tired. He made it to the next to last bite before he just couldn't go any more. I was watching him and his eyes would close when the spoon went in his mouth. Finally they just stopped opening when I took the spoon out. After that he went down for a two hour nap. Talk about living life to the fullest.
And the fun continues ...
liz
Wednesday, December 29, 2004
Monday, December 27, 2004
Sunday, December 26, 2004
Saturday, December 25, 2004
New pics should be coming soon.
Sorry I haven't posted any pictures the last couple days. I don't have any more post-worthy shots of Andrew, but should be getting a roll of film developed on Sunday. After that, I should be able to post more. Please bear with me.
skot
skot
Wednesday, December 22, 2004
Merriweather Lewis? Ponce de Leon? Ferdinand Magellan? Amateurs!
The world suddenly got a whole lot bigger. I've had fun watching Andrew discover his world since he was born, but these last few days have been amazing. Its like the world just opened up in front of him and he can't wait to take it all in. Everyday, more like every hour, he discovers something new. First it was Midnight. Now Midnight has been around since before Andrew, but so far they've just been ignoring each other. That was until recently. Andrew is in love with the dog. He loves to watch him, pet him, and talk to him. For his part, Midnight is starting to warm up to Drew as well. He's been a lot more interested in him since we got back from Thanksgiving travels. He even seems to be amused at Drew's attempts to pet him.
Next there was sound. We never doubted Andrew's ability to hear, but he's never been that interested to toys that make noise until the past couple of days. It started in the car. All of a sudden Drew just started talking/singing to himself. Since then, he's discovered crinkly toys and rattles. They are just too cool for words, especially if he can put them in his mouth as well.
Yesterday, it was the mirror. There are two baby-proof mirrors on the butterfly gym, one of which we have hanging in the center. I noticed that Drew was watching himself in it while chewing on his toes (still by far the coolest toy). So I took off the bigger mirror and showed it to him. We spent a while playing where-did-the-baby-go, by flipping over the mirror so he couldn't see himself. Every time I turned the mirror back around he would shriek and giggle. There's nothing better than that.
Of course with all of this discovery, we end up with an over-tired baby sometimes. I'm still working on getting him to take more than a thirty minute nap by himself. So far no luck. Of course with Christmas packages arriving left and right, that means a dog constantly at the ready and many interrupted naps. This too will pass.
Well, its time to find out what today's discovery will be.
liz
Next there was sound. We never doubted Andrew's ability to hear, but he's never been that interested to toys that make noise until the past couple of days. It started in the car. All of a sudden Drew just started talking/singing to himself. Since then, he's discovered crinkly toys and rattles. They are just too cool for words, especially if he can put them in his mouth as well.
Yesterday, it was the mirror. There are two baby-proof mirrors on the butterfly gym, one of which we have hanging in the center. I noticed that Drew was watching himself in it while chewing on his toes (still by far the coolest toy). So I took off the bigger mirror and showed it to him. We spent a while playing where-did-the-baby-go, by flipping over the mirror so he couldn't see himself. Every time I turned the mirror back around he would shriek and giggle. There's nothing better than that.
Of course with all of this discovery, we end up with an over-tired baby sometimes. I'm still working on getting him to take more than a thirty minute nap by himself. So far no luck. Of course with Christmas packages arriving left and right, that means a dog constantly at the ready and many interrupted naps. This too will pass.
Well, its time to find out what today's discovery will be.
liz
Tuesday, December 21, 2004
Bigger and better
Today we decided to go with the green beans instead of the sweet potatoes. Those were met with an enthusiastic and resounding, "eh." I tasted them and my opinion echoes Drew's entirely. I think the label might be incorrect and should read, "Ingredients: Water, green beans" instead of the other way 'round. Who knew that veggies could be so utterly bland (besides the British)?
skot
skot
Monday, December 20, 2004
Crisis averted
We had a start late last week. Seems that Drew decided on Thursday that he didn't like sweet potatoes anymore. That's exactly what he did with the bottle and we were afraid it was happening again with baby food. Liz nursed him that evening and the following day, with some trepidation, we pulled out the food again. I don't know what we were afraid of, those were the best sweet potatoes he'd had in at least a week (of course he'd only eaten them for about four days).
Today was a cranky day. I have no idea what the problem was; he'd eat, sleep, poop, and get changed but still was not happy about life. He remained grumpy for most of the day, seemingly whining constantly. Unfortunately, though, he's discovered the trick to getting what he wants. After all of that moaning, he managed to pull out one grand smile just before bed and all of his transgressions for the day were forgiven. Oh, this isn't going to be easy.
skot
Today was a cranky day. I have no idea what the problem was; he'd eat, sleep, poop, and get changed but still was not happy about life. He remained grumpy for most of the day, seemingly whining constantly. Unfortunately, though, he's discovered the trick to getting what he wants. After all of that moaning, he managed to pull out one grand smile just before bed and all of his transgressions for the day were forgiven. Oh, this isn't going to be easy.
skot
Friday, December 17, 2004
Thursday, December 16, 2004
Food, glorious food.
As you can probably tell, we started Drew on food yesterday. Real food is way cooler than cereal. When we broke out the bowl and spoon, he seems irritated that we were going to try this again. He started to squirm so I placed a little of the sweet potatoes on his lip. When he licked his lip mid-whine, he realized that this wasn't the cereal and that it was pretty darn good. After that little taste he has become a monster sweet potato eater. We can't get it into his mouth fast enough. This part is going really well. I hope he likes the next vegetable as well. Carrots, peaches, pears, or green beans?
skot
skot
Wednesday, December 15, 2004
Tuesday, December 14, 2004
Monday, December 13, 2004
Laidback doctors and uptight nurses
Well, we had the doctors appointment on Friday. Boy is it rough to take a happy playful baby and have someone jab a needle into his leg, three different times no less. The doctor seemed really happy with Drew's development. He even commented that his eyes focus really well. Of course, that was after I got read the riot act by the nurse. Now, I've been less than impressed with her since day one, but this time she went over the top. It seems that Drew is going to follow in his daddy's footsteps and be a slow grower. He's only up to 9lbs, 8ozs. He does seem to be tall though at 24.5in. Of course since the nurse hasn't been able to read the scale in the past - she's over reported by a pound on each previous visit, now she thinks he's lost weight. Well, since she breastfeed her last baby and kept it in bed with her, of course that's the only way to do it. (She claimed that her baby would latch on and feed all night. Next time she comes at me with that crap, I'm going to ask when its gastric bypass is scheduled.) She was furious that he was sleeping all night. Apparently, although its normal for babies to sleep through the night at this age, I shouldn't be letting him do it. I should wake him up every four hours to feed him. Anyone, that's been around this baby can tell you that he'll only eat when he's hungry and when he's sleeping that's what he wants to do. grrrrr!!
After I brought Drew's supposed lack of weight gain up to the doctor, he suggested we bring him back in to check his weight in a few weeks. We'll see if solids make a difference or if he's just going to be small.
Small or not he's still obsessed with sitting. He's got the stomach muscles for it, but not the back yet. Any day now.
liz
After I brought Drew's supposed lack of weight gain up to the doctor, he suggested we bring him back in to check his weight in a few weeks. We'll see if solids make a difference or if he's just going to be small.
Small or not he's still obsessed with sitting. He's got the stomach muscles for it, but not the back yet. Any day now.
liz
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Cereal!
Yesterday we decided to introduce Drew to cereal. Well, we didn't entirely decide on our own, he helped quite a bit. He hasn't had a bottle since the day before we left for VA. He had dinner on 11/17 from a bottle and has absolutely refused one since then. We've tried three different nipples, two different bottles, formula, breast milk, Riesling, bourbon (okay, those last two were for us, but we were at wits end). Who knows what's going on in that little head of his.
Yesterday's attempt at cereal was difficult at best. I don't know how well other children take to cereal, but Andrew did not care for it at all last night. I think he spat out more cereal than he ate. Now, we weren't exactly smart about how we did it, though. We tried a bottle first and he hated it. After a few attempts with the bottle, we decided to see if he liked cereal. We made the cereal with his formula and sat down to feed him. He was already worked up over the bottle to begin with and then we threw this completely different food source at him. Needless to say, he was shocked, confused, and kind of pissy about it.
We tried the cereal again today with much more success. We made it with breast milk and gave it much more consistency. I don't know if he like the cereal more or if he just wanted to chew on the spoon, but he ate about four or five spoons of it regardless. We'll try again tomorrow and then it's on to fruits and veggies!
skot
Yesterday's attempt at cereal was difficult at best. I don't know how well other children take to cereal, but Andrew did not care for it at all last night. I think he spat out more cereal than he ate. Now, we weren't exactly smart about how we did it, though. We tried a bottle first and he hated it. After a few attempts with the bottle, we decided to see if he liked cereal. We made the cereal with his formula and sat down to feed him. He was already worked up over the bottle to begin with and then we threw this completely different food source at him. Needless to say, he was shocked, confused, and kind of pissy about it.
We tried the cereal again today with much more success. We made it with breast milk and gave it much more consistency. I don't know if he like the cereal more or if he just wanted to chew on the spoon, but he ate about four or five spoons of it regardless. We'll try again tomorrow and then it's on to fruits and veggies!
skot
Saturday, December 11, 2004
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Landing
...and then we landed. Drew slept through the whole landing ordeal and uttered nary a peep. We took the shuttle over to the car rental shack and he slept through that bus ride. Only when we got to the rental place did he start to get fussy. We figured he was hungry again.
I rented the car and Liz fed him in the passenger seat. Now we were ready to finish the trip in a slightly more comfortable manner. Oh, but that was not to be. Andrew decided much earlier than I did that he didn't like the new 2005 Pontiac Grand Am we rented (I reserved my judgment for a couple more days). He screamed like we had never heard him scream before from the airport to Manassas in rush hour traffic. For those of you who don't know what DC rush hour is like, think about trying to find a parking space at your local mall this weekend. Now imagine that experience on an interstate highway. The 20 mile trip took about 45 minutes but it seemed like hours. After we passed through old town Manassas, though, Drew passed out until we got to Liz's parents' house.
Aside from these two incidents, Andrew was wonderful on the trip. Even with these we can't complain about him. We asked a lot from him and he exceeded our wildest expectations. He has now been proclaimed a "traveler." He'd better get used to it, I feel like seafood for dinner!
skot
I rented the car and Liz fed him in the passenger seat. Now we were ready to finish the trip in a slightly more comfortable manner. Oh, but that was not to be. Andrew decided much earlier than I did that he didn't like the new 2005 Pontiac Grand Am we rented (I reserved my judgment for a couple more days). He screamed like we had never heard him scream before from the airport to Manassas in rush hour traffic. For those of you who don't know what DC rush hour is like, think about trying to find a parking space at your local mall this weekend. Now imagine that experience on an interstate highway. The 20 mile trip took about 45 minutes but it seemed like hours. After we passed through old town Manassas, though, Drew passed out until we got to Liz's parents' house.
Aside from these two incidents, Andrew was wonderful on the trip. Even with these we can't complain about him. We asked a lot from him and he exceeded our wildest expectations. He has now been proclaimed a "traveler." He'd better get used to it, I feel like seafood for dinner!
skot
Friday, December 10, 2004
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An amazing trip.
As Liz mentioned earlier, we learned quite a bit about our baby these last few weeks. We were concerned that he wouldn't take the travel well, but he exceeded our wildest expectations. On the way out, Andrew slept through the two hour drive to the airport and was calm through check-in, security (including removing him from the car seat), and the one hour wait for boarding.
While waiting to board, we thought we'd feed Andrew at the gate. On this day, though, he decided that bottles were for babies and since he's three and a half months old, he doesn't need to take one anymore. So it's been about three hours since he last ate and he doesn't want to eat. I thought that, with all the driving and moving he had done that morning, plus everything that was going on around us in the airport, he was probably anxious, excited, and distracted so we decided to wait until we got on the plane and try again. They let us board (no call for handicapped, those with small children, or those that need more time, though), we get into our seats, and Drew still didn't want the bottle. He started to get kind of fussy, so I stood with him while people were boarding (luckily we were in the back?) and calmed him down. We got into the air and the captain turned off the seat belt sign, so Liz decided to go ahead and nurse him since it had been almost five hours since he had last eaten. Obviously he was famished. He ate. And ate. And ate. And ate. Talk about one hungry baby.
After Liz fed him and burped him, he seemed to be happy and interested in everything going on, so we held and played with him for a little while. He flirted with the women around us and played with others; laughing and giggling all the while. He turned to Liz, flashed his winning smile, and promptly threw up all over her. We changed him and Liz cleaned up as best she could while I held Drew. He seemed much happier after that. Until he flashed his winning smile, and promptly threw up all over me. At least it wasn't as much as Liz got. Again, he was probably over-excited and super hungry and ate too quickly. Oh well, such is life. After that though, he slept through the rest of the flight.
Tomorrow, landing...
skot
While waiting to board, we thought we'd feed Andrew at the gate. On this day, though, he decided that bottles were for babies and since he's three and a half months old, he doesn't need to take one anymore. So it's been about three hours since he last ate and he doesn't want to eat. I thought that, with all the driving and moving he had done that morning, plus everything that was going on around us in the airport, he was probably anxious, excited, and distracted so we decided to wait until we got on the plane and try again. They let us board (no call for handicapped, those with small children, or those that need more time, though), we get into our seats, and Drew still didn't want the bottle. He started to get kind of fussy, so I stood with him while people were boarding (luckily we were in the back?) and calmed him down. We got into the air and the captain turned off the seat belt sign, so Liz decided to go ahead and nurse him since it had been almost five hours since he had last eaten. Obviously he was famished. He ate. And ate. And ate. And ate. Talk about one hungry baby.
After Liz fed him and burped him, he seemed to be happy and interested in everything going on, so we held and played with him for a little while. He flirted with the women around us and played with others; laughing and giggling all the while. He turned to Liz, flashed his winning smile, and promptly threw up all over her. We changed him and Liz cleaned up as best she could while I held Drew. He seemed much happier after that. Until he flashed his winning smile, and promptly threw up all over me. At least it wasn't as much as Liz got. Again, he was probably over-excited and super hungry and ate too quickly. Oh well, such is life. After that though, he slept through the rest of the flight.
Tomorrow, landing...
skot
Thursday, December 09, 2004
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Wednesday, December 08, 2004
There and back again
Well, the past two weeks have taught me a little about myself and alot about my son. Yes, as expected he handled the whole experience better than I did. He's even settling back into a normal routine with little difficulty, including sleeping through the night. The only hitch is that he thinks someone needs to hold or play with him at all times. (Maybe I just got used to not being the sole playmate, I'm not sure.) Of course, we haven't tried the dreaded bottle yet. I'm still not sure why he decided that he wouldn't take one during the trip, but we're going to give it a try again soon. After that, we move on to solid foods. Anyway, I'm sure skot will being signing in tonight, but I thought I'd add a few thoughts.
Andrew's 4 month checkup is scheduled for Friday, so I'll be sure to post the new stats then.
liz
Andrew's 4 month checkup is scheduled for Friday, so I'll be sure to post the new stats then.
liz
Tuesday, December 07, 2004
Oh, so tired.
What a busy two weeks (and change). I'm so tired tonight and we haven't even begun to umpack. I promise to post tomorrow. For tonight you'll have to deal with a photo from before the trip.
Sorry,
skot
Sorry,
skot
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