Who do you think I look like — my dad (left) — my mom (right) — or both? (You can click on the pictures to see larger versions.)
Archive for February, 2006
Who Do I Look Like?
Sunday, February 26th, 2006I Can Talk!
Saturday, February 25th, 2006
I can “coo” when I want to (although I admit you have to be pretty entertaining), and I might throw in a “gee” or an “eee” for good measure. My Mom caught me smiling and giggling in my sleep the other night, but usually I just grunt and snort.
Meeting ‘Cousins’ Seneca and Hudson
Friday, February 24th, 2006
Today Flora met her ‘cousins,’ Seneca and Hudson, for the first time. A new baby was old hat for Hudson, but Seneca was pretty intrigued. She even helped me change the baby by handing me the wipes and the burp cloth!
Devin’s Mom, Judy, is in town. Judy is a SuperGram — somehow she manages to cook, clean, do laundry, run errands, AND take care of Seneca and Hudson while Hanna heals her broken ankle! I tried to get Judy to come help me instead, but Hanna wasn’t having it.
Nana and Uncle Greg
Thursday, February 23rd, 2006
My Nana and Uncle Greg came for a short visit this week. Between the two of them, my Mommy hardly had to hold me at all! Nana sang me all kinds of silly stories and Uncle Greg gave me lots of kisses through all his whiskers!
I took them for a walk through Melrose Center and we stopped for lunch at the Blues Diner. I timed my poop so that as we were just about to leave, my Mom had to strip me down to nothing and change my diaper AND my onsie in the restroom. After that, I took them to Turner’s Fish Market where we bought a seafood feast to cook for dinner.
My New Tricks!
Wednesday, February 22nd, 2006
I can bat things away from my face with my hands, so when Mommy tries to clean me, or put a binky in my mouth, she doesn’t have a chance. I can also push things back towards my face, so if I drop my binky and it lands just right, I can pop it back in. I can also grab onto things with a king fu grip … like my Mom’s hair, her shirt, etc. … My Nana Swan swears I am starting to coo and chortle. Sometimes when you talk to me, I kick my arms and legs out in excitement. Of course, I also do this when I’m mad. And I can stand up, with help, for a few seconds before my legs give out.
All I Need
Tuesday, February 21st, 2006
“I don’t need anything except this blankie and that’s it and that’s the only thing I need, is this blankie. Just this blankie. And this bib, the blankie and the bib and that’s all I need. And this binky. The blankie, the bib, and the binky, and that’s all I need. And this hat. The blankie, and the hat, and the binky, and the bib. I don’t need one other thing, not one. The bib, and the blankie, and the binky, and the hat, for sure. And that’s all I need.”
(from The Jerk)
First [Play] Date!
Tuesday, February 21st, 2006
Today Flora and Asa had their first [play] date. As you can see by their expressions, Flora played disinterested as Asa was scared to commit — we’ll see if her ploy works.
Asa gave Flora some special binkies — the kind they give out at MGH. Now she can have one upstairs, one downstairs, one in the diaper bag, and a couple backups. Thanks, Asa!
Elvis Impersonation
Friday, February 17th, 2006
Bean did her best Elvis impersonation when she got out of the bath tub last night. We gave her a real nice ducktail hairstyle and she made the face all on her own.
If you look through the flickr photos, you can see how long Flora’s hair is in the back — pretty soon we’ll be able to put it in pigtails! Until then, we’ll have to work with the baby mullet.
Extreme Closeup
Thursday, February 16th, 2006
Hey, Mom & Dad — all these extreme closeups make my nose look big! And in this shot I look like a frog — I sure hope I don’t catch any flies on my tongue.
My neighbor across the street, Joan Cassidy, stopped by today for a visit and brought a present made especially for me. She knitted a beautiful hat and matching sweater, as well as a blankie, too! Joan does historic restoration for the Museum of Fine Arts, and knits patterns to be photographed for books — needless to say, every stitch was perfect! Thanks, Joan!
90th Percentile
Wednesday, February 15th, 2006
Today Flora had her one-month checkup with Doctor Gebhardt. In just a little over two weeks she has gained nearly one and a half pounds and weighed in at a whopping 9 pounds 4 ounces! Dr. G said this is an exceptional weight gain for a nursing baby. Bean also grew nearly 2 inches and now stretches to 22 inches long. This puts her in the 90th percentile for height (but only 50th percentile for both weight and head diameter).
Everything else looked great, too, and Dr. G said Flora had a stellar checkup. She was amazed at how calm and alert Flora was and that she has been responsive smiling for a week now — and she again remarked at what a good and beautiful baby Flora is (said she looked like an Anne Geddes baby) — this kid is going to have one large ego! But we’ll see how good Flora is next month when she has to get three (!) shots!
One Month Old & Happy Valentine’s Day
Tuesday, February 14th, 2006
Not only is it Valentine’s Day (Won’t you be mine?), but today I am turning one month old. I’m still Captain Cranky Pants when the need arises, but I do smile a lot more throughout the day, especially when people talk to me or make silly faces and sounds. One sound I particularly like is the “ooooo” sound.
I can hold my head up like a champ, and can even hold a toy in my hand for a few seconds before letting go. I love my swing, where I take in my morning naps, and my binky when I just need to relax. I can recognize my Mom’s voice and it’s easy for me to find her now. And I’m sleeping better at night (sometimes) and not so much during the day.
Yesterday my pals Dobbin and Kate visited with their Mom Gina, and they brought me a warm blankie with orange and purple flowers and some cute hand-me-downs — thanks, guys!
My Valentine’s Day bib was a gift from my neighbors, Jenni and Joe — I’m so lucky to have such nice neighbors! Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone, and thanks for all the sweet little cards!
My First Nor’easter!
Sunday, February 12th, 2006
Mom and Dad bundled me in my bear bunting just long enough to snap a few photos of me outside in my first Nor’easter. I much prefer to stay inside where it’s warm and dry!
Uncle Craig Taylor came for a visit this weekend. He brought me a soft, stuffed lamb as big as me — thanks, Uncle Craig!
Bye, Gram Kaye
Saturday, February 11th, 2006
After two weeks of being held non-stop and spoiled silly, my Gram Kaye had to go back to Kansas City, Missouri. She left one day early to get a leg up on the storm.
My Mom wonders how she’ll ever get to take a shower now.
What a Mess
Friday, February 10th, 2006If I designed baby clothes, everything that went on the top would be light in color (to hide the spit up) and everything that went on the bottom would be dark in color (to hide the poop)! It’s a good thing that Flora has so many outfits … she goes through two or three per day!
P.S. Given the nature of this post, I’ll forgo any pictures.
Big Smile
Thursday, February 9th, 2006
I am the happiest baby in the mornings (just don’t ask my parents about the evenings). My Mommy makes me smile just by talking to me. This morning she was telling me all about how big I was growing. As you can see, my cheeks are getting quite round, my chins are multiplying, and the egg on my head has disappeared!
Big Cookie
Thursday, February 9th, 2006
Yesterday Gram Kaye and I took “The Bean” to The Gingerbread Construction Company in Wakefield, where they make muffins and gingerbread cookies the size of your head … in this case, gingerbread cookies the size of Flora! Believe it or not, this was the “small” size … there were even bigger ones for sale!
The Family Unit
Tuesday, February 7th, 2006
“That there’s the kitchen area, where Ma and Pa chow down.
This here’s the TV. Two hours a day maximum, either educational or football, so as you don’t ruin your appreciation of the finer things.
And this here’s the divan, for socialisin’ and relaxin’ with the family unit.
Yes, sir. Many’s the day we sat there and we said ‘Wouldn’t it be nice to have a youngster to share our thoughts and feelings?’ “
(from Raising Arizona)
“Captain Cranky Pants”
Monday, February 6th, 2006
This is Flora’s new winter hat handmade by Robin (thanks, Robin!), although Flora’s expression is more drunk and homeless than fashionista.
After last night, we might need to change Flora’s nickname to “Captain Cranky Pants.” Everyone send good thoughts our way that we won’t have a repeat performance tonight … or tomorrow night … or the next …
My First Tub Bath (or My First Gang Signs)!
Sunday, February 5th, 2006
This morning Mom and Dad gave me my first tub bath. At first I was unsure about the whole thing, but I quickly realized it was nice and warm and quite enjoyed the experience! See how my hair gets all curly when it’s wet?
Yesterday Brian, Eric, and Eric’s Mom, Doris, came by for a visit. Doris has 13 children of her own, so she knew just how to hold and feed me! Soon after, Frankie and Margaret came by for a visit, and Frankie was a natural at giving me my second bottle in less than two hours (hey, all those visits made me hungry!).
Cracking a Smile
Friday, February 3rd, 2006
Between my fits of hunger and nap protests, I manage to crack a smile now and again. Hey, it’s not easy being a newborn! Here I am playing on my Gymini Mat (another great hand-me-down from The Nerneys) … my favorite toy is the red “flower” that plays music, and a close second is the black, white, and red “mushroom” with mirror.
Introducing Flora’s Boyfriend …
Thursday, February 2nd, 2006
Announcing the arrival of Asa Ostrow, born today at 5AM, and logging in at a whopping 9 pounds and 21.5″ long! Since it is Groundhog Day, I’m wondering if Asa saw his shadow when he emerged from his lair, and if so, what that means. Hmmm. In any event, baby Asa, Julia, and Ethan are all doing well.
Me & Flora
Thursday, February 2nd, 2006
Today Flora and I, with the help of Grandma Kaye, went to the hair salon down the street where I got a much needed haircut. When we got back, I introduced Flora to her Baby Einstein Language DVD … she seemed to like the sounds and music even if she couldn’t see the images just yet. She’ll be speaking Mandarin in no time!
First Trip into Boston!
Wednesday, February 1st, 2006
Babies as young as Flora can imitate facial expressions, so I stuck my tongue out at her this morning, and she smiled back at me! When I did it again later in the day, she stuck her tongue out. And when I made the raspberry sound, she opened her eyes real big! I can’t believe how soon they become interactive.
Flora, Grandma Kaye, and I went to The Atlantic offices in the North End of Boston for a brown bag lunch reunion. Lots of alum showed up, and it was great to see everyone again. Flora wore her special sweater, a gift hand-knitted by Atlantic alum Martha Spaulding. Afterwards, Flora, Grandma Kaye, and I went to Pizzeria Regina (a Boston institution) for a Vegetable Primavera Pie.
I Found My Finger … MMMM
Wednesday, February 1st, 2006