I can see why Violet Beauregarde couldn’t wait to get to the Bluebery Pie portion of Willy Wonka’s experimental gum — blueberries are delicious (albeit messy)!
Archive for July, 2006
Violet, You’re Turning Violet
Monday, July 31st, 2006Peek-A-Boo — We’ve Got Video
Saturday, July 29th, 2006
For those of you used to seeing Flora in still shots only — get ready, because we’ve got video. In addition to her hundreds of photos, there are hours and hours of video. It’s a rare moment when we can find the time to upload a clip, but that moment has arrived. I present to you Flora doing peek-a-boo and raspberries captured just last night by her mother.
First Boo Boo
Saturday, July 29th, 2006And I can’t even blame Marty. Flora has had plenty of spills with Dad, and I just chastised him the other day, so figures that her first real boo boo was incurred on my watch. Bean tumbled over trying to reach for a toy (she can go from sitting to face plant in 0.3 seconds) and hit her cheek on the leg of the office chair, where I was sitting right next to her. All the strategically-placed blankets and pillows couldn’t save her. Poor Bean now has a little, round bruise on her right cheek, but I figure if I put a bit of matching rouge on the other side, she’ll just look sun-kissed.
Swinging With My Friends
Thursday, July 27th, 2006
Today we met some of my friends (and their Moms) at a playground in Stoneham where we took turns swinging — there were lots of bigger kids to give us gentle pushes and keep us moving.
Banana Face
Thursday, July 27th, 2006
With the thumbs up from the Pediatrician to start some finger foods, we gave Flora a banana in a netted feeder to start her repertoire. The entire banana was devoured with ferociousness (I should note that this was *dessert* — she had already eaten oatmeal cereal, zucchini, and pear!).
Six Month Stats
Wednesday, July 26th, 2006
Today was my sixth month checkup, complete with shots, at the pediatrician’s office. Dr. G was on rounds, so I met with a different doctor — Dr. Barron. I sat on the table in my diaper and played with my toys, patiently awaiting my exam. When Dr. Barron walked into the room, she said, “Hi Flora … You certainly don’t look or act your age!”
She didn’t even have to ask Mom and Dad any questions about my development — I showed her all my milestones right away by sitting up unaided endlessly, grabbing and grasping and manipulating toys, babbling and waving my arms, being alert and engaging … and my thigh rolls spoke volumes for how well I’ve been eating. Speaking of that, over the past two months, I gained nearly 3 pounds and grew 2 inches, ranking me in the 90th percentile again — I now weigh 18 pounds 2 ounces and measure 27.25 inches long! Dr. Barron predicted that I would be crawling before nine months old — watch out Mom and Dad!
I can also roll over from my tummy to my back in *both* directions now, and roll from my back to my side — I’m very close to making it all the way over to my tummy, where I am working on some scooching; I can shake my head no (though I don’t mean no, unless Mom is trying to clean my face); I try to click my tongue but mostly I just pop my mouth up and down; I can make the fffff, pffff, and sssss sounds; I can imitate sounds (when Mom and Dad say hi I say heh and when they say MMMMM I say mmm); I use my legs to reach things my arms can’t; I sleep on my side; I try to feed myself with a spoon (even big ones — see picture); I make waving motions with my fingers; I can play peek-a-boo; I dance (kick my legs, flap my arms, and bounce) when I hear a familar song (favorites are anything by Raffi, Frere Jacques, and Froggy Went A Courtin’); I can tilt my head or lean to peer around a corner or just to get a better look; I make an asthmatic EEEE sound often followed by a resounding HEE HEE when I’m happy; and I simply get giddy and giggly when I see my cat, Sepia.
Vote for Flora’s Dolly
Tuesday, July 25th, 2006Since Flora has taken a liking to my talking Pee Wee Herman Doll (I know you are but what am I?), I decided I would buy her a dolly of her own. Cast your vote by posting a comment to this entry: Corolle Tidoo Elf or Corolle Tidoo Striped or Corolle Doucette Cherry or Lei Lei Girls Momo.
Surprise Birthday Party Balloons
Sunday, July 23rd, 2006
Today Mom, Dad, and I went to Orzo Trattoria in Saugus for a surprise birthday party — my Honorary Great Grandma Maria is turning 95 in September! Her family told her it was a little party for her great-grandson, and boy was she surprised when she saw nearly 100 people there for her instead! It was a wonderful party complete with out of town guests, delicious Italian fare, the biggest birthday cake I ever saw, and my favorite part — balloons! You can see by my devilish grin just how much fun I had.
Morning Newspaper
Sunday, July 23rd, 2006
After breakfast, Flora finds out what’s going on in Melrose from the local newspaper. Did you know that the Shaw’s on Main Street is closing for remodeling? And that the Lloyd Memorial Pool on Tremont Street is open for the summer? What about Memorial Hall’s upcoming Art Show? Or that Stearn’s and Hill Bistro is also closing for renovations due to a malfunctioning sprinkler system? No? Flora does.
First Meat!
Saturday, July 22nd, 2006
Flora dined on frog legs while enjoying a bubble bath yesterday evening — very aristocratic! The only thing remiss was the white tablecloth, lit candle, and glass of champagne.
In truth, frog legs are good for both noshing and sucking — apparently they help with teething troubles and have the subtle undertone of soapy, bath water. Delicious!
Playground Stop
Wednesday, July 19th, 2006
While out walking around Melrose Highlands, Flora and I stopped at a neighborhood playground where she rode a rocking horse, slid down a slide, and sat in a jungle gym. Boy, it’s hard to spot a wobbly baby *and* take her picture at the same time — but I managed to snap a few!
These Days
Monday, July 17th, 2006These days, raspberries are back by popular demand and are much more resounding (more like a horsey sound). My laugh is usually expressed by a long, loud shriek of delight but sometimes a loud Ha Ha or a Hee Hee. When I am pleased I make a series of heh, heh, heh sounds. I very much like my cat, Sepia. I also like listening to Ray Charles. I take a long, morning nap — today was a record four hours (but don’t get used to it, Mom)! I like carrots even better than sweet potatoes. No signs of teeth just yet and as I hate tummy time, no progress on the creeping/crawling front — although I did get up pretty well on my hands and knees the other day in protest of tummy time. Sitting up and rolling over are old hat for me — I’m busy working on my verbal skills right now.
Little, Green Wagon
Monday, July 17th, 2006
Bumpin’ up and down in my little, green wagon … Bumpin’ up and down in my little, green wagon …. Bumpin’ up and down in my little, green wagon … won’t you be my darlin’?
This weekend Mom and Dad took me to *two* BBQs — a State Street birthday BBQ at Chris and Claudia’s house for their now two-year old Andrew (complete with Thomas the Tank Engine gift bags, a pinata, and a big chocolate cake) and a Colby alum BBQ at Ben and Shirley’s house (they promised, and delivered, corn and burgers of the kick-a** variety).
Ben (a frequent commenter on my blog) and Shirley are the owners of three-year old Nate and one-year old twins Maddy and Riley — who shared all their outdoor toys including this little, green wagon. After Dad took me for a spin on the lawn I posed for some photos.
A Very Merry Half-Birthday To Me!
Friday, July 14th, 2006
A very merry half-birthday to me! To who? To me! Today is my half-birthday (I’m six months old!) and although the March Hare and the Mad Hatter really sing “unbirthday,” Mom and Dad have been serenading me with “half-birthday” instead. In the meantime, Mom is experimenting with hair styles.
Honorary Great Grandma
Thursday, July 13th, 2006
Flora finally got to meet our former landlord and friend, Maria Cangiamila — now Flora’s honorary Great Grandmother! She also got to meet Maria’s daughter and son-in-law, Rita and Raphael Martinez.
Maria sang Flora songs in Italian (she’s from Sicily), Rita held Flora on her lap (Flora was very interested in her hoop earrings), and Rapahel showed Flora the backyard through the kitchen window (complete with a grape arbor, a gazebo, and lots and lots of flowers, plants, and trees). And of course they spoiled Flora with some sweet, little outfits.
Maria kept Marty and I well-fed with meatballs, fried zucchini, eggs and peppers, and lots of other Italian fare when we lived there. She is turning 95 (!) in September and we wish her a very, happy birthday … and many more!
Take Me To Your Leader
Monday, July 10th, 2006
Amy and I couldn’t decide whether Flora looks like one of the blokes from A Clockwork Orange, a Munchkin representing the Lollipop Guild, or Riff Raff from the Rocky Horror Picture Show. Help us decide. Cast your vote by posting a comment or tell us who she really looks like — a Dr. Seuss character, maybe?
Pebbles Flintstone
Saturday, July 8th, 2006
Today Flora rocked the “Pebbles Flintstone.” Yabbadabbadoo!
Breakheart Reservation
Friday, July 7th, 2006
Today Flora and I joined her potentially-new boyfriend James and his Mom Noreen on a walk through Breakheart Reservation in Saugus. While we waited for them to arrive, Flora sat in a grassy knoll and studied the peculiar texture underfoot. Along the walk we discovered a swimming pond complete with a sandy beach and a playground for when Flora gets a little bigger. Noreen and I got quite a workout pushing the strollers along the hilly, paved trails while Flora napped and James sucked on an apple.
Check Out My Sweet Ride
Thursday, July 6th, 2006
Yah, I can drive … so what? I can also sit up pretty well on my own; clap two toys together to make noise; mix up my sounds and say things like “blah, doo, blee;” differentiate between things like cell phones/remotes and my toys; smack my lips and make kissy sounds; put all my fingers in my mouth at one time but I’m partial to my thumb; roll from my back to my side; clap my hands on my thighs; laugh when tickled; stick my arms out to be picked up; and last night Mom and Dad let me work things out on my own when I woke up during the night — and I made it all the way til 7:30AM this morning to eat!
Happy 4TH of July
Tuesday, July 4th, 2006
I wanted to wish everyone a Happy 4TH of July while my Mom and Dad deliberate on the almost 300 photos we took on our recent trip to Kansas City/Milwaukee. I didn’t stay awake to see the fireworks, but since they are legal in Missouri, Dad bought a bunch during our trip and set them off in Grandpa’s driveway. Mom let me hold some sparklers, but not when they were lit.
Be sure to scroll below for the Kansas City/Milwaukee trip entries since they will be in chronological order.
Wisconsin Wedding
Sunday, July 2nd, 2006
Flora had the most fun cutting a rug at Frankie and Margaret’s wedding in Wisconsin. She bounced to the latest hits as well as some classics, including Sir Mix-A-Lot’s “Baby Got Back.” Even though this baby’s got a flat hiney, she shook it with the rest of them! Flora got to meet lots of new fans during her appearance at the reception. All that partying caused quite the hangover — she passed out on our bed for a couple of hours the next morning. Congratulations to Frankie and Margaret — we wish you all the best!
Visiting Everyone Else
Sunday, July 2nd, 2006Mom and Dad carted me all over Kansas City to visit with friends and family. I got to meet Dad’s grade school friend Chris Distasio; his high school friends Marc and Alicia McConathy and their son Quinn and Jill Grotzinger and her daughter Elliot; his college friend Jon Dilley and his girlfriend Julie; Papa Bill Murray and his clan: Jennifer, Chris, and Nicholas; cousin Christie; Craig Taylor’s family: Susan and Earl Shoemaker and their grandaughter Brianna; and one of my biggest fans at Grandpa’s office, Hanna Garretson. It’s no wonder I’ve been catching up on my sleep since being back home in Melrose!
Kiddie Pool
Sunday, July 2nd, 2006
Flora concentrates on staying afloat while the bigger kids thrash about in the deep end — a whole 24 inches on that side! Bean stayed in the shallows with her Dad and practiced splashing and kicking. It was just under 100 degrees and hot in the summer sun, so us pale Yankees only withstood about 20 minutes in the kiddie pool.
Visiting The Hergerts
Saturday, July 1st, 2006
We packed up the Lexus SUV with all my gear and some bring-along BBQ and headed down to Nevada, Missouri to visit the Hergert side of the family. It was the first time I met my Great Grandma Eleanor who’s been following my progress along on the Blog. I got in just under the gun as the first great grandbaby on that side — little Kloey was born about a month ago. I also got to meet Great Uncles Phil and Mark; Great Aunt Gaye; Great, Great Uncle Sunny and his wife; and cousins Keenan, Whitney, Brandon, and Kloey.