Some fun videos

It seems that almost every day brings us an exciting (and often funny) new experience.  I have been trying to capture a few of these with my point-and-shoot camera.  The quality might not be great, but I'll treasure them anyway.

First up.  David's first experimentation with the "spit flubber".  Since he really hasn't been doing this lately (and this was recorded just a little over a week ago), this video is a treasure.



Next, for your viewing pleasure, is a clip of Cory reading to David.  It was so cute, I had to share.  Do all babies get this excited about a book?



Finally.  Cory taped it while waiting for me to get home from work the other day.  He asked me to mute his narration, but I ignored him since the effect just wouldn't be the same.



I'm not sure if other people find these as riveting as I do, but I have a hunch...

What's new this week

Let's see.... since I'm unable to organize my thoughts this morning due to sleep deprivation, I will just ramble on a bit about this week's happenings.

First of all, to explain the sleep deprivation, David decided to wake up at 2:30ish and 5:30ish every night this week, except for one. And last night he decided to add 12:15ish to the mix. An almost-six-month-old that "sleeps" like a newborn. At six weeks he slept so much better than this. He seems to be regressing, hope this is just a phase... If not, we'll still keep him 'cause he is just so darn cute. Not just cute, but charming, too. After spending a lovely morning with him, I have already forgiven him for last night.

New foods this week: green beans and carrots. I don't have a pic of the carrot experience, but these pics pretty much sum up his true feelings about green beans.

Don't think these will be a fast favorite. We'll keep trying, though.

Went to the State Fair on Wednesday. David enjoyed the sights and sounds of the barns and the midway. Cory enjoyed being a proud papa with his little papoose. I enjoyed an elephant ear, a pork chop, grilled 'taters, and a rib-eye sandwich (shared with Cory of course). We all waited in line to see things like a giant cheese sculpture (oooh, ahhh). Only at the fair! It was a fun day, so exciting to watch David see things for the first time. He might not remember all this, but I sure will.

Speaking of the fair, I met a lot of my soul sisters in the Dairy Barn. I also decided I need to invent one of these for humans. Hands free, fully automatic. Looks tremendously efficient. Wish I could manage this type of production.

Yesterday, we took David up to visit with friends in Cicero. It was great to see how sociable and adaptable our little guy is. He was a little wary at first, but quickly warmed up to everyone and shared lots of smiles and laughs. What a good-natured fellow.

I saved the best of the week's developments for last. Out of the blue on Monday morning, David started blowing raspberries (or "spit flubbers", as Grammy Patt has so aptly dubbed them). And blowing them with gusto. He pretty much hasn't stopped. So funny. He really puts his whole heart and soul into the process. Haaaaaahh-ppffuuuuooooo!

Happy Sunday to everyone!

What a weekend...

We're recovering this morning from what was a fabulous weekend.

A spontaneous visit from the Murdock clan started it off right on Saturday morning. We collectively ate an entire pan of lemon chicken from the Rice Cooker and did lots and lots of visiting and catching up. Got some great pics, especially this one.

Almost can't believe how big these four are getting to be! David's cousins enjoyed him immensely, and the rest of us sure had a ball watching them get better acquianted. Good times.

Cory, David and I headed out Saturday evening to Babies-R-Us to get a highchair, a much-anticipated and momentous occasion. Up until now, we had been using the Bumbo seat on top of the dining room table for feeding, not exactly teaching proper table manners and habits. Since we'll be adding new foods in the coming weeks, we decided we should have the right equipment. He's eating oatmeal and rice cereal now. Green beans coming soon! Mmmmm, good.

He loved the highchair. All the world's a stage when you're five months old, right?

On a selfish note, I spent some time crafting yesterday. Yes, crafting. Playing with paints, paper, and printing out some pictures that might actually become scrapbook pages one day. I even read a new book I'd been looking forward to, and it's not about childcare or breastfeeding or the like. When they tell you everything changes when you have a baby, they aren't kidding. But I wouldn't have it any other way.

Here's to many more weekends just like this ones...

These days...

The neglect of my blog really needs no mention, since the amount of time elapsed since the last post is glaringly apparent. Try as I might, I would never manage to sum up the events of the past month or so in one post. Since they say a picture is worth a thousand words, I'll let the one below really describe how David is doing these days....

I'll still try to mention some highlights from the past month or so. Although I'm sure everyone's already heard these details, I'll list them here for posterity anyway.

• His last well-child doctor visit was July 19th, and he weighed in at 15 lbs 8 oz and 26 1/4 inches. Growing like a weed!


• He first rolled over (from front to back) on June 23rd. It appeared to be quite by accident at first. Since then he's gradually graduated from purposeful front-to-back rolling to maddening attempts to roll back-to-front. Today, he finally was able to do the latter multiple times and in an effortless manner. Pretty soon he'll be rolling across the room, and I'm sure I'll long for these sedentary days.


• He loves to stand up (see above). Supported of course, but you can feel his urge to strut around. Patience, my dear. Things are moving along quite fast enough for me...


• His first rice cereal was July 28th. Solids, yay! He was a little fussy and tired, but still managed to handle it well, although he ended the experience with some serious tears (see my Picasa web album, I captured both the good and the bad, like a responsible photo journalist should). The next night, he chowed down like a pro. Now, he looks at Cory and me longingly when we are eating, like he's waiting for his goodies. We shopped for high chairs today at Babies-R-Us. No turning back now.


• He can't keep anything out of his mouth. Every toy, every book, his hands, his feet, my hands... the list goes on forever of what he tries to jam in there and gnaw on. Even his burp cloths go in there, yuck! No sign of any teeth yet, though.


• He loves his Exersaucer and his Bumbo seat. What did Moms do before these wonderful inventions?


• He still sleeps swaddled every night, just like a newborn. I've tried to break him of this, but he just prefers to be in his little straight jacket. Tonight, I put him down in a sleeper since he has flipped over like a pancake a few times in his swaddle (scares me, even though he screams until I come flip him back over again). He's asleep now, but we'll see. We'll probably have a long night. Should I start yawning now in preparation for a bleary-eyed day at work tomorrow?

My adorable little baby is developing the most incredible, sweet, enthusiastic, good-natured personality. I truly can't wait to see what he will do next. These are the days...

Until next time...

A special day...

I woke up this morning and remembered, out of nowhere, that July 3rd was a very special day. One year ago today, I got the best news of my life:

Because David is now so ingrained in my daily life, thoughts, and emotions, I cannot even remember what I imagined he would be like when I first saw those two lines. All I know now is that I can't imagine life without him.

Happy Saturday to all, and Happy Anniversary, David! :)

Happy First Father's Day, Cory!

In honor of your first Father's Day, I thought I'd list ten of the many reasons you are such a great Daddy. David may not be able to tell you these things himself yet, so it's up to me to make sure you know how wonderful you are at this new job of yours.

1. I have yet to pick-up David after work, no matter how often I insist on doing so in order to give you a break. You just can't wait to see him at the end of the day. You choose to be with your son rather than enjoy some alone time after work like many other men might. But then again, you are not the average guy...


2. You are not ashamed to show him your affection.


3. On the rare occasion that he cries and you can't soothe him, you seem to be pretty close to tears yourself. And not because you're tired of the noise, but because you can't stand to see him so unhappy.


4. You are unfazed by outings that I would find harrowing. I know how much of a pain it is to transport him in the cramped backseat of your truck, but you never let that stop you from showing him the world.


5. You been known to call him "punkin seed". 'Nuff said.


6. You love dressing him, even though 80% of the time it is in Cubs attire. And he always looks adorable.


7. Although you've always been one of the hardest working people I know, I've never seen you work harder than you have since he arrived on the scene. You are bound and determined to provide him with everything he needs.


8. You are the only one that can get him to belly laugh.
9. You checked your squeamishness at the operating room door the day he was born. Not only did you unabashedly peer over the sterile screen to see him emerge, you took dozens of photos, too. We have joked that it was to provide me with scrapbook fodder. I know it was because you didn't want to miss a minute of that incredible day.
10. You so obviously love him with all of your heart.
    

So there you have it. The list could just go on and on. Thank you for all that you do, Cory. I feel so lucky to have you as the father of our son. Have a happy and relaxing Father's Day!!

And to all of the other wonderful fathers and grandfathers in our lives, happy Father's Day to you, too!!

Another milestone for our David

While I was working on Tuesday, so was David.

With a little help from Grandma Murdock, he was perfecting his skills of reaching for an object with both hands. We were so amazed, we had to capture it on video, albeit of very poor quality (sorry). And, please excuse my highly annoying narration. You might want to hit mute. Consider yourself warned. Without further ado...



Goodbye, hoop earrings. With his expert grasp, I'm sure your days in my ears are numbered.