Happy Pumpkin Day

How exactly is a pumpkin related to a pump, anyway?

Baby passport photos

Look, I'm the Brady Bunch!

Mom and Dad thought it would be hard to take a photo of me that meets all the requirements for a U.S. passport. I didn't want to disappoint them.

They started out laying me down ("nothing used to support the baby can appear") on a white sheet ("plain white or off-white background") in the front yard on an overcast day ("avoid shadows on face; avoid shadows in background"). Even cloudy, the sky was too bright for me to look up at ("eyes should be open"), though, so that was doomed.

Next they tried having Dad hold me on the sheet in his lap, but the wrinkles made too many shadows.

Finally they leaned a piece of white foamcore board against a table and propped me up against that. I'm just good enough at sitting on my own that they could snap a few pictures before I toppled. I knew they wanted a challenge, though, so I concentrated on watching the neighbors, the trees, my toes, and anything else other than Mom, Dad, or the camera ("head should be positioned directly facing the camera"). When I couldn't look away, I laughed or drooled, and when all else failed, I got cranky and scowled ("have a natural expression").

After a few dozen tries, they gave up and brought me inside for a nap.

As it turned out, they did manage to take one picture that seems to fit the bill. In the collage above, it's the second from the right on the bottom. Stay tuned for a report on whether it's accepted.

Baby's First Vegetable

What's starchy, sweet, orange all over and totally yummy? Me! If you guessed sweet potatoes, you get honorable mention. The chair I'm sitting in is also a good guess.

This photo is from the sweet potato puree appetizer, which was followed by an entree of sweet potato potage. By the time we got to the mashed sweet potato dessert it wasn't safe for cameras.

Hit Me With Your Best Shot

As if I didn't have enough to deal with with the 37 six-month injections plus one oral vaccine, I also get 4 flu shots this year (two each for seasonal and H1N1). I'm spreading them out over several weeks so I don't have to get more than one injection at a time per limb. Two down, 39 to go.

Six-Month Checkup

At my 6-month pediatrician visit, I tipped the scales at 12 lb 10.5 oz and measured 25.5 inches long. This puts me in the 3rd percentile for weight and the 42nd for length. Adjusting for my having been born three weeks early, I'm in the 7th percentile for weight and the 62nd for length. If Dad's Sparky, I'm aiming for Spiky.

Doc says I should start eating solids twice a day, and keep taking Zantac and Prilosec since they seem to be working well. She said something about me weaning myself off of them simply by continuing to grow. I didn't have the heart to tell her I haven't had to choke any medicine down for weeks now. Mom and Dad just nodded.

Pat This, Judy

I don't care what Judy can do. I do not want to pat the bunny!

Half a Year

So here I am, already halfway through my first year. Practically middle-aged. It's been an exciting six months, full of accomplishments and growth.

• I've gained 7 inches and 7 pounds
  
• I sit up briefly by myself
• I love to roll from side to side
  
• I smile, babble, laugh, and squeal (mostly at Rebecca's antics)
  
• I try to pull the pictures off the pages of books
• I sit in highchairs at restaurants
  
• I don't need a swaddle to sleep anymore
• I prefer my thumb to a pacifier
• I've slept as long as 7 hours in a row
• I've had visits with four different medical specialists
• I've had an MRI
• I've traveled cross-country
• I can pull my pacifier out of my mouth whenever I want
  
• I turn to look at noises
• I can hold my own bottle
• I sleep on my side
• I've worn eaten three different solid foods
• I reach for my food and toys when I want them
• I've had way too many vaccinations
• I've moved up 2 crib sizes, 3 diaper sizes, 4 clothing sizes, and 5 sock sizes
• I've written 164 blog posts
  

Sitting Pretty

I'm another step closer to world domination. It's so much effort to rule with an iron fist when all you can see is the ceiling. And it's tough to sit on the Supreme Court when you have trouble sitting on the bed.

Rice Redux

On second thought, this rice cereal might not be so awful after all.

Anya's Third

Happy third birthday, Cousin Anya!

Mom promised me this was a party hat, not a dunce cap. I guess the fish are a good indication, 'cause fish are brain food.

Speaking of food, Anya, don't save me a cupcake. I'm covered. (So are you, I notice.)

Two's Company

Rebecca likes to hang at my crib. In it, too. She comes to visit most nights. I'm happy to share storytime, but I wish she'd quit giving away the ending.

If you can't beat 'em, join 'em

Rebecca came to visit me at the Minimum Security Daycare Facility. The warden let me out on furlough, so I gave Rebecca a tour of the grounds before we took it on the lam. Too bad we couldn't reach the latch on the gate.

Rebecca keeps asking to come back and play again. I guess it's a pretty sweet gig, for a detention center.

The weather has a cold, too

It's gotten pretty chilly out, especially at night. The good news is, I get to wear my fuzzy pajamas! They really help me project that air of innocence I've found so useful.

Welcome to my crib

I think we used that joke before. Mom says if I'll sleep through the night, she'll write better jokes. Is that an excuse, or a threat?

Anyway, I've moved into larger accommodations. I can stretch out without bumping both ends! Not that I can understand why anyone would want to; I prefer to sleep wedged across the short way.

This crib doesn't play beach noises or heartbeats, but I'm trying to convince Dad to tune the bars so I can learn the xylophone.

A friend comes to visit

My father's sister's husband's mother came to visit. (If there's a name for that, I don't know it.) She brought me a kangaroo and joey, which coincidentally is what my dad wants us to dress up as for Halloween. I invited her out to Hobee's, where I sat in the high throne of command again.

Hand it to me, take 2

Mom and Dad are taking a class where everybody wiggles their fingers a lot. It looks like they're trying to cast magic spells. The teacher says babies can learn to talk with their hands months before they can speak. That's just silly. If Mom and Dad want to know what's on my mind, they should read this blog.

Rebecca hits the sauce

Rebecca and I are nearly sisters. We share just about everything. Like today, my lunch. She says my mom's food is pretty good, but still not as good as when her mom makes it. It's still a few more months before I can eat her lunch.

Sleeeeep saaaaacks

When you're above the 50th percentile in length and below the 10th in weight, you're going to have some trouble finding clothes that fit. I had to find a tailor to do a custom alteration, lengthening all my wearable blankets. Luckily Mom wasn't too far away.

I Hab Anodder Code

Since I've been visiting daycare so much the last two weeks, they gave me a prize to bring home: a cold! I shared it with Mom and Dad, because I'm just that generous.

Jailhouse Rock

Mom and Dad are gone, Warden Maria! Par-tay! I'll pretend I didn't hear them chortling as they sped away.

I showed them. I had fun, got nice and tired, and was all ready for a good cry when Mom picked me up.

Excitement Unbounded

I'm headed to the Minimum Security Daycare Facility for my first full day today. I can hardly contain my excitement.