Your First Flight

Today started out with a bang.  For the past few days you have been very very fussy when awake.  This morning you woke up crying and did not stop for what seemed like hours.  We called the doctor and were told that you were exhibiting signs of colic.  In order to rule out any illness we had to take your temperature.  When taking the temperature of a 6 week old one must put the thermometer in a not so pleasant spot.  After working up the courage to take your temperature you decided that would be a perfect time to poop!  Poop landed all over Mommy!  I think it really scared Daddy.  After that you actually had a great day and didn't cry anymore.  So I'm not sure if you are really colicky or just have some major gas.  

We spent the second half of the day preparing for your first big trip.  Tomorrow we will travel to California and a few days after that we will fly to Texas.  We are apprehensive yet hopeful about this trip.  The next week should be an adventure! 

Sound Asleep

Good night, little one. See you tomorrow.

Memorial Day 5K/Parade

What a day! Today, daddy ran a 5K and you were there cheering him on as he neared the finish line. 5K is European talk for 3.10685596 miles.  They call it a 5K because it looks better on t-shirts. Here's a picture of daddy nearing the end of the race. I'm blurry because I'm going so fast.

Afterwards, we cooled off at Regency Cafe where you had your first public diaper blowout. Fortunately the only non-family member who saw your diaper lose its structural integrity was another mother who gave us a knowing nod of the head and an encouraging, "Don't worry, we've had that happen many times." Moms always seem to have a way of comforting and reassuring other moms. Not surprisingly, your mother handled it like a champ, though her new capris now have a colorful and unintended design.

We hung out for the parade, the attendance of which rivaled that of an amateur badminton match. We thought all the drums and sirens would be scary but you really seemed to enjoy all the commotion. 

Though it was a small-town affair, it was nice seeing the paraders giving their all and watching our fellow townsfolk shouting and smiling with gratitude. We saw two marching bands, some classic cars and a group of men proudly representing the much-revered Buffalo Soldiers of the Civil War.

Here's a fire truck. You can't have a parade in this county without at least one fire truck. This one had two.

As the parade drew to an end, so did your patience for the rising sun and heat so we took a nice stroll back home for a much deserved nap. We all had a great time at your first parade. 

Love,

Dad

Good Morning!

We had such a fun morning. Mommy and daddy were making all kinds of
funnny faces and sounds to get you to smile. You really like it when
mommy smiles. You are now taking your morning nap. Hopefully you wake
up happy again.

Suffer For Fashion

Today we took a long trip away from home base to the outlet mall for
some new duds. Funny thing about the outlet mall - it's right smack
next to a nuclear reactor. Nothing could deter your mother from a good
deal so off we went. You had just enough patience for us to all get a
little something. As usual, you got lots of ohhs and ahhs from the
other shoppers.

However, now we''ll have to monitor you closely to make sure you don't
sprout a third arm. If you don't, we'll be back. Actually, we'd be
back either way. They had some great sales.

SHMILY

Dear Daddy,

SHMILY back!

Napping

Lily,

Today you took your first nap in your crib!  This is a big deal since most of your naps thus far are either on Mommy or after you fall asleep in your car seat.  Are you already becoming more independent?  

Love, 

Mom

Soooo Big

We've noticed the past few days that you have gotten so big. You're
officially out of your newborn clothes and are nicely filling in
attire intended for a three month old. Here you are in your favorite
onesie.

Update:One Month

Lily,

Today you are one month old!  You are growing so fast.  You are almost 10 pounds! We are starting to learn what you like and dislike.  Here are some things you like:

-Sleeping on Mommy or Daddy's chest (you are napping on Mommy right now)

-Sleeping with your hands perfectly placed under your chin

-Gripping fingers and toys with your hands

-Tracking faces and toys with your eyes

-Tummy time

-Music and nursery rhymes

-Baths

-And of corse eating

Here are some things that you don't like:

-Sleeping by yourself...anywhere

-Sitting in your Bobby chair or anywhere other than Mommy or Daddy's arms

You are generally a happy baby but for some reason you become fussy anytime someone comes over to visit.  As Aunt Heidi said, maybe you like us all to yourself.  You have recently begun to smile a little bit.  Daddy still thinks this is just gas but I know they are real smiles. 

Love, 

Mom

Separated at Birth?

"Mommy and daddy, I'll let you sleep through the night for the handsome sum of.....(wait for it).....one mee-lee-un dollars.  Mwah, ha, ha...............ha!"

A Walk in the Park

Happy Mother's Day, Mommy! After a nice lunch at home we took a stroll to the park down the street. It was such a nice day and I think all that fresh air gave you a burst of energy...for about 15 minutes. You look like you're having a good time.

Lily says Happy Mother's Day to all the mommies out there!

Love,

Dad

Philadelphia Museum of Art

Dear Lily,

Yesterday we felt adventurous so we thought we'd take a trip to the Philadelphia Museum of Art to check out the Cezanne and Beyond exhibit. Yes, I realize it's silly for parents of a three-week-old baby to "be adventurous" and leave the cozy confines of the couch but we were getting a bit of cabin fever. So, off we went, though the sky was threatening rain.

 

Here's you and mommy in front of the museum. You are standing at the base of the "Rocky Steps" made famous by Rocky sprinting their height at the culmination of his riveting training montages. Ding, ding.

After mommy briskly jogged you up the steps, daddy wanted a photo op. Notice the Philly skyline in the background. Ben Franklin lived there. He invented bifocals and Post-It Notes. Look it up.

We successfully made it through the entrance when you decided you didn't want to be there so we headed back out to try to settle you down. Mommy really had her heart set on seeing the exhibit and was visibly upset by our change in plans. You will soon learn of your mother's unhealthy obsession, err, affinity for sticking with a plan. So, we waited.

And finally, you were happy again and so was mommy. So we went back in. But then you cried again and we decided to call it a day. You fell asleep after we made it all the way down the steps so we decided to throw caution to the wind, make the trek back up the steps and buy some tickets. You were very well behaved the entire time and drew countless ohhs and ahhs from the museum patrons and staff. Daddy learned that people are nice to you when you have a baby strapped to your chest. I'm going to wear you out more often.

Unfortunately, we couldn't take any pictures inside that exhibit and daddy didn't want to risk getting into trouble in a museum...again. We were able to take pictures in a different part of the museum so mommy got a few pics of you and me.

Now, you'll notice behind us a painting by American artist Mark Rothko. This was no accident. You see, mommy is a big fan of Rothko and daddy, knowing this, proposed to your mother in the Rothko Chapel in Houston, Texas, on July 25, 2002. You aren't allowed to talk in the Rothko Chapel, so daddy got down on one knee and whispered to mommy, "Will you marry me?" She said yes.

In fact, we've had a print of a Rothko painting on the wall just about everywhere we've lived.

Mommy and daddy moved here a few years ago and first went to the Philadelphia Museum of Art in the winter of 2006. Feeling lost in a new city in a new part of the country, mommy and daddy were comforted by seeing this Rothko hanging in the museum, as if it were saying, "Welcome to your new home." Below is the picture we took in 2006.

So fast forward to yesterday. Since you were so well-behaved in the main exhibit, we though we'd browse the gallery having forgotten about our first trip there. Our eyes lit up when we saw the Rothko and were immediately flooded with memories of being in that very spot two-and-a-half years ago. When we last saw it, it was just the two of us.

Now, it's the three of us. Welcome to your new home.

Love,

Dad

Aaaaaachoooo!

Here's a short clip of you going through your repertoire of sounds. I think you might have been working on a diaper.

And the Winner is...

Dear Lily,

As you may recall, in the May 1st posting entitled 'Waxing Poetic,' we had a little contest for all the readers. The winner was our dear friend Robert from The Woodlands, Texas!! Congratulations, Robert!! It looks like somebody was paying attention in senior English class! The prize was an exclusive interview with the Lily Blog which is posted below.

Lily Blog (LB): What three pieces of advice would you give to Lily?

Woodlands Robert (WR): #1 - Move at your own pace, there is no set standard for infant/toddler milestones. #2 - If you can help it, grow some teeth as early as you can, it'll be easier on Mom & Dad when it comes to food.  #3 - Be good to Mom & Dad, raising you isn't easy no matter what anyone says.

LB: What two foreign countries should Lily travel to by the time she's 25? Why?

WR: I think you should visit Wales, it's a hidden gem. I also quite like France. Any country hosting a World Cup would also suffice.

Photo of Swansea Marina from Trawler Road.  Photo courtesy of Simon Morrison.

LB: What musician/band should Lily familiarize herself with to be musically well-rounded?

WR: I was listening to Fela Kuti this morning with Alan and we both love it. It has it all, and it's a sound you wouldn't hear unless someone recommended it to you....pass it on.

LB: Speaking of music...mommy loves John, daddy's into Paul. Who wins?

WR: I'm s guitar kind of guy, George wins.

The Fab Four.  US Library of Congress, United Press International.

LB: Is Elmo put on this Earth for good, or is he an agent of evil?

WR: Elmo is definitely a force of good in the world, not only is he funny but he's caring, curious and helpful.

LB: Of the popular children's show, Yo Gabba Gabba!, what are your thoughts?

WR: Yo Gabba Gabba! is also another force for good in the world. It takes music more familiar to people of your parents' generation and teaches us all lessons that not only are timeless but are character-building. Yo Gabba Gabba! is good for the whole family.

LB: Which is stronger, the immovable force or the irresistible object?

WR: I'm going with the immovable object here.

LB: What is your favorite color?

WR: My favorite color is white, it can be difficult to make other colors without it. 

Robert went on and added that, "Lily, all of this is well and good but I can hardly wait to meet you. You have wonderful people for parents and I know they'll do good by you. You are a lucky girl."

Thank you, Robert, for your time and your kind words. Your check's in the mail.

The Bjorn Identity

Dear Lily,
We did it.  We finally broke down and bought a Baby Bjorn child transport device.  For those unfamiliar with a Baby Bjorn, it's basically a baby backpack worn on the front. They usually come in black but daddy opted for the premium model in gray, red and white because it looks super cool. You seem to like bopping around in it and taking little naps.

As you can see in the pictures above and below, you are very inquisitive and like to peek out the side of it to see what's going on around you. Right now you are too little to face forward. I know once you are able to face the other way you are going to be amazed by everything you see out in the world. I'm mostly excited to face you forward in it so you'll stop spitting up on all my shirts.

Love,

Dad

Update: Week Three

Lily,

Today you are three weeks old!  You have become even more alert and awake this week.  You now open your eyes very wide and observe the world.  You are able to hold your head up for longer and move it from side to side.  You grab anything that comes into contact with your hands.  You make cute little vowel sounds and say "na" a lot (but mostly when you are crying).  We know you can hear very well.  You love it when we sing you songs.  Yesterday you also woke yourself up after you farted.   I have to remind myself that you are only three weeks old.  Your voraciousness for feeding has continued this week which causes Mommy quite a bit of discomfort.  So, yesterday we went to a breast feeding education group.  There were 15 babies all around your age.  Many of these babies were having trouble gaining weight.  You were weighed and we learned that you gained another pound this week!  As I am very happy that you are strong and growing fast, I wouldn't mind if you took it a little easy on the feeding this week.  We know you are not starving even though sometimes you act like you have not eaten since you had an umbilical cord.  

Daddy and I are starting to learn more about you.  We are figuring out who you are and what you like.  There is so much that we can't wait to show you.   Now, if the weather would just cooperate we could take you on more outings to show you the world.

Love,

Mom

Licensed to Lil'

Your birth certificate came in the mail.  According to the government, you are now officially a person. Congratulations! You can get a job now.

You're Our Fortune, Cookie!

Dear Lily,

The day we found out we were having a baby was such a happy day for mommy and me. Naturally, we celebrated by ordering some Chinese takeout. At the conclusion of our sumptuous banquet we unwrapped our fortune cookies expecting to be underwhelmed by their divinations as is usually the case.

I think mine said something ambiguous like, "In life, one breathes many times."  I bet that sounds pretty profound after a nice glass (or two) of merlot. But I digress.  Now, mommy's fortune actually seemed to give a bone fide prognostication.  It said, "You are about to embark on a most delightful journey!"  And on the back, it said "Girl."  Freaky, right?  You can't make that stuff up. That was last Fall.

So, here we are now.  At 3:33 p.m. today you will have been with us for exactly three weeks! Sometimes, I can't believe the time has gone by so quickly.  You are a good baby and you are a delight. Even though you nearly blasted me with a projectile poop yesterday, I won't hold it against you.  

We are very fortunate to have you.

Love,

Dad

!Hay Que Fancy!

I think they could be a little bigger.

Jealous?

This butternut squash costs $1.69 per pound. You go through $1.69 in
diapers per hour! And the squash won't wake me up at 3am. Hmmm. I
think we'll give the squash a test drive.