I Say: Thanksgiving Rocked

Having heard all the hullabaloo about Thanksgiving, I was worried that I'd be disappointed. After all, what were the odds that the day would live up to its advance billing? Well guess what? It did.

Mom, Dad and I made the voyage to Bridewater, NJ where we spent the holiday with Grandma Aunt Carole and her family.

Our hosts were Stacy and Jeff, and their kids Jacob, Abby and Sadie. Then there were Jen and Jon and their kids Madeline and Julia. (I call them Maddy and Juju.) They were all really nice to me. They took care of me, held me, and gave me my pacifier when I got a little cranky. Dad is a worrier, but he was really impressed with how kind and gentle the kids all were with me.

Hi Juju

Maddie was fun

That's Jen & Jon

Our hosts were Stacey & Jeff

Jacob took care of me

Sadie was really fun

Sorry about that little accident Abby

And let's not forget that Grandma Aunt Carole and Auntie Rachel both spent plenty of time with me, and are as much fun as I remembered.

Then, as if this wasn't enough excitement, we did a Face Time call with Dad's family in Arizona. I got to see his uncles Aboo and Dan, along with Aunt Lola, Lisa, Craig, Tevie, Mark and Sam. I've heard all about all these people, but I haven't met them yet. I really want to see them in person, but the video call was a good replacement for now.

That's Dan and Aboo on the computer. I can't wait to meet them. 

Aside from mass quantities of turkey and stuffing, along with good company, Dad has one other tradition on Thanksgiving. Ping pong. Some thought that his new role as a responsible, protective parent would get in the way of this practice, but they should know that Dad is not easily deterred. 

I may be young, but I'm a quick learner, and I already figured out that Thanksgiving is awesome. The really cool part about yesterday was that so many people were nice to me and made me happy, and I think I made them happy too. Happy Holiday everyone. 

I Say: I Am Thankful

This is my first Thanksgiving, and I've only been around for 3+ weeks, but I already have a lot of reasons to be thankful. Here are just a few.

• People love babies. Mom and Dad told me to expect our family and friends to be great, but even they were surprised at how wonderful strangers are with me. I hear that New York is a crazy, fast paced, impersonal place, but I have found it to be very warm and friendly. Old, young, black, white, male, female - people are all so nice when I'm around. When I take the subway with Mom and Dad, or when we walk down the street, people are constantly slowing to congratulate them or say how beautiful I am. On Monday, Dad was walking down the street and a homeless man simply said "congratulations". Dad said that normally his interaction with that man might have been very different, so I'm glad that my presence made it nicer.
• My family. I can already tell that I'm part of an amazing family. All my aunties, uncles and cousins are so kind to me. I've met some already, and I can't wait to meet the rest. Today I even Skyped with Grammie in Jamaica. 
• My friends. Mom and Dad think those people are their friends, but they just hang around to be closer to me. They visit me, hold me, feed mom and dad, bring me presents, and are just generally kind. 
• Mom is feeling better. As I mentioned in previous posts, my arrival was not only early, but it was hard on Mom. Thankfully, her doctor says she's going to be fine, and she's doing much better already. She takes very good care of me and never complains even when she's really tired (which is pretty much all the time), so I want to make sure that she's doing OK. 
• I'm named for my grandfather. I never met my grandfather, but Dad tells me that he was a great guy and that he would have loved me. His name was Sy, and my parents named me Simon because of him. I know that means a lot to Dad. 
• Carrot cake. Don't get me wrong, I'm not ready for the stuff yet, but from what I can see, it's Mom's main fuel supply. And since she's my main fuel supply, I want Mom to be well taken care of. 

Most of all, I'm excited to go to my first Thanksgiving dinner. I get to see Auntie Rachel and Grandma Aunt Carole again, and I get to meet a bunch more friends and family that I've been hearing about. Originally Mom and Dad didn't expect to be able to go to Thanksgiving this year because I was due to arrive this week, bur now we're all able to go. That's just one more reason to be thankful. 

I Say: I Love Meeting New People

Sorry that I've fallen behind on my updates, but with all the excitement around I've been struggling to find time to write. But I've been meeting so many cool people that I can't wait any longer. Here's just a sampling of my social calendar from last week.

First Mom's college friend Mark came to visit. He lives in Seattle and has a baby boy named Theo. You could tell that he didn't like being away from his baby for even a day. Still, he was very kind to me.

That's Mark and me

My next visitor was Jessica, but I call her JZ. She was also super nice to me even though she had other things on her mind. After she visited me she was flying to Arizona to do an Ironman triathlon (which I'm told is some nonsense that requires that you stay awake for more than two hours at a time, so you can count me out), but she found the time to come see me. She loves beagles, but I think I heard her say that I'm even cuter. I appreciate such compliments. Plus, she's a regular blog reader, and you know how much I love blog readers.

JZ and me

My next guest was Johanna. (The J is silent. I pronounce that part well.) She has a son named Seb who is 2-years old and is almost full grown. Mom and Dad say he's an awesome kid, so I hope to meet him soon.   And BTW, even though I'm tiny compared to Seb (but then again, who isn't?), the doctor says I'm growing at an impressive rate.

Johanna and me

It's great feeling so loved and popular. I had lots more visitors last week and I'll tell you about them soon. For now it's nap time. 

I Say: Today Was My Due Date

As you may know, I made my appearance exactly three weeks earlier than expected, on October 31st. In fact I wasn't due until today. The night before I was born Mom and Dad were visiting their friends Lisa and Andy and their three kids Sophia, Luca and Blake. They all had a lot of fun, and Dad joked that I heard all the laughter and wanted to see what was going on out there. Personally, I like to think that I came early because it turned out that Mom was sick and her doctor said it would have been dangerous for her if she didn't have me when she did. Considering how much she looks out for me, it seems only fair that I did the same for her.

Whatever the reason was for my early arrival, Mom and Dad keep telling me how happy they are that I'm here. I appreciate that and I even forgive them for not having my room ready for me. (I hope they'll remember that a few years from now when they tell me to clean my room.) It's funny because even though I wasn't supposed to be here until today, they say they can't imagine being without me. That doesn't really make any sense, but it's nice to know how much they love me. Personally, I'm liking it here because I've gotten to meet so many great friends and family already.

All in all my first three weeks have been pretty great. My parents love me more than they can explain, and we're all grateful for the help and support we've gotten. I haven't known Mom and Dad for long, but they say they've never been happier than since I arrived. I'm glad I could help.

I Say: Onesie World Is Enough

Dad tells me that that old guy Sting was once in a band called the Police. They did a song called One World. I think he was actually singing Onesie World. Anyway, after I told you about my Jewmaican onesie last week, I figured that every once in a while I'd show you some more highlights. Here are a couple that I'm looking forward to sporting in the near future.

Mom and Dad's friend Robin just sent this Bob Dylan onesie. It's special to me because my middle name is Dylan, and my parents love playing Bob Dylan music for me. If Robin likes me this much now, imagine what it will be like once she actually meets me.

Before my arrival, Mom and Dad used to call me Honey Badger. (That referred to some crazy video that said that the honey badger is cool and fearless just like me.) So at mom's baby shower, Johanna (more about her in a future post) got me this one.

I'll show you some more of my extensive wardrobe next week. And in case you're wondering why people are so darn nice to me, I think it's 'cause I'm cute. You can tell my mom thinks so.

I Say: I'm Better than Fresh Direct

Since my arrival, things have been a little hectic here at home. Apparently I have disrupted Mom and Dad's routine a little bit, hence the pile of laundry which is now the highest peak in New York State. In addition, they haven't been making their weekly trips to Fairway like they used to. But don't worry - they're not going hungry. First they've been taking full advantage of Fresh Direct, which seems like a pretty good deal. They also have a service that's even better. Me.

My fan club is constantly coming by with food. Hot food, cold food. Jewish food, Jamaican food. Prepared food, homemade food. At present we have a supply of smoked salmon that would make Zabar's jealous.

This is mostly awesome because it helps out Mom and Dad while they have their hands full with me. The only drawback to the constant supply of food is that since I've also cut into Dad's gym time, he's currently farther over his pre-pregnancy weight than mom is.

Dad's rapidly growing waistline notwithstanding, we all really appreciate the snacks (and the presents) that my visitors keep bringing. Mom and Dad and I just want people to come see me and meet me, but I know that all the food and gifts really mean a lot to Mom and Dad. They're pretty lucky to benefit from all this, considering that I'm the main attraction. After all, I am quite cute.

I Say: My Dad is Mature

Dad promises me that he'll always take care of me and protect me. And I know that he loves me because he always tells me so. But sometimes I have to wonder what he's thinking. I mean after all, did he really think it was a good idea for us to have matching hairdos?

Can you tell how much I'm loving my fauxhawk?

This man is my role model. Uh oh. 

I can't imagine that these photos are making Mom feel great about leaving my with Dad all day once she goes back to work, but she still has ten more weeks to train him.

Luckily, Mom and Dad have a lot of good, stable friends who will be a good influence on me. One such friend is Alexandra. We call her Nim. Along with Yom and Buzu, that's one of my three favorite names so far. Anyway, Nim came to visit yesterday. She got me a couple of really fun books that Mom and Dad will read to me soon. And she held me a lot. I like that because it makes me feel safe and let's me see how many people care about me. I don't know why people complain about Mondays - I really enjoyed mine.

And since I'm two weeks old now, I think I'll share an extra picture or two.

I Say: I Met Auntie Rachel (and a Lot More)

This was a busy weekend with a lot of visitors, but the highlight was meeting Dad's sister Rachel. She drove all the way from Boston to see me. (She was sick last week, otherwise she would have visited sooner.) She had gifts for me including some really soft bamboo clothes that Dad says I can wear for Occupy Preschool. She also brought a lot of food for everyone. (Apparently both the Jewish and Jamaican sides of my family are big on food.) I'm not ready for the bagels and lox just yet, but I was just happy to meet her. I'll see her again on Thanksgiving, so that'll be awesome. I hope to meet Uncle Tony soon too since I hear he's a fun guy and can teach me to speak with a British accent, which Dad says will help on my school interviews.

That's my Auntie Rachel

For most babies, that would be enough excitement for a weekend, but I'm not most babies. I also got to meet Luna and her parents Fabian and Helena. Luna is an "older woman" and is very so-phis-to-ca-ted. 

Fabian, Mom, Helena and Luna.

Luna is a little older and a little bigger than I am. 

Fabian is a chef and he brought food for everyone, and they got me some clothes too. How great are they?

I also got visits from Susan, Guy, and Peter who got me fun books and toys and spent time with me. Then Bridget came by again. She couldn't stay for long, but that didn't stop her from saying how cute I am. Plus - in keeping with the theme for the weekend, she brought some homemade food for Mom and Dad. What exactly did Mom and Dad do for food before all these visitors?

We definitely love and appreciate how nice our friends and family are, but want folks to know that I am well stocked and they should just come over. Mom and Dad are actually bragging how they have a social life now that I am here.

The consensus among the visitors was that I'm still really cute. If you doubt their judgment, here is some supporting evidence.

I Say: I'm a Jewmaican

So it turns out that because Dad's Jewish and Mom's Jamaican Chinese, I'm what they call "multicultural". In honor of my heritage Mom and Dad's friend Lesley got me a onesie (and matching bib) that said Jewmaican. I think that's awesome and I will wear it with pride.

I'm a proud Jewmaican

Then on Thursday it got even better because Lesley came to visit me. She got me more great gifts and spent a lot of time holding me, which was a lot of fun for both of us.

Mom and Lesley had fun without me...

...but we all know who the star of the show is

 It turns out that Lesley was here with Mom the day that I decided to make my escape, so I was glad to make her acquaintance in person. She lives far away, but I hope she visits whenever she's in New York. 

I Say: I Have Fast Friends

On Sunday Mom watched the NYC Marathon on TV. She told me that her friend Buzu was running and that I should watch. I decided to take a nap when the race started, so that I'd be awake at the finish. Much to my surprise, when I woke up 2.5 hours later, Buzu was finished. I mean, who runs 26.2 miles in 2:23? Apparently Buzu does. I was happy that she came in second place, but sad that I missed seeing her. Luckily, she and her husband Worku came to visit me Thursday, and that made up for it.

Buzu is nice and fast

I told Buzu and Worku that I don't want to run 26.2 miles, but I really like those mylar space blankets that they get after the race. So they dressed me up in tin foil to make me feel better. I think I looked more like a baked potato, but I appreciate the effort.

Buzu and Worku got me a really nice present and spent time playing with me and holding me. Then Emily came by to visit too. Dad calls her Killer. He says that's ironic. I think it's just silly. Anyway, Emily gave me an awesome book which Dad says I'm really gonna love soon. And she liked the way I smell. Then Hillary came to visit and she brought Ethiopian food. I was a little confused because even though Buzu and Worku are from Ethiopia, Hillary is from upstate New York, but I'm guessing that the native cuisine of Cazenovia, NY isn't so yummy.

With Hillary, Serka, Emily, Buzu and Work. I've never felt so big

I like my new friends.

My confusion notwithstanding, it was a really great day. I have lots more visitors to tell you about, but it's nap time for now. 

I Say: Who Knows Me In Japan?

Dad and I were looking through the stats of my blog this morning and it reminded him of an old joke that his father once told him many years ago.

Old man Ginsberg was disgusted with his family. He told them that he was leaving them and going to Japan. 

 

The boys asked, 'Papa, how will you get there?' 

 

He replied, 'Don't you worry, I'll row there.' 

 

Late that night, they walked him to the dock and without their father seeing, tied a very long rope to his row boat. He bade them all a fond farewell and started rowing towards the horizon. They let him stay in the boat all night, but when the sun began to rise they became nervous about his well-being. There was a tremendous fog and the old man and the boat were not visible. The old man had been ferociously rowing away all night when suddenly he heard a voice in the distance shouting, 'Abe Ginsberg, are you all right?' 

 

He turned towards the voice and shouted, 'Who knows me in Japan?'

I retell grandpa's old joke because Dad and I noticed that we are getting multiple views from somewhere in Japan. And while I can figure out who my readers are in Israel, the UK, France, Jamaica and even Malta, I'm puzzled by the traffic from the far east. So I ask, who knows me in Japan? Or Germany, Brazil, Cambodia and Australia for that matter.

While we may not know who they are, we know they're coming to see how cute I am. Here's a sample.

I Say: I'm a Social Butterfly

I'm sorry that I haven't updated in a couple of days, but things have been real hectic in my world. Mom's off taking a well-deserved nap right now, and I'm sitting here with Dad, so it's a good time to get everyone up to speed.

Tuesday was an awesome day. It started when Dad and I took Mom to her doctor. The doctor said that mom is doing much better, so Dad and I were relieved. And Mom was very brave - she didn't even cry in the doctor's office.

After the doctor, we went to visit Mom's co-workers and friends at the Dalton School. Mom said we'd visit for five minutes. Two hours later when we left, I was pooped. We saw a lot of Mom's students, and they were all excited to meet me. Mom's co-workers were super nice to me. I met Maggie, Kathleen, Molly, Lisa (she performed the ceremony when Mom and Dad got married), Guy, Will, Lisa B, Emily, Richards, The Alumni and Development Team, The MS/US Admission Team,  and a bunch more. I saw my old friend Felicia again too. (She and I go way back - to last week.) I even met the Admissions Director. For the record, I would like to publicly state that I think she's wonderful. I am sure that I will always remember our meeting fondly, and I hope she remembers me in a favorable light in a few years...Wink, wink.

Then on Wednesday we went to see my doctor.  I like my doctor, so I was on my best behavior. She said I'm doing great, and she was impressed that I gained 11-ounces in just five days. Since I'm doing so well, I don't have to go back for two whole weeks. I think the doctor just wants me to come back then because she likes me so much.

Mom helped keep me calm at the doctor's office

I like all this traveling around. Most people complain about the subways and buses, but I find them soothing and fun. (Plus at my age they're free, and I'm my mother's son, so I don't like to pass up a bargain.) And even though I don't know the people there, everyone comes up to Mom and Dad to ask about me and to say how adorable I am. Mom and Dad talk about how big New York City is, but it seems that people are very friendly when I'm around.

Even though I know you don't need a reminder, here's further photographic evidence of just how cute I am.

I Say: Is It Just Me?

I'm told that the song is called Baby King, but it sure sounds like Baby Cane to me.

♫ Marc Cohn • Baby King Vidéo funnytoo sélectionnée dans Musique

You got to get ready for a Baby Cane 
You might dance daddy 
You might sing 
But you never seen nothin` like a Baby Cane

It was a bright and sunny summer morn and she said 
It wasn`t too long `fore he was born 
You could hardly tell by the look on his face  
That pretty soon he was gonna run the place 

Now he is strong and he is wise  
He sees right through your old disguise 
Now you might think that you got it down  
Wait till Baby Cane comes to town 

Even if I'm mistaken, I remain implausibly cute. 

I Say: Best Week Ever

This was my best week ever. Admittedly I'm working with a small sample size since this was also my first week ever, but it was pretty awesome. So many people came to visit me, gave me presents, and were just generally kind to me. Mom and Dad keep saying that they're lucky to have so many good friends, but I know that these people are just here to see me.

Yesterday I met Sandy and Carole. They were my grandmother's closest friends and knew my dad when he was little like me. I don't want to call them emotional, but let's just say that I wasn't the only one crying around here today. When Dad went out, they stayed around to look after Mom, but I have a sneaking suspicion that they just looking for an excuse to hold me a little more.

Grandma Aunt Carole

Grandma Aunt Sandy

Dad went out to watch the marathon. When he came back he brought Bridget and Erika and Paul and Scott. I was too tired to be my usual charming self with them, but I'm glad they came by anyway.

Overall, Mom and Dad seem really happy. Sometimes Dad just holds me and stares at me because he can't believe how much he loves me. Even though Mom still doesn't feel great, all she does is think about me. She takes such good care of me. Though I don't like the term "high maintenance", I must admit that I do require a fair amount of care, what with all the frequent feedings and diaper changes. Based on the fact that I've never been awake when she isn't, I'm guessing that she must not sleep much. Dad tries to do what he can, but he's not equipped to do the feedings - if you know what I mean - so Mom is really working hard. Mom never complains or thinks about herself. Dad's trying too. I think I'll keep them.

All this attention makes me smile

Yes she does

I Say: Saturday Was Fun

Saturday was a busy day. I had a lot of visitors, which was pretty awesome. Some of Dad's oldest and closest friends came by. There was Uncle Shane and Auntie Angela, and Uncle Lou an Auntie Yvonne. The brought me lots of gifts, but the best part was getting to meet them. They held me and told me funny stories about my dad. Dad's a lucky guy - not only does he have Mom and me, but he has some pretty amazing friends.

Shane and Angela with Dad and me

Lou and Yvonne with Dad and me

Then Mom's friend Yom came by. I liked her. She made dinner for everyone. (Everyone except me. I stuck with my usual cuisine.) I'm pretty sure that Mom and Dad would have let her visit even if she didn't cook, so it's pretty nice of her to feed them, especially since she was really here to see me.

Yom

As if that's not enough, I got to visit the laundry room and the gym with Dad. Those were new and exciting places. Overall, I felt very loved today, and I could tell how much the visitors meant to Mom and Dad. It's nap time (again), so In closing, I leave you with couple of reminders of how cute I am.