I Say: I Had Fun In Palm Springs

My Cousin Craig made a great video when I visited Palm Springs back in March. I was little back then. We're going back to see everyone in two weeks. I wonder if they've grown as much as me. I can't wait to see them. In the meantime, this video will remind me how lucky I am.

I Say: I Am Darth Vader

I know it's been a while since I have written here. It's mostly because I've been having so much fun, but I'll try to make up for it by posting a lot and getting you all caught up. Since my last post, a lot has changed. I won't tell you about all of it yet, but you will be happy to hear that my voice has gotten much deeper. Here's an example.

Lots more to come - I promise. 

I Say: I'm One!

As my faithful readers know, my birthday was on Wednesday, October 31. A lot of other kids dressed up in crazy costumes that day. It was awesome. Then, a few days later, we had a big party. Lete brought a cake from Magnolia Bakery. I had never had cake before. At first I wasn't quite sure what to make of it, but I must say it was pretty yummy.

My cake

I really loved the cake. And I really love Lete for getting it for me. She is always so kind to me. Mom and Dad say she is like family, and I agree.

Lete holding me as I taste the cake

I was also excited because so many of my friends were here for the party. Luna, Ogden, Luca, Sofia, Blake, Julia, Maddy, Abby, Sadie and Javier all came to see me and brought their parents too. 

I think Mom and Dad were even more excited than I was, but that's OK. We all wore funny hats, ate cake and played. That's a pretty awesome day if you ask me. 

I Say: I Visited Palm Springs

A few months back I visited Florida so I could meet Mom's parents, sisters, and the rest of her family. I loved them so much. Then in March, we traveled to Palm Springs, California to visit Dad's side of the family. Believe it or not, that was just as much fun as the Florida visit. Everyone was so happy to meet me. We played, smiled and laughed the whole time. (At least between naps.) Aunt Rachel and Uncle Tony came to visit. I met Mark, Gail, Steve, Sandy, Lisa, Craig, Sam, Kelly, and even Uncle Dan. I was sad that Uncle Al and Aunt Lola couldn't make it, but I got to meet them after. (Stay tuned for an update about that wonderful visit.)

I loved being in the desert. I loved the warm weather. I got to go in a swimming pool. I got to ride a mountain bike simulator. (That was sitting on Tony's lap.) I got to drive a fancy sports car simulator. (That was on Mark's lap.) But the best part of all was the love I got from the family. It made me feel really special.

Aunt Rachel made a video of the trip. Dad said it made him smile from ear-to-ear the whole time. Just like the trip.



Uncle Craig took a bunch of pictures. Here's a small sample.

I Say: I'm a Bad Blogger but a Healthy Baby

I know that I have been a little lazy with my blogging, but things have been great around here. I'll get you all caught up shortly, but for now I want to tell you about what happened yesterday. Dad took me to the doctor for my 6-month checkup. Even though she gave me shots (again!), she's a really nice lady. Dad said that he didn't want to brag about me, but then he proceeded to tell her all the things I can do. She was really impressed that I'm crawling, and amazed that I can get myself into a sitting position. I just started doing that, and I guess I'm a little wobbly, but it gets easier every day.  I just lay on my belly, roll over, and sit up. Boom!

No - my hand is not touching the floor.

More importantly, the doctor says I'm doing great. I'm growing "like a weed". I'm up to 74th percentile in height and 63rd in weight. That makes me "long and lean". No baby fat on me!

My attempts at eating cereal have been a little less successful. I mostly spit out the cereal and chew on that neat, green spoon that Dad uses. But we'll keep working on it.

I still have to update you on my visits to California (it's beautiful there and I love my family), Arizona (mom raced really fast and I met the rest of my wonderful family) and Boston (I got to see my Aunt and Uncle, and I already dislike the Red Sox). But for now I just wanted to check in and tell you all that I'm doing great.

I Say: Be Brave Daddy

Mom, Dad and I spent the last ten days in Palm Springs, California. I got to meet Dad’s side of the family, and had a wonderful time. I’ll tell you all about that real soon because I want you to read about all the fun and new things I got to do. But today I feel bad for Dad. He had to go home a day early for work, so this is his first night away from me. I know he’s a big boy, but he seemed really sad when he left. Before he went to the airport he told me how much he loves me and that he can’t wait to see me tomorrow night when Mom and I get back. He kept saying that he was worried about me because I have a little cold, but trust me - it’s really no big deal. Mom’s here to take care of me, and I’m not letting anything get in the way of my last day of fun here.

Anyway, I’ll be back in New York soon, so I’ll write more and tell you about the adventures I had here in the desert, and everything else that’s been going on. In the meantime, here’s a video of Dad giving me kisses. See you tomorrow Dad. 

I Say: I'm a Smiley Baby

It's hard to believe that just 5-6 weeks ago Mom and Dad were feverishly trying to get me to smile. I was plenty happy and responsive, but I just wasn't giving out smiles yet. Now there's no stopping me. I wake up smiling, I smile when Mom and dad smile at me or give me kisses, I smile when I'm playing, I smile all the time. When things are going really well, sometimes I laugh, giggle, yell and express my happiness in various other ways. One way or another, you can rest assured that I'm a happy young man. I know that people around me love me.

In my next post I'll tell you more about some of those people. But for now I'll leave you with a few happy photos.

I Say: Mom's Back At Work

Last week was a big one for me. Mom went back to work on Monday. She was really brave and didn't cry in front of me, but I know that it was hard for her to leave me. She and I had never been apart for more than a few hours, so it has been a bit of an adjustment for both of us, but we're doing OK. Sometimes I'm a little fussy in the morning when Mom leaves, but once I realize that Dad won't mess things up too bad, I calm down. We actually have a pretty fun time here even without Mom, but I get really excited when she comes home. Mom's pretty excited too.

Dad says that staying home and taking care of me is "challenging". Based on how much he's sleeping, I think that word means "tiring".  But he also says that he's lucky to have a great kid like me, and to be able to stay home with me during the days.

Every night before bed, Mom gives me a bath. I like that little ritual, and I really like the water too. Plus I get to wear my nifty shark bathrobe.

And in case you're worrying about these changes messing up my social schedule - don't. We went out to play with my friends Tessa and Luca yesterday, and I even dressed up for a fancy dinner with my friend Ian last week. (The grownups had fondue. I stuck with dairy products.)

I Say: Florida Was Amazing

As I mentioned last time, Mom, Dad and I went to Florida for the new year. I got to meet a whole bunch of wonderful Aunties. (Mom has a lot of sisters and a lot of cousins). They spoiled me rotten and I loved it. They fought over who got to hold me, and took such good care of me. I was excited to meet them, and I think Mom and Dad really appreciated getting a little break. There were eleven of us in one house and no one seemed to mind because everyone had so much fun with me. (My previous accommodations were pretty cozy too, so it was fine with me.) 

That's a lot of Aunties, plus Mom, Grammy and Grandpa

As much as meeting my aunties was wonderful, the highlight of the trip was meeting my Grammy. I had spoken to her on the phone and even seen her on Skype, but this was the first time we met in person. Mom kept telling me that Grammy was excited to meet me and how much I was going to love her. I'm her sixth grandchild, but the first in 15 years. I must say that meeting her was as great as Mom and Dad said it would be. I miss her already.

I love my Grammy

We were in Florida for ten days. It's warm there so I get to spend some quality time outside. The warm weather did wonders for my skin too. Mom and Dad took me to the pool a couple of times, but most days I stayed back at the house with my Aunties when they went to swim. I got a nice bath every day, so I still got some time in the water. I think that arrangement worked well for everyone.  

When we flew back to New York I was very well behaved on the plane again. That's more than I can say for some of the other kids. That's also more than I can say for by behavior back at home, but I came through when it mattered. 

In March Mom and Dad are taking me to California to meet Dad's family. Meeting Mom's family was pretty special and I know that Dad is really excited for me to get to know his cousins and aunts and uncles. 

I Say: Happy New Year

Last night I took my first plane ride. Mom and Dad were very nervous because they thought that I might make a big fuss. They worried that my ears would hurt and I'd be uncomfortable, and they worried that the other passengers would be mad at me. They had nothing to worry about. In fact - unlike some of the rowdy babies and children on the plane - I slept for most of the 2.5 hour flight to Florida. I used a pacifier for takeoff and then fed off of mom for landing, so my ears really didn't bother me. The other passengers said that I was the best baby ever just because I was so quiet. They don't even know my other qualities. We were on the plane at midnight, and everyone wished one another a happy new year. Everything is new to me, but 2012 is looking pretty promising.

When we landed, Dad got this really sweet minivan and we drove to Auntie Yan's house in Coral Springs. We didn't arrive until 2:30 in the morning, but I knew that Dad was tired, so I stayed calm for the drive. Even though it was late, I got to meet Aunties Yan, Denise and Annette, and I saw Auntie Dianne again. As soon as I woke up this morning everyone was holding me and playing with me. It made me feel very special. But I also understand that everyone is being strategic. They know that Grammy is coming.

Allow me to explain. Ever since I was born, Mom's mom has been calling every day. Sometimes we Skype, and sometimes she just talks to me on the phone. Ever since we made the plans to meet her here she has been counting down the days because she's so excited to meet me. Everyone else knows that once she arrives, they'll have precious little time with me. And that's fine with me. I'm super excited to meet Grammy and Grandpa. I'll let you know how it goes, but I'm sure I'm going to love them.

And I'm sure they're going to love me, but I'm going to wear my chicken towel. Not every guy can look cute in a chicken towel, but I think I pull it off.

Happy New Year to all my friends and family, and everyone who was so nice to me in 2011. I can't wait to see what 2012 brings.