Boo!

Comparing apples to apples

Feeling nostalgic, I was looking at baby pictures of Greta tonight. Out of curiosity, I couldn't help but put them next to pics of Lincoln. Thought you might enjoy the "comparison" as much as I did!

How we sleep XVI

It's the obsession of new parents, so I thought we'd share a little insight, being old pros and all. This is for you, Daneigh ... and you soon, Dudleigh.

Gretaleigh is 2 1/2. She generally sleeps in her own bed all night long -- about 8 p.m. (thank you, Daylight Saving Time!) to 7 a.m. Except when we're traveling and she's in strange surroundings or when she's sick. Then our rule is all routines go out the window. The kid needs comfort, we're the Comforters in Chief. HOW Greta sleeps is a different matter. We've chronicled a few in this blog -- from resurrection repose to sleeping half under the bed to not sleeping on the bed at all. Last night, at about 3 a.m., after Carey was done feeding Lincoln, she checked on Greta and observed this:

First, her feet are at the head of the bed and her pillow, well, it's her blanket. And her blankets are a pillow. But guess what? She didn't make a peep until 7 a.m., when she called for Mommy and got Daddy.

Speaking of which ... Lincoln's sleeping pattern. Not so honorific the last week or so. Definitely teething (pediatrician confirmed) -- swollen gums, lots of drool and everything straight to the mouth. Which means the boy who used to fall asleep on his own while Mommy read a few bedtime books to Greta is now up every few hours, demanding succor. Until today, Carey was comforting him by nursing, but having just read some expert advice from another frustrated parent online, she's now thinking about kicking that habit, so as to avoid the tendency to fall asleep while he's feeding, which can allegedly lead to a host of other behavioral problems.

The beauty of it all? He remembers none of it when he wakes up. And the toothless smiles get bigger and bigger every morning.

Faces of Linc

Carey's already documented Lincoln's oral fixation, but I thought I'd add an image that shows you where he gets it from.

Yesterday he also started exhibiting what our blogging pal Jack's Mommy called the "white man's overbite." (Sorry, Lici, couldn't find the specific post. Please add it in the comments.) No dance moves yet, but the facial expression is pretty much perfected.

At least she is honest

While I dressed Lincoln and Rob was getting ready for work, we thought Greta had gone downstairs to wait for breakfast, as she usually busies herself in the playroom while we get in gear for the day. Noticing that it was very quiet as I started down the steps with Lincoln, I sang out, "GREH-ta, what're you DOOOOing?" There was a brief pause and then this robust sing-song response: "Playing with the ehhh-hegs!" I raced into the kitchen and this is what I saw:

A room full of toys six feet away, and she prefers to entertain herself with the most fragile item in our fridge. I would love to get inside her mind and see what inspired her to play with them!

Welcome, Sylvia Rose

Probably none of you click the links in our "Friends blogroll" on the right side of the page very often. Well, today you have a reason. One of my D.C. roommates from 1995-1998 became a first-time father last night. He was inspired (like most of this blog's readers) by me to blog in the months before the birth and promises lots of photos and stories as Sylvia Rose Haley makes her way through the world.

Congratulations, Daneigh. Fatherhood is a blast.

Handyman

Today Lincoln spent most of the day trying to decide which fingers taste best.

Belly-baring

We tell ourselves that Greta won't spend a day in high school wearing any clothes that reveal her mid-riff. We tell ourselves that Daddy's new job focusing on the daily travails of Britney Spears won't change our minds about that. But then we take Greta to a concert (Miss Marilyn performs every week at the South Orange Public Library) and she does this:

Quick update

We're back from a 3-day weekend with the Reids in Portsmouth. Had a lovely time. Rained most of Saturday, but we checked out the local Children's Museum, which Greta gives two thumbs up. As always, we ate like kings and conversed as if we last saw each other yesterday. Not a lot of great photos to share, but here's a couple.

Off to N.H.

We're spending a 3-day weekend in the Granite State, hoping to convince them to decide on their primary date already. Actually, we just want to reconnect with old friends Aaron and Amy Reid, and their two dogs, Riley and Miles. Greta remembers all their names and is looking forward to the visit. Hopefully that includes the 280 miles in the car. One way to make it easier would be to buy an in-car DVD player. What do you think? Yay or nay? Weigh in with a comment.

In the meantime, here's a photo from last weekend in D.C., Greta helping Gardner rake his lawn. Looks a little different than she did last year playing in the leaves, huh?

Tricks and Treats

First, the not-so-nice trick on Halloween: a visit to the pediatrician. Today was Lincoln's 4 month checkup. He now weighs 13 pounds, 15.5 ounces, is 24.5 inches long, and has a head circumference of 16.25 inches. On the CDC Growth Chart's 4 month scale, his height and weight are around the 30th percentile, but if you adjust for his month-early delivery, he's in the 75th. Out of curiosity, I checked out Greta's 4-month stats: 50th for length and 25th for weight (if adjusted for her 2-month prematurity, 97th and 80%).

Lincoln is in good health, but the doctor gave us a prescription for a vitamin supplement to prevent vitamin D deficiency and rickets. No worries--it is the norm for breastfed babies. The doc also expressed mild concern for uneven neck muscle development, but with more tummy time and some exercises, he should be fine and will be re-evaluated in two months. And I thought he just liked to cock his head when he was listening to me! He was a screamer through the oral vaccine and three shots, but quickly settled down with some TLC.

Greta was checked out, too. She weighed in at 28.5 pounds, and measured 36.5 inches tall (47% and 66% respectively). She was amazing at the doctor's...I guess the Berenstain Bears book has really helped. I just kept saying "Like Sister Bear" to everything the nurse and doctor asked her to do, and she did it! She didn't even flinch or cry when the nurse gave her the flu shot. She just said: "The shot helps me not get sick!" What a champ! For a treat, we went to a nearby McDonald's Play Place. I know, I know, taking a healthy kid to a germ-infested kid zone was probably not the best idea, but since she just dances around the floor and doesn't climb up anything, I figured it wasn't too terrible.
After a descent nap, we again donned the Dora costume for Halloween at the Turtleback Zoo. Lincoln was dressed as a Yankee baseball player. Greta was really shy, but wished many people a happy Halloween, and got the hang of saying "Trick or Treat" by the end of the loop. Then we went "Safe Treating" at the shops in South Orange, which Greta loved, and Lincoln slept through. Greta kept singing the Dora theme song, and when she said "Where are we going?" she made me reply "Trick or Treating!" It was hilarious. Of course, I forgot the camera, so no memorable video to share. Just trust me, everyone who saw her loved it. She grinned non-stop for the hour walk around town. We met Rob for dinner downtown and finally got home at 7:30 to hand out treats. Greta stood on our front steps, calling "Kids, come get candy!" while Lincoln babbled away in the doorway. All in all, a wonderful day!

All Hallow's Eve Eve

I was tempted to sit on these photos until Halloween itself, but they're too good not to share. Carey took the kids to a costume party concert at the library last night. Here's a couple shots of our Greta the Explorer and the Littlest Pumpkin.

Promotion?

We had a lovely weekend in Washington -- reconnecting with family and friends. I'll trickle out some photos throughout the week, but here's the first, with a back story.

Met up with Aunt Kathy Friday night at her place in Ballston. After Greta chased her four cats around the condo, we took the elevator down 15 floors to Ruby Tuesday's. A very kid-friendly place, I must say, even at 7 p.m. on a party night. All week Greta anticipated the trip, mentioning Aunt Kathy by name and her friend Jay. I'm sure she has no idea that aunt means "sister of mommy's father," but she had always used the title in the past, even when we saw Kathy regularly while we lived there.

Well, somewhere on I-95 and in the last seven weeks, Aunt Kathy became "grandma." And trust me, that's not because she's been hiding a 30-something son or daughter who just gave birth! I prefer to think of it as a promotion in Greta's mind. Kind adult woman = Grandma. She called her that all night and part of Saturday morning. And Grandma didn't seem to mind a bit.

Bibs don't lie

P.S. I'm off to D.C. for a couple days of work, then we're spending the weekend with Gardner, Alli and soulmate Jay. So we may or may not post until Sunday.

One really good thing about relocating to NJ

GRANDMA GETS TO VISIT MORE OFTEN!!!

3 girls and a guy

Grandma Vickie surprised us with a visit this weekend and we had a great time. Greta and Lincoln got to go to a fall festival in Clifton, N.J., and Mommy & Daddy got to go to their first movie in N.J. (Rendition, because Michael Clayton was sold out. Readers, wait for the rental.) More photos later, but for now, here's a nice one.

Notice the lotus

To accommodate nap time, the yoga lady moved the start time back to 10:45, which means I can partake before my train an hour later. Here's a gallery of Wednesday's poses. She's really pretty good at them. Although the instructor should give up on any relaxing, deep breathing exercises. Greta much prefers to run around like rain drops or chase Mommy like a dinosaur.

Autumn Art

Devoted blog readers might recall our daughter's auspicious premiere as a budding artist just over a year ago. Not wanting her talent to lapse due to her new status as a SAHK (stay at home kid), I've tried to provide opportunities for her inner artist to emerge. Behold, three of her most recent works: Neon Autumn Scarecrow, Two Rocket Ships With Moon and Star, and Pressed Leaf Collage. Stunning, don't you think?

As I write this, it occurs to me that we have deprived her fans of many works produced under the guidance of Ms. Te and Ms. Leah...perhaps a gallery showing at a later date will feature her spectacular "sponge shapes" and "free scrawl" created in Room 106.

Pockets

Greta's discovered them. She and Mommy play a favorite game that I call "Squirrel." You guessed it -- see how many acorns or chestnuts Greta can fit in her pockets. You'd be surprised at how many she can carry.

Here she is the other day carrying her post-breakfast snack on the way to the playground.

Girl in the hood

We're minorities here in South Orange. And that's fine with us. Greta and Lincoln will benefit from growing up in a much more diverse neighborhood than we both did.




But lately Greta's been taking it a little too far. Here's how she wears her pants, just like the teenagers on the street corner.