William sat in his carriage today, assisted by the side and front. We were at Virginia's pool and he was into it, flapping his arms, being excited about it. I don't think he could really comprehend us swimming in the pool, or the work men building houses near by or the big geese in the lake, or even the dark clouds in the sky. But he certainly liked playing with his foot, and sitting up.
The morning he woke up and was looking at me (when V brought him in--bless her for taking him over night and letting D get some sleep). He was looking at me downstairs later. And then when he was sitting up, he was looking at me. He seems to be looking more at things, faces, everything.
William's scratch near his eye was healing quick, but he put another one right by it in the morning and then put one on his forehead driving back from the pool.
We watched Winged Migration, a movie that documents flying birds, and he seems to pay attention to it. I say it's, "our favorite movie". But he wasn't into the big geese far off on the lake by the pool.
Virginia was working from home, but would sometimes come downstairs for a break, and once she took William up to her office and worked with him on her lap. Bring William to work day.
The other day Diana came home with a blanket hanging down off William like a cape. Super William.
He likes to be upside down sometimes. Can't figure that out yet. Wonder if he'll become a diver or a gymnast, or something that involves being upside down.
Monday, August 30, 2004
Sunday, August 29, 2004
83. Sleepy Boy
William has slept a lot today. He got his usual 7 hours (8.5 the night before), and then napped before we went to NJ. Then he napped on V when he got here. She was glad to see him. She thinks he's big, but skinnier, after not seeing him for a few weeks. We had a bunch of people here, Aida's friend came with her 3 children. We went to the pool, and I had fun playing with the kids, but I'm tired and sore now. William's doctor suggested we keep him out of the pool, so V took him into the AC club house. He laid a big poop, and then took a nap. V put him face down, and I rolled him all the way back home in the carriage that way, and he didn't wake up. He had a tiring day yesterday with the BBQ and being at Abuela's place. D tried to see a movie (which ended being sold out) and Aida stayed with me. William pitched his grade A mongo fit, and cried for 30 minutes. The fit that made me call her home, the fit that made my father cry when he was holding him through a short 7 minute one. He went on for 30 minutes, pausing to gather his energies to keep going. I did a shift on it, and D came home a little after he fell asleep. So he was tired. To my knowledge he only pitches those fits when he's really tired. He won't eat, he's got a clean diaper. Not sure really though what the trigger is. His mother can stop them, for the most part. Not sure how, maybe by just being his mother. So maybe the fit helped him to sleep today. He had to figure something out by repairing his brain with sleep. Who knows.
The BBQ last night was nice because there was William, Emma and Nicole. Emma is roughly the same age (born before, but with a later due date). Nicole is much younger, a wee lass, though getting bigger. She looks like her father Zsolt. She had on the little hair ribbon, to mark her as female. D confessed she hates it when I keep bringing up the people who think he's a girl and that he might need a hair cut. I like his hair, but I'd like to trim it a little bit.
Emma seems to have gotten her front curly hair going, but not so much in back. She holds her arms up and has a large butt. She's not crying like she used to, which is a bit of a relief. It's nice to have so many babies around. Paquita loves to hold William and I love when people dote on William.
Alex got him some more teethers, which is nice. We keep ruining them by trying to sterilize them, and them bursting in the microwave or the sterilizer. They had a picnic and took William on his first carousel ride. I sent a picture to relatives and will upload it to the snapfish, which I've gotten into backing up my photos.
William is wiggling more, moving his heels and shifting himself. He twists to his side, but does not seem to really want to turn over. I think he'll be more motivated to turn over from his stomach. He's reaching for everything and takes a lively interest in all around him. He still vocalizes occasionally, but not like he did that one streak where he did.
I feel like I'm forgetting something, but I can always write it in the next one.
The BBQ last night was nice because there was William, Emma and Nicole. Emma is roughly the same age (born before, but with a later due date). Nicole is much younger, a wee lass, though getting bigger. She looks like her father Zsolt. She had on the little hair ribbon, to mark her as female. D confessed she hates it when I keep bringing up the people who think he's a girl and that he might need a hair cut. I like his hair, but I'd like to trim it a little bit.
Emma seems to have gotten her front curly hair going, but not so much in back. She holds her arms up and has a large butt. She's not crying like she used to, which is a bit of a relief. It's nice to have so many babies around. Paquita loves to hold William and I love when people dote on William.
Alex got him some more teethers, which is nice. We keep ruining them by trying to sterilize them, and them bursting in the microwave or the sterilizer. They had a picnic and took William on his first carousel ride. I sent a picture to relatives and will upload it to the snapfish, which I've gotten into backing up my photos.
William is wiggling more, moving his heels and shifting himself. He twists to his side, but does not seem to really want to turn over. I think he'll be more motivated to turn over from his stomach. He's reaching for everything and takes a lively interest in all around him. He still vocalizes occasionally, but not like he did that one streak where he did.
I feel like I'm forgetting something, but I can always write it in the next one.
Thursday, August 26, 2004
82. Mongo Poop.
William had his stinkiest poop today. Huge. I couldn't even stay in his room while he was changed. Yikes. I took the opportunity to take out the trash.
Diana fed William, and then gave him to me. William found his foot, and was playing with it. He also likes to press his lips together and make noise, which I call, "fun with lips". He's like his father, though, he can't bring his foot to his mouth yet.
Grandma Parks gave us a bunch of photos. Diana says I look like Zane as a boy. Diana is going to visit her mother, and take the photos over and see what she thinks.
Diana fed William, and then gave him to me. William found his foot, and was playing with it. He also likes to press his lips together and make noise, which I call, "fun with lips". He's like his father, though, he can't bring his foot to his mouth yet.
Grandma Parks gave us a bunch of photos. Diana says I look like Zane as a boy. Diana is going to visit her mother, and take the photos over and see what she thinks.
81. Flight Home
William did not take kindly to the delay of a sick passanger. But I walked him in the isle and he charmed the stewardess, laughing with her. He slept through the whole flight. He was tired in the evening and fell asleep early and had a fitful sleep. He's sleeping now with Diana.
It's amazing how much he's changed since the visit. He's rolling to his side, arching his back and kicking with his feet. He reaches for everything in people's hands. I put him in the papasan, and he was trying to unbuckle it. He's reaching reaching reaching. Even in the crib he's reaching up and grabbing the mobile.
In Hayesville he was looking up at the sky, looking at trees. I went for a walk with him, and he turned his head to the sky a few times. Diana said he was looking all about our room, like he'd never been there before.
He had the loud anguished tired cry last night with Aida, but his mother quickly calmed him down. He also sometimes gets really upset when Diana tries to breast feed him. He's eating less. He woke at 7:30 and only drank an ounce of milk. Maybe Diana was up all night with him. I woke up at 6:30 and she was holding him. I offered to hold him, but she said she was all right.
It was a wonderful journey seeing everyone down south. He saw his Abuelo when he stopped by with some food, and he was reaching out to touch his face, looking at him. I like to think he was memorizing family faces while down south, he seemed to be doing so with his Abuelo.
He did not play much on his gym this morning. It seems too simple for him now. He's waking up...
It's amazing how much he's changed since the visit. He's rolling to his side, arching his back and kicking with his feet. He reaches for everything in people's hands. I put him in the papasan, and he was trying to unbuckle it. He's reaching reaching reaching. Even in the crib he's reaching up and grabbing the mobile.
In Hayesville he was looking up at the sky, looking at trees. I went for a walk with him, and he turned his head to the sky a few times. Diana said he was looking all about our room, like he'd never been there before.
He had the loud anguished tired cry last night with Aida, but his mother quickly calmed him down. He also sometimes gets really upset when Diana tries to breast feed him. He's eating less. He woke at 7:30 and only drank an ounce of milk. Maybe Diana was up all night with him. I woke up at 6:30 and she was holding him. I offered to hold him, but she said she was all right.
It was a wonderful journey seeing everyone down south. He saw his Abuelo when he stopped by with some food, and he was reaching out to touch his face, looking at him. I like to think he was memorizing family faces while down south, he seemed to be doing so with his Abuelo.
He did not play much on his gym this morning. It seems too simple for him now. He's waking up...
Monday, August 23, 2004
80. It begins
William thrusts himself forward and backwards if you don't jiggle him. He likes movement. He also likes hanging upside down. Sitting next to great grandma Bell, he pulls her magazines off, he reaches for everything. He's got a funny little thing where he moves his head back and forth. He likes wind in his face. When he doesn't like the way he's being held, he arches his back, and plants his feet when he can.
Grandma Bell thinks he looks like nobody but himself, not me or Diana or Grandpa, whom he's named after. Grandma seems to be well taken care of here, and that's good to see. Ginger stops by, she gets calls from the out of town daughters, she has a nurse and a local woman who helps out. Bobby keeps up the place, and she's got a dog and goats to take care of her. She seems to like William, which is nice.
Grandma Bell thinks he looks like nobody but himself, not me or Diana or Grandpa, whom he's named after. Grandma seems to be well taken care of here, and that's good to see. Ginger stops by, she gets calls from the out of town daughters, she has a nurse and a local woman who helps out. Bobby keeps up the place, and she's got a dog and goats to take care of her. She seems to like William, which is nice.
Sunday, August 22, 2004
79. Braxton
I've just spent Tuesday to Sunday with Zane, Bridget, Grandpa and Grandma in Newnan Georgia. It was wonderful to be in the belly of the family and to meet Braxton, Whitney's son, within a few weeks the same age as William. Braxton was a sweet boy. David, Nancy and Benjamin were also present. Though they hate Braxton's father, Eric, I shook his hand. We celebrated my grandparent's 62nd anniversary. Yikes! Four generations together, quite amazing.
Braxton turns over, but William does not yet. I was joking around, about how I wanted William to turn over. One thing William did do for the first time was hold his bottle. He's pretty unsteady and hasn't reproduced it, but we got on tape some of it. Lots of video taping and camera work done. I can't wait to send Grandma some of the photos.
Zane was very attached to William, which was sweet. I called him the "napinator". He would walk him and he would sleep on him lots. He also insisted on carrying him when we were eating. Bridget gave him a nice little Eyore rattle. Grandma complained because she could not walk with him, and could only sit with him. He fused after a while. She was convinced he was against her, but he liked her. Grandpa (mine, William's Great Grandpa) was sweet too. It was great to be with the family.
Now we're in Hayesville visiting Grandma Bell, who's even worse off than the Parks, but still happy to see William Bell. She misses Grandpa. We went to dinner, which was not easy for her. She has someone staying with her 24 hours, which she seems to resent, but seems appropriate to me.
The drive took 2.5 hours, and William only fused a little at the beginning. He pulls out the worst level of his crying rather infrequently. Zane cried when William went on a horrible crying jag. He held him and he calmed down within 10 minutes.
So it's good to see everyone, and let everyone get to meet young William. Seems like I should write more, but I've got a head ache, I'm at a public computer, and it's bath time. William got some syrup in his hair from this morning's breakfast. I think we left a bottle on the table, too, oh well. I miss them already. I wanted to cry for a long time after leaving grandma and grandpa. It was hard to say goodbye.
Braxton turns over, but William does not yet. I was joking around, about how I wanted William to turn over. One thing William did do for the first time was hold his bottle. He's pretty unsteady and hasn't reproduced it, but we got on tape some of it. Lots of video taping and camera work done. I can't wait to send Grandma some of the photos.
Zane was very attached to William, which was sweet. I called him the "napinator". He would walk him and he would sleep on him lots. He also insisted on carrying him when we were eating. Bridget gave him a nice little Eyore rattle. Grandma complained because she could not walk with him, and could only sit with him. He fused after a while. She was convinced he was against her, but he liked her. Grandpa (mine, William's Great Grandpa) was sweet too. It was great to be with the family.
Now we're in Hayesville visiting Grandma Bell, who's even worse off than the Parks, but still happy to see William Bell. She misses Grandpa. We went to dinner, which was not easy for her. She has someone staying with her 24 hours, which she seems to resent, but seems appropriate to me.
The drive took 2.5 hours, and William only fused a little at the beginning. He pulls out the worst level of his crying rather infrequently. Zane cried when William went on a horrible crying jag. He held him and he calmed down within 10 minutes.
So it's good to see everyone, and let everyone get to meet young William. Seems like I should write more, but I've got a head ache, I'm at a public computer, and it's bath time. William got some syrup in his hair from this morning's breakfast. I think we left a bottle on the table, too, oh well. I miss them already. I wanted to cry for a long time after leaving grandma and grandpa. It was hard to say goodbye.
Saturday, August 14, 2004
78. Grabbed Toes
Diana says William just grabbed his toe for the first time. He's 4 months old today. He's flapping his wings pretty hard, yesterday he smacked Diana. He's moved up to diaper size 4. Diana says he woke her up at 4 this morning, his diaper was full of urine, he was all wet.
Tuesday we fly down south so those in Newnan can see William and Zane and Bridget are flying in. Also we'll swing by and see Great Grandma Bell and Ginger, Bobby and Josh.
Tuesday we fly down south so those in Newnan can see William and Zane and Bridget are flying in. Also we'll swing by and see Great Grandma Bell and Ginger, Bobby and Josh.
Thursday, August 12, 2004
77. Will and Bart scared of poop?!
We went over to visit Will, Bart, and Di last night in the Bronx. Wes is in New Mexico. Di fixed a wonderful dinner. We watched some of the Mets game until the rain delay. I played ping pong with the boys. Will beat me twice, Bart 2-1 (I won one!). It was good to see those 17 year old boys, and my lovely kind aunt.
Will and Bart seemed reluctant to hold William. Then they were afraid of his poop and baby babba. Will walked in on Diana breast feeding and yelped. Somehow my camera lost the picture with Bart, but I got a good picture of Will and Will.
We picked V up from the airport after dinner. We thought about sleeping over, but Diana's breast were swollen and I told her not to bring the breast pump, and William was asleep. I went to bed around 2am last night. Now I'm procrastinating, not studying for my social worker exam. Better get to it.
Will and Bart seemed reluctant to hold William. Then they were afraid of his poop and baby babba. Will walked in on Diana breast feeding and yelped. Somehow my camera lost the picture with Bart, but I got a good picture of Will and Will.
We picked V up from the airport after dinner. We thought about sleeping over, but Diana's breast were swollen and I told her not to bring the breast pump, and William was asleep. I went to bed around 2am last night. Now I'm procrastinating, not studying for my social worker exam. Better get to it.
Wednesday, August 11, 2004
76. Five Days
William went 5 days before he finally pooped, to our relief. You can put a thermometer in and try to stimulate the area, but that didn't work for us. I was relieved (and so was he) when at Virginia's pool, he finally let go. Not in the pool, he's too young to swim yet.
We went to the pool with Diana, who finally had a bathing suit, Aida and Natasia, and Paul. Virginia is in Chicago, coming home tonight. Natasia had a good time in the pool.
Right now he's watching Winged Migration, a lovely documentary about birds migrating. Before that he was on the gym. Diana said he got up at 4 am this morning, but he went to bed around 7pm last night, the second day of 9 hours sleep.
That sweet boy is getting more and more personality as the day goes by.
I've been uploading photos to Snapfish, so if anyone wants to see them or order prints, just e-mail me.
We went to the pool with Diana, who finally had a bathing suit, Aida and Natasia, and Paul. Virginia is in Chicago, coming home tonight. Natasia had a good time in the pool.
Right now he's watching Winged Migration, a lovely documentary about birds migrating. Before that he was on the gym. Diana said he got up at 4 am this morning, but he went to bed around 7pm last night, the second day of 9 hours sleep.
That sweet boy is getting more and more personality as the day goes by.
I've been uploading photos to Snapfish, so if anyone wants to see them or order prints, just e-mail me.
Sunday, August 08, 2004
75. The hike
We went hiking with William. It was great. We had this baby backpack, and he seemed real comfortable. It was comfortable for me. So we drove up to Harriman, and hiked for a couple hours. William was changed and breast fed outdoors. On the way back he fell asleep.
We had a lovely visit from Gretchen. She was very warm and kind and open to meeting the many relatives and friends of Diana's at Natasia's 7th birthday party. William loved being passed around by everyone, everyone doting on him. I'm going to miss Gretchen.
We had a lovely visit from Gretchen. She was very warm and kind and open to meeting the many relatives and friends of Diana's at Natasia's 7th birthday party. William loved being passed around by everyone, everyone doting on him. I'm going to miss Gretchen.
Friday, August 06, 2004
74. Panic attack
We had a lovely day, we went hiking for the first time with William. We ended up at Virginia's and Diana went shopping with Aida and Virginia, for Natasia's 7th birthday party, which is tomorrow. William, out of the blue, started crying like I've never heard him cry before. I thought something was horribly wrong. His diaper was just changed, I burped him, offered him food, I held him close, I did everything in the book I could think of. I called Diana in a panic. She tried to calm me down, but I could not hear her over William's howling. I waited a while longer, and his crying did not abate. I took off all his close, to see if something was poking him. Nothing. I was really freaking out, I've never heard him cry this loud, or this long. I was considering taking him to the hospital. I called Diana again, and she came home. Of course, after 30 minutes of howling, his sweat soaked head, he started to wilt. He cried a little when Diana came home, but he fell asleep. Apparently he was just tired. I was so embarrassed. I panicked. I cried for a while. It was just too much for me. Diana wondered, what if she was working or unreachable. I don't know what I would have done. I'm very very sorry to Virginia and Aida for interrupting their shopping. He slept and ate, and was OK. I was surprised he was OK. He sat here, and everything was all right. Sometimes I wonder if I'm up for this, but I hope I can learn and adjust. When do you take him to the hospital? I think I would have hit a tree with him howling in the car. I worried that something was wrong with him. But he was just tired after an exciting day. Crying is sort of like nature's way of emptying the tank, so he can sleep, but I've never seen such howling. Diana says she's seen it before. She thought I was interrupting her activity, using scare tactics to get her home. I think if I'm having a panic attack, maybe she should come home too, but still, I'm sorry for causing the fuss. I'm glad I was wrong. Nothing was wrong.
Thursday, August 05, 2004
73. First cheese
William "cheesed" for the first time the other day. I had him laying on his stomach, on my legs, and he started gurgling, so I held him normal, and he cheesed on my shirt. Diana said, "his first cheese!"
He's also planting his feet, and arching his back rather effectively these days. It's his one mode of movement, though it's mostly a move of protest. His play on the "activity center" has changed, he's holding onto things, and his hands are more steady. He's not talking as much, but I think that's because he realizes he's not really talking, he seems to understand that somehow communication is going on.
Diana put on an outfit. I said, "who gave us that one?" She said it was one of Evans, and this will probably be the only time he can wear it, he's getting so big. My scale says he's only 18 pounds, but I think he's 20 pounds.
Rich writes, about a recent photo I sent, "adorable - anyone taking bets on how long his hair will get before it bends over?"
Today we get a visitor! Getchen Benz is visiting us. We pick her up at the airport in an hour. We're furiously cleaning the apartment for her.
He's also planting his feet, and arching his back rather effectively these days. It's his one mode of movement, though it's mostly a move of protest. His play on the "activity center" has changed, he's holding onto things, and his hands are more steady. He's not talking as much, but I think that's because he realizes he's not really talking, he seems to understand that somehow communication is going on.
Diana put on an outfit. I said, "who gave us that one?" She said it was one of Evans, and this will probably be the only time he can wear it, he's getting so big. My scale says he's only 18 pounds, but I think he's 20 pounds.
Rich writes, about a recent photo I sent, "adorable - anyone taking bets on how long his hair will get before it bends over?"
Today we get a visitor! Getchen Benz is visiting us. We pick her up at the airport in an hour. We're furiously cleaning the apartment for her.
72. She likes me, she really likes me!
Virginia writes:
hey, I just had a chance to read the blog posting... the one on your anniversary brought tears to my eyes. I know I smirk at you too often, but I should learn not to judge you & your parenting abilities. I'm sure Diana is happy to have you for a husband too. Congrats on 7 years of marriage.
hey, I just had a chance to read the blog posting... the one on your anniversary brought tears to my eyes. I know I smirk at you too often, but I should learn not to judge you & your parenting abilities. I'm sure Diana is happy to have you for a husband too. Congrats on 7 years of marriage.
Tuesday, August 03, 2004
71. Seven Years
Diana and I have been married 7 years today, and I'm thinking William is the best present we could get. I have such over flowing love for him, and I really don't know what to do with it at times. I kiss him a lot, but he's obviously not interested in being showered with kisses, and he sometimes pushes his head to get you off him. I love holding him, but he's getting to be around 20 pounds, and he's not so light, so I can't hold him forever and walk him, like he would like sometimes. I love paying attention to him, and making sure he's taken care of. He does not mind kisses on his legs and arms, when he's laying down, sometimes he can smile at them. I think making him smile is my greatest ability, yet it's not a consistent easy thing to do. I find him such a wonderful boy.
So 7 years have finally culminated in a son, after our first try at IUI (intrauterine insemination). We sometimes squawk at each other when we're tired, or somehow feel not understood by the other, under the pressure of taking care of a child. I'm sure Virginia would smirk at this, because she thinks I should do more, but I'm giving my son my all, and while it's the greatest joy in my life, it's also very very stressful to have a child. The worry, the anxiety, the omnipresence, the lack of sleep.
All I can say is to see Diana happy with William, to see Diana being such a good mother, is a very happy time. We went to Carolyn and Papo's wedding 2 days ago, and it was quite a lovely event. It was great to see such a celebration of marriage. It made me think about how lucky I am to have Diana as my wife. And while William is much bigger and separate from our marriage, it's impacted, informed and effected it, mostly for the better, and while the stress might make us squabble a little at times, that does not worry me, because we always make up and in general things are wonderful.
So 7 years have finally culminated in a son, after our first try at IUI (intrauterine insemination). We sometimes squawk at each other when we're tired, or somehow feel not understood by the other, under the pressure of taking care of a child. I'm sure Virginia would smirk at this, because she thinks I should do more, but I'm giving my son my all, and while it's the greatest joy in my life, it's also very very stressful to have a child. The worry, the anxiety, the omnipresence, the lack of sleep.
All I can say is to see Diana happy with William, to see Diana being such a good mother, is a very happy time. We went to Carolyn and Papo's wedding 2 days ago, and it was quite a lovely event. It was great to see such a celebration of marriage. It made me think about how lucky I am to have Diana as my wife. And while William is much bigger and separate from our marriage, it's impacted, informed and effected it, mostly for the better, and while the stress might make us squabble a little at times, that does not worry me, because we always make up and in general things are wonderful.
Monday, August 02, 2004
70. Laughter
Diana has gotten William to laugh a few times. It's so cute. I wanted to record it, but he stopped by the time I got the camera ready.
We had our first non-family baby sitter, Alex, baby sit William the other day. We had Carolyn and Papo's wedding. Alex did a fine job, and got us some bottles with bags, so he doesn't get air when he eats. He seemed to sleep a lot with her, and he's been sleeping a lot today. I think he's got a growth spurt.
We had our first non-family baby sitter, Alex, baby sit William the other day. We had Carolyn and Papo's wedding. Alex did a fine job, and got us some bottles with bags, so he doesn't get air when he eats. He seemed to sleep a lot with her, and he's been sleeping a lot today. I think he's got a growth spurt.
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