Weeks 32 - 34

Things I have learned:

It’s has now been tested and proven that no child likes to fall asleep on a long car ride -from warm New York to frigid Montreal – only to be woken up at midnight by a blast of cold air. If you do this, said child will most likely yell at you until 1:30am. Trust me. I know.

Things not to do: Leave on a long 7 hour car ride with no diapers packed at all. This will result in a trip to Walmart in the middle of nowhere in which the shoppers make you feel like you’re trapped in the movie Deliverance.

Sammy is now eating cheerios. I’m only mildly disturbed when I see people feeding Sammy like he’s in a petting zoo. I prefer to let him pick them up himself but hey, that’s just me.

Sammy apparently has no regard for the cost of dry cleaning. How does he know exactly when to spit up milk on me?

Sammy has really upped the ante with his babbling. He’s started to say bababababa, dadadadada or mamamamama depending on the situation. This is where we’ve gotten into trouble. It seems that when he’s in a good mood he says “dadadadadadada” and when he’s pissed (read: nap time) he says “mamamamama”. Suffice it to say, Danielle is thrilled.

When I was little, my dad used to motivate me to crawl by holding a shiny watch in front of me and moving it. This decidedly did not go over well with one Samson E. Kroo.

Danielle and I are having a debate over what nicknames are appropriate. Here are some that I’ve been using: Wild Bill, Champ, Mexican Jumping Bean (when he’s standing up he just bounces up and down laughing!). Danielle is really pushing for Short Stack. When I hear that, I don’t really think about a short stack of pancakes as she envisions. We’re open to your thoughts. What do you think about Short Stack?

Remember how I thought Sammy was teething several weeks ago? I may have been wrong. Now I really think he’s going at it. The evidence:

           -          Drool factory output is like Niagara Falls

           -          Occasionally it looks like Sammy is wearing rouge

           -          Now when I pick him up he’ll open his mouth as wide as possible and proceed to gnaw on my shoulder for 5 seconds. This is particularly humorous.

It has taken 2 weeks but our young Padawan has increased the amount of Cheerios that make it in mouth vs. on face/floor from 5% to 50%. An important skill!

Things that don’t end well: Accidentally putting a size 3 diaper on your child when they really should be a size 4. Right before they go to bed. Well, that sucked big time.

I took Sammy to the park 2 weeks ago on an unseasonably warm day in December. Still, it’s not a good idea for Sammy to lick the metal chain that holds a swing in the winter right? Pretty sure I saw that scene in Dumb and Dumber and it did not go well.

So….We have not learned to appreciate the fun of slides yet (see picture below). We’re not upset by the slide, but we definitely do not care about it.

What we have done is master the holding of one’s own bottle during feedings. Yes!!!!!

Chanukah with kids is awesome.

Did Samson’s feet even touch the ground when he visited (read: was spoiled) Sabbah and Savtah in Montreal last weekend? It would seem not. You know it’s bad when I text our nanny with an apology in advance of our return home.

Samson has an extreme mastery of moving backwards: whether in his walker or trying to crawl. He excels in this regard. We’re working on forwards…

New game I’m not completely in love with: The “hey thanks for handing me a toy I’m going to get really excited for a second then chuck it on the floor then wish I had it back” game. Yippee.

Important statistics we are tracking:

      

-          # trips to Brooklyn: 2

      -          Most cheerios stuck to face at one time: 3

      -          # of poopy diapers we have convinced my sister to change to date: ZERO (time to step up!)

      -          Number of staring contests won vs. Zaide (great grandfather): 1

      -     Weight: 23lbs (97th percentile) ; Height: 30 inches (97th percentile)

      -     # of times the doctor told me Sammy was not fat (I know): 1 - she said lots of parents think their kids are fat? I actually think he's gotten thinner (although those little legs :)  )

      -     # of times the doctor told me I was a crazy parent: 2 (what!?!)

      Pictures for your amusement:

The Giants saved their season and beat Dallas in ridiculously dramatic fashion. Sammy, uh, was not caring much.

Fun with Aunty Gavy at the park

So the slide is not exciting. Got it.

Mr. popular....

With pal Nora

The boys having fun.

S-WEET!

practice makes perfect

Got something on your face there, Bud.

Chanukah with Kenia and pal Nora

Chanukah presents!

Chilling with Johnny

You will eventually have to step up beyond feedings and change a poopy diaper!

This picture did not turn out as planned

Say hello to winter in Montreal

Big day. First Giants game with Aunt Gavy and Sabbah

You have to sweet talk Sammy before he will let himself be bundled up to take on frigid Montreal

Staring contest with Zaide

Sammy meets Ryan and Ethan!

Comparing feet sizes with Ronnie

Motivational work with Sabbah. This did not go well.

I'm starting to think Sammy looks like me (poor guy). What's crazy  about the pictures is that there is one constant. And it is not Danielle. Pretty crazy to think about. Top: Dec 2011. Bottom: Sept 1980.

 The little laugher part 2

Week 31: The Dinosaur Squawk

Things I have learned:

Thanksgiving was my first plane ride with Sammy. I distinctly recall how much stuff  we (read: Sammy)took with us on our first weekend trip. The car was overflowing. How does this translate to an airport? It translates to Danielle, Sammy and I occupying the entire x-ray line from the conveyer belt all the way to the tubs – and a TFA agent mocking me for having the same amount of junk as a large family. UGH.

On to the actual plane ride – I was really worried. Good thing Sammy is the friendliest child on earth – as he decided to have a coughing fit while we were delayed for 30 minutes on the tarmac (!!!) he would calmly smile at other passengers to melt their anger in between hacking. 

Just as Sammy was starting to get fussy – magic happened. The plane engine turned on and voila! Apparently that sound is like the womb, because Sammy passed out literally instantly, and remained that way until we landed. I need to get some intense plan engine sounds for when he takes naps apparently.

Have you ever seen a poop where the diaper is clean but the, uh,  pants and legs are not? Ummm….me neither?

You may notice form some pictures that Sammy has decided that in a continued effort to look tough he will take his razor sharp nails and scratch his face. Always in the same spot. Every day. Without fail. Trying to scar himself. Because it’s “fun”.  I’m now really concerned because the other day I caught him literally sharpening his nails on my jeans.

We thought about giving Sammy some serious thanksgiving food to help him celebrate his first one. You know, turkey, green bean casserole…the works. In the end he got….you guessed right! Baby food! At least we got him some baby food yams.

Sammy made a new discovery – it was the notion that he can squawk like a dinosaur at the top of his lungs. He has several sounds – pterodactyl, triceratops, T-Rex – you name it. This is all fine and good until you remember that you still have a plane ride back. With the Squawker.

And then it dons on you: I don’t mind (or care) that my kid is squawking or even crying on a plane. I am so numb to those sounds that I hardly notice. Not minding the sound of crying on the plane. I guess if it’s your kid…

Is there any worse decision to have to make than when you walk into your child’s room at midnight to do the obligatory “they’re still really cute” check and find that they’ve pooped? Do you wake them up and risk their anger? Or do you let them sleep through it (in it). Danielle and I decided to collaborate on a surgical procedure to make the change while keeping him asleep. In one of the most intense parenting moments yet….success!!!

New foods of the week: Cheerios! (Watching Sammy with these was hilarious.), yogurt, pasta!

Samson will literally put EVERYTHING in his mouth. He has zero discretion. The only thing he will not put in his mouth? Ummm….food? We sat trying to show him how to put the cheerios in his mouth for a ½ hour to absolutely no avail.  Same thing with eggs – he picks them up and plays with them but will absolutely not put them in his mouth. He does, however, like them in his lap.

The best thing about the cheerios is the “magic” cheerio trick. This is where all the cheerios get stuck in his hand and he can’t find them. Just when he’s getting really confused they magically fall out of his hand an appear! Video below for your amusment.

In other disturbing news of the week - Our young Padawan did not realize while we were away that Kenia was not with us. but oh - when we got home he was going to make sure she never left him again! Every time she put him down he would yell. When she would be out of his sight line....yell. Now, I thought this would die down after a day or two but when he woke up from his nap on Friday and Kenia was gone, he spent the first 30 minutes wheeling his head around trying to find her. At least he likes her...Hey - remember us? your parents? 

Important a statistics we are tracking:

      -          Number of minutes slept on the plane ride home from Cincinnati: ZERO

      -          Number of cheerios made into Sammy’s mouth on his own: ZERO

      -          Decibel level of our little dinosaur squawker: I don’t know but it’s piercing!

      -          Number of times Danielle or I needed to call in for reinforcements: at least 5 (more food apparently leads to more “trouble”)

Things we googled this week:

      -          How long does formula last after you make it

      -          Baby first cheese experience

      -          Does formula fill you up faster than breast milk?

Pictures for your amusement: 

Like I said - Anything but food

chilling with his weird talking friend Scout the dog

Somebody likes the swings!

"Fast Mom!"

The plane ride "to" thanksgiving was very peaceful...

It was like a flip was switched the second the engines started!

Gotta love the stylish hats....

Obi wan kenobi. Danielle literally brought this random bathrobe just so we could take a cute picture. She was right. It's cute.

Trying to explain what you do with a cheerio. This did not work well.

Note the scab by the little guys eye - stop picking at it!

Sammy was so excited by IHOP that he couldn't wait for the food - he tried to eat the menu

Sammy checks out a giant Manatee at the Cincinnati zoo

Festival of Lights with grandpa Steve

Maybe this means we're doing something right?

He did this all on his own

Wrestling with his Giraffe while fighting a nap

Still cute...

Look guys! Cheerios.

So....not in his mouth

boycotting the eggs if he needs to feed himself. But he great at playing with his food.

Magic cheerios!

Weeks 29 - 30: The changing table revolution begins...

Things I have learned over the 2 ½ week blog hiatus:

The Changing table revolt is under way. My friend Samson has settled on a few things:

1. His legs are now strong enough to kick out of any hold that Danielle and I might have him in while  “cleaning” him. He exercises this right frequently despite my explanation that one wrong move will require a thorough cleansing and potentially a bath mixed with Ajax. 
2. It is fun to put his left leg on the wall to push off, thereby sliding the changing pad and causing his parents to freak out. 
3. Samson will continue to lead the changing table revolution for as long as it takes.

Samson is like a crime fighter – except that instead of crime he is busy fighting sleep with everything he’s got, one nap at a time.  What’s the big deal about nap time? He has no problem going to bed at night but the day….

Things I never thought could end ok – having your child up for 8 hours straight. Somehow Samson managed hold it together and to actually be in a good mood. I do not think this is a coincidence. This is a child trying to strategically prove that he doesn’t need to nap. I mean, come on…

1.       The term : “Fomo”

Fö-Mö

      1.      –noun

Usually, the fear of missing out

Example: I’m pretty sure Sammy has massive daytime Fomo – That must be why he hates taking naps!

Yes, it’s fair to say that I am scared of the big boy car seat.  The big boy car seat should not have come into play this soon but given Sammy’s insane height we’re here early. What this means: Limited to no sleeping after a car ride.  In the past we’d just take out the car seat so the little guy could continue napping

Sammy loves football – but he is learning what it’s like to be a Giants fan. He got so anxious and excited during the 4^th quarter comeback vs. the Patriots that he threw up all over me. I was close to throwing up but I need to set an example.

What does it mean that Sammy wakes up from his nap the instant our nanny leaves everyday. How the heck can he figure that out? To me this is just further evidence that he’s a Jedi.

Sammy has a tough side to him. For weeks now, when he’s playing with older and more advanced pal Baby Owen, he’s been the recipient of some mild baby on baby violence (Owen keeps wanting to sit on Sammy). Well, Sammy finally had enough and decided to fight back. By licking Owen and trying to eat his head.

In other efforts to prove he’s tough – Sammy has decided that it would be good to scratch his face until it looks like he’s been in a bar fight. Despite cutting his nails insanely frequently (ok, our nanny cuts them) he has managed to find a way to make his face bleed every day. This is either a) madness or b) toughness. I’m telling you…don’t mess with this guy!

Just when you think you know something moment of the week: I come home one day and all of a sudden, Sammy just wants to play on the floor. No more “pick me up! Pick me up!” – Now when I pick him up he just squirms. Of course, two days later things went back to normal.

What does it say when our nanny has not only trained us but also my mother? She’s good….

On a scale of 1 to 10, it’s a 10. What’s the scale you ask? Oh…ummm….the scale of how bad I feel when playing on the floor with Samson and I fart (he’s at a much lower level than me!)

The definition of being caught between a rock in a hard place is when you walk into your child’s room at midnight and smell poop. UGH.

Video Skype  is awesome but it’s no substitute for the real thing. Learned this the hard way last week in LA!

Worse things have happened than having your wife work on getting Sammy back to sleeping until 6:30am while you are out of town. To be fair, there’s no way she accomplishes that task if her weak husband had been home (Yes, I know I'm weak and I'm ok with it).

New weird thing that is happening:

All of a sudden, Samson loves to jump. All the time. Now when he’s practicing standing (read: we’re helping him stand) he just bounces endlessly. Did I say endlessly?

Awesome website that you should see and that I wish I thought of (credit to Shawn for finding this one): http://www.studioarthur.co.uk/

Important statistics we are tracking:


- Number of days I was away from Samson during week 29: 5 (and it sucked!)

- Number of times we had to call Savtah (grandma) to come babysit because Danielle and I both had to be out of town the same day: 1 (THANK YOU!)

Many Pictures for your amusement: 

Sammy has more friends than I do. I have no clue who this is...

Loving the swings

At first glance this picture is cute. Then you start to think about the new "big boy" car seat that will require me to wake up my napping child to bring him inside. I actually took a 15 minute detour to give our little anti-napper more nap time.

Giants vs. Patriots stress-induced spit up

Those are muscles in his legs.

Chilling with Baby Owen

Post-bath punk rocker....Is this how Sid Vicious got started?

Practicing standing with Kenia...crazy!

Does the bib interfere with this hip look?

"The Dude"

Gotta look cool in the baby swings.

Some things never change

This is the equivalent of a baby taxi

Sammy reading Entertainment Weekly. Sideways.

See how happy you are after naps? Why must it be so hard!?!?

No clue who this is but she's reading to a captive Sammy.

Ummmmmm....

A video for your amusement:

BEST VIDEO EVER (otherwise known as my happy place - it can be yours too.)