Schedule or not to schedule

Baby Tao has now begun to work on his daily schedule.

He goes to bed sometime between 7 and 10:30.

He eats a lot all day long.

He sleeps after eating or playing. Do you think I need to narrow the time slots?

He wakes up twice at night, 1, 2 or 3 am and then 4, 5 or 6. Not bad for a two month old. We go for a walk in the morning before 10 am.

He is working on holding up his head, swatting hanging objects, tummy time, and looking at a monkey book. He rides imaginary bikes and feels different materials on his cheeks and in his hand. Aunt Brenda got him a great teddy rattle that is smooth on one side and soft on the other, and fuzzy on the bear. He really loves it! Thank you, Aunt Brenda.

Immunization

Baby Tao got his first round of shots. He was a trooper. He does not like tylenol, cherry flavored. But he does like vitamin D drops, cherry flavor. He cried so sincerely when he got the shots, Steve and I just laughed at his big tears and sad eyes. He stopped crying quickly, Thank you, God. Today, the day after, he was sleepy and whiny, but not the worst day of my with baby life.

I have heard plenty of horror stories. I even remember the shots I had to get for kindergarten, they really hurt. Very tramatizing! Our Baby Tao is strong. The doc was astounded at how he can hold up his head and kick his legs. She said he is comparable to a 4 month old. He now weighs 13 lb, 8.8 oz. He is in the top bracket for length and weight. We are happy parents of a strong, healthy, normal baby.

The doctor who originally reported that shots cause autism is being proscecuted for fraud in his case studies. He made up data! Wow, what a stir he has made. In my class tonight, a mother of three stated that she does not give immunizations, at all. . . Risky.

More Friends stay the night

Desire and Chris spent the night at our house. We had such a fun time. Steve and Chris got to get water for us.

Chris and I watered the tomato plants. He really loved doing that. Chris did a great job of coloring and we found out he loves Chinese dumplings.

Speaking of tomato plants...my tomato plants from last year are out of control with producing cherry tomatoes. The Heirloom tomato plants from my neighbor Cynthia are huge, but weak on fruit, so I will fertilize more. I am a rookie bucket farmer and am just thrilled that anything will grow.

I bought four new herb plants at the Culver City Farmers market and two of them have had worms. Those buggers are tricky. They look just like the stems so for the longest time I didn't see them. But they do leave behind evidence of their existence. Now I am a bit more educated on what to look for so discover them. What fun, this gardening.

Rios Family

The Rios Family spent the weekend with us and made a vidoe with Fernando's cool iphone. Thanks for the yummy dinner and breakfast, Monique. They are carrying one of Baby Tao's Best friends, Josiah. We can't wait for him to get here.

Here is Baby Tao sleepily cooing.

Schedule

Don't you just want to tickle these tiny toes?

So now it is time to begin a schedule for Baby Tao.

The only thing he has taught me that I have actually caught is that for sleeping he prefers the purple pacie, the green fuzzy blanket, turned on his side, and he insists on burying his face into the crook of my elbow.

He is a good eater. I feel like I can scarcely keep up with him. Overshare--he is sometimes eating with out the nipple shield. Yippy! I am really astounded at how quickly babies seem to learn.

He is also growing like a weed. He is just starting to not fit into New Born clothes. 3 month clothes at 7 weeks.

Grandma Tao got him this adorable little bathrobe with a frog on it. He finally does not scream like he is being murdered when I give him a bath. In fact, the other day, he actually seemed to put out his toes like he was trying to test the water. And he no longer looks into my eyes with sheer terror. I felt like a mean mom, how dare I try to have a clean baby.

Steve's second counsins were here for the weekend. They just loved Baby Tao. He was so good for them. He cooed on demand. They are getting ready to start their family, and so wanted to practice with Baby Tao.

Aunt Keni popped in for a quick visit and introduction to Baby Tao. Steve had spent the weekend teaching his counsins to care for Baby Tao, and continued with Keni. She just zapped him up and demonstrated her baby moves. She is a natural. Steve was impressed.

"Steve, we have five nieces and nephews that I grew up caring for, and this makes six!"

Baby Tao stole Uncle Ronnie's heart. Ronnie loved the Baby and was amazed by how tiny he is, and plans to return often to love him and help him learn about the world.

A moment

Baby Tao had just had his second blow-out in a morning. So once again I pulled off all his clothes, ran a sink full of water and prepared to throw him in for a quick rinse off. He looked up into the mirror and saw me and started smiling and cooing. He pulled his lips up on one side, and garbled something he found quite hilarious. I could not help but laugh with him, and suddenly I had a memory of my fathers lips curled in just the same way when he was quipping a witty remark.

That delighted me to no end as daily I look at my boy and wonder what he has inherited from my side of family. Just one more delightful experience in the first 40 days of motherhood.

Baby Tao loves trips in the baby Bjorn pack.

What a blessing.

Awesome woman, Janet came over to hold BT so that I could get some serious house work done. I am so grateful, and Jonathan got a great nap. Yes, he slept for 2 whole hours with barely a twitch. If anyone needs a sub grandma, I can recommend Janet.

mommy--its fun!

Ok, in just under two hours I think I have every body fluid known to man covering me. Details not necessary.

BT is cooing, and beginning to smile. I swear I got a laugh but Steve says it was an accident. BT is hanging out on his tummy more and actually enjoys looking at things from a different perspective.