Calvin, Prankster

He may have figured out that if he drops things, we catch them. Or try to. Or say "whoa!" However it works, it gets a laugh.

6-month Pediatrician Visit

Not having internet at home makes things difficult. Amazing to think that, just six years ago, I lived my online life using the U of C dial-up connection. It was slow, but I just dealt with it. Can't even fathom that now.

Anyway, there's my excuse for the lack of updates. Many photos are overdue, including the fabulous ones that Ethan shared from Calvin's baptism. Will have to wait, though, as we are off to the Wisconsin wilderness for several days.

In the short term, though - as the post title implies, Calvin had his 6-month pediatrician visit last week, where we were assured that he is, in all ways, normal. And told that yes, he may well spit up more than other babies... but no, there is nothing to be done about it. He'll probably get over it by the time he's a year old. So continuing to dress in old t-shirts it is!

Length: 26-3/4 inches (50th-75th percentile)
Weight: 16 pounds 12 ounces (25th-50th percentile)
Head Circumference: 43 centimeters (25th percentile)

Got His Mom's Appetite, Apparently

Our baby books say infants can start on solids any time between 4 and 6 months, but that the American Association of Pediatrics recommends waiting til 6 months, and if you start at 4, it's really not going to add anything to baby's diet because he/she will just spit it all out and not have the control necessary to swallow, yadda yadda yadda.

Then we went to the pediatrician who said, among other things, that if Calvin seemed interested in the food we were eating, he's probably ready to start solids.

Whenever he watches us eat a meal, it's like he's staring into our souls, he watches so intently. So we figured it was time.

Here he is getting ready to eat his first rice cereal meal:


And here he is after:


Anyway, we have since moved on to bananas and sweet potatoes, and he has loved both, to the extent that he cried angrily when there were no sweet potatoes left. Tomorrow: zucchini!

Many more photos available at Snapfish, documenting other firsts, including meeting the senior Murphys and taking a trip to Hyde Park.

Big Day!

We have attained rolling! The baby has successfully rolled from his tummy to his back THREE TIMES. And then promptly looked at us, each time, in confusion as he seemingly tried to figure out what we were so excited about.

Good job, Calvin!

Pediatrician Report

The little sir is healthy, hale, and hearty, and seems to be sleeping, eating, and leveraging tummy time like a 4-month-old should. He once again handled vaccinations (two shots this time) with aplomb. Also, the doctor commented on both his eyelashes and calm demeanor. But who wouldn't be impressed by such things?

Length: 25.5 inches (75th percentile)
Weight: 15 pounds 3 ounces (just above 50th percentile)
Head Circumference: 42 centimeters (50th percentile)

Almost 4 Months

There's so much to say, and yet so little. Every day is a challenge, an adventure, and yet objectively, it all seems so banal - things that have been occurring since the beginning of time. But they haven't been occurring to Calvin since the beginning of time.

Of late, his favorite thing is the monkey that came with his activity gym. We have named him Gallopin, and we like to make him speak to Calvin in a French accent (all monkeys are French, you didn't know that?). His eyes light up when he sees it, and he will reach up to pull it down from its perch, and hang onto it for several minutes, turning it over and over, feeling it with his tiny little hands. It still amazes me every day.

4-month pediatrician appointment on Thursday, will report back then! In the meantime, fun with photos... these and more at Snapfish.

One Photo!

I just really like this one...