My First Trip - Houston, TX

Went on my first trip this week; it was to Houston where Mommy and Daddy grew up. Watching Mommy pack for the trip was interesting. How can someone so small (and cute!) as me need so much stuff?!

Mommy planned the flight down to Houston around our naptimes with an hour on each side to spare. Unfortunately, the flight was more than an hour late, so I woke up from my long nap just as we were boarding the plane. Whoops. Good thing we were next to a very nice grandfather who was more than happy to hold me when I got fussy while Mommy dealt with Claire. Mommy gives me an A- for the flight, though I would have gotten an A+++ if the flight had left on time!

I'm up! Now what?

We spent lots of time outdoors during the trip because the weather was gorgeous. Taking me outside is one of the quickest ways to distract me if I'm having a fit, and I really liked the fountain in the spa as well as watching my big sister run around like a crazy lady.

So serene, so tranquil

Happy to be outside

That first night was sort of a mess. I have not been away from Mommy in the evenings yet, and I KNEW that she wasn't there. I didn't want the bottle, I didn't want to be held, I just wanted my Mommy! Luckily she came home just as chaos was about the erupt, and the three of us settled in for a good night's sleep.

Always in a great mood when I wake up

All these chairs, yet it's better when we pile together

What are we going to do today?

We decided to head down to the Kemah Boardwalk one day. After lunch, we headed for the rides, which I actually got to go on this time instead of just watching from the side. I did my usual -- yes, sleep. It's sort of hit or miss whether I need to be held or not, but it's pretty consistent that I like to sleep. Also consistent is waking up just as Claire falls asleep for her nap. It keeps things interesting for Mommy. :)

Alternated between sleeping and eating at lunch.

My first merry-go-round ride.

On the tall spinning thing

On the train (see the pattern?)

What'd I miss?

Went to the park one morning before we had visitors -- Nai-Nai, Ye-Ye, and some of Mommy's childhood friends. Da-Jiu also came home which was a huge help for Mommy since Claire loves him so much. And then when Crystal A-Yi, Kirby, and Xiao-Jiu came home? Forget it; she was done with us.

Claire makes me laugh

Um, we're going to ride what?

I'm like an accessory for Mommy

Don't worry, I still got in my tummy time

Got a long nap in when Claire went to play with Charlie and Jacob. I actually spend a lot of time just following around my big sis and her activities; I can't wait until I can do some of those things, too!

I'm the one on the floor

It was good to see Auntie Syndee again

Mommy's gotten good at feeding me in public

We celebrated Mommy's birthday while we were in Houston, too. Then we enjoyed the nice weather 'til Wade and Alex came to visit. They were very good holding me, and I can't wait until I'm big enough to run around with them. Mommy thinks they're so sweet and hopes that I get my manners from them.

Here I am eyeing the cake.
I wonder what I have to do to get me some of that?

Yeah, yeah, I know. I have squishable cheeks.

Do YOU think my head is going to burn?

Me and Wade. So comfy, I fell asleep.

Me and Alex. Us younger brothers gotta stick together.

And then we went home! I got my A+++ on the way home; slept the whole way. Overall, the trip was fun, and I can't wait to go back.

You should check out a lot more pics from the trip and read Claire and Mommy's versions, too!

And They All Rolled Over...

Guess what I did today? Yup, rolled on over from my belly to my back. I've pretty much mastered tummy time and decided to change up the view, so I just tipped right on over to the side to check out the ceiling instead. Mommy was so surprised, she just stared at me ... and then promptly made me do it again ... and again ... and then put me on the floor (I was previously hanging out on the bed with Mommy) to make it harder to see if I could do it again. Yup! So, "they all rolled over", but no one will fall out because I'm going to have to be blocked in all the time!

Whoa! (for the 10th time)

I promise I've got this down

What was all that cheering about?

I haven't really tried going from my back to belly -- I mean, why would you do that? Wait long enough and someone will stick you on your stomach whether you like it or not -- but I'm getting pretty good at turning to my side in bed.

Sleeping like this makes me feel warm and snuggly

Went to Gattitown with Claire and Kaylie after storytime. Mostly I just hung out in the stroller and held onto my Wubbanub. It wasn't busy at all, which was good since Mommy hasn't really introduced me to many bottles.

Not sure these straps are right, but they help me hold on

Trying out various fingers

Also went to a playgroup. Since I'm a good baby, I just hung out in my carrier sleeping most of the time, and then Benjamin's mommy rescued me and held me outside.

Enjoying the company and fresh air.

I've been to a few other things -- parties and such -- mostly because of my big sister's busy social calendar. You can see lots of pics from those activities in our March album.

P.S. Oh, yeah. Where am I sleeping at night? Most of the early night, I start out in my own bed (the "box" in the bassinet) but move to Mommy's bed when it's feeding time(s). I'm a good sleeper, so we've got it worked out where I eat and sleep and she sleeps and feeds. Happiness.

2-Month Well-Baby

Claire and I had our well-baby visits today; her belated 2-year and my 2-month. She went first, and then I was laid out on the table. My numbers:

• Height: 23.75 inches (70%)
• Weight: 11 lbs 8oz (50%)
• Head: 14.75 inches (10%)

I guess the peanut-head Pees will continue to run in our family (this line of it anyways). What's interesting is that Claire's head was the exact same size at her 2-month, but her percentage was 20%. Hmmm ... I wonder if it's different for boys than girls. As for the rest, I guess the reason why people always declare what a big baby I am is because I'm long? Or maybe it's the chipmunk cheeks. :)

Yes, I realize the bear will always be smaller.
Question is, how MUCH smaller?

After checking me out (everything looked great), Dr. Frank had rolled me onto my tummy and was just telling Mommy and Daddy how in the next 2 months I should start lifting my head and looking around and ... "oh!", he remarked when he saw me gazing around. "Boys do often hit their physical milestones more quickly". Freakishly strong neck, I'm telling you!

More on heads, the last few days Mommy has been forcing me to look towards the left more because she thinks I favor looking to the right. Whenever she holds me upright, I want to owl-turn my head to the right to look around. Well, Dr. Frank confirmed that my head's shape favors one side more but probably won't need a helmet as long as they continue to alternate how they hold me (right-handers naturally favor their left arms so that their stronger arm is free to do stuff), roll-up a blanket to tilt me when I sleep, and stretch my neck to the left more as exercise. Sheepishly, Mommy also realized that she'll need to turn the direction I face in the Ergo since I spend so much time in there when she's chasing Claire around. Guess I'll be getting a new view soon!

When it came time for shots, the nurse asked whether to have me or my big sis go first. My parents decided her, which was probably a good idea because I had no idea what was going on when it was my turn, and my "ouch! that hurt!" exclamation was enough to distract Claire from her boo-boo and stopped her crying.

Am I any taller if I stretch my arm up like this?

Our March photo album has been posted, so make sure you visit it often for new pictures!

Along for the Ride

For the last two months (I turned 2 months a few days ago), I've gone along for the ride. I nicely slept through my big sister's birthday party, I go to story time every week -- sometimes twice! -- and behave myself, and I've even started enjoying going to the mall, shopping, and playgroup. But I CANNOT believe what you put me through when it snowed! The first snowsuit was fine, snuggly even, but the SECOND?! SERIOUSLY?! I think it was just your excuse to actually say you used those snow suits you got. And all to be put in my rocker where I couldn't roll around in the white stuff. For shame.

Mmmm, toasty warm.

Wait, why are you zipping up again? I'm already dressed!

No! Nuh-uh! This is ridiculous!

I'm the Stay Puft marshmallow man
with my legs and arms stuck straight out

My brief moment in the snow ...

... Before having to enjoy the rest of the time from the porch

Everything else is going well, though. I hope Mommy enjoyed her Valentine's card from me and Claire, and I appreciate someone finding me something to wear for Chinese New Year (I don't own too much red).

Happy Valentine's Day and Xin Nian Kuai Le!

Claire can be my Valentine's this year

I'm smiling and cooing a lot more these days, especially if you catch me right after I wake up. I'll have whole conversations with you if you're willing to hang around long enough. Tummy time is going great, and I'm happy to hang out for minutes at a time just staring at everything around me. It's hard to catch on camera, though, since I tend to fixate on Mommy's red camera and forget to actually do anything but stare.

Chattin' it up

Checking out this side of the mat

Auntie Debbie and Uncle Teddy came to visit us. It was quite an adventure just getting to us, and I'm so glad they came. We went out to my first restaurant experience (Los Lupes, yum) and then to Jacob's house to play.

We had some wonderful visitors come
shower us with love and see my cuteness in person.

I've really enjoyed being carried a lot and try to show my appreciation by only crying when I'm tired and by sleeping in my box as much as possible. Hey, I can't help it that Mommy doesn't bother putting me back in bed sometimes when she's too tired! You'd be surprised how soothing it is to chase a toddler around the house, maybe more for the passenger than the driver or the target.

Relaxed in the Ergo.

Mommy prefers the Metro wrap when folding laundry

She says she can maneuver the best
because it's almost as if I'm in her belly again!

Again, just along for the ride

I haven't yet decided if I'm going to use anything as my lovey, but I'm starting to dig this longhorn that they keep sticking in my mouth. Hook 'em!

Maybe I'll just stick my whole fist in my mouth to soothe

Trying a little bit of everything

I know I'm not sucking right now,
but there's no need to take it away quite yet

I guess that wraps up February. Make sure you check out all the pictures in our February album!

And Six Weeks After That ...

I just turned six weeks old, and to celebrate we had my one-month birthday party. Huh? Well, we decided to take advantage of family coming in town -- Po-Po, Gong-Gong, and Da-Jiu came for my big sis Claire's 2nd birthday -- to have my one-month birthday party at the same time ... which is fine since technically the party should happen when I'm 100 days old, so it's not like we're exactly breaking any tradition. I'm not exactly sure how her party went (you'll have to check her blog instead) since I slept the WHOLE time, but I did like having all that family in town!

My red eggs decorated by Mommy, Daddy, and Claire

A toast to Gavin!

Gavin Pee ... that's me!

With an an active social calendar and a sibling in school, I've managed to pick up my first cold. In fact, our whole family was sick the same week! I'm a pretty good sport about it, though, even if I don't like the nose spray. And with my curiously strong nose, Mommy can't even pinch the snot out!

Ready to go to the store

Found my fingers and discovered they're fun to suck.
Sometimes I have to use the other hand to hold it in, though.

I'm still sleeping pretty well including a long(ish) stretch between 10:30pm and 2:30am. Plus, I sleep in my own bed (well, my own box inside my own bassinet) which is pretty nice for Mommy, but somehow I still find myself in her arms in the wee hours when she's too tired to put me back in bed.

Typical morning: Still in PJs with Claire reading and me doing tummytime

If I had any teeth, I might bite you

I'm working through some cradle cap issues right now, though it's mostly afflicting my eyebrows (I guess since it's hair?). I'm enjoying sitting more upright and checking out the world around me. Don't think I can see that far yet? Just try me.

Who's that in the middle? I look like him. Oh, it's Mommy!

Working out my freakishly strong neck

How else can I check out what's going on around me?

With Gong-Gong in town, you KNOW he took lots of pictures of me. There's even a montage of the many faces I make when I sleep. Mommy selected a few (out of the hundreds) and put them up in our February album!