Posting disclaimer: This is longer than most posts, and was written prior to traveling but due to the hectic travel and visiting schedule I never got to post it.
I have never traveled very well, ever really. If you ask my Mom, she can tell you how I didn't enjoy traveling far from home growing up. Well, now home is far from there, and I still don't travel very well. My wonderful wife, the beautiful mother of little Q, has been very understanding of this and has indulged this aspect of me by setting out for the airport at the beginning of a traveling adventure several hours early. The part of me that does not travel well seems to be excellent at sitting and waiting.
Now, we are attempting this trip to the airport with the little man in tow. He will be much better at this traveling thing than his father, but for right now, he will simply be along for the ride. We have packed bags (mostly), printed boarding passes, signed copies of the TSA guidebook (practically) and still, I somehow have the "not ready" feeling.
I know that tomorrow afternoon I will be pulling bags through the baggage claim, looking for my brother, the proud uncle, who will probably be standing by his illegally parked car holding his camera and smiling his fun, ever-present smile. Yet, somehow, I still wonder if we will make it through security, or if there will be traffic on the road to the airport.
This isn't a fear of flying; it isn't even fear of travel. It isn't made better or worse by alcohol (even though many people have suggested that it might help), and incredibly, nothing really feels right until I sit and put my seatbelt on in the plane seat.
Now I feel like I need to partition my mind as the first-time Dad, taking his son for his first flight. There is no room for my shenanigans, there is no space for my uncomfortableness. No longer can my beautiful bride be carefree and allow me all the time and space needed while she wanders to and from the little newsstands devouring every magazine printed in the past 3 months. We are both focused on him: what can we bring for him? What do security checkpoints allow for the baby (just about everything, by the way--everyone should travel with a baby)? How will we gate check the stroller and carry the car seat in that little, skinny airplane aisle all the way back to row 25, where they stick the crazy people with the baby, who everyone fears will scream? I know he won't; he is good, and perfectly happy about 95% of the time. The other 5% is when he is hungry and not being fed, or if someone messed up his nap schedule, and he just decides that he will not sleep when it is not his nap time.
No, if there is screaming from the back of the plane, it will probably be me, first-time Dad flying with his son for the first time.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Friday, July 24, 2009
5 months (a little late) and some news!
Wow, does time fly when you're sitting around hanging out at home with the little dude and his daddy. Yep, it's another Mommy-blog, for reasons I shall reveal shortly. Q was 5 months old on Monday, and while we took measurements and pictures, on Tuesday, Jared received a phone call that changed a lot for us. He was offered an Assistant Principal spot in Del Valle (a community a little southeast from us), and so everything's been whirlwind crazy since. Add that to the fact that we're leaving town tomorrow for a stop in Dallas, then up to Pennsylvania for some overdue Quinlan-introductions, and we've been going-going-going for a few days now. I'm a little overwhelmed, too, because I'd been all prepared for Jared to be around a lot more than he's going to be--you could even say I've gotten lazy. :) That won't be the case anymore!
Anyway, Jared's off signing paperwork today, and he was at a training yesterday, and he goes back to work the day before we get home from PA (though we are cutting our trip short by 2 days. . . ), so I thought I'd help out with the blog.
Quinlan is definitely growing and changing daily! I swear that he said "Ma-ma" yesterday, though we were at Target, and I don't have anyone to verify. He's also figured out how to turn his mobile on and off (with his head), and he gets very frustrated when he's trying to crawl, and he doesn't go anywhere. We're convinced his first actual crawl will be in his crib, where he appears to have a party every time we leave him there, because he's never in the same spot twice.
I think we've decided to hold off on solid foods for a little while again (latest research, etc. . . .long story), but he's still growing. By our (rather inaccurate and Wii-based) measurements, he weighs about 17.5 lbs., is about 27 in. long, and his head is about 17 in. around.
Here is the traditional 5-month shot, followed by Q's consistent back-habit: if we lay him on his back, he almost immediately rolls over. He is a cute one!
He certainly looks like he may be crawling soon! Must be all of those athletic genetics. . .
We're on the road starting tomorrow for our big trip to Dallas and then to the Philly area, so wish us luck!
Anyway, Jared's off signing paperwork today, and he was at a training yesterday, and he goes back to work the day before we get home from PA (though we are cutting our trip short by 2 days. . . ), so I thought I'd help out with the blog.
Quinlan is definitely growing and changing daily! I swear that he said "Ma-ma" yesterday, though we were at Target, and I don't have anyone to verify. He's also figured out how to turn his mobile on and off (with his head), and he gets very frustrated when he's trying to crawl, and he doesn't go anywhere. We're convinced his first actual crawl will be in his crib, where he appears to have a party every time we leave him there, because he's never in the same spot twice.
I think we've decided to hold off on solid foods for a little while again (latest research, etc. . . .long story), but he's still growing. By our (rather inaccurate and Wii-based) measurements, he weighs about 17.5 lbs., is about 27 in. long, and his head is about 17 in. around.
Here is the traditional 5-month shot, followed by Q's consistent back-habit: if we lay him on his back, he almost immediately rolls over. He is a cute one!
He certainly looks like he may be crawling soon! Must be all of those athletic genetics. . .
We're on the road starting tomorrow for our big trip to Dallas and then to the Philly area, so wish us luck!
Saturday, July 18, 2009
The Sweet Joyful Sounds
It has certainly been a very enjoyable summer. Being able to hang out with little Q with very little scheduled is loads of fun. Most days are built around his wants and schedules. It has been a great lesson in slowing down and just being.
Being able to see him start to engage more with objects and people has been great fun. Recently, one of the best developments that he has made is a deep, almost guttural laugh that comes out when he is really enjoying himself.
Being able to see him start to engage more with objects and people has been great fun. Recently, one of the best developments that he has made is a deep, almost guttural laugh that comes out when he is really enjoying himself.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Rolling
There have been several mentions so far of Q rolling. I appreciate Uncle Jason's comment, supporting the eye witness account of what he and Elena saw. Q has continued to regularly roll from his back to his belly, and then he seems to get very perturbed that he is not moving anywhere else. He seems to have completely forgotten that his first roll was from his belly to his back, so he is kind like a reverse turtle, flipping onto his belly and getting stuck.
I am still working on trying to get a belly to back video, but I finally got the back to belly one, so here, for everyone's viewing pleasure, is Q rolling, yet again.
The one major change this has created is sleeping. Q is now a very conflicted side/belly sleeper. He generally will not fall asleep on his belly, so when he flips to his belly, and is tired and in bed, he yells in hopes that someone will come along to flip him over. He will roll up onto his side and fall asleep there, and then in his slumber, finish the roll, waking up with face lines and the not so happy "I'm on my belly" yell.
The picture was taken in the dark, of him asleep on his belly. Yes, we were bad parents and woke him with the flash. He is getting a lot of movement in bed. When we laid him down his head was centered just above the little green mat and he was facing up.
I am still working on trying to get a belly to back video, but I finally got the back to belly one, so here, for everyone's viewing pleasure, is Q rolling, yet again.
The one major change this has created is sleeping. Q is now a very conflicted side/belly sleeper. He generally will not fall asleep on his belly, so when he flips to his belly, and is tired and in bed, he yells in hopes that someone will come along to flip him over. He will roll up onto his side and fall asleep there, and then in his slumber, finish the roll, waking up with face lines and the not so happy "I'm on my belly" yell.
The picture was taken in the dark, of him asleep on his belly. Yes, we were bad parents and woke him with the flash. He is getting a lot of movement in bed. When we laid him down his head was centered just above the little green mat and he was facing up.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Mommy Blogging--The Best Toys Can't Be Bought
So, this is the second Mommy-blog. It probably would have been a great Father's Day post, but I obviously didn't get it together in time. I have been so amazed watching Jared and Quinlan play together. The bond they share is incredible--it's been 20 weeks (today!) since Q was born, and our lives have changed immensely, but watching Jared be a father has been one of the best parts. He's done several posts about Quin's milestones and changes and stuff, but so rarely do you, the viewing audience, get to see them together. I grabbed the camera a few days ago while they were playing, because you could really see the sheer joy on BOTH of their faces. We have been very blessed with our little one, and I know he feels the same way about his Daddy. :)
Monday, July 6, 2009
FOOD!
I don't know how it happened, but everything seems much more exiting in the world of having a child. Look at the last post - "Toys!" - and this one - "FOOD!" - clearly a sign that life's little simple moments are amplified greatly with the little dude. Of course, I might always respond to food that way, but that is just me.
I am not sure if I would have been quite as excited about eating the brown rice cereal that we fed Q on Sunday morning. It is mushy and runny (1 to 4 ratio of cereal to milk), but after a long time of him eying whomever was eating around him, and gumming his lips expectantly, it seemed like this would be fairly good time to try.
Day one was pretty eventful, with some of the mush getting in his mouth, and some running down his neck. He seemed pretty interested in the spoon and the sippy cup that he uses to get a swallow of water (also a first) to wash the few mouthfuls of cereal down. In, what is becoming classic Quin mode of chill and relaxed baby, he merely sat and opened up his mouth while Mom spoon-fed him a few bits.
I'm ready -
Hmmm....not too bad.....
Water, this is interesting
And here's the video of the whole event. Just an advance warning, the narration here is so titillating, you may not be able to contain yourself. The one lesson learned by the big people was that filming and baby activity is much easier after that first cup of coffee.
Day 2 - After Coffee, Dad gets a try.
Just hand me the spoon, I am ready for this eating thing.
Rolling update - Q is rolling frequently, but seems to be camera shy. When either Mom or Dad pull the camera out, even sneakily, he becomes very set in staying on his back. However, we do have witnesses at this point, after Q rolled over while Skyping with his Aunt Elena and Uncle Jason. Just another reason to Skype with Q--you might see his famous roll!
I am not sure if I would have been quite as excited about eating the brown rice cereal that we fed Q on Sunday morning. It is mushy and runny (1 to 4 ratio of cereal to milk), but after a long time of him eying whomever was eating around him, and gumming his lips expectantly, it seemed like this would be fairly good time to try.
Day one was pretty eventful, with some of the mush getting in his mouth, and some running down his neck. He seemed pretty interested in the spoon and the sippy cup that he uses to get a swallow of water (also a first) to wash the few mouthfuls of cereal down. In, what is becoming classic Quin mode of chill and relaxed baby, he merely sat and opened up his mouth while Mom spoon-fed him a few bits.
I'm ready -
Hmmm....not too bad.....
Water, this is interesting
And here's the video of the whole event. Just an advance warning, the narration here is so titillating, you may not be able to contain yourself. The one lesson learned by the big people was that filming and baby activity is much easier after that first cup of coffee.
Day 2 - After Coffee, Dad gets a try.
Just hand me the spoon, I am ready for this eating thing.
Rolling update - Q is rolling frequently, but seems to be camera shy. When either Mom or Dad pull the camera out, even sneakily, he becomes very set in staying on his back. However, we do have witnesses at this point, after Q rolled over while Skyping with his Aunt Elena and Uncle Jason. Just another reason to Skype with Q--you might see his famous roll!
Friday, July 3, 2009
Toys!
Everything is so much fun when it is a first new experience. As Q grows and becomes more interactive, it is fun to see him explore and figure stuff out. The stuff in question this week has been some exciting new toys.
The first, a "Johnny Jump-Up", was a present from his Mossil. He seems to really have fun in it, but is still working out the jumping part of the jump-up. He has been using it by standing and walking in circles, or pivoting around one foot as he moves the other one. (Maybe he has a future in basketball or more likely, ultimate frisbee, with that pivot move.) He does seem to enjoy bouncing, if someone else does the bouncing for him.
The second was a spectacular craigslist purchase. The Graco Baby Einstein Exersaucer. This is baby heaven, with more plastic stuff that spins and can be chewed on than Q knows what to do with. He is at the very beginning of developmentally being able to use it, but after the first two times out, I think it will be a winner. The seat part spins in a circle, so he can get to and reach all of the different components. He is working on using his feet and his hands to move around, and he did pretty well so far.
Katharine shot some video the first time Q got to sit in his new(ly cleaned) toy.
Baby Einstein is the same brand as Q's tunnel, which has been a long-standing favorite. Only now that he are starting to roll, when Q is playing, he will lift his feet up and scoot around. He gets himself wedged into the tunnel sideways and laughs while he kicks the sides of it and watches everything wave around.
Of course, the best toys are free, and Q loves to hang out in the air above his Mom (and his Dad), who artfully dodge drool and love seeing him smile.
Dad is working tirelessly to catch Q rolling over on video. We have about 10 hours of tummy time video, in hopes that he might roll. Of course, he has successfully rolled from his stomach to his back before, and recently made a back to stomach roll, and he's more than willing to roll--just never for the camera. This morning, instead of sleeping, the little dude rolled onto his belly, and then was very unhappy about the unsupervised tummy time. I tried explaining to him that he simply needed to roll back onto his back, but he wanted the assistance.
The first, a "Johnny Jump-Up", was a present from his Mossil. He seems to really have fun in it, but is still working out the jumping part of the jump-up. He has been using it by standing and walking in circles, or pivoting around one foot as he moves the other one. (Maybe he has a future in basketball or more likely, ultimate frisbee, with that pivot move.) He does seem to enjoy bouncing, if someone else does the bouncing for him.
The second was a spectacular craigslist purchase. The Graco Baby Einstein Exersaucer. This is baby heaven, with more plastic stuff that spins and can be chewed on than Q knows what to do with. He is at the very beginning of developmentally being able to use it, but after the first two times out, I think it will be a winner. The seat part spins in a circle, so he can get to and reach all of the different components. He is working on using his feet and his hands to move around, and he did pretty well so far.
Katharine shot some video the first time Q got to sit in his new(ly cleaned) toy.
Baby Einstein is the same brand as Q's tunnel, which has been a long-standing favorite. Only now that he are starting to roll, when Q is playing, he will lift his feet up and scoot around. He gets himself wedged into the tunnel sideways and laughs while he kicks the sides of it and watches everything wave around.
Of course, the best toys are free, and Q loves to hang out in the air above his Mom (and his Dad), who artfully dodge drool and love seeing him smile.
Dad is working tirelessly to catch Q rolling over on video. We have about 10 hours of tummy time video, in hopes that he might roll. Of course, he has successfully rolled from his stomach to his back before, and recently made a back to stomach roll, and he's more than willing to roll--just never for the camera. This morning, instead of sleeping, the little dude rolled onto his belly, and then was very unhappy about the unsupervised tummy time. I tried explaining to him that he simply needed to roll back onto his back, but he wanted the assistance.
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