The bug abhors finding the star-shaped nesting blocks stacked properly. She must immediately pull them out of one another until no two are touching. Sometimes, her dad (namely, me) cannot even finish restacking them before she has dismantled his vain attempt at order. Given enough such back and forths, the bug will not only separate the blocks, but also scatter them to opposing quadrants of the Universe after beating them into submission against each other.
Oh, how quickly the hours pass...
Less cute, but along the same vein, if the bug loses interest in a toy, that toy will be banished from her presence. The subsequent whining shall not be misconstrued as a request to have the aforementioned toy returned to the bug (issuing no such command from her highchair, carseat, or stroller) and doing so will only result in jettisoning said rejected toy forthwith. Rather, attending adjutants are expected to offer a fresh, more captivating toy. Peace prevails. The system works.
All in all, wifey and I keep coming across new games, faces, and sounds to add to the repertoire of ways of keeping the bug smiling, happy, and exercising. And... as the saying goes - what goes around comes around.
Showing posts with label wifey. Show all posts
Showing posts with label wifey. Show all posts
22 May, 2012
15 May, 2012
Beep-Beep. Beep-Bug. Yeah!
I'm finally back to updating with my computer. And just in time for an important development in the bug's world. We got her her first car!
I call it a bumper car, but apparently it's official title is an "activity walker."
Bumper car. That's what it does. Chairs. Cabinets. Trashcans. Refrigerator. The Wonderbug. Cats. Ankles. All with impressive speed, accuracy, and attitude of that one kid at the fair that always guns for T-boning unsuspecting prey.
As far as the activity portion... Distracted driving at best. She will pull over to smack Pooh down into his honey pot enough times to find some cruisin' music on the "radio." Otherwise, the dashboard clutter is well on its way to becoming a pull-over-able offense.
The bug likes to make her own engine noise. I can only spell it like: mpbaht; and explain that the sound is rather like striking a tennis ball. She mpbahts all over the navigable areas of the house and has become rather adept at backing up when in a tight spot. However, I have to add the backing-up beeps. Afterall, she's not quite eleven months. Beeps take time.
All in all, Wifey, bug, and Panda Cat have adapted well in the last week to this new life. Woolly Rhino still hides under the bed for most of the day and anything with a shock value equal or greater than a rustling curtain makes him jump. Wifey has come to know the major roads of our new burg faster than I did (I still tend to use my navigation system. You never know...).
Improvements abound. I may even get back to finishing the first draft of my novel. Only about thirty more pages to go... for the last four months.
One more thing on the bug. She's always enjoyed a good face plant into a pillow, bed, blanket, toy, or adult. But now, she's taking it up a couple notches -- face plowing across the carpet. By "face" I really mean forehead, not that it makes it much better. How she avoids carpet burns I cannot say, but it looks like enough fun that I am taking notes.
On the teeth front, still holding out with just the two lowers. The two upper incisors haven't poked through yet, but the two beside them (#5 and #6, I think) are starting to show. I'm having concerns about goat-like first birthday pictures. We'll see...
I call it a bumper car, but apparently it's official title is an "activity walker."
Bumper car. That's what it does. Chairs. Cabinets. Trashcans. Refrigerator. The Wonderbug. Cats. Ankles. All with impressive speed, accuracy, and attitude of that one kid at the fair that always guns for T-boning unsuspecting prey.
As far as the activity portion... Distracted driving at best. She will pull over to smack Pooh down into his honey pot enough times to find some cruisin' music on the "radio." Otherwise, the dashboard clutter is well on its way to becoming a pull-over-able offense.
The bug likes to make her own engine noise. I can only spell it like: mpbaht; and explain that the sound is rather like striking a tennis ball. She mpbahts all over the navigable areas of the house and has become rather adept at backing up when in a tight spot. However, I have to add the backing-up beeps. Afterall, she's not quite eleven months. Beeps take time.
All in all, Wifey, bug, and Panda Cat have adapted well in the last week to this new life. Woolly Rhino still hides under the bed for most of the day and anything with a shock value equal or greater than a rustling curtain makes him jump. Wifey has come to know the major roads of our new burg faster than I did (I still tend to use my navigation system. You never know...).
Improvements abound. I may even get back to finishing the first draft of my novel. Only about thirty more pages to go... for the last four months.
One more thing on the bug. She's always enjoyed a good face plant into a pillow, bed, blanket, toy, or adult. But now, she's taking it up a couple notches -- face plowing across the carpet. By "face" I really mean forehead, not that it makes it much better. How she avoids carpet burns I cannot say, but it looks like enough fun that I am taking notes.
On the teeth front, still holding out with just the two lowers. The two upper incisors haven't poked through yet, but the two beside them (#5 and #6, I think) are starting to show. I'm having concerns about goat-like first birthday pictures. We'll see...
13 March, 2012
The Bug Goes To The Zoo
When one isn't quite nine months old, even a small zoo must feel like guided backpack tour through the world's jungles. Small zoos are probably the way to go for ones so small. Who wants to be thirty minutes from the parking lot when a macaw's accusatory squawking is ill received by a stroller's passenger?
The bug instigated her fair share of screeching. Wifey and grandma took her from continent to continent and expanded her perception of what odd forms life can take. Some odd forms seemed to require very loud and shrill communication.
The turkeys couldn't have agreed more. A couple of them that approached the fence in search of handouts were offered ear-fulls instead. Whether they intended to clarify their requests or polite fowl communication ensued, they returned each of the bug's sonic volleys with equal grace and aplomb.
Maybe there's something about the bug and turkeys. Grandma was randomly visited by a turkey when the bug was born. Perhaps she'll grow up to be the Turkey Non-Whisperer.
The bug instigated her fair share of screeching. Wifey and grandma took her from continent to continent and expanded her perception of what odd forms life can take. Some odd forms seemed to require very loud and shrill communication.
The turkeys couldn't have agreed more. A couple of them that approached the fence in search of handouts were offered ear-fulls instead. Whether they intended to clarify their requests or polite fowl communication ensued, they returned each of the bug's sonic volleys with equal grace and aplomb.
Maybe there's something about the bug and turkeys. Grandma was randomly visited by a turkey when the bug was born. Perhaps she'll grow up to be the Turkey Non-Whisperer.
28 February, 2012
Not The Whole Tooth
The bug has her first tooth coming in! So far just one lower incisor. It's buddy is being shy.
According to wifey, the tooth is a little shy itself. Just poking up enough to be noticed, but not so much that you could easily see it. Probably why I haven't seen any pictures of it yet.
Perhaps the couple bites of egg on the bug's eight-month birthday helped do the trick. Regardless, she won't be the ruthless, toothless one anymore.
She still favors crawling in reverse and spinning around to get from point B to point A. But, her rocking motions while on hands and knees could be for building up the necessary momentum to move forward.
According to wifey, the tooth is a little shy itself. Just poking up enough to be noticed, but not so much that you could easily see it. Probably why I haven't seen any pictures of it yet.
Perhaps the couple bites of egg on the bug's eight-month birthday helped do the trick. Regardless, she won't be the ruthless, toothless one anymore.
She still favors crawling in reverse and spinning around to get from point B to point A. But, her rocking motions while on hands and knees could be for building up the necessary momentum to move forward.
21 February, 2012
Rotisserie Baby
I hope everyone is having a fun and full Mardi Gras. Laissez les bons temps roulez!
Speaking of rolling...
The bug has a new skill/habit/trick. Once wifey puts her down for a butt change, she starts barrel rolls. Changing table, bed, floor, car seat. No place is without quality of a turning experience.
A well placed WubbaNub can greatly reduce the number of rotations. Window blinds and/or shadows can distract for a moment. Still, it's hard enough to start and finish the diaper in one angle, pants are a multi-phase process.
She's also started scooting in reverse. (the bug, not wifey) Apparently the objects in front are not as alluring as they appear.
Still no teeth. But, her hair will need clips soon.
Speaking of rolling...
The bug has a new skill/habit/trick. Once wifey puts her down for a butt change, she starts barrel rolls. Changing table, bed, floor, car seat. No place is without quality of a turning experience.
A well placed WubbaNub can greatly reduce the number of rotations. Window blinds and/or shadows can distract for a moment. Still, it's hard enough to start and finish the diaper in one angle, pants are a multi-phase process.
She's also started scooting in reverse. (the bug, not wifey) Apparently the objects in front are not as alluring as they appear.
Still no teeth. But, her hair will need clips soon.
14 February, 2012
The Love Bug
Happy Valentine's Day to all of you from the bug, wifey, and myself.
It's a hard one, being separated from my wife and daughter by about 2,800 miles. After nearly three days of trying to watch nothing but mindless action flicks, I can attest that every movie made in the last two decades is a love story to some degree. The first Predator movie is the most recent one I own with no discernible romance.
Distance does make the heart grow fonder. It also makes stilted grade-school flirting between Adrien Brody and Alice Braga feel like sappy romance.
I'm not going to complain though. There are many, many couples separated today by many more miles with one of them working their tails off in a combat zone. At least I can say for certain that I will see my family again.
For all of us that can't be with the ones we love, I want all the rest of you to love the ones you're with until somebody rolls their eyes.
It's a hard one, being separated from my wife and daughter by about 2,800 miles. After nearly three days of trying to watch nothing but mindless action flicks, I can attest that every movie made in the last two decades is a love story to some degree. The first Predator movie is the most recent one I own with no discernible romance.
Distance does make the heart grow fonder. It also makes stilted grade-school flirting between Adrien Brody and Alice Braga feel like sappy romance.
I'm not going to complain though. There are many, many couples separated today by many more miles with one of them working their tails off in a combat zone. At least I can say for certain that I will see my family again.
For all of us that can't be with the ones we love, I want all the rest of you to love the ones you're with until somebody rolls their eyes.
07 February, 2012
Six More Weeks Of Cuteness
For all the research and development into stimulating toys for babies, the simplest prove the most cherished. The bug is no exception.
Toes are/were a reliable stand-by. But, shadows can pull attention away from any light and sound show now.
Wifey boasts an improving repertoire of shadow puppets, especially rather convincing renditions of rabbits. But, not all shadow shows are deliberate. Depending on the angle of the sun, even the bug's own shadow merits investigation, play, and delighted squeals. (ever toothless squeals)
All the same, I'm rather glad not to have been stuck in an eternal loop of living the same day over. Being nearly three thousand miles away is that much more bearable knowing that every day I wake up, I'm one day closer to being with my family again.
Toes are/were a reliable stand-by. But, shadows can pull attention away from any light and sound show now.
Wifey boasts an improving repertoire of shadow puppets, especially rather convincing renditions of rabbits. But, not all shadow shows are deliberate. Depending on the angle of the sun, even the bug's own shadow merits investigation, play, and delighted squeals. (ever toothless squeals)
All the same, I'm rather glad not to have been stuck in an eternal loop of living the same day over. Being nearly three thousand miles away is that much more bearable knowing that every day I wake up, I'm one day closer to being with my family again.
31 January, 2012
Four And A Half Cats
The bug has certainly upped the mobility, flipping and flopping around like a little play machine. She is still sitting with assistance of a well placed Boppy, rather than free-styling it.
It seems that when one sits inside of a Boppy, one should stretch oneself backward, almost upside down, and reach for any toys in need a fresh coat of one's slobber. Especially when one is now able to right oneself back up into a sitting position.
Video calling keeps getting better with the bug quickly learning her way around a touch screen. Specifically, how to hang up on daddy.
However, I think it's time to update on the current cat condition. You see, grandma already had a cat (we'll refer to him as Angel) and now our three (Panda, Rhino, and Monkey for those who don't remember or haven't read the cat post) and the bearded dragon live at grandma's with wifey and the bug.
Angel has welcomed his cousins warmly and seems to be even relieved to have Rhino to play chase with. Panda is still working on sharing space with any cats, but that also is working out.
That our three are so tolerated by Angel is interesting because, prior to their arrival, Angel had a neighborhood friend we call Dolores, due to sad looking markings around the eyes. Dolores does have tags, but never gets close enough to let us look at them.
Angel has firmly put his paw down. Dolores is no longer allowed to come inside and help his/herself to the food. Apparently, there are enough mouths to feed. Angel is fine with Dolores hanging outside, just not inside. Any more.
As far as the bearded dragon goes - he has a heat lamp - in the middle of the living room. Cats like that.
It seems that when one sits inside of a Boppy, one should stretch oneself backward, almost upside down, and reach for any toys in need a fresh coat of one's slobber. Especially when one is now able to right oneself back up into a sitting position.
Video calling keeps getting better with the bug quickly learning her way around a touch screen. Specifically, how to hang up on daddy.
However, I think it's time to update on the current cat condition. You see, grandma already had a cat (we'll refer to him as Angel) and now our three (Panda, Rhino, and Monkey for those who don't remember or haven't read the cat post) and the bearded dragon live at grandma's with wifey and the bug.
Angel has welcomed his cousins warmly and seems to be even relieved to have Rhino to play chase with. Panda is still working on sharing space with any cats, but that also is working out.
That our three are so tolerated by Angel is interesting because, prior to their arrival, Angel had a neighborhood friend we call Dolores, due to sad looking markings around the eyes. Dolores does have tags, but never gets close enough to let us look at them.
Angel has firmly put his paw down. Dolores is no longer allowed to come inside and help his/herself to the food. Apparently, there are enough mouths to feed. Angel is fine with Dolores hanging outside, just not inside. Any more.
As far as the bearded dragon goes - he has a heat lamp - in the middle of the living room. Cats like that.
24 January, 2012
Faces From Afar
I've pretty well adjusted to life in the bungalow. Admittedly, I haven't done much more than that in the first full week of living on the N.C. Coast. I've reached that magic moment when I can confidently use the major roads to get where I'm going without the assistance of Google Navigation.
Video calling wifey and the bug helps me stay connected in a my-daughter-thinks-I'm-Max-Headroom way. After a few calls, she's become more interactive with the screen. It's very therapeutic to be able to make her (and her mom) laugh from a distance.
An interesting related development: She actually moves her hands and fingers in a convincing imitation of typing. I tell you, kids haven't changed a bit. The world they grow up in has changed. It's a good thing.
The bug will be turning seven months old this week. No teeth yet, but something is going on in those gums.
Video calling wifey and the bug helps me stay connected in a my-daughter-thinks-I'm-Max-Headroom way. After a few calls, she's become more interactive with the screen. It's very therapeutic to be able to make her (and her mom) laugh from a distance.
An interesting related development: She actually moves her hands and fingers in a convincing imitation of typing. I tell you, kids haven't changed a bit. The world they grow up in has changed. It's a good thing.
The bug will be turning seven months old this week. No teeth yet, but something is going on in those gums.
16 January, 2012
Coast To Coast
After nearly a week of driving across the country and unpacking in my temporary bungalow, the jet lag leaves a faint recognition of the absence of road hiss as it moves from behind my eyes and makes one last stand in the motivational center of my brain. I could have sworn the reality of what I have done would sink in after I saw my belongings set up in a strange place without the bug, or wifey.
There's still the vacation-esque feel to the whole move. I've decided that's hope telling me they will be able to move out here with me very soon.
In the meantime, frequent phone calls with the little bug voice filling in the background help me feel connected. She has selected a new group of toys and settled into a nice daily routine with her recently "retired" mommy. More flavored foods than not are greeted with gusto, chatter, and the rhythmic slamming of palms on the high-chair tray. A few foods have been outright rejected.
I'm rather amused that after driving 2,800 miles and successfully navigating all over town I now have to wait at the DMV and be tested on my ability to drive. Speaking of being amused, stay tuned and find out if I wound up failing that test.
There's still the vacation-esque feel to the whole move. I've decided that's hope telling me they will be able to move out here with me very soon.
In the meantime, frequent phone calls with the little bug voice filling in the background help me feel connected. She has selected a new group of toys and settled into a nice daily routine with her recently "retired" mommy. More flavored foods than not are greeted with gusto, chatter, and the rhythmic slamming of palms on the high-chair tray. A few foods have been outright rejected.
I'm rather amused that after driving 2,800 miles and successfully navigating all over town I now have to wait at the DMV and be tested on my ability to drive. Speaking of being amused, stay tuned and find out if I wound up failing that test.
10 January, 2012
A Brand New, New Direction
Back in September of 2011, wifey and I started a new-parent routine that involved not having the same day off, taking turns caring for the bug, and generally avoiding having to pay for any childcare. Well, after a few months of that, we decided it wasn't going to last.
On a side note, allow me to point out that if you know any recent mothers returning to the workplace, I assure you they are forcing themselves to be there and finding any way to justify working instead of caring for their baby. The last thing they need to be told is "oh, it goes by so fast. If you blink, you miss it." When they hear that (several times an hour), don't be surprised when they stop showing up to work.
As I was saying, we needed to find a new routine. One that would allow wifey to be a stay-at-home mom, open the possibility of a sibling for the bug, and give me plenty of bacon to bring home. Yes. Bacon.
I scattered probe droids throughout Australia, Canada, the U.S., and France to see where such a routine might exist. Turns out the Rebel base and the mother of bacon generators is in North Carolina.
Naturally, I loaded up my Imperial Star Destroyer and am en route to make a home for us. Wifey and the bug will stay with grandma until the rebel forces have been thwarted.
I apologize for all the Hoth references, but I'm posting from Flagstaff, AZ and it's not warm.
I'm not going to be the write-at-home dad anymore and, for at least a few months, I won't be able to post any first-hand bug development updates. I can tell you she has started sleeping in a variety of extremely cute on-the-side and on-the-belly positions. I'll also need to change my banner once I get my computer hooked up again.
For now, it's time to burn up a fresh tank of gas.
02 January, 2012
That's How She Rolls
Over our Christmas visit, wifey's aunt asked if the bug had started rolling over yet. I updated auntie that she had rolled over a couple times over the last month or so, but didn't seem especially interested in it. That she just did it when she felt like it.
As I was saying that, the bug flipped onto her stomach. Then back to her back. Then rollie-ollie-ollied from side to side several times. Six months old and already trying to prove me wrong. She gets more and more like her mom everyday.
Ever since that day (for the last... what?... five? sheesh), the bug is a flippin' fool. Rolling around is a chief component of her floor play, and if she's not on her side in her crib, she's belly down and head up.
She's quite proud of herself for gaining a little extra mobility, too. These movements are typically accompanied with the sort of loud whoops reserved for athletes after making a big play.
No crawling as of yet. She can get her butt up on knees or toes, but she hasn't quite got the hang of forward motion or lifting her chest off the ground. Stay tuned. The race is on between teeth or crawling.
13 December, 2011
Stinkerbell
Years from now, the bug will likely be either angry, embarrassed, or a mixture of both, that I chronicled her flatulence publicly and online.
For now, it's fine. I can only hope she'll realize that she was only five months old at the time and be able to forgive me.
She's been doing really well eating her gruel. Only, not much is happening on the other end. Wifey and I are hard pressed to recall any blowouts in the last couple of days.
You see, the whistle's blowing, but the train hasn't pulled into the station.
Having worked out in the rain and cold for a bit this weekend and slept in dry heat, I'm not getting the full effect of any smells. However, it's been described to me as cream cheese that's gone bad.
Now that Tuesday's here and I'll be on bug duty for the rest of the week, I know what I have to look forward to. I've been advised that I may want to have a magazine handy. (and I can imagine needing washcloths... maybe even the bathtub.)
Speaking of having a gas, we've expanded our repertoire of noises, faces, and actions that really crack up the bug. The little girl loves to laugh. Which makes me laugh. Which makes her laugh. It's a self-perpetuating cycle until she runs out of gas and needs to sleep.
For now, it's fine. I can only hope she'll realize that she was only five months old at the time and be able to forgive me.
She's been doing really well eating her gruel. Only, not much is happening on the other end. Wifey and I are hard pressed to recall any blowouts in the last couple of days.
You see, the whistle's blowing, but the train hasn't pulled into the station.
Having worked out in the rain and cold for a bit this weekend and slept in dry heat, I'm not getting the full effect of any smells. However, it's been described to me as cream cheese that's gone bad.
Now that Tuesday's here and I'll be on bug duty for the rest of the week, I know what I have to look forward to. I've been advised that I may want to have a magazine handy. (and I can imagine needing washcloths... maybe even the bathtub.)
Speaking of having a gas, we've expanded our repertoire of noises, faces, and actions that really crack up the bug. The little girl loves to laugh. Which makes me laugh. Which makes her laugh. It's a self-perpetuating cycle until she runs out of gas and needs to sleep.
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