The Brute

This morning was Dexter's two month appointment. So, 'round about 11am, Mommy, Daddy and Dexter headed out to see the Dr. Poor Dexter, besides being poked and prodded like normal, he was also due for a few vaccines. The appointment went well. He was content and awesome the whole time even though he was hungry. He smiled and giggled at and talked to the Dr. while she did the exam - it was so cute! As we already knew, his muscle control was fantastic. But Dr. O said she'd almost call his head control acceptable for a 4 month old! Dex had one vaccine by mouth, and two shots - one in each soft chubby little thigh. They were over quickly, but he still cried one of those can't-catch-your-breath cries. But he was easily comforted - especially by daddy! This appointment also confirmed what we have suspected all along, this kid is a BRUTE.

So, without further ado, everyone's favorite part: the stats!

Weight at birth: 9lbs 1oz
Weight at 2 months: 14 lbs 11oz (!!!)
This is ABOVE the 95th percentile. Actually, the nurse's exact phrasing was "off the charts..."
(This is the one that surprised me the most! I would have guessed only a little over 13. It didn't cross my mind, but they kept trying to reassure me that he was not overweight. I don't know how I could have changed that anyway! Joel had guessed 14.5, so he was right on. I did know this kid was HEAVY though...)

Height at birth: 21"
Height at 2 months: 25.5"
This is the 95th percentile. So, at least he's well proportioned!

Head circumference at two weeks: 15"
Head circumference at two months: 16.25"
This is the 75th percentile.

So, on the way home, we decided Dexter is definitely a brute. Seriously, by one year he'll be beating Joel up... We'll see where he is at his next appointment in two months. Stay tuned!

Dexter: 10 weeks old

Hey! We were on time for once!

However, Dexter's not too sure about this photoshoot. It's been a long day...



All of the sudden, things turn ugly...



Daddy tries to cuddle Dexter...



But in the end, Dexter's mood pervades and there are two babies crying...

Dexter Gets Some Curtains, Freezes to Death, and then Breaks it Down

Today Aunt Eleanor tagged along while Dexter and I picked up his curtains.  This boy will soon finally have his OWN room!  There, he'll sleep in a bed that he actually fits in (as opposed to the Pack and Play that we have him in now where his feet and head touch simultaneously...).  With curtains, he'll be able to sleep in the dark.  Joel and I have been shopping around for curtains for a while.  I HATED shopping for curtains before, and now I HATE it even more.  But we did decide on a nice pair of light blocking, chocolate brown, faux suede curtains that should look really nice in Dexter's room.  When the room is finished, I will definitely post pictures.

But anyway, after picking up the curtains and rods it was getting to be lunch time and I was too lazy and hungry to wait 'til we got home and make something.  So, we all went to Applebees where Dexter was the cutest and best baby ever and two old ladies told us that he was cold and needed to be covered with a blanket.  Uhh...  Thanks old ladies.   I'll really take your advice seeing as I ALWAYS follow the advice of strangers and you have observed my son for a whopping 10 seconds as you passed us by in the aisle.  Your years of experience will not be lost on me...

So, after I built Dexter a fire, put a winter coat on him and covered him in blankets (quickly, before he froze to death) Eleanor set Dexter on the table and he giggled and laughed with us until the food came.  







He also danced for us a little bit! (Or rather, Eleanor made him dance...) However, the video is NOT working. I'll try to upload it when I can. Meanwhile, enjoy these photos!

Dexter: 9 (and 2/7) weeks old

Lion jammies!!!

Ok, who is so cute in little lion jammies? PHOTO SHOOT!


Are you sure that jacket goes with those pants?


Soon you will all behold my genius plan...


No photographs please!
(ed. note: Isn't that some sort of inappropriate hand gesture? He must have learned that from his daddy...)

(pictures taken 17 August 2008)

Dexter: 8 (and 2/7) weeks old

Calvin baby!

Dexter finds his thumb

More and more consistantly, Dexter has been able to find his thumb. This is FANTASTIC news for me as then I don't have to get up every time he drops his pacifier! I swear, sometimes that kid has me put it back in just so he can spit it out again! But now that he's getting a little older, he's getting a little more aware of himself and his hands. He found his thumb really for the first time on July 22. (I remember the date only because it is our anniversary!) He had that thumb in his mouth for almost an hour that night! Since then he's found it a few more times while napping, but I haven't ever been quick enough to snap a picture of it. Until now. This was taken on August 10. Isn't he the cutest?

I can't believe it

For the third time, and second consecutive time, Dexter has slept through the night entirely.  I'm not even talking a 5 or 7 hour stretch punctuated with a few cries for a pacifier, or a dream feed, a diaper change or a quick comfort.  Oh no, friends, I'm talking 12 full, blissful, quiet hours of uninterrupted baby sleep.  I know I now have some haters...  But that's ok, I can deal with it now that I am well rested!  Bring it!

Saturday night Dexter went to bed around 9:30 and slept until 6:30 ish I think.  It was pretty great and I was definitely encouraged - doubtful that it would continue, but still encouraged! 

However, it was short-lived when Sunday night Dex woke up once in the middle of the night and then again very early in the morning.  It's ok, though, I thought, since the previous night had shown promise.  

But Monday night we had another great night.  And this time I tried to put him down just a little earlier still - I put him down at 8:30pm.  He went to sleep pretty quickly, and woke up the next morning at 8am.  Yes, haters, I said EIGHT A M.  That was a GREAT night.

Tuesday during the day Dexter had terrible naps - probably because he worked so hard with Uncle Josh!  So, I knew he would have to go to bed maybe even earlier.  Joel did most of the routine (until the feeding part!) and we put Dexter to bed at 6:45pm.  Guess what time that little guy woke up next?  Go ahead, just guess.  Did you guess TWELVE HOURS LATER?  Because then you would be correct.  Dexter woke up this morning after our BEST NIGHT EVER at 7am.  

Man this is awesome.  

But don't worry.  I'm not getting too big a head yet.  I know that it likely won't continue, but I also know I'm pretty stoked about it all!  And also, don't worry that I'll start putting him to bed around 4pm or anything - I'm not trying to set a world record for baby sleeping.  But I'm pretty happy with my twelve hours.  

In honor of this momentous occasion, here are some pictures of Dexter sleeping.  Imagine them set to a slideshow of sleepy music - or maybe something sappy like that "Butterfly Kisses" song - you know, in that vein.

Seriously, I have the best baby in the world.

a visit to mommy's work

today i had a really great time visiting my mom's work! she needed to do some boring grown-up stuff, but my uncle josh said he'd take care of me! no sooner was i in the door than he picked me up out of my carseat and began cuddling me! while mommy voiced a few scripts uncle josh showed me the ropes. first, he showed me how to put the headphones on:



now we were all set to edit! uncle josh was really excited!



finally, we got down to business. uncle josh said this was his favorite way to work.

Dexter: 7 (and 3/7) weeks old

Dexter, how you be so cute?

When daddy gets a hold of Dexter...

my trip to starbucks

so, last saturday my parents deserted me. i'm serious. they just left me here. well, auntie eleanor was here, but STILL! though, i did get over it once auntie eleanor promised me a trip to starbucks! mommy takes me there all the time and the baristas just ooh and ahh over me because i am so darn cute. sometimes mommy lets me hold her slice of iced lemon loaf too while we go back to the car. starbucks is a cool place!

but on saturday, auntie eleanor said if i slept the whole time she was there, that she would take me to starbucks. it was a really nice day and the sun was shining. i was a little cranky, but a few minutes after mommy and daddy left, auntie eleanor dressed me in my new cute hat (to protect me from the sun!), and strapped me in my stroller.



immediately, i fell fast asleep. and then she took a walk to starbucks.



auntie eleanor got me my first starbucks cup. i ordered an espresso, but i guess i should have gotten a double shot.



anyway, i had a great time with my aunt eleanor and i hope she can watch me again someday! ciao!

Dexter helps with the laundry

So last week I thought it was about time Dexter start some chores. He needs to start earning his keep around here. It's not all swings and cuddles and board books! So, we started with the simple chore of laundry. Things started out really well



Until I told him how MUCH laundry we actually had to do. At first he thought it was a joke. He laughed.




Until he realized I was telling the truth - no exaggeration needed... That's when he started crying...



So I guess we'll save this chore for another day. Meanwhile, I think I'll start showing him how to clean the stove...