Dear Vinny,
We have noticed some remarkable developments in you lately.
First of all, you have begun to regularly communicate your desire to have a bottle! Since you were about two months old, we've been squeezing our hand and saying "ba-ba" to you just before giving you your bottle. This has paid off because you now request a bottle by doing the same thing. It must be quite empowering for you to be able to communicate your hunger.
Second, you have tried a lot of new foods and eaten them without gagging too much. Most recently, I gave you some tofu, which you seemed to like well enough. I put some small chunks of it on your tray and you picked it up and ate it, like you do with cheerios. In addition, I mashed up some banana and fed it to you, and you absolutely loved it. How did I know that? Because you exclaimed "mmmmm" as you ate it! I also tried giving you chunks of banana like the tofu or cheerios, but you soon discovered that it was a lot more fun to squeeze the banana in the palm of your hand and through your fingers than to actually eat it!
Third, and most significantly, you have become stronger and much more mobile. Even though you're still not crawling, you can roll and fishy-flop without difficulty. I understand that you need to be able to sit up from the lying down position before you will be able to crawl, so you still need to learn to do that. The problem is that your head is big, so that makes it difficult to master these gross motor skills. But I am confident that you will pick this up soon!
Yesterday afternoon I made you some pear sauce. I fed it to you tonight, and unlike the last time I made it, you didn't gag on it at all. I think this is because you are becoming more and more skilled in eating.
This evening you and I had a fun time roughhousing. You were rolling and flopping around on the floor in your room, and I was tickling you. It is fun to play with you, sweet boy!
Love,
Mommy
Monday, June 25, 2007
Another Busy Weekend
Dear Vinny,
This past weekend, we invited over Ann from next door, along with her daughter Katie, son-in-law Joe, and grandchildren Bert and Amelia. You were a very good sport on Friday and Saturday while Mommy and Daddy cleaned the house, and I think you had a good time with our guests too. You took a brief nap during dinner, but otherwise you were alert and watching and interacting.
I plugged in the electric keyboard, and you had a great time banging on the keys. Amelia sat on it and started one of the automatic songs, which was pretty funny.
Amelia is about six months older than you, so she is already crawling around and very mobile. At one point she saw you and decided to kiss you. She gave you several big smooches before moving on to poking you in the eye and smacking you with a toy. Her mom put a stop to that but you didn't seem to be much bothered by it. You definitely enjoyed the kisses.
I think we all had a good time, and resolved to get together again soon!
Love,
Mommy
This past weekend, we invited over Ann from next door, along with her daughter Katie, son-in-law Joe, and grandchildren Bert and Amelia. You were a very good sport on Friday and Saturday while Mommy and Daddy cleaned the house, and I think you had a good time with our guests too. You took a brief nap during dinner, but otherwise you were alert and watching and interacting.
I plugged in the electric keyboard, and you had a great time banging on the keys. Amelia sat on it and started one of the automatic songs, which was pretty funny.
Amelia is about six months older than you, so she is already crawling around and very mobile. At one point she saw you and decided to kiss you. She gave you several big smooches before moving on to poking you in the eye and smacking you with a toy. Her mom put a stop to that but you didn't seem to be much bothered by it. You definitely enjoyed the kisses.
I think we all had a good time, and resolved to get together again soon!
Love,
Mommy
Monday, June 18, 2007
Busy Weekend
Dear Vinny,
This past weekend was a busy one. On Saturday, we went over to my colleague Sreekanth's house to meet Baby Aneesh. Aneesh is just nine weeks old. We gave him some of your old clothes that you had outgrown. You were the star of the show. Since you're six months older than Aneesh, you are quite a bit more active and aware and generally charming. You smiled and giggled and flirted for Sreekanth and Maria. You didn't pay much attention to Aneesh. You didn't object to being held by Sreekanth or Maria while Mommy held Baby Aneesh.
Then on Sunday, we celebrated Father's Day with Daddy. You gave him a card that you had written on at least a little bit. Daddy was very touched. I think he's as proud to be your Daddy as I am to be your Mommy!
Love,
Mommy
This past weekend was a busy one. On Saturday, we went over to my colleague Sreekanth's house to meet Baby Aneesh. Aneesh is just nine weeks old. We gave him some of your old clothes that you had outgrown. You were the star of the show. Since you're six months older than Aneesh, you are quite a bit more active and aware and generally charming. You smiled and giggled and flirted for Sreekanth and Maria. You didn't pay much attention to Aneesh. You didn't object to being held by Sreekanth or Maria while Mommy held Baby Aneesh.
Then on Sunday, we celebrated Father's Day with Daddy. You gave him a card that you had written on at least a little bit. Daddy was very touched. I think he's as proud to be your Daddy as I am to be your Mommy!
Love,
Mommy
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Baby Gourmet
Dear Vinny,
This past weekend, I got inspired to cook for you. First I noticed that you were biting on everything, including Mommy and Daddy and your own arm. So I decided to make you some teething biscuits. I wanted to make them without wheat if I could, because my grandfather was allergic to wheat and I didn't want you to get that allergy. So I came up with a concoction that turned out to make pretty good teething biscuits. You have chewed on them a few times, with success.
Then, I had read that babies love to eat a combination of peaches and chicken, so I made you some peaches out of some frozen peaches that we had, and I also poached a chicken breast and ground it up. The chicken was pretty dry, but the peaches moistened it up. At first, you didn't know what to make of peaches and chicken, but then you decided that you liked it and you ate it with enthusiasm.
They say that babies go through every sound in all languages as they develop. On Thursday, you started making the rolled French r sound with your uvula. You are really good at it although to us it kind of sounds like you're gargling. Yesterday you did it in between sips of juice, so I think you really may have been gargling.
You really get a kick out of it when Mommy or Daddy make a retching sound. I don't know why, but it totally cracks you up. It's a really good way to get you giggling so much I think you'll never stop. I have no idea what's so funny, but whatever works for you!
You have all the prerequisites for crawling, you just need to put all the moves together. Until recently, when you would reach out for something you would do a face plant. But since about Friday you are able to retain your balance on your hands and knees, so I think it's just a matter of time before you figure it out.
You are such a sweet baby boy!
Love,
Mommy
This past weekend, I got inspired to cook for you. First I noticed that you were biting on everything, including Mommy and Daddy and your own arm. So I decided to make you some teething biscuits. I wanted to make them without wheat if I could, because my grandfather was allergic to wheat and I didn't want you to get that allergy. So I came up with a concoction that turned out to make pretty good teething biscuits. You have chewed on them a few times, with success.
Then, I had read that babies love to eat a combination of peaches and chicken, so I made you some peaches out of some frozen peaches that we had, and I also poached a chicken breast and ground it up. The chicken was pretty dry, but the peaches moistened it up. At first, you didn't know what to make of peaches and chicken, but then you decided that you liked it and you ate it with enthusiasm.
They say that babies go through every sound in all languages as they develop. On Thursday, you started making the rolled French r sound with your uvula. You are really good at it although to us it kind of sounds like you're gargling. Yesterday you did it in between sips of juice, so I think you really may have been gargling.
You really get a kick out of it when Mommy or Daddy make a retching sound. I don't know why, but it totally cracks you up. It's a really good way to get you giggling so much I think you'll never stop. I have no idea what's so funny, but whatever works for you!
You have all the prerequisites for crawling, you just need to put all the moves together. Until recently, when you would reach out for something you would do a face plant. But since about Friday you are able to retain your balance on your hands and knees, so I think it's just a matter of time before you figure it out.
You are such a sweet baby boy!
Love,
Mommy
Thursday, June 07, 2007
Eight Months!
Dear Vinny,
On Tuesday, you turned eight months old. It is hard to believe that only eight months ago, you were born. But it is true.
You have learned a lot in the past month. You are able to sit up from a reclined position, which is impressive. You haven't figured out how to crawl yet, but I think it's just a matter of putting all the pieces together. You've learned how to pick up a cheerio, put it in your mouth, chew it up, and swallow it. The cheerio makes it into your mouth more frequently and you gag on it less and less.
Your eighth tooth is just popping out of the gum. It seems like you could be getting molars at some point soon, because you like to chew on things with the back of your jaw. Something else that's strange that you do with your teeth is you sort of grind the front teeth together to create a very strange popping sound.
Every day I spend with you is truly a joy. You are so good-natured and happy! I hope that you continue to feel so happy as you grow up.
Love,
Mommy
On Tuesday, you turned eight months old. It is hard to believe that only eight months ago, you were born. But it is true.
You have learned a lot in the past month. You are able to sit up from a reclined position, which is impressive. You haven't figured out how to crawl yet, but I think it's just a matter of putting all the pieces together. You've learned how to pick up a cheerio, put it in your mouth, chew it up, and swallow it. The cheerio makes it into your mouth more frequently and you gag on it less and less.
Your eighth tooth is just popping out of the gum. It seems like you could be getting molars at some point soon, because you like to chew on things with the back of your jaw. Something else that's strange that you do with your teeth is you sort of grind the front teeth together to create a very strange popping sound.
Every day I spend with you is truly a joy. You are so good-natured and happy! I hope that you continue to feel so happy as you grow up.
Love,
Mommy
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
Weekend Visits
Dear Vinny,
This weekend was very busy. We went to Kentucky to celebrate Granny and Granddad's 40th anniversary on Sunday. But on Saturday, Daddy and I left you with Grandma and Grandpa for the evening. From what I understand, you had a lot of fun with them. They took you on a walk to the arboretum, and they fed you some peaches and more, and they also gave you a bath in the kitchen sink. You enjoyed it all, and you didn't cry or miss us at all, although I think you were happy to see us on Sunday morning.
We went over to Aunt Rhonda's house after noon. Your cousins Stuart and Ian and your Aunt Ginger and Uncle Johnny were already there, and Granny and Granddad arrived soon after. Your Aunt Ginger was really excited to see you, and she held you for a while, until Granny and Granddad arrived. Granny really wanted to hold you, and she got plenty of opportunity to do so, but Granddad hogged you for a great deal of time too. Daddy gave Granddad a drawing of you and Granddad together, and I had gotten Granny a digital photo keychain that Daddy filled with photos of you. They were both quite pleased by their gifts. I don't know how they couldn't be pleased to have pictures of their incredibly cute grandson!
At one point, we all lined up to have a family photo taken. I was holding you in my arms behind your cousin Stuart. You thought that Stuart's hair was so interesting that you kept on pulling it. But Stuart was very patient with you, and didn't get upset with you pulling on his hair. Back in the house, Daddy took a really good picture of you and your cousins.
Soon it was time to go, and we went back to Grandma and Grandpa's house. We spent the night there, and in the morning you stayed with Grandma and Grandpa while Daddy and I went shopping for a Father's Day present for Grandpa. At lunch we celebrated Father's Day by giving Grandpa his present, as well as a card from me and one from you that Daddy had had you scribble on with a marker. Grandpa was thrilled with his present and with his card from you. In the afternoon we went to see my grandmother, your great-Grandma. Great-Grandma was cheered by the sight of you. You were very sweet to her and you even reached out and touched her face a few times. She was pleased with how nice of a young man you are!
Eventually it was time for us to go home, so we packed, put you in the car and headed home. You were asleep when we started but you soon woke up, and you were not too happy about how things were. You fussed most of the way home, but you fell asleep close to the Tennessee border. We brought you inside, fed you a bottle, and took you to bed.
Over all, we had a great trip and I think you really enjoyed yourself. But it was nice to be back home and back to our more normal life.
Love,
Mommy
This weekend was very busy. We went to Kentucky to celebrate Granny and Granddad's 40th anniversary on Sunday. But on Saturday, Daddy and I left you with Grandma and Grandpa for the evening. From what I understand, you had a lot of fun with them. They took you on a walk to the arboretum, and they fed you some peaches and more, and they also gave you a bath in the kitchen sink. You enjoyed it all, and you didn't cry or miss us at all, although I think you were happy to see us on Sunday morning.
We went over to Aunt Rhonda's house after noon. Your cousins Stuart and Ian and your Aunt Ginger and Uncle Johnny were already there, and Granny and Granddad arrived soon after. Your Aunt Ginger was really excited to see you, and she held you for a while, until Granny and Granddad arrived. Granny really wanted to hold you, and she got plenty of opportunity to do so, but Granddad hogged you for a great deal of time too. Daddy gave Granddad a drawing of you and Granddad together, and I had gotten Granny a digital photo keychain that Daddy filled with photos of you. They were both quite pleased by their gifts. I don't know how they couldn't be pleased to have pictures of their incredibly cute grandson!
At one point, we all lined up to have a family photo taken. I was holding you in my arms behind your cousin Stuart. You thought that Stuart's hair was so interesting that you kept on pulling it. But Stuart was very patient with you, and didn't get upset with you pulling on his hair. Back in the house, Daddy took a really good picture of you and your cousins.
Soon it was time to go, and we went back to Grandma and Grandpa's house. We spent the night there, and in the morning you stayed with Grandma and Grandpa while Daddy and I went shopping for a Father's Day present for Grandpa. At lunch we celebrated Father's Day by giving Grandpa his present, as well as a card from me and one from you that Daddy had had you scribble on with a marker. Grandpa was thrilled with his present and with his card from you. In the afternoon we went to see my grandmother, your great-Grandma. Great-Grandma was cheered by the sight of you. You were very sweet to her and you even reached out and touched her face a few times. She was pleased with how nice of a young man you are!
Eventually it was time for us to go home, so we packed, put you in the car and headed home. You were asleep when we started but you soon woke up, and you were not too happy about how things were. You fussed most of the way home, but you fell asleep close to the Tennessee border. We brought you inside, fed you a bottle, and took you to bed.
Over all, we had a great trip and I think you really enjoyed yourself. But it was nice to be back home and back to our more normal life.
Love,
Mommy
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