6 Months: Discoveries

Several revelations from August's doctor visit yesterday. First, the kid has put on weight like a champ, which was our "assignment" from the last appointment. Also, after hearing us tell her that August had been fussy for the past few days, our doctor started poking around inside his mouth and discovered the very tips of two little teeth just breaking through his lower gum! Poor kid had been cuttin' teeth for the past couple of days, and it hurt. But instead of crying and crying and shrieking in pain, he was simply a little fussier than usual.

He's a strong baby. A great kid. Now with teeth!

6 Months: Grumpiversary

Surprise! It's my half-birthday!


Click the photo for larger version.


August turned six months old at exactly 3:23 AM, this morning. He was awake at the time, celebrating the milestone by continuing an ongoing griping/whining/grumping session which started around 2:00, and kept one or both of his parents awake for the balance of the night.

We haven't had an evening this "busy" in months. He was clearly not feeling 100%, poor guy.

But August makes sure, almost by instinct, that there are material compensations to balance these difficulties... not least of which is the fact that he's so damn cute (witness photo, above). But today, after the toughest night in many weeks, he made sure the compensations were manifest. Mary was holding him close to her, and he kept putting his face up next to hers. I thought maybe he was trying to give her a little kiss, so I gave him a little kiss on the cheek, by way of example. Sure enough, he put is little mouth right up against Mary's cheek and gave her a genuine kiss, complete with kissing sound. This was clearly an intentional action on his part. You can imagine the effect this had on Mary! All the trials of his long, long night evaporated immediately!

So happy halfiversary to August, however grumpy he may be today, with great appreciation for the gift he bestowed on us today.

Here are photos from our afternoon lunch of delicious rice cereal. Not grumpy at all!

5 Months: New Cousin

New Cousin, Winthrop Avery Newman:



Little "Win", for short. Big win for my sister & her husband.

5 Months: How-To

How to mix-up a delicious bottle for baby.

Step One: I pour the water

Step Two: I add the powdered formula

Step Three:

5 Months: Fatherhood Guidelines

An article in the NYTimes today outlines how to be a father. Paraphrasing the bullets:

• Spend time with your kids
• Be there throughout their childhoods and beyond
• Balance discipline with fun
• As a role model, be a grown-up man

This is all pretty much common sense (I guess most parenting is), but it's still interesting. The thing I'm hoping will stick with me as I raise August day to day: reaching that right balance between fun and discipline. I could see myself veering too far in both directions, but I think I'm especially at risk for overemphasizing the "fun" part of being a dad. That's just as dangerous as being overly strict. Must keep perspective.

5 Months: Mary's Baby Pictures

Fresh from a scanner in Idaho:

5 Months: Photos From Today

One from the morning, hanging with his good friend Neve:



And one showing off his "My Grandma Rocks" T shirt before enjoying rice cereal (and not enjoying mashed-up bananas) in his fancy new high chair.