Spooky

I just noticed that my post yesterday was posted at 9:02 and it talked about 90210...SPOOKY. That is all.

Checking In - Eat a Sandwich

Hello. I know everyone is ANXIOUSLY awaiting my 90210 piece. Well you'll have to keep waiting for at least a little bit longer. I am not trying to create false demand by holding out on the details. I just haven't had time. That said, I have another episode under my belt and my thoughts on the show are quickly evolving. It's coming. In the mean time I will leave you with a discussion item - The girls of 90210: Too Skinny or WAY Too Skinny? There is photo reference on the left to help kick start the discussion...

Ally is spending her last week with JJ before returning to work on Monday. She is not looking forward to leaving the little guys (Stewie too) and I am not either. Hopefully soon she can be a stay at home mom, or worst case get a job MUCH closer to home.

Hope everyone has a nice day. It's almost the weekend again! I keep telling myself that...

What Are They Looking At?

For some reason this picture makes me laugh. If I had to guess I would say Stewie is pursuing one of his favorite pasttimes, lizard hunting...

5 Years - Anniversary Celebration Our Way

Yesterday was Ally and my 5 year wedding anniversary and celebrated our way; a UA/UCLA football game at the Rose Bowl followed by some BBQ from a local BBQ joint. There is no more appropriate way for us to celebrate.

So, at the risk of getting overly sappy on the internet, I will keep this brief.

Ally, you are an amazing mother, my best friend and the love of my life. I love you and can't wait to spend many many more anniversaries with you, preferably at college football games. :-)

More Sleep and Baby Toupee's

I guess the little dude has a new sleeping regimen. We are happy and well rested...until he starts having trouble sleeping because of teeth coming in or something else. I find (like billions of parents before me) that once you get through one thing another thing pops up that needs to be dealt with.

On another note I am starting to get concerned that he hasn't shed his "baby mullet". I figured by this point he would start getting hair on top to go with the party in the back but so far that's not been the case. I mean he's grown a little but nothing compared to the shrub draping the back of his head and neck. I am starting to think "Baby Toupee".

The attached Baby Toupee called "The Donald" after the man who inspired the look, Donald Trump. There are others but I was really drawn to this one.

We are going to give it another month and if there hasn't been progress in hair growth it's Baby Toupee time! Have a look at the before and after shots...

BEFORE (notice difference between mullet and rest of head)

AFTER (notice fullness and body in hair)

This is Getting Silly

He slept through the night AGAIN. 3 nights = trend. We are pleased.

In another development the young man has two white bumps trying to protrude his front-lower gumline. Yes, he is starting to get teeth. He's not quite 3 months old yet. It's all happening too fast.

Reason for Optimism

Well, we are 2 for 2 with operation "Keep the Baby Up Longer and Feed Him Later So Mom and Dad Don't Lose Their Freaking Minds from Lack of Sleep".

Last night was much of the same...in bed at 8:45 but this time slept until 6:30. Fed him a little more before bed too. Things are looking up and just in time since Ally is going back to work a week from next Monday.

Things are starting to look up...

Cautiously Optimistic

Operation "Keep the Baby Up Longer and Feed Him Later So Mom and Dad Don't Lose Their Freaking Minds from Lack of Sleep" went very well it's first night.

As the "code name" would indicate, we kept the baby up longer and fed him later and son of a gun if he didn't sleep from 9pm through to 6am. He did stir a bit throughout the night but stayed asleep for the most part.

Now, this is only one night so we aren't going to throw a victory party quite yet. However, we are going to keep on doing what we're doing and see if it keeps working.

On another note, it's amazing that outsmarting a 11 week old baby can make a person feel so satisfied. He's 11 weeks old. What's it going to feel like when I outsmart him as a teenager? Will it be less satisfying? Probably. I have a theory on that but can't really articulate it right now...probably still tired.

By the way, there is no good information in "baby books". Save your money and spend it on diapers.

I Haven't Forgotten

Need another episode under my belt before the big 90210 review.

Also, trying out a new nighttime strategy for the little guy. I'm sure there will be notes on that as well.

Sleep Update

The child woke up twice last night:

1) He ended up on his back - GOD FORBID JJ SHOULD HAVE TO SLEEP ON HIS BACK - so Ally went in and put him back on his side. We use the little sleep positioners to keep him in place but as mentioned before he's a strong and determined little guy. Ally tightened up the sleep positioner deal, put him back and was right back to sleep. So you know, JJ doesn't like sleeping on his back because his little brain isn't smart enough yet to figure out how to get hand to mouth to sooth himself. On his stomach - no problem. On his side - not easy, but he makes it work.

2) Normal feeding. He slept about 5 hours straight (excluding when he was awaken by his re-positioning to his back) before he needed to eat. He then went back to sleep for another 5 hours.

We, but mainly Ally, needed last night.

Biggest Post EVER!

Attention grabbing misleading headlines are great, aren't they? Matt Drudge has made a career out of them. ZING!

We've been talking about this kid for a while now so I thought it was time to mix it up. Actually I just am so excited about this subject (not that I am not excited about my previous blog subjects) that it's time for me to pontificate about it's greatness/awesomeness!

So with that lead in it's time for my comprehensive review of the first 2.5 episodes of 90210, possible the biggest show in the history of television (or at least the history of the CW). All 4+ of you who read this blog (Mom, Aunt Adelle, The Williams, maybe Adam and Mer - notice anybody missing - i'm looking at you Ally) will not be disappointed. Whoa, I better come through with something compelling.

It's truly a cultural phenomenon (at least among my Facebook friends) and I am strapped in for what's going to be an awesome 10 year ride*, just like the previous iteration of BH! However, I am a bit leery about how quickly they are diving into various issues...they have cranked through more issues in the first 3 hours than Beverly Hills 90210 ("The Original") did in the first 3 seasons. More on that in the review.

Anyway, until it's arrive, allow the excitement to permeate your lives. The review is forthcoming.
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*It actually could last 10 years because what the hell else is the CW going to air? Part of the reason it lasted 10 years the first time was because FOX had nothing else to put on the air and dumbasses like me kept tuning in every week. Or it could last 1 season. What the hell do I know!?!?!

The Child

We slept poorly again

Baby reason for fatigue

Must sleep better soon

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EDITOR'S NOTE: I have it easy compared to Ally who has been up with the kid the last 2 nights so I could be rested (relative term) for work. She's a great mommy!

Organic Alarm Clock

The boy had some trouble sleeping last night.

He woke up wailing every...hour...on...the...hour.

I am not exaggerating.

Probably the worst night yet.

Stewie was the only member of the family who slept reasonably well.

Ally hardly slept at all.

I slept on and off for about 4-5 hours.

He seems to be reverting, though last night might have been gas related.

Not good times.

Thought I would share.

I hope I can stay up long enough tonight to watch 90210.

I am going sleep under my desk now...days like this I wish I had a bed underneath my desk George Costanza style.

Short Monday Update

Hello. So over the weekend we had 2 breakthroughs:

1) JJ rolled over! Ok, he didn't REALLY roll over in the traditional sense. He was on his belly and rolled over to his back. Not the other way around. Still, it's pretty neat to see. Trying to capture it on video but he won't do it when I try to record it. Stubborn. It's neat to watch him hold his head up and look around/try to move. He's a strong little bugger.

2) This is really only for my edification. For some reason I couldn't connect online with my Xbox360 or Wii downstairs. Both are wireless connections to my router that is upstairs. I finally figured out why on Sunday; the baby monitor is killing the signal. It's quite the powerful little monitor. The picture says "Mom-Tested", but nothing about Dad trying to use the online functionality of his video game console. It's not the end of the world, but an example of a little tiny thing that has changed around our house. There are plenty of big obvious things but every day we find little things we didn't anticipate. Maybe not the best example but an example nonetheless.

We took a bunch of pictures this weekend we will upload ASAP. He smiles A LOT, unless he's in his car seat where he WAILS. We need to figure out how to fix that because right now we can't take him anywhere, in the car or in public. Any ideas are appreciated.

Until later...

Tired

Two posts in one day! WOO HOO!

I stumbled upon this post apocalyptic scene while looking for Allyson a few minutes ago...turn up your speakers if you want to hear the audio, though I found that whispers aren't picked up that well on our camera...



It's been a long weekend and not a lot of sleep to go around.

The Ring

Some of JJ's best work takes place on the tummy time mat. Whether it's the spastic gyrations of arms and legs (think Elaine Bennis...) when the music starts playing, staring at himself in the mirror, Stewie trying to evict him from his mat (his = Stewie), or even whacking the rattle, all are quite entertaining not only to Ally and I but JJ as well. This is one part of the day he truly enjoys.

Today JJ added a new bit to his repertoire...grabbing and holding the ring. Here's the kicker...once he grabs it he can't figure out how to let go. Observe:



Every day it's something new. We are loving every minute of it. Now if only he would consistently sleep for 8 hours a night. Actually 5 would be nice. Even 4. Ally would be beside herself with happiness.

Until next time...