8 MONTHS!!!

Our little angel is 8 months old today!

Bubeaner Update (Part I)

We have all been recovering from a pretty nasty cold.  Dad was sick last week, then Bubeaner, and I got it last.  On the bright side, after two MISERABLE days things appears to improve.  Unfortunately for Dad, he was barely recovering when he left on a business trip.  The poor guy ended up having a horrible flight with really bad turbulence.  Thankfully they made it there safely.  We miss him terribly, but at least we have family visiting to keep us company.  

A view from his conference room of Santiago, Chile.

Dad was pretty worried about Bubeaner forgetting him during the trip.  We have eased his fears somewhat by using a webcam chatting program.  Yes, the Bubeaner is chatting with the webcam.  Our first call was with our good friend Lena and her baby girl Nika.  Nika and Bubeaner had the same due date.  Unfortunately, we had not seen each other since before the pregnancies.  We are delighted that we have a new way to keep in touch AND allow the children to get to know each other.  And it appeared like the little ones were actually paying attention to each other.  Ironically, it's the puppies that are most affected by the webcam.  They keep looking for Dad after our conversations.  

Dad and Bubeaner "driving" in his new car.

My boys are ADORABLE!

After Dad's own heart...

Bubeaner has almost gotten the hang of crawling.  He is lifting his bottom and almost getting the chest and arms coordinated.  Several times today he almost, almost, crawled.  We imagine it will not be long before he is off chasing the puppies.  For now, he utilizes the military crawl to move around and get to his toys.

Can't turn my back for a minute!

Bubeaner managed to get off the play mat.

He was upset he couldn't get to his toys.

John's First Word

We have often wondered what John's first word would be. We have listened to his distinctive babbling and theorized: "Bevo," "Dada," etc. We could not have imagined that his first word, uttered Saturday when his Aunt Pau was babysitting him, would be "HI." This is the word that Pauline often uses with him, and Daddy is convinced that he thinks Pau's name is "Hi."

He has repeated the word a few times since. On Sunday, he uttered "Dada" but he has not repeated that word. His favorite time to talk is at 5am after his 4:30 feeding, when he rolls over, smiles at Daddy and starts talking.

Daddy is leaving for Chile on business on Saturday for ten days, and he has briefed Aunt Larissa (who arrives Saturday) that it is her job to have talks with him at 5am

Road Trip!

Bubeaner went on his first ever road trip!  Mom and Bubeaner left at 5am this morning to Austin for a one-day visit with Uncle Ivan and Sarah.  He slept for most of the way down except for a quick stretch at the Czech Stop.  

Uncle Ivan and Bubeaner spent the morning playing and talking.  Bubeaner had plenty to complain about... apparently.  Uncle Ivan was able to get a good recording of him talking.

Goofing around with Uncle Ivan

The papasan makes a great make-shift crib.

Bubeaner napped while we talked.

After Bubeaner took a short nap, we then met Sarah for lunch.  Bubeaner wasted no time cuddling with Sarah.  The visit was short lived as Uncle Ivan and Sarah headed back to work and we headed back home.  He did demand a mid-trip feeding break, but the Bubeaner slept for a good portion of the trip.  He did cry for the last 45 minutes of the trip.  But it's understandable; Mom was fed up of being in the car too.

Spoiled Bubeaner with Sarah

This is probably the first of many more trips on our own.  There were a few lessons we learned: (1) Take plenty of bibs.  Bubeaner went through 2 outfits and 4 bibs!  For some reason, his reflux was acting up.  (2) Take a change of outfit for Mom also.  We had 2 complete outfits for Bubeaner, but none for Mom.  He managed to get throw up on Mom's pants AND blouse.  In fact, he also "got" Sarah AND uncle Ivan.

Saying goodbye... for now.

We look forward to future trips to visit all our family and friends and maybe a tailgate or two.

Worn Out

We are worn out!  This weekend we worked on organizing and painting the garage.  Yes, we painted the garage.  It is the ideal place for Bubeaner to play "outside" while being protected from the sun; sadly our backyard is still missing trees.  This is also where we will set up his little pool on the days we decide to use it.  And as a bonus we spend more time socializing.  One of the reasons, we love our neighborhood is because the children still play outside, people walk around the neighborhood, work on their yard or just sit outside in the evenings.

Aunt Pau and Bubeaner taking a little break from painting.

Thanks to Aunt Pau's help it only took a few hours.

This weekend Bubeaner received a great present from Aunt Elo, Uncle Moi and cuz Aaron: a book of nursery rhymes!!!  We did not grow up with English nursery rhymes, so other than Dad, we don't really know them.  Case in point, I thought it was Patti Cake not Pat A Cake!  We LOVE IT!

Aunt Pau and Mom spent the weekend 

reading rhymes to Bubeaner.  

Just a random picture of Bubeaner cuteness

Friday Mom and Bubeaner visited Dad at work.  Bubeaner loved getting love from the women at the office.  The little punk also made it very clear which people were his favorites.  He showed a particular attachment to Karen.  We thought it was sweet since grandfather John had liked her too.

Bubeaner and Dad at lunch.

A Better Thursday

Thankfully, today was a better day for the Bubeaner.  He still cried a lot but it helped that he napped a little better today.  We also tried a new technique with the bath.  I held him while Dad added warm water to his empty tub as we watched.  Every time he added a little water we would get closer until Bubeaner's feet got wet, then his legs, etc.  Eventually he was sitting in the tub, albeit still held by me, but not crying.  Bubeaner even relaxed enough to reach out for his turtle.  We did not tempt our luck and kept him in there only a short while.  Tomorrow we will do the same thing but we will try to actually bathe him.

Bubeaner and his first crush, RN Tammie

We had dinner with her a couple of weeks ago.  

A little blurry, 

but Bubeaner's first picture with RN Tammie

(Bubeaner was 2 weeks old.)

Crying Bubeaner

Yes, crying is the Bubeaner's latests trick.  He tends to do this any time he loses sight of me, which I know can be normal at this stage.  But he also does it if I am within his eye sight but not making eye contact with him.  (Is this normal?)  

Just love these beautiful brown eyes...

even if they cry all day

He will immediately be OK as soon as I pick him up, which I try not to do too much, or get close, touch him and make eye contact.  This is reassuring in the sense that it's probably not pain.  But it also means a crying Bubeaner because I can't possibly pay him that much attention... if I want to also eat, clean, and bathe.   So lately it means that the Bubeaner cries A LOT!    

Hi, Mr. Bear.

Just wait until I figure out how to get to you.

The puppies do not approve and blame the mommy.  Sandy, the cocker spaniel, stands guard right next to Bubeaner pointing in my direction while Bevo, the beagle, paces between me and Bubeaner and ends up sitting next to him.  It's actually an adorable sight, except for the fact that Bubeaner is crying and not happy.  Aunt Pau made the observation that his behavior has been different (more needy) since his baptism when he had a house full of attentive relatives.  Can 4 days really cause that much disarray?

Mmm, nothing like plastic in the mouth

And staying with the crying theme, Bubeaner also cries as soon as his feet touch the bath water and until we finish his bath.  We can't think of any "scary" scenario that may have led to his new found fear of the bath.  We know that this can also be a normal fear, although it's usually at a little later stage in most children.  In any case, it currently means that the Bubeaner is not being bathed every night.  We read about some tricks to try to "reassure" him that we will be trying.

Not sure why he loves to chew on this.

Bubeaner finally caught one of Sandy's long ears this morning.  Thankfully, she reacted as I had hoped.  She huffed and tried to pull away.  When she realized the little Bubeaner hand would not let go, she just gave up and sat next to the bouncy chair.  Bubeaner eventually let her go.  Bubeaner has also gotten pretty close several times to grabbing Bevo's long tail.  Hopefully, Bevo will also react in a similar manner.  But we are still careful.  

Memorial Day 2009

Bubeaner enjoyed a wonderful weekend.  It did not go as originally planned, but it was nice.  Saturday Daddy was able to spend some time at the Byron catching up with Uncle Jeff and Max, a college friend while Mom and Bubeaner stayed at home organizing and rearranging furniture.  

Notice something different about the Bubeaner in this picture?

He is sitting in his Bumbo at the restaurant table with us!

He behaved quite well.

On sunday, we had a late lunch with two of Daddy's law school buddies, Jon and Samir, and their families who were in town for a wedding.  It was nice to see them again.  And it was specially nice to meet little Kiran.  He is also a NICU graduate.  We were encouraged by his story while Bubeaner was in the NICU.  Kiran is a cutie, unfortunately, we did not take pictures.

Since we were already at a mall, we bought Bubeaner some new clothes (size 6-9 months!) including his first ever swimming trunks.  

Bubeaner smiling at Uncle Gary

Bubeaner celebrated his first Memorial Day at Uncle Gary and Aunt AA's home by the lake.  We joked about how hard it will be to keep him out of trouble once he starts walking.  The ducks will be a tempting distraction.  Bubeaner now also has his own little high chair waiting for him at their home.  We are blessed that Bubeaner has them as grandparent-figures living so close since Bito, Bita and Grandma live out of town.

Uncle Gary & Aunt AA playing with Bubeaner

 Bubeaner and Uncle K chilling in the shade.

Lions and Tigers and Bears! Oh My!

Bubeaner visited the zoo for the first time today.  We had a great, though tiring day.  And we were thrilled that Dad was able to join us for this 1st for Bubeaner.  Well he did have to work in the morning, but, thankfully, he was able to do it from home.

Mom & Bubeaner waiting for the zoo train.

This is where Bubeaner finally woke up.

Dad waiting for Bubeaner.

(I just LOVE the red beard.)

Bubeaner sporting hat & sunglasses at the kangaroo exhibit.

He was lathered in sunblock (twice) just to be sure.

Bubeaner was intrigued by the horses, the elephants and the parrots.  The flamingos & penguins drew his attention for a little while too.  But mainly he was interested in the shrieking little girls.  Granted it was a little difficult to tune the screams out.  

Dad working on the blackberry while waiting 

for Mom and Bubeaner.

 

Bubeaner with the elephants.  

He was distracted by the shrieking little girl next to us.

Thankfully, the weather cooperated too with a mild warm day (80s), cool breezes, and clouds protecting us from the sun's heat.  We did not stay too long to avoid overtiring Bubeaner.  Still we were all worn out by the end of the trip and recuperated with a nice little nap.  

Bubeaner saying goodbye to the zoo animals.

Zonked out at the end of the day.

Our cute Bubeaner was exhausted.

Playful Day

Bubeaner spent most of the day playing with Mom and the pups (Sandy and Bevo).  However, he refused to be left alone.  He even wanted to take his nap with Mom holding him.  (I may have accidentally created a little tyrant with the cuddling earlier this week.)  Bubeaner has also been taking shorter and shorter naps every day.  We are hoping this is just a fluke from the changes to his schedule this week rather than a permanent change.  Those naps are when I get things done around the house.

Dad's first attempt at feeding Bubeaner.

It got EVERY WHERE...ears, nose, hair, back & even the legs.

We have a nice evening routine of late.  Aunt Pau feeds him his baby food (currently green beans & prunes) on her way to her home from work.  Dad gets the bath and clothes ready when he gets home & bathes him after Aunt Pau is done.  I, meanwhile, work on finishing dinner.  And while Dad and Aunt Pau eat, I feed Bubeaner before putting him to bed.  We are working like a well-oiled machine.  Bubeaner also appears to enjoy having some "alone" time with each person.

"Hi, Mr. Worm.  I have something to tell you."

"I am going to EAT you!"

"I almost got you."

"Man that was hard.

I am going to rest for a little while first."

It took him a good 5 minutes of attempting a military crawl to get to the worm.

Laid Back Wednesday

We took it easy again today.  Bubeaner continues to eat his green beans and prunes without a problem.  We now add the cereal to the baby food or to the bottle.  Bubeaner does not like to eat it by itself.  It appears there is not enough taste to it.

Bubeaner is also jabbering away most of the day.  He makes multiple sounds now.  And sometimes it really sounds like he is trying to imitate our sounds.  Dad was talking by 7 months (he could say 7 words).  So, it is a possibility.  Either way we just love hearing him talk, even when he's supposed to be sleeping.

Bubeaner crying...

...and crying at a horrible crime committed...

... Momma gave him PLAIN CEREAL!

How's a baby supposed to live like that!?

Pictures are Back

It's a good thing I found the camera's USB cord;  people really want their Bubeaner fix.  

Bubeaner had a pretty laid back day today.  It's fitting considering our hectic schedule yesterday.  He was pretty fussy during the night waking up a couple of times.  But it's my fault.  He really did not have good naps yesterday.  Mom was not feeling well today so we spent most of the day cuddling, napping together and just low key playing and talking.  Bubeaner appeared to really enjoy it.  He likes it when he gets all the attention.

Bubeaner & Mom napping after the morning feeding.

Dad snuck this one in.

Bubeaner and Mom playing with the camera.

FYI - We went back and added the missing pictures to the previous posts.

A Mobile Bubeaner

*** Still no USB cord. ***

Poor Bubeaner had a long day today.  We spent 7 long hours running errands.  Yes, we didn't even stop for his afternoon nap; he had to take it on the road.  And awesome Bubeaner that he is, he behaved and was patient with us.  He zonked out the moment we finished feeding him this evening.  But it does bode well for any long road trips we may need to take in the future.  

Bubeaner got a walker this afternoon.  He liked the walker because it is so low he can comfortably sit AND touch the floor.  He loves his jumperoo but it still does not fit his body comfortably.  He appeared to enjoy moving backwards.  He laughed when he did it.  Yes, we are aware of the current safety concerns regarding walkers.  But we also do not leave him unsupervised; if nothing else, we have 2 dogs at home.  We CAN'T risk to just look away for a little while even though they have not shown any aggression towards Bubeaner.  

Since he gave up the Paci,

Bubeaner has grown attached to his many loveys.

They taste good & are cuddly.

And they also make good pillows.

Obviously, they are far superior to the mere Paci.

This week we added green beans to Bubeaners diet.  Yucky?  Well, he does not appear to think so.  He ate the entire 2.5 oz and asked for more!  Usually he will not eat more than 1 oz if we are lucky.  He even had some prunes for "dessert".  He is growing up so fast.

Aunt Pau playing with Bubeaner while Mom loaded the groceries.  

Bubeaner was not amused.

Bubeaner's Date

*** DISCLAIMER ***  

I have misplace my backup replacement USB cord, 

so no pictures until it is found.... again. 

Bubeaner spent yesterday evening with Aunt Pau while Mom and Dad went on a date.  It was the first time Mom and Dad spent the evening out alone for longer than a couple of hours.  And we only checked on him 4 times!  That is self control!

Bubeaner goofing around before bath time.

Bubeaner also spent the night in the guest bedroom, bassinet and all, with Aunt Pau.  It was the first time he slept in a different room from us.

He has a new favorite game...

...the feet appear to be yummy.

Prayer Request

Please keep Kaleigh Anne and her family in your prayers.  She was born at 28 weeks weighing 1 lbs 1 oz.  Kaleigh Anne fought a brave and hard battle for 10 months, but she was called home Monday night.  Her life and strength were an encouragement to us during John's tenure in the NICU.  She touched our lives.