Thursday, April 23, 2009

Everyone wants their son to grow up to be a doctor

We thought that with a little encouragement that Linus could choose to be a doctor someday if he wanted to (like his uncle and grandfather). Thus we got him a doctor outfit. A Dr. Poopsie outfit.

Behold Dr. Poopsie.

What's he dreaming about that makes him smile so much.

Here is some Dr. Poopsie excitement.

Monday, April 20, 2009

So cute when he is sleeping

Linus is so cute when he is sleeping.


We have setup a playard which has an insertable bassinet in the living room so that he can sleep on his back instead of in a bouncy seat if he needs a nap during the day. We are trying to keep have the crib in his room upstairs be the calm and effective sleeping area for nighttime. Thus far it has worked. He sleeps five to six hours straight in the first stretch at night and we did nothing to cause this but perhaps having a nighttime quieter time be different from a daytime active time. Hopefully this continues.

Friday, April 17, 2009

How to make a baby

I suppose I have this one figured out now, but here are the details in an entertaining movie:



So that's how it happens.

(via the Upcoming Queue at Neatorama)

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Kicking space baby

Linus is starting to be amused by watching things moving above him and he seems to almost want to reach out to things. I thought it would be good to get him a playset with the mat and toys hanging down that he could bat at while he figures out his hands.



I fell in love with the (unfortunately) most expensive one of these without electronics because of its space theme. It has hanging rocketships, planets and flying saucers which crinkle or have mirrors or vibrate. While Linus doesn't bat at the things he, purposefully or not, kicks at the support and then delights in the movement of the objects above him. Careful placement of the baby on the mat increase the chance that his kicks find the target and generate the appropriate response.

In the video you can see that he becomes a little annoyed when the stuff stops moving, which agitates him so he kicks and then he connects with the upright and everything jiggles again and he is happy. The feedback loop of his agitation causes the very kicking which jiggles the toys which soothes him which stops the kicking and movement which agitates him and round and round.

My intention was for him to use his hands not his feet, but if he likes it than I like it. It sometimes provides minutes of entertainment, which for a baby is forever, but for a parent is still just minutes. It is great fun to watch and encourage.

I have thought about tying a string to his foot to move whatever other toys he likes so that I don't have to, a particular non mechanical mobile above his playard is what I have in mind. I am sure that is a bad idea and the baby would get tangled in the string, horror would befall him, etc. etc. But I seem to recall people doing this in the old days. What do the more experienced parents think about the idea?

Monday, April 13, 2009

Aliens baby carrier

I was just kidding about watching the movie series Aliens when Linus' mom was pregnant. This product takes it to the extreme. By the people that brought you the Snuggie, it's the Peekaru.

This baby has just ripped an exit hole in his own mother and her fleece pullover and he is coming out. I bet he has acid blood too! Game over man, game over.

(I am laughing, but I bet we get one.)

(via gawker, via Daily Mail UK, or alternatively via Daily Intel, via Mom4Life, and Strollerderby, via togetherbe maker of the Peekaru)

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Linus in Space


Linus "plays" with his new space playset. He hasn't quite got the hang of trying to move things with his hands yet, but he seems to like his tummy time pillow.

Mysterious mother and child

Who knows what Linus and his mother are dreaming up behind those mysterious eyes.

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Tub-o-babies, for your convenience

I did not know that Tub-o-babies was available yet, I thought it was still in marketing trials.

From Reuters:
Seven babies sit in tummy tubs filled with water to cool down after a baby massage class held for young mothers in IJmuiden March 24, 2009. The "cooling down" segment is to simulate a womb-like environment for the infants to experience the warmth and comfort.
I did not know there was such a thing as baby massage, let alone a cooling off time in a tub. Given my two month experience with children, I expect that there is some peeing on in there. Closer examination of the pictures shows one ready to cry, two annoyed and four quizzical.

Sunday, April 5, 2009

Phillies play on opening day and Linus is dressed for it.

Dad and Linus are ready to watch the Phillies play baseball on opening day. I explained that the Phillies are the World Champions, but Linus asked if he will ever get to see them win a World Series in his lifetime. There was an awkward silence after that.