what's better than a kiss... a headbutt

Maevy,
You are so cute, and when your mother and I are at home with you in the evenings we have often tried to get you to kiss us back. But you will have none of it. We've kissed you and asked to kiss back by sticking our cheeks in front of your mouth. We've kissed a doll and then asked you to do the same. Both of these have ended in a sloppy wet disappointment nearly every time. Early on there were some instances we miss understood the wetness for a successful baby kiss, only to realize later you pretty much licked our faces. You mother was more bummed than I was - she's not big into having her face licked - trust me, I know.



One thing we noticed is that as we leaned in to crowd your space for a peck, you would often block our advances with a drop of the head - resulting in a headbutt. Niice. So at this point we have accepted that as a expression of love. And when I say good night to you downstairs as Mommy takes you up for bath and bedtime, I'll kiss you a couple of times, and frequently request a headbutt by initiating one with you. Generally you agree to the proposition and let Daddy have his small token of good will. Very nice of you. So while a smooch is not an option - at least we are being fed something to keep us complacent. And for, that we thank you.

Love - Daddy

Discovery Center

Fun times with our friend, Charlie, and Jack (not pictured) at the Discovery Center. We'll definitely be back.

A little night music

Maevy,
We try to listen to music while we sit around the house, instead of watching TV like your Mother & I do a lot. So I put on the 50s or 60s station on the XM sometimes, or a CD or maybe some of my talk radio during your dinner, or when we think we've been watching too much TV with you around. I have a set of musicians and hosts I prefer, and I hope for two things at once while we listen and dance and eat and hopefully make wonderful memories for you; I hope that you will love the stuff I turn you onto like I do the stuff my Dad played for me. I also pray you will be your own person and go out into the world and find you own musical path to follow.

I tend to stick to pretty basic fare, especially with you still being so young. So I steer clear of anything that might make you upset with loud bangs and heavy chords. So that leaves me with some nice, even songs by groups/ people like the Beatles, Wilco and Ben Folds. And when we are listening to talk it's pretty much the big orange guy - Tony Kornheiser, Howard Stern (the "clean" stuff), and baseball games or sports talk.


In your first 8 months it was baseball, and just about every time I gave you a bath and put you down for bed we had a Washington Nationals baseball game on in the background. Hehehehe. On one hand, I hope it settles into your little ear and finds a home - something you and Daddy can share forever. On the other hand, I just wanted to listen.

Same goes for the other things I have on when we're together. Not sure how your mother is influencing you in this department, but I hope it's not that popular junk like Brittany Spears or Nickleback.

So at some point, when you're a teenager or maybe sooner, you're going to blossom into a discerning listener, and I hope that no matter what it is that pleases you, you follow it. Whether it's a capella, or guitar rock, or symphony or country, or... no that's it. That's all I want you to be into. So as long as it's one of those, we're good. Thanks.

Whatever it is, I love you and want you to be true to what you like.

Sick Day- Month Birthday

Yesterday you got kicked out of daycare, not for bad behavior, but because you had a 103.1 temperature. Daddy picked you up immediately and took you home. You took several naps and went to bed early. You're weren't allowed to go back to daycare until you were fever free for 24hours. So you spent your 11-Month Birthday at home. You didn't have a fever all day, but were very clingy and whiny. Mommy took care of you in the morning. Then we stopped by Daddy's work and you all hung out the rest of the afternoon. I think these pics pretty much sum of your day...lots of rest and cuddling. It's a little blurry, but at least there's a little smile.

Where is Baby's Belly Button?

Lately, you've had a favorite activity while getting your diaper changed. It's reading Where is Baby's Belly Button? You "read" it out loud and flip up the pictures. And when you're done, you throw it on the floor. All done!

Sippy Cup

Sippy cup- what what! Thank you Sarah B. for the advice last Friday night. This picture was taken the morning of Day 3.

Sorry I jumped ahead. Sometime last week, I realized you were almost 1 year old and we wanted you off the bottle by then. So why not start now? I read all kinds of varying opinions online (put something bad tasting in the bottle, phase out the night time bottle last, etc..) I even talked to several moms to ask their opinions. The ones that hadn't done this recently seem to think that the switch was easy and seamless. Well we tried to just gradually switch and you were not happy. You would drink vegetable stock from a sippy cup, but not milk!

So after talking to Sarah B. (your personal friend and photographer), we (mommy/daddy) decided to go cold turkey with the bottle starting Saturday morning. I was assured that you would not starve from dehydration or lack of formula nutrients, and by day 3, you would get it. And finally, we had to remember, we're the parents! For a long time to come, sorry, but we get to make the decisions.

Saturday morning we explained the situation. Here is this new, exciting cup. If you would like to have some milk, you can drink it from this cup. Let's just say you replied, "Thanks, but no thanks. I will now whine all day long."

By Sunday afternoon you were getting used to it, and by Sunday night you were drinking from the cup just like your bottle. If anything the nighttime sippy cup was the easiest because that's when you really want your milk. It's now Day 5, and you and Mr/Miss Sippy Cup are becoming friends. Yay!

We're so proud of you! We're also extremely excited to not have to wash Dr. Browns bottles and all its infinite parts each night. Yay x 4!

Library

Downtown Nashville Library- our new favorite hang out spot. It was great to get out the house and we spent almost 2 hours there. You're not really into books yet (except for Pat the Bunny...you love this book). So instead you just enjoyed crawling/walking around, pulling books off the shelves, and people watching.

Fun video of Maevy and Daddy playing peek-a-boo.