Let's Play!

New babies don't really do much. Sure, at a basic level, they do lot's of things (respirate things, circulate things, digest things, etc). But none of that is all that impressive on the surface. What you are really looking for is some interaction. Lily would just as easily stare at me or the ceiling for 5 minutes (in all honesty, she has probaly spent more time starting at the ceiling). Because of this, I have often referred to new babies, as "lump babies". This has not garnered much popularity around my house. Now as a new parent, I find each little movement, each little noise (out of either end) fascinating, but nothing has really made me think that she was aware of what she was doing, and there has been no real 2-way interaction. To date, play time has really been more about me "interacting" with her, even when she didn't want to be "interacted" with, as you can see.

That might have changed this weekend. Everyone was awake and in a good mood, so we decided to break out the play-mat and have a go at it. For those of you not familiar, the play-mat is sort of an activity center, with shiny, plush-y, crinkle-y things that hang down from an overhead support, for babies to play with. Lily had her arms (and legs, as they seem to move together) flaying about and every so often she would make contact, or event better, get a handle on some of the hangy-down things. The significant part is not that this happened, but that it startled her when it did, as if she was aware of what was going on. We enjoyed it, and I think she did too.

While this wasn't quite "interaction", it was a start. I am looking forward to the day when we can team up and "interact" with mommy. Interact on her last nerve!\

Here are some pics from our play time.

Happy Birthday, Lily!

Lily is now officially 1-month old (actually, she was officially 1 month on Friday).

In celebration, it was time for her official 1-month old photos. I have gotten some criticism for too much "talkie-talkie" and not enough pictures.

With that in mind, I am going to keep it short, and just share her new photos!

Lily's First Road Trip

Today, Lily went for her first road trip, and travelled further from home than she has ever been. Before we left, I asked her one favor-"Please don't make the longest trip of your life the longest trip of mine." I am happy to report, that she couldn't have been better!

The family drove down to Louisville this morning for the baptism of Lily's second cousin, or my first cousin once removed (I married a genetic counselor, whose knowledge of family pedrigree terminology is second to none).

Not only was this Lily's first road trip, but it was also her first introduction to nearly half of her extended family, which currently extends 5 generations (that's right, Lily has a Great Great Grandmother)

As can be expected, the day offered an endless number of familial hands reaching out to hold her for just a few minutes. And while, Carrie and I were both happy to have a few minutes with complete use of both of our hands while being sans Lily, I am not sure either one of us really let her out of our sight.

I don't want to give the impression that my family is suspect of baby theivery, but after weeks of holding her nearly 24/7, it's was hard to let go. And while everyone single person holding her today was experienced in the art of baby holding (having between 1-5 children of their own), it is was hard not to provide some helpful tips about how to hold my baby.

The trip home was equally uneventful. On a side note, being a Sunday in May meant that Lily and I got to watch a few hours of that day's Giro d'Italia stage. I am sure she shared my disappointment seeing Il Grillo, Paolo Bettini lose the stage in a photo finish.

Lily is radioactive!

In the three short weeks since becoming parents, Carrie and I have experienced a transformation similar to Bruce Banner or Diana Prince. In short, Lily, much like excessive amounts of Gamma Rays, has given us Super Powers abilities!

So far these are the changes we've observed:

1. Super Sonic Hearing-Having both been pretty sound sleepers a month ago we now awaken to the slightest whimper, or sound of a bink falling on cradle sheets.


2. Ninja-like Stealth- We live in an older home with original wood floors...that creak. In the last three weeks we've developed the ability to glide silently around the house, like pajama-clad ninjas, in our desperate attempts to let sleeping babes lie. Unfortunately, I think that Lily has also developed Super Power #1, so it is kind of a wash.


3. Night Vision- for fear of waking Lily in the middle of the night, or in attempts to coax her back to sleep, Carrie and I have managed to navigate the second floor of our house in utter darkness, yet we are able to somehow see everything need to avoid bumping ourselves into.


4. Enhanced Immunity to Infection-I would have to say that Lily's arrival has boosted our immune systems to Super Power level, as we have been infection free ever since. It could have something to do with the fact that we now wash our hands roughly 200 times a day.


5. Stamina-During the night, Lily will repeat a cycle of feeding off-and-on for 45 minutes, squirming for 30 minutes, and sleeping for 90 minutes. Repeat. You would think that loosing this much sleep in a night would make you a bit frazzled. Not us.


6. The Ability to Make Time Stand Still- OK, this is not so much our Super Power, as Lily's. it's 4:10 in the AM, you think you have her into deep enough sleep to slip her into the cradle, but decide to rock her for 5 more minutes to be safe. I guarantee, those are the longest 5 minutes of your life. I usually only make to 3min before pulling off an ill-fated cradle drop-n-rock.


7. Super Human Speed (efficiency, really)-With limited time, and increased house-work, we have become the more efficient than ever. We can clean dishes, put away dinner, change a load of laundry, and break out dessert in the span of a single TV commercial break!

So far we have chosen to use our new found powers for only good, and really only keeping Lily happy, which luckily isn't too difficult. Just like a real Super Hero, I find myself becoming occasionally contemplative and introspective. As I write this, I wonder if Lily will ever view us as her Super Heroes?

Baby Milestones

For the next few weeks, nearly everything that Lily does will be the first time she does anything. The last week was certainly chock full of some significant milestones for Lily and Co.

This week was the first time the Lily and Mommy flew solo, as I had to be out of town for 3 nights straight. Everyone survived unharmed, and while I missed my daughter, I currently miss my hotel issued king size bed and uninterrupted night.

I made it back on Saturday just in time to share Lily's first holiday-Kentucky Derby Day! Growing up in Kentucky, the Derby is a big thing. Growing up in Louisville, and going to school so close to Churchill Downs that the distance is measured in "lengths" makes the Derby an official holiday. Lily celebrated Derby Day in traditional fashion, going to an official Derby Party, (hosted by fellow Louisvillians who now live in the area), and essentially drinking too much and passing out before the race.

Last but not least, Lily's last milestone of the week as demonstrating that she takes after her father, with regards to intestinal fortitude. It should be known that I have the a stomach tolerance of an infant, a scan look at my nightstand and shows bottles of Tums, Rolaids, and Pepcid Complete...seriously. Sometimes you feel like calcium carbonate, sometimes its a magnesium hydroxide kind of night, and sometimes, not often, I like the idea a antacid with famotidine.

Tonight, Lily got so upset that she lost her dinners....in a very projectile way. Do they make tums in baby doses, cause I have a feeling she is going to need them.