Back from Denver (from Hadden - sort of)

Hi everyone (or at least the 2 or 3 that read this sometimes),

I'm back from my first trip on an airplane. Mom and I and Grandma Wendy went to Denver for 10 days. I went over with Mom and Grandma and came back with Mom and Dad (he had another conference to go to in Austin, TX beforehand). Everyone wants to hold you and as you can see by my expression in the photo - I'm not always focused on the joy of the moment.

I got to meet all the Lush folks - quite a clan. I got to meet just about everyone - I've got lots of cousins including Derek, Evan, Anna Rose, Jack, Culley, Max, Alec, Sophia, Erica, Greg, Torey and Daisy. What do my Lush Aunts and Uncles do all day? Auntie Leslie and Uncle Karl shared their house with us and I got to stay in what I call the "Hadden Room" (first floor, next to the bathroom - if you get to stay there in the future, request the "Hadden Room"). Uncle Karl eats a lot but only once a day and no sweets to speak of. Aunt Leslie (I hear Max used to call her "yea-yea") looks a lot like my Mom (especially given my eyesight) and lives in a great place with Uncle Karl. They do, however, need a new car.

I was given a grade of "A" for my trip to Denver because I didn't really fuss too much. I must say that perhaps your Mom and Grandmother don't provide the most objective grades. While there it was really hot so mostly I ran around in a diaper only (actually it's a Pamper). I got lots to eat but on Friday I decided I didn't like bottles any more. Dad and Mom have no idea why but Dad did go out to Safeway at midnight on Friday night to get another brand of formula and new bottle nipples thinking that was the cause - nope. Once I got back to Seattle I decided to like bottles again. Dad thinks it's the Denver water. I'm not telling.

Some of my accomplishments this last 10 days:

• Made it to Denver and back.


• Took a huge dump in the Seatac airport before I left (my parents consider big dumps "accomplishments" - should not be too hard to impress these idiots)


• Screamed every time I got put in my car seat; affectionately known as the "bucket".


• Kept Mom up late on several occasions. Actually, that's too easy to really be considered an accomplishment.


• Grabbing stuff. I'm getting pretty good at grabbing stuff. Mom say's I do it mostly with my left hand (my right hand pretty much stays in a clenched fist no matter what I try). Also, she thinks it's funny that I raise my right leg when I'm concentrating. I see no problem with this.


• Went to 2 outdoor concerts. I've already been to 3 concerts in my life and I'm only 3 months old. I'm such a music person although I think it's okay to scream in the middle of the concert if you feel like it.

Everyone totally looked at me in the Denver Airport - I guess because I was getting a carriage ride to the gate. Mom and Dad say I was a good baby on the way back to Seattle. Although, I suspect that their rating of my behavior is more a reflection of their ability to deal with my needs rather than any concious decisions I make about my behavior. If they want to project their ability to deal with a baby onto my "behavior" I say, "whatever floats your boat". Give me some milk.

I am looking forward to my trip to Hawaii in August and am trying to get a tan and some new swimwear before I go.

-HTM

Closing in on 3

It's been two weeks, which is about 1/6 of Hadden's life, since the last post. Hadden will be 3 months old next week (July 12th to be exact). He's gaining weight well now - yesterday he was 11 lbs, 13 oz at the doctor's office. That's still light for his 25 inches of height but getting better.

Recent happenings:

• Went to his first baseball game - saw the Mariners win (figuratively - he probably didn't see them at all - but he did see a bunch of folks in his immediate vicinity).


• Went to a Madaleine Pereoux concert at Chateau Ste. Michelle. Not bad, we got there just before she started and he was pretty good for the whole thing. Again, don't think he saw Madaleine but perhaps he heard some of the music.


• Hadden laughs. He can laugh now...or at least chuckle. That helps mom and dad.


• Hadden goes out to dinner. He's been to a variety of baby-friendly restaurants including the Barking Dog, Gorgeous Georges, and a pizza place in Wallingford.

So this stuff seems to be more about mom and dad but that's okay. Usually we know what he's on about when he's crying now (or at least we make up good reasons, e.g., he's tired, he's hungry, he's bored), which helps. Top three things used to stop Hadden fussing:

1. Eating. Obvious, enough said. Although sometimes he fussed while eating.
2. Crack ball. The exercise bouncy ball that we got from Sandy and Peter (our neighbors with 1-yr old twins) is so effective Yvonne calls it the "crack ball".
3. Walking up and down stairs. Perhaps he enjoys the thrill that mom or dad could tumble down the stairs at any time. Or, perhaps he likes the bouncing motion (see #2).
4. Walk around the neighborhood. You must carry him (placing in the stroller doesn't work).

Other Hadden features: he doesn't like his car seat and doesn't particularly like riding in the car, likes to face out when held, enjoys staring at himself in the mirror (is it narcissistic if he doesn't even know it's him he's staring at?), usually dislikes diaper changes, has a small bald spot on the back of his head, likes to 'boobie sleep" (sleep right after feeding very near to mom).

Next week - Denver! (and then a visit in August to Grandma/Grandpa and Aunt Michelle and cousins Kash and Haze in Hawaii).

TTFN...