In the Dead of Night...

Without mistake, it was a very dark and eerie night...one that forced the hair on the back of your neck to stand on end...accompanied by an icy chill that runs then length of your spine. This combination of things could mean only one thing....HALLOWEEN!!! Ok, really it was in the middle of the day…and it wasn't very scary, unless being around a bunch of infants in cute costumes scare you (in fact, the costumes don't take on a scary form until they are teenagers...the age when they try hard to get a reaction by adding plenty of blood and mangled parts to their outfit).

The babies' Mini Monster Mash was great fun! Nine babies and sixteen adults gathered for this festive event. There was a lot of crawling, picture taking, food, and good conversation…the perfect definition of chaos, but also the perfect recipe for a great time! All in all, we had the company of a love bug, lady bug, two bumble bees, a lion, two flowers (flora unknown), a skunk, and a pixie.

Unlike the first two gatherings where we were able to line up the babies and take a few quick pictures…with their new found mobility and independence, it was a task that would not be accomplished at this event. To adjust to this new challenge, we were able to get each of the mothers to wrangle their kids and produce a new and fun group picture. Each of the babies were also proud and happy to demonstrate new unique skills and growth…from talking to walking, to showing off new pearly white teeth. Each was a fun little bundle of energy, talking, playing, and sharing toys. We had a great time and hope everyone else did, too :)

For Sydney's part, she got to be Tinker Bell. Her dad was able to acquire her costume in California when attending a work conference. Fortunately, TSA security did not ask him to remove the little pixie outfit and try it on for the return flight. She looks forward to reprising her role this coming Saturday on Halloween!

Tip #15: Halloween

For parents that have children 6 months to a year old, Halloween is a unique period. Many parents at this point are not giving their child any sugar, or only a very limited amount. The realistic outcome is that new parents will end up with all of the tasty treats acquired this year. So…if you are a fan of chocolate and candy, by all means use the cuteness of your child to solicit and secure as much loot (candy) as possible. Remember, this will likely be the only year that you will benefit from a healthy collection of treats, as next year they’ll be more than happy to keep it all for themselves.

Home Front...All Sectors Secure!

The upstairs gate and the downstairs gates are finally in, and secure! They have passed the 'Sydney' test...as she rattled them with all of the force her strong little arms could muster. And she has duly annointed them...of course by licking each individual bar. My thought was that if she couldn't get through the gate with her brute force, that perhaps she believes she can lick her way through the bars. Let's hope they serve their intended function.

Sydney has continued to practice her standing, and her walking. With the assistance of her borrowed radio flyer push wagon, she is becoming faster and faster. She can also stand for 10-20 second on her own; I'm sure will be walking, running, and skipping in no time.

Sydney had a busy social week. Friday night Sydney got to spend some quality time with her friend Maggie. She had some great convos and shared some fun playtime. Later, Sydney was even fortunate enough to take Maggie's ride (walker) for a spin. She thought that was a great time. Saturday night Grandma Gloria and Cousin Thomas watched her for a few hours, so they got to talk about upcoming events, like Thanksgiving and Christmas plans. And on Sunday, Sydney got to spend time with YaYa Sherri and Uncle Alex. Sydney even got to talk to Nana Donna over the telephone...what great times. What more could a ten month old fit into the weekend?!

Sydney looks forward to carving pumpkins this week with her parents. It's an experience she's never had, and she's excited that the upcoming event features so much of her favorite color!...and that's orange, of course!!!

In other random infant news, Sydney has become very proficient at clapping, and pulls out her new ability when she is very excited. She has also begun to eat pretty much whatever lies on her parents plates, in addition to her continued bottles. So, tonight, she gladly consumed some teriyaki chicken!

Tip #14: New Financial Investments
Having a child can be an expensive endeavor. But, if you play your cards right you can actually make some small financial gains. Having a child opens up your mind to a world of products that may have been previously hidden. You may come to realize that investing in some of these baby products, like Neosporin (what mom doesn’t carry this product with her???), may pay nice dividends in the long run. You might as well see a small return on your investment.

First Step??? Not Quite Yet...But So Close!!!

It seems almost overnight Sydney has made leaps and bounds in her path toward walking. She has spent the past week pulling herself up on items and giving her balance some extensive practice. She is on to this next skill set, as her crawling has reached it's full velocity (do they make baby speed bumps for the home?).

To aid in the next step, which ironically is in Sydney taking her first step, friends Bryan and Luci were nice enough to lend Sydney a little Radio Flyer wagon that she can push and practice her walking. Really it acts like a baby walker. At first Sydney was skeptical of the contraption and approached with many reservations. Well, that inital trepidation is gone. She now stands up, grabs the handelbar, and is off like a bolt of lighting. I'm sure there will be some signifcant wear in the carpet prior to her first unassisted step. We can only hope the sparks generated from the speed of her accelerations do not cause the carpet to catch on fire.

This new form of mobility has ensured we continue fortifying our defenses in off-limits areas. I am looking into GPS tracking devices that can be placed on the baby, and will let the child know (through electronic digital voice), that she has entered an unauthorized area, and that her compliance with immediate withdrawl is necessary. So far I haven't found anything, but I'll keep looking.

On the food front, Sydney has expanded her menu greatly, and now enjoys many of different offerings when out to dinner with mom and dad. Although she hasn't tackled her first 20 oz. steak yet, she generally tends to get little morsels from both her parents plates.

On the social front, Sydney got to spend some time with Kate and Lily on Friday, both fellow birthing-class classmates. She looks forward to having them over in a few weeks with the rest of the motley crew for a 'Mini Monster Mash' halloween party. Those parties can go late at night and get a little out of hand, but hopefully the Five-O won't be called this time. Last time none of them could comply with the officers request to 'walk in a straight line.' The officer didn't seem to accept the fact they couldn't walk yet as a very good excuse. Perhaps this time, with the aid of the Radio Flyer, she'll stay on the right side of the law!...haha!

As far as other social events, on Sunday Sydney also got to visit with Grandma Gloria, as well as Great Grandma and Great Grandpa Pagels. She got to show off her new talents! Sydney also got her 10 month pictures with Rebecca this weekend. We can't wait to see the pictures...Rebecca does such a great job capturing amazing images. We thought It would be fun, now that Sydney is almost an old 10 months old, to show a picture from when she was in the hospital. She's come a long way!!!

Tip #13: Teething
If your child has begun to sprout teeth, he or she may have a painful and difficult time. To help with the process, there are a number of products available on the market. In fact, if you visit the pet aisle of your local supermarket you can find a variety of rawhide bones and other chew toys that are perfect for such an event. You will also find these aids are available at a much more affordable price.

Prevention Continues

It really seems that Sydney has reached the stage where our focus is squarely on prevention. Now that she is mobile, we have to prevent her from falling down the stairs, climbing up the stairs, opening the fridge, pulling out drawers, staying out of the cupboards, staying out of the animal’s food and water dish, not touching cleaners and chemicals….ahhh, so much proofing to do. Might be easier to raise her in an empty storage unit until she turns six, or simply bubble wrap her until then. But, as she gets older she’ll learn what is safe and what is not…or more than likely she will also learn what to touch when she is in a bad mood and wants to get a reaction.

Past generations have really relied on experiential learning. If you pick up a fork or knife, stick it in an electric socket, and get a good zap...well, that'll teach ya!!! I'm not saying some of that old school parenting didn't work...in fact if the electric dishcharge from the outlet didn't kill you, it was very likely you wouldn't have attempted it again. Today, it's a different story. We try to be more proactive and preventitive. I'm sure 'nurturing' and 'tough love' both have good qualities.

In Sydney news, she continues to get new teeth in, both on her upper and lower levels. It's amazing how quickly they start to trickle in. Behaviorally, Sydney has also begun to realize that she gets a more favorable reaction from the cats if she slowly tries to pet them, instead of yanking out clumps of hair (I know...picky cats!). Although, typically when she gets within a foot of them she usually screams from the excitement. This is not really a stealth approach, and usually causes them to leave the scene.

Tip #12: Baby Schedule Training

During pregnancy, ask your wife to randomly set the alarm each night. At first you will likely sit up straight in bed each night and wonder what is interrupting your beauty sleep. But with repetition, soon your body will become conditioned and will even begin to react on its own accord. After birth, screams and cries will trigger your body into action. The clear benefit here is that this conditioning will enable you to check on the needs of your child without having to reach a full waking and conscious state.

Sleep Deprivation

When I go back and look through old photos, I realize how sprite and alive Sydney’s parents look. A hot, young, attractive couple full of zest (ok, I indulged in the adjectives there…my modesty once again…haha!). But now, red eyes, shadowed eye-lids, and at times a general dazed and confused look seem to be recurring, perhaps necessary markers of parenthood. Sometimes speaking can even come out in a jumbled mess, as if we are also learning to speak for the first time, too. We may also do random strange things, like try to turn on the TV with the phone, and answer the phone with a TV remote (both of which do not accomplish the intended task).

Perhaps this period of parenting is intentional, to help us understand and empathize with what our children go through. So, if you find me off in a corner with a vacant expression and a trail of drool pooling on my shirt, just realize that it is part of my diligence of wanting to be an active and understanding parent. But, if you smell something not so attractive, please let me know that my parenting has gone beyond the intended limits.

Even with a general lack of sleep, parenting has great rewards. When you think you have no energy and can accomplish no task, Sydney will look at you, crack the biggest smile you have ever seen, and show off her (now many) pearly whites. What could be more perfect than that? It makes any of the sleeplessness and long nights fade away (at least until the next night).

As for Sydney, she has continued to practice her crawling, standing, speaking, and her new found love...reading. Ok, actually mostly she is fascinated with books. This includes opening and turning pages, looking at the pictures, and of course chewing on the pages. As for her crawling, she has certainly succeeding in becoming part of the mobile infantry...get it, mobile 'infant'ry. To all of those booing, just remember I am entitled a few bad puns a year.

Tip #11: Solid Foods

Make sure to use recommended baby foods. Even if you are tempted, please do not blend up a double-cheeseburger and fries for the baby. Just because we like it, doesn’t mean the baby will…or even that he/she will be able to digest it easily. You may pay for it later if you are changing the diaper.

Piranha!!!

There are plenty of dangerous animals on the planet. Of all the animals, there aren’t many feared above the piranha, a species that can devour its prey within minutes. I’m not sure if we’ve had Animal Planet on at home, but Sydney has felt inclined to test out her new found choppers. Ok, she’s not going to devour much at this point, but she does surprise you quite a bit when you are not expecting it and she chomps down. And Sydney is gaining one new weapon in her arsenal…as her top two teeth have just broken through. All objects…wooden, plastic, metal, or other, must be on the lookout for this prowling and curious set of teeth, who constantly search out its next victim.

On the less dramatic side of things, Sydney’s actually put her new equipment to use to tackle some new solid foods, including baby Gogurts (a dried form of yogurt), baby-crackers, cheese, and also Cheerios. And let’s face it, they’re unsinkable!...if that’s how that commercial goes. This has actually been a fun phase to begin. Not only is the idea of eating solids a sign of her growth, but it’s also fun to watch her eat finger foods. This, in addition to the nourishment she receives, actually helps her with coordination and finger dexterity…so she is really developing new skills while she is meeting her dietary needs.

Although they say you might not know it for a few years, I believe I have seen some early signs that she may be right-handed…at least from watching her with her toys and finger foods. Maybe it’s too premature to know, or I’m just projecting…but that’s ok…I have a 50-50 chance of being right, and those are good odds any day!

Other quick news...Sydney has made progress in her standing. She's made it as long as 10 seconds on her own. She is also crawling with lighting speed on all fours. Good job baby Sydney!!! We also thought it would be fun to share a picture of when Sydney was little, and very young (since obviously she is sooo old now!). The picture of her crying just seemed entertaining to me, so I thought I'd share.

Tip #10: Friendships

Try to become friends with other couples that have colicky children. Out in public, by comparison, this will make you look less tired, more considerate, and give others the general perception that you are a high-functioning parent…and able to control your child. In private, you may not wish to associate with them, as their child will likely irritate you.

On Your Marks...Get Set....

GOOOOOO! Sydney competed in her first official race. It was the Fairhaven 15K. True, she did the race last year (in utero), but this time she experienced it in the larger world.

Sydney had great support from her dad, who was behind her every step of the way. And I mean that quite literally! But, without breaking a sweat, she strolled across the finish line in style, ready for the after-race festivities. And Sydney's last impressive dash at the end allow her to edge out her dad at the finish line...by a buggy wheel! Dad was very proud of her :)

Fortunately, or unfortunately (depending on how you look at it), the course for the race went through Boulevard Park. This might not mean much to most people...a nice view at best. But, to Sydney's dad, this meant a direct path to Woods Coffee. Being highly tempted, he asked her if it was ok to make a stop...(not even go inside, just a minute at the outside pickup window). To him, this seemed to be a wasted opportunity, especially since the running stroller had not just one, but two, cupholders. To her credit, Sydney had the discipline to maintain her pace and ambition to finish the race and convinced her dad to keep going. What a trooper!!!

Although I haven't seen the official results yet, I have concluded that Sydney may have taken first in two categories...the Under 9 Month category, and the Mobile Baby Unit category. My assumption of her ranking is due to the fact that neither Karen nor I saw any other babies or strollers, whatsoever. I guess Sydney was the lone representative of youthful vigor and determination.

After the race, and a brief interaction with her toys, she finally passed out from exhaustion. She later rehydrated to make sure her muscles were not stiff the next day.

Besides the race, Sydney got to visit with her friends Maggie, David, and Lili Friday night. She had a great time, and looks forward to the next time she can chew on their furniture and play Mario Kart.

Tip #9: Eating Out
When eating out, be sure to sit next to other people that have a baby. When your baby makes a loud annoying noise, you can look at the other table and act appalled. Be convincing and play it off as if ‘there kid’ is the source of the disruption. This will draw attention away from you and make for a more pleasurable dining experience for you and your family.

Have a nice week everyone!!!