Baby Photos

We had a new friend come by and take some pix of the baby. Ava is trying to get her photography business started and wanted a test subject to practice on. Here are the results.

The Only Constant is Change

Sometimes this parenting thing is hard. For a while, Kailyn had been adhering to a pretty consistent schedule, falling asleep at the same time, feeding at the same time, etc. But recently that's not been the case.

At first I thought it might have something to do with her two month shots, which she got a few days ago. We were told after getting them she might either be super-fussy or lethargic, as the shots are similar to a flu shot where you get some of the 'virus' put into you to build up immunity to it. So maybe that was the reason.

But other friends (and the internet baby sites we read) have told us that at about nine weeks, babies tend to alter their schedules re: sleeping and eating. The same friends also said, 'Parenting is a humbling experience - just when you think you've got a good routine going or think you know what you're doing with the baby, things change.'

It got me thinking that there will ALWAYS be an adjustment period for Helen and me when it comes to the baby, since our little one will always be growing and evolving (hopefully.) I guess we better get used to being flexible for the rest of our lives.

Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice

Kailyn is now two months old and I am starting to notice some traits in her that lead me to believe she will be a pretty chill kid (she is also a genius and will President of the United States, but that's a post for another time.) I am so amazed and thankful that she is such a good baby. She hardly ever cries, is usually in a good mood, and things like loud noises or a wet diaper don't seem to faze her in the least bit.

It makes me wonder if she is the way she is because she has inherited some of Helen and my personality traits (laid back), or if it's simply because she's a girl. Perhaps it's too early to tell, but everyone has told me boys are tougher at the beginning then get easier and that girls are the opposite. I wonder if that's true. If it is, we're in for a world of hurt later when we have to deal with pierced ears, designer jean purchases and boyfriends, so we will try and enjoy the moment now.

Those of you with at least one boy and one girl, how were they different when they were babies, and how different are they now? Is it a gender thing?

Doing the Right Thing

Sometimes doing what's best for your baby is hard, especially when it clashes with what you would prefer to do or it hurts you emotionally. I'm speaking specifically of moms (and dads) who have a little trouble with things like letting a baby cry him or herself to sleep and/or have the baby sleep in the bed with them instead of the crib, etc.

I'm not passing judgement because it is difficult to let your offspring cry in the other room and not go in there to 'save' them - it goes against every fiber of one's parental being, I imagine. But I also know that if a parent says, 'I'll let the baby sleep with me this one time,' it could set a dangerous precedent and the baby may not leave the bed until he or she is nine years old.

Some parents I know say they 'just can't bring myself to do it,' or that 'our baby will grow up so fast, and I know I shouldn't let them, but...' when it comes to making a tough choice.

I think it's all about long term training (of the baby and the parent themselves) vs. short term gratification/peace. Ultimately, I think parents all know what the right thing to do is in any given situation, but I can tell you from experience it's sometimes hard to do it.

Parents, do you feel the same way? Any good stories to pass along?

Cooing and Cattiness

As the baby continues to grow, some neat things are starting to happen in her development. Most notably, she is very clearly able to tell who her mommy and daddy are, looks around to see our faces and often smiles when she locates us. It's really cool.

Another fun thing is now Kailyn is much more talkative, responding to us when we talk to her. Though she only makes cooing sounds, it's fun to have a conversation with her and have her reply in cute noises.

The other day, I eavesdropped on a convo Baby K and Helen had, in which they were apparently being catty. Helen was saying stuff like, 'I know! Can you believe she wore that dress with those shoes?' and Kailyn would reply gleefully that she could not, in baby language. I guess that's what happens when she reads US Weekly and watches 'Say Yes to the Dress' with mommy, while daddy is away at work...

Happy Chinese New Year!

Gung Hay Fat Choy! Baby's first one. We will put her in something red and make her drink chicken-flavored milk, for good luck, per my momma.

Year of the Rabbit from Frater on Vimeo.

*No animated rabbits were harmed in the making of this video.

Scary Nightmare

I had a really bad dream the other night where I accidentally hurt the baby. I was holding her hand and must've been holding too tightly because in my dream, I heard a loud CRACK!, then a split second later hysterical wailing coming from Kailyn. I had broken her finger.

I woke up, completely freaked out, and was really worried it had happened in real life. Luckily, she was sound asleep in the other room. After a few deep breaths, I calmed down and went back to bed.

Right then and there I decided I could never sleep in the same bed as the baby, because I'd be too worried I'd roll over onto her or accidentally suffocate her with a pillow or something.

Do other parents have dreams like this, or is it just me?