Kill the Bear!

OK, let me explain: So back when Ruth Ann was pregnant, my thoughtful assistant Michelle gets us this cute little miniature blue teddy bear - a Gund, very nice and all. The bear has a relatively uneventful life, until one day our babysitter Lucia hangs the bear up in Jonah's swinging chair. This is well and good, as Jonah can now look at the bear, except that Lucia has hung the bear by its neck, which makes it look a bit like we're in the old west and the bear ended up on the wrong side of the law. Thing is, Jonah really likes looking at the hanging bear. And now that he's getting control over his hands, he constantly tries to grab the bear and - what else these days? - stick it in mouth. So far, the bear seems to be holding up all right, but some days it takes quite a thrashing! Pictures and video attached - enjoy!

Aloha from Hawaii!

We're recently back from Kauai, Hawaii, where we spent a week getting some well-needed rest. We didn't get out for quite as many adventures as we hoped, but we did spent lots of time enjoying the beautiful view from the condo where we stayed and catching up on our sleep. Jonah was a great traveller - he barely cried at all on the plane. And we learned that if he can be "convinced" to close his eyes and take two or three naps during the day (and believe us, lots of convincing as needed, as Jonah finds the world a very interesting place and is very reluctant to stop looking around at it long enough to fall asleep) then he turns into quite the smiley, happy baby boy.

A few pictures from our trip are linked to above. Matt, in collaboration with our neighbor Mark (the products editor for Wired magazine), finally convinced Ruth Ann to spring for a new camera, and we're all quite happy with the results. If you're curious, it's a Nikon D40, which is their new, low-end (but still not cheap!) digital SLR. It looks like a "real" camera and makes a satisfying real-camera "click" each time you press the shutter button, but also has a bunch of fully-automated shooting modes for when you don't have the time or interest in fussing with all the controls. If you buy one, let me know so I can collect my free toaster... and in the meantime, enjoy the new pictures!

Mama writes!

Mama is at last adding to the blog! Between the sleep deprivation and other demands of an infant I have been too exhausted to write. But Jonah is now watching his mobile (which I lovingly refer to as kiddie k(c)rack) and I have a few moments.

Things Jonah has done recently (he is now 16 weeks old but these ideas were joted down a few weeks ago).

Apparently at week 12 there is a huge developmental leap and Jonah seems to be in the thick of it (along with the requisite fussiness!).

Recognized himself in the mirror and smiled at himself and mommy. This happened at a shoe store in our local mall – see it pays to go shopping.

Smiled at and patted his teddy bear.

Petted Ella and laughed.

Laid on the grass in our backyard and looked around.

Shook and held a rattle.

Recognized the pattern on a lampshade and pillow.

Wrote his graduate thesis (just kidding, wanted to know if you were still reading!)

We were able to turn his frown upside down!

Drolling a lot and keeping his hand and other things in his mouth constantly.

Rolled a little (not yet on his back).

Learned how to shriek!

Hugs!

I'm Getting Bigger!

And wearing Matt and Ruth Ann out! Sorry we haven't been posting to the blog lately. March came and went like a whirlwind. Jonah has been growing a lot, and is starting to hold his head up on his own (see the picture!). However, to his parents dismay, he's not yet sleeping on his own, at least not very well. But hopefully that will come in time. We'll try to be a little more regular in posting to the blog, but for now, stop complaining and enjoy these pictures for the last month:

Month Three