Baby Video monitor

We picked up a baby video monitor to watch Declan as he sleeps in his nursery crib (we just moved him out of the co-sleeper in our room into his big crib in his own room). Tiff bought it to be able to watch him. It has a remote cam so you can see him, plays sound and visually shows any sound on an LED bar. You can even connect it to a TV and watch the "Decko Channel" (ultimate "picture-in-picture").

The other morning he woke up early, Tiff switched on the video mode. And there were two little eyes staring at us. "Hey! You guys up yet?". We could see he was awake but fine, so we got another 30 minutes of sleep.

Anyway, pretty cool. And good for assuaging the fears of worrying parents who want to keep an eye on their kids without constantly sticking their heads in (which could wake up the kids). We can also see if he really woke up and needs to be comforted, or is just crying in his sleep (poor little guy).

Florida Trip

We took a 5-day trip to Florida right before XMas and Declan LOVED it. It was warm of course, but lots of sights and sounds. He got to experience the beach, sunsets over the Gulf of Mexico and swim in the warm hotel pool (about 85-90 degrees). He didn't actually "swim", we just held him and let him splash around a little.

http://picasaweb.google.com/Bobpom1/TripToFloridaDecember2007

Night Time Crying

Declan's latest game is to wake up in the middle of the night screaming. But he calms down the second we pick him up. It's a fun game and he's got us well trained.

Drool.

Little babies drool. A lot. On their clothes. And on you. Especially when you're holding them up above you. We end up changing their clothes a lot. And wiping up ours.

This is way before even solid food. We're in for a lot of fun. And laundry.

Baby Baldness

When Declan was born, he surprised us with a full head of DARK hair. Tiff and I were both tow-headed blondes as kids. Since then, he's gradually been losing his hair. He even left a pile in his crib that we first thought was cat hair. Until we realized it was all located at one end, right under where his head lies. Now the poor kid has some bald patches in the back where he head rubs against the mattress (sometimes he twitches and turns his head back and forth).

It also looks like he's got blond roots coming in. So he may end up blond after all.

Meanwhile his eyes look to be turning brown. They were blue at birth and change colors now (from blue to green to light brown) depending on the day and the light on them. It can take up to a year to stabilize. Mine are brown, as it most of my family. Tiff and her family are mostly blue.

Stuff to post later

turning over
winter
sleep
sisters
new views on MY parents
travel

Declan LOVES TV

Declan already has shown an interest in TV. What the heck! He's only 3 months old! But it just entranches him. When he's fussy, we point him at the TV and he quiets right down. If he's lying on the bed or in a crib and hears the TV, he works to turn toward it.

We let him watch the Red Sox and good stuff like Seinfeld. But we're wary of all the crap he could be exposed to. Yikes!

Baby Party 10/21

Yesterday we had a pumpkin party, mainly with the women from Tiff's new mom's group (all new moms with babies born July/August) at Isis Maternity in Arlington (MA, not VA or TX). Anyway, we were remarking that we all could talk with authority about baby stuff, but 3 months ago, not only were we all clueless, but literally had no idea what we were getting into. Amazing how things change. And babies DO change your lives more than you can imagine. People warned us, but there is literally no way to fathom it without actually going through it. Mindblowing in a way I can't begin to describe, except to those that are already parents. And they already know.

Anyway, pics from the party to follow. And there were a few non-baby people there.

More Stuff

In addition to a bouncy seat, 2 bassinets, a crib, a changing table, a high chair, a swivel seat, Declan now has a jumping seat. Imagine bungee cords supporting a seat. He can touch the floor, push up and spring into the air. So yes, our little apt is now crammed full of baby stuff. We aren't even talking clothes, blankets, toys and diapers. This is just hardware.

More Walking

Declan is "walking" if we hold him up and support his weight. He instinctively moves his legs forward to take steps. He's nowhere near ready to support his own weight, or even balance, but pretty cool to see. His legs are getting a lot stronger though (as Tiff remembers from pregnancy) and he constantly kicks and bends/straightens his legs when we hold him or he sits in his bouncy chair.

Today Tiff is taking him to two different mom's groups. She dressed him up in courduroy pants and a jacket. Most of the time we have him in PJ's or a one-sie. Who says you can't have fun dressing up a little boy. As fall arrives, he needs to wear more layers.

My parents are back in town to visit. So we'll have more pictures with them up soon.

Tomorrow we are heading up to NH to visit my cousins and their kids (one cousin has kids, other in town from OH). Declan and his 2nd cousins!

Check Tiff's Youtube account for more videos (www.youtube.com/TiffPom).

Declan 75 days old!

That's 10.7 weeks for the non-parents. He's literally changing every day. While he's definitely still a baby, he's put on 4 pounds (for someone 150lbs, that's like gaining 25 pounds) and is a LOT stronger.

Tiff and I are amazed at the leg and core strength he has. He sometimes lies in his crib with his legs straight up in the air. It helps to have an oversized head as babies do, to act as a counterweight.

Declan Smiling

Just in the past week, Declan has become more engaged with the world around him. And more importantly, the people. He now smiles AT you, and almost laughs. He really likes sitting up next to me on the couch, so he can look around the room. Both the Pats and Sox games were on over the weekend. I let him watch a little, but we're trying to not have him watch too much TV as a baby.

Last night I was holding him up so he could push with his legs (almost standing), and I swear he tried to take steps. A long way to go before he can support his way, but he's moving in that direction. But some parents I know have said, be careful what you wish for. Once they start walking, they run with weeks and you have to chase them. So maybe we're better off with a kid who isn't so developmentally advanced. Just smart and good looking. And musical.

Wedding Picture

Ok, this isn't technically "baby-related" but it did start here.
We were married August 6th, 2005 in Boulder Colorado.

(trying to put text on top of posts but not working)

Trying more pictures

Taken by Christina McPherson http://www.christinamcpherson.com/

Trying pictures

My beautiful wife Tiffany (guys, find a smart, attractive woman to marry you, it will be one of the best decisions you ever make!). Even better if she has your children. Anyway, this is Declan at about 3 days old in the hospital. He was in the NICU for 6 days after some meconium aspiration problems at birth. 110% fine now, but a little scary initially for brand new parents. Meanwhile we're still waiting to see if Deckie gets his mom's blue eyes or not. They are blue now, but show signs of brown. Babies eyes may not settle on a color for up to 1 year. I did not know any of this until becoming a dad.

1 Month Pictures

When Declan was one month old (8/25/07). we had a friend come by to take some pictures. She's been a dedicated amateur photographer for years, but recently entered a program at the Center for Digital Imaging Arts in Boston (www.cdiabu.com, associated with Boston University). She spent about 3 hours with him (and us) on a Saturday morning. Some AMAZING shots. Shows you want good equipment, good set-up and, most importantly, a good eye can produce.

Anyway, her website is http://www.christinamcpherson.com/ . There might be a few shots of Declan up there at some point. I'm still trying to figure out how to post pics into here. First try gave some weird error code (bX-oaxi0t).

Declan at 6 weeks

Our little guy is now 6 weeks old. He has been smiling for about a week now, but we haven't been able to capture it on film. Quite evasive. Latest "progress" has been all the little noises; cooing, gurgling and grunting. Tiff caught some on video. Check out all the videos at www.youtube.com/TiffPom.

Last night I had Frisbee at 8pm. When I got home about 10:30pm, I took over from Tiff and she went to bed. I changed and fed him, heating up the bottle. Took more effort than you'd think. About halfway through the bottle, Declan stopped and smiled, as if to say "Look at all this work you did just for me!" About midnight he started getting sleepy, so I took him into the bedroom (he now sleeps in bassinet right next to our bed) and held him. His favorite sleeping position is face down against our chests, he snuggles right in. After about 20 minutes in bed with him, he had drifted off. Being careful not to fall asleep with him on me, I then put him to bed about 12:30am.

Welcom-Recap

Ok, a little recap. I set this up a few days before our son was born but then didn't get to it for awhile so Blogger flagged it as spam and it took a while to get re-activated.

Anyway, Declan arrived on 7/25/07 at 8:06am at Brigham & Women's Hospital in Boston.

Welcome

Welcome!