Happy Boy

Usually this kind of glee occurs in the early morning but yesterday it was an all-day affair (after a night of little sleep I guess we both were a little punchy).

Baby Talk

Dexter has been pretty vocal from day one. He came out with a healthy cry and about an hour after he was born, he started screaming like nobody's business (Ben's face was filled with terror). He's been discovering his voice lately beyond the grunts (feed me) and cries (burp me or hold me) and giggles (keep doing whatever you're doing) that have become the norm. Yesterday we had a bunch of "conversations" where he and I would take turns making sounds at each other. My favorite was when I said, "I love you," and he looked me straight in the eyes and slowly said, "glue". I've got to get a video of this stuff - it's wonderful!

What Happened to My Smart Husband?

Parenthood takes it's toll on both parents. My formerly brilliant husband has apparently become an idiot. Two examples:

Yesterday, I asked Ben to change Dexter's diaper and he asked me if he needed to take his (Dexter's) pants off first!

This morning, after the 6:30am feeding, I told Ben (who was sleeping in bed) that I was going to get coffee and to keep an eye on Dexter who was talking to himself in his swing. Ben opened his eyes, heard Dexter fussing, and asked me (seriously), "Did you feed him?" Oh my God, I completely forgot! We got engrossed in an hour and a half discussion comparing transcendentalism and existentialism and it never occurred to me to feed him! "Of course I fed him!!!" What did he think we were doing?!

Has he lost his mind?

My New Best Friend

Oh, Cabbage. Who knew I would come to love you so much...I can't eat you now that I'm breastfeeding but I promise not to ever again forsake you for bok choy.

Yesterday, I had my first plugged duct in my breast. Half of the breast got really hard and hot and red. It felt tender and, when breastfeeding, like a long rusty needle stabbing straight up my breast. I tried all the tricks in the book (literally): lots of breastfeeding, massage, warm compress, increasing liquid intake to no avail. Ready to try anything to improve the situation, I sent Ben off to the grocery store at 9pm for a head of cabbage. Elissa had told me that putting crumpled cabbage leaves on the breast could unclog a duct. Sure enough, I spent a half hour with cabbage on my boob, took a hot, hot, hot shower and then let Dexter go to town and he sucked that clog free! There will never not be cabbage in my fridge from now on.

Remembered the Camera...

And forgot to take a picture! But here's a photo of him dressed in his snowsuit ready to travel.

We had a lovely visit to Chapin Hall yesterday. Dexter enjoyed meeting his Chapin Hall family. Who knew Matt Brenner had the magic baby touch?! This kid LOVES him!

Preparations

As we prepare for our first winter outing to Chapin Hall, Dexter has a couple of hat options. My mom made the blue hat and scarf and Marjie made the yellow one with little bees. We think he's adorable in them! Notice he's sitting up (unhappily) in the picture of the blue ensemble and doing an impression of Dr. Evil with his pinky finger (not an unusual pose for him) in his bees hat.

Inauguration Day

Dexter celebrated this important and hopeful occasion with a spontaneous "power to the people" pose.