Baby Hugh's first Halloween was tonight. We did not get him a costume, he is just starting to fit into normal clothes as it is, but we did have a pumpkin hat and two pumpkin booties that we put him in. Maybe he was dressed as a pumpkin patch : ) Our nephews came to the neighborhood for some trick-or-treating too, which made the night very fun.
One dressed as a G.I. Joe (either Snake Eyes or Heavy Duty, it was hard to tell), one was an Army Commander and one was Optimus Prime. I put a bandanna on Melvin and he looked like a cowboy dog. More dressed up than myself for sure, since the only thing I put on was my coat. Back in 9th grade I wore a non-costume for school and stole Wednesday Adams' line that "I'm a homicidal maniac, they look just like everyone else," which my teacher did not find funny. So tonight, "no costume" was just "no costume" - a boring adult. Beyond my mundane costume, or lack of one, I was also warned by one of the nephews "not to let Melvin get away or someone will sacrifice him." Good advice, I'd say.
Then it was time to ask for candy ("treats", if you will) at stranger's houses, in the middle of the night, for no real reason at all. And they gave it to us! We didn't have to try very hard though. I saw one kid wearing black shorts and a long sleeved shirt just walking from house to house. No shame whatsoever; this was free-candy-night, after all. One house in our neighborhood had a Penn State windsock in their garden and we told the kids to say "Go Penn State!" after thanking them for the candy. They forgot at that house, but did remember to say it at the next five! Everyone was pretty confused (or "tricked" if you will).
Gobs of candy later we all made it home. Even Melvin. It was a fun night and Hugh slept through most of it. Future years will bring other thoughts and decisions on All Hallow's Eve concerning Hugh, but this year is finished with more candy than we can eat. Go Penn State!
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Friday, October 23, 2009
Eating Out - Volume 1
Eating out is something Jess and I enjoy doing, though we're finding that with our kid things as simple as eating out require a little more planning. The company, whether just the two of us or with friends, is a great reason to go but sometimes the spontaneity was a reward in itself. It meant a quick meal with no cooking, no dishes afterward, and usually was a meal we couldn't prepare ourselves. Winners all around!
Today it was three of us that went out for some errends and appointments, and after we were finished stopped for a quick bite to eat. Those that had been through this already might attest, but there are pros and cons to going out to eat with a newborn (5 weeks tomorrow!). The pro is they could care less about their surroundings, which changes by the time they are, say, 4 years old and dream of the next chance to enter Chuck E Cheeses. You could put a new born on top of the fridge for a while and they really wouldn't care, and so our current locale's lack of "chicken fingers and fries" isn't a problem. However, the newborn schedule is something that must be considered, especially when mom's on the menu.
Taking the baby out to eat, or rather, out of the house to eat, is probably something that takes some getting use to for first-time moms. There's a little awkwardness to the whole ordeal. Us guys can't really relate; the closest I can come up with is trying to pee in a bottle while sitting at the table. Sure, it's easy when you're at home, ch'laxin' on the couch, watching an episode of Gilmore Girls, but getting all the parts together in public while avoiding causing a scene isn't easy. And did I mention the only utensils provided at Samauri Sushi were chopsticks? Perhaps a little planning will be in order next time, though perhaps eating in shifts is the new romantic dinner.
As I went to feed the meter because lunch went 40 minutes longer than expected, I was thankful for two things. First, Samauri Sushi's lunch rush dies down past 1pm and that we were the only people in the place. And secondly, that we survived the first meal away from home, as a table for three, and it will be doable again. At least until Volume 2.
Today it was three of us that went out for some errends and appointments, and after we were finished stopped for a quick bite to eat. Those that had been through this already might attest, but there are pros and cons to going out to eat with a newborn (5 weeks tomorrow!). The pro is they could care less about their surroundings, which changes by the time they are, say, 4 years old and dream of the next chance to enter Chuck E Cheeses. You could put a new born on top of the fridge for a while and they really wouldn't care, and so our current locale's lack of "chicken fingers and fries" isn't a problem. However, the newborn schedule is something that must be considered, especially when mom's on the menu.
Taking the baby out to eat, or rather, out of the house to eat, is probably something that takes some getting use to for first-time moms. There's a little awkwardness to the whole ordeal. Us guys can't really relate; the closest I can come up with is trying to pee in a bottle while sitting at the table. Sure, it's easy when you're at home, ch'laxin' on the couch, watching an episode of Gilmore Girls, but getting all the parts together in public while avoiding causing a scene isn't easy. And did I mention the only utensils provided at Samauri Sushi were chopsticks? Perhaps a little planning will be in order next time, though perhaps eating in shifts is the new romantic dinner.
As I went to feed the meter because lunch went 40 minutes longer than expected, I was thankful for two things. First, Samauri Sushi's lunch rush dies down past 1pm and that we were the only people in the place. And secondly, that we survived the first meal away from home, as a table for three, and it will be doable again. At least until Volume 2.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Happy Month Day
Today is Hugh's month-iversary! Hooray! I remember when I was one month old. Ahh, what memories! Actually I don't remember a thing. That was 2 days and 328 months ago for crying out loud! I mean, if you named 7 babies that were all born in November 2007, I'd be older than all of them combined! (Plus it'd be odd that you knew all those babies).
I don't think Hugh realizes how old he is either. Rumor has it he does not even know he has hands yet. And it sure does not feel like I've been a parent for a month. Jess and I are getting into the swing of things and it feels like we could have been doing this for longer. Like the time is flying by, a feeling I'm sure parents of older children (or grandchildren!) can relate to.
The thing is, we could not possibly have done it any longer. The phase of sleeping, eating and pooping is not that long of a time and no one can get use to the same phase for that long. Things are always changing. Just today I think Hugh waved at me with those hands that may or may not exist (though it also could have been gas). I'm excited for the changes that are on the way, month one was alright.
And if your double-checking my math from up there, I hope you're looking forward to some changes too. Seriously, lame.
I don't think Hugh realizes how old he is either. Rumor has it he does not even know he has hands yet. And it sure does not feel like I've been a parent for a month. Jess and I are getting into the swing of things and it feels like we could have been doing this for longer. Like the time is flying by, a feeling I'm sure parents of older children (or grandchildren!) can relate to.
The thing is, we could not possibly have done it any longer. The phase of sleeping, eating and pooping is not that long of a time and no one can get use to the same phase for that long. Things are always changing. Just today I think Hugh waved at me with those hands that may or may not exist (though it also could have been gas). I'm excited for the changes that are on the way, month one was alright.
And if your double-checking my math from up there, I hope you're looking forward to some changes too. Seriously, lame.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Get Your Epipen
Jess and I were discussing the other day of why some babies get allergies, and some others don't. Is it genetics? Is it environment? We're not really sure. We're also not doctors so it is OK to not be sure : ) Some kids seem to be allergic to everything and some kids are allergic to nothing. Some allergies are for things that have to do with smelling ("achoo" is the biggest sign of an allergy to me) like flowers and pets, but some are for other things, like gress, bee stings and peanuts. And those last two are sometimes really serious from puffy faces to hospital visits.
What type of kid will Hugh be? Do our dog hair covered floors means he'll be more or less susceptible to dog allergies? Will we have to make sure his friends don't bring PB&J in their lunches because of the risk of peanut dust? Will we have to carry epipens and assume jamming a needle into his leg is a good thing?!! Hopefully it's just genetic because I'm not allergic to anything (that I know of yet) and Jess isn't allergic to much; just a little bit to cats and vanillia handcream. I told her a cat covered in vanillia handcream would really give her trouble!
[A few TV seasons ago Jess and I watched Beatuy and The Geek quite faithfully. A contestant on the show (one of the geeks) had to make up a comedy routine and I'll paraphrase it here since I couldn't stop thinking about it when we were talking about allergies.]
People are always allergic to small things, like dust or bugs. I'm sure it would be annoying to break out in hives because of something you can't even see. If we are going to be allergic to something, why couldn't it be for something that we really wanted to avoid. Like tigers and sharks. If I were alergic to tigers and broke out in hives, I'd know to watch out because a tiger was around. Or if I'm swimming and get a rash on my arm, I'd know a shark was out ot get me. "Uh oh, I'm breaking out in hives too! Must be a tiger shark." I hope Hugh isn't allergic to anything, but we'll have to see. It's not like an epipen would do much against a tiger shark, anyway.
What type of kid will Hugh be? Do our dog hair covered floors means he'll be more or less susceptible to dog allergies? Will we have to make sure his friends don't bring PB&J in their lunches because of the risk of peanut dust? Will we have to carry epipens and assume jamming a needle into his leg is a good thing?!! Hopefully it's just genetic because I'm not allergic to anything (that I know of yet) and Jess isn't allergic to much; just a little bit to cats and vanillia handcream. I told her a cat covered in vanillia handcream would really give her trouble!
[A few TV seasons ago Jess and I watched Beatuy and The Geek quite faithfully. A contestant on the show (one of the geeks) had to make up a comedy routine and I'll paraphrase it here since I couldn't stop thinking about it when we were talking about allergies.]
People are always allergic to small things, like dust or bugs. I'm sure it would be annoying to break out in hives because of something you can't even see. If we are going to be allergic to something, why couldn't it be for something that we really wanted to avoid. Like tigers and sharks. If I were alergic to tigers and broke out in hives, I'd know to watch out because a tiger was around. Or if I'm swimming and get a rash on my arm, I'd know a shark was out ot get me. "Uh oh, I'm breaking out in hives too! Must be a tiger shark." I hope Hugh isn't allergic to anything, but we'll have to see. It's not like an epipen would do much against a tiger shark, anyway.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Cute as a Button
I don't know where the phrase "cute as a button" comes from. Sometimes people say that about babies and, while I get the idea, it seems to have nothing to do with buttons. Buttons on a whole aren't particularly cute, but I don't want to discuss the looks and people's general feelings on buttons.
I do, however, love to find buttons on the ground. Yesterday while I was walking Melvin and saw a gray button in the street! It was awesome. Not the button itself, which was scratched and filthy, but just the act of finding a button along the road. When finding things on the ground, on a scale from zero to finding loose change, a button is an easy eleven. I always wonder how the button got there in the first place. Did it fall off at that exact spot? Did something make it fall off? Are there a slew of buttons in the general area (as would be the case most every time the Incredible Hulk transformed)? Mundane and excitement and intrigue all in one!
Most buttons just get stored someplace in the house while a few (lucky) buttons get used on clothes. I have a neon green button on a pair of navy blue shorts and another found button is holding up my olive green work pants. Net savings are probably in the tens of cents! Hopefully I'll find more buttons while I walk and maybe you'll keep your eyes open as well. Missing the opportunity of finding a button is anything but cute.
I do, however, love to find buttons on the ground. Yesterday while I was walking Melvin and saw a gray button in the street! It was awesome. Not the button itself, which was scratched and filthy, but just the act of finding a button along the road. When finding things on the ground, on a scale from zero to finding loose change, a button is an easy eleven. I always wonder how the button got there in the first place. Did it fall off at that exact spot? Did something make it fall off? Are there a slew of buttons in the general area (as would be the case most every time the Incredible Hulk transformed)? Mundane and excitement and intrigue all in one!
Most buttons just get stored someplace in the house while a few (lucky) buttons get used on clothes. I have a neon green button on a pair of navy blue shorts and another found button is holding up my olive green work pants. Net savings are probably in the tens of cents! Hopefully I'll find more buttons while I walk and maybe you'll keep your eyes open as well. Missing the opportunity of finding a button is anything but cute.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
They Say It Is Impossible
I always find myself rooting for Brett Favre. Being ushered out of Green Bay and the media circus about un-retiring every year makes me root for him all the more. When everyone says he too old and can't play anymore, I find it awesome to see him still winning games. (Interesting fact: Favre has beaten every team in the NFL at least once. Not bad : ) And this might sound blasphemous here in NY, but I was rooting for the Patriots in Super Bowl 42. Not for Brady or Moss, but just to see the 19-0 season. What are the chances of seeing that? If "they" say it can't be done, well, there's someting inside me that wants to see the impossible happen!
The day before Jess and I traveled to the hospital she posted on Facebook, "What should Clay and I do our last weekend as a childless couple?" We got a ton of responses: Go to a movie. Have a nice dinner. Get some sleep. Get an egg. Get a haircut. We were not able to do any of those things : ) Now we're thrown into the life of parents with a list of things that we'll have a hard time doing. "Just try and go to the movies." "Good luck getting anywhere on time - heck, within 15 minutes of the start time." "Kiss any spare time good bye!"
Before we had Hugh (and Melvin, for that matter), I had a zillion things I wanted to do and yet never did. Program something (anything!) outside of work. Be in shape. Paint war gaming miniatures I've been working on for months, soon to be years. Play 10% of the video games I've only read about. Read more than two books a year. All that seems like an impossible task, on top of some 'simple' things like taking Jess to a movie or being on time anywhere. Honestly, I still hope to do all that stuff. And until Hugh graduates from High School, I'll still hope to do the impossible. Pull a mini-Brett Favre, if you will, in the face of everyone that says it couldn't be done (minus the multi-million dollar paycheck).
The day before Jess and I traveled to the hospital she posted on Facebook, "What should Clay and I do our last weekend as a childless couple?" We got a ton of responses: Go to a movie. Have a nice dinner. Get some sleep. Get an egg. Get a haircut. We were not able to do any of those things : ) Now we're thrown into the life of parents with a list of things that we'll have a hard time doing. "Just try and go to the movies." "Good luck getting anywhere on time - heck, within 15 minutes of the start time." "Kiss any spare time good bye!"
Before we had Hugh (and Melvin, for that matter), I had a zillion things I wanted to do and yet never did. Program something (anything!) outside of work. Be in shape. Paint war gaming miniatures I've been working on for months, soon to be years. Play 10% of the video games I've only read about. Read more than two books a year. All that seems like an impossible task, on top of some 'simple' things like taking Jess to a movie or being on time anywhere. Honestly, I still hope to do all that stuff. And until Hugh graduates from High School, I'll still hope to do the impossible. Pull a mini-Brett Favre, if you will, in the face of everyone that says it couldn't be done (minus the multi-million dollar paycheck).
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Selective Hearing
The plan is to keep Hugh so use to ambient noise that he can sleep anywhere. Door clicking as we leave the room, no problem. Footsteps down the stairs, not a stir. Roaring laughter while watching The Office or screaming when Penn State scores a touchdown, sound asleep. Theory always has a lot of potential, right? : ) A big test was our first morning at church today. Hugh slept through all of Pastor Gary's sermon, and while that isn't a telling feat on its own, he also slept through all the music which was a lot louder. (I'll avoid any jokes suggesting that this behavior is genetic, or that it skips a generation, Gramps : )
A larger test probably occurred the night before during a goodbye party for a friend moving down to Georgia. Football was on, food was being eaten and the conversations were all over the place. Some people might have described the words as "colorful language." If color was an accurate measure, we would have needed a kaleidoscope or spectrometer to classify certain phrases! Hugh slept through everything though (thank goodness!), and the chance of him remembering or understanding anything is about as likely as a certain 6'4" guy thinking he could be Notre Dame's leprechaun just because he has red hair.
It was just that day I found out babies can only see around 8"-12" and everything else is nothing. Scent might be working but even hearing isn't great at this point. So whatever was going on that night may not have mattered to Hugh, though at some point it might. A few months and years down the road I'm hoping to continue seeing my friends and doubt certain conversions will reflect the Cleavers, but what then? Ear plugs crossed my mind, but TV and movies and every place will have sounds I deem inappropriate and sights my kid should not see. Every parent runs into it a some point I suppose, and maybe I have a little extra time to prepare. Can't shield a child from everything, and I hope he'll be willing to take my advice - and maybe, just maybe, if I do things right he'll still sleep right through it.
A larger test probably occurred the night before during a goodbye party for a friend moving down to Georgia. Football was on, food was being eaten and the conversations were all over the place. Some people might have described the words as "colorful language." If color was an accurate measure, we would have needed a kaleidoscope or spectrometer to classify certain phrases! Hugh slept through everything though (thank goodness!), and the chance of him remembering or understanding anything is about as likely as a certain 6'4" guy thinking he could be Notre Dame's leprechaun just because he has red hair.
It was just that day I found out babies can only see around 8"-12" and everything else is nothing. Scent might be working but even hearing isn't great at this point. So whatever was going on that night may not have mattered to Hugh, though at some point it might. A few months and years down the road I'm hoping to continue seeing my friends and doubt certain conversions will reflect the Cleavers, but what then? Ear plugs crossed my mind, but TV and movies and every place will have sounds I deem inappropriate and sights my kid should not see. Every parent runs into it a some point I suppose, and maybe I have a little extra time to prepare. Can't shield a child from everything, and I hope he'll be willing to take my advice - and maybe, just maybe, if I do things right he'll still sleep right through it.
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