Baby Gallory

Ever since we graduated from college, we have been spending Thanksgiving with our best friend David, and this year was no exception. Dave flew in from Atlanta, and cooked up a feast - a stuffed pork loin in pastry with all the appropriate sides, and Apple Crapple for desert. Babcia Hania and Dziadek Andrzej (grandma Hania and grandpa Andrzej) flew in from Baton Rouge, brought us a boatload of Cajun food, and were appropriately taken with Master Julian. On Friday, Mom, Dad, and uncle David managed to sneak out to see Harry Potter while Babcia and Dziadek babysat. Julian did OK - he slept for a while, and then threw a moderate fit about the bottle. He can drink some of the milk, but is very annoyed with a silicone nipple, and not at all thrilled with formula. And the temperature must be JUST right. We need to get him a t-shirt (OK, onesie for now), saying: "Breast is Best"... It was wonderful to have guests, but the theory about overstimulation proved itself right once again. ...

All right, there are only 2 possibilities: either Julian does NOT have colic after all, or Mom and Dad with their 4 combined college degrees outsmarted the beast. Or actually are outsmarting it every day with various techniques, ranging from swinging the kid till he gets dizzy (Dad, not Julian), playing selected music (Mom), to reasoning with the little fellow any chance we get. We haven't had to resort to bribes just yet... Grandma Barbara says "this, too, shall pass". I sure hope so!!! We went for a very, very long walk on Saturday; it was a relatively warm day, and the sun was out, which gets to be a treat in Michigan at this time of the year. Each time we walk with Jules, we discover cool streets, unusual houses, and crazy trees or shrubs, covered with striking leaves or fruit. What would we do without him! Dad took Jules for another long walk on Sunday, so Mom could catch a few zzz... Zzz are a very good thing these days; much in demand. Mom

Music is a very important part of our lives. For the most part, Dad and Mom like (or at least tolerate with ease) similar things. Old School New Orleans Jazz (actual or sound-alike) scores high with both of us, as does classical music (especially Baroque, Romantic, and Classical periods). Sappy or Snappy New Age stuff is great for chilling or cooking. Eighties Rock helps with getting Work done at home, and is a great motivator for cleaning bathrooms. Neither of us likes music that sounds un-harmonious and random, with hard-to-place rhythm and order (acid jazz, a lot of contemporary classical). One exception to common tastes is Dave Matthews Band. Dad thinks they rock, while Mom breaks out in hives when she hears the voice of the main singer. The actual music (instruments and tunes) are great, it's the voice I can't stomach. Don't know why. After all, Bono sings in similar manner, and I'm OK with him... We are introducing Julian to our music collection from day one. Dad ...

Actually, it has five letters, but it is so bad, it should be four. The word in question is COLIC. It is amazing, that it affects up to 50% of babies, and yet so little is known about it. The official name, if anybody is wondering, is paroxysmal crying. Royal, huh? After two 3-hour screaming stints between 9 pm and midnight I called the pediatrician's office. I was told to give Julian "Little Tummies" gas relief drops before the night feedings, and to make sure to keep stimulation down during the day and evening. Soft music, soft lights, gentle rocking, etc. Now, it doesn't sound so crazy to me, gastrointestinal problems combined with "mental" issues. When stressed, adults throw up, get acid reflux, or diarrhea. Why should tiny people be different? On day 2 of the crying extravaganza, Cory came into the the living room and found the Baby screaming, and Mom sobbing, trying to calm the little one down. He took the baby from me, and started rocking him. Then he...

This was the first week of Dad going back to work, and it has kicked Mom's butt royally. It is amazing how quickly Baby's needs take over the order of the day (and night). Baby wants to eat just as Mom has warmed up her lunch? But of course, Mom can reheat her lunch yet again (and hopefully not die of starvation till then). Baby wants to frolic for an hour and a half after the 4 am feeding? Can't think of a single thing I'd rather be doing. Changing 4 diapers in one hour? A blast!!! ... Jokes aside, I have a newfound respect for anyone who ever took care of an infant. Wow. Thanks, mom; was I as as much fun as Julian? To his credit, Tomato only cries when he is trying to communicate. It's not his fault Mom can be slow at times - even though there are only 3 things to choose from : "I want food", "I want to burp", "I need to poop". Not much I can do about the third one, but the first two are all on me. When I was in school, I pulled many ...

Our Little Tomato discovered his hands recently. It is so interesting to watch him make all of these connections about How Things Are! For the last few days he has been refusing to be swaddled with his arms bound to his body - he insists on having them free. Though he doesn't suck on his thumb or fist too often, he likes to hold his head or cheek as he sleeps. If I were to guess, I'd say he'll probably be right-handed, as he seems to be much more aware of his right hand than the left one. On occasion he grabs one hand with the other, but I don't think he knows they are both his. Needless to say, watching him has made me much more aware of my own hands. I marvel at the simple fact, that I can will my fingers to do things individually, as well as together. I've taken my hands for granted for so long... Mom

I'm convinced that Jules is actually starting to communicate. Well, at least he makes faces at me when I talk to him. So, today we documented one such exchange. I think you'll find the outcome quite interesting... Hi Julian! What are you thinking about? Why do I think I'm not going to like this? Nooooooooo, I just changed this diaper! Don't you act like you're innocent! Oh, you're breathing fine... Let's change it again. No. We can't do it later. How can you sleep at a time like this? As you can see, we're making great strides towards a more effective father-son relationship... Dad