Baby Gallory

Julian's first road trip was a huge success. We went to Chicago for a long weekend, which was the first mini vaccation for Dad in a year and a half... Thanks to Priceline, we stayed on the Michigan Ave, in a four star Westin hotel, next door to the Hancock Tower. Jules enjoyed having a king size bed to polish his sitting skills. We hung out at the lakefront Friday afternoon, and had spent almost entire Saturday in various parks. We started off with the Millenium Park, where Tomato had a chance to touch the biggest steel jelly bean he will ever see. We also visited Grant Park, and Oz park at the Vincent De Paul university's campus. On Sunday we toured the Aquarium, which was our first life lesson in universal access design - a way of designing buildings or exterior spaces that makes them accessible to all, including wheelchair users, and parents with strollers. Lessons learned there will surely make us better professionals... You know these annoying people who say "oh, when...

Mom's nose is almost as tasty as Dad's! Chillin' with Dad It's hard to keep up with all the changes. Julian is developing so fast, I probably wouldn't blink if during a diaper change he said "hey, Mom, I prefer Boudreaux Butt Paste to A+D Ointment, so let's stop buying it, OK?" Overall, sitting is good, and he can do so very well, without any help. Still learning that falling over means a bump on the head. Still learning how to sit up by himself. Turning over can be an issue - there is nothing worse than being stuck in crib's corner, butt up, really sleepy, without the slightest idea how to get out of there, and be on his back again... Though life can be rough sometimes, and require screaming and a tear or two, Julian's favorite activity, bar none, is laughing!!! Excuuuse me, I'm working here!!! No pictures!!! OK, if you must... I'll smile, I guess...

....Son of a gun, Julian had fun on the Bayou!!! We visited our families down South this past weekend. It's a very different place after Katrina. Most people can laugh again, and don't cry anymore when they talk about the hurricane, but not a conversation goes by without mentioning it. We were glad to provide an opportunity to look forward not back - Julian did the honors...

A major shift has occured in Julian lately. Though he has always been alert and wide-eyed when awake, for the past few days he seems to be intensly trying to observe, and make connections. His modus operandi seems to be "what is this, and how does it work?". If he can grab it, he looks at it, whatever IT is, then puts it in his mouth. So far, we've been able to limit the amount of things he tastes as he is not very mobile yet. I cringe thinking of the moment he starts crawling or walking, therefore greatly increasing the amount of things within reach... During our walks he no longer falls asleep the minute the wheels start moving or Mom or Dad start to walk (if in Baby Bjorn). Instead, he watches closely the everchanging scenery, asking (in his head, for now) "Why does this dog bark? Am I suppose to bark back? Who hung these sneakers on the power line? What is this bright thing that keeps blinding me whenever I go outside? Can I turn it off? Why is this person grabbi...

Julian has conquered the spoon! Mom and Dad timidly began feeding Julian an elegant blend of rice cereal and formula for the first time around 7:30 pm. After only two spoon fulls into the adventure, Master Julian was chomping his gums for more. We think the images speek for themselves... Dad " a flowery bouquet with a hint of oak" A foodist is born! He got a little confused and tried to eat the whole bowl. Jules insisted on wiping his own face and then eating the towel for dessert.

Julian and I have been making some incredible progress communicating. This weekend we took a few minutes to document one of our conversations while Mom was running some errands... Dad Mom will be back in a few minutes. Stop worrying. How many minutes? Well a few. Julian, you don't have a watch. Well, if you get hungry while she's gone I'll make a bottle. Oh, don't give me that look. It's not that bad. No. I haven't tried it. Look, it can't be that bad. You'll take the bottle if I have to pry your lips open! Oh, you were just kidding. Very funny... I know Mom would give you a boob. What am I supposed to do, grow one? Look, chill out. She'll be home soon. I hope!

Watching Super Bowl with Dad #1 - Julian slept TWO seven-hour nights in a row!!! We are still in shock... #2 - Tomato ROLLED OVER!!! He was very surprised by the sudden change of scenery, and started giggling away... I don't think he has any idea how he did it, but he is growing stronger each day, so I am sure more roll-overs are coming. #3 - Jules watched his First Ever Super Bowl... Dad bought an antenna at the Circuit City, and we did the American Thing. Julian sported his team's colors to the party - courtesy of ciocia (aunt) Klementyna. Who are we rooting for, again?