Tuesday November 2, 2004
First, a message to Emily et al. You're going to notice a few changes on your website from this page on Emily. #1, photos no longer will be enlargeable. Cheapskate pappa got hit up for extra storage by the web host b/c of all these big photos, so we're doing away with those. Let's hope we don't hit that next threshold too soon cuz this thing might turn into a text only site . . . #2, pappa's been getting some strong reader feedback about the poor navigation of this site. I admit, it's no Amazon.com, but geez, this also isn't my full-time job. Emily, I will improve it at some point though I promise - a complete overhaul.

Now onto the past couple of weeks. Emily is turning into a big girl every single day. She learned to ride in her stroller without her carseat - saves at least 20 minutes of back breaking work each time for mommy & daddy. She just loves sitting upright and looking around at the world, always with a bewildered/confused look about her.



And the giggling and laughing, it rings throughout the house constantly now. Mostly a happy baby, but she still has her moments . . .




Emily's been busy acquiring life essential skills these past couple of weeks too, like cooking . . .



and riding giraffes . . .



The giraffy was an unplanned purchase. With the chill in the air, we decided to take EK to the mall to get some winter clothes. Since we were going, we decided to exchange a "pricey" pair of pajamas at a store I don't go near usually. But we fell in love with the giraffy, and since it was the same price as the pajamas (!), the decision was pretty easy. It wasn't until we got home we read on the tag that Emily wouldn't be able to use it until she's three. My money's on a rocking giraffy by 24 months tops.

And speaking of money, pappa decided it was time for a lesson on the power of the all mighty dollar. It's never to early to start. So, here is the view from her crib . . .



It's just out of mommy's reach, so it's there for the long haul. I would have taped a nickel (a dollar's a little rich for a 4 month old), but I couldn't find tape.

In other news, with her 4 month birthday came another set of vaccination shots. Four more pokes right in the thigh, more swearing at the nurse under my breath, and Emily was finally back home. Unlike last time, she fussed and felt a little warm. So, we took little Don King's temperature for the first time.



Whereas she was a prodigal swaddle breakout master as a newborn, now Emily is a champion as making socks disappear.

But she survived. And it was onto sleeping through the night bootcamp. If you read the last entry, our last attempt didn't go so well. So, Polly got a book recommended by our ped, Helping Your Baby Sleep Through the Night or something like that. It's supposed to take the middle ground - on one extreme, the technique told to us last attempt (stuff a towel under her door and take a sleeping pill), and the other extreme of always tending to her until she's still waking us up at the age of five. This technique basically (parents-to-be, pay attention you won't have to buy the book) says that mom should not wake up when the baby cries (no wonder Polly bought this one). The baby needs to know that she is loved and cared for, but there is no food or mommy in the middle of the night. The technique is taught over four nights, with dad getting up each time, helping the baby get back to sleep (by any means possible). Each night, she is supposed to "stretch" longer and longer - since her tummy is big enough that she doesn't "need" to eat in the middle of the night, she is "taught" to fall back asleep even if she wakes, instead of complaining. And right away, the technique proved itself, so much so that I've thrown away the book receipt (it goes onto other techniques for toddlers). A new and improved baby even after day 1! By day two, she was sleeping through most of the night. She was rewarded with a lazy Saturday morning watching Michigan State beat up on Michigan.



By day four, we declared victory. And just in time for Halloween! Take a look at our "big fat cow!"



Some of our good friends got a sneak peak the night before at Palo Alto Sol, where we celebrated Mr. and Mrs. Cherryball's engagement - congrats Dave & Marla! Trick or treating started very early afternoon at Grandma & Grandpa's.



It started out great! We got to Grandma & Grandpa's and were showered with candy and a gift! Next, onto aunt Gracie's where there was more candy and another gift! We like Halloween! We like free stuff! Then the next several doors we knocked on were duds. Not a single cow lover. I guess if I saw a big fat cow that looked like she could blow down the door with one yelp, I wouldn't answer the door either. Finally, at the last stop, a nice lady gave us . . . one 3 Muskateer. That was the entire take. Geez. Back at home, we knocked on a few neighbor's doors, but they weren't home either. So, one 3 Muskateer it was - poor cow. But we gave her a taste, and she loves her chocolate!

Well, after Halloween we couldn't believe the transformation in Emily. After 4 successive better and better nights of boot camp, Emily was still and quiet all day. When we put her in her crib for her nappy, she would put herself to sleep with minimal complaining. Everyone was in shock. But not for long . . . Today, she was a terror beyond belief - all that pent up anger flooded the house. But we had a suspicion, could there be a good reason? Yes, more teeth! Emily's like a tooth factory. We felt an upper right, top molar and there appear to be white caps on the bottom too. Poor thing must be in so much pain, more on this in a few days.

BTW, today is election day. Looks like W is going to pull through. I guess people don't care about the economy, national security and a multi-billion dollar war. But it gives us hope - even people with small heads and confused looks on their face all the time can become president.