hey all. there should be a new video up on google pretty soon. it's called fletcher speaks. it's the first time he really made any sustained attempt at vocalizing. it's pretty cute. you can tell sara thinks it's pretty amazing cuz you can here her laughing while she films it.
i'm back at the in-laws today. i had left the laptop over here on saturday so me and fletch came over to get it. a two and a half hour nap later and here we are. he's sitting in his swing. it's kind of amazing that he will just sit there quietly. i need to get one of those things for our house.
i guess i never really wrote about it, but we've had a pretty trying last two months or so. fletch has developed pretty bad exzema on his legs. at one point, he had it all over his body, but luckily it's much better now. the doctor thinks it's a food allergy, although we've got him on this hypoallergenic muck right now that smells like burnt popcorn, and it's still not going away. i think i'm going to try some probiotics. it's been pretty bad though, you can tell that it's really bothering him. we have to put little mittens on him to keep him from scratching himself bloody.
but other than that, he's doing fine. he's over 15 pounds now. i'm not sure of the height or anything. we'll find out tomorrow. he goes in for his four month checkup, which includes the second round of shots. i "get" to take him this time, and i am not looking forward to it. i feel like he's going to blame me forever for letting the doctor stick needles in him.
Monday, July 24, 2006
Saturday, July 22, 2006
4 months...
Weeboks! 
Look at those big ol' mitts. 
Tongue-ye (from Kung Pow)
Uncle Newty
What a cutie! 
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
4th of July
we're all full on homemade peach ice cream. and ribs. yum. i've finally got an internet connection over at ben and jean's, so i'm going to finally put some pictures up. finally.
grandaddy's hat...
sitting in his swing at grammy's house. i like the lighting. good job, sara.
he's trying to make himself decent...he looks like tarzan in those old black and white movies.
these first three show fletch and lucky's first real encounter where fletch was aware:
grandaddy's hat...
sitting in his swing at grammy's house. i like the lighting. good job, sara.
he's trying to make himself decent...he looks like tarzan in those old black and white movies.
Friday, June 02, 2006
awww...
after a bath in his dog-eared towel. i apologize for the quality. it was washed out from the flash and i did my best to save it. you get the picture. hardy-har.
whattaweek
this has been the best week of the summer so far. fletcher is my best pal. monday we went to meet with my internship supervisor, maria, and he was very well-behaved. he didn't fuss or cry or anything while we were there. another of maria's assistants, lauren, sang to him once while maria and i were out of the room and apparently he laughed at her.
we inadvertently switched to soy formula, and although sara is skeptical i think it agrees with him much better. sara mistakenly bought the wrong can of formula and it took us a few days to figure out that since it looked, smelled, and tasted different it might actually be different. ever since the switch he's been sleeping like a champ, easily 12 hours a night and a few during the day. my biggest challenge up to this week had been getting him to take a nap when he was tired...i usually ended up frustrated with a crabby baby. but now he just goes down and quietly snoozes for at least an hour every time. even without a pacifier.
and the verdict is in: fletcher hates tom cruise. we decided to try baby day again at alamo when sara took the day off on tuesday and he was the picture of mellow. maybe it's the soy but maybe it was the absence of that short scientologist freak.
i've posted a of fletch freaking out over his toys on google videos. just search for "fletcher's dance." it may not be up for a few days.
we inadvertently switched to soy formula, and although sara is skeptical i think it agrees with him much better. sara mistakenly bought the wrong can of formula and it took us a few days to figure out that since it looked, smelled, and tasted different it might actually be different. ever since the switch he's been sleeping like a champ, easily 12 hours a night and a few during the day. my biggest challenge up to this week had been getting him to take a nap when he was tired...i usually ended up frustrated with a crabby baby. but now he just goes down and quietly snoozes for at least an hour every time. even without a pacifier.
and the verdict is in: fletcher hates tom cruise. we decided to try baby day again at alamo when sara took the day off on tuesday and he was the picture of mellow. maybe it's the soy but maybe it was the absence of that short scientologist freak.
i've posted a of fletch freaking out over his toys on google videos. just search for "fletcher's dance." it may not be up for a few days.
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
pics, or the only reason you're here
he has some sort of camera shyness, as this is the only successful capture of his smile we've acheived in dozens of attempts. he'll be clowning it up like a little comedian and then he clams up the moment he sees the camera. how does a person who doesn't know how to use his fingers know what a camera is? it's weird. we've taken like 30 minutes of video with nary a smirk. so enjoy this one. download it and zoom in.
he's vain..1.jpg)
another alien picture. look at those big ol' puppy dog eyes.
his favorite place to be is on the changing table. it's his stage, and also where he kicks it old school.
his favorite place to be is on the changing table. it's his stage, and also where he kicks it old school. Thursday, May 18, 2006
mr. mom
you'd think that i would be posting every other day, seeing as how i've been home for almost two weeks straight now. but somehow that little turtle just takes up all my time. i've never experienced anything quite like this anticipatory boredom, or maybe it's bored anticipation, that is being a stay-at-home parent. even when he sleeps i have an ear constantly straining. it's hard to do anything but just relax and watch tv (yes, even daytime tv) while he's sleeping, as i'm so worn out from entertaining him. that's the real challenge. it's easy to feed, change, and clothe him. it's keeping him entertained and stimulated that becomes the burden. it's hard having a completely one-sided conversation for an entire day. well, maybe not completely one-sided, as he does return my words and expressions with smiles and squeaks. and it's very rewarding, don't get me wrong. it's just tiring and a little lonely.
and now school has started again. it snuck up on me somehow, as i thought we had two weeks off. how foolish of me. so now i have to start my internship, which is working on a research/book project with one of my professors, and write a 30 page paper for my capstone requirement. another wonderful peculiarity of st. edward's, of which i'm sure i'll be glad of eventually, is that everyone must write an in-depth research/position paper on a current social problem. no sweat if i didn't find it difficult just to dress and shower each day, but quite the challenge when i've got a cute little turtle to keep occupied.
so, i'll quit complaining now. thank you internet audience for being there to listen to my gripes. please don't get the idea that i am unhappy. fletcher is amazing and cute and so different everyday that i'm usually overwhelmed with wonder and affection. but it's the unique ability of a parent to feel those things over a backdrop of exhaustion and frustration, i guess. if prayer is your thing than please offer up some for sara and me, for avoidance of depression and frustration and for energy and enthusiasm to be readily available.
***
the above was written last week. a little bleak, i know. i was having a bad day. i'm leaving it in because i think it's an accurate description of how it feels some days. other days, things are much better.
like yesterday. yesterday was fletcher's two-month birthday. we celebrated again with john, gio, and giada. we went to their house and ate pizza and watched game 7 of the mavs/spurs. it was fun. giada is a darling.
so, fletcher had his first round of shots today. i couldn't go because i had class, but sara said he did pretty well. he's asleep now and i'm nervously waiting for him to wake up and start screaming. but tylenol and lovin' will hopefully ease his discomfort.
he's actually been quite a peach lately. content and at ease expect when hungry. and who isn't an ornery bastard when hungry? i know i am. he also dislikes tom cruise. or at least MI-3, because he would not sit through it. he liked V for Vendetta alright, though. so i don't know what to do about X-Men 3 next week. do i risk it?
laughing is still just out of reach, but he's getting closer. he's starting to vocalize a little bit, although it usually just sounds like a squeak or a modified sob. it must be hard to manipulate those delicate vocal chords. especially for someone who can't even control their fingers or hold their own head steady. although he's getting close in that regard too.
here are his two-month stats:
length (height when i hold him upright): 23 in
weight: 12 lb 8 oz
head: 40 cm
i was hoping he would be in the upper percentiles, like freakishly tall for his age or something, but he's average so far. except in weight. apparently he's in the 75th in weight.
***
i've been trying to post the above for about a week now. i can't get the pictures to upload, for some reason. so i'm going to go ahead and post this and try to do the pictures separately.
and now school has started again. it snuck up on me somehow, as i thought we had two weeks off. how foolish of me. so now i have to start my internship, which is working on a research/book project with one of my professors, and write a 30 page paper for my capstone requirement. another wonderful peculiarity of st. edward's, of which i'm sure i'll be glad of eventually, is that everyone must write an in-depth research/position paper on a current social problem. no sweat if i didn't find it difficult just to dress and shower each day, but quite the challenge when i've got a cute little turtle to keep occupied.
so, i'll quit complaining now. thank you internet audience for being there to listen to my gripes. please don't get the idea that i am unhappy. fletcher is amazing and cute and so different everyday that i'm usually overwhelmed with wonder and affection. but it's the unique ability of a parent to feel those things over a backdrop of exhaustion and frustration, i guess. if prayer is your thing than please offer up some for sara and me, for avoidance of depression and frustration and for energy and enthusiasm to be readily available.
***
the above was written last week. a little bleak, i know. i was having a bad day. i'm leaving it in because i think it's an accurate description of how it feels some days. other days, things are much better.
like yesterday. yesterday was fletcher's two-month birthday. we celebrated again with john, gio, and giada. we went to their house and ate pizza and watched game 7 of the mavs/spurs. it was fun. giada is a darling.
so, fletcher had his first round of shots today. i couldn't go because i had class, but sara said he did pretty well. he's asleep now and i'm nervously waiting for him to wake up and start screaming. but tylenol and lovin' will hopefully ease his discomfort.
he's actually been quite a peach lately. content and at ease expect when hungry. and who isn't an ornery bastard when hungry? i know i am. he also dislikes tom cruise. or at least MI-3, because he would not sit through it. he liked V for Vendetta alright, though. so i don't know what to do about X-Men 3 next week. do i risk it?
laughing is still just out of reach, but he's getting closer. he's starting to vocalize a little bit, although it usually just sounds like a squeak or a modified sob. it must be hard to manipulate those delicate vocal chords. especially for someone who can't even control their fingers or hold their own head steady. although he's getting close in that regard too.
here are his two-month stats:
length (height when i hold him upright): 23 in
weight: 12 lb 8 oz
head: 40 cm
i was hoping he would be in the upper percentiles, like freakishly tall for his age or something, but he's average so far. except in weight. apparently he's in the 75th in weight.
***
i've been trying to post the above for about a week now. i can't get the pictures to upload, for some reason. so i'm going to go ahead and post this and try to do the pictures separately.
Sunday, May 07, 2006
finally!
school is over. actually, i still have to make up one final due to my unfortunate and very untimely bout with kidney stones. apparently, i had not been drinking enough water over the last few months or so...i found out the very, very painful way.
but for the most part, school is done and summer is here; it's time for dancing in the streets. actually, it's time for days spent with fletcher and nights working. i've been recently driving for eatoutin and let me tell you it is not what i expected. i drive over 100 miles a night (tonight 150) and make only about $60. i used to do that at austin's pizza in 50 miles plus $5 an hour. so naturally i'll be looking for work this week. it'll be fun, theoretically, to drive around with the little mugwort (my mom's new nickname for fletcher).
so, my mom was here. it was heaven having her insight and experience and patient arms. thanks, ma, we love you.
other highlights of the last few weeks: inception into Pi Lamda Eta, which is the National Communications Honor Society; new, terrific albums by my morning jacket, built to spill, and neko case (pearl jam's is a little disappointing); fletcher smiling on a regular basis and even occasionally making valiant attempts at laughter; the passing of the sixth week; and the impending approach of Baby Day at Alamo Drafthouse, where fletcher may have his first date with giada, and where daddy will get to watch a movie in the theater. woo-hoo, y'all.
now for the pictures:
but for the most part, school is done and summer is here; it's time for dancing in the streets. actually, it's time for days spent with fletcher and nights working. i've been recently driving for eatoutin and let me tell you it is not what i expected. i drive over 100 miles a night (tonight 150) and make only about $60. i used to do that at austin's pizza in 50 miles plus $5 an hour. so naturally i'll be looking for work this week. it'll be fun, theoretically, to drive around with the little mugwort (my mom's new nickname for fletcher).
so, my mom was here. it was heaven having her insight and experience and patient arms. thanks, ma, we love you.
other highlights of the last few weeks: inception into Pi Lamda Eta, which is the National Communications Honor Society; new, terrific albums by my morning jacket, built to spill, and neko case (pearl jam's is a little disappointing); fletcher smiling on a regular basis and even occasionally making valiant attempts at laughter; the passing of the sixth week; and the impending approach of Baby Day at Alamo Drafthouse, where fletcher may have his first date with giada, and where daddy will get to watch a movie in the theater. woo-hoo, y'all.
now for the pictures:
i think he's starting to get my eyes a little bit
obi-wan fletcher after his bath. his acne is beginning to clear.
she's just too young to be a grandma. when we first moved to moscow, they thought she was our sister.
if you don't find this little boy remarkably cute then there's just no excuse for you.Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Saturday, April 22, 2006
birthday!!
well, fletcher's one month old today. in some ways, it feels like an eternity. in others, if feels like he just showed up.
he's grown an amazing amount. he's already growing out of a few things, and hopefully growing into all the cool clothes that we've gotten from people. there are some little converse shoes and a slick looking track suit that i'm excited about. also esther's "l'enfant terrible" onesies are going to look very cute. but tough. but definitely cute.
i'm writing this at work. i'll only be here at the blood center for another week. i'm actually much sadder about leaving than i thought i would be. it's not everyday you can find a laid-back job where you get to drive someone else's car and not have to do any cleaning or making food. it looks like i'll be delivering food for "eat out in," which is a company that picks up food from area restaurants and delivers it to you. it's better than pizza delivery because there are no dishes to clean, but it sucks to put all those miles on your own car. and buy gas. it's gotten up to $2.90 here, and that's insane for texas. it's probably well over $3 in some places by now.
i'll probably keep looking for other night work options. tending bar sounds good but i have no experience and i wonder what the chances are of making any real money without any. i have to work at night, though, so sara can go back to work. if anyone feels generous and wants to subsidize fletcher's daycare for about eight months...
gosh, it must be nice to have plenty of money. it's hard sometimes going to school at St. Edward's when most of the students there come from money. they drive lexi and hummers and live off of daddy's credit card. it's annoying, but mostly i'm just jealous.
so, anyway, i guess i should go look busy. saturdays are hard because i wish i could be home with fletch. that little dude is so endearing, even when he just cries and sleeps.
oh, and he's losing his hair. he looks like mr. magoo.
sorry no pictures today; i'll put up some one-month-old pics tomorrow. sara's going to work and i'm going to hang out with him. we'll probably take the stroller over to campus and use the wireless. too bad i'm not single, as i'm sure he'll be quite the lady-magnet...
he's grown an amazing amount. he's already growing out of a few things, and hopefully growing into all the cool clothes that we've gotten from people. there are some little converse shoes and a slick looking track suit that i'm excited about. also esther's "l'enfant terrible" onesies are going to look very cute. but tough. but definitely cute.
i'm writing this at work. i'll only be here at the blood center for another week. i'm actually much sadder about leaving than i thought i would be. it's not everyday you can find a laid-back job where you get to drive someone else's car and not have to do any cleaning or making food. it looks like i'll be delivering food for "eat out in," which is a company that picks up food from area restaurants and delivers it to you. it's better than pizza delivery because there are no dishes to clean, but it sucks to put all those miles on your own car. and buy gas. it's gotten up to $2.90 here, and that's insane for texas. it's probably well over $3 in some places by now.
i'll probably keep looking for other night work options. tending bar sounds good but i have no experience and i wonder what the chances are of making any real money without any. i have to work at night, though, so sara can go back to work. if anyone feels generous and wants to subsidize fletcher's daycare for about eight months...
gosh, it must be nice to have plenty of money. it's hard sometimes going to school at St. Edward's when most of the students there come from money. they drive lexi and hummers and live off of daddy's credit card. it's annoying, but mostly i'm just jealous.
so, anyway, i guess i should go look busy. saturdays are hard because i wish i could be home with fletch. that little dude is so endearing, even when he just cries and sleeps.
oh, and he's losing his hair. he looks like mr. magoo.
sorry no pictures today; i'll put up some one-month-old pics tomorrow. sara's going to work and i'm going to hang out with him. we'll probably take the stroller over to campus and use the wireless. too bad i'm not single, as i'm sure he'll be quite the lady-magnet...
Sunday, April 16, 2006
easter
happy easter.
fletcher is sitting here in his cousin Lauren's arms. he's cute. we're all full on ribs and pie. yum.
the lakers are on tv. lauren is asking me what i'm doing. i told her "writing on my blog." she said "what's a blog?" so i explained it to her. it's weird writing while a 9 year old girl reads aloud as you type.
noodles. huh? poodles. birgaflickle.
fletcher is sitting here in his cousin Lauren's arms. he's cute. we're all full on ribs and pie. yum.
the lakers are on tv. lauren is asking me what i'm doing. i told her "writing on my blog." she said "what's a blog?" so i explained it to her. it's weird writing while a 9 year old girl reads aloud as you type.
noodles. huh? poodles. birgaflickle.
Monday, April 10, 2006
overlong.
that's how reviewers have described new songs on new albums by built to spill and flaming lips. it's also apt for the amount of time since my last post. sorry.
seeing as how i am a new father and don't have an internet connection at mi casa, i haven't heard either of the new albums. i didn't even know they were forthcoming. but i can't see how long songs could be a bad thing.
anyway, we're still here. hopefully i've somehow atoned for my overlong absence with the plethora of pictures. plenty. (i love alliteration.)
i've had to write two papers from scratch (what, me draft?) in the last few days, and what with trying to give sara a breather every now and then...there just hasn't been time. i think we've actually been somewhat fortunate though, as the little squirmy frog has actually slept a bit more these last few nights.
it's practically impossible to keep him awake during the day. he's slept through a bath, countless diaper changes, even a rude father clapping in his ears.
i feel like we've been flirting with disaster, though, because we've taken him all over town already. we were at central market today and twice were asked how old he was. the reactions were the same..."oh, he's so young (with pity and a bit of disapproval)..." but, hey, if he's anything like his parents he's got an immune system like wolverine.
sara was worried pre-delivery that he would be boring. i of course disagreed. but i have to admit that i can see what she was talking about. what a dull existence. sleep, poop, eat, cry, eat, poop, sleep, smile at gastro-intestinal movements, cry, make weird faces, eat, sleep, poop...but we love him anyway.
for now.
seeing as how i am a new father and don't have an internet connection at mi casa, i haven't heard either of the new albums. i didn't even know they were forthcoming. but i can't see how long songs could be a bad thing.
anyway, we're still here. hopefully i've somehow atoned for my overlong absence with the plethora of pictures. plenty. (i love alliteration.)
i've had to write two papers from scratch (what, me draft?) in the last few days, and what with trying to give sara a breather every now and then...there just hasn't been time. i think we've actually been somewhat fortunate though, as the little squirmy frog has actually slept a bit more these last few nights.
it's practically impossible to keep him awake during the day. he's slept through a bath, countless diaper changes, even a rude father clapping in his ears.
i feel like we've been flirting with disaster, though, because we've taken him all over town already. we were at central market today and twice were asked how old he was. the reactions were the same..."oh, he's so young (with pity and a bit of disapproval)..." but, hey, if he's anything like his parents he's got an immune system like wolverine.
sara was worried pre-delivery that he would be boring. i of course disagreed. but i have to admit that i can see what she was talking about. what a dull existence. sleep, poop, eat, cry, eat, poop, sleep, smile at gastro-intestinal movements, cry, make weird faces, eat, sleep, poop...but we love him anyway.
for now.
not yetti??
as in bigfoot? ha?well, if he's not at least 6'5" i will be disappointed. i mean, he eats as much as a grown-ass man as it is.
betrothed??
giada and flether, sitting in carseats, s-l-e-e-p-i-n-g. first comes teeth, then comes walking...then who knows??
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