Dead-Beat Blogging Dad

I'm back. Actually, I was never gone. Still, if it weren't for the pictures that Jenn posts, you would think I up and disappeared. However, that is not the case and I am returning to blogging on our little site here for the fun and amusement of everyone. This is particularly true for our little P as we can look back on all our old posts when she is older and embarrass her relentlessly.

Blogging...it's the new photo album.

For anyone who has been keeping tabs, I fell off the blogging wagon a while ago and have only made appearances here and there. I would say I have been extremely busy (which is true), but who isn't? I would say I've been traveling out of town for work for a couple of days each week (which is true), but that is what wifi and laptops are for. I would say...oh well, I've just been a slacker.

My mom once asked why I don't blog more often and I said something stupid like "I don't have the time" or "I'm so busy" or "I can't think of anything to say" and she responded: "It's not like you have to write a novel." So in that spirit, I'm going to concentrate on making my posts short and sweet (sweet = P), unlike the one I am currently writing, which is tragically all about me.

Jenn already covered this past weekend's activities and P's introduction to her future husband new playmate, so I don't have an awful lot to add. I will say it was great to see all of our friends and to watch another set of parents in action with a baby so close to ours in age. Let's just say it was reassuring.

Cheers.

Penelope's first playdate!

Lucky Penelope, her first playdate lasted two days! Auntie Tracy and Uncle Mike had all of us over this weekend for a bbq and general great visit with our old Santa Cruz pals Helen and Troy Faith Garcia and, of course, Uncle Dan (my bro) and Aunt Catherine.

We were thrilled to meet the son of our dear friends Helen and Troy, who was born only 2 weeks before Penelope. Carl is a doll...a beautiful, smiling, charming little boy! He is also incredibly mobile--crawling all over the place and pulling himself up to standing on the furniture. I told Helen and Troy that Carl had an assignment: to show Penelope how to crawl. He did and I'll be darned if she isn't moving around a lot more, now! Still not crawling (but I am in no hurry), scooting and rolling herself around quite effectively.

Tracy posted a cute photo on her blog (see link to the right) but I had to post some of the kids playing together. Aren't they adorable? Too bad arranged marriages aren't quite the fashion here in the US. hehe.

Look what Carl showed me how to do!

I think I like having a friend!

Mom, stop with the photos!

It's All About Teeth!

Little Penelope's two bottom teeth officially emerged last month and it has been all about teeth in our house ever since! At least, we think that is why she suddenly stopped eating solids (but has since begun to eat them again), became a poop and drool machine, stopped sleeping through the night (she was rarely doing this but boy those nights were wonderful) and lately, stopped sleeping somewhat altogether. Seems like her top two (particularly the top left) will make an appearance soon, her gums are really bulging and she it chewing on everything in sight! When I was giving her a bath last night, she was trying to bite the edge of the tub!

It's so much fun to watch the dogs play outside!

When her bottom teeth had barely broken through the gums, I frankly thought our nursing days were over, she couldn't seem to stop biting me. With the help of our friend Karin and Hyland's Teething Tablets, we got over that. I do have to remind her before she begins to nurse to be gentle and she complies 90% of the time. :) My mother tells me how much more it hurts when baby has both top and bottom teeth; I hope my training her not to bite will pay off when those two top chompers emerge.

I am so cute!

More behavior I chock up to teething (at least in part) is her restlessness...although I am sure it is a pretty normal developmental stage. I don't think her teething discomfort makes the bumps and whatnot feel any better: she is trying desperately to pull herself up to standing on just about everything and incurs many falls, as a result. I am really in awe of her sheer determination to MOVE! Gone is our content on laps baby...I try to hold her on my lap when I am playing with her on the floor and all she wants to do is climb all over me! She is also rolling all over the place, but no crawling yet. We have begun to babyproof the house in anticipation of her impending mobility.

Despite her teething discomfort, Penelope continues to be a happy and content little gal who seems to enjoy life more and more every day. And we continue to be two very proud parents.

I love to play with my Cheerios (and sometimes eat them)!