Spit Up Happens

They say that you can always identify a new parent by the spit up on their shoulder. I just watched this helpful video called Spit-Up Happens, Dads Deal , but as you'll see from the picture and video below, it was a little too late.

A week or so ago I had the bright idea that I would gently put Ryan on my shoulders (with great care given to his young neck of course). This led to the inevitable "get the camera" cry. Just as Carol was snapping the photo, spit up happened. Great timing!

Today I was playing with Ryan after what I thought was enough time post feed for spit up not to happen. Clearly I was mistaken!



We had a great Thanksgiving dinner last night in San Francisco. I'll post some pictures this weekend.

Mom and Baby Dancing

Here's a video of Carol and Ryan dancing in the kitchen last week.

Two Year Anniversary

Two years ago Carol and I got married in Isla Mujeres, Mexico. Tonight we celebrated our two year wedding anniversary with lamb chops on the barbecue. It's nice to be in California!

Actually, it was quite an early night for us. I'm now up with Ryan while Carol gets some much needed rest. He's asleep on my chest after a little soothing in the Baby Hawk so I figured I'd write a quick post. It seems that the little man had a bit of a Don Rickles day today. (See side-by-side comparison below.)

We're pretty sure that his fussiness was caused by the mocha hot chocloate beverage I brought Carol this morning, but who really knows. The good news is that both baby and Mom are sleeping soundly now.

Here's the "best time ever" group shot from November 2006. Good memories!

Sarah and Jeremy Get Engaged

A couple of weeks late, but Ryan wanted to be sure to congratulate his Aunt Sarah on her recent engagement. Here's a great picture of Sarah and Jeremy from the big night in Toronto. We're all looking forward to the wedding next summer in Algonquin Park.

Sarah left Menlo Park on Thursday with Nanna Jane and is now in New Liskeard, Ontario visiting Jeremy's family and experiencing some very different weather conditions. Click here to see some of the pictures from their trip on Kodak Gallery.

Here are a few pictures of Ryan and my sister:































This is the first weekend since Ryan was born that Carol and I have spent without family visiting. We're not complaining though. It's been fantastic to have so much support. Uncle Alex is up next for Thanksgiving. We're looking forward to seeing him.

Smiley Ryli

Had to post this shot. We're getting more and more smiles every day.

Parent Job Description

Aunt Sarah and Nanna Jane left yesterday. It was a bit quiet last night and this morning at our house. This will take some getting use to...

I'll write more about their trip and share some pictures this weekend, but I received this email from a friend today and thought it was worth sharing here. (Sorry Ryan, you'll be back in the spotlight next time!)

Care to Apply for This Job?

POSITION:

• Mom, Mommy, Mama, Ma
• Dad, Daddy, Dada, Pa, Pop

JOB DESCRIPTION:
Long term, team players needed, for challenging permanent work in an often chaotic environment. Candidates must possess excellent communication and organizational skills and be willing to work variable hours, which will include evenings and weekends and frequent 24 hour shifts on call. Some overnight travel required, including trips to primitive camping sites on rainy weekends and endless sports tournaments in far away cities! Travel expenses not reimbursed. Extensive courier duties also required.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
The rest of your life.
Must be willing to be hated, at least temporarily, until someone needs $5.
Must be willing to bite tongue repeatedly.
Also, must possess the physical stamina of a pack mule and be able to go from zero to 60 mph in three seconds flat in case, this time, the screams from the backyard are not someone just crying wolf.
Must be willing to face stimulating technical challenges, such as small gadget repair, mysteriously sluggish toilets and stuck zippers.
Must screen phone calls, maintain calendars and coordinate production of multiple homework projects.
Must have ability to plan and organize social gatherings for clients of all ages and mental outlooks.
Must be willing to be indispensable one minute, an embarrassment the next.
Must handle assembly and product safety testing of a half million cheap, plastic toys, and battery operated devices.
Must always hope for the best but be prepared for the worst.
Must assume final, complete accountability for the quality of the end product.
Responsibilities also include floor maintenance and janitorial work throughout the facility.

POSSIBILITY FOR ADVANCEMENT & PROMOTION:
None.
Your job is to remain in the same position for years, without complaining, constantly retraining and updating your skills, so that those in your charge can ultimately surpass yo.u

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE:
None required unfortunately.
On-the-job training offered on a continually exhausting basis.

WAGES AND COMPENSATION:
Get this! You pay them!
Offering frequent raises and bonuses.
A balloon payment is due when they turn 18 because of the assumption that college will help them become financially independent.
When you die, you give them whatever is left.
The oddest thing about this reverse-salary scheme is that you actually enjoy it and wish you could only do more.

BENEFITS:
While no health or dental insurance, no pension, no tuition reimbursement, no paid holidays and
no stock options are offered; this job supplies limitless opportunities for personal growth, unconditional love, and free hugs and kisses for life if you play your cards right.

Chicks Dig Me!

Here's Ryan and Aunt Sarah with his new favorite bib. I have to say that it's quite true right now. He's getting lots of love from the ladies these days...

A Natural

We've been enjoying having my Mom here over the past week. She and Carol have been spending lots of quality time together and she's been able to see a lot of positive change in Ryan in a short time. There have been long walks, excercise classes, and yesterday she bought us a "Pee Pee TeePee" to protect us during diaper changes. Ryan is now 10.5 lbs. He's a ferocious eater. He still struggles at times with gas, but Nanna Jane recommended "Gripe Water" and it seems to be helping. We're getting more and more alert time and his sleep window is up to about 4-5 hours. He's more fun every day!

I'm off to pick up Aunt Sarah at the airport. We'll have a barbecue engagement celebration for her this evening. It's 80 degrees in Menlo Park!

I've posted lots of pictures on Kodak Gallery here, but here are a few good ones of Nanna Jane and Ryan:

Enough Attention?

There are lots of oohs and aahs around here these days as Ryan continues to get more than his fair share of attention from all of us. He also seems to be getting enough milk from Mom. At 7 weeks (on Wednesday) it looks like he's cracked the 10lb barrier.

Another milestone - this morning we think he smiled for the first time. Carol wasn't awake yet, so we'll need to put an asterix beside it.

Here are a few pictures of Mom and Nanna Jane (the name still needs some getting used to) with the little guy:

Nanna Jane Arrives

My Mom arrived last night. After a fairly brutal travel day (Ottawa -> Denver -> Chicago -> San Jose), there were no signs of fatigue by the time she ran in to meet her grandson. Here's a quick video with a very focused Ryan (dealing with gas as usual) as Carol watches closely.

Thank You Guma!

On Wednesday Carol's aunt returned to Phoenix. Over the past 6 weeks she has been a tremendous help to us and we're really going to miss her.

Thanks for all of your support, words of wisdom, and great cooking Guma!

Fortunately she cooked quite a few dishes for us before she left. I'm actually enjoying a bowl of her chicken soup as I write this post!

Here are few highlights from her visit...

Cooking up another great dinner:


















Taking care of Mom and baby:


















Making dumplings for guests:









Our first night out for dinner with Ryan in Palo Alto:

A Busy Week

Sorry for not posting in almost a week. We had some Internet issues at home and I've been busy preparing for a conference. Ryan and Carol are doing great. As of this morning he's a little over 9.5 lbs and eating and sleeping well. Actually, he seems to sleep better during the day right now so we need to keep working on switching that up. Here are a few pictures of the two of us hanging out over the past week or so...