August 2007 Archives
Wow,
this is the longest I've gone without posting since I started
Samantha's site! Go figure, it's also my first week back to
"work" - I have taken on a couple of small writing gigs.
Apparently my baby is the figurative "barefoot cobbler's child".
Her website is the only one I've neglected. I'll try to
make up for it with a full-length post today.I forgot to point out last week that Samantha is now five months old - one month for each WEEK she originally spent in the NICU. I can't believe how quickly the time passes. It really seemed like we were there forever, and now it's just a (very unpleasant) distant memory.
Samantha and parents had a great time last weekend. Auntie Caroline and Uncle Barry came to visit. We got to spend lots of time looking at their wedding plans and ideas. It's going to be a spectacular wedding (but moderately priced, if you're looking, Papa).
Uncle Barry is a natural with Samantha (of course, he's had some practice with his brother's kids). By the way, the burp cloth was Samantha's choice, not Barry's.
It was so much fun to have them here, and VERY hard to see them go. They spoiled us rotten. Caroline made a fabulous dinner on Saturday, and they brought movies, bocce ball, and some really good treats from Woody's Smokehouse in Centerville, Texas. Apparently, this is a mandatory side-trip if you are ever en route between Dallas and Houston on I-45. Mmmm. Jerky.
Look, baby, no hands!
Over the weekend, Samantha reached the point of true tummy time play, using both hands to play with her toys. She also made a go at learning to drink from a sippy cup.
Her physical therapists, pediatrician, and neurosurgeon have all recently commented on the improvement in her eyes - she now gets compliments on them when we are out and about! How miraculous is it, to go from continuous downgaze to "Wow, your daughter has gorgeous eyes." I can't even verbalize how terrific that feels.
She still loves that bouncy seat - she even loves "standing" up and checking out the toys from other anges.
For
the grandparents and others with a very deep interest in Samantha,
here's a video of her first meal. It actually went pretty
smoothly, so it's not as funny as it might have been. Mom
emerges unscathed, and Samantha actually ends up with some rice cereal
in her cute little tummy.
Dial-Up Version
High Speed Version
I am posting this video exactly one week to the day from her first meal. She's been eating fairly well, so today we started her on oatmeal, her second food. In this photo she is eagerly anticipating her breakfast.
Meanwhile, Samantha is enjoying standing with (lots of) support. She seems very interested in new angles on her toys (and, in this case, a better angle for chewing).
Dial-Up Version
High Speed Version
I am posting this video exactly one week to the day from her first meal. She's been eating fairly well, so today we started her on oatmeal, her second food. In this photo she is eagerly anticipating her breakfast.
Meanwhile, Samantha is enjoying standing with (lots of) support. She seems very interested in new angles on her toys (and, in this case, a better angle for chewing).
Thanks, Daddy! I needed that bath!
Samantha
visited her neurosurgeon yesterday, and he had great news!
Not
only does she appear to be free of any malformations requiring surgery,
her ventricles (the pockets in the brain that are enlarged in her case)
are starting to assume a bit more of a normal shape. The
neurosurgeon believes that this is due to reduction in pressure in the
ventricles and a very good sign of recovery. Go Sam!
Samantha visited our neighbor Karen on Tuesday. She had a wonderful time, and Karen gave her a crinkly caterpillar almost as long as she is when she's sitting down. Samantha is pretty sure she will be able to fit the whole thing in her mouth given a few more days to work on it. (Marcel and Diane, check out her pretty dress from Argentina!)
And, she showed her proud Daddy how well she can sit up with a little help. Can you believe how big this girl is getting?
Samantha visited our neighbor Karen on Tuesday. She had a wonderful time, and Karen gave her a crinkly caterpillar almost as long as she is when she's sitting down. Samantha is pretty sure she will be able to fit the whole thing in her mouth given a few more days to work on it. (Marcel and Diane, check out her pretty dress from Argentina!)
And, she showed her proud Daddy how well she can sit up with a little help. Can you believe how big this girl is getting?
Wow
- now that I know how to download photos from the phone, I'm going to
be dangerous!
Here's a test photo of Samantha in her car seat. Does it look to you like her eyes are turning green?
Here's the gift Carl will be giving me when we strike it rich (don't ask me how):
Here's the photo I promised of the Porsche that was in '66 Le Mans (parked next to my strike-it-rich gift).
My little Audi is currently being worked on in the same shop. I think she's out of her league.
In Samantha-related news, Samantha hit a new milestone today, to "squeal in delight". So far, the only thing proven to elicit this delightful response is noisy kisses on her tummy.
Here's a test photo of Samantha in her car seat. Does it look to you like her eyes are turning green?
Here's the gift Carl will be giving me when we strike it rich (don't ask me how):
Here's the photo I promised of the Porsche that was in '66 Le Mans (parked next to my strike-it-rich gift).
My little Audi is currently being worked on in the same shop. I think she's out of her league.
In Samantha-related news, Samantha hit a new milestone today, to "squeal in delight". So far, the only thing proven to elicit this delightful response is noisy kisses on her tummy.
Samantha
had a doctor's visit last week and we learned that she is now 13 lbs,
10 oz - exactly the 50th percentile for her age group. She is
25
inches long (75th percentile). Her head circumference is
still in
the 97th percentile, but I am just grateful that it's no longer off the
chart. This weekend, we took her to an auto repair shop, where she got
to see some very cool cars - a gorgeous restored Cobra and a Porsche
that ran in the 1966 Le Mans. We'll see if I can figure out
how to
get the pictures off my phone... stay tuned.
Oh, and Sam had some professional photos done again. You can see them at http://www.photographybymg.com. Warning: Turn off the sound unless you want your cube-mates to know you're not hard at work... Go to the clients section, select Samantha's photo, and enter samantha to get in. You'll be able to see them there until August 10.
On their last visit, Auntie Caroline and Uncle Barry brought Samantha a real superhero outfit. She does, we all know, have superpowers as a result of her early struggles. As you can see, she wears it well - but even Wonder Baby needs to take a nap with daddy now and then.
Last but not least, Samantha is mastering the fine art of TUMMY TIME!
Oh, and we do still have two cats. They asked to be included, since they are otherwise getting no love.
Oh, and Sam had some professional photos done again. You can see them at http://www.photographybymg.com. Warning: Turn off the sound unless you want your cube-mates to know you're not hard at work... Go to the clients section, select Samantha's photo, and enter samantha to get in. You'll be able to see them there until August 10.
On their last visit, Auntie Caroline and Uncle Barry brought Samantha a real superhero outfit. She does, we all know, have superpowers as a result of her early struggles. As you can see, she wears it well - but even Wonder Baby needs to take a nap with daddy now and then.
Last but not least, Samantha is mastering the fine art of TUMMY TIME!
Oh, and we do still have two cats. They asked to be included, since they are otherwise getting no love.
