the blue eyed brown bear

so I didn't get G a Halloween costume, because I didn't think it was a necessary expense. But, I did see this brown fuzzy thing with ears at costco last time I was there getting the important family stuff, like diaper wipes and diet coke. I had to get it, because really, if we go out in the stroller we pretty much have to put him in a sleeper and put some blankets on him. I figured he needed something a little more substantial. I don't think Seattle winters merit a baby snow suit or anything drastic like that, but something warm and fuzzy would be good. I know it's bordering on the "pink nightmare" of a bunny suit from A Christmas Story, and someday G will be embarrassed of pictures of him in this, BUT how could I resist?

So, happy halloween.

'tis the season to be voting

Monday we took the G-man to the King County elections office and did our early voting. Amos and I have always voted the day of since we moved here, but this time we decided to just be safe and get the votes banked. G decided it would be a good time to poop his pants (AWESOME!)

There was a modest line relative to the stories you hear about in Florida and other parts of the country. I suppose it's because nearly everyone votes by mail. Oregon does it all like that, but there are two counties in Washington that still vote at the polls (at least for this election, but this is the last). So, we're kind of the freaks voting at the polls in these parts. I don't know, I think all of the people that like it are transplants from the midwest and east who like that feeling of "going to vote." (not saying all transplants like it, just that those who like it are transplants).

Anyway, it felt good to darken those bubbles for Barack. We also got to vote on the Assisted Suicide thing (just like Oregon's is how it is billed--we were pro). Then there was another thing to raise some money to fix the Public Market. And, a couple of other road & public transportations initiatives/tax measures.

Oh, and then there was the superintendent of public schools. I had mixed emotions on this one. I heard the two candidates have a discussion on NPR here, and I just wasn't impressed with the challenger, but the incumbent has really pushed this state testing thing (not necessarily all her fault) so she is unpopular. The challenger talked about math as "calculation" and that bugged me. I think that's a pretty narrow view of what math is all about. But, I always check the state education associations endorsements, because it's always good to go with the teachers. They endorsed the challenger. I was torn about which to support. On the one hand I felt like this guy sounded like he was running on an anti-incumbent platform. He didn't really talk too much about his own ideas, he spent more time attacking hers. It reminded me of an Obama McCain debate. I had to check a paper's endorsement to see what they thought as a tie-breaker.

Anyway, it's kind of hard to be an informed voter some times. Do you all have any interesting places you check for endorsements that you trust? Oh, we also look at the local indie paper's recs when we go to vote, because they're so liberal!

update! BTW, the campaign is giving away a cool shirt with every donation over $5 (they've done this a lot, but this is a NEW one, it's has a nice message.)

cool chilean knits for g

Friday night we got to go over to dinner at Adonis and Rali's. Adonis' mom, Libby, is in town for a month or so visiting from Chile and we always love getting to see her. When you meet her you see right away where Adonis gets his personality--she's witty, warm and very generous. She brought back some cool knits for G. He has a lovely sweater with a hood and zipper, that he will need to grow into a bit. I'm so excited for him to be able to wear it, because it is so darn cute. Its hood has a tassel on it. It will be perfect for a fall jacket and is very warm. He will look so cute in it.

He also got the cutest hat, with ear flaps and ties for under the chin and a long tassel. We tried it on on Sunday when we were thinking about going to see Joe Biden. A bout of constipation kept us from going, but if we had, G would have been toasty warm in his cute new hat.

Adonis and Rali also had her pick up a charango for Amos. It is beautiful (I'll take a picture later, when Amos sets it down). He can already play it, because it is tuned like a uke that has an extra set of E strings. It's what he was playing in mom's birthday video. The instrument is made-to-order of a single piece of wood. These are not tourists' toy instruments like the tons of ukes you see in Hawaii--this is for musicians, and the craftsmanship is impressive. It has a great sound, but with 10 strings takes a while to tune. The wife of the man who makes the instruments also makes cases for each of them that he sells, so Amos has this cool little case that holds it when he's not strumming away.

Thanks for all the cool stuff, guys! We're lucky to have friends like you.

happy birthday, grandmom!

Today is my mom's birthday. One thing you should know about her is that she loves music and has a lovely voice. When I was growing up the two of us spent many hours sitting at the piano with a song book ("great songs of the sixties", or "hits of the seventies"). She would play any song I wanted and we would sing. It was so much fun, and I loved doing it. (She could play Bohemian Rhapsody, no problem.) Mom most definitely shared her love of music with me, and it is one of the most important things in my life. So, on her birthday, there is no more fitting tribute than a birthday song (albeit one that was recorded early in the morning with so-so singing). Amos is playing his newest instrument, a charango that Rali and Adonis had Adonis' mom, Libby bring back from Chile (more about it later). Garrison, is of course the star of the video, doing what he likes to do best these days, stand.

We hope you have a wonderful day, Mom! Thanks for all the sing-a-longs, shopping trips, long talks, sage advice, great meals, beautiful mom-sewn dresses, hugs and kisses, being there when G was born and all-around awesome life you've given me. I'm looking forward to many more years of sing-a-longs with you. (I love you sooooo much, and wish I could give you a big hug and kiss in person.)

baby in doggie sleeper eyes sleepy doggie

4 month doctor appt.

Today we took G in for his 4 month well baby appointment. This is our first appointment since we found out about the Lah-ring-o as Amos like to call G's laryngomalacia. HIs stats for today were impressive. Because of the laryngomalacia we have to watch his weight, As long as he's gaining well he won't have to have surgery. He weighed 13 lbs 12 oz and jumped to the 30th percentile in his weight (last time we went in, at 3 months, he was 11 lbs 8 oz and was in the 19th percentile). He was in the 33rd percentile when he was born, so he's getting back to where he started, which is good). To the right is a graph of his weight over time (in months).His head was 17" around, and he's about 24.5 inches long (I say about, because he's a squirmy guy and hard to get measured accurately). We'll go in every 2 weeks or so for weighings to make sure he's gaining well.

Dr. Okorn made a big fuss over him, and he was at his flirtiest. He got to do all his tricks for her to make sure he's developing well, and she said he looks great. His eye contact is excellent. No flat head, probably because he's held so much--he certainly doesn't want for attention. He also got some shots, and the nurse was really quick. He came home ate and decided to crash.

Here's a look at what G's up to these days.
+he's really into blankets and fabric. He scrunches them up and grabs onto clothes.
+he occasionally sucks his right thumb. The rest of his fingers wave around while he does it.
+no head lag on baby sit up
+hates tummy time, but loves to lay on his tummy on mom's or dad's chest.
+great head control, can almost use ergo without infant insert, just a little bit longer legs would help.
+he's into grabbing his ankles and calves.
+is into laughing.
+seems to be trying to figure out how to imitate mom and dad doing raspberries (can't quite get it).
+goes to bed sometime around 8:30 or 9 and sleeps to 3:30-4:30ish.
+is getting good at using his two hands together, but he's still a little stiff
+seems to be drooly, and likes to bite on your knuckle--teething?!
+can stand up with support (has hardly any remaining walking reflex, like they have as newborns).
+wants to try to hold his bottle
+is not too fond of baths
+cries with tears (oh, it's just agonizing to see!)
+fits into most 3-6 month clothes (although I'm sad to report that his dancing robots onesie, a 3-6 mos, is too small!!)

Funny Friday

Here are amos and g laughing together during A's lunch. The first time I heard him laugh was Sept. 19, but he didn't really laugh for an extended time, like when he giggles in this video. The giggling is probably a week-old trick.

what's new in G-town--BIG DIAPERS

My butt is officially too big for the little diapers!














So, we got the next size. They're much bigger. (see the old ones with the green stitching on top of the new ones).













And we had to get new covers to accommodate the big diapers.













now I can sleep longer. Everyone is happy about that. Oh, and check out my sweet socks. (thanks Kay and Jack!)


And, happy birthday Unkie Wes!

did you see that?! ILL 45 UMich 20

G and I had our doubts in the first quarter, but we looked good the rest of the game. First time since 1999 we've won in the BIG HOUSE. G says "Go Illinois!" (sorry Unkie Tom!)

G is serious...about eating.

From g's fourth month