James is 2 Months Old 2011

James is two months old! In the last month, James has started cooing regularly, smiling more, giggling (a bit). He says "coo," "goo," and a variant "a-goo" regularly. When he's hungry, sometimes he says, "meh." He makes some other random noises sporadically. I am looking forward to his first words, but Kevin insists that he has already said his first word as he interprets "coo" as "coup" as in "coup d'état." I hope James is not planning our overthrow, though given my family history perhaps this would not be unexpected.

He can bat at the toys on his "activity gym" in a way that may or may not be intentional, but since he didn't do it before, we're going to go ahead and give him the benefit of the doubt. He can't grab and clasp items yet, though.

He enjoys bathtime except that he hates having his hair or face rinsed of soap. He prefers to drink from the bottle during the daytime, which is a hassle. He goes to bed between 7:30-8:30 p.m. now, which is a huge improvement from 11 p.m. in the first month. He wakes up for the day at 5:30 a.m. He sleeps in his crib at night (since the third day he was home) but won't for naptime. He is still the boss of us.

His interest in screaming has not waned, but on the days that I force naps on him the most, he seems most peaceful. Forcing a baby to nap is hard, so oftentimes he wins that battle of wills.

One thing is clear, though. James is already learning to smile for pictures. Did any of you expect any less from me?

James at 2 Months Old

James left newborn clothing at around 5-6 weeks old. He now wears "0-3 months," "3 months" and "3-6 months" clothing, but "0-3 months" and "3 months" are getting tight on him. They fit on his body but I need to stretch them to snap them so I'm thinking it has more to do with his length. He is still too small for outfits labeled "6 months"

Janice visits James again (7 weeks + 5 days)

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Mom with James in upstate New York (8 weeks + 3 days)


With me outside our place

Since the weeks and the months don't quite align, James is also 9 weeks old today.

Father's Day 2011

On Saturday, my mother, Kevin, and I honored my father's last wish.  Sunday, I took the nighttime feedings and let Kevin sleep as late as he wanted.  I also had a series of treats for him throughout the day.  But ultimately, I had to crash and nap for a while, so Kevin and James still got to spend lots of quality time today.  I know that James is only (almost) two months old, but so far, Kevin is the best father ever.  He takes care of James, plays with him, listens to him, and tries to teach him (where his hands are).  In the future, I can see a bond forming between the two of them not just based on genes, but on mutual respect and a sense of fun. I love you both very much.

Kevin and James in the hospital (2 days old)


Relaxing, One week old


Snuggling and freaking out, 13 days


Helping with a sore tummy, 25 days


Winning! at a BBQ, 40 days


Looking at Daddy, 6 weeks + 1 day


Naptime, 7 weeks + 2 days


Fathers' Day 2011 (8 weeks + 4 days)

Girls' Night- June 2011

At Kevin's encouragement, I have started going out with friends again on my own. Thank goodness! Janice was visiting this week so we all got together for dinner and drinks in Manhattan. We met up at Christina's in the Wall Street area, close to where Janice was staying for work. Then we walked over to Nelson Blue a yummy New Zealand-themed restaurant. Perhaps because we had contemplated going to a Spanish tapas place before selecting the Kiwi restaurant instead of ordering entrees we ordered every appetizer and side on the menu and shared. So delicious. And the Kiwi panty-puller martini is amazing.

Sadly, because the restaurant has outside seating with wide doors to the inside a mosquito found me and today I have 33 bug bites on my legs. I was indoors!

Pre-dinner drinks at Christina's


Post-dinner at Nelson Blue in South Street Seaport

Diary of an Angry Pink Baby #2: Drinking Problem 2011

James is growing so fast. He went from a giant baby to a somewhat longer giant baby. After having him remeasured, one of his doctors worried if James was eating too much. She was only being polite, though. What she meant is that James is DRINKING too much.

There are at least twenty reasons why I'm worried James has a drinking problem:

1) Drinks until he can't keep all of the liquid in his mouth.

2) Passes out while drinking

3) Urinates himself

4) Unhappy when not drinking

5) Rapturously happy while drinking

6) Happy, chatty, even flirty immediately after drinking

7) Sullen and distant when effects of drink wear off

8) Moody to the point where there are "two Jameses": the lovable coquette and screaming madman

9) Stares at women's chests

10) Licks women's blouses

11) Irish

12) Throws up on himself

13) Throws up on the people closest to him

14) Throws up on strangers

15) Never apologizes for his behavior

16) Acts, in the morning, like nothing happened

17) Has few interests beyond drinking

18) Averages eight bottles a day

19) Sleeps through much of the day

20) Rarely bothers to put on pants

Unfortunately, James shows no sign of letting up! You can't talk to him about it because he doesn't understand language. We're going to have to wait, at least, until he understands what his hands are. But I worry those hands will only be facilitators.

Belmont Stakes and Clous Visit 2011

The Clous!

What an exciting weekend! James's uncle Andrew planned to visit us as soon as he was done with his Masters program, and based on our schedules and convenient flights we thought it would be fun for his trip to coincide with the Belmont Stakes. Since Andrew lives in Florida and we don't get to see him often, Kevin and Andrew's mom decided to come visit at the same time. She stayed and babysat James while we all enjoyed the horse races. The Belmont Stakes are a big deal in our town, so the day before we had fun little street fair here.

Uncle Andrew meets James (at 7 weeks)


At the local street fair

We started our gambling day with mimosas and bagels at our house. Then we put on our most ridiculous hats and walked over to the horsies. We got there in time for five races before the big race of the day. I put a $2 bet on the winner of the first race, but then Kevin taught me about Exacta bets where you pick the winner and the second place for the chance to win more money (because your odds go down). Brady taught me about Exacta Box bets which are really two bets on a winner and a second place horse or the two horses in the other order. With Exacta bets I was able to lose cash more efficiently. Meanwhile, Andrew stuck to regular bets and quietly won the most money of anyone there. Hm.

Mimosas and bagels at our place


Everyone headed to the race + James - surprise guest Brady


Off to the races!


Outdoor area at Belmont Stakes


In the grandstand, after losing a bunch of money on races, beer, and food

This weekend was also the first time that Christina, Dan, and Brady met baby James. Christina brought the baby these awesome socks that look like shoes that I wish they had for adults (for use at carpeted job places). And Brady, well Brady got our child a boomerang. Seriously.

Dan and Christina meet James for the first time


Brady meets James

If you're still keeping track, James is 8 weeks now!

Wedding Readings 2009

In honor of our anniversary and for posterity, I wanted to post the readings from our wedding.

During the ceremony Janice read part of a poem I selected in 2007 while Kevin and I were in Florida for Megan and Ed's wedding. We were staying with Kevin's brother Andrew and I was killing some time online when I found the poem. Kevin hadn't actually proposed yet, so I put the poem in my back pocket. The poem turned out to be prophetic. Janice agreed it was almost spooky how the poem fit by the time it was read in 2009, but since then, the poem fits even better. Except this: I went to East Hampton, not Kevin; I have yet to wear sunglasses in Balboa Park; and Kevin has yet to rake leaves in Ithaca. But we'll see what the future brings.

From "When a Woman Loves a Man"
by David Lehman

When she says margarita she means daiquiri.
When she says quixotic she means mercurial.
And when she says, "I'll never speak to you again,"
she means, "Put your arms around me from behind
as I stand disconsolate at the window."

He's supposed to know that.

When a man loves a woman he is in New York and she is in Virginia
or he is in Boston, writing, and she is in New York, reading,
or she is wearing a sweater and sunglasses in Balboa Park and he is raking leaves in Ithaca
or he is driving to East Hampton and she is standing disconsolate
at the window overlooking the bay
where a regatta of many-colored sails is going on
while he is stuck in traffic on the Long Island Expressway.

When a woman loves a man it is one ten in the morning
she is asleep he is watching the ball scores and eating pretzels
drinking lemonade
and two hours later he wakes up and staggers into bed
where she remains asleep and very warm.

My mother read a poem in Spanish, that I loved, but she said sounded a bit "stalkerish" to her. It's romantic! Not stalkerish.

Quiero decirte algo
by Nestor Oscar Morris

Yo creo que lo sabes pero igual te lo digo,
quisiera ser tu sombra, por eso te persigo,
quisiera ser la almohada que acompañe tus sueños,
ser el acto oportuno y apoyar tus empeños.
Quisiera estar contigo cuando mas lo requieras,
cuando te sientas sola, cuando sufras esperas.
Quisiera ser el balsamo que calme tus dolores
y detener tus lagrimas en cada vez que llores.

Yo creo que lo sabes pero igual te lo digo,
te quiero como a nadie y Dios es mi testigo.

Translation: 
I think you know, but I'll tell you just the same,
I'd like to be your shadow, that's why I follow you,
I'd like to be the pillow that accompanies your dreams,
be the opportune act and support your desires.
I'd like to be with you when you most need it,
when you feel alone, when you suffer hopes.
I'd like to be the balm that soothes your pain
and stop your tears every time you cry.

I think you know, but I'll tell you just the same,
I love you like no one else and my witness is God.

Finally, Briggs read a poem that Kevin selected. This one turned out to be my favorite.

somewhere i have never traveled, gladly beyond
by e. e. cummings

somewhere i have never traveled, gladly beyond
any experience, your eyes have their silence:
in your most frail gesture are things which enclose me,
or which i cannot touch because they are too near

your slightest look will easily unclose me
though i have closed myself as fingers,
you open always petal by petal myself as Spring opens
(touching skillfully,mysteriously)her first rose

or if your wish be to close me, i and
my life will shut very beautifully, suddenly,
as when the heart of this flower imagines
the snow carefully everywhere descending;

nothing which we are to perceive in this world equals
the power of your intense fragility: whose texture
compels me with the color of its countries,
rendering death and forever with each breathing

(i do not know what it is about you that closes
and opens;only something in me understands
the voice of your eyes is deeper than all roses)
nobody, not even the rain, has such small hands

Our 2nd Wedding Anniversary 2011

Kevin and I celebrated our second wedding anniversary on Monday.  Last year, we went to Niagara Falls to celebrate a week early during Memorial Day Weekend. Then on the actual day of our anniversary we went to the Brooklyn Bridge Park, smashed our wedding wine bottle guestbook, and then ate some famous Grimaldi's pizza. (Note: Because of my guestbook idea that post was added to some wedding search engine, so the post is by far our most popular with hundreds of hits.)

This year, and I might have mentioned this somewhere here, we had a baby on our hands, so we had to tone it down. Besides, we had our night of dressing up, dinner, and dancing on the night of the Kosmidis wedding two days earlier. So Kevin and I celebrated by taking a family walk in our town's bird sanctuary garden, taking some photos, and ordering copious amounts of sushi for dinner. James did not cooperate by being happy or quiet, but he's making up for it today by being the angel baby he always is when we leave him with someone else.

Taken by James (well, the automatic propped up on his stroller)

Since James was so good, I had an opportunity to scan photos for the first time since I was pregnant. Some of you know how happy such a thing makes me. The first thing I scanned was a few more guestbook messages I couldn't find last year, and look, my friend Cate's message was prescient of life after our first anniversary when we opened the bottle.  I was pregnant for much of the last year of our marriage, and Kevin got MLB.TV a streaming television application so he can watch Red Sox games that aren't on the networks in our area. Um-hum, lots of baby, and lots of Red Sox.

Cate's message in a bottle for our first anniversary

On a more serious note, it's difficult to express how my love and respect for my husband has grown over the past year because of his incredible support during the illness and death of my father, and during my long and tiring pregnancy. And also, now, watching him be the most amazing father ever to our baby. You can watch all the Red Sox you want, honey.

Teresa and John's Wedding 2011

Teresa and John during their first dance

Saturday we went to the first wedding we've been able to attend since James was born. My friend Teresa married her boyfriend of many years at the Bronx Zoo. Teresa wore one of the most spectacular wedding dresses I have ever seen at a wedding I've attended.  It was both attractive to her form, and artistically exciting.  My theory on wedding dresses is that it should first of all make the bride look good (obviously), but the second most important thing is that it not be a dress you could get away with wearing to a fancy cocktail party because you could wear that dress some other time.  Your wedding is your chance to bring it, and Teresa definitely brought it.

The Bronx Zoo was also a really cool venue.  The ceremony took place outside in a beautiful garden, and then cocktail hour was inside the Lemur house, Madagascar exhibit. The reception hall was beautifully decorated with flowers and clear vases that gave the illusion of jungle vines, and each table was named for a zoo animal. Congratulations on a beautiful wedding day and on your new marriage, Teresa and John!

The outdoor ceremony

Cocktail hour in the lemur house

The lemurs

With Teresa

The seals during cocktail hour

Inside the reception hall

I LOVE this! Kevin and I also have laser beam photos but mine is NOT cute.

Peacock wedding cake (plus penguin, monkey, and seal)

Me and Kevin at the wedding, and 2 days before our second anniversary

P.S. My friends Rachel and Tim graciously babysat 1-month-old James, whom they knew from the blog to be a little terror. Just to make me seem silly though he behaved really well for them. Maybe James is just a very polite baby in public, and saves his bad behavior for his private life? James had a great time snacking and sleeping and apparently playing catch with Rachel and Tim's son Isaac. I think their version of catch involves Isaac throwing a ball at James's face, and Tim diving to save James's face from impact. James will be playing baseball in no time at all.

James's Progress and Memorial Day 2011

Memorial Day BBQ at Jon and Becky's place in Brooklyn

Milestones: James is smiling more and I think he actually giggled at my mom on Memorial Day.  Since then I think I've heard him giggle a few more times. It's tough to differentiate for some of the random noises he makes. James and I also hit the six-week mark on Wednesday, which is considered a significant point post-birth for both of us. We both had doctor's appointments, and we both got good marks on recovery.  James has gained a lot of weight and grew in inches too (see below).

James also went to Brooklyn for the first time on Memorial Day. That means it was his first time in New York City, though he still hasn't been to Manhattan.

Memorial Day BBQ at Jon and Becky's place in Brooklyn

James rocking his outdoor BBQ-look, 5 weeks and 5 days

James meeting Mike

Meeting Becky

Baby-size: The baby was born at 9 pounds 12 ounces and 21 inches long. At his six-week appointment he was 12 pounds and 2 ounces and 24 inches long! Holy big baby! I'm pretty sure there are many three-month old babies this size.
Weight: I stopped doing this category because I stagnated at -23 pounds. I still have to lose 20. I'll update only if there's something exciting happening here.

James is 6 weeks now!

James Has More Visitors- May 2011

During the week, Janice and Darren dropped by to meet the baby. I made sure to put him in his Red Sox onesie for Janice.

Janice meets James!

 
Darren imitating James

Over the weekend my mother and the Burkes stayed over simultaneously and we watched a Bloods and Crips documentary. Hilarity ensued. Sarah also gave him an awesome rocking chair she painted herself. The rocking chair has a train on it with the cars representing James's roots: American, Cuban, and Irish.

Unwrapping the train rocking chair

Mom and James dressed in my dad's uniform: gray t-shirt and khaki shorts

Sarah soothing a grumpy James