Smiles

Bit by bit (and ounce by ounce), Niels becomes less newborn and more little boy...obviously there's a long way to go, but his face is changing a bit and we are finally getting smiles out of him more often. It's a bit odd though, quite often his smiles transition immediately to screaming; I think he finds engaging with the world to be a disappointing experience.

What, you think I'm going to smile for that camera?


Ooooh, that ceiling is fascinating


Whee, fat cheeks!


Bouncing in the lap is good too


Yee-ha


Relaxing after excitement in a vibrating chair


There must be something interesting to look at over there


Seeing the world

Now with 25% more baby!

We went to the doctor for a checkup again today. Another four weeks, and almost another three pounds for Niels...so he's added a quarter of himself and is over 14 lbs at two months.

Time keeps rolling along and the extended California summer is waning, but we've been getting better about taking field trips. Last Saturday we had a lovely expedition to Oakland for a chicken and waffle brunch followed by visiting friends in the suburbs.

On Wednesday, we decided to ditch town for the day, down to Half Moon Bay. It was later pointed out to us that almost the entire day consisted of feeding, alternating between baby and parents. As soon as we got to the town, we went for tea, then we fed Niels in a parking lot. Next we grabbed coffee and cake and took a long walk around town. Then it was off to lunch, where we dwadled afterwards to feed him again. On to a post-prandial stroll around the harbor for a while. Then we had a leisurely beer before driving home. And let me tell you, was the boy starving by the time we got back.

Walking


Not walking


Slinging


Hello


Goodbye

Live from St. Louis

Last weekend (okay, we're a touch late posting), we took the first big family trip out to St. Louis. We were there to attend a memorial service for Tara's grandmother, who passed away just a few days after Niels, her third great-grandchild, was born.

The airplane trip started out poorly, with details I shan't go into here, but Niels settled in well and slept the whole way once we got in the air. Once in St. Louis, he was a perfect little angel--we think the humidity made him a bit dopey. And he got to meet all sorts of new relatives.

At the ol' homestead


Grandpa and Uncle JoeB


Aunt Heather and Uncle Pete


The exciting Zoo Train


Nap time

Also, while we were there, Tara pulled out her old baby pictures. I was pretty amazed how much baby Tara looks like baby Niels...much more so than she looks like adult Tara.

Newly born and almost as much hair as Niels


With her jawline obscured, I would've thought this was Niels


Tara with her Mom and Deirdre

Another week goes by

Walking at the beach


Walking in the park


More food!

Enormosity

We went to doctor last week and, while we knew Niels was becoming a rather "husky" baby, were stunned by the numbers. He grew 3 1/3 lbs and 3 inches in the four weeks between visits to the doctor. So he was at 11 lb, 4 oz last Friday; at this rate he must be pushing 12 by now--eep.

A few things are starting to not fit, but not too many...except on his feet. The boy seems to have gotten the Burns family feet (which, oddly, I don't have...I have perfectly normal feet). We actually had an ultrasound technician tell us he had big feet in utero...and now evidence is showing that he fits the 0-6 mo far better than the 0-3 mo socks. It'll be interesting to see if it's just a fluke, or if he'll be ordering custom shoes like his grandfather.

Are we going somewhere?


These distractions don't impress me


"Giddy up!"


A little perspective distortion to emphasize the feet


Not a real smile yet, but still cute

A Month Old!

We've all survived a month together. We wished Niels a happy birthday, and celebrated by leaving the boy with his Grammy and going out to dinner with friends.

Perplexed


Distracted


Meeting Grammy


Out in the neighborhood


Check out the Swedish mouse shoes

Aunties Aweigh!

The visit of Aunt and Uncle D and D continued. Right after they went home, Aunt Heather came for the weekend. Everybody wants to come meet Niels it seems.

We're pretty well settled into our routine now. Life is pleasant tho' a bit dull. The Olympics couldn't have come at a better time as far as we are concerned, although one of these days I suppose I'll need to find a new job.

Aunt Deirdre and Cousin Maile coo over Niels


Aunt Heather


Just Mom, how boring


Bright eyes

Sniffles no more

Niels and I struggled through a cold for a few days, although we are both over it now. The poor little guy was so unhappy and just slept most of the time--when he could breathe at least. But now that he's better he's suddenly way more aware; he's starting to lose the fresh-from-the oven look. He also has been crazy mad hungry today; look for more growth ahead. We've also had a busy week with an aunt, uncle and cousin in the house with us.

Hello world!


Cousin Maile says hi


This "outdoor" thing is bright


Niels helps pick tomatoes


A real boy

Social Life

It was a busy weekend of folks visiting and meeting Niels. And then our last few days have been busy trying (and failing) to catch up on everything that has been sliding for the past two weeks. But Tara's sister is coming in tonight with her family in tow to help us out. Meanwhile, it's hard to believe two weeks have passed, yet the birth seems forever ago.

The label says it all


Who is this "Uncle" Chris guy?


Out for dim sum


Nonplussed by more visitors


Scenic strolling (not that Niels bothered to wake up)

Dopiness and Naming

Not too much new to say, but Niels is definitely becoming a bit more aware. The doctor made the point that for the first week, babies are a bit "dopey." In fact, I think that yesterday was the first time that his eyes where truly wide open--I keep staring at them trying to figure out what color they are going to be eventually.

So people out there have been asking where his name comes from. Basically, we wanted to have a Scandinavian name since Tara has a lot of Swedish (and some Norwegian) heritage. Going through names, I just always liked the sound of Niels. Although that is the Danish spelling, we felt that the Swedish spelling, Nils, doesn't fit into English as well. And, admittedly, I've always been a fan of Niels Bohr. The name was pushed over the edge when we realized that Niels is a variation of Nicholas, which is a name that has a lot of meaning in Tara's family. As for his middle name, Christiensen, that was the maiden name of Tara's great grandmother.

Oh, and a question for readers out there: we got a cute "Peanut Shell" sling in the mail from somebody, but we don't know who sent it to us. Any clues?

Who you lookin' at?


What IS that washcloth doing?


The stroller still wipes him out


I've been eating well


Eyes open


Cozy blankets