DadLabs

While browsing the internets last night I came upon this Hi-Larious video by the guys at DadLabs, a parenting site for dads. They do a lot of product testing (like the diaper pail sniff test) and discuss Dad-related parenting issues (how to feel like a man while driving a minivan). Check it out, they're pretty funny.

What's up Doc? Nine Month Appt.

I took Lauren for her 9 month check up today. I thought she was going to get more vaccinations but turns out she only had to get a blood test. There was still poking involved, but at least I won't have to worry about fevers or anything for the next 24 hours.

Lauren started crying as soon as her doc walked into the room. Her poor doc...he's very gentle and mild mannered so I don't know how she could be scared of him, he tried hard to console her but after no success he ended up doing her checkup with her in my harms. He was generally pleased with her health, although he did note that she was a little underweight, plus she was sick so she's still recovering from that. He said we could give her vitamins but thinks she's just so active and that could explain why she isn't gaining so much. The rest of her growth is on track though so he says not to worry. She's also developed a small lump on her wrist that he says is a synovial cyst (collection of fluid in the joints) that should go away on its own unless it impedes the range of motion of her wrist or causes pain. In that case, it will have to be removed.
Her stats:
Head: 42.1 cm
Length: 26 Inches
Weight 16 lbs. 7 ounces

Word of the Week

Last week it was "deedledeeedledeeedleedee" This week she's saying "beckumbeckumbeckum". It almost sounds like she's saying Beckham...as in David Beckham the soccer player. Peter tried to get her to say something more fitting for our New England Sports Obsessed household. Their conversation went something like this:
Lauren: Beckham Beckham Beckham
Peter: No Beckham. Say "KG."
Lauren: Beckham Beckham.
Peter: Say "Manny."
Lauren: Beckham.
Peter: How about "Big Papi." Come on..."Big Papi!"
Lauren: Beckham Beckham. Beckham.
Peter: Alright then, how about "Beat LA! Beat LA! Beat LA!"
Lauren: BECKHAM! BECKHAM!

Peter's given up. Not to worry, there will be a new word or sound next week. Hopefully it'll sound something like "Celtics Win!"

UPDATE: Lauren's "Beckham" has evolved into something like "Beckhamooohh" and I realize now what she's trying to say. "PEEKABOO!" I threw a blanket over her head and she pulled it down to reveal a big gummy smile and a "BEKUM..OOOO!!!"

First word? Or coincidence?

Baby Steals

I'm known amongst my friends and family to be a good shopper...I'm talking about bargain shopping here. I love me a good deal! I've just a found a cool new website called BabySteals.com that will be my obsession from now on. It's kind of like Woot.com for the mommy set. Every day, a new deal is posted, and a baby item is for sale at a deep discount. They sell that same item until they run out so you'd better get in there quick. New deals are posted every morning at 9 AM (MST). Payment is through Google checkout and shipping is very reasonable. I recently scored a pair of BabyLegs at 50% off for 6$. woohoo! I'm adding it my click list on the left if anyone wants to check it out.

Happy Birthday Ate Keilah!

Lauren's cousin Keilah turns sweet sixteen today. I used to change Keilah's diapers. I'm old.

PS. The word "Ate" (A'-teh) is a title placed in front of someone's name that means "Older sister (or relative, or close friend)." Kuya is the male version. I grew up using it, I call my sister Ate Sarah and my brothers Kuya Davy and Kuya Clyde.

Tricks are for kids!

Last night, I noticed Lauren twirling her hands like a belly dancer with castanets. "Are you waving Bye Bye?" I asked. Then I started to copy her and repeated over and over, "Bye Bye! Bye Bye! Bye bye!" She stopped and stared at me like I was a nut and turned her attention to the TV. A couple of minutes later I repeated "Bye Bye! Bye Bye!" and she lifted up her left hand and did the twirly thing again. A new trick!

"Good Girl!" I said. She smiled sweetly and turned her fingers toward her face and waved Bye Bye to herself.

Stay tuned. "Flying Kiss" soon to follow. Oh, and how about "Beautiful Eyes!!" (flirty batting of the eyelashes). Is that just a Filipino thing? Any other tricks I can teach her? If it's cute enough I can get it on video and she can be a YouTube star, like the Girl explaining Star Wars or the kid singing Hey Jude. Somehow I don't think "Baby waving Bye Bye" will get as many hits (even though she IS the cutest baby in the world waving bye bye).

Happy Birthday Grandma!

We had dinner with Mom P. to celebrate her 39th birthday. She gave Grandma an orchid and a picture frame (as if Grandma didn't already have enough pictures of Lauren in her house already!). Lauren was too preoccupied with the candles on the cake (and getting her hands on that icing..which she did eventually) to look at the camera.