A Schmoo Christmas 2010

I know that it has been a while. In fact, we didn't even blog Schmoo's first birthday with G-Ma and G-Pa earlier this month. Nonetheless, we are determined to get back on the horse and document many of Schmoo's latest adventures. Here are some Christmas photos. Happy holidays everyone!

Have Schmoo Will Travel

So, it's been a while...we know. Life got in the way. This blog is a continuation of the Schmoo's travels over the last few weeks. You've already read about his roadtrip to Michigan.

Phoenix
Well, the following weekend, we flew our little one to Phoenix. All we can say is that he handled the plane trip like a champ. As the paranoid parents that we (I) are (am), we had lydicane drops for his ears should they hurt, Mylicon drops for gas, and baby Benadryl (to make him very sleepy...as a last resort of course). Alas, the joke was on us. Schmoo slept on my lap in the Baby Bjorn for the duration of the flight despite my attempts to breastfeed him during take off and landing (as recommended by the Pediatrician). When he did fuss during the flight (no doubt due to a wet diaper, dry air, or overheating in the cramped quarters) he was quickly satiated by a little milk.

Aside from the fact that Phoenix represents Schmoo's first exposure to real sunshine, what he enjoyed most was meeting his Phoenix family. Schmoo's daily ritual in Tita Anne and Tito Jonboy's spacious and welcoming home, included schmoodling with Tito Jon in the morning, watching the palm trees sway on the green in the backyard, strolling with Daddy through the neighborhood, batting at objects on the interstellar playmat borrowed from Tita Anne's co-worker, and being nuzzled and hugged by everyone who could get their hands on him.


On Saturday, Schmoo was greeted by the Leonard-Lewenstein family. He was extremely impressed by Elliot's train drawings and Natalia's pigtails and dazzling smile. On Sunday, Schmoo was treated to a spa day with the ladies. Our Schmoo was spoiled by love, kisses and chocolate while his Momma treated herself to a massage. On Monday, Schmoo met his Grandma Carol and Grandpa Charles. You can tell by the photos that he was instantly charmed by them, and promptly fell asleep after some schmoodling with Grandma Carol.


We three had a wonderful trip to Phoenix filled with good people, great food, and lots and lots of laughter.

View more photos Schmoo's trip to Phoenix

North Carolina
The following weekend, we packed the Subaru with our luggage, Scott's bike, the dog, and our little bundle of goodness and headed down to see G-Ma and G-Pa in Sunset Beach, North Carolina. The trip itself is a 17 hour drive (1000 miles) each way through Indiana, Kentucky, West Virginia, and clear through North Carolina to Sunset Beach close to the border of South Carolina.

You would think that a 4 hour plane ride was enough to ask of a 3 month old...but a 17 hour road trip? The little monkey is a born traveller, for sure! He endured hours in his car seat with nothing more than a Schmoodle and a giggle. We were able to average 150 to 200 mile stretches before needing to stop for a diaper change and quick feeding. Then he'd let us get back on the road. Most of the diaper changes happened in the back of the Subaru, and the breastfeeding was conducted covertly at rest areas along the highway. Overall, the drive taught us that the Appalachians are lovely, Red Roof Inns beat Days Inn hands down, the KFCs in Kentucky have buffets, and one should avoid Shoneys on Sundays.


Just as Phoenix offered Schmoo a glimpse of sunshine and palm trees, North Carolina offered a very important new resource...the beach. Although the temperatures were in the 60s and a light wind graced us, Schmoo thoroughly enjoyed a long walk on the sand and even experienced an oceanside diaper change.

While there, we had an opportunity to take in the figurative sculptures at the renown Brookgreen Gardens (South Carolina). We also delighted in some wonderful seafood and even got in a round of golf. However, I think the most exciting part of the trip for the Schmoo family was deepening our understanding of Bridge. Many a happy hour with G-Ma, G-Pa, and little Schmoo around the card table discussing the logic of bidding and the rationale behind a No Trump call.


View more photos of Schmoo's trip to North Carolina

As always, our little one continues to show us how this "life stuff" is done. Cool as a cucumber. We have so much more to learn from him.

Auggie's First Roadtrip

This weekend Auggie exprienced his first roadtrip out to Wall Lake to visit his Oma and Grandha. Auntie Deb, Uncle Chris, Grand-Auntie Patty and cousins Kyle, Kristin, Korey, Emily, Katie and Brian all joined Auggie out at the lakehouse, making it a truly wonderful family gathering.


Among Auggie's firsts was a sleigh ride out to see Oma's new pole barn, stock full of boats offering adventures galore once Auggie reaches sailorhood. Along the way a snowball fight broke out, which Daddy happily joined. Although Auggie appeared a little wide-eyed at the adventure, he made no protest to the cold. This is a fantastic strength he gets from his Daddy's side of the family!


Once we had settled back into the warmth of the fireplace at the Lakehouse, Auggie enjoyed the warm embrace of the whole family. He gladly saw himself passed from one welcoming set of arms to another. We could tell by the smile on his face that he loved every moment of it, soaking in all the love and radiating it back into the ether.


Another first was the introduction of what we consider his first laugh. Along with a myriad of smiles and coos were a few breathy giggles. They were heart warming.


Overall, it was a wonderfully successful roadtrip filled with diaper changes in the back of the car, parking lot breastfeedings, and more hugs, giggles, and smiles than any one human deserves. Thank you to all who add love to Auggie's young life.

View More Photos of Auggie's First Roadtrip

The Schmoo Gear

We started out with the noblest of intentions. We registered for only the bare necessities, borrowed from friends, and wherever possible bought our baby goods used in a vain attempt to avoid all the gadgets and gimmickry the baby industry insists you can't live without. Those first few days in the hospital you're thinking to yourself..."this isn't so bad". I feed baby, swaddle him up, put him in the crib and he sleeps...well..."like a baby". Never-mind the nurses who come and steal your baby away to the nursery between feedings, leaving you longer stretches of sleep. Ha.

On our first night home from the hospital, we had a lovely dinner, fed the babe and placed him in the Pack-N-Play (a decided necessity) in order to have him closer.

Schmoo in his Pack-N-Play

This was the first chink in our facade. Our little one appeared to hate the Pack-N-Play...or he could have had gas, a wet diaper, or have still been hungry. In any case, what did soothe the boy was cuddling in the arms of a gracious adult (Mom, Dad, Lola, Tita Annie, or Oma). After a sleepless night with our little Schmoo, we immediately started a search for the perfect device to mimic the feeling of being carried around in our arms (all night). Scott managed to find a Papasan swing on Craig's List and, valiant husband that he is, promptly picked it up within hours. That night we were able to soothe our little one to sleep with the sounds of a babbling brook, chirping birds, and a cuddly, swaying Papasan chair.

Schmoo in the Papasan Swing

Three days later, when the novelty of the swing wore off, Scott and I found ourselves at Target with a huge gift certificate from Scott's wonderfully generous co-workers. I can honestly say that I have never had so little resistance from Scott in buying "stuff" before. To the Baby Whisperer's dismay, within the span of an hour we had convinced ourselves that we needed a vibrating chair to occupy and entertain the babe in the daytime, and a co-sleeper to keep him close and wean him off the swing at night.

Schmoo in the Vibrating Chair

Schmoo in his Co-sleeper

Our facade completely crumbled when, after a week of failed attempts, we conceded that the sling(s) (one a gift and two inherited) that we had deemed a must-have were simply not going to appease the Schmoo. In fact, each and every time he was put into one he managed to straighten his little two week old body stiff as a board and turn a lovely shade of eggplant while screaming at the top of his little lungs. So, with fatigued arms we broke down and purchased a Baby Bjorn.

Schmoo in the Baby Bjorn

The funny thing is, I can honestly say that we still use each and every piece of this furniture...just at different parts of the day or week in order to keep things interesting for our little monkey. Despite our best intentions to avoid buying what we (Scott) had deemed "Baby Crap", there have been many a bleary-eyed time when they preserved our sanity. The Papasan swing still serves as our best offensive play in getting a good night's sleep. The Pack-N-Play currently serves as Schmoo's second nursery in Scott's office, so he can have him close and still be productive. The co-sleeper is doing the trick in helping us wean the Schmoo off his Papasan swing addiction. The vibrating chair allows our Schmoo to join us at the table for meal times, where he coos and gurgles while batting at the toys dangling within reach. And as for the Baby Bjorn...well...we really can't say enough about the value of the Baby Bjorn. It allows us to do laundry, pick-up around the house, cram food into our mouths, and hold the phone while arguing with Insurance companies. The Schmoo loves it, and so do we.

Truth be told, the sound of this little one crying is akin to having some someone rip our hearts out of our chest and hold them ransom outside of our bodies...and there really isn't a thing in the world we wouldn't do to soothe him. The good news is...a year from now there is one lucky newborn who has a ton of "baby crap" coming their way. :)

The Schmoo Speaks

Here is particularly cute video of utterances from our little Schmoo. He is expanding his vocal range daily, constantly finding new ways to chastize and educate his parents. He is so patient with us. Hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

The Schmoo Smiles

New Schmoo developments in week six include smiling, cooing, and heightened alertness. Schmoo appears to be more aware of his surroundings and is much more engaged by his mobiles and toys.

It is unbelievable how fast he is growing, and we are amazed at the changes in our little boy each day. Here are some videos of Daddy, Schmoo, and Zooey deep in conversation:

One Month Anniversary

It is difficult to believe that over one month has transpired since Auggie was delivered. And while the hours seem to have passed quickly, 2009 December 9 also seems ages ago. The hospital room, the nurses, the bad food are all quickly fading from our memory (which is not a bad thing for the most part). And the Momma is gone too having returned to Edmonton earlier this month leaving a freezer full of lumpya to remind us of her visit. Our other special guests--G'Pa (Linc), Oma (Sue) and Granda (Ron)--have also come and gone. For the most part we are now a three person family (+ 2 cats and dog) and are getting accustomed to our new size, sounds and activities. The animals are adapting to Schmoo. Day-Jah has become less demanding of our attention (i.e., whining less frequently) while the cats have learned to settle with less lap space.



At one month, Auggie isn't the same infant we brought home from the hospital. He is bigger, stronger and is also more aware of and happier with his surroundings. Our one-month visit to the pediatrician showed that he had gained an average of 4/5 oz a day since our last visit. Auggie now weighs in at well over 9 pounds and spans nearly 22 inches; he sometimes looks more like a little boy than an infant. He is also sleeping for longer stretches which is a relief. There are nights when he rests for several consecutive hours (his record is seven). He typically wakes up only once during the early morning hours for a snack before returning to bed. Of course some nights are better than others. We are amazed by Auggie's energy level. Each day he seems to challenge himself to hold up his head, fix his gaze or 'dance' a little bit longer. We document his development via pictures, tables and text which hopefully will wind up in a baby journal.



Auggie's first introduction to the outside world was cold. In fact, it was one of the coldest Decembers on record in northeast Illinois. As a result, the frigid weather has prohibited many outdoors activities--or, at least, we were unwilling to take him out on a walk in the ice and snow with temperatures in the single digits (F) or lower. We thought of our friends in California and how different it would be if we were still living in a temperate climate. By this time, Schmoodles would have felt the sand, sun and ocean breeze. But, up here, there is not much for an infant to do out of doors. As a result Auggie's experiences have been rather limited to the inside world. Nonetheless, we are accumulating a charming 'Auggie in knitted cap' photo series.



While fun and eventful, this month hasn't been easy. Leslie overcame a bout with painful mastitis and, as new parents, we've struggled with how to implement seemingly contradictory advice published in the baby care literature (the Baby Whisperer vs. everybody else). We are gradually establishing our own hybrid methods that work (sometimes). We've been heartened by all of our friends who have done so well with their little ones (e.g., Isaac, Elliott, Star, Wyatt, Patty, etc.) and look forward to hearing about the wonderful futures pioneered by this new cohort.