New Tricks!

Roxane,

We need to catch everone up! You have been great fun in the last month. Grandma Linda, Grandpa Ben, and Uncle Dave all came to see you for a week in February, and they had a great time feeding, burping, changing, and talking to you. Thanks Mom and Dad for all you have done, and for coming and spending a great week with us. Michelle and I respect the experience you have, and your wise advice. Dave, you were absolutely radiant while you were with Roxane, and you are going to make a wonderful dad! (Michelle says, “Sucker!”) Thanks Mom, Dad, and Dave for helping us through a tough couple of days with Roxane’s little irritated bum. We were glad you were here to take Roxane to Children’s Hospital with Michelle – that would have been tough without Dr. Mom! The result of Roxane’s tests were dairy and soy allergies – so much for most formulas on the market! We have since been using Nutramagen mixed with goat’s milk with no problems, and you can’t get enough! We also started mixing in some rice cereal, once during the day and once before bed, and you are sleeping a solid 4-5 hours at night.

Uncle Tom and Aunt Sally came for a visit the next weekend and brought you your first quartz crystal and a very cool wolf stuffed animal. You also got several visits from friends and neighbors, and everyone thinks you are the cutest baby. (Your Mom and I think so, too!)

The card that Tom and Sally gave you, reads, “All of our Blessings for a beautiful new addition to the family. Your mom & dad’s watchful eyes will guide you, Little Buffalo. Enjoy seeing all that is to come and Love as you are greatly Loved. Sally and Tommy-San” Michelle and I had a good cry after reading this… Thank you both for all your love – you are two truly lovely souls. Tom, I am so grateful I decided to come to Colorado to spend a month with you (…six years ago).

Now for your new tricks! About two weeks ago, you started smiling a little, and now I count smiles that I get in the morning to gauge my day – today is about a 15-Smile Day! Only a few days ago you started mimicking my little sing-song, “Luna says, Me-Ow – Mercy says, Woof-Woof.” You make a little circle with your mouth and say, “Ooo-Ooo!” So, I guess we could say your first word is Woof! And at 8 weeks old – your so advanced…! Michelle and I took you to the Rec Center last night, and you got your first swim. You seemed to like it just fine – amazing how well little babies float! You also looked very cute in your little gingham bathing suit with a big daisy on the front. Well, I hope that catches everyone up a bit – I hope to spend some time tomorrow loading more pictures on the server.

Michael

Thanks, Chris

Roxane,
I received an email, today, that I wanted to share:

Subject: Your baby daughter
From: Chris Collingwood
Date: 03/06/2002 09:17 AM
To: michael_at_pbandjelly.org

Michael,

I had a brilliant time reading your website notes. How I wish this technology was available when my two were born (Ryan – natural deliver 1 July 1983, and Nicolette – C-section 2 March 1989). If you really feel driven, you can see the little out of date site I put up for my grandson (Emergency C-section 19 June 2001)(http://tracy.williams.bleeker.nom.za). Tracy is my step-daughter.

I came upon your site from reading postings to the BLT maillist. I have a thing about going to look at interesting websites (like yours).

Cheers
Chris Collingwood

East Coast South Africa

Michelle and I got a kick out of your note, Chris, thank you for writing!
Michael

Baby-TV

Roxane,

Mary Kate – thank you for all of your incredible help! You made our first week at home with Roxane a very nice little ‘baby honeymoon’. I have sat in the office a couple of times, to load some new photos on the server, and seem to not get very far these days… Too much baby-TV to watch! Hours of entertainment… Mom, thanks for the laugh last night – great story! For everyone else, my Mom told me about when my big brother, Dave, was first brought home. The first time Mom needed my Dad to watch Dave for a little while, she set David down with Dad on the couch. Dad was quietly reading the newspaper, and my Mom said, “Talk to David for a while.” Dad looked puzzled, and replied, “I don’t know what to talk to him about!” Mom told him, “If you can’t think of anything to say, then just read him the newspaper!” 🙂 Mom says, Dad read the newspaper to Dave for days! Then she said, by the time they had me and my twin brother, Matt, that Dad knew what to talk about by then… 🙂

Michael

Little Soul

Roxane,

What a wonderful couple of days it has been! You are an amazing little soul. You seem to already know how to smile, you can be very serious, and you are incredibly attentive. You can move your head around like a pro! The docs and nurses have all cooed over you and your Mom. Well, you get to come home tomorrow, and Grandma Mary Kate will be here on Friday to help get you settled in. It will be very nice to have you home – can’t wait! Thanks to everyone for all the notes, flowers, and well wishes!

Michael

…late

– Michelle is finally sleeping on her back, with you in her arms…

Roxane,

You are positively beautiful! Today has been a dream… I have cried many times today. You are a precious gift, and I will cherish the wisdom of life that comes from watching you grow. May your heartsong be clear and strong – for I have already heard you humming the first melody…

Michael