My first trip to Big Sur

Mom, Dad, and I just got back from an awesome trip last weekend. Chloe couldn't come because we were staying in a place that doesn't allow dogs, so she stayed with Uncle Mike. It was really fun. Dad and I spent some alone time together while Mom collected on her Appreciation Gift for having given birth to me. It must have been good cuz when I saw her she was actually glowing!

Then we went to this really cool inn called Deetjen's Big Sur Inn to stay for the night. They had heard about my legendary lungs, so we had to stay in a remote shack, far away from all the other guests. I say shack, because it basically was: not much bigger than Chloe's old doghouse. But really cute inside. I felt so cozy and at home. There was a little brook babbling outside the window. I was really happy and relaxed, so didn't really fuss at all, even when we went out to dinner. I got to eat some really good food. Mom had Filet Mignon and a nice glass of Pinot Noir. And the dessert, ooooooh the dessert: triple chocolate mousse cake and a glass of Vin de Glacier. It's a wonder I was able to get to sleep at all.

All of us stayed up late and played together. Making funny faces, cuddling, and basically loving each other up. Mom and Dad took lots of photos. Of me, of course! Here are some of my favorites:


Of course, Dad had to get all high-tech and create a collage using the latest Picasa. Check it out:

From Collages

Holy Crap!

Mom and Dad took me to church for the first time last weekend. When we got back, I had a special poo in my diapers:



I think there's some religious symbolism there, for sure...

Beautiful full moonrise

Before Alissa's party we all went down to the ocean. I saw my first tide pool:



Isn't that anemone (I'll be able to pronounce that in about 12 years, if I'm lucky!) beautiful? Dad wouldn't let me touch it for some reason...

And then we saw an amazing full moonrise:



It sure is pretty out in the world!

Our first party

I went to a party with Mom and Dad this past weekend. There were really old people there. Some as old as 22! That must be almost as old as Dad! It was for our friend Alissa, who made cupcakes and mexican food. I got a taste by way of momma's milk. I love guacamole!

The Julia Calendar (aka Baby Time)

A note about how one's external activity level is affected by newborns. The best way to convey its magnitude is by creating a new calendar system. In this system, everything is displaced by one unit. Things you used to do in a minute, can now take an hour. If you want to spend an hour doing something, you better be willing to put it off for a day (at least!). And any kind of planning that takes a week will take at least a month. In other words, you overall productivity is completely eviscerated by your little charge.

I'm trying to learn a new programming language, and on some days (like today) it just doesn't happen. It's a damn good thing I'm unemployed, or I'd be unemployed by now. ; )

When we tell friends we'll be over at 3, our friends know to ask AM or PM? We politely reply "AM", then show up at 3 PM. And they are expecting us.

All this is just my way of saying how much I now appreciate what parents have to go through to raise young ones. Whoa, this baby thing is hard work. And I wouldn't trade one minute of it!

Drowsy Dryer - documented

I forgot to post a picture of the "Drowsy Dryer" technique in action:

Out of the Woods?!?

I apologize: it's been quite a while since I've had a moment to add to our unfolding story. The simple reason, as you may have guessed, is that our little namesake has been more than a bit of a handful. Oh, and there was the road trip to Phoenix over Christmas (what!?, you say, but It's easier than it sounds).

Over that past several weeks, Julia has been a pretty fussy little girl, crying much of the time. I think Aunt Sandy got the short end of the baby during her visit. And still to this day, Julia manages to go into a crying jag whenever I happen to be on the phone with Sandy.

Well the good news is, Julia seems to be out of her cranky stage. We're working with lactation experts and our pediatrician and we think we may have a plan that is going to work for everyone. At least it seems to be at this point!

I have accumulated lots of pictures since that last time we wrote, so please do check out the Picasa link, which again is found here.