Solids, anyone?

I hear that eating solid food is a sign one is ready for the "real world." See it's like Mae and Dad didn't think that starting daycare is enough to prepare me for that. So with the green light from Dr Greenspan, they started me on solid food several weeks ago. It was kind of weird I have to say. But having tried it a bunch over the last few weeks, I must admit it's not so bad. I still think I like the rice cereal and veggie better than sticky sweet stuff. It's funny looking back at the pictures Dad took when Mae fed me my first solids.

Then

Now

Playing with daycare buddy, Nico

Mom and Dad had their friends over for brunch a couple weeks ago. My daycare buddy, Nico, was also there with his parents. We had a nice time playing and showing off to all the guests. Check out our playtime...

Big Ben Solo Sitting

Walking In the Hood

So yesterday, I was minding my own business in my personal gym (pictures above), when MAD came around and asked if I wanted to go for a walk. They had picked up a new pack that would allow Dad to easily carry me around.

Now, at the time, I was already working pretty hard at what they call "tummy time." That's when they put me on my stomach to see what I'll do. This is hard stuff. I have to use all my force with my arms to keep my body up, and it can get frustrating. Needless to say, I was not rearing for a walk.

It turned out pretty good, though. I was able to see a bunch of cool stuff walking inside the new pack. Then, as a I was pretty tired, I found the pack was actually very comfortable. Walking home, I was able to crash. There I was, sitting in Dad's pack snoring away. At least that's what they told me. Obviously I was asleep. I mean it's a lot of work going for a walk, even if Dad is expending all the energy. Ha!

I guess it was about 5pm when I crashed there in my Dad's pack, as he was walking us back up the hill to our home. I was completely out, awaking only at 8pm back in my crib. I'm not sure how I managed to get out of my new pack and in to bed while I was just REMing away. I guess I'm just pretty good at doing things for myself when I'm sleeping. Ha!

It is that time of year again!

Well, I've still got a bit more to write about Thailand. But it is Christmas now, and I wanted to make sure to thank everyone for the gifts. MAD love all the new clothes you got me.

I had a great time at Grandma and Grandpa's house. I got to sleep in a big baby crib, there. I'm hoping MAD will get me one that size at home.

Finally, I got to dance with my cousins, my Khun Yai and Khun Ta. You can check out a couple of videos of me dancing at:

Me dancing with Khun Tai and Khun

and

Me dancing with my cousins.

It’s contagious!

I learned a new trick today: I can make MAD laugh!

See, I’ve been smiling for more than a month. It always gets some attention.

But my new trick really gets MAD going.

So this morning, Dad was bouncing me up-and-down on his leg. Then he starts with one of his random tunes again. But the tune he was humming kind of went with the bouncing. It was really funny. So I started to smile, and then this funny noise came out my mouth and, then, my mouth just kind of popped wide open.

It’s not like it was the first funny sound I’ve produced, but combining this funny sound with my mouth popping open really drew some notice. Mom came over and started laughing a bunch.

“Wait, wait, wait,” she said. She went off, grabbed the camera, and came back. “It’s his first laugh!”

I had no idea, but the noise I was making was getting a lot of enthusiastic attention from Dad, too. So I just kind of went with it.

MAD kept laughing. It made me laugh more, and then they laughed more. Pretty soon it was just a bunch of silly people: MAD laughing like crazy, and me laughing like MAD! Ha!

My Big Thai Family

Mom, Dad and I stayed at my Khun Ta and Khun Yai’s house located in the outskirt of Bangkok. For those who don’t know, “Khun-Ta” means maternal grandpa and “Khun-Yai” means maternal grandma in Thai. Mom taught me these words before I was even born. So when I first got there and met them, I sort of cooed and smiled as I often do these days. Somehow they thought I said “Hello Khun Ta and Khun Yai” and was obviously very impressed. I didn’t know how yet to explain myself … so I just let that go.

Then I found out that Uncle Paulie, whose wedding my family came all the way from California to attend, had a Rattan bassinet specially hand made for me. This thing rocks and I mean it literally and metaphorically. I slept like a BABY in there. Thanks Uncle Paulie!

Soon after our arrival, I got to meet Mom’s extended family—four great-aunts (my maternal grandmother’s sisters) whom I also later will get to call “Khun Yai” according to the Thai tradition. They are way cool. They liked to hold me and talk to me a lot. Mom said that helped with my Thai. Some of them also tend to feed me just about anytime I start to cry. (Mom had to talk with them about that because she thinks I’m better off eating meals rather than snacking all day. Dr. Greenspan, my pedi, would concur).

Anyways, on the day of Uncle Paulie's wedding, I met many first, second and third cousins, long-time family friends, family priests et cetera. The list is endless. These encounters-- although very kind and sweet--became a little overwhelming so I started to cry.

I stopped crying right when someone mentioned “gifts”. What gifts? See what happened was one of my great-aunts suggested that the family have another brief welcoming/hair-cutting ceremony for me. As some of you may know, I already had one in California when I turned one month old. During this ceremony, in return for the hair they get to trim on my head, they gave me gifts. So I thought if it means more presents from all these cool relatives, loosing a few more locks of hair doesn’t sound all that bad. After all, I still have LOTS of it.

So, in the spirit of Thai celebration of birth, I received from my family some money, gold and silver baby bracelets and lockets. I was just starting to dream of getting myself another nice jungle gym, swing or BABYBJÖRN carrier, when I overheard Mom whispering to Dad that all these gifts are to be cherished and used for good luck. They are not meant to be exchanged or spent. Sure, I ponder, if it means I stay happy and lucky like this for a long, long time.