The Toys that Daddy Buys

Annapolis

Tuesday, Hernan, Mercedes, Luis and I went out to Annapolis for an overnight visit with Mom & Sandy. Luis had his first bath in the tub. He didn't have a big reaction - he just seemed to take it all in. With Luis's new kicking game during bath, I think the tub is going to be a much better option.

While out there, I took Luis for his first swim in a pool. Similar to the bath tub, there was not a lot of reaction. Mostly he looked around and around and around. He did move his legs some, but he has not figured out how much more splashing can be done in all of that water. There are no pool pictures, as it was just Luis and I.

Luis and Sandy got a nice visit (and snuggle) as well.

Luis & Hernan

Mercedes gets a lot of credit for all of the help she is providing - caring for Luis, caring for Diego and I, helping around the house, playing with Ashley, etc. Hernan, however, should not be left out. He and Luis have shared some very tender moments together.

Luis & Ashley

On Sunday, Luis was playing on the floor (Tummy Time is now a game he very much enjoys). Ashley and I were laying along side him. He started reaching sideways for her, and even managed to rotate about 30 degrees so as to actually get his little hands on her. While Ashley loves to walk up to and lick Luis at her pleasure, she is not very fond of being petted by Luis. In fact, any time that he actually touches her, she not only pulls away, but tries to actually flee the scene.

Someday they will be friends, someday.

Everyone was Tired

Luis went to bed super early on Sunday night and then woke up super early on Monday morning. We both fell back asleep after he had a snack. Apparently, Muffles & Ashley decided to get in on the action (or, the lack there of in this case).

Diego & Luis

The Good Life

Luis enjoyed a lively game of peek-a-boo with Mercedes and Diego. When he laughs it really is such a great and contagious happiness.


It is great having Diego home. He and Luis are getting lots of time together.
When Luis was having such a tough time adjusting to his DOC Band, Diego (brilliantly) figured out that having this blanket to hold on to and snuggle up to did so much to settle Luis. At night, I will come into his room and pull the blanket off of him (usually Luis is very hot), but he immediately pulls it back up. It's very cute.

A Verbal Update on Luis - 5 Months

(Warning: the word to picture ratio of this post is HUGE. The point here is to tell you all about Luis, as yesterday I SHOWED you all about him. If all you like are the photos, stop here.)

Luis is 5 months now and doing great. He weighs about 16lbs (on our home scale) - he seems to be gaining about a pound a month these days. I had heard that babies double their birth weight in 4-5 months. Luis was right on schedule!


Luis is a total delight! He is sweet and happy and loving. He loves to play in his baby gym still. Now, instead of batting at the toys, he likes to reach out for the toys and then put them in his mouth (if they reach). Sometimes, he'll use the hanging toys as leverage to pull himself onto his side. His new toy is a mirror that "stands up" on the floor. I position it so that if he turns to his side, he can see himself - an incentive to practice rolling over. (Though, he still will not roll from his back to his side by himself.)

Luis also loves to "talk". He gabs and gabs to himself and to anyone who will listen. It's great because it hasn't occurred to Luis that no one can understand him. Many nights, he will lay in his bed and make sweet cooing noises - as if he is recounting all that happened to him that day. He also likes to blow raspberries and bubbles. It makes him laugh and laugh and laugh.
Luis is stronger and more stable each day at sitting up. Many times when he is laying down, he struggles and grunts to indicate that he'd rather be sitting up. If I hold his hands out in front of him, he will pull himself to a sitting position. He is very steady in the bumbo seat - sitting there as if on a thrown, surveying all that is around him.

For several weeks, his favorite game to play was the smile game. It's simple - you smile at Luis and then he smiles back. Then you smile again and he smiles again. It goes on for as long as you can stand it or until he cries. Now, he's added a new dimension: You smile at him. While he smiles back, he kicks his legs very forcefully. A couple of times I was positioned badly and got a baby foot in the trachea. Not so fun (though Luis just kept on smiling and kicking). And the kicking game comes up at bath time as well. We still bath him in the kitchen sink. Now, I have to turn the faucet the other way and move anything else that he connect his foot with. I have to put a second towel down on the floor around me and almost always need a third towel to mop up the bathwater that "overflows" onto the counters. I think this is an omen of Luis in action: once he figures out a way to use his legs to move, I'm not sure he'll ever sit still again.

This week, Luis added barley cereal to his list of "solid" foods. It has the coloring of oatmeal (well, going in at least0 and almost no taste. But that does not bother Luis. He eats and eats and eats, always finishing the 1/3 cup (of dry) that I make and often having seconds (and occasionally thirds). He definitely has a good appetite. I'll add oatmeal and wheat cereal in over the next couple of weeks. Then, at 6 mo, he'll move up to veggies. While it is a big milestone for him to be eating foods (other than breast milk), I already miss the simplicity of the all-nursing menu.

Luis sleeps through the night every night now. Occasionally, he needs a little soothing at 4a. But it's been more than a month since I nursed him at night. This is exciting for me - as it means a lot more continuous sleep. Ashley also feels better rested with this new schedule. Day sleep, however, still seems to be a bit disorganized. Some days he'll sleep for one hour at time; other days he'll sleep almost 3. There isn't any indication ahead of time of which type of day it will be. I guess I should just be thankful that he takes 3 naps every day...

I think that in a nutshell, that is Luis. He has gotten used to the DOC Band and is back in his old sleeping routine, as well as his old temperament (thank goodness). He is charming and delighting his grandparents. I love him more every day!

Catching Up

It's been a busy 10 days since last I posted. Diego arrived home on Saturday. Luis got his DOC Band on Monday (see post today). Hernan & Mercedes arrived on Monday. In preparation for Diego and his parents, Luis and I did LOTS of projects around the house that both kept us from the camera and would have made for boring posts. Then, I got a new camera on Saturday (a birthday present from Diego!!). We've been using it all week to take pictures, but I've just now gotten around to downloading them (all 240!!). Tuesday marked Luis's 5 mo birthday. Tomorrow I'll post an update on him and all that is new with him (including a weight update).

Though we've been busy, we are all doing well, enjoying being a family!

Nap Time

It's not often that I doze during the day. But on Sunday, I couldn't resist the warm snuggle from Luis. I'm glad that Diego is home and could capture the moment. Because it's often just Luis & me at home, and because Luis isn't so good with the camera, there are not many pictures of me on the blog.

If You're Happy & You Know It

Despite some bumps in the road with Luis's new wardrobe accessory (i.e. the DOC Band), he is back to his old, happy self. Thank goodness!!

Three Generations of Rincon Men

Who Needs Beauty Sleep??

Luis & Mercedes enjoyed a morning play on Tuesday. Luis looks amazingly wide awake considering that he only got about 5 hours of sleep the night before...

Muffles: Always Willing to Pose

Turning Over

Luis seems to be able to turn over from his back to his stomach, he just isn't willing to do so (much to the chagrin of his parents). Of course, those who knew me as a small child, may remember that I was a bit stubborn then. Here, you can see how he likes to roll onto his side and play with toys from that position. If I let him hold onto my finger, he'll roll the whole way. But, that doesn't really count.

Can't Quite Reach the Peddles...

(Diego is home = lots more fun pictures of Luis)

DOC Band (i.e. the Helmut)

Monday afternoon, we picked up the DOC Band for Luis (the helmut to treat his flat-headed-ness). He was a great sport about getting the DOC Band and Diego & I are getting used to his new look.

When they first put it on, the front came down over his eye brows, which made him look very cross and mean (a look that he has rarely, if ever, achieved). They made some adjustments and now he looks a little more like his old cheerful self. Although, sometimes the helmut pinches the skin a bit between the eyes, giving him a definite "evil eye".

I was relieved at what little fuss Luis made over the DOC Band. He played in it. He snuggled in it. He ate in it. But, as we discovered at bedtime, Luis had made up his mind to not sleep in it. Monday night was a long, long night. Diego and I got less sleep that night than we did any of the nights of Luis's first week of life. Luis cried a horrible, gut-wrenching cry most of the night and was completely inconsolable. It was so tough. And I can't speak for Diego, but I was feeling self conscious that my in-laws were trying to sleep in the next room (though, for their part, they could not have been more understanding or sympathetic). At 3:30, I gave up the fight, and took the DOC Band off. Luis fell almost instantly asleep.

Since then, life with the DOC Band has gotten better. Luis wore the band all night last night and stayed in his crib. I wish I could say that he slept the whole night... Maybe tonight?

I like this picture because Luis looks so peaceful and cute. But it is a bit misleading because it insinuates that he's sleeping well in the DOC band. This pic was taken immediately after our appointment, on the way home. Luis was exhausted.

Abuelitos Arrived

Diego's parents, Luis & Mercedes arrived on Monday. Not surprisingly, they are very enamored with Luis and have spent hours and hours playing with and doting over him. I'm thrilled to have them here and thrilled to have them get to know Luis. More pics and stories to follow.

FEET!

Luis has recently "found" his feet - apparently a big baby milestone. Last night in the bath, however, was the first time I actually saw him get a toe in his mouth (though he tries often).

Sleeping Like an Angel

This is Luis's new favorite way to sleep. I think it's totally adorable.

Tummy Time Pays Off

Luis, Ashley and I went out to Annapolis for Mother's Day. In the afternoon, I put Luis on his stomach for a little Tummy Time. He was doing this sweet "swimming"motion, so I put the camera on video to shoot some footage. All of a sudden he turned over!! It was awesome. All three of us (Luis, Mom, and me) were a bit awe-struck for a few minutes. I am excited for Luis, as this is a big milestone. And I'm excited for Diego that I got it on video the very first time!

I have not been able to upload video to this blog. But if you'd like to see the video, email me and let me know.

Saturday

Luis and I had a lovely day today. This morning we picked up a Mothers Day gift for Momma Croom, had lunch with Sarah & her family and ran by the grocery store on the way home. All of this tuckered Luis out.

After a GREAT nap and a huge dinner of rice cereal (with seconds and thirds), Luis practiced sitting up in the bumbo seat. He's getting much more stable in it. I think that pretty soon will change from the bouncy chair to the bumbo seat for the rice cereal feeding.

Then it was on to bath time. As I was putting Luis's PJ's on, a flower delivery van pulled up. Diego sent not one, not two, but three gorgeous bouquets of flowers for me for Mother's Day. They are now placed around the house, so I can see some no matter where I am!!

Positional Plagiocephaly (Flat Head)

Today Sarah, Luis and I went to have a mold made of Luis's head as the first step in the treatment of his positional plagiocephaly (flat head). They will use this mold to make a DOC-band helmut for Luis to wear - which will encourage his head to grow where it's flat.

For the casting, they put a netting over his entire head, with a cutout for his mouth and nose. They then applied these glue-y bandage like strips to his head which set up very quickly to the shape of his head.

The cast is actually done in two pieces. They pulled the back half off, then cut the netting to get the front of the mold off. Lastly, the tech put the two pieces back together again. They'll use this to make a life-size mold of Luis's head.

Luis was a great sport about the whole thing - only crying for a moment, right at the end. We had a few minutes to snuggle up and settle down before a good bath. Then, we were on our way home. The casting took only about 20 minutes.

On Monday, May 21, we go back to get the DOC-band. The treatment is very easy for Luis. All he has to do is where the DOC-band 23 hours per day for about 8 weeks. And now that the casting has been done, the hard part is behind us.




(For more info on positional plagiocephaly and it's treatment, check out Cranial Technologies website at http://www.cranialtech.com/.)

Enjoying the Weather

On Wednesday, we took the baby gym outside to enjoy the nice non-humid weather. Luis did not really notice the change of scenery - but Ashley loved being outside (as I threw the frisbee for her). Unfortunately, we didn't last too long outside as the gnats were unbearable.

Here, Luis practices sitting up in the Adirondack chair that Diego made. It'll take him a while to grow into this...

Mmmmm Tastes Good!

Here is a photo from yesterday. Luis LOVES to put stuff in his mouth these days. While normally, he sucks on the pacifier, you can see here that he's turned it around to gnaw on the textured handle. Tomorrow, I am going to try out some of the teething rings to see what he thinks of them.
(By the way: there is no evidence that Luis is actually teething.)

The Exersaucer

After yesterday's post, several people asked what an exersaucer was. I found it very difficult to describe. Luis and I bought one this morning, so now I can use the following pictures to answer the question.











You can see there are TONS of toys on there - and every one of them makes noises and some of them light up. Makes me understand the prevalence of attention deficit disorder in kids today. After about 5 minutes, Luis started making his "overwhelmed" face and noises and I haven't even put batteries into the parts that take batteries.


I like that Luis has a place to hang out where he is not lying down (like the baby gym or the bouncy chair). It's fun to see him vertical. And according to friends, this toy has a long play-life. Many babies play in this until they learn to crawl!

A couple more things...

Today was a great day for Luis. He picked up two new tricks. This afternoon, while we were video-conferencing with Diego (who is at a conference in Singapore), Luis starting blowing "raspberries". It was a funny thing because once he started, he just kept doing it and doing it and doing it. The newness of it was wonderful to us all - but I am especially happy that Luis did it for the first time while Diego was watching. For a moment, it didn't feel like Diego was 1/2 way around the world...

The second thing Luis did today was to laugh - and laugh and laugh and laugh. I was reading him a Peter Rabbit story. I got to a line about Black Currant bushes and Luis just started giggling. I re-read the paragraph and he giggled again. And I don't just mean a hee-hee-hee. It was full-on belly laugh. I kept repeating the line about black currant bushes and he kept laughing. This went on for about 10 minutes. I had time to call Jeanette so that she could here (a little birthday gift for her from Luis). Then we called my mom, who got to hear him. We still had time to call Diego - I decided it was worth him getting up at 3a to hear Luis laugh and laugh and laugh. Unfortunately D didn't answer and doesn't have voice mail. I'm not sure when Luis will see fit to laugh like that again, but I hope it's soon!!

Four Months (two weeks ago)

Well, it's been two weeks now since Luis's 4 month check up. I've been having internet problems at home, hence no post on his current stats. But I've got them now:

Height - 26 1/2" (90th percentile)

Weight - 14lbs 14oz (50th percentile)

Head - 16" (30th percentile)

He is currently wearing 3-6 months clothes, but I think they will quickly be too short for him and his long torso!


Luis is doing great. He is more alert and more squirmy every day. He "talks" a lot - though it takes a great imagination to make sense of the sounds. He enjoys sitting up much of the time and gets lots of practice in his bumbo seat. On Friday, we were at my cousin Maggie's house and Luis tested out her exersaucer. It was a HUGE hit, and I am now in the process of getting one for our house. One his current favorite activities is shoving things into his mouth - toys, his hand, a burp cloth, whatever he can get his hands on.

Overall, Luis is a peach. His temperment is great - he really only fusses when he's hungry or tired, he sleeps through the night (occassionally needing help at 2a to get his pacifier back in), he has a smile that can light up the world and he shares it all of the time. He is a joy to be around!

Rice Cereal

On Friday, Luis had his first taste of Rice Cereal. All in all, the experience went well. It is becoming a staple in our night-time routine: nurse, rice cereal, bath and bed. The introduction of the rice cereal has changed bath time from optional to mandatory.

Of course, the first time we tried the cereal, I offered it before he nursed. Not such a good idea. Here in this second photo, Luis is trying to say that he does not want any more rice cereal, but would prefer, rather, to nurse. Isn't it obvious??

Photos of Luis

Before Diego left last weekend, he got in one last good cuddle with Luis.


Our friend Heather gave Luis this "Ugly Doll" which Luis really likes (especially to snack on).




Luis has petted Ashley a couple of times now. Generally what happens is that he flails his arm out and accidentally makes contact with her. He then pauses as he takes in the sensation of what her fur feels like. He seems to really like it. Ashley, on the other hand, is not a big fan. To be honest, this photo was totally staged.