Florida part 1

Hello from Florida! Brennan went on his second vacation, as if you need a break from being a baby. We all went to went to Marco Island for a week of sun, swimming, family, and indifferent cuisine.

But first, the 6 month update:

This photo is technically a few days early, but we were in Florida on 2/17, and I wasn't going to bring the couch with us. We had enough crap to bring as it was.

Brennan's 6 month check up happened after we returned, and he clocked in at 17 pounds, 9 ounces, 27 3/4 inches long, and still lagging in the 25th percentile in head circumference. He was very brave for his vaccines, and only cried during the last two.

I think Bren's favorite part of his vacation was spending lots of time with his Gangy. He's had lots of fun grandma time this month, since Lorna made the long trip out here just a few weeks ago.

Swimming runs a close second, though. He's doing well at "swim class" at La Petite Baleen, but that's only once a week - in Florida he could go swimming nearly every day. Here he is in the pool at great-grandma Doris's place on Marco -

and in the pool at grandma & grandpa's place in Everglades City -

and in Marco again. There aren't many smiley pics, since he's very focused when swimming. His daddy says he looks as if he's doing a very important job.

And yes, he was wearing sunblock. Also, he and Auntie Kris both wore their sun hats for poolside lounging. And the wine was in pool-safe plastic cups.

We even braved going out to dinner, since dinner in south Florida starts at, oh, 4:30 or so. We had a small dining emergency, as Somebody got terribly hungry when Somebody Else's lovely soft-shell crab dinner was delivered. Luckily, the Little Bar in Goodland did us a solid by providing a plain, baked sweet potato (in addition to being the only good meal we had outside of Mary's & Doris's kitchens). An emergency napkin bib and an impromptu finger spoon saved the day. We took a photo of the potato carcass, but it really doesn't do justice to the high-speed potato-eating that went down.

Brennan loved the condo on Marco - lots of room for rolling, and the oh-so touchable carpet and furniture. Of course, being the center of attention is fun no matter where it happens.

It was a struggle to get him to the beach before he fell asleep - apparently, the new baby carrier is very soothing - but he liked it once he got there. Sand is fun to touch (and eat), and watching waves is better than TV.

Mr. Mouthy

I've been saying "ba-ba", "ma-ma", etc to Brennan for a few weeks, and up until recently he gives me a big goofy grin and squirms.  Then, a week ago, he looked up from his crib first thing in the morning and said "ba".  Just the once.  But as you can see, he's built from there.

The Food Issue

It's been too long since my last post, but the crack team of monkeys at Comcast have yet to make any headway on the internet connection problem, despite multiple, hours-long visits from multiple service people.  So our speed fluctuates between very fast, acceptable, dial-up, and non-existent at unpredictable intervals. Add to that the mystery that is Blogger, which happily and swiftly uploaded 8 images, and then flatly refused the last 2 photos I wanted to post.  It makes me want to do this to my laptop:

Brennan is still having fun, of course - he doesn't care about the stupid internet.

He's getting pretty good at rolling over both ways, and pushing up when he's on his tummy.  He migrates around his crib at night - I'm not sure how, but many mornings I find he's done a 180 overnight and his feet are up where his head should be.

His Grandma Lorna was out for a quick visit last weekend, and she upgraded him from exersaucer dining to a real high chair.  He's still pretty messy but the high chair makes feeding him a lot easier.  When he really likes something, he leans forward, opens his mouth, kicks his feet, and sort of flaps his hands to the sides, which means the only clean-up needed is his face.

Too bad he doesn't really like everything.  Here is his input on what I've offered so far:

Rice cereal - meh.

Oatmeal - better than rice cereal

Mashed bananas - yes, please

Sweet potato baby food - OhMyGodYESWhatDoYouMeanTheJarIsEmpty?!

Peas - yucky (but finally grudgingly accepted on the 6th try)

Organic Carrots, steamed and hand cranked through the food mill by Mommy

-kind of yucky

Carrots, mass produced and in a jar - Yummy!

I'm continuing to try to go to Baby Boot Camp on my days off, if it's not raining and there's enough time before swim class, etc., etc.  My preferred location is at Dolores Park, where I immediately offset my grueling once-a-week (or twice if I'm really ambitious) workout with a trip to Tartine or the Bi-rite Creamery.  (see earlier entries, re: the Non-stop Pastry Parade)  Today I decided to get straight in the car to get away from that neighborhood - so I could drive deeper into the Mission and stop at Dynamo Donuts & Coffee!  Because, to quote Jack Donaghy, doughnuts are the new cupcake.  This place makes some pretty fancy ones - I was tempted by lemon topped with pistachio crumble and candied orange blossom, but ultimately went with chocolate glazed with star anise.  In my defense, I did carry the baby 4 blocks to get it - and saw a pretty good looking Mexican panaderia on the way.  Maybe next time...