At Last!!!

You thought that I couldn't do it. You thought that my cheeks were too big and droopy and my neck was too skinny. You thought that I was destined to be a bobblehead for the rest of my life. But no. I have achieved what many other babies my age achieved months ago - HEAD CONTROL!!!

But really, I have been able to hold up my own head for a while now. My neck and back are actually pretty strong. I could hold up my head when I wanted to like when I fly like an airplane or when I would get really excited and I wanted to see something. I just didn't feel like holding it up. I mean, why do it when I had Mom or Dad to support me. I admit, I was a bit lazy. It was so much more comfortable to rest my chin on Mom's shoulder. Plus, I had to keep Mom and Dad on their toes, no? But I guess I had to take responsibility for my own head sometime.
So I'm getting much better at supporting my own head. Here I am sitting up on the couch. So much better than I was a few weeks ago. I'm still wobbly sometimes but I'm working on it.
Mom and Dad make me sit in this ridiculous chair to encourage me to hold my own head up. It's called a Bumbo chair and Mom's friends Linda and Matt got it for me. I kind of like it - it fits me well and is comfy, kind of like a little throne. The only problem is that my legs get caught in the cut-out holes when they take me out of the chair.
But sometimes I get tired of sitting in the chair and just wish that they would stop torturing me. Like in this picture - I'm not happy.

Hanging out with Dad

Yesterday, I was very sad. Daddy had to leave on a business trip to India and China. I won't see him for a whole week! And I know that he's not excited about sitting on an airplane for 14 hours. But at least I got to spend most of the day hanging out with him and playing. I even dressed up like a little airplane in honor of his big trip! We did our usual fun tricks like flying like an airplane and coming in for a nose dive. I got to dance around on Dad's stomach but it sure does feel weird to put all my weight on my legs. I sure got a work out.

Here we are playing peek-a-boo. I think that I really surprised him this time.
And here I am, just happy to be spending some quality time with Dad. I even look like a normal baby who can hold his own head up! After we played for a while, Dad had to go to the airport. I'll see you Saturday Daddy! I'll miss you!

My day at the farmer's market

Every Saturday morning, Mom, Dad and I go to the big farmers market at Grand Army Plaza by Prospect Park. We usually go for a long walk in the park before going to the market. We get to see lots of people running, biking and walking. Plus, it's off-leash hours for the dogs and I love seeing them run around all over the park. It was a hot, humid day so there were a lot of dogs swimming at the doggie beach. As you can see, I tired myself out from our walk in the park. I napped while Mom and Dad did all the shopping.

This is my favorite fruit and vegetable stand. They have delicious blueberries, nectarines, tomatoes and other veggies. But they didn't have any black raspberries this week which were so yummy. I was really looking forward to having more of them. Mom got some squash and broccoli for dinner.

There are also really beautiful flowers at the market - lots of wildflowers and other pretties. We didn't get any this time because we were already loaded down with stuff. But now we're stocked up for the next couple of days on yummy summer produce. Mom promises to take me to the farmers market in California which she says is even bigger than this market and where the fruit is ginormous. I don't believe her.

What should I do with my hair?

My Yee-Ma keeps telling me that Mom and Dad have to do something about my hair. I don't know what she's talking about. From the moment I was born, I have had a full and fine head of hair. Some even say that's why Mom had so much heartburn while she was pregnant with me. But aside from what appears to be a slightly receding hairline (I think that I get that from Ron, my Coufou), I like my hair. I even have cute little curls by my ears.

So Mom and Dad have been experimenting with different hair styles, trying to find just the right look for me. Here Auntie Olga has styled a mini mohawk for me. I think it needs a little bit more gel.

Here, Mom is trying to accentuate my naturally curly hair. But does this make my face look too round? I'm not sure which style I like best or which one suits me best. I guess I will have to keep experimenting...

Please Stop Putting Things On My Face

I love my Mom and Dad very much but there's just one thing that I wish that they would stop doing - please stop putting things on my face. I'm not sure why they keep putting things on my face. Is it because I'm not coordinated enough to bat them away and knock the object off my face? Or because I seem to want to eat everything that comes near my face and they think that's funny? Well, it might be funny for them but it's no fun for me. Why would you want to cover up such a cute face? And look! I'm completely helpless! Even with my arms swaddled, they STILL put things on my face. But just you wait. We'll see who gets the last laugh once I can break out of my swaddle...

My favorite activities

Over the last four and a half months, I've had a chance to discover my hands and feet, to explore my surroundings and to become acclimated to the world outside of Mom's belly. I've managed to shed most of those silly newborn reflexes (although I can still startle myself pretty well as I'm trying to fall asleep). But here are some of my favorite activities, in no particular order:

Kicking around on my activity mat
Over the last couple of weeks, I've rediscovered the joys of my activity mat. I used to like just lying around and staring at myself in the mirror or else just staring at my animal friends, particularly the purple elephant. Here I am trying to fence with the elephant. But now, it's like a whole new world and I get quite a work out.
Reading with Dad
From the beginning, I've always enjoyed the time I spend with Dad. He's the one that helped me develop my fondness for reading at a young age. Here's me at two weeks old reading my first book - White on Black. Those high contrast patterns are really something else. But as I've gotten older, my taste in reading material has matured. Dad and I still get to spend our quality time together, usually in the morning while Mom is still sleeping. We read the sports page and business section of the New York Times.
Afternoon naps with Babcia
Every afternoon, Babcia and I take a nap together.
Bathtime
My evening bath is so relaxing and it get me ready for bedtime. I love splashing around in the water and getting Mom all wet. I also enjoy peeing in my bath which seems to upset Mom.
Baby Bjorn time
Going for walks in the Baby Bjorn is always a fun time. Usually, I have to face inwards because I don't have enough control of my head yet. But Dad's started to face me outwards and I love being able to look around and see the world. The other times that I'm in the Bjorn are usually because I'm cranky. See how Dad has to eat dinner over my head because I won't cooperate?

Walks in the stroller
I'm learning to take morning walks in Prospect Park in my stroller. Today Daddy walks me but one day I will walk my puppy.
Kicking Daddy in the face
I really get a kick out of this one. He falls for it every time and I get a good laugh.
Grasping
I've been perfecting my grasping ability, bringing my hands together (and sometimes feet too!) and try to bring everything to my mouth. And here I am playing with Freddie the Firefly.
Airplane
In an effort to encourage me to hold up my own head, Dad has started flying me like an airplane every day. I LOVE flying high above everyone and getting a bird's eye view of the world.
Crying
I don't actually like crying but my frown always seems to make Mom, Dad and Babcia laugh.

So Many Visitors

I've had an incredible number of visitors so far in my short little life. They bring me presents and hugs and food for Mom and Dad.

Grandma Irene visiting us in the hospital
Grandma Nancy, Auntie Phyllis (our favorite pediatrician) and Auntie Tiffany Coufou - better get used to holding a baby!
Auntie Tracy, Auntie Alison and Grandma JoLiz - Mom and Dad's friendUncle Ben (with Uncle Art in the background). He's our other favorite pediatrician. Auntie Sandy follows next - we can't wait to meet our new cousin who is due to arrive in August.Auntie Alison and Auntie Tracy again. They are my most frequent visitors.Over Memorial Day weekend, we met lots more of Mom's relatives on our trip out to Long Island. We're practicing our kung-fu with Grandpa Jimmy who came all the way from Hong Kong to visit (Grandma Margaret was nice enough to keep me propped up). I also got a chance to hang out with Uncle Art again. Finally, I got to meet my Yee-Ma who came to visit from California. Coufou came to visit with Couma in June. I can't wait to meet my new cousin Dromeo aka Jesus in December!I also started making friends my own age. This is Owen - Blenda and Lane's son who was born 6 days before me. Hmmm, it's hard to believe based solely on our size, huh?In July, Patricia and Ingrid came to visit.
And Grandma Lily came to visit along with Grandma Regina and Uncle Brian from Hong Kong.Hanging out with Grandpa and Great Grandma