MILESTONE: Favorite: toy
Seems we have a winner in the favorite toy category. Introducing – Mr. Monkey! Ashton grins when the monkey appears and passes time chewing on his ear which makes a soft, though satisfying crunchy sound. It also turns out that the monkey squeaks.
MILESTONE: Outing: playdate
Today Ashton and I went to Frederick Street Park with five other moms and babies we had met in the new mom support group. He eyed 4 month old Dillon with curiosity for a minute or so, but mostly flirted with his mom. Ashton also enjoyed people watching, especially some of the older kids running around.
Since I can’t entertain Ashton every minute of the day (and he seems to be getting bored with the diversions I have available for such times), I went to the store to get some new play things. He got a little play mat where the toys hang over him and a portable swing. The swing is really more for mommy because Ashton often requires movement to settle or go to sleep, and my arms and back get worn out before he does. He was interested in the play mat on the first day, but has become much more so in recent weeks. The mat is kept at Grandma Anderson’s so that he has something to do when he’s there.
Okay, well baby didn’t actually do yoga, but this was a class where mom’s bring and interact with their babies while they are doing stretches. Ashton mainly laid on the floor and entertained the other mom’s and babies with his wild kicking. Then he slept for a while and woke up for mom and baby dance time where he especially enjoyed being raised and lowered and moving into a tight circle where he was face to face with 5 other babies. Mommy got sentimental/emotional when they played Israel Kamakawiwoʻole’s rendition of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”. Still not sure why.
Today Ashton…
Met Dr. Gallagher in Scotts Valley. Weighed in at 13lbs 5oz, 24.5 inches long. Doc says he’s “perfect”. Also got his first shots, one in each thigh. He screamed for about a minute, but then was fine. Was kind of cranky in the afternoon and had a fever, that responded to one dose of baby tylenol. Coincidently (or not), Ashton developed “unhappy” hour around 8-9ish every evening from this point on.
We all went to check out the Saturday market in San Lorenzo Park which was a bust, so headed over to the playground. Ashton was not quite big enough for the baby swings, so he rode along with mommy.
Ashton attended Lyric’s sing along production of Pirates of Penzance. He was a little fussy since it was dinner time, but then snuggled up and slept to the music. Afterwords he met some pirates and showed off his little pirate outfit.
Ashton smiled from his very first days, but it always preceded spitting up. This was probably one of the first spontaneous smiles. Also, first interaction with Mr. Giraffe. Ashton was not impressed.
A sorry excuse for a pillow for us, but Ashton loves it and sleeps best on it (though still not long enough!)
