Fear, surprise, and a fanatical devotion to the baby

Today is my last day at work before starting 12 weeks of stay-at-home dad leave! I'm just as terrified at the prospect of being alone with Petra so long as I was at having her in the first place (and that certainly turned out well). I live in fear that those things that daddy just can't do to soothe her (read "boob") will lead to endless screaming and flailing. Twice when I've stayed home for a few hours alone with Petra she had huge screaming meltdowns (both related to lack of naps I think, I hope, I pray).

Our plan is for me to get up with mommy in the morning so Petra can tank up and start her morning nap early. Then when she wakes up, I'll take her to UCLA so the three of us can have lunch together. Mommy will be pumping milk at work, so hopefully I'll always have enough at home to keep Petra happy (or at least full). With any luck, the screaming will be kept to a minimum, and Petra will continue to be a fat, happy baby!

Toys

Among the recent milestones (standing up with just help balancing for example, she knows "up!"), Petra is starting to actually play with toys. She grabs and shakes her wooden rings, and she rattles the purple monkey in her crib.

Petra also LOVES the stuffed big ball Tim and Anissa gave her. We played for a good 20 minutes with it- definitely a new record.

And since Petra is playing with Toys, I'm getting into the act as well, putting together an iMovie and DVD of Petra for the relatives. The first tiny sneak preview is available here!

What's in a name?

For all the trouble we went through to choose a name for Petra, it certainly has been easy to come up with nicknames. A few of the recurrent names include:
The Muffin
Pooty McPooterson (from Pooterville) (guess where she got that nickname?)
Quacky McQuakerson (from Quackerville) (for the sound she makes before squalling)
Squirmy Wormy (when she wants to get away from you)
Cutie pie (which she recognizes, and instantly strikes a smiley pose)

I'm sure there will be many more, and that she will hate all of them. Of course, because of the way-back machine she'll never be free of them!

Walkies

We had a wonderful day together on Martin Luther King's birthday. Petra started the morning being sweet morning baby, and even let us have a shower and breakfast without any fussing. After a good meal, she napped for 3 hours (good baby!). We then went on a great walk around the neighborhood, including a stroll past the local castle. Petra was delightful the whole walk, and fell asleep while we were out, so we even stopped to have dinner out. I just love this baby!

Busy Holidays

Such a busy holiday week. First Xmas, First New Year, first meeting with grandma Judy (and a good visit with grandpa too). Grandma and grandpa babysat for Petra for an afternoon so we could go out and hit the gym, have lunch and do a little shopping. Of course, Petra slept the entire time we were out, so GM & GP didn't have to do a thing! It was the first time we've both been out without Petra since she was born 10 weeks ago. And of course, all we could do ws think about her, and we bought her some onesies while we were out.

Petra continues to grow like a weed. This week's exciting milestones including Petra starting to grab her toys and throw them around. Hopefully this will substitute for grabing daddy's glasses and throwing them across the room, her current favorite game. Petra is also standing up now, with a little help from daddy. She has plenty of strength to push her self from seated to standing, but still needs help balancing. After awhile she also starts to get an amusing case of hula legs (wiggle wiggle).

Petra was also a big hit at the mall when we ran out for a few errands. She was very playful in Barnes & Noodle, though she was upset by a duck brushing its non-existant teeth.

First Christmas

Petra celebrated her first Xmas today (of course, she wouldn't do it next Tuesday or anything). Piles of presents from her far flung admirerers- fancy toys from Babystyle and Haba, puppets, clothes and books. And apparently more are in in the mail. Alison dressed her up in her cute little snowflake outfit (because it was a chilly 68 degrees or so today, and because the first outfit died in a poopsplosion). Of course, the parents primeval got the best present- Petra herself (oh, and cozy slippers for daddy).

All the new loot is just in time too. Petra is already growing out of some of her 0-3 month clothes (and some of the 3-6 are looking a little short too!). At this rate, she's all set for tennis or basketball! Of course, it means we'll be spending that much more on disposable clothing! More cheap onesies with iron-on decals!

Petra's been a good baby today, four hour nap, short videoconference with grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins, then a walk and another nap. What more can you ask for from a baby!

Happy Bath!

Another milestone! Petra's bath tonight was completely trauma free! We did without the sling in the tub, and I think that helped by making her feel less constrained. She was fine sitting in the water, and splashing about. She didn't even mind when I washed her head and face, usually the trigger for screaming bloody murder. I used the sprayer in the sink to rinse her off, and she was OK with that, though she watched it VERY warily. Next time we're taking her into the shower! (kidding....sort of).