Baby Bath Time

This is probably the best of the recent short vids I've made. I hope all y'all family enjoy.

Various Ren Pictures

Pictures of Ren are in high demand, so here are ten more. Included in this set are:

• A picture of Ren grasping and holding onto a rattle.
• Three pictures in the bath.
• Two mommy-cam pictures of Ren staring up (or sleeping) from a chest carrier.
• Three pictures of Ren waving and kicking all around on her changing table. I was trying to demonstrate how she's beginning to get very active. She wouldn't cooperate to capture a good video. These pictures include this one, BABY FU!!:

Also, I know I promised video...I'm working on it.

Ren in Bed with the Mobile

I promised a video. Here it is. This is a 30-second short of Ren in bed watching the mobile. It's quite underlit, I'm afraid. I hope you enjoy it.

A Whole Lotta Baby Pics

I promised pictures, so here are pictures. A whole lot of pictures. Included in this set:

• Baby Bath Time
• Some fun at Panera Bread, where we had to escape during an Open House
• A Buddhist study session we went to, where we brought the baby (thus rather distracting everyone from the study!)

Tomorrow: film!

Catching up, and some fun firsts

Okay, I haven't posted in a long time. People get busy, you know. Read my personal blog if you want to get an idea of what's going on.

I promise that in the next week I'll be posting lots of pictures, plus a new short (30 seconds) film!

In the meantime, a couple firsts.

For the first time, Ren is reacting negatively to noise. Previous to this, she's reacted positively, such as becoming soothed when hearing us sing to her or chant. Now when I cough or sneeze near her, she can wake up and start crying. I think the first example of this was at a Superbowl party. She cried when Hester returned the opening kickoff. Tragically, the rest of us cried for the remainder of the game.

Also for the first time she is noticing our existence. Both of us have observed her quieting down when one of us comes into her view. She won't turn her head or keep her attention on us yet.

It would appear also that Ren has spotted a ghost in our living room. Whenever we're on the living room sofa and she's facing us, she invariably keeps her gaze fixed above our right shoulders, at the corner of the room above the stairs. My theory is that she can see a ghost. Obviously someone was once hanged there, and is trying to get her to pass a message on to us. Too bad she can't speak.

The third first is that I've injured my own baby for the first time. I was sitting on the sofa groping for a bottle when I accidentally jammed my fingers right into her head. Poor Ren screamed and screamed. Clumsy daddy.

Diaper Snake

Two words: Diaper Snake.

Health Update and General Comment

Raising a kid can certainly be an up and down experience. Some days, you're sitting around all day. Other days, it's a celebration when you can squeeze in a shower at 9pm.

Health update: Today Hiroko had a new kidney infection, so we spent the daylight hours in an emergency room. Since she's not pregnant, she got away with a cereal bowl full of meds, instead of a free overnight stay. Our friend Mayumi graciously watched Ren for a few hours to make it possible. Other than the exhaustion factor, it's all going to be OK.

My mom has been asking for more kid pictures, which is a very reasonable request, but
A. It's not like she looks any different than before
B. She's cutest when I'm doing something with her (such as a feeding) which requires both hands.
So tough luck. I did manage a shot of her today while I was in the emergency waiting room. It snowed last night.

Also, a shot of Mr. Lion in diaper bag prison. He makes all our hospital trips.