More pictures. And then some more...

Hiking in Southern Oregon. We LOVE Oregon!

Some family time away

We went away with Libby's side, the Crawfords, for some family time. Let the pictures do the talking. These are the adoring Grandparent. Obviously :)

Back from Colorado

We just returned from Colorado where we met and counseled with our sending organization/employer, then headed over to Fort Collins where Shane's Uncle Nate and Aunt Kevin met him for the first time. We ate incredible food from the Kitchen of Nate---the Jamie Oliver of Colorado. We dined on most excellent cuisine from Nate.

Uncle Nate and Shane really hit it off, as you can see, and Aunt Kevin couldn't get enough kisses outta the little guy. We did a very "Fort Collins thing" by biking and I rode a Cruiser, the new "in" of bikes, so I'm told. No, I didn't ride with Shane in his sling. This was just for the picture.

A real quick 48 hours

Within our first 48 hours there wasn't much to do but get over jet lag and lay low. We did have some fun nonetheless...

Ben and Shane in my folks front yard the very day we arrived. Look at the soft green grass baby!
Shane meets friend Noelle for the first time... the kiddos are only a few weeks apart. What cuties!The Lattins and the Spotts with their growing families.Rachel helped me shop for jeans, and delivered a healthy baby girl no more than 24 hours ago--no meds... go Rach!

Fun on the run

Within 48 hours of landing in Portland, we headed to central Oregon for a reunion with some of Ben's childhood friends. Despite jet lagging a little, the Labor Day weekend event was fun and even relaxing. Shane was warm in his fleece outfit from grandma Kim and then relaxed on a blanket. I caught up with good friends.

Play Time

Shane and I were playing on the floor when our househelper began making faces at him. This was his response. Enjoy...then leave a comment on how brilliant and cute he is. Gush gush. This clip is about a minute.

Watch out! He's pretty cute (if not messy)

Shane LOVES to eat. Lately I've been giving him rice cereal with mashed banana's. Today he wanted the camera too.

Images of Shane as a teenager run through my mind and all I can see is me in the kitchen preparing food. Forever.

This clip is just over a minute.

Top "prego" and baby books

Like many people, Libby and I suffer from information overload and have little time to read. During the months of pregnancy and while pondering the first year with our baby, I began to look for the best of the best books on these topics. Not easy!

We ended up choosing books only if: a) 3-4 people had recommended the same book, b) those 3-4 people didn't know each other, and c) with a special favoritism to those who have actually implemented the book's principles with their kids and found it worked!

So, with no further ado, here are 6 great books we have found. Another way to think about it: If I was marooned on a desert island and could only bring a few books...

TOP PREGNANCY BOOKS
What to Expect When You're Expecting, by Murkoff, Eisenberg & Hathaway, 2002.
Not a perfect book, but contains the basic "what if" and "what happens when" answers.

Great with Child: Reflections on faith, fullness, and becoming a mother, by Debra Rienstra, 2002.
Obviously, this is more for the mother to read...and it is the opposite of the book above. It is the raw, authentic ponderings of a pregnant women that is comforting and enlightening to read.

TOP BOOKS TO HAVE FOR THE FIRST YEAR
Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child, by Marc Weissbluth, 2005.
Based on sleep studies of children, this book is invaluable. It gives balanced advice and a range of solutions (acknowledging strategies ranging from BabyWise to attachment parenting). Actually has chapters for babies up to teenagers.

Complete Book of Baby & Child Care, by Reisser (Editor), 1997.
Not everyone agrees with Focus on the Family, but this book contains helpful info on all the basics from birth up to age 11.

What to Expect: The First Year, by Murkoff, Eisenberg & Hathaway, 2003.
Another logistics and details book, but helpful to balance out the opinions of the book above and vice versa!

Baby Play: 100 Fun-Filled Activities to Maximize Your Baby's Potential, by Masi and Leiderman (Gen. Eds), 2001.
A lifesaver especially for a first-time daddy who is wondering what activities will be fun and educational for the little one. Great pictures and very little text! Can't wait to buy "Toddler Play" by the same people.

Speaking of which, I'm sure we'll have a list of "top books on toddlers" before we know it! As the time flies, I'm conscious that I need to spend more time with our precious boy than just reading about how to spend time with our precious boy.

Anyway, we'd love to hear your opinions or suggestions on any great books we've missed for the "prego" and "baby" stages. If you were stranded on a desert island... Obviously all this is extremely subjective, but what do you think?

I'm alive, I'm alive!

Today is the second day of August. Where does time go, will somebody please tell me? And when we figure out where it goes, let's figure out how to slow it down.

Ever since Shane hit four months I've grown more and more aware of his little body, his heart, his mind, and his soul "growing up." I know, I know he's only 6 months, you say, but inside me in a place I cannot identify I miss his "newborn-ness." Not always, just sometimes. But some-times is still more than no-times.

Some of this longing has to do with the fact that the more he becomes aware of his surroundings, the more "alive" he becomes thus the more "human-like" I guess you could say, he responds. As a newborn he simply laid on his back, slept A LOT, and ate like an animal. He still sleeps A LOT and he still eats like an animal. But he's adding onto these skills and it shows me, his world, "Hey mommy, I'm growing up."

"I'm alive, I'm alive, I'm alive." That's the chant I hear from my baby boy. He's so alive! He reaches out to touch, taste and feel the door nob, the wall hanging, the keys, the door frame, the keyboard. He not only wants to play, he must play! His taste buds salivate to explore, his fingertips tingle to touch and feel new textures, textures he's never in his entire life felt and tasted before. I can't remember the last time I touched, tasted, felt and experienced something for the first time. How exciting to be a baby!

I'm alive, I'm alive, I'm alive mommy. Take me with you baby boy, and I'll do my best to encourage this aliveness and excitement for life as long as you're mine.

Not-so-solid solids.

Shane is eating!....not-so-solid solids. This inaugural moment happened around 8:00 a.m. over the weekend. I'd been looking for "the signs" that he was ready for solids. Saturday morning I brought the spoon to his mouth, and with both hands Shane shoved the spoon in. I think he was ready. Soon we'll try mashed bananas, then pears, then peaches, then veggies and more. Oh the glorious world of food we're about to discover. Ready or not, here we come!

Tim Tam Slam

Libby and I learned about a glorious and tasty tradition. It has (apparently) been around in many cultures and countries for years and years. And, even a few Americans (mostly college students, I think?) know about it. But we were in the dark.

Now we are enlightened and happier because of it.

First, Tim Tams are a tasty, chocolate covered cookie made in Australia -- although the ones we buy in India are made in Indonesia. I prefer the ones with a mint filling which, when refrigerated, remind me of Girl Scout "Thin Mint" cookies. But the Tim Tam Slam is best when using the standard, chocolate-filled cookie.

So what is the "slam"? The procedure involves "biting off opposing corners of the Tim Tam and then using it as a 'straw' to suck up a hot beverage and then, just before the biscuit falls apart, it is placed in the mouth." Yes, there is a lot of info on the internet about this ceremonious delight including a Wikipedia entry.

Today, I tried it using hot chocolate. Libby tried it using coffee. We also followed these "rules" which a visiting Biola grad told us about.
1. You must never "slam" alone. It is a community experience.
2. After you "slam", you should tell at least 5 people about this life changing experience.
3. When you put the cookie in your mouth, you are not allowed to chew. Just let the cookie melt away into blissful, delicious mush...and then swallow.

If you want to try this amazing experience which will change your life (okay, probably not), find out more about where to buy Tim Tams in your country by reading this Wikipedia entry. Here's to a new generation of Tim Tam Slammers!

Inside Joke!

Amy came with her parents, John and Sarah Sparks for a visit. It was her first time meeting Shane and I think they really hit it off! Either Amy made a joke or these two are sharing an inside joke they won't share with the rest of us. John and Sarah live wayyyyy up north so we rarely get to see them, so it was a real treat.

Funky Camera

Our camera is on the funk, meaning it's acting weird. We'll be taking it to Dr. Camera soon. Pictures and video's will sadly have to be on pause until then. Nevertheless I will continue to post and use my words to create those visual images.

By the way, Shane has upgraded to a new, sturdier mosquito net! It's not quite as grab-able as the first, and is a snugger fit around the crib. Tonight is the first night using it, so we'll see by his face and arms if it's a success or not (bites or no bites).

More to come on WHY we had to get another net.

Offended

Shane is growing in leaps and bounds! Just yesterday I found him in his now-usual position, on his tummy, after waking up from a nap. Only this time, he wasn't so offended. Over the last several weeks Shane has been rolly-polly from back to tummy, and finding himself face down he really doesn't like it. It's offensive, or at least that what he seems to be saying with a cry of disgust. But yesterday he surrendered to the ever growing changes making him into a little boy. Just about completing his fifth month, Shane is now about 15 lbs. And just to show off, he's decided to pop out a tooth. That explains the waterfall of drool, the fierce gumming on mom's chin, dad's thumb and the board books, and his moment's of unexplained agitation. His 6:30 bedtime gives Ben and I the evenings together, and we even took one night out on the town (with babysitters at home of course). I wonder what month 6 will bring!?

DVD Wish List

As an addendum to our Care Package Wish List for those friends/family who want to send care packages or buy gifts, here are some DVDs we'd love to own. Very few, if any of these, are available in India. And, yes, this is an ecclectic variety -- drama, adventure, kids movies, one black & white, some our neighbors would love (and learn about the USA), and much more.

And, of course, we'd love to hear about any great movies that you've seen in the last two years!

Babe
Batman Begins
Beauty and the Beast
Chariots of Fire
Contact
Finding Neverland
Gattaca
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
Quiz Show
Rudy
Searching for Bobby Fischer
Sense and Sensibility ('95)
Shall we dance
Sound of Music
The Fugitive
The Hunt for Red October
The Jungle Book ('94)
The Power of One
Toy Story 2
U-571
Wallice & Gromit
White Christmas

* Updated on Aug. 9, 07 and deleted Apollo 13, Man from Snowy River, The Princess Bride, The Music Man, and While you were sleeping. Thx Des and fam'!
* Updated on Oct 14, 07 and deleted: Hoosiers, Return to Me, The Count of Monte Cristo ('02). Thx Cara!
* Updated on Jan. 21, 08 and deleted: Hotel Rwanda, The Truman Show, Toy Story 1, and West Side Story. Thanks to those who gifted these!
* Updated on July 1, 08 and deleted: Bourne Ultimatum, Borne Identity, and Life is Beautiful. We splurged and got ourselves some fun stuff! And Dec. 2008 Amistad and Secondhand Lions.

More pictures I love. My boys...

The boy has something to say!

Up until his four month landmark, our precious Shane has pretty much been "asleep." Sure, he was laughing a little, cooing some, and definitely expressing himself during nap times. But overall, he didn't have much to say. Even when he came out the womb, he kinda coughed and sputtered, then nestled into me and gave a little grunt. For the last four months, I could sit with him for hours, reading a book as his little brain soaked in the pictures and mommy's voice. Or we'd play with his toys, him batting wildly and missing wildly, me coxing him on. This could go on all day.

But now, oh no! Now the boy has something to say. Wearing his "big boy pants" Shane has an opinion on many things. While he does remains one chill kiddo, you might say he has finally
"woken up." Put me down, no pick me up. I want THAT toy, no THAT toy. New position please, walk around now, carry me, play, talk, read to me. The wild batting continues but is getting more centered on his target. The cooing continues but with added syllables. Raising his head, still a little wobbly but stronger every day, and finding him on his tummy after nap time with a bellowed cry that says "What the..!"

It's the miracle of a small person developing into a his own person. And we get to see this miracle unfold every single day.

My cup runneth over.

Half Volley?

Shane is practicing his soccer skills. Using his legs to do a half volley or perhaps it was a scissor kick. We're not sure. In either case, we're confidant he's on his way to being a direct kick specialist like David Beckham. His daddy was a sweeper, especially good at headers. I'm encouraging Shane to do the running thing. We'll see...

Thirteen years is a long time to wait.

I graduated from Sunset High School in 1994 and headed to Serukam. No, that’s not the name of a small university out east. It’s where I grew up. I took one year off before starting college (at Taylor Unv.) and revisited the medical compound where I spent ten years of childhood. I did everything from babysitting a pet monkey, to organizing medical supplies, to traveling with a team of nurses to give free medical exams in remote villages to women and babies.

One baby came home with me. He was four-month old Kris. His mother died of TB and pneumonia, leaving him with a case of illnesses all his own. Kris’s father, living in the middle of a rice paddy in a thatched bamboo box was desperate for food. He sold the baby to a stranger for a stack of crackers. The hospital staff found out, sought-down the baby and stranger, bought back the infant (not in crackers), and he was placed in my lap.

Kristandi is what I named him. The search began for a family to take Kris home. While we waited he needed extra care and attention, and I was the chosen one.

Petrified Anxious Nervous 18-Year Old Me.
Abandoned Nameless Ill 4-Month Old Kristandi.

Kris stayed with me for one week and four days. I was haggard and tired by day two of sleepless nights as he wailed in his sick little body. I carried him in a sling throughout the day, his little body clinging to mine. He was nicknamed “Si manis” or Sweet Baby. His right eyebrow arched when he was serious or happy. He laughed with his mouth wide open. He had a button nose. His fingers were soft and they wrapped themselves around mine at night during a bottle feed or a cry. Then there was that one night, The Night, I realized Kris knew me as his caregiver. At that moment I gave him my heart. I didn’t even try to withhold it.

A couple unable to bare children for 18 years found their way to Kris. The process was simple and quick. No papers, no signatures, just a gentleman’s handshake. He was there and then he was gone. I left for college and heard news about Kris for about two years thereafter. Then all went silent. Tribal warfare broke out and I believe the family had to flee their village. Kris is about 13 years old now.

Four-month babies will always hold a special place in heart. Today my babe is four-months old.

Still Petrified Anxious Nervous 31-year Old Me.
Always Mine Cherished Healthy 4-month old Shane.
Shane has been with us for four months (plus nine). I have been haggard and tired by sleepless nights and wailing. I carry him in my arms throughout the day, his arms wrapped around my arms. He’s nicknamed “Muffin” and “Buddy”. He half-smiles when he’s happy or sad. He laughs with his mouth wide, wide open. He has my button nose. His fingers wrap around mine. And there are those moments, those priceless moments when he shows me he knows he’s mine. And at those moments, I give him my heart. And I don’t even try to withhold it.

Kris taught me that the giving of myself, even for one week and five days, even if he would disappear into the jungles of Borneo, was the greatest gift I could ever give to a child. I dreamed for 13 years the day I would hold my own four-month old son. Today my baby is my dream come true.

Thank you Kris for sharing with me, Petrified Anxious Nervous 18-Year Old Me, a slice of your life. Thank you Shane, Always Mine Cherished Healthy 4-month old Shane, for you are my dream come true, 13 years in the waiting.

Waiting is hard. But you’re worth it. Boy, are you worth it!

Head's Up!

Shane is four days away from turning four months. He just wants to give everyone a heads up on that.

Happy Birthday Claire!

Happy birthday Claire! We attended Princess Claire's 4th birthday last night. The kiddos loved loving on Shane and as you see, he wasn't fussy about being fussed over. But of course the star of the show was Claire. Her mamma made TWO cakes (flower shaped) and a spread of yummies for the guests to enjoy. And we did.

Thanks for having a birthday Claire. You're one special girl.

News as the monsoon approaches

Yes, the monsoon has hit the west coast of India. It only a matter of days until it arrives to bring cooler temps. For the next few months it will be in the 80s instead of 100 F plus inside the house. Last monsoon, a friend took an amazing picture in the hills of north India where we were studying Hindi at the time.

Shane has now learned to grab things that are in front of him. He's starting to get into the routine of slapping things. He's also in the habit of curling up into a ball while sucking his fingers in his crib. When he stretches out, his body rotates slightly. The result is that, when you find him after a nap, he's rotated about 90 degrees and barely fits across his cot mattress without hitting his head and feet on the sides!

We've had very few power outtages lately. We're grateful since some big Indian cities have had a very rough summer due to growing demand for electricity and not enough production.

Libby bought some new goggles and will head back to the swimming pool next week as soon as summer break ends for the schools. There were just too many kids flopping around in the middle of a "lap pool".

We and some good friends had Subway sandwiches last night. It is an occasional treat since Subway is one of the few restaurants to serve lettuce. The delivery is free. Unfortunately, the manager at first refused to deliver (even though they have delivered here several times), then said they've never delivered to this part of town, and finally sent someone, but it took 1.5 hours to arrive because the delivery boy was new and got lost. Ah well.

That's the latest news for now!

Daddy's impressions

Just some quick thoughts and memories from the last few weeks. I'm enjoying being a daddy and love our little guy. He is now 15 weeks old (about 3.5 months). We've had a few challenges, but overall, he is one easy-going kid!

• Loved seeing him find his hands about a month ago (around 2 mo. old). This involved huge eyes since his fists were just in front of his nose. Then watched him use one hand to shove the other fist into his mouth. He's been doing that routinely ever since.
• Loved hearing his first giggle about two weeks ago. He doesn't laugh out loud much, but when he does, we all laugh. He loves when his mom does "floppy lip" sounds or dad does bouncing while saying in rhythm "ho-ho-ho, ha-ha-ha, he-he!".
• He doesn't spend a lot of time on his tummy, but is doing better and better at pushing himself up and even turning his head.
• About two weeks ago, we moved his bedtime up from 10pm to 6pm by simply focusing on his daytime napping. He still sleeps 10-12 hours a night, but now we have a little evening time for just Libby and I. The downside? Early mornings, and I'm NOT a morning person.
• Took him to the Police Commissioner's office on Thurs. to get his exit permission (3.5 hr trip). He charmed everyone and, just before we got in the car to leave, was snatched by the police guarding the parking lot. They wanted to cuddle and pinch the white kid. I think it broke up the monotony of the day for them and Shane didn't mind.
• I was amazed (and a bit proud) when the doctor gave him a vaccination in his thigh last Saturday...and he didn't even flinch. No crying. Nothing. Wow.
• The other morning,we couldn't figure out why he'd been laying in bed babbling to himself for 30+ min. when he should have been sleeping. I tried to sooth him. Then mommy tried. Then we realized he had a very very wet diaper. Sorry, little guy. You were communicating so politely that mommy and daddy were slow on the uptake. Maybe you should scream more.
• And then there was that one diaper. It wasn't a big explosion, but the stench made daddy head to the corner of the room and start dry-heaving while calling for mommy to come finish the job. All the time I was trying to smile at him and congratulate him and encourage him to poop more, but woah, I may have to buy scuba gear to keep near the baby changing table.

Conversations with Shane

On Mother's Day, Ben and I had conversations with Shane about his day. He's got a lot to say. Enjoy...we sure did.

Taking Snaps

As we say here in India, here are just a few "snaps," or pictures from March when my in-laws visited. Shane was 6 weeks old (he's now 3 1/2 months) at the time. I finally got around to sorting them! Enjoy

The three Spotts boys

Grandpa Bob

Grandma Kim

"A boooooring family snap"--Shane

Would this be a good portrait for the next family Christmas card?

Socializing with friends after church

6 week doctors appointment

Tidbits of news

Hope all you mothers had a great Mother's Day! Here's the latest from life in India:

• The monsoons are supposed to come one week early (by second week of June). Yeah!
• Since English Premier League soccer is on TV here a lot, Libby (and I) decided she had to pick a team this year. Guess what? Her team, Manchester United, won the league (although they lost the last game of the season yesterday).
• Shane's passport arrived on Saturday morning. The envelop was ripped, but the passport was still safe and secure inside a second envelop. We're grateful. Now begins the tiring process of working with the local authorities to get his visa.
• We're making plans to visit the USA this fall. No itinerary yet but we hope to nail down some details by the end of June.
• It was only 95 F inside our house right now (9pm at night). But we're not complaining...honestly. Because the power is on and the fans and air conditioners are working!

Somebody made a funny!

Somebody made a funny, somebody made a bubble, somebody(s) made a handsome baby boy!