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!

First Shower in Months...

Yes, I enjoyed my first shower since September 2006. We are in Chennai for a four day visit where we successfully went to the US Consulate and received Shane's USA birth certificate yesterday. He is now officially an American citizen!

But we've also enjoyed staying at a 4 star hotel which meant electricity and running water 24 hours a day! At our house in Hyderabad, we never have enough water in the tank on the roof for a proper shower. Without adequate water, the shower just trickles (it is a gravity-fed water pressure system), so we've become used to using a little dipper for "bucket showers."

Shane after his swim

Shane is drying off from his 20 minutes pool session. He fell asleep immediately afterwards. I guess it wasn't a stressful experience!

Easter Sunday Swim

This is a short clip of Shane in action at his first pool experience.

Super Size Please

Shane has found his fingers. Let me rephrase. Shane has found his fist. Why settle for a thumb or a teeny tiny index finger when you have a fist? Over the last two days I've been finding Shane slurp, slurp, suck, slurping on all five fingers. He looks up at me, face covered in slurp and spit with a happy grin and content as can be.

While he's still working hard to fit his entire fist inside his mouth, his attempts are noble at best. Shoving several fingers in at a time and using his other hand to guide him, he tries and tries. And when just his thumb makes it in, the rest of his hand is flat up against his face. I can just barely see his eyes peeking through his slurp slurping hand.

It's rather messy. It's rather slurpy. It's rather cute.

Curled Lip

I received my first curled lip from Shane yesterday.

Just before lunch we were taking a nap. I woke up and decided to get an apple for a snack, so I unraveled myself from Shane and headed for the kitchen. Suddenly a cry came from the room, but it wasn't any normal cry I've heard yet.

I headed back. Shane was lying there with his wide blue eyes and a very, very curled lip. What a heart breaker! Both sides of his mouth so totally turned down and that little lip turned completely inside out. I nestled into him immediately and apologized for making his world so sad. He whimpered a little, then settled down after a few minutes.

If too many of those sad-faced curled lips come my way I may be guilty of not letting him leave the house until he's 30.

Easter Swimming

Our first dip
Warming up Auntie Beena holding sleepy Shane. Swimming is tiring.

On Easter Sunday our friends invited us for an Easter picnic at a nearby pool. What fun! Shane even got to go "swimming" for the first time. Okay so he didn't really "swim" but he did bounce around, get wet up to his neck, lie on his back, and splash a little. There was lots of aunts and uncles to cuddle him, so Ben and I had a chance to splash around in the water too with the other kids. We had a fun day with friends and family. UTube video's soon to follow!

Mornings with Shane

Shane is particularly happy in the mornings and enjoys reading the paper, drinking a bit of coffee, and watching the world go by. Well, he enjoys the last one right now. Here's a glimpse of life from our living room this morning. By the way, he didn't laugh when I told him later (off camera) that the local government office had issued his birth certificate incorrectly. His last name is SPOFFS. True story. Have to get that corrected before we can get his passport and other documents. Sigh.

Enjoy the last of three videos for today!

Shane checks out the world

Here's Shane just chillin' and checking out life at our house. This is a longer video. Shows his typical pose...sorta fixated on something but occasionally looking you in the eye to check you out, too.

Conversations with Shane

Here is Shane talking with mommy about his 8-week doctor's appointment. By the way, he is healthy and normal. He weighed in at about 5.3 kgs (11 lbs, 11 oz) which means he has outgrown most of his "newborn" onesies and the "small" diapers are getting tight. Yikes! They didn't measure length or head Circumference (probably since that was done at his 6-week appointment across town).