Meet Baby Jones

I’ve just dropped Avery off at school and now I’m back home faced with the arduous task of cleaning his closet. This is so draining because it takes me so long to decide which items he’s outgrown go in the “Memento Box” or the “Balikbayan Box“. Even when it seems the choice should be crystal clear, almost always I’ll waffle a few times and so then before you know it, 3 hours have passed and I’ve only managed to put away a pair of socks.

And of course there’s the super-sappy moments when I pick up an item and I reminisce about when I bought that item, the first time Avery wore it, and any special memories that are attached to it. I’m going through one of those super-sappy moments right now, actually *sniff, sniff, dab, dab*.

Sitting in front of me are a pair of size 5 babyGap sandals that look exactly like these Birkenstocks except of course they’re for boys and they have a strap that go around the back of the foot. Well, I vividly remember picking these up for Avery last September when he was only 5 months old and they were on clearance. I thought they were the most adorable sandals and even though it seemed impossible to me that Avery would grow into them by the following summer, I bought them anyway. I justified that purchase by reasoning to myself (and eventually to my baby daddy) that even if he doesn’t get to wear them in the summer, he can wear them as house shoes in the fall or something. Besides, they were less than $10 so who cares?

I also remember Melvin picking up a pair of Birkenstocks for himself that are a different style but the same color as these shoes because he said he wanted them to have sorta-matching shoes for the summer.

Well, these sandals that I thought would always be too big on Avery he wore all summer and now has outgrown. I can’t believe how quickly time has passed! My baby who just a few months ago only got around by means of stroller now runs everywhere. His tiny feet that once could only wear shoes so small that they didn’t even have an official size now wears a size 6.5. A half a size more and we’ll be shopping in the Big Kids’ section *salty tear about to trickle onto my pillow*. My lil’ baby won’t be a lil’ baby for long.

As a testament to how quickly time passes, a couple of hours have passed and now it’s time to pick up my muse from school. At least now we know which box these sandals go so I got something done besides blog.

In one instance:
ME: “Let’s go back inside now.”
Avery vigorously shakes his head from side to side.

In another instance:
ME: “Let’s take a nap now.”
Avery vigorously shakes his head from side to side.

Yet another instance:
ME: “You want your yogurt?”
Avery vigorously shakes his head from side to side, and then points to the bacon his father tantalizingly left on the counter.

And just this morning:
ME: “Are you ready to get out of the tub now?”
Avery vigorously shakes his head from side to side.
ME: “But there’s no more water in the tub.”
Avery vigorously shakes his head from side to side.
ME: “Aren’t you cold?”
Avery vigorously shakes his head from side to side.
ME: “How can you not be cold when I am freeeeezing?”
Avery shrugs his shoulders and turns his palms up.
ME: “Ok, well, you can stay here if you want, but I’m going to your room now, k?
Avery vigorously shakes his head from side to side.
ME: “Aren’t you dizzy from all that shaking?”
Avery vigorously shakes his head from side to side.

And so it has begun. The hex my father put on me 21 years ago when I was 15 and I came home past my curfew, that curse has begun. My child has learned to tell me “no”.

Heaven help me.

Real severe thunderstorms rolled through our area last night. They were in fact so severe that when we woke up in the morning, we had huge tree branches all over our yard. Fallen trees also lined our streets that many of them had to be blocked, forcing us to take several detours on our way to the diner this morning. Oh, and the storms knocked out our power - we had no electricity from 7p last night to 7p tonight.

Anyway, the lightning last night was the worst I’d seen in a while. One actually hit a pine tree that’s right in front of our yard and it sent pieces of wood as far as at least 100 feet. A horse from a neighboring farm was also sadly hit and died :(. I’m wondering why it was even out in a storm like that.

So, when all the lightning was going on, I locked myself in the spare bedroom with all the blinds down and a comforter over my head. Melvin and Avery were out on the porch playing.

I KNOW!

I was sooooo freaking out because it was really bad out there, and I kept yelling for Melvin to bring Avery inside. Of course, he just kept telling me that they were fine and that Avery was having fun. Yes, he was having a lot of fun. But would he let Avery play in the middle of a highway just because he’s having fun? How about a loaded gun? Would he let Avery play with that too just because he’s having fun?

Yes, I KNOW!

I really, really wanted to go out there and just snatch Avery and bring him inside. But aside from my stupid phobia, I also didn’t want to undermine Melvin.

Well, this morning as I told this story to our neighbor, Deb, she was just like, “Whaaat?” And Deb is not one to be rattled by mother nature’s fury easily. She’s been through some pretty rough weather and even she could not believe that Melvin was out there with Avery in the middle of the storm.

Now, to Melvin’s credit, I don’t think he had any idea just how severe the weather was. And really when they were out on the porch, the storm had just started so the lightning wasn’t too, too bad. I know he wouldn’t put Avery in harm’s way and after realizing that his action was probably not the safest thing he could’ve done, he felt really terrible and has promised to not allow Avery outside again during a thunderstorm.

Avery spiked a temp last Tuesday night. He felt extremely warm to me all day long, but I attributed it to him being out in the sun. He was still warm at night, but I dismissed that to him falling asleep in a hooded sweatsuit.

As do most childhood fevers, he felt normal on Wednesday during the day. At night, he felt warm again and this time, there was no attributing it to anything. I took his temp, and rectally, it was 101.8. No biggie (Avery’s doc said not to worry until fever reaches 102) but he was obviously in a lot of discomfort since he woke up 4 times during the night.

By Thursday morning, Melvin and I decided it was time for him to see his doctor.

Avery gets the once over by his doc and she decides a cold/flu can be ruled out. She also said that they’re seeing a lot of roseola cases in the office, but it didn’t seem like that’s what Avery has because temps associated with this illness is usually a lot higher. Doc then checks out his penis, seems ok, but just to be sure, they obtain a urine specimen for culture (thank goodness by way of bag and not catheter!). They also drew labs to check his white count.

Friday morning, the nurse calls with the results. Urine was negative, but white count suggests something viral is going on. They said nothing to do, but just watch closely and call if Avery’s temp doesn’t subside by Saturday night.

Well, the fever is gone, but come Saturday, there are red spots on his chest. I haven’t talked to the doc again, but I suspect it is indeed roseola.

I really don’t allow the television to babysit Avery. I was half-joking when I wrote about wishing I could leave the tv on 24 - 7 so he could sit in front of it, fall into a trance and not bother me for the rest of the day. Gosh, even I don’t like tv like that - why the heck would I ever expose my (possibly only) child to that kind of trash?

At six months, Avery’s Lola taught him how to show affection. She’d place her forehead close to his and say “Untog, untog, untog…” He’d smile and gently bump foreheads with her. The untog-ing started catching on. I found myself using gentle head-butting to communicate affection to my son more and more.

Recently, I’ve started some gentle rough-housing with Avery. Rolling around with him on the floor. Pinning him down and blowing raspberries on his stomach.

Somewhere, the untog-ing and rough-housing have merged into an affectionate but dangerous, even maniacal head-butting that almost took out my front teeth. Twice.

I think I’m going to teach him some other way to show affection.

Avery’s 1st Birthday is fast approaching. At first, I was not planning on doing anything big - maybe a small get-together at the crib (our crib, not Avery’s *hee hee*) with grown-ups who have wee ones, with, at the most, a few hot hors ‘douvres and some cupcakes.

Turns out, I was waaaay out in left field with regard to customs and expectations. Apparently, 1st birthdays are a big deal, at least in the Filipino culture. Don’t believe me? Ask my mother.

When she finally came to after I told her my original plans, my mother explained to me that 1st birthdays are as important as Baptisms (which Avery hasn’t had and which he probably never will, but that’s another blog entry altogether), Kindergarten Graduations, Grade School Graduations, High School Graduations, 18th Birthdays, 21st Birthdays, College Graduations, Weddings, 25th Anniversaries, 50th Birthdays, 65th Birthdays, 50th Anniversaries and Wakes. And ideally, the celebrations should occur in that order. Specifically. If they don’t, well you’re just weird.

Ok, so on to the drawing board.

First thing Melvin and I talked about was a budget. Coming up with one was easy. Not surprisingly, it’s the sticking to it that’s a problem.

Obviously, the venue/food is what is going to eat up most of the budget. Our house as the party location had been a serious consideration, but major problems, mainly that it sucks the life out of me every time we have a party here, has forced it out of contention. Then, there was the Currents Ballroom at Adventure Aquarium in NJ. Oh. My. God. The place is to die for! For real! I mean, you’re literally surrounded by walls with sharks and other exotic marine mammals in it. We could’ve definitely had a party there, but the lady I talked to said that with our budget, we would’ve only been able to host a party for 10 people with boxed lunches and soda. That would not have been much of a party, right? Right. So maybe when Avery graduates from Yale Law we could revisit this idea.

I seriously thought about the Philadelphia Zoo, but Melvin thought that was stupid since Avery is too young to enjoy the animals. Then I thought about Adventure Aquarium, but I was turned off by the food they give you with the party pack. Pizza? Are you for real? For the price you want to charge me? I don’t think so. Other places on my list were either outdoors only, too restrictive, too expensive or too far so they were scratched off.

After much searching, deliberating and comparing, I finally settled on a Thai/French restaurant in NJ. I’m really excited because the menu looks superb, it has received wonderful reviews based on an independent website, the location is central to most people we’re inviting, the proprietors seem to be really accommodating, and it even appears that we would remain somewhat close to our budget.

I was going to order invitations (I really, really don’t like to handwrite anything) but that would’ve put a serious dent on our quickly dwindling budget, so I decided to create my own. Nothing too creative or artistic - really just plain cards decorated with design slapped on with customized wording on adhesive label. Saved us about 66%.

The party favors have proven to be a little tricky. The theme is Asian, specifically Thai, and although it would seem like there would be lots of options, there really isn’t much from which to choose because I have to constantly remember that not all Asians are created equal. There’s Filipino, Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese, Korean, etc. and to mix cultures (speaking strictly in terms of party favors) would be just plain tacky.

NOTE: Ok, so I know that somebody out there is going to be thinking, well, what is her connection with Thai? Absolutely nothing besides the fact that the chosen party venue is Thai. Oh, and also that it is one of my favorite foods (Melvin doesn’t mind it either).

Everytime I hear “Bubbly” by Colbie Caillat, it makes me think of my precious little boy. Doesn’t matter how I am feeling, this song comes on and I am immediately transported to a place where all there is is Avery, and he is smiling, and laughing, and babbling, and hugging me, and kissing me. I love me some you, Avery!

“Bubbly”

I’ve been awake for a while now
You got me feeling like a child now
‘Cause every time I see your bubbly face
I get the tinglies in a silly place

It starts in my toes
And I crinkle my nose
Wherever it goes
I always know
That you make me smile
Please stay for a while now
Just take your time
Wherever you go

The rain is falling on my window pane
But we are hiding in a safer place
Under covers staying dry and warm
You give me feelings that I adore

It starts in my toes
Make me crinkle my nose
Wherever it goes
I always know
That you make me smile
Please stay for a while now
Just take your time
Wherever you go

What am I going to say
When you make me feel this way
I just mmmmm

And it starts in my toes
Makes me crinkle my nose
Wherever it goes
I always know
That you make me smile
Please stay for a while now
Just take your time
Wherever you go

I’ve been asleep for a while now
You tuck me in just like a child now
‘Cause every time you hold me in your arms
I’m comfortable enough to feel your warmth

And it starts in my soul
And I lose all control
When you kiss my nose
The feeling shows
’cause you make me smile baby
Just take your time now
Holdin’ me tight

Wherever wherever wherever you go
Wherever wherever wherever you go

Wherever you go
I always know
‘Cause you make me smile
Even just for a while

Avery, please don’t use these words ever as they do not exist, at least in the English language:

Conversate

Irregardless - Technically, Merriam Webster online states that this word does exist, but they suggest to use regardless instead. And Dictionary.com states:
ir·re·gard·less ( P ) Pronunciation Key (r-gärdls)
adv. Nonstandard Regardless.
[Probably blend of irrespective, and regardless.]
Usage Note: Irregardless is a word that many mistakenly believe to be correct usage in formal style, when in fact it is used chiefly in nonstandard speech or casual writing. Coined in the United States in the early 20th century, it has met with a blizzard of condemnation for being an improper yoking of irrespective and regardless and for the logical absurdity of combining the negative ir- prefix and -less suffix in a single term. Although one might reasonably argue that it is no different from words with redundant affixes like debone and unravel, it has been considered a blunder for decades and will probably continue to be so.

Mommy’s not being a snob - just simply doing my part.

Melvin and I bought Avery a couple of new books two weeks ago at the Border’s in Wynnewood. We were in the area because we had to meet with our realtor to finalize some stuff and just for old time’s sake, we decided to check out our old favorite hang out spot. Back in the day when we lived in our duplex and we didn’t have much money, we would go to the Border’s and spend an entire day just reading books and having coffee.

Books + coffee = a lil’ piece of heaven on earth. I don’t know many people who would disagree.

Anyway, Avery’s at the stage when after we read him a book, he wants to eat it. So we picked out books that were made of cardboard so he could chew them afterwards to his little heart’s content. The books we bought were “The Snowy Day” by Ezra Jack Keats and “Who’s Under That Hat” by David A. Carter.

“The Snowy Day” is probably one of my favorite books in Avery’s library so far. It is a story about a black kid named Peter and all the fun he has in the snow. Yes, you read right, a black kid. I was too thrilled to see this, especially at Border’s. Usually, one would have to go to a specialty bookstore to score a children’s book that has blacks as main characters, so I was too happy to run across this.

As it turns out, this book was written waaaay back in 1963 so my eureka moment was not. But discovering this book is not unlike finding a Picasso at a thrift store. I picked it up not knowing a thing about it except that it had a black kid on the cover, the artwork was marvelous, and it was made of cardboard. Come to find out, it is the recipient of a 1963 Caldecott Medal, was cited by the NY Public Library as one of the 100 most influential books of the 20th century in 1996, won a citation from the Brooklyn Art Books for children in 1973 and was chosen by the US State Department for its Touring Collection in 1971. Excuuuse me!

You know, I really should look into a career in publishing because honestly, I have a keen sense about “what’s hot” in the literary world. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve blindly bought a book and then find out later that I’d just read something that’s just been added to the “Top 100 Books of All Time”.

Ok, anyway, the second book is “Who’s Under That Hat” by David A. Carter. It is exactly what the cover of the book says - a lift-the-flap pop-up adventure. Avery seems to enjoy all the colors although he’s too young to understand the lifting-the-flap-and-finding-something-underneath concept. He does understand that just like the other cardboard books he has, he can chew this one after we finish reading to him.