This business of the baby

The Many Costumes of Silas

2009-11-07T18:37:00.003-05:00

Silas is a BIG fan of dress-up lately. So we thought we'd share some of his best costumes!

Notice the awesome sparkly red shoes!

ROAR!

Dun-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh
Dun-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh
BATMAN!

And then when he woke up from nap on Halloween Day, he decided that he wanted to be.....a BUTTERFLY.

Chad and I keep talking about taking some shots of my GINORMOUS baby belly...someday we will, I swear.

Introducing: Baby Cheese!

2009-09-30T21:10:00.002-04:00

Ok, in utero, anyway.

Yes, Silas is expecting a little brother sometime in February 2010. Here's photographic evidence. :)

Profile

Little Alien Face

Little Alien Face, Take 2Spine!

Tiny Feets!

Yes, we are slackers.

2009-04-28T22:01:00.010-04:00

Yeah, it's been a while. I've been busy, what do you want from me!?

I've got some sweet new skillz.
We had a visit from Evan and Uncle Paul - it was totally sweet.
Evan and I rock the playdoh mustaches!
I show Evan some of my trademarked dance moves...
And play him my latest hit (You Are My Sunshine).
We also visited some farms and got to go on a hayride...
And the nice farmer let me DRIVE THE TRACTOR!!!!
And no trip to a farm is complete without a ride on the rooster!
I'm really digging Seattle. We get to go throw rocks in Puget Sound all the time. Note my post-throw kick, it's very important for balance.And there are lots of great swing-slides (aka "playgrounds").

There's tons of cool hikes nearby, too. Sometimes I ride in style...
but mostly mama and dada have to chase me.
We carved a pumpkin for Halloween that came all the way from Idaho (thanks, Pop!)
I've also taken up bowling.
I pretty much rock!Don't ever disrupt my artistic flow, man.

Christmas was a blast! I got to hand out all the presents. Most of them were for me.
Pops got this weird Slanket thing. He likes to pretend he's the Pope when he wears it.
Here's Papa an Grandmama, Mamoo, Mama, Me and Pops on Christmas
And then Papa, Grandmama, Mama, Me and Dada for good measure.And now, without further ado, it's our readers' Number One Favorite Blog Feature:

Stuff On My Head!!!!

Motorcycle Cap!

Spaceman!
Homemade "Los Pollitos" Helmet! (That's Baby Chicks in Spanish)
I'm Officer Friendly!
And Carmen Miranda!
I'm appalled that you want to change my diaper!
And scandalized that you think I need a bib.
Another homemade gem...

ROAR!!! I'm a happy scary lion!
And sometimes I even get Mamoo and Mama to join in on the fun.And that's all I've got for you today! Hope you've enjoyed catching up with me!
Ciao,
Silas T.

The Summer 2008 Uber-Post!

2008-08-20T21:47:00.008-04:00

Are you guys giving me the stink-eye for being gone so long? Let me just ask you a few questions.

Have you guys ever been to Seattle? Or moved? Holy cow, it keeps you busy! We have a new house, we had to move all our stuff in (boxes! rock!) and then we had to explore our cool new city! It's so cool! Did I mention cool? It's totally cool. I have to wear galoshes a lot though (pictured above...and below) because it rains here. A LOT.

Without further ado, here are some snaps of stuff I've been up to for the past oh, say, 3 1/2 months. Enjoy!

Let's start off with the most important event of the last few months...My 2nd BIRTHDAY!

Mama and Dada were a little too "helpful" during their candle-blowing demo...they blew all my dang candles out! Mama thought this was hilarious! And embarrassing. Grown-ups are weird.
In any case, the cake was deeeee-licious!
A little video interlude that I like to call, "Smiling Lessons."

Have y'all met my lady, Mrs. B? That's Mrs. Beasley to you.

Don't we look super-fly together? Some other things I've been showing love lately? The trees of the fabulous Pacific Northwest.

We even went on a whole tree-hugging camping adventure in the Olympic Peninsula. It was so fun!

What's that I see in my binoculars?
Elk!
They made it look so tasty, I decided to give "meadow" a try...
Tastes like carrots (this is a direct quote).

On a hike to look for...
More trees to hug!
Mine's cuter!
Peek-a-boo tree!

Banana slugs are weird...and cool!
I've also been hanging with my family more - it's a lot easier to visit now, since we don't have to fly in an airplane.

Mimi and I put on our make-up together in the morning.

I figure that if it's good on my lips, it must be good for cheeks, too, right?Am I not gorgeous?!?

Grandmama and Papa and I sing a song together...I think the itsy bitsy spider.
We've also been visited by friends from Michigan!

Yay for Brooke and Nolan and Micah!

Post Snoqualmie Falls Lollipop - I earned it!
Snoqualmie Falls were cool! Did I show you guys my cool new toy? Without further ado...

And now for this episode's installment of Stuff On My Head.

Diapers on my bottom? Diapers on my head.
My cool new "red" (aka pink) sunglasses! I picked them out myself.
Safety first!

In other random news, Mama and Dada celebrated their 5 year wedding anniversary, whatever that means. All I know is that they went out for dinner and I got to eat pizza with Mamoo and Pops! Suckers!
Speaking of Mamoo and Pops...they have a new KITTY! Named Lucy! LucyFur! I can't WAIT to visit her again.
Well, I gotta go. There's so much to do in Seattle, and just not enough time to write about it all. I'm off to the wading pool now, but hopefully I'll check back in before Christmas. Ha!
Until next time, I remain your humble, adorable toddler,
Silas T.

My parents are freaking out...

2008-05-01T08:55:00.003-04:00

About moving to somewhere called Seattle? I don't know what all the fuss is about, but they keep dancing and screaming a lot and stuff. Maybe it's a giant toy store or something. Only time will tell.

In any case, I wanted to share with you some new skillz my parents recently became aware of.

Until next time, I remain your humble, adorable baby,
Silas T.

Shave and a

2008-04-25T15:49:00.002-04:00

Haircut!!! Two bits.

The haircut was pretty stressful, so I'm having a relaxing beer. Just kidding! It's empty, of course.

And here's a little pre-haircut dance Dad and I did this morning:

Until next time, I remain your humble, adorable toddler,
Silas T.

2008-04-22T21:35:00.010-04:00

Hello glorious readers! I thought it was high time for an update on how I've been spending my wintertime in Michigan.

Mamoo and Pops sent me some play-silks! Mama made me some funny hats for this first installment of Stuff On My Head.

'Sup?
Cheese!
They're also great for building forts! Here I'm hidin' out with my buddies!
Mama made me some play-d'oh!
Here I'm having a very studious diaper change.
This is how I use this thing, right?
No? How about this?
Still not right? Do I just sit here? No? I'll have to keep working on it and get back to you.

We went to Phoenix on vacation!
There were lizards!
Flowers to smell!
Walks to take! Sometimes with mama:

Sometimes "self," as I like to say.By the end I packed myself, ready to go.

Our kitty went bye-bye forever. Here's us having one last snuggle.

Back to Stuff On My Head, Part II:
Sometimes I make some silly faces. This is the "llama llama mad at mama face," from one of my favorite books!
This is my "Joe Cool" face.

We're not sure what to call this, but maybe my "Whatchootalkin'boutWillis?" face.This is my "I love broccoli and pasta" face.
And my "Oh man! Black bean burgers AGAIN, mom?" face.
Did someone need to speak to an important executive?
Excuse me, I have to take this call.

My newest favorite dance. I predict it will be sweeping the nation shortly, macarena style!

I run like the wind and dance like a penguin.

And finally, I sing you alllll to sleeeeeep.....

Until next time, I remain your humble adorable toddler,
Silas T.

The Long Overdue Holiday Madness Update

2008-02-10T18:49:00.000-05:00

Don't blame me. Blame my parents. And grandparents. They got me so many new cool toys for the holidays, I haven't had a spare moment to do anything but play. Seriously.

Actually, I've been pretty busy even before Christmas, as you can see.

But Christmas in Oregon and Idaho were busy, too!

I was especially busy dancing with my friend, the goat.

Here is my goat with Aunt Nica's doggie, Roxy. They are eerily alike. It's enough to freak a baby out.

In Idaho, I called some ducks!

This is what Oregon looks like in December.
All in all, it's very pleasant and great for climbing hills!

It's also a nice place to visit the Children's Museum! It was totally fun.
I also did some reorganizing for Mamoo.

When we got home, there were MORE presents!

And now for the newest installment of "Stuff On My Head."

And here is the video segment for Stuff On My Head:

Other things I've been into lately:

Taking baths!
Running in my new squeaky shooooooes!

Snuggling with mama!
Eating with gloves on! I love a challenge.
Going to toddler dance class! Check it out, I bust a move.

And basically finding new places to hide from mom and dad. I can hardly hide long enough for them to find me, though.

Well, that's all I've got in me for tonight. It's time for mangia-night-nights!
Until next time, I remain your humble, adorable toddler,
Silas T.

October Goodness

2007-11-01T13:24:00.000-04:00

Cheese!No, I'm not lazy! Just very, very efficient. I just wanted to wait until October was over until I updated again. Yeah, that's it!

September and October were very busy around here. We had lots of grandparents visiting!

First Mimi and Pop came to town. We had a blast at Greenfield Village and walking around town. And swinging!
Then Grandmoms and Grandpops came visiting. We went all over, to Grand Rapids and to Holland, MI where they have a funny Dutch Village.

This giant bird tried to fly away with me, but Pops saved me.

Grandmoms helped me ride this horse (or as I like to call them "eh-yews, " you know, like the sound of a neigh!)Here's me riding another eh-yew. I love the ponies!I tried to pack myself into Grandmoms's luggage, but they caught me at security.The weather has finally started to get colder, so I've been wearing all kinds of new clothes. And shoes! Check out my Chuck Taylors that my cousin Evan picked out for me! They are my favorite-est shoes of all time, and they make me run real fast!
We've also been going on lots of nice walks in the woods lately.

Shadow dancing!

Smelling the "flowers."

Here's a little video of how we walk through the woods together:

One day we went to a pumpkin patch and played!

Of course, we've been living it up indoors as well.

Like diapering my monkey!
I call this one "flour power."
This is called the "I love tractors" scream.
And this series I call Bucking Bronco:

I'm an adrenaline junky. Here's me riding my eh-yew that Mimi and Pop gave me! I ride him every day, but he still doesn't have a name.
Here's me cooking in my new kitchen from Grandmoms and Grandpops!

And here is what we call the Mittened Musician.

But I know that the real moment you've all been waiting for is HALLOWEEN! As you can see, I was a froggy.

You didn't know that frogs rode ponies?!? Mama and Dada even took me trick or treating, and let me have just a teeny bit of candy. It changed my life.

Mmmmm, sugar coma....Well, that's all for now, peeps. I'll be back soon to post the 4 billion photos that grandmoms and grandpops took during their visit. A baby can only post so many pictures at a time!

Be cool.

Your humble, adorable toddler,
Silas T.

Late Summer Update

2007-09-10T19:13:00.001-04:00

Hello Loyal Readers!

Did you miss me?

I'm here to update you on my latest late summer activities. Hope you enjoy!

I got to pretend to drive a Real. Live. Tractor. Seriously, it was the best!
We went to this really cool sculpture park in Grand Rapids. There was a whole Kiddie village there! This is me checking out the tree house.
I'm just taking a break from tree climbing in this baby-sized chair in my brand new hat that I don't immediately rip off my head as soon as mama puts it on me.
Unbeknownst to me, I fell asleep on our bike ride home from the farmer's market one Saturday. Mama and dada made me post this one; I think it's rather embarrassing.Here's me riding a pony at the Michigan State Fair!
I also checked out this funky turkey a little later in the day.This is what happens when mamas and dadas are too involved in their conversations to realize that I'm redecorating dada's keyboard. You'd think I had killed the cat, they were so mad. Jeez, I was just trying to apply the principles of feng shui.

I was getting into my cottage cheese here. If it's good in your mouth, that means it's good on your face and in your hair, right?
On Labor Day, I got to hang out with my friend Ramona (and mama and dada got to hang out with her parents, Amy and Ethan). It was super fun! Here's us in her pool.
Checkin' out the sandbox...
And of course, sampling the fine sand in said sand box.

Last but not least, I hope you enjoy this video clip of me sitting in the kitchen drawer. It literally speaks for itself.

Until next time, I remain your humble adorable toddler,
Silas T.

Water Park!

2007-08-13T19:25:00.001-04:00

What's up, loyal readers? I'm just driving. It's one of my new favorite activities. I can even get the key in the ignition. Mama and Dada better watch out, because pretty soon I'm blowin' this popstand!

Today I got behind the wheel and started to drive myself to this new spray park that I heard about. Mama quickly took over for me, but hey, my goal was accomplished, right?
Whoa, this waterpark is crazy!

Holy cow, how does one get through this?
Hmmmm....maybe my hand can help....Oh, what the heck? I'm goin' for it!
Woo-hooo!

I am triumphant!Splashing is the best.
It's chilly though! Ready to go home for some dinner.
At dinner, I wonder how I can get my couscous into my sippycup straw....
I hear a voice telling me, "Use the force, Luke." I'm not sure who Luke is, but it seems like good advice. It works!
Later on I decide to take a break in the laundry basket. Aaah. So comfy!
Dada decided to try these glasses on me. What a geek!
Well, that's all I've got time for today. I've got to go get this onion out of my hair. It was my performance art piece of the day, but I know that Mama and Dada aren't going to get it. They're sooooo literal. Sigh.

Until next time, I remain your humble adorable toddler,
Silas T.

Summer Update Extravaganza!

2007-08-09T14:11:00.001-04:00

Hello loyal readers!

New update here from your favorite baby blogger, Silas T. I have got a LOT to share with you, because Mama and Dada have been keeping me BIZZAY! Look how tired I am after catching up with all this blogging:
Well, without further ado...

New Jersey Wedding Trip Craziness!
Yes, we went "down the shore" as they say for my cousin Kim's wedding! It was really a lot of fun, I got to see a bunch of my crazy relatives and play with my awesome cousin Kyle!

I am so ready to blow this hotel room and go to the BEACH!

Woo-hoo! Freedom!
They made me slow down to take photos occasionally. Here's Grandmom, Grandpops, Mama, Dada and Me, and Uncle Paul.
Here's Cousin Kerry the "matron-of-honor" or whatever that means.
Look how pretty Cousin Kim is!!! And Uncle John ain't too bad, neither.

The reception was a really fun party! Here's my Nanny! It was so fun to visit with her.
Uncle Paul and I laugh at Dada, who's had a few too many whiskeys we think.

Aunt Sue and Uncle John are so fun. I wish we could see them more often.
At the reception, Kyle cuts a rug.

As you can see, I'm DYING to join him!!!Finally, Dada senses my needs and takes me out on the dance floor.

Little did I know what I was getting into! HELP! He's scaring me!
I feign sleep to escape the wrath of Dada's singing.My plot works too well though and I accidentally fall asleep.
The next day we visited my Aunt Jayme and Cousin Kate. Dada enjoyed this toy more than I did.
Aunt Jayme and Dada "guarding" the stairs from yours truly. These people need to seriously lighten up! I can handle me some stairs.

Upper Peninsula and Camping Trip!
Hey, did you know you can sleep outside?!? It's true! We did it in this "tent." It was super fun. We could hear Elk snorting and huffing during the night! I wanted to play with them but Mama and Dada have this hang-up about not getting up in the middle of the night. Losers.

I like to call this photo "Where's Silas?" There I am! Running in the woods. It was so fun.

There was hiking right next to our campground. Mama is trying to get me to say "tree" with my hands, but that was so five minutes ago.

There was a little river running nearby too. And there was a tiny beach where a bunch of butterflies were sunbathing!
We stopped at St. Ignace as soon as we crossed the Mackinac Bridge.
Dada threatened to dip me in Lake Superior if I didn't start carrying my own backpack. What a slave driver!
We visited this place called Tahquamenon Falls (Mama and Dada say Tahquamenon rhymes with "phenomenon," in case you were wondering). It was neat-o!

We even got to go in a canoe to an little island and walk all around!

Oh, we took this photo for Grandpops. This is what he thinks of as a waterfall:
Well, grandpops, this is what they call a waterfall in the UP:

Of course, while I found the waterfalls and canoe rides to be fine and all, the highlight of the trip for me was climing the 98 STAIRS!!!

We also visited a place called Painted Rocks National Park. It was a gloomy day, but it made it seem cool and kind of haunted! Here's me and mama in front of a shipwreck on Lake Superior:
The shore had cool rock formations! And lots of rocks to pick up and bang together.

We went on a hike to see a lighthouse!
I found it!

Mama and Dada barely let me run around at all at the lighthouse. They kept talking about "steep cliffs" and "falling." Whatever, lame-os! I'm outta here.
Other projects I'm working on...

A few other things I wanted to share with...who? YOU!
Here's one of my most time-consuming projects: reorganizing the kitchen. There's just so much to do. Of course, it would go a lot quicker if Mama and Dada didn't undo all my work at the end of everyday! Geez.

I've also been experimenting with this thing called Multitasking.

As you can imagine, all of this activity has left me plum tuckered out.

Until next time, I remain your humble adorable toddler,
Silas T.

Oregon, Birthday, New House!

2007-06-29T13:35:00.000-04:00

Hello loyal, PATIENT friends.

I welcome you to the newest installment of my life entitled "We go on a Trip, Mama and Dada lose their minds, We Come Home and Move, and I Turn One."

We Go On A Trip: Oregon!!!
First, you should know that Grandmoms and Grandpops like to put babies to WORK.

Occasionally Pops let me take a break to admire all the good stuff we got done in the yard.
And although they didn't always clothe me,
they did feed me good stuffand provide some great toys to play with!
They also gave me some time off of my grueling schedule to swim

We also visited the Pacific Ocean! Holy cow, that was the coolest.

Mama didn't understand why I had to taste the sand. She is so thick, sometimes.You might enjoy this video of me splorin' the water...

After a long day, I took a bath in Gmoms and Pops' giant bathtub,
and then I was ready for bed.

We Move to a New House
Check out the bunny that lives near our new house! There are three that we know of. And a chipmunk. And lots of birds (including pretty red cardinals!)

I like our new house so much, I do a dance.

I Turn One!
The night before my birthday, Mama and Dada decide that I should experience Ethiopian food for the first time. I gotta say, that stuff rocks! You get to eat with your hands (grown-ups, too) and the food is soooo tasty!

For my actual birthday, my friends Lucas and Parker and Miss Nathalie came over for some food, fun and cupcakes!What? This isn't how you're supposed to eat ketchup?
Cupcake? Cupcake!
No more photos, please. We're all finished here.
Dada takes us all for a spin
Oh, and did I tell you I got presents?!?! Mimi and Pop sent me this cool little red wagon!
And Mama and Dada got me this cool trailer so we can all go on bike adventures!
Well, loyal readers, that's all for now. We'll be sure to update you again soon!
One last thing. I have a birthday present for all you nice folks out there. I don't know why everyone is so ga-ga about these photos, but I had fun running around naked while they took them. Enjoy.
Until next time I remain your humble, adorable toddler,
Silas T.

Old picture update!

2007-05-19T11:53:00.000-04:00

Hello loyal readers, sorry for the delay but my parents whisked me away from the computer and now I've had to figure out how to use Grandmom and Granpop's computer. There was a learning curve, but I'm up to speed now.

Mama and Dad took me to Greenfield Village, this outside historical-type park in Michigan. It was pretty cool.
They had this trippy carousel that I got to ride. I think Mama enjoyed it slightly more than me.

Dada also took me for a refreshing dip.

And then we visited with these weird creatures:
Then we chilled out with some trees:

The flowers looked yummy, but...not so much.
This is the look I give Mama when I want to eat: "I am controlling your mind...You want to give me milk...NOW!"
The other day my p's had the bright idea of introducing blackberries into my diet. YUM! And they make their own paints, bonus!
But seriously, I'm going to make you an offer you can't refuse...Change my diaper, or else. Capice?
Our friend Uncle Magnifico (Greg) comes over sometimes and brings me presents, like this awesome hat!
Sometimes he forgets his hat at our house, so I wear that, too. I don't want it to be lonely.
I feel as if I've forgotton something...

Oh, I know! We're in Oregon now. It's so cool hanging with Grandmoms and Grandpops and Grandmama and Papa.

Well, I've got to go. Grandpops is whispering the secrets of the universe to me, and I don't to miss anything important.Until next time, I remain your humble adorable baby,
Silas T.

I'm Super Helpful!

2007-04-25T11:29:00.000-04:00

Today while Mama was making bread, I offered her my services of stirring and measuring. She turned me down flat. However, she did provide me with my own flour and tub for a baking project of my own. Fingers crossed that it turns out light and fluffy!

Until next time, I remain your humble, crumbly-textured baby,
Silas T.

Apples Taste Good....

2007-04-24T09:53:00.000-04:00

For some reason my parents think this video of me enjoying my breakfast apples is hilarious. I don't get it.

Catch you on the flipside, peeps!

Earth Day!

2007-04-23T16:53:00.000-04:00

Greetings, earthlings!
Mama and Dada and I celebrated Earth Day on Saturday by participating in the Sierra Club's EnviRUNment 2 mile walk! I was very popular in my red dinosaur hat.

Mama insisted on slathering this weird white stuff on my face called "sunscreen." Yuck!
I got to hug some swell trees, too.
Dada likes to hug trees, too!
We ended the day with some sweet swinging. Please disregard Mama's alien-like noises - she seems to think she has to make them to make me smile and giggle. I know, she's insane. But I have to love her anyway!

Until next time, I remain your humble adorable baby,
Silas T.

2007-04-14T17:09:00.000-04:00

Hello, loyal readers! Silas T., the Easter Piggy is here to greet you!

What do you mean, it's not Easter "Piggy"? That's not what I heard. Not at all.
Dada! He's always tricking me. I'll get him. Here you can see I've offered up my "nasal surgery" talents. Sucker! He took me up on it.

But he' s ok for the most part. For instance, he lets me do things that Mama doesn't.
Like hang from the ceiling fan.

He also lets me borrow his baby clothes. Like my new favorite hat!
It's really good for driving my truck.

Is there a draft in here?
Oh! I almost forgot. Here is a short video that Mama took the other day. I like to call it, "Flush Your Troubles Away."

Anyway, I hope you enjoy it. I've gotta go entertain my parents. This giggling at "Goochie Goochie Goo" crap is getting old, but what can I do. They're simple people.
Until next, I remain your humble adorable baby,
Silas T.
(the easter piggy!)

Videos!

2007-03-29T20:01:00.000-04:00

While mama and dada were busy cleaning the house like wild animals, I got on the internet and figured out how to share videos with you, my adoring fans!

I like to call this one "How I Totally Kick Ass at Climbing the Stairs." Enjoy.

Busy!!!

2007-03-17T11:11:00.000-04:00

What?

It's been a MONTH since I last updated?
Hello my PATIENT, loyal readers! I'm so sorry it's been such a long time since my last update! But, in my defense, Mama and Dada have been keeping me verrrrrry busy.
For instance, they have me filing their paperwork...
I try to tell them that they should really SHRED some of the older stuff, and that I would be happy to help them carry out this endeavor.Alas, they get out a machine to do it. It's quicker, I guess. But I have to admit, the machine is very fascniating...

Is it Christmas already?! No, it's just the KITTY! Almost as good. (Run, Kitty, Run!)My parents are obsesseed with feeding me food.
Dada, I'm not so sure about this pear.

In fact, I think I'm finished with this pear. But I'll save a little for later. On my face.
Bread, now we're talkin'! They say that I take after Grandpops in this way. Mom sometimes shakes her fist at the sky while talking about this. I don't know what that's about, but bread is GOOD!Good enough to save some for later. On my face.
I don't know why servers give menus to BABIES. But they do make fancy hats.

Did you know Babies can go swimming? I didn't know, either, but it's true!Mama and Dada took me to this weird place called Frankenmuth, MI, which is a "Bavarian" town. It looked funny, but their pool was really neat!

Sometimes playing is hard work. I mostly make it look easy, I know.
Sometimes my friend Enzo comes over to help me play.
We are plotting to take over the world. This walker will be instrumental to our reign.
Can you imagine a world run by BABIES?! I know, I'm excited at the thought, too!
Here's me in my "Huckleberry Silas" outfit, as Mama calls it. These pants used to be Dada's! I can't believe he ever wore them, either.

Ok, well I gotta run. Mama is taking me off for some new adventure!
Until next time (and I promise it won't be so long!) I remain your humble adorable baby,
Silas T.

Teef Times Two!

2007-02-17T19:17:00.000-05:00

Hello loyal readers!

The other day I was acting really quiet while Mama was hanging up clothes in the closet. She found me like this:

I was like, What? I'm eating a cracker, mom. What's the big whoop? I've been reading in Discover magazine about things called molecules. I've been trying to systematically break down stuff into it's molecular components - well, mostly tissues and crackers, really. Mama calls it "messy" but I call it very, very interesting!
Have I told you guys about Mama? She is really funny.
She's trying to convince me to show you guys my two teefs, but I'm like, No, mom, mine aren't done yet! Show them yours!
She was pretty relentless, so I had to illustrate my reluctance in squeal language.
Here I'm saying, "Mama, are you sure this is a good idea?"

Oh alright. I guess I can show you guys.
Teef!

Two Teefs!!!!!!! On the bottom. In the middle. In case it wasn't, y'know, obvious.
Anyway, I gotta go catch up with my boys, the fish. Those guys are so cool.
Snnnngghhh.....later peoples.

Snnnggghhh...I'm trying to catch my beauty rest.

Quick Hello

2007-02-12T19:18:00.000-05:00

Hello, adoring fans. I've decided that I'm only wearing red this week. Deal with it.

This is what the cat always sees. Right before she hides under the bed. I don't understand why she's always running away from me...

I'm ready to go on an outing, but as usual, Dada is taking forever.

Here you can see I've been put to work waxing the floor. Yes, my parents are slavedrivers.

And they only give me dried apricots for solid sustenance. But they are good feeling on my toof.

Could you guys come back later? I'm trying to eat here, people. Yeah, you. Go.Until next time, I remain your humble, adorable baby
Silas T.

Teef

2007-02-07T10:41:00.000-05:00

Yes, I'm getting some.

Yes, it's incredibly annoying.

Yes, I'm putting everything in sight in my mouth. Witness my pain:

Yes, I'm keeping Mama and Dada up at night a lot. Because you wanna know why? My teef hurt.

Dad is threatening to drop me if I don't start sleeping better. But is he growing teef? NO!!!

I'm also driving Mama crazy because I am soooo mobile. Crawling rules! No more waiting to be picked up and moved to different parts of the house - I'm all about DIY, baby!
Just a short political message:
I gotta go! So much 'splorin' and chewing to be done!

Until next time, I remain your humble adorable baby,
Silas T.

Babies, Babies and More Babies

2007-01-14T09:03:00.000-05:00

Just a quick little post to ask you, my gentle readers:

Who does a baby look more like?

Mama

Dada

Or just my own cute self?

Holiday Update!

2007-01-04T11:05:00.000-05:00

Hello very very loyal readers. Sorry for the long long long time between posts, but I seriously didn't see this whole holiday craziness coming. Seriously! Between Mama's birthday, Christmas with Mimi and Pop, and then another Christmas with Grandmoms and Grandpops, it has been an unbelievably busy couple of weeks!

Here's me and Mama on her birthday. They have this weird thing with wrapping up this orange hat every year as a gag gift. Pops says I look like Kubla Kahn.

Snuggling with Dad on his favorite couch at Mimi and Pop's:

Me and Ali Cat and my cousins Evan and Macy. Ali is Aunt Holly's best friend's daughter.

Evan was really nice and played with me a lot!

Aunt Holly and Uncle Paul got me this sweet bear outfit! It's so soft and warm.

Aunt Holly was nice and let me eat her remote!

Christmas Morning

Dad got carried away when throwing out used wrapping paper:

Me and Mimi and Pop in their new house:

This is me and my dad's best friend, Greg and his son Luke. We met for Thai food, but those meanies wouldn't give me any coconut ice cream.

Bath time!

Me and mama and dad's friend Derek (aka the Dirkie)

Kim and I try to figure each other out. She calls me Muffin.

Did I mention that I am now mobile? Yep, I started crawling on Dec. 31st. Towards the computer. And mama. They'll never stop me now! Bwahhahahahah!

I also have lots of video to load up, as soon as I figure this YouTube thingie out. Stay tuned for Why I Hate Bananas and A Treatise on Why Wrapping Paper is the Best Thing Ever.

Until then I remain your humble adorable baby,
Silas T. Hickox

Some New Faces

2006-12-05T10:38:00.000-05:00

Greetings loyal readers!

Just a quick update to showcase some new facial expressions I've been trying out. Let me know which is your favorite!

(By the way, Mama wants me to tell you all that anyone can comment on my blog - you don't have to have a Blogger account. Just make sure you sign your name so I know who you are!)

I've been working on my Fire Breathing Dragon faces, in which I also huff and puff through my nose while looking very menacing:
But then when Mama kisses my tummy it spoils the effect!
Here's what Mama and Dad annoyingly refer to as my "boo-boo" face. This is the face that I make when I'm hungry, tired, wet, feeling ignored or bored, or any combination of these.
This is my "Thanks Dad for throwing me up in the air" face!

Other than trying on new faces, I've also been trying on some new shoes. Dad's in this case.
Here's me reaching for Harry Potter before Dad can hide it from me. He hates Harry Potter. Mama calls him The Ultimate Scrooge.
Ok, well gotta go, the cat's bugging me to take a nap with her again. She is so bossy, seriously.
Until next time, I remain your humble adorable baby,
Silas T.

Tofurkey Day Update!

2006-11-23T15:53:00.000-05:00

Hello friends and family, Silas T. Hickox here to update you on my life as a baby for the past two weeks.

One thing that happened is that Mama and Dad took me to see the funny man with the mustache who always pokes stuff in my ears and looks inside my diaper - oh, and he makes those mean ladies poke me in the thighs with sharp sticks that make me cry! But never too long, because I'm a Big Boy. Anyway, he told Mama and Dad that I weigh 17 lbs 7 oz and am 26 inches long. Woo boy, did I say I was a big boy or what?!? I am in the 75th percentile for both height and weight (whatever the heck that means).

Here's me looking big and strong!
Since I'm such a big boy now, I'm learning to sit up all by myself. It is so cool!

It's getting cold here in Michigan, so Mama and Dad decided I needed warm furry things to keep me from being cold when we go outside. Why oh why do they confuse me with a little bear? Please, if you know, write in and tell me. Because right now I just think Mama and Dad are extremely, um, "special" if you know what I mean.

Dad, all I need is a ride in your coat! Duh!
I almost forgot, today is Tofurkey Day! Mama and Dad and I don't eat turkeys, we adopt them, apparently. We picked out this Turkey, Hildy, and sponsored her through Adopt-A-Turkey. Isn't she cute?
Mama also let me play with my new favorite toy, the whisk, between gravy stirrings. Yum!
Mama and Dad and I were busy in the kitchen all morning, making Tofurkey, mashed potatoes, cornbread stuffing, cran-orange relish, "crapple" (seriously, people, they eat weird things), green beans, rosemary-potato rolls (that looked like piles of dog doo but supposedly were tasty) and mushroom gravy. I can't wait until I'm allowed to eat real food!

Mama also made this Pumpkin-Tofu Cheesecake (with no cheese) that looked really good too. Big people get all the good stuff!
I tried to use my mind control powers on them to give me some, but it didn't work out. Yet.
Dad tried to explain that one day I'll only eat big people food and won't eat Mama's milk anymore. I was like, "Yeah, that's a pretty funny story Dad! If that is your real name..."

All that work in the kitchen stirring gravy and all I got was this lousy rattle to chew on.

Well, Mama did offer me some milk as a consolation prize. It was quite a good vintage!
And with that, I will remain until next time, your humble adorable baby,
Silas T. Hickox

More from Oregon!

2006-11-08T19:55:00.000-05:00

Dear Readers,

Silas T. Hickox here, to update you on my visit to Oregon. It's still pretty cool here. Grandpops and the Crazy Singing Lady (aka Grandmoms) are treating me like the best thing since sliced bread!

The other day Grandpops and Mama put together my Oregon High Chair. What an educational experience for me!

I learned all kinds of new words, like "aich". As in, "What the 'aich' is that diagram supposed to mean?" Oh, and "eff" and "ess." As in "Where the 'eff' does this peice of 'ess' fit into the picture?"

They were pretty proud of themselves when the chair was all put together. I didn't know what the big deal was. I mean, have they seen some of the things I've produced in my diapers? Seriously. That's work.

But the chair is pretty cool, I like being able to see everybody coming and going.
There are these totally bizarre creatures here called "dogs." This one in particular is fascinated with my diapers. Who wouldn't be, really?
Here is Grandmama holding the one called "Mindie."

Here is me with Grandmama and Papa (they're Grandmom's parents. Everyone has parents, it's so weird!)Grandpops is obsessed with this weird goat. The goat sings "High on the hill lived a lonely goat herd" from The Sound of Music. Basically the whole house goes insane with delusions of operatic grandeur whenever the goat sings. Get me out of here, they're insane!

I'm much more interested in my toes lately. Grandmom calls these my "piggies." I don't call her the Crazy Lady for nothing, folks.

Between playing with my goat, banging stuff on my new high chair and eating my feet, sometimes I just like to kick back and hang out.

And bounce.

And play with Mama!
Well, it's getting to be my bedtime people. I'll catch you on the flipside!
Until then, I remain your humble adorable baby,
Silas T. Hickox

My First T rip to Oregon

2006-11-02T19:33:00.000-05:00

Greetings, Readers!

I'm writing to you today from the lovely green state of Oregon. It's pretty sweet out here! I'm here helping my grandmom recover from some "surgery." I don't really know what it's all about, but I do know that it is soooo fun being out here with my crazy lady (Grandmom) and my Hickory Dickory Dock, Grandpops.

Here's me and Granpops, just hanging out.

This fellow is my "Papa," he's actually my GREAT grandpops. He's fun, he gets on the floor on my level!
This is my new move, the inchworm. Mom calls it crawling. All I know is that I can move around the room, which is a pretty good trick, if I do say so myself.
Mom is SO embarrassing sometimes!
Whatever you do, DON'T call it a nightgown! Clearly I'm wearing pajamas.
Mama and I helped Grandmom change her sheets (before her surgery, of course!)

I made sure there was plenty of drool to go around.
What do you mean drool doesn't belong on sheets?!?

Here's mama carrying me around in the Ergo carrier. It's pretty cool, and mama loves it. Grandmom even wore me around in it the other day!Mama took me to visit some of her crazy friends. That's Aunt Nica and her doggy, Roxy, Uncle Joe and of course, me and Mama.

I'm making eyes at Grandmom here.

Car rides make me sleepy sometimes.Other times they make me hungry!
Well, that's all for now, folks! I'll be sure to keep you apprised of any new discoveries I make out here in the Pacific Northwest.

Until next time, I remain your humble adorable baby,
Silas T. Hickox

Make Sure They Get My Best Side

2006-10-20T14:51:00.000-04:00

Hello, dear readers, and welcome to my blog.

I call this series: I Just Woke Up.I call this series: Stuff On My Head

We Come In Peace.
Sometimes I wake up from sleeping and there is Stuff On My Head.
Mama!? What are you doing?!?Mama tells me this outfit is from my Nanny. I love Nanny!

Whee! Just playing on the floor with my friends.

This is the Arctic Winter Stuff On My Head.

Aaack! The Papparazzi!

Did you know there were photographers here?

Ah well, make sure they get my good side...I started a workout regimen! Here is me doing my push-up. Time for boob!

In other news, I've found my feet. They totally rule!

All this blogging has made me HUNGRY!

Fingers are no substitute for boob, so I gotta go.

Until next time, I remain your humble adorable baby,
Silas T. Hickox

Mmmmm....donuts....

2006-10-08T09:28:00.000-04:00

Greetings, readers, from Silas T. Hickox!

Here are some photos to our trip to the Apple Orchard and Cider Mill yesterday! There was a petting zoo, and mama and dad picked some apples. It was pretty fun overall.

Thank god Mama and Dad are below average in the intelligence department, they don't know you're not supposed to feed donuts to babies!!!!

Donuts make me big and tall!

Moooo....Mom tries a close-up...nice hat, mama!
This sheep wanted to eat babies, but mama wouldn't let her.
This gratuitous bunny shot is for Granpops.

Me and my mama and this llama are going to the dentist...in a few years.

Mama and dad are very interested in this thing called Kitty and how she treats me as a baby. Here we're getting up-close and personal:

"Cats just keep falling on my head..."

Dad thought this shot was spooky. I know, he's totally weird.Mid-giggle?

My favorite thing to do is get tossed up in the air by dad!Ok, all this blogging is making me nappish.
Until next time, I remain your humble, adorable baby,
Silas T. Hickox

Pizza, anyone?

2006-09-22T18:21:00.000-04:00

I don't know, do I like pizza?

Why yes. Yes I do like pizza.
Don't you guys know you're not supposed to feed pizza to babies?!??!

Dear readers: I've tasted life. Please send more pizza!

A tale of the three bears

2006-09-22T10:35:00.000-04:00

Here's mama, me, April, Lochlan, Gina and Enzo hanging out with our bear hats!

Photo Update

2006-09-17T14:28:00.000-04:00

Hello loyal fans, Silas T. Hickox here. Not much time to update, but here are some photos for you to ponder and enjoy.

New clothes, modeled!

All dressed with nowhere to go...
First time in jeans!

I'm a little bear!
Overalls!My blue hoodie!

Pandas where my feet should be?!?
Some new faces from moi...

What is that ungodly stench?!

Please tell me it's not me!!! Oh, it was just dad!

My new favorite toy: the Newman's Cookie Bag!!

I decided to give this uppity T-shirt a piece of my mind!

Until next time I remain your humble adorable baby,
Silas T.

The Silas and Lochlan Show!

2006-09-02T11:21:00.000-04:00

Dear readers, Silas T. Hickox here again, here today to show you how great minds - or mamas - think alike. Aunt April and my pal Lochlan dropped by the other day and lo and behold - we were in same outfit. How embarrassing! Mama and Aunt April thought it was so funny that they made us have a photo shoot.

I think the photos speak for themselves.

My trip to the "Fair"

2006-08-27T11:24:00.000-04:00

Greetings, Dear Readers: Silas T. Hickox, here with an update on my life as a baby. Mama and dad keep dragging me all over to different "experiences." Mostly, they put me in awkward positions and make me do demeaning things. Every once in awhile, they find something interesting to do. My trip to the fair was mostly boring (I slept through a lot of it--especially the stupid carnival. How can anyone think that's fun?!?)

Anyway, it was a hot day, so dad was kind enough to find me a fan. After that, his kindness lapsed, and he made me, in this order:

Superbaby

windblown (right up my shorts! Thanks a lot, dad!)

and tushy over teakettle (is that the expression?)

Next, mama and dad dragged me to see the chickens. It was actually pretty neat. They kept saying "Wahl, I say, sirrah, I say indeed" just like Foghorn Leghorn (only it sounded more like brawk-awk, baGAWK!)

I guess that's a chicken

Then we went to see the geese, swans, and ducks in the pond. I thought a "goose" was what dad does to my tushy sometimes. I don't see what these birds have to do with gooses. I didn't let them get close enough to my tushy for me to find out!

Finally, I got to see the bunnies. They tell me that grandpop's OTHER name is "Big Bunny." I don't know about that, but here I am with a real big bunny,

Unless I'm mistaken, this one wants to eat me. Look, it has already swallowed some other helpless baby. Thanks, dad, for saving me from a horrible fate!

Thus ends my photoessay on the Michigan State Fair. I saw some cows, too. They smelled bad. Dad kept saying "Smells like money!" I thought it smelled like poo, but what do I know? There were horses, too, and lots of noisy little things they called goats. In any case, it was a pretty fun trip (but don't tell mama and dad--I wouldn't want to encourage their eccentricity). Silas T. Hickox, signing off. Don't get in the way of hungry bunnies.

Daddy Swap

2006-08-27T10:30:00.000-04:00

Just a quick post, dear readers, about some crap that Mama and Dad tried to pull the other night.

We were visiting my pal Lochlan at Aunty April and Uncle Nick's house, and the parents thought it would be funny to do a baby exchange.

Nick and April and Lochlan are very cool. They have a really funny dog, Whitfield, who always licks my toes when I visit. So a baby swap would probably be ok for a little while anyway.

It was fun being held by Uncle Nick, he's really tall! I got to see things from a whole new perspective! And his glasses are really weird to look at...shiny...black...

Lochlan and I both got hungry, so that daddies promptly gave us back to our respective mamas. But it was fun while it lasted!

I'm a world traveler...

2006-08-26T20:50:00.000-04:00

If by "the world" you mean New Jersey!

Silas Hickox here to report to you about the trip mama and dad took me on to visit some crazy people that I'm related to. The more relatives I meet, the more nervous I get!

The trip was in honor of my great grandmother's 90th birthday party, this wonderful lady they tell me is called "Nanny." She is the sweetest, kindest person I have ever met.

Here is a picture of Nanny, Mama, Granpops and I. They told me that this was "four generations" of us, but I'm not really sure what they're talking about. Is that like Star Trek, the Next Generation? Because sometimes mama watches reruns of that while I nurse...

I also got to meet many other relatives, including Great Aunt Sue and Great Uncle John, my Great Uncle Paul and my cousins Kerry, Marc, Kim and Al and Kyle.

Kyle is 1 1/2 years old, and I can't WAIT to be a big boy like him! Although I don't think I'll like the vacuum as much as he does....
While at Nanny's party, Dad and I show Mama how hungry we both are:

We also got to visit with Granmom's sister, my Great Aunt Jayme, Great Uncle Joe and my cousin Kate. They were pretty hilarious. They got Mama a really funny present involving Mr. T and Great Aunt Jayme told some pretty funny stories about Granmom. Toonies!

Granmom and Great Aunt Jayme are practically twins.
I think I scared Great Aunt Jayme with my "butt"...
But my cousin Kate still loves me, despite my messy pants!Despite being slightly worried about my gene pool, I had a pretty good time.
Can't wait until we get to do it again!

That's all for now. I'm really tired from a trip to the "State Fair" today. But you'll have to wait until tomorrow for stories and pictures about that, cuz I'm pooped!

Your humble adorable baby,
Silas T. Hickox

World domination!

2006-08-05T10:34:00.000-04:00

Prepare for total baby domination (domination...domination...)

Just kidding!

Silas Hickox here again, ready to wow you with my new found talents of "smiling". Now actually, this isn't so much a talent as I'm sure you are all aware. In fact, most of the time I make this face it's really just gas. But it makes mama and dad so freaking happy so I've decided to indulge them occasionally.

Do you see what I go through for these demented people? The things a baby has to put up with.

I had a serious chat with dad about how these kinds of pictures are demeaning and disrespectful to my small person. But I don't think he understood a word I said. Le sigh...

In other news, they've also started to let my hairy "sister" play with my toys. Sure, she looks calm and innocent, but you should have seen her kick the crap out that stuffed bird a minute ago!

I've also recently started to resort to eating my hands, even when I'm not hungry.

Ready...aim...

Fire! Success is sweet.
Power to the people! Don't let the "man" get you down.
Until next time, dear readers, I remain your humble adorable baby,
-Silas T. Hickox.

The Many Faces of Silas

2006-07-29T11:29:00.000-04:00

Dearest Readers:

Mama and Dad decided to document my best time of day: the morning. I tend to be my most expressive at this time of day, which Mama loves and Dad can hardly believe (since he is a night owl himself. I'll show him!)

I could comment on each picture, but I'll let y'all make your own educated guesses as to what I'm thinking in each pose. The player who guesses the most correct answers will win one poopy diaper change the next time we meet!

The Education of Mimi and Pop

2006-07-27T15:55:00.000-04:00

Dear fans: Silas here. Sorry it's been so long since I posted. It's been a pretty hectic week. Some new people came to visit. I thought I had met everyone already--mama, dad, grandmom, grandpops....who else could there be? Then, one day last week, some new grandparents showed up on our doorstep. I kept telling dad to check their identification to make sure they were legit, but he ignored me. Apparently he thinks he knows them from somewhere. In any case, mimi and pop came to visit, and they are pretty fun! They brought presents like clothes and bibs (what's a bib for, again?). We went all over the place, to a museum and a mall and to lots of restaurants. Wow did I get exhausted! Well, here's the photo record of their visit.

Here's me and pop hanging out on the couch. Look at that innocent, unsuspecting face. He'll learn how the world works soon enough (pop, I mean).

Don't look so surprised, pop! I'm a baby. I HAVE to poop in my diaper. It's what we do. Besides mama and dad get upset when I poop anywhere else. Sorry about the disturbing noise it makes sometimes.

Mimi likes to sit in the glide rocker with me. She knows how to hold babies just right. I suspect that she has done this before. I must ask dad about that, later.
My favorite shirts have bumpy things on them. Thanks, mimi!Mama says I get "milk drunk." What's "drunk" mean, again?
Mama took me to see yet ANOTHER person (she called herself "April"). April loaned mama and dad a "hug a bub" wrap. It's like I'm still in mama's belly. Mama was singing to me and teaching me to dance. Shake your tailfeathers, mama!

After the trial breaking-in period, I have decided to keep mama around. She's pretty cool.

Mmmmmm, boob.

Why are you disturbing my sleep? Get that light out of my eyes. Oh, wait. It's the sun. Well, in that case, Ahhhh-choooo!

Well, I'm a busy guy. I gotta go. Word!

Hereditary Brain Damage

2006-07-20T17:12:00.000-04:00

So this person known as "Grandpops" arrived for a visit a few days ago. They say we have the same earlobes, and he keeps trying to get me to say his name.

I am beginning to see where mama's braindamaged-ness comes from, and I have to say, at this point I'm frightened that it actually might be hereditary. Here's some photographic evidence from our trip to the Henry Ford Museum:

Everyone was real glad to see Grandpops, particularly Grandmom.

This is Dad trying to get me to take a bullet for him. What a wimp!

Mama and Dad decided we needed to go for a 3 mile walk the other day and had to find the perfect hat for me to wear on this momentous occasion. Le sigh....the things a baby has to put up with. It's almost criminal.

In other fashion news, Mama was very excited to get me in my first "butt sweater". Apparently, this wool thing is as good as the plastic pants they usually cover my diapers with. I like it because it's a) WAY more fashionable than the boring white plastic ones and b) it allows my "butt" to breathe. Dad was skeptical at first, but we're glad he's coming around.

Alright, all this "blogging" is wearing me out. Time for my nap! Peace out, Napoleon.

I am learning to amuse myself

2006-07-08T12:25:00.000-04:00

Dear Readers:

Silas Hickox, here. I have taken some time away from the dispatches to try to understand this new situation I find myself in. For as long as I can remember, I had everything mastered. I remember not having to breathe, or eat, or poop. All I used to do was suck on various parts of my body, occasionally get the hiccups, and turn towards the light. Now I have lots of new distractions, and several things that test my patience. If only I could get mama to start eating, breathing, and pooping for me again. In the meantime, I amuse myself by practicing variations on those basic themes. For instance, I learned how to shoot my poo across the room. Sometimes dad is so stupid. He actually took my diaper off the other day. Well, I don't have to tell you that I saw my opening and I took it! I pooped AT LEAST 3 feet. Then, as an encore, I peed on dad, and puked on a clean shirt. It was pretty fun. As long as I have to poop for myself, I may as well go for distance. I'm pretty sure I can beat my record next time.

I went to the doctor last week to be weighed. He told mama and dad that I gained 23 ounces in one week. Is that a lot? I have noticed a bit of a spare tire forming around my mid-section. Maybe I'll have to lay off the boob a little. Either that or join the gym.

Anyway, here is the photojournal of my last few days, and the sorts of things that I have been practicing. Here, dad and I just woke up one morning. He does this "head butt" thing that mama thinks is funny.

Personally, I think dad is brain damaged.

Grandmom usually takes me first thing in the morning, when mama and dad are still groggy. Okay, so I'm a little groggy myself, sometimes.

Then mama feeds me. I have learned that it is polite to say "thank you" with a hug.

Most of the rest of the morning, we hang out and mama talks to me in a funny voice. She even talks to people on the phone in that voice too. I guess she and dad are good together. Apparently even brain-damaged people can fall in love and get married. I hope the brain damage isn't hereditary.

I have been trying to perfect my character acting. Here I am as Napoleon. I don't know who he was, but apparently he was short and cute and put his hand in his shirt a lot.

This is me as the baby that swallowed a bowling ball.

I am so beautiful. You'll have to talk to my agent if you're going to take any more photos of me.

No fair! You caught me sleeping! Don't you think I'm hiding those 23 ounces very well?

Dad and I were having a serious talk about why his chest is so much less interesting and less useful than mama's. I still don't understand, but I'm pretty hungry, guys. Guys?

I hate everybody.

The saga continues

2006-07-01T13:05:00.000-04:00

Hey, peeps! Silas here, with my journal of my activity. It turns out that my parents ARE a bit slow, but they seem to be functional. Maybe with time and patience they'll turn out alright.

A couple of days ago the doorbell rang just as I was getting busy eating. Someone brought in this "basket" of "flowers." There was also a "balloon" that was really big and floaty. It all smelled a bit like mama's shampoo. I guess they make shampoo-scented flowers. Who knew? Anyway, someone named "Grandpops" sent the flowers. I don't understand how that all works, but this alleged "Grandpops" seems okay.

Shampoo-scented "flowers" and a "big bunny." Why is that so funny to everyone?

I finally got to finish eating. Thanks, mama.

After I ate, the whole family sat around for awhile, including my "sister" the cat. I'm not going to get all hairy like that, am I?

Next, we went for a "walk." Still not sure what that means, but we got to smell more "flowers" and the "sun" kept making me sneeze (just like it makes dad sneeze). Why I have to be squeezed like I'm back in mama's tummy I don't know, but I must humor the "special" people who are my parents. I hope I don't keep feeling this superior to them forever!

Grandmom gave me a "baby plug" or a "fooler" (but the REAL name is "pacifier"--I saw it on the package). It was as big as my face, and it didn't taste at all like mama, but apparently I will have to humor Grandmom, too. Sigh.......

Is somebody torturing a cat, or is that dad singing? Please make it stop!

Finally I got to do what I want to do. The buzzy bee is sooooo cool! Oh, and the seat hums and vibrates my tushy. This is the best thing, so far, except for mama.

All that commotion made me want to get down with my bad self just a little. By the way, I am NOT break dancing. That was over in the 80's. It's just that I can't stand up, yet. Duh!

That was a pretty full day, so I'm off to bed, right after I give a shout-out to my homies. Peace!

My life as a baby

2006-06-30T15:03:00.000-04:00

Hello, everyone. This is Silas. I'm sorry I haven't posted lately, but I had to learn the language, then I had to learn to type. I apologize if I make any mistakes. I've only been at this for just over a week, now.

I have asked dad to upload some photos of me, to tell you a little about how my days tend to unfold. It's pretty boring around here. Everybody seems overly concerned with something called "sleep." Whatever. I don't know what all the fuss is about. I keep asking what that is, but they don't seem to understand me. It's like they don't understand English, or something. Perhaps my lisp is a bit worse than I originally thought. On the other hand, maybe it isn't my fault. I'm beginning to suspect that these "parents" of mine are a bit on the stupid side. I will have to keep considering that possibility. Anyway, on with the show.

This is me in the morning, before I've had my coffee.

Dad keeps crowding me. I need my space, man!

I'm pretty pleased with the noise I just made with my "butt."

The one called "mama" is stalking me, and keeps sticking her "breasts" in my face!

This was at 4 a.m. and all I wanted to do was "sleep." Why do they keep waking me up? Can someone please tell dad to change his shirt? Something stinks!

Day Two of our expedition

2006-06-25T10:46:00.000-04:00

Chessa asked Silas what he thinks about this big wide world. His answer? A big, satisfying fart. Only two days old, and already a cynic.

This is what nirvana looks like.

This is not. (Notice his hairy shoulder!)

Breaded baby--best served with coleslaw. He's having trouble relaxing.

Chessa calls it "The Jaguar." At 4 a.m. we don't care about names.

He has his dad's monkey-fist toes.

Dispatches from the Frontlines of Parenthood

2006-06-24T10:23:00.000-04:00

He is here!

Silas Tabor Hickox
Born 6/22/2006 11:47 p.m.
8 lbs 14.9 oz, 22 inches

He is, of course, perfect. Labor was tough, but we made it through drug-free (although not without a 3rd degree episiotomy - Silas was stubborn coming out!). Chessa had a great birth team, including Chad, Mom, and our doula, Karen, and everyone at the birth center was fabulous.

We arrived home at about 1 a.m. this morning, and everyone has been sleeping pretty soundly so far!

Keep checking back for more photos, since daddy is bound to be taking 400 per day!

Without further ado....

Silas Tabor Hickox

Cheeks sponsored by the American Bacon Association.

Chessa's mom Leanne and the grandson.
Greetings, Earthling! Take me to your milk supply!
Dad, are you almost done with that stupid camera?
He was in the crib for about 4 seconds waiting for a bath.
Grandma Leanne insists that Silas has Grandpop Greg's earlobes!

Still pregnant...

2006-06-21T18:38:00.000-04:00

Here we are at 40 or 41 weeks, depending on who you ask. Baby seems quite content to just hang out for a while longer, despite our cajoling of him to take the plunge into the big wide world.

No new official belly shots to share, but here are some funny pics we've taken recently. The magenta really brings out the baby in me!

39-40 Week Photos

Danger: Curves Ahead!

Caution: Slippery Slope!

No, mine's bigger!

Me and the preggo tree

39 Weeks!

2006-06-07T09:37:00.000-04:00

We're really in the homestretch now! AAAAGGHHH!!!

Well, everything is looking good, baby is in a great position, and the midwife as of yesterday is estimating him to be around 8 lbs!!!! YIKES! Let's hope he comes soon because he's just going to keep getting bigger, and that thought is a little scary to mama!

I'm still seeing the chiropractor twice a week to make sure we keep in good alignment and the baby in a good position. AND I got a massage on Monday, at Chad's insistence. What a good husband!

We've been having nightly talks with the baby about how we're ready for him to come on out and that we promise to still feed him and keep him warm, how it's really fun out here and we have so much to show him, PLUS how he'll have SO much more room to stretch out his gigantic feet on the outside. Because right now he's making my stomach pretty lumpy looking when he decides to stretch.

On with the show!

39 Weeks!

The midwife thinks I'm starting to drop - I'm not so sure...

Notice the complete lopsidedness that is my belly...That's ye olde bigfoot's doing.

Yep, we're pretty much just hanging out, waiting for him to make his appearance. Any day now, buddy. Any day...

The kitty is especially invested in this, as she believes she'll finally have my lap back. She's in for a semi-rude awakening...

37 weeks!

2006-05-28T10:38:00.000-04:00

Holy moly, we're at the point now where the boy could be born at any time. EEEEP!

Well, we had an interesting midwife appointment last week wherein I was told I had gained ANOTHER 6 lbs in the past two weeks (so we're up to 35 lbs total), but she thinks it's probably mostly water weight. I have been told to drink even MORE water, which means I get a lot more exercise going up and down the stairs to our 1 bathroom in the house. So it's double duty really - either it's water weight and this will help, or I've been eating too many cheetos and the extra exercise can't hurt. ;)

She was also semi-concerned because baby was WAY over on the right side, above my hip and she said was in danger of becoming stuck in a posterior (=back labor!!) position, so I was told to scrub the floors. Ha ha, ok, not really, but to be on my hands and knees as much as possible and to only lie on my left side. Since I was having some hip pain anyway on that side I moved up my chiropractor appointment and after being adjusted felt MUCH better. Much better. Like, I could get out of bed without doubling over. Then after a day of being in funny positions (thank god we don't have pictures of those) and taking a nice long 2 mile walk, I am happy to report that I felt the boy having hiccups in the perfect spot - on the left side, mostly in front. Yay! So hopefully he will make this new spot his permanent home until he decides it's time join us on the outside. Chad was so worried. Now he commands him to have hiccups all the time so I can tell him if he's still in a good spot. He doesn't really listen so well about getting hiccups on demand, but he's had the hiccups several times since then, and he's still in the good spot. Good baby!

To make sure everything stays all nice and lined up, I'm seeing the chiropractor twice a week until delivery. Thank goodness for good insurance!!!

I don't think he's fully "dropped" yet, but he is getting lower. And I know this because I don't want to die from heartburn anymore. On with the show!

37 weeks of water weight gain!

Is that the full moon? Oh no, it's just my GIANT BELLY.

A non-maternity shirt. Hilarious!!!

35 weeks!

2006-05-11T12:02:00.000-04:00

Oh yes, I am feeling the bigness of 35 weeks. What is very, very strange to us is the idea that I could go into labor in two weeks and the baby would be considered full term. What?!? We're not ready yet!!!

The boy is very active despite his lack of room to maneuver. Guess he missed that memo. He makes all kinds of bizarre contortions out of my belly, it is pretty entertaining. I can already tell he's taking after his mom in the foot department (who had GIGANTIC feet when born), they feel huge and hilarious as they poke out of my belly, making it super pointy at times. He is head down on the right side, which is just perfect, and he better stay that way! The midwife estimates that he is on the high side of 5 lbs, which is great although totally mind-boggling to us. She said he feels long and skinny, but that he'll start packing on the fat in the next few weeks (I was kind of hoping that he already had, since I could then blame my 6 lb-in-three-weeks weight gain on him...). But I've gained 29 lbs overall, which the midwife says is right on schedule. So, hooray! Onto the photographic evidence!

35 Weeks of Buddha Baby Belly

It's getting very serious...
Chad has informed me that it is no longer a "basketball belly..."Rather, it's a "medicine-ball belly."

33 weeks!

2006-04-27T13:06:00.000-04:00

Sorry for all the slacking, it's just that I had to finish up GRAD SCHOOL and everything. But now it is all done!! Hooray!!!!!! Tomorrow is official graduation, and we might even post some pictures of that, too.

The boy is getting BIG and his bones are hardening, which makes for some pretty mighty thumps in the belly! And he's terribly good at getting the hiccups at 3:30 a.m. Oh, and he's also decided that I need to eat a bowl of cereal between 4-5 a.m. every morning for the past few days, but after that I'm free to go back to sleep. So he's not a total slave driver.

On to the belly!

33 Weeks!

Psych! I'm totally sucking it in here...
Here's the real 33 week belly!

Round like the moon...
The whole enchilada. Mmm...enchiladas....

30 weeks!

2006-04-08T20:17:00.000-04:00

Yes, we now have 3/4 of a baby! Holy moly. Less than 10 weeks to go until the due date, and less than 7 weeks until we're considered "full term". EEEEEKKK!!! So much shopping to do before then! AAAACCCKKK!

When we saw the midwives last week, everything was looking great. I had gained 4 lbs since the last appointment (3 weeks prior, with a 21 lb gain total) and the bebe appeared to be head-down and in the perfect position. So we told him he better stay that way or there would be repercussions, in the form of bacon denial.

The babe and I have also started seeing the chiropractor so that everything is aligned and in working order for the big day! I was also lucky enough to play guinea pig for the second time for a prenatal massage class today, so we're all very loosey goosey and relaxed feeling. The bacon cheeseburger for dinner didn't hurt either.

He's been prettttty active lately, and is working hard at giving me constant heartburn. Sometimes instead of watching TV Chad and I just watch my belly wiggle and jiggle all by itself. We can only imagine how entertaining he'll be once he's "on the outside."

On to the bigness of the belly!

30 weeks, 2 days!

At this point, we're convinced the belly button is in to stay. Too bad! I really wanted an outtie!

Baby? Are you in there?

Oh yeah, I also got my haircut. The jury's still out whether we will ever go back to that stylist.

28 weeks = Third Trimester!

2006-03-25T17:19:00.000-05:00

Woo-hoo! We're in the homestretch now! Kind of! Except there's three more months! And my back really hurts! And I have heartburn! And I'm really, really, tired all the time! Yeah!

Now back to your regularly scheduled belly gawking.

28 weeks, 2 days!

Nice angle, Chad! My belly looks like it will soon TAKE OVER THE WORLD.

But see? It won't really. It's quite contained, thank you.

26 weeks!

2006-03-14T10:24:00.000-05:00

Yes, everyone, I officially *feel* pregnant now. Perhaps it's because I'm measuring two weeks ahead, so my body is officially feeling the third trimester (sore back, hips, hard time sleeping, etc). But in other, better, news, I only gained 2 lbs in 5 weeks! So the whole 7 lbs in 3 weeks was not establishing a pattern. Don't get me wrong, I'm not dieting or anything. In fact, this minimal weight gain has just given me perimission to indulge a bit more fully in my ice cream, cookies, and bacon! I've gained 15 lbs total so far, which the midwife says is right on target. So bring on the milkshakes!

We now start going to see the midwives EVERY. TWO. WEEKS. It's getting serious!

26 Weeks, 3 Days

My basketball belly!

The belly button is still attempting full liberation, but hasn't made the break yet.
Yep, I'm most definitely *looking* pregnant these days...

25 Weeks

2006-03-03T19:18:00.000-05:00

Ok, let me just say that the other night Chad came home from work starving, so who was I to say no to going out to our favorite finer diner, The Fly Trap, where I proceeded to have a great BLAT (aka bacon, letuce, Avocado, and tomato. YUM!). Then, afterward he whined and whined for ice cream, so again, who am I to deny my hardworking husband of a little black cherry ice cream from the local parlor?

I just thought you should know all that before you see my fat belly. I did it all for Chad.

25 weeks of chub!

Still, amazingly, an innie...

Am I really pregnant? (Black is soooo slimming!)

Why, yes! Yes I am!

24 weeks = 6 Months!!!

2006-02-25T15:17:00.000-05:00

That's right, we have, what, 3/5ths of a baby now! Holy cow! And he's making me feel HUGE! I need new pants! Now! It's not funny! Well, Chad thinks it is, that skinny jerk.

24 weeks, 2 days

Amazingly, I still have an innie belly button.

Please ignore the bad hair, here. This is what pregnancy does to a person. Be warned.

And that's all for now! I wanted to load up one more photo but blogger hates me, so you'll just have to wait until next time. Dumb blogger, don't you know anything about pregnancy rage?!?

23 weeks!

2006-02-21T19:40:00.000-05:00

Yes, almost 6 months pregnant I be. Chub, chub-chub chub...Chub, chub-chub chub CHUB!

21 weeks, 1 day

The cat is a little annoyed at my increasing lack of lap...

Please ignore my double-bacon chin...

The little guy is doing well, according to how much he's kicking me. Getting a lot stronger and moving around a bunch! Especially at night! Great!

21 Weeks

2006-02-03T12:09:00.000-05:00

Holy crap! We just got back from the doctor and I have officially gained 7 lbs in 3 weeks! Oops-ay! That's about double the rate I should be gaining, but I don't feel too badly, since I hardly gained anything at all the first three months. Let's just hope this evens out a bit, eh? Chad keeps asking me when I'm going to get "jollier" because naturally my bowl full of jelly should be accompanied by jolliness. Duh.

We're at the halfway point, pilgrims

2006-01-28T11:04:00.000-05:00

That's right, we're at 20 weeks! We have half a baby! Or maybe it would be better to say a half-grown baby. Yeah, that's not as visually disturbing.

Now it's time for another fun round of "Check Out the Chunk on Chessa!"

I have two words to explain this: Chipotle burritos. Management is addicted to carnitas, so I feel like I have to comply with his wishes. He's only a baby!

More Belly! More Belly!

2006-01-19T12:32:00.000-05:00

Ok, we promise to be better about getting these up on time. In any case, here are some belly shots of mama.

19 weeks!

Maybe I should cut back on the bacon. Or the cheetos. But who am I to deny my son!?!? :)

16 weeks, 3 days

Ultra-boy!

2006-01-17T21:20:00.000-05:00

Well the ultrasound on Friday, January 13th confirmed what I believed all along: it's a boy! We are so excited. He was super active during the scan, and we got to see all kinds of cool stuff: his kidneys, stomach, brain (!), spine, feet, thigh bones, and of course, his boy parts. Although the ultrasound was uber-cool and our technician was amazing, she isn't too great at getting good stills. Or it could be all that chocolate I ate right before the scan made him hard to capture!

Front shot - notice his hands near his face - he likes to sleep with his arms above his head, apparently (like his dad).

Profile #1 - this is how he was actually oriented in my uterus at the time - face down. Likes to rock out on his belly!

Another front shot - see his fist hear his eye? And his little piggy nose. He looks like he's stretching out. Or maybe agitating for more chocolate.

A profle, upside down. You can see his face profile a lot clearer from this angle. Check out the cool spine! And you can see his jaw and eye sockets in the skull. Neato!

Sorry we didn't get any shots of the boy parts, but rest assured that he was NOT shy about showing them off. Chad was inordinately proud of this, for some reason.

13 Weeks, 6 days!

2005-12-16T20:45:00.000-05:00

Well here is the very first businessofthebaby post! Mostly we'll just be posting pictures here but I AM pregnant so I reserve all rights to change my mind about any and all things.

6 weeks, 4 days

13 weeks, 6 days, profile

13 weeks, 6 days, front

This business of the baby

The Many Costumes of Silas

Introducing: Baby Cheese!

Yes, we are slackers.

The Summer 2008 Uber-Post!

My parents are freaking out...

Shave and a

The Long Overdue Holiday Madness Update

October Goodness

Late Summer Update

Water Park!

Summer Update Extravaganza!

Oregon, Birthday, New House!

Old picture update!

I'm Super Helpful!

Apples Taste Good....

Earth Day!

More Videos!

Videos!

Busy!!!

Teef Times Two!

Quick Hello

Teef

Babies, Babies and More Babies

Holiday Update!

Some New Faces

Tofurkey Day Update!

More from Oregon!

My First T rip to Oregon

Make Sure They Get My Best Side

Mmmmm....donuts....

Pizza, anyone?

A tale of the three bears

Photo Update

The Silas and Lochlan Show!

My trip to the "Fair"

Daddy Swap

I'm a world traveler...

World domination!

The Many Faces of Silas

The Education of Mimi and Pop

Hereditary Brain Damage

I am learning to amuse myself

The saga continues

My life as a baby

Day Two of our expedition

Dispatches from the Frontlines of Parenthood

Still pregnant...

39 Weeks!

37 weeks!

35 weeks!

33 weeks!

30 weeks!

28 weeks = Third Trimester!

26 weeks!

25 Weeks

24 weeks = 6 Months!!!

23 weeks!

21 Weeks

We're at the halfway point, pilgrims

More Belly! More Belly!

Ultra-boy!

13 Weeks, 6 days!