crazy legs: the blog

Monday, November 29, 2004

A very Hoosier holiday


Turkey, pumpkin pie and a visit with Uncle Scott, Grandma and Grandpa McB and the Evonitzes from Florida!

All in all, a busy weekend, captured in this photoset.

Given the 3-hour crying fit we were subjected to on Thursday evening (not pictured!), I think I can safely surmise that Turkey Day is not one of Colin's favorite holidays.

A reminder: if you want to see this and other sets of pictures in the future, look for the "Pictures/Brag Zone" area in the margin.

Wednesday, November 24, 2004

Giving thanks


2 big reasons for it.

Also, for the love and support of our families and friends.

Happy Turkey Day, everyone. Gobble-gobble!

Monday, November 22, 2004

Credit where it's due?


Colin's received a new bib, courtesy of Heidi's doctor. It reads "Dr. Kagan delivered me!"

While it's nice to get a free (and very cute) item to keep the formula stains from overwhelming his entire wardrobe, it's kinda disconcerting to see Dr. K making it all about him.

Let me see if I can explain.

Heidi carried CL for 8 full months, taking the best prenatal care of him possible; she exercised, rested and ate accordingly. Then she undergoes a tricky labor, lasting hours.

And then Dr. K jumps in for the last 30 minutes or so, charges us a sizeable sum, and then grabs the ever-lovin' spotlight for the delivery; i.e., Heidi = chopped liver.

As long as everyone's taking credit for their part in the Coming of Crazy Legs, I might as well buy a onesie for Colin that reads "Daddy contributed my Y chromosome". Miniscule in scope, but noteworthy for bragging rights.
Seriously, I know Dr. K had a part in the delivery (which - perhaps I mentioned - he got paid for), but it's a claim that really should be said with finger quotes.

You know, like he "delivered" Colin, even though Heidi did most of the dirty and painful work.

Or GW Bush "received a mandate" from the American people in the last election, or Indiana Pacer Ron Artest was "defending himself" on Friday night.

P.S. I really like the doc, and I'm just having fun at his expense.
P.S.S. More Colin photos have been added to this album. Get 'em while they're hot.

Monday, November 15, 2004

Alert!


New "Crazy Legs" Colin photos are up here.

As you can see, we're all pretty excited.

Tune in on Tuesday

The world's best reality TV show (somewhat of an oxymoron, that) makes its triumphant return!

The Amazing Race opens with a (gasp!) 2-hour premiere on CBS this Tuesday at 8 PM Central.

We'll be taping it in the more-than-likely event that Colin will need at least some attention during the 120 minutes of out-and-out bliss. However, we will be strictly adhering to the "let-the-phonecall-go-to-voicemail" rule during the broadcast, so please don't worry if you can't reach us.

I don't generally get this geeked about TV, but this show is fun to watch. It's like Survivor, but instead of sitting on an island, the contestants compete in a worldwide scavenger hunt. Flight delays, gridlock traffic, car troubles, botched reservations, missed connections, language and cultural barriers - basically all of the complexities of modern travel combined in one show. And, usually, some pretty competitive people who backbite and fight all the way through it. Like I said, fun television.

However, the fun doesn't stop there: in the following week, you can read a recap of the show's high and lowlights that will appear at Television Without Pity, which is always amusing and enlightening. Everyone onboard the fun train! (Wow, am I a dork.)

Colin, for one, can't wait! (See, the baby's mentioned at least twice in this entry, rendering it valid to the blog....)

Friday, November 12, 2004

What Day Is It?, or Surviving the First Six Weeks

We received a book at the baby shower entitled The Fourth Trimester. It offers "advice, humor and inspiration for new moms", and explores what it considers the most difficult time of having a new baby -- the first six weeks. It covers the difficulty of the hospital stay, the frustration of breastfeeding, the bombardment of unsolicited advice, and the feelings of overwhelming worry about child-rearing, as well as many other issues that we've recently stumbled and fumbled across.

While we have no previous reference point, I'll take author Amy Einhorn's word for it, that it gets easier around the six-week mark. (YAHOO!!!!) Because up until now, our relationship with Colin can be summed up by the famous quote from Cool Hand Luke:
"What we've got here is failure to communicate."

Colin sometimes cries for apparently no reason, leaving Heidi and I to wonder and guess, and basically try everything under the sun to get him to calm down. We sing, we dance, we babble nonsense, we throw money....

Slowly, over time, we've been starting to figure out his patterns a bit better, and not be so frazzled if he decides to throw a snit fit. We know somewhat better when to let him be, as opposed to constantly fussing and fretting over him.

Seriously, though, this kid can and will cry about anything, from eating to being burped to having his diaper changed to taking a bath. And it's not just little whining, it turns to full-out, eardrum shattering screams that you can hear in every single installment of the Nightmare on Elm Street series.

This is not to say he's a bad baby. In fact, he's a very good baby. He eats well, he sleeps well, he's healthy, generally affable and cute as a button. However, simply because he's as new to this family thing as we are, and has no clue how else to communicate, he cries. Babies do. It's still far from my idea of a picnic.


Tired but happy.


We're very fortunate to be going through this transitional period as a couple. It helps alleviate the stress and allows us to learn together how to solve the riddle that is Crazy Legs. Still, we've been a bit cooped up because of Colin's feeding and sleeping schedule. We're doing our best to rest up and maintain touch with the real world when we can. Anyone know how that election turned out?

Around the six week mark, it's said (per several books) that he begins to see further than 12 inches in front of his face, and begins to coo and smile. Which will be a wonderful, wonderful change. Heidi and I are certainly looking forward to it.

Again, I'm really explaining rather than complaining. We love this little guy more than anything, and can't wait until he can reciprocate the feeling a teensy bit. That is, before he becomes a teenager, and is completely resentful and embarrassed by our every move.

Every day, I realize how much credit our parents deserve for the great job that they did. Thanks, Moms and Dads.


What a good kid!