Beach Bum

Feeling a lot better this PM after a long weekend. Weird how you're supposed to be refreshed, but I was more tired than ever. Still am to be honest. Jake was too. He went right to sleep just now. No fuss, just right into bed. A dream lately, a real dream.

Today was a typical Monday. Picked him up, went to mom's office, waited for about 45 mins before she finished, then came home. Cleaned, ate, read, sleep. Mundane? Only the cleaning part.

The camping, like I mentioned yesterday, was great. Jake had a wonderful time being the center of attention all weekend. I think he liked being outdoors as well. He slept so well and seemed genuinely happy to be discovering new things and wandering around the campsite. He wore us out more than once as he tends to not care if we're with him as he wanders; he'll just take off and assume we're behind him, in spite of the fact that we're yelling at him to come back.

Friday we had fun setting up the new tent, eating outside, and sleeping next to the ocean. I think we all loved the sound of the waves and the roar of the wind as it hit the sand on the beach. A tad cool for all, but a nice change. Saturday was an early rise followed by a day on the North Shore. The weather could have been better, but we still had fun. Lunch at Haleiwa beach park (kiawe grilled chix, kimchi, rice and a large Foster's for me and mom). Afternoon walking to Waimea Falls. This was challenging to be quite honest. We forgot the stroller, so Jake had to walk most of the way. Trouble is, he wanders, he doesn't walk. It took 2 hours; should have taken 20 mins. All a part of life's rich pageant. Dinner with all the aunties an uncles in the eve (got to fly a kite with Jon and Edward too) and a quick bedtime again. Sunday early wake, car pack, lunch at Killer Tacos and home. Dinner with nana, sleep.

Song of the Day: Coldplay: Yellow (of course)

Fuss Ball

I've never really written about Jake's bedtime routine (or have I?). Since he moved into his crib a couple months back, we have been staying in the room until he falls asleep. The routine usually entails mom and I bringing him in where we read a book or plays a little. We tried for weeks to get him to brush his teeth, but he resists vehemently. When we say it's time to go in the crib he gets more books and wants to play more. We eventually get him in and then we lay on the floor next to him until he falls asleep. Sometimes this takes 10 mins, sometimes 40 mins, like tonight. We know we have to get to the point where he will just sleep or go to sleep on his own when we lay him down, but for now it's a bit of an ordeal. Such is life with the Jakers.

Big event of the day: came home to our new kitchen. Other than that Jake was fussy the whole day, big time, just like he was last month. We think he may have a cold that's bugging him.

Song of the Day: Kitchens of Distinction: Drive That Fast

Sleeping Computer

Had a very busy night last night, so I was unable to blog. First, my computer power port decided to stop working, so I had to rely on the battery, which died, as usual, way before it was supposed to. It decided to work this AM. I hope it stays that way.

Second, we decided kind of last minute to put Jake in the crib right away at bedtime. He should have been doing this for months, but me being away for 3 months and sicknesses prevented it. We knew it was going to be hard and it was. He bawled for an hour, but eventually fell asleep. It hurts to hear him cry, but it's for his benefit in the long run (and ours for that matter).

In the AM he went to his first dentist appointment. Hated it, but his teeth are in good shape and now clean. Dad got a little scolded for the plaque, but we now know how to properly brush the little things.

The highlight of his day was receiving his first Red Sox hat from Auntie Rebecca and Uncle David. He's not been a big hat wearer, but he seems to like this one. We'll get him used to it.

Song of the Day: The Standells: Dirty Water

House of Milk

Jake is a milkaholic.

We just put him to bed and, as usual, he downed a couple of sippy cups of organic un-sweetened soy milk before catching Zs. He's funny. He'll tell us he wants to sleep by tilting his head and putting his hand next to his ear and tonight he even walked into the bedroom. He's not a quick sleeper though. He tosses and turns, squirms, sits up, makes noise. This is all of course not good for when he goes back to the crib. He's been in the big bed since I left for Korea. It'll be tough, but we'll get him used to it.

Other than milk in bed, he had a fun time playing in his new house.

Song of the Day: Billy Bragg: Milkman of Human Kindness
http://ilike.com/artist/search?artist_qp=billy+bragg+the+milkman+of+human+kindness

Daily Jake, Day One

This is a blog about Jake, for Jake. Since before he was born I've been writing occasional notes to him about his life, my life, his mom's life. My hope is that sometime down the road I can give him all of the things I've written for/to him so that he'll have a better understanding of who he is and where he comes from.

I got the idea to start this blog while sitting in my miserably cold little research carrel at the library writing chapter 2 of my dissertation. I originally planned on doing an interactive blog on music memory and nostalgia, which I still may do, but at the moment this seems more fun.

The plan is to take a photo or video of Jake (or to steal one from his aunties, uncles, and other friends) once a day and write a short blurb of a major event in his day. The majority of the pics will be taken with my phone, which will explain the low quality. I did this for a year once on a calendar in, I think, 1990 (sans the pics). I learned a lot about myself and I hope Jake does too. Who knows, maybe he can take this over some day. Hopefully the pictures will tell a story too. I can't help but think of Harvey Keitel's Auggie Wren character in Wayne Wang's Smoke taking a picture of the smoke shop corner for years. There is power in memory, whether it be joy, sadness, or melancholy. I hope Jake experiences it all through his photographs.

A caveat: Although the plan is once a day, it'll most likely be 5-6 times a week. It's his fault. He keeps us busy.

As I write this Jake is sleeping on the bed next to me. These days he sleeps in the afternoon, around 3:00, for about 2 hours. Today's pic is Jake catching Zs on the bed. He's wheezing because he has a cold. Major runny nose. Weird how kids his age can catch something so quick. Yesterday he was fine.

Song of the day: Day One...In Your Life

http://ilike.com/artist/Day+One/album/Ordinary+Man