Rolling Over Was So Two Seconds Ago...

I am exactly 5 months, 15 days, 13 hours, and 15 minutes old as of this very minute.  It is 8:47pm on this cozy, blustery Kansas City night. Then again, here in the states they abide by a force of nature called "Daylight Saving Time" where everyone fiddles with their clocks, pushing time forward in the spring and back in the fall.  This makes calculating my exact age a little more difficult as The Island does not abide by this rule. And really, it's completely arbitrary to me as I will fall asleep at 8:00pm in the fall and winter, 9:00pm in the spring and summer, or 10:00pm in the Caribbean with not a care in the world as to which way Earth's axis may be tilting at that particular time of year.  But anyway...


Mom constantly works with me on new tricks. First it was putting my own self down for a nap. Been there! Next was propping myself up on my elbows and hands.  Done that! Then it was rolling over one direction. Old hat! Then I rolled over the other direction. Pashaw!  After that we worked on grasping objects, waving them wildly in the air, and even slamming them down against the floor and kitchen table making BIG NOISES. This one I just recently mastered and find it immensely fun. All of these are so passe now that I've made a huge step toward big-girldom. Yes folks, that's right, I CAN SIT UP.  After she saw me roll over quicker than John Lennon in his grave after hearing a Miley Cyrus song, she figured I was ready to at least start trying to sit up on my own. The first couple of days I did a lot of weeble-wobbling and ended up banging my head onto the floor a few times. It didn't hurt, but it wasn't a pleasure cruise either. I tried my best not to let it happen again... Pretty soon I was able to sit up without so much of Mom's help and voila!  I was blogging all by myself.

Waiting for something to come to me:

Ah! The topic train is rollin'!

I'm trying to blog here, do you mind?

I am also now enjoying books in a whole new way. If only I could figure out how to turn the page....

This is by far the most exciting advancement in my infant career, and now that I'm viewing things from a different perspective I see nothing that can stand in the way of my getting mobile.  Before too long, I'll be saying "Crawling?  That was SO two seconds ago...."

Mom and I Listened To This One Lots and Lots To Keep Us Cozy Over Christmas!

A Change in Plans and a Cozy Midwest Christmas!

I've been busy! Winter time in the Midwest is a really exciting time and I was so consumed with taking it all in that this is the first chance I've had to write. So let's get to it.

Well, first thing's first. Mom and I had a plane ticket booked to fly back to the island on another one of those long metal tubes again, but something happened, the days just went by and we never went to the island!  I could tell that Mommy was really sad but she tried her hardest to keep me giggling.  And giggling seems to make her smile so I did a lotta that and it seemed to work. We kept each other happy during the holiday season.  

She also took me to see this man called Santa Claus that supposedly brings good boys and girls presents sometime during the night on Christmas Eve. She said he also flies up in the air, then comes down your chimney, then eats cookies and milk, and THEN drops off your presents.  At first I didn't know what to think about anyone who would do something as dirty as shimmy down a chimney, but then I met him and WHAMMO.  I could see what everyone was talking about. He was magical.  It's like he knew what I was thinking. Christmas can be tough for babies such as myself since we can't yet verbally express our desires. But he knew. I just know it.

Then she took me to the hair salon where some crappy knock-off Santa was visiting, and I have to say he was such an obvious impersonator of the real thing. I just wanted to take his beard home to play with. 

 GAC and GUM left for what seemed like forever and Mommy said they went to the same island I was born on, where we were supposed to go but didn't!  They even had dinner with my Daddy and he missed me very much. I mean, who wouldn't...? It was nice to spend a week alone with Mom.  We did all sorts of fun stuff.  She dressed me in a Christmas onesie, a poofy green and red tutu, white lacy pantyhose, snazzy socks and REINDEER ANTLERS!!  We took so many pictures and I had a blast!

She set up this big green tree in the living room which I thought was weird. Who brings a tree into the house? Then she started decorating it with all sorts of colorful, twinkly lights, different colored round balls, and these really pretty strands of gold beads. At that point I didn't care that she was weird for bringing a pine tree into the house, it was just so pretty.  We took lots of pictures together, and I loved laying underneath it in the dark to see all of the soft and cozy illuminations.

So all of this hubbub leads up to the BIG DAY.  Not only does that Santa Claus character leave you presents underneath the weird indoor pine tree, but he also fills a giant sock with candy!  For some reason you hang this big colorful sock over the fireplace and he just knows that he's supposed to fill it up with candy or small presents.  And if you've been bad, he leaves you a lump of coal. I don't see how that's such a punishment. I could have a hayday with a lump of coal. Just ask Lemony Snicket. You make ARTWORK with it! Or grill fishes with it!  Anyway, I digress....

Mom and I went over to Gram and Pop's house for Christmas day. Uncle Cole and Aunt Meghan were there too!  We all went into the dining room and there were so many boxes with really beautiful wrapping paper. I had a HUGE stack of presents and Mom had to help me rip the paper off since my coordination isn't tip-top.  At first, I didn't know what to think. It was all so new. 

But then I realized that it was a TOY THAT MOM HAD BOUGHT JUST FOR ME!! IT WAS A PIANO!!  How did she know that I wanted a piano?? She is very smart, that Mom.

She got me all sorts of other stuff, and Santa brought me a few things too. I just don't know what I did to deserve all of these new things, but I'm gonna keep doing exactly what I've been doing and maybe, just maybe, I'll hit the jackpot again next year......

I Am Thankful for Lotsa Things...Especially for Sweets, and Except for Spices!

I was going to write another blog right after Thanksgiving, but Mom made me wait because she had this ludicrous idea about putting me on a big platter, buck nekkid, with parsley all around me and paper caps over my feet so I looked like a turkey. I'm so glad she didn't.  Plus, most turkeys are way bigger than me anyway. I'm only twelve pounds for goodness sake. The whole thing would have been just over-the-top humiliating.

Thanksgiving with GAC, GUM, and Mom was very relaxing.  I thought I had seen a lot of food with as much as Mom likes to cook, but I hadn't seen nuthin'! The house smelled so good.  It was a mixture of sweet and spicy and herbal.  Nuts, meat, wine, stuffing, potatoes, cranberries. All of it together made my mouth water, so Mom let me taste test a few things. I find that lots of the foods that smell like spices are the ones that I don't like so much. It's the sweet stuff that I can't get enough of!  Even back in that warm, watery environment I stayed in for 9 months, I made Dad go across the street and buy me all sorts of candy.  Mmmmm. Candy. I wish I could talk with actual words like the big people use.  If I could, I would tell them that I am thankful for so many things, so many that I can't even count them...that is, if I knew how to count. I would tell them that in 4 months of being alive, I am thankful for just being here. I wake up and can barely contain myself because every tiny little thing that the big people take for granted is a new adventure for me! I am thankful for toys that make noise (something Dad taught me to appreciate), taste testing all sorts of new foods whether I like them or not (something Mom taught me to appreciate), blowing raspberries, conquering feats of strength like rolling over and propping myself up on my elbows during tummy time, bursting out in laughter, having a story read to me, singing at the top of my lungs, feetie pajamas, my hands, warm bottles, burping and tooting while it's still socially acceptable, and that someone is always there to take care of me anytime I need or want anything.  Thank you to everyone who is making my adjustment to Earth a very pleasant one so far. I'm one of the happiest babies I know and it's all because of you.  Anyhoo, here are some pictures of our Thanksgiving!

A little while before Thanksgiving Mom was making something called hummus.  She put an herb called Rosemary in it and let me play with it and put it in my mouth.  Yuck.  Not to mention, the end result looked like something I leave in my diaper.  Double yuck.

She also let me sniff the garlic. It smelled so awful that thankfully, she didn't make me taste it at all.

Come to find out I don't care much for celery either, although it does come in handy for waving all around willy-nilly! Ha!

But it's really Mom's homemade cinnamon applesauce that I really love. That and pistachio ice cream. Yeah that's the good stuff.

If Halloween and Thanksgiving were so much fun, I can't even IMAGINE what this "Christmas" holiday must be like!  Supposedly it's the biggest most festive holiday all year long!  I know Mom has been talking a lot about her favorite Christmas movie called "Elf."  Maybe we'll watch it soon and I can see what all the hubbub is all about!  She also wants to drive around and see "the lights."  Hmmm. More adventures in store for me!

I hope all of you had a very happy Thanksgiving and remembered all of the reasons you are thankful. If I'm only 4 months old and have this much to be thankful for, there must be tons and tons to be thankful for when I'm like two! Oh my gosh!

The Mall = Stimulation Overload (In a Good Way) - A Letter to the Sun

Dear Mr. Sun,

Please go behind the clouds so Mom and I will not feel guilty for hiding from you inside the house today.  Yesterday was busy, busy, busy!  First of all, Great Aunt Cindy (GAC from here on out, it's much easier for my little fingers to type) and Great Uncle Mark (GUM....for the same reason) wanted to show me off at their church, so we all went and it was a nice time. I got to sit with the big people for most of it and I liked the singing. I sang along too! But for some reason when I do it, everyone giggles. Am I off-pitch? I don't feel off-pitch. (Note to self:  sing to Mommy today and have her tell me if I'm off-pitch.)

After church, we went to this place that Mom said we had to visit. It's called "The Mall."  She was right! There were tons of people walking everywhere! Some people had babies, some had big kids that could already walk and use the potty, and some were very old who could barely walk or use the potty. It's been my observation that things come full-circle on Earth.  There were smells coming from every which direction and we stopped in Panera where everything smelled so cozy that I nestled into my carrier and took a little nap. This mall stroller/carrier thing was so huge that Mom couldn't see in front of it very well and kept accidentally bashing me into things. It wasn't her fault, but it was annoying nonetheless. We went into a Hall Mark store and bought two really cool books that you can talk into and it records your voice! This way GUM can read to me even when I'm back on The Island since I love his deep, low voice so much...how cool!  I just don't understand one thing though.  Maybe someone could explain it to me? How is hall Mark different than living room Mark or kitchen Mark? And why don't those sides of his personality have stores as well? Confusing.

Anyway, Mom finally strapped me into the Bjorn (my fave!) and we walked all around. We went into a Christmas store and looked at all the pretty lights!!

There were so many colors and pretty decorations everywhere and my little senses were just overwhelmed! I am learning so much lately that it's hard to sort it all out. These were my favorite colors:

We also stopped and watched the carousel for a minute or two! I can't wait until I'm big enough that I can ride it with the big kids!!

GAC and I tried on warm and fuzzy headgear, too! She liked the hat that looked like a panda bear, and I preferred the earmuffs!  Pretty cute, huh?

After we got home, I went to sleep pretty easily. The Mall really takes it out of you (in a good way)!

So Mr. Sun, please don't shine too brightly. Mom and I would really like to snuggle inside and read books and watch TV.  It has been a fun but tiresome last couple of days. If you are beaming through the window, we will feel so guilty for not enjoying your warmth on a mild November day.

                     Thank you for at least considering it,
                      Piper Jaimes


P.S. - Plus, I found out I have HANDS a couple of nights ago and it'd be fun to stay inside, play with those, and stick them everywhere !!

John Legend & The Roots | Wake Up! Available Everywhere

I really want this for Christmas. Maybe Santa will bring it for me. I've been a good girl I think.  Great Uncle Mark turned me on to it this morning and it really spoke to me.  Who knows, maybe one day I'll protest on Washington to make the world a better place. :-)

John Legend & The Roots | Wake Up! Available Everywhere

Snotson County, Kansas...Here I Am!

For those of you who are unfamiliar with Kansas City, there is a county like no other, called none other, than Johnson County.  For the last 5 weeks of our stay here before heading back to the island, that is where Mom and I will be living to spend time with Cindy and Mark. Cindy is Mom's aunt, so that makes her my Great Aunt. Mark is Mom's uncle. So that makes him my Great Uncle. They live in a cul-de-sac which I think is fun to say. Cuuuullll-de-saaaaac. Cul .De .Sac.  CULDESAC!!

Johnson County is a really big and spread-out part of Kansas City and everything is super clean.  It's easy to get turned around because one street looks just like all the other streets.  Mom always seems to get lost in Johnson County because of this which sort of bugs me because it prolongs time in the car, and I am not a huge fan of time in the car.  But one day, Cindy took Mom and I to a surprisingly fun place called The Asian Market. I had such a good time! It was especially fun to see how close I could get to kicking over the super expensive pottery and sculptures and carvings when I'd spaz out my arms and legs. There were little signs in front of the really expensive vases and artwork. I don't know what they said because they were written in some Asian language, but maybe it said "Moms, please keep your flailing infants' arms and legs away from our really expensive vases and artwork."  If it said that, that would be funny.

We tried on hats that they had next to the toilet scrubbers!

And we ate what Cindy and Mom called "The Nastiest and Most Horrible Sushi in the World."  At least the fortune cookies were good...

We have spent two days now with Cindy and Mark in their home, and it has been incredibly relaxing! Mom and I have gotten to spend lots of quiet time together playing games and laughing and reading and watching movies and cooking. Tonight, she fixed Acorn and Butternut Squash Soup which turned out real nice. I helped! Mark fixed grilled turkey and cheese sandwiches. They also had Double Layer Pumpkin Cheesecake and coffee for dessert which smelled reeeaaaally good while it was baking. Everyone said everything was delicious, but I won't get to find out until tomorrow morning's bottle. Hmph!

I have rolled over a few times now from my tummy to my back in the middle of the night. The first time it happened was on total accident and I sort of surprised myself.  It was such a funny feeling being in one position, then by contorting my body a certain way, fell into another position with a whole new view! I keep trying to do it on purpose but it's really hard. I know I can do it, but it's real scary and I'm a little self-conscious about it so I only practice at night when no one can see me. Sometimes they lay me on the floor and just stare at me hoping I'll do it, and maybe one day soon I will, but for now it's just something I wanna do by myself til I get it right.

I have just begun laughing out loud too! I have to be really really happy in order to do this and I'm not really sure what it will be that will send me over the edge.  It's different depending on my mood. Yesterday, Mom was changing my diaper and she took the little Velcro tabs in her fingers and said "One...two...THREE!!" and zipped the tabs away from my diaper. I'm unsure why I thought this was so hilarious, but it was. I laughed out loud a few times. This of course just made Mom want to do it over and over again. I humored her, but then it got old and I really did want my wet pee-pee diaper off and a dry one put on. She got the point eventually and continued on.  Tonight I was just laying on my activity gym (LOVE IT) and got myself all wound up for no apparent reason and couldn't unwind myself no matter how hard I tried. I wound myself up sooooo tight that I just filled up with glee and couldn't figure out any other way to release it except for an outburst of laughter. It felt good. But then I was tired. Laughing takes a lot of you, in a good way.

Well, I really should let Mom get to bed.  She seems tired. It's a big job taking care of the awesome-est baby on the planet.  I'll go ahead and insert the face you're already probably making.  Good night everyone, and I'll write again soon! Promise!