The Doctor Is In: Avi is a Patient (& Playful) Patient

By Avi

Guess what my doc (Ms. Andrea) gave me?

Answer: Got my nine-month (old/young) report card.

I checked out AOK, mind you.

I’m an 18.25 pound Flyweight Champion.

Don’t laugh.

That’s pretty good.

A month ago I was only 16 pounds.

So all the workouts and banana smoothie shakes paid off. Perhaps the 25 crunches per day did wonders, too.

Now I’m ready for the next challenge.

What’s that? – you say.

It’s not the 5K sprint across the Golden Gate Bridge.

Sorry, I get enough trace metals from Mom’s good cookin’. I don’t need an exhaust overdose while exhausting myself as I run (and pant).

So, the moral of this story:

When you’re my age, it’s a see food diet.

I know: Gong and groaner joke.

And I’m still months away from eating Mom and Dad’s Alaskan salmon fun.

My mouth is watering already.

On Your Mark…Get Set…Crawl (!)

by Dad

As a first-time Dad, I am oblivious to any or many baby-related facts.

Sometimes my ignorance is bliss.

Take how I kinda sorta knew he would eventually crawl. Here’s this littl’ fella that I’m holding for weeks since his birth eight months ago, and I’m never letting him out of my arms unless he’s cradled on my breast with the “Bjorn” pack papoose carrier.

Then, suddenly, within a couple of weeks the cocoon opened. He opened his wings, pumped his legs a few times, and, presto: He’s crawling all over the house.

Guess it’s either time to clean the carpet or get a new one. Good luck, you’re saying, because you know we have a (shedding) dog. Got me there. Guess we’ll add weekly vacuuming to our overloaded repetoire.

Even better was Avi’s visit to the KinderMusik on Wednesday past. No session occurred the previous week due to Spring Break. But, this session, as soon as the bell rang, it was obvious that Avi was a Little Insect Transformed. You could say the metamorphosis of Avi began Tax Day, 2008.

Only I’m getting a rebate this year. It may sound trite, but I’m my own collection agency who is open for business with 24/7 curiosity and fascination with my Little Prince. My interest in him is accruing pride and joy as I watch change each day.

Besides, just to show you I’m not a doting New Dad whose mesmerization has deluded my judgment, you should have seen the other mothers likewise notice the evolution of Avi. “He crawls so well” was the least enthusiastic critique.

Well, my time’s up. Gotta get to the Craigslist and eBay ads. Bring credit card. Crawling baby means baby-proofing measures. Let the auction begin.

The scroll of our lives now reads non-stop: “It’s 11 am (or any other hour of the day), so do you know WHERE your Little Avi is located?

Actually, “no.” He was just here a minute ago. Somewhere. Then he crawled away.

Say There: It's Avi's First Seder :-)

VIDEO (~ 45 seconds)

Helpful Hint: click on the diamond-shaped arrow, above & left, to see this VIDEO play.

Before hitting "play," please turn up your computer's volume to hear the fun.

Prince's Premiere StandUp Routine (Get It? :-) )

VIDEO (~ 90 seconds)

Helpful Hint: click on the diamond-shaped arrow, above & left, to see this VIDEO play.

Avi's Laugh-athon With Sierra Doggy

VIDEO (~ 50 seconds)

Helpful Hint (before you click on the diamond-shaped arrow, above & left, to see this VIDEO):

Is your volume "up" to hear the Littl' Fella's yelping glee?'

Prince Avi’s KinderMusik Muse (in the key of "C")

Someone I told about 8-month old Avi attending a music and dance class reacted by saying “Only in California.”

Perhaps.

But the truth is KinderMusik exists nationwide -- and its a venue like many other kid-friendly studios/classrooms that introduce newborns to the joy of music -- with dancing the perfect complement as an integral component of each week’s class.

Avi loves it from start to finish.

Like son, like father.
It’s my favorite hour of the week, too. It's also the fastest hour of the week. Time flies when you're having fun (with your Littl' Prince fella).

When he gets there, the social excitement of the friendly, familiar, weekly faces takes him a moment to understand.

He’s so excited that his head might as well be on a swivel. Then he notices all the colorful toys, a dazzling overabundance that must overload his senses.

First, there’s the colorful parachute game. Up it goes, then down. Avi simply stares as the giant parasol acts like giant balloon that rises, then falls, over and over.

Next, it’s his favorite: bubble time. They cascade into the air from Melissa, the patient instructor with a voice of sweetness in the key of C. Avi watches the bubbles float through the air like confetti.
Then he goes after a couple. Pop. Pop. Some lay intact on the carpet. No more, as Avi swats them.

Then, it’s good-bye time. The hour is up. Avi does both a bow and curtsie for the group, then a final dip at his Dad’s behest. The music has stopped, but Avi leaves happy. I can tell his heart is still singing.