Wallpaper border

The wallpaper border that we chose for Geoff's room is Mickey at the Circus. It is bright with primary colors and very busy - one of the reasons we chose it was because we thought it would be stimulating for him.

We put it up midway around the room - I believe it is called a chair rail or something? In any case, it happened to align perfectly with the top of Geoffrey's changing table - just at his eye level. One of the things he loves to do when we change him is stare at his border - it is so cool! He really loves to look at it! We really made a good choice with it!

Rent at Corona Del MAr High School

Three protest high school's production of 'Rent'

About 300 counterprotesters shout them down.

By NIYAZ PIRANI

The Orange County Register

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NEWPORT BEACH - Three members of the Westboro Baptist Church of Kansas, who came to protest Corona del Mar High School's production of "Rent," were shouted down by 300 counterprotesters this afternoon at the school.

The group came with signs that read: "Fags are beasts" and "America is doomed." Another sign was anti-Obama, while a fourth sign used an obscenity and an image of a dead baby between two hamburger buns.

Counterprotesters' signs read: "Long live Elton John," "Hate is not a family value," and "Do you need a hug?"

After about 30 minutes of protesting, which started around 2 p.m., the three members of the Westboro Baptist Church asked police to escort them to their car. Students remained after the three left, holding signs and screaming and waving as drivers of passing cars honked.

Kaylin Alexander, a senior at Corona del Mar and of the counterprotesters, said "We think they are ridiculous. God loves everyone."

Fred Phelps, Jr., the son of the founder of the Kansas church, said, he was preaching to the crowd.

"(Rent) is catering to the totally out-of-control youth of this nation," Phelps said. "They've got no discipline, no morals. Only doom and destruction lie ahead for them."

Betty Phelps, also a member of the church, said, "This is the side of the fence we are always on. We speak the truth, and I don't know of any other church that does."

Rosanne Fall, of Costa Mesa and a member of the Orange County Equality Coalition, said, "We're here to support Rent. It's important for the kids.

We shouldn't discriminate based on sexual orientation."

Twenty Newport Beach police officers were on the scene for crowd and traffic control. There were no incidents or arrests at the protest, but there was a minor, noninjury traffic accident at the intersection of Eastbluff Drive and Jamboree Road.

The Tony Award-winning musical, plays tonight at 7:30 at the school and runs on select dates through May 2. The play deals with homosexuality and AIDS, became an on-again, off-again affair at Corona del Mar after drama teacher Ron Martin claimed that the school's principal, Fal Asrani, would not allow the play to go on. Asrani has denied that allegation and a "school-safe" version of the play was approved.

The play made its debut Thursday night in Corona del Mar's 230-seat Little Theatre.

Senior James Ramsey said he saw no reason for the "hoopla" because the school version has been pared down in comparison to the original.

"I think the school version does a very good job of bringing the material down and making it appropriate at a high school level," he said. "I feel like (homophobia) is just a common thing in high schools in general as well as in Orange County, being one of the most conservative counties in California."

Max Priestley, a sophomore and actor in the play, said the counterprotests are a peaceful way to express the students' side of the issue.

"It's amazing to do something this changing for so many people," he said. "Not just for me and the cast, but for so many others."

8 weeks

Mr. Geofferson is 8 weeks old now. He is so adorable! He is such a smiley boy. He is especially cute in the morning. First, he starts making noises. We go in and open the blinds, and then unswaddle him. Geogg starts to stretch and then opens his eyes, and then when he sees us, he gets a big, happy smile on his face!

Seriously, his stretches are just the cutest! Mommy and Daddy want to always remember them!

He is starting to exercize his vocal cords with babbles and coos and giggles.

He makes cute little milk-spit bubbles.

He farts a lot. He still loves the changing table, too. Sometimes, he'll stretch and fart and then get this goofy grin on his face.

He is such a good boy. He is mostly very chill andeasy to please. Yesterday, we went to California Adventure and it was 100 degrees! He was so good. He went on It's Tough to be a Bug, twice, to nurse (the termite "sqirting" startled him the first time, so Daddy shielded him with a burp cloth the 2nd time). He also did Monster's Inc, and looked at the Blue Sky Celler with us. We had dinner at Story Teller's Cafe, and he was such a good boy. He spend most of it laughing and cooing and talking to himself. Then he got a little tired and we held him until he fell asleep. Really, such a good boy!

Oh - for the past few days, he has had some green gunk in his right eye, and it has been a bit teary. It started on Friday and Saturday. Possibly a clogged tear duct - because his eye isn't red and he doesn't seem to have a cold or anything. We were going to call Dr. CHang, but he only had a little gunk yesterday (Sunday) and none today (Monday), so we're just going to watch it for now.

Avenue Q / Rat Pack: Live From the Sands

We saw two plays in the last few weeks: Avenue Q and Rat Pack, Live from the Sands.

Avenue Q is hilarious. It is a grown up Sesame Street and it keeps you laughing throughout the whole thing. We really enjoyed it!

Rat Pack didn't have a plot  - it was like a concert. The cast was really good, and the show was enjoyable, but not something I am dying to see again.

Next up is Grease!

Little things

Geoffrey doesn't use a pacifier. He doesn't like it and always spits it out if we try to give it to him. However, he does like to suck on the back of his fist - both to self soothe and to show he is hungry. So cute!

 
Also, my students say that Geoffrey looks like Bugsy from "Bedtime Stories" because of his big eyes. I must admit, I thought the same thing when I saw the movie last week.

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(¸.·´ (¸.·´*Bobbi Jo*
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7 weeks

Geoff is doing well! He is becoming more predictable.He is such a good baby! He is very adaptable during the day - whether we go out or stay home. He likes being out, though. He lets people hold him, and he simply sleeps when he is tired.

He has a pattern developing at night - although he is probably still too young for us to depend on it. In general, he goes to sleep at around eats between 10 - 11 and goes to sleep about 30 minutes later. He eats again around 3 AM, and again around 6:30 AM, and then sleeps. At around 10:00 Am, he wakes up to start his day. This has been working out well - as I can do the 10:30 feeding and then sleep until about 6:30. Grant does the early morning feeding and then sleeps in. Geoff is also really good about falling asleep in his crib on his own - 90% of the time, he is put in the crib awake and doesn't need comforting to fall asleep after his night time feedings.

When you put toys in his hands, like those plastic rings, he can hold on to them for short periods.

He is still not a fan of tummy time.

He smiles in response to things now. He smiles at Mommy and Daddy, Belle-dog, his goofy faces in the mirror above his swing, and some of his toys, such as the toys in his rainforest gym.

Mommy goes back to work tomorrow. It doesn't really feel real - like I don't really believe it. I think I will sort of be in automatic pilot at first - just sort of going through the motions, tomorrow. I don't know if that really makes sense at all. I mean, normally at this time, going back after Spring Break, I would be thinking about school, lesson planning in my head, feeling nervous about going back - but I haven't really had any of those feeling yet - barely even a dream - it just feels more like school/work is a numb, hazy feeling. Sigh. Summer will come quickly, I know. Geoff is home with his daddy, safe and loved. I have a good job - I can come home quickly most days. I am sure, someday, I will be able to find a balance between a teacher and a Mommy - Of course, being a mommy will always trump - but for now, being a teacher feels more like a job then ever - more like something I just have to do, as opposed to a deeper calling. Like I said, I know that will come back - that I can be both - but right now - I am a Mommy, it my only priority (not just my most significant priority).

Geoffrey's First Trip to Disneyland

Geoffrey was 6 weeks old on Friday, April 3. To celebrate, Grant and I took him to Disneyland for his first trip!

We arrived at about 2 in the afternoon, and after getting our renewed passes, we took Geoff on the Disneyland railroad to tour the whole park. Geoffrey slept through this - heh heh.

Next, we visited the baby care center where I changed Monsieur Benedict's diaper and nursed him.

We went to Fantasyland rode the Storybook Canal - it had just opened back up following the parade - and Geoff seemed to enjoy this! His eyes were big and open during the whole thing. Then we went to it's a small world. Geoff kept his eyes open for about half of it, he seemed to enjoy the lights and colors and music. He fell asleep about half way through.

We rode Snow White, Pinocchio, Winnie the Pooh, and Haunted Mansion, and then Pirates of the Caribbean (where Geoff ate dinner - hee hee), before Grant and I had dinner at Cafe Orleans. Geoff was wide awake during dinner and loved looking around. After dinner, we went to the Tiki Room (where Geoff had dessert...) and then we finished the evening on Buzz Lightyear.

Geoff obviously lives DIsney. The poor guy was so upset when we left that he cried on the tram all the way to the car. Poor guy. He did really well!

Pediatrician - 6 week visit

On Wednesday, April 1st, Geoffrey had another well-visit with Doctor Chang. Geoff now weighs 12 pounds, 7 ounces, and he is 24 inches long! He is in the 95 percentile for both height and weight (which is good as long as he is proportional!) He is healthy and strong. He still has a bit of his jaundice - so his current skin color is not a reflection of what his skin tone will actually be.

Geoffrey got his next Hepatitis B shot, but that was all. Poor little guy - he was sleeping peacefully and theHe will get 2 more vaccines at his next visit in May (he will be 10 weeks at that visit). Dr. Chang likes to spread the vaccines out a bit so that he doesn't get bombarded with shots at his visits.

Also, Dr. Chang said we should coninue with Tummy Time - of course - and even if he cries it is ok to leave him on his tummy for at least 5 minutes.

Feeding - Dr. CHang said 7 times a day was normal for his age, and that when he eats from a bottle - he should have 4 - 5 ounces, during the day, but in the middle of the night, 2 ounces was fine if that was all he wanted before he goes back to sleep.

Yeah! Another good visit! 

been a while

Geoff's off to the pediatrician, so expect a big update!

In other news - Geoff has started making tears when he cries. He is dealing - rather good naturedly - with his first bout of diaper rash. And after 4 great nights of sleep - (feedings at 10 ish 2 ish 6 ish and 10 ish and falling asleep pretty much right after) he has thrown us for a loop and tried to stay up all night the past two nights!!!