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

| Recommend 4

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!!!

Turkey Part 2

So I finish my email - have a little snack - and then decide I'd go ahead and pump - I hadn't pumped today.

I put the pump on, get it going, and just as my milk starts to flow - guess who wakes up?

What a Turkey!

I took Geoff upstairs because he was getting sleepy - after a few hours of active play in the bouncer and in his gym, he was nodding off during his lunch. I changed his diaper (an adventure in and of itself, as he had pooed almost up his back and he peed twice during the change...) Of course, all this excitement woke him back up, but I put him in his crib where he stayed happy enough.

My goal was to jump in the shower while he napped. While I waited for him to fall asleep I folded some diapers, straightened up the nursery, put some clothes away that were too small for Geoff, etc. while he babbled away happily in his crib. 45 minutes later - after giving me plenty of time, of course, to take a shower that I used to do other things - he finally started to nod off. So I started the shower, got undressed, and... Waaaaaaaah! Guess who woke up?

So I tried to soth him in the crib, and then picked him up and nursed him a bit and when he nodded off, I set him in the crib. He woke up, but he seemed happy, so I decided that instead of watching him for 10 minutes to make sure he'd be ok for me to jump in the shower, I'd just jump in - I could jump out quickly if needed, right?

So I get in and about half way through I hear him start to cry - so I fast forward my shower and get out and dry off and pick him up. I decide I'll go ahead and change him again before we go downstairs - so I set him on the changing table while I get dressed. He cries away on the table as I quickly throw on my clothes. Just as I get my tank top on, the cries stop, and he's snoozing on the table. So I brush my hair, put on my deoderant (thank GOODNESS his room attaches to my bathroom, No?) and there he is still snoozing. SO I put him into the crib - and guess who is still napping???

What a turkey!

33 Days

Grandma (Mom) flew home this morning to Michigan. We can't wait to see her in June!

Geoffers has had 2 good nights of sleep  in a row - last night he slept from 11:30 - 4:30 and the night before he slept from 12:00 - 5:00. I know he is still young an unpredictable, but it would sure be nice if that trend continued!

We've noticed that Geoff loves being on the changing table! We can set him up there and change his diaper and he sits there quite happily for some time looking around, happy as a clam. So cute!

Speaking of changing tables, Mom (Grandma) finally got initiated into the "get pooed on" club - big time! While she was changing him - Geoffrey pooed FIVE times - all over the changing table, up Mom's arm, and even a few squirts that arced up and over the table on to the floor! A real projectile pooper! Mom now holds the record over Grant and I for poo adventures!

I've also notices that he is starting to "hold on" when you carry him places - he doesn't really hold on to you, but he is positioning his hands on your shoulders when you carry him. It is so cute!

Well, I'm off to pump!

Comprehensive Blog

I know I have neglected you, dear blog. As you can see, I have started posting my baby blog entries here, too. I've decided to make this a comprehensive blog - copying posts from my baby blog and later on possibly my vacation blog here, too - so that when I am focusing on those, this one won't be neglected.

Obviously, I am mostly focused on Geoffrey and all of our exciting adventures - so anytime I've managed to blog it has been to my baby blog! I still have about 3 weeks left off of work and I am just trying to enjoy this time as much as possible!

Baby Gym

We put together Geoffrey's rainforest baby gym. He loves it already! I really wanted to wait until he'd use it and I wasn't sure if he'd quite be aware enough yet, but he totally is - this morning, he was transfixed staring at the monkey toy, and this evening he enjoyed the light show - he even smiled while he watched the lights change colors! That was cool because although he smiles a lot, they are still sort of random - today it really seemed like he was smiling in response to the lights. He also enjoyed the light reflecting off of the mirror.

Today was a very fun day!

 

Other Stuff

Sometimes when you hold Geoff up on your lap, his head sort of bobs around, like a bobble head. So cute!

He has had mixed reviews on bath time - but overall, I think he loves it. Usually the warm water soothes him and he sits there happy as a clam. However, one time he wailed through the whole thing. Personally, I think he was tired.

I may have mentioned this, but he loves being held up and bounced from under his arm pits. It is almost guarenteed to make him stop crying, and sometimes he'll even fall asleep that way! Only problem is that it is an odd angle and he is heavy - so your arms get really tired pretty quickly. Of course, the moment you stop, he starts crying again!
 

One Month

Geoffrey is one month old right now. How in the heck did that happen? He has changed so much!

One thing that has changed is his cry. When we first brought him home he had such a soft little cry, and it has become so much louder and stronger - most of the time, that is a good thing. He is so cute when he cries.

He is becoming more alert and aware. He has started noticing the fish on his aquarium bouncer (in fact, he didn't even like the bouncer at first!), and he can follow things with his eyes in an arc.

He can lift his head pretty high when he does his tummy time, and his neck is still very strong. It is not steady, but it doesn't flop around and I don't have to really worry about supporting it very much.

He sleeps in his Moses basket at night, and he has started sleeping in his Moses basket in his crib. He usually spends the first half of the night with Grant and I in our room in the Moses basket in the pack and play or in his room in the Moses basket in the crib, and the 2nd half of the night downstairs in his Moses basket with Grandma. His longer stretches are 3 - 4 hours.

He is very auditory - he loves singing, listening to Grandpa Bobby's  voice on the phone, or listening to the music Grant put on the ipod for him - it is a mix of musicals, Disney, and kids songs.

He is getting so tall and gaining lots of weight. He has big beautiful blue eyes. I love when he stretches - he sticks his butt out (which is accentuated by his cloth diapers) bends his arms under his chin or over his head.

He loves to eat - and does well on both the bottle and Mommy's breast. He is getting better at burping, although gas does seem to give him trouble. He spits up alot and he gets the hiccups often about an hour after he eats. He has been farting, too!

He loves going on walks - we've been around the track, to Central Park, Tewinkle, and the Talbert Nature Preserve, as well as downtown HB for Surf City Nights. He's been to a few restaurants as well - Islands, Sunny's, Pei Wei.

He has started to make other noises, too - not quite cooing - but noisy sighs.

Geoffrey - you have grown so much! We love you!

Date Night

Yesterday, Feb. 10, was my due date. Since baby G is not here yet, and there were no signs that he was coming soon, Mom suggested that grant and I go out on a date!

SO Grant and I went to dinner at Houston's. It was de-licious. I had this yummy thai noodle salad with steak, and Grant had ono and a braised cabbage with goat cheese side that he said was absolutely delicious.

 We shared an ice cream sundae for dessert, and they put a candle on it to congratulate us on our upcoming parenthood!

After dinner, we went and watched The Reader, which was a really great movie. I thought they did a good job adapting the book - and Kate Winslet was, of course, amazing, as was David Kross, who played Michael Burg.

What a nice night. I love being with Grant. I am so excited to share this time with him now, and I am so excited that he and I get to share the adventure of parenthood together!

Off of work

SO I am officially off of work - this is my first non school day! It is very weird, because I don't neccesarily feel any closer to delivering the baby then I did last week! I must admit, though, that it is nice to be home. Mom flew in last Tuesday, and we've been spending time working on the house (me nesting? nah... more like mom encouraging...) although it does feel good to have the house clean and in order!

 

It feels very werid to be off of work though - and not on an official vacation or anything. I am not even really aware of days passing - it is hard for me to believe that it is Monday. Hee hee...

Belle dog scared of the Rain

It has been raining here off and on for about 4 days. Last night, at about 4 in the morning, the rain and wind were super strong and woke Belle up - so she came and sat on my head again. It seems sitting on our heads is the most comforting position for her when she's scared at night - sigh. Oh well, at least I didnlt have to stress about her sitting on my belly!

 

Speaking of bellys... due date is tomorrow! I don't think he's going to come on his due date - but hopefully he won't be too much after, either!

 

 

Fire at my sister's complex/my hero brother in law!

This was my sister's apartment complex - The apartment directly above her's burnt down.

Dave (David) Yochem, the hero of the story, is my brother in law! (o:

 - Bobbi Jo

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Manager, neighbor rescue couple from burning apartment

Man ran through glass in bare feet and carried woman down ladder, Huntington Beach fire officials said.

By ANNIE BURRIS

The Orange County Register

| Recommend 1

HUNTINGTON BEACH – A couple trapped in their second-story apartment by a raging fire were rescued by the complex manager and a downstairs neighbor who put a ladder next to the bedroom window and carried the woman to safety, city fire officials said today.

Without the rescuers' help, the couple, both in their 20s, could have died, Huntington Beach fire officials said.

"If they had not (helped), the people would have most likely inhaled enough smoke to pass out and possibly, it could have been fatal," said Fire Capt. George Shinrock.

Allyson Melvillue and Jason Awlins broke the window to their apartment to escape the heat and smoke coming from a fire burning between them and the front door about 3 a.m. Tuesday in the 7700 block of Garfield Ave., said fire spokeswoman Martha Werth.

Donald Snow, the apartment manager and maintenance worker, said he was woken by the sound of breaking glass and ran downstairs. He saw smoke coming out of Melvillue's and Awlins' apartment across the courtyard.

"My thing was, I needed to … find a way to get them out," Snow, 35, said in an interview today. "That was pretty much going through my head, to see whatever I could do to help them get out."

Snow grabbed a maintenance ladder and put it next to the window. That's when neighbor David Yochem, 29, ran out in his bare feet, sprinted through the broken glass and climbed the ladder. He carried Melvillue over his shoulder down from the window.

"It was pretty much instinct when you have people screaming to help them," Yochem recalled. "It was a little bit scary but pretty much the adrenaline and instinct took over."

Awlins followed Melvillue and Yochem down the ladder shortly after the fire department arrived. The couple's brown and black cat Kahlua had jumped safely from the window to the ground, Snow said.

Awlins and Yochem, who had some cuts and suffered smoke inhalation, were taken to Huntington Beach Hospital and released the same day. Yochem and Snow were not injured.

Shrinrock said this was the first time he has witnessed such a rescue in the 15 years he has been with the department.

"To help that girl out of the window – that was huge," he said. "I mean, total disregard for his safety to help someone else."

The total amount of damage from the fire is about $50,000, and all of the couple's belonging were destroyed, Werth said. The cause of the fire is under investigation, she said.