Reviving the Contest!

Okay, I wasn't sure that I wanted to do this, mostly because of Asa's early birth and some superstition on my part.  But over Thanksgiving weekend, the pool began, so what the hey... might as well open it to all!

We therefore kick off the Baby Details Contest: Sprout Edition!

To participate, please put the following in the comments section:
What day will Sprout be born?
What time of day: morning (6a-Noon), afternoon (Noon-6p), evening (6p-Midnight), or overnight?
Is Sprout a boy or a girl?
How much will Sprout weigh?

Just to level the playing field, here's what we know: M.'s due date is January 3rd, and at our last appointment, the baby's estimated weight was 4lbs, 14oz.

Happy Guessing!

Thanksgiving

Yes, I know... Too long without a post.  Soon, I promise, but right now I empathize with Asa.

Helpful Boy

Waiting for Mommy to come home, Asa and I began pulling out the tomato plants that were killed by this season's early snowfall.  I had no real intention of getting them all out in one afternoon, but Asa had other plans.  After pulling out every last bit, he helped me bring them back to the compost pile, refusing every offer of help.  

All of this, of course, after he raked leaves at a friend's house during their playdate, and swept up all the dried bits of play-doh from our kitchen floor.

Now I know why we have kids.  

Caring for Baby

I love that Asa loves babies.  We went to see newborn twins the other day - the son and daughter of friends - and Asa was mesmerized.  He wanted to kiss the babies all the time, and touch their little hands and just watch them sleep.  I can't help but thinking that he's actually pretty excited about the prospect of having a baby in our house.  

We've been getting ready for Sprout's arrival - making sure that enough newborn clothes and diapers are ready, seeing if we still have enough bottles, re-arranging clothes storage and figuring out how to house two kids in one small room.  In the midst of it all, Asa took a break to feed his own baby.

I can only assume that Asa has witnessed babies being bottle-fed, because he knew exactly what to do. And it gives us a little breathing room, in the hope that he'll really enjoy being a big brother, and that perhaps the sibling rivalry won't really kick in until Sprout starts moving and taking Asa's toys.  (Hey, parents can dream, no?)

Yup, I think he's ready to be a big brother.

The Young Folkie

Thank you, Granna and Pap Pap for the book and CD of folk songs by Peter Yarrow and his daughter.  It's been a huge hit, and we're already wearing out the CD (uh-oh).  What is astounding to me is Asa's attention span for this music: he'll sit with the book and follow along for nearly the entire album; if we're sitting with him and don't turn the pages appropriately, he'll wrench the book away and do it himself.

Usually, he sings along much louder (he's doing it right now), but there's something about the camera that makes him shy.  But here are a couple of favorites: Cockles and Mussels and The Fox.  Enjoy!

Little Drummer Boy

Pa rum pa pum pum!

I'm suddenly having visions of sitting in the stands through many a cold high-school football game.

Adventures in Play Doh

Mommy sees a rose.  Mummy sees a cabbage.  Asa sees more pounding to be done, and only grudgingly paused for this photoshoot.