Asher,

So much has happened in the last month!

You are still totally in love with your binky. Sarah and I stay on high alert with the binky close by at all times, just in case you spontaneously jump to def-con 5. As soon as that first sign of sleepiness appears, usually in the form of a yawn-so-cute-it-puts-puppies-to-shame, we jam the binky into your mouth to quell the approaching onslaught of terror. During the day, you usually nap with your binky in, and we’ve thus discovered a major drawback of prolonged binky-use. The plastic rim of the pacifier creates red marks around your lips and makes you look like Bozo the clown. I’ve deemed this phenomenon “funky-binky-baby-clown-face”. I keep expecting to find a multi-colored wig and juggling balls in your crib. (Note to self – Get a picture of you with funky-binky-baby-clown-face for the family album)

Yesterday we took you to see the doctor for your 2 month checkup. You now weigh 11 ½ lbs and stretch out to 23 ¼ inches. Amazingly, the doctor can already tell that you will be over 6ft in height when you finish growing. I hope you get my height, but not my belly! Your weight is in the 50th percentile for babies your age, and your height is in the 75th %. I was also relieved that the circumference of your head is on the smaller side (only in the 25th percentile). I have this strange phobia of kids with enormous heads…they look like an orange on a toothpick. The 2 month exam also means that you got your first round of vaccinations. You took it like a man and barely let out a peep while the nurse injected the shots into your chubby little thighs. The shots gave you a slight fever, but you powered through the next 24 hours without too much fuss. I hope that means you’ll be a pretty tough kid.

Drool quantities are increasing exponentially and I am NOT OK with that. I also have a phobia of baby drool. Yes, I have nightmares of big headed, drooly babies… I need therapy, I know. Our shoulders are now constantly covered in a layer of slime. It could be worse I suppose. The other day you had your first diaper blow-out. Luckily, your grandmother was holding you at the time… I’m hoping the drool phase passes pretty quickly, but I’ve heard it will only get worse when your teeth start coming in. I guess I’ll just have to get over my issues with drool.

Speaking of blow-outs… Under normal circumstances I’m a true believer in the age old adage of Farts = Funny. But, this past weekend you took it to a whole new level… in church. You picked the absolute quietest possible moment to let fly with a blast so loud it’s hard to believe it came from your tiny booty. That’s my boy!

Last month you went to your first hockey game to see dad play. Well, this month we took you to see some real hockey. The Stars held training camp at the rink near our house, so I dragged you and your mother out to watch a practice. We dressed you up in head to toe Pittsburgh Penguins gear since you’re still too little to fit into your Stars stuff. I tried to get our picture taken with a couple of ex-penguin players (Matthew Barnaby & Stu Barnes), but there were a bazillion people there. In January we’ll take you to see Sidney Crosby and the Penguins beat the crap out of the Stars.

Your umbilical cord finally fell off, so now you can actually take a real bath. I think all that time your mom spent in the pool while you were in her tummy paid off. You love the water, and we love giving you baths because you make the funniest faces. We discovered your surprised face when I poured water over your head to wash your hair (or at least what’s left of it – your poor hairline is retreating faster than the French army). Hopefully you won’t be bald for too long!

You’ve also started making pouty faces. The other day I followed your mother around the house with the camera trying to capture your elusive pouty lip in the extended position. It is absolutely the cutest thing I have ever seen in my entire life. I dare say it’s even cuter than your smile. Usually, the pouty lip is an indication that you are indeed upset and about to become oh-so fussy. Thus, the pouty lip is a double edged sword. It is the cutest thing EVER, but it breaks my heart at the same time.

It’s amazing to see how much you change from month to month. You are growing so fast! I can’t imagine what it will be like when you start talking, start walking, and most importantly, start skating… We are going to have so much fun together!

Love,
Papa