Rafi & Sam's Blog

Rafi's 1st Race

Last Saturday, Rafi had his first running race.  OK, we only ran 20 yards but still it was his 1st race. It was the Pumkins in the Park race which is a 5K race for adults and then various distance races for the kids.  They also have a bunch of arts and crafts for the kids.  One of his classmate's father works at Fleet Feet Chicago which sponsored the race.  As some of the youngest kids, Rafi and his friends got to run first and then they went to the arts and crafts tent.  They watched me run at the beginning and then caught me at the end of the race. Afterwards, the kids basically ran up and down a hill as the parents took turns chasing them.  We didn't get any actual running photos of Rafi but we do have a bunch of him with his friends.

Before the race:

After the race with their medals, their faces painted and their balloon animals.

An running up and down the hill:

I had a good race too - finished a 5K in 23:34 or a 7:36 pace. 

-BRN

Many Major Milestones!

We've been very lax in updating you lately, dear readers. The endless holidays will do that, I guess. So here's the latest:

1. Sam had a doctor's appointment on September 19 - he's in perfect health, 22 lbs. 2 oz, and 30 inches tall. He feels like he weighs about 10 lbs. more than that.

2. As of Saturday, October 18, Sam seems to have his first word! Just like his brother, the word is "doggie." Rafi said it at about 11 months, then didn't say anything else for at least two months more, so we're hoping that a first word at 14 months means it'll stick around a while. It's quite clear - if he sees a dog (of the real, stuffed or even photographic variety) he happily yells "Dah-GEE! Dah-GEE!" The "G" isn't always clear, so sometimes it's "Dah-HEE!" but it's no less enthusiastic. We are especially pleased by this development, as Sam has completely spurned all attempts to teach him baby sign. Rafi was quite good at it, picking up 6-8 signs between 10 months and the advent of real talking, but Sam has steadfastly resisted our many, many attempts to teach milk, more, and all done. He points rather well, and we think this new word will quickly turn into more, as he seems rather frustrated by his inability to make himself understood.

3. For the past few weeks, Sam has been standing up quite a bit, often for long stretches without support. He's also been using the walking toys at school and his little red wagon at home to tool around at high speed. (He's also happy to push anything else - like chairs and hampers - all over the place.) Today, we have real steps! He can take two or three at a time, but still prefers to crawl, as it's still much faster for him. We'll see how long that lasts. I'm rather amused by this, given that tonight begins Shemini Atzeret - the very same holiday on which Rafi started to crawl. Clearly there's a mobility factor in this holiday that the rabbis failed to teach me about!

4. All this milestoning is causing major sleep disruption. The last two nights, Sam has been awake for 3 hours in the middle of the night, showing no interest ing going back to sleep. We are not amused.

Photos and Rafi-ness later....

Out of the Mouths of Babes - Literally!

So what do you do if you're 14 months old and your father puts something carrot kugl on the high chair tray that is more tasty  than the bagel you are eating.  That's right, just spit it out.  You can always pick it up later and continue eating. - That was Sam yesterday at lunch.  - BRN

Sign #29 That Your Son is Watching Too Much Norm Abram

Last night, after the boys took a bath (and I got soaked in the process), I got Rafi dressed. Rafi has been very interested in his own body parts recently, and is especially taken with his nipples, and the fact that they will never be able to feed babies. So as he was standing naked in his room and I was preparing him for bed, it was no surprise that he was touching his nipples. We've been discussing the correct names for things for a while now, so I said, "Rafi, what are those called?" He responded, "Finials!"

Random Thoughts

So Sam is almost 14 months old and Rafi is almost 4 years old.  It occurred to me a couple of days ago that I no longer need to put Sam to sleep on his back.  Given that like most people he rolls over onto his stomach to sleep, he goes to bed quicker this way.  - BRN