John Speaks Ex Cathedra

I know the Pope is usually the one who can speak ex Cathedra (actually, any bishop can...see my Catholic School education is paying off), but John had a few things that he'd like to share with you kids.

The Sleeping Prince

John likes big boy beds.

Ready For Flight

It looks like he's ready to take flight in an old WW II bomber, but this is our John's cold weather hat. Actually, since he has a bit of a melon head, it's one of his few hats that fit him.

He does Like Carrots

I guess we tried when he wasn't hungry. Either that, or grandma and grandpa wouldn't take no for an answer. I can't wait to see his reaction to green baby food. I'd tell you what it is, but I just remember the color.

Like Father, Like Son

The boy does not like carrots. I think he's a meatatarian aka carnivore like me.

Ed Grimley Hair?

I now understand why my hair looked like Ed Grimley's in every photo of me as a baby. I always thought that my mother never bothered to comb my hair. Oh no, she did it on purpose. She likes that style of little boys, so she styles John's hair like that. I think he pulls it off.

A Big Day - Don't Read If You Are Sensitive or Squeamish

Now, I'm not going to post a picture (even though I did take one). Our little boy who has been eating his rice cereal for the past week was a bit constipated for the last couple of days. This morning, he gave our a howl and cried a bit. The Mrs. checked his diaper and found a green-yellow nugget. It was John's first solid bowel movement. Only a father would be proud of something like that. It's like that episode of South Park where Stan's father is obsessed with a rather large bowel movement and all the men were equally entranced.

Anywho, later in the evening, John pushed forth an additional nugget. As Maureen went to change him, he continued to make a little sausage shaped piece (Klee Irwin of Dual Action Cleanse Fame would be proud). As Maureen pulled out a second clean diaper since he'd soiled the last one, he decided to let loose with more. He needed to make up for not going for two days.

As I said, only a father would be proud of something like this.

January 21st

John would like to take this opportunity to wish Grandmother and Grandfather Gonzalez aka Mami and Papi a very happy early anniversary. He knows that their anniversary is actually January 21st, but he wanted to get a jump on all the other grandkids. Top that all you other Gonzalez grandkids!!!

It all started January 21, 1965 and it continues to today. Happy 44th anniversary. Love, the Babies aka Eddie, Maureen, and Johnny

Mr. Gigglesworth

Apparently, John was a little bit of a John Dockweiler Cranky Pants today. I think he misses listening to Bill Handel in the mornings and John and Ken in the afternoon. Anywho, I got home about 6:15 PM and Maureen had to move her car. Here's what happenend. John Dockweiler Cranky Pants turned into John Dockweiler Gigglesworth. Grammy Brady would say it's just gas. She says everything is gas. Silly Grammy!!

Sleep Update

John has been doing a good job with sleeping through the night. He'll wake up every couple of hours and tends to fuss a bit, but he's been able to fall back asleep within five minutes.

There are times that rule does not hold. Maureen always asks me to wait five minutes before I put the pacifier aka boo back in his mouth, but sometimes I cannot help but get out of bed to give him his boo or his blanket aka wubbie (watch Mr. Mom. you'll get it)

John Feeds Himself

The books are all wrong. The boy loves his rice cereal. He even helps to feed himself. What can I say? Is that not the most RUFUS thing ever?!? Look at the delight in his face and the speed with which he brings the spoon to his mouth. You'd think we didn't feed him but once a week or something.

John Takes a Siesta

Eating is hard work. John decided that he needed to take a siesta to power up for the rest of the day. Studies have shown that an after lunch nap lessens the chance for heart attack.

John Likes His Rice Cereal

So, we were a little worried that John would not take to eating much like his little friend, Charla Smith. Fortunately, that was not the case. This boy loves to eat his rice cereal. Well, loves is an overstatement since it probably tastes like paste, but he kept on asking for more.

He really didn't like his bib all that much, but he'll get used to it. Plus, he's not used to eating in a chair. He likes to be held as he is eating. He's going to learn that mommy and daddy are not going to feed him that way forever.

Enjoy the video. By the end of our shoot, John was getting a little fussy as you can see.

On A Serious Note

John would like to tell everyone that he is a strong proponent of childhood vaccinations. They help prevent diseases and are a matter of public health. Please vaccinate your children.

First Solid Meal

Later this afternoon, we plan to introduce Johnny to his first solid meal (well semi-solid), rice cereal. John just loves to watch us eat and smacks his gums while we are eating.

I'll post video and pictures after this experiment.

John's Latest Trip to the Doctor

On Tuesday, we took John to visit Doctor K for his 6-month check up. It was supposed to take place on Monday afternoon; however, some jackanape in the scheduling department screwed-up and said the appointment was on Tuesday.

Getting to the doctor's office was an experience unto itself. We decided to drive up Wilshire since it was the most direct route. To drive the 2-miles to the office, it took us 35-minutes. Thanks a lot Tony Villar for all his improvements to the traffic system of the city of Los Angeles. Maureen was a little creeped out because this was the first time she'd been stuck with me in traffic. I hate traffic. I can get scary within the confines of my car in traffic.

Dr. K said that John was doing quite well. He's as healthy and as strong as a horse. The boy weighs 17-lbs. 4-oz. and 27-inches in length. I could have sworn he was heavier, but I'm terrible with weight estimates. Dr. K also told us that we should get him started on rice cereal, fruits and vegetables. He also gave us a list of the forbidden foods: Chocolate (Sorry Johnny), Eggs (No big loss a mon avis), Wheat (oh well), Citrus (including tomato), and Honey (apparently, it may contain botulism spores). UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES IS HE TO EAT ANY OF THESE!!!

He also got more vaccinations. He didn't grab the needles this time.

This Week

I'm headed to Houston for the week from Tuesday to Friday. I don't know how I'm going to deal being away from the family for the first time since John was born. Plus, I won't be able to be there for his first mushy meal. Damn the oil business!! I suppose I'll just have to make up for it by giving him something that he's not supposed to eat when I get back. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Sleep Update

As discussed in an earlier blog, John's teething. I don't know if that's what's affecting his sleep patterns, but he's having trouble making it through the night. I know he's just a baby, but it would be great if he could help Maureen and me by sleeping a bit. This is a nice shot of the boy whilst sleeping...during the afternoon!! If you'll notice, he's back to sticking his arm up in the air like Superman. Perhaps, he's dreaming of flying through the air in a very vivid dream (like Maureen), or he's not dreaming at all (like me).

I need to work on my subliminal programming for the boy. I need to expose him to photos of sleeping/yawning babies. Maybe he'll take a hint.

Art Shots

A couple of weeks ago, we were doing a photo shoot and I started to experiment with the black and white feature on the camera. There were some good shots; however, the best was a bit blurry because I had it on the wrong setting. I suppose I really should read the instructions on the camera, but I'm a man. We don't believe in instructions or maps.

So, we tried to recreate some of the magic. I couldn't exactly capture the shot that I wanted, but I thought that this one was just fine. John just loves looking at his mother's hands. Perhaps he thinks she should be a hand model. For all we know, she could have made a fortune by appearing in jewelry ads for Zody's, Orbachs, or The May Company. We'll never know. Oh well, John gets to enjoy Maureen's delicate hands.

Mr. Perfrect

Sorry to all you wrestling fans that were looking for something on the late Kurt Hennig, this is a blog about my son, John Dockweiler Gonzalez. He's our Mr. Perfect and since Kurt Hennig is dead, I stake my claim to the name for John!!

Anywho, John's teething right now (although Grammy Brady doesn't think so. she thinks it's gas. she blames everything on gas.). He has all the symptoms (runny stool, slight fever, rubbing the gums), but we still do not have any teeth. How am I supposed to teach him to be a carnivore (NOT AN OMNIVORE AND GOD FORBID AN HERBIVORE!!) like me. Meatatarians like me need to teach the youth about the joys of eating meat. There's nothing like biting into a good steak and enjoying the savory flavor. When John watches us eat, he starts smacking his gums like he wants to try what we are eating. Maureen won't let me give him anything. Oh well, his six month check up is on Tuesday morning. After that, Dr. K will let us feed him mushy foods like cereal and mush.

Our Little Nerd

Johnnykins takes after his mother when it comes to books. When she was young, she started the Citrus Avenue Library and placed library return cards in the front of her little books (I've seen them). JD loves books and listening to his mother read. Plus, he's getting so big. He can sit up in Maureen's lap without his Boppy. It's at times like this that I feel like singing Sunrise Sunset from Fiddler on the Roof.

Happy 1/2 Birthday

Today marks our John's 1/2 birthday. To celebrate, we gave John a bath. He had a lovely time, but that always wasn't the case. Early on, he just didn't understand what was happening. As time went on, he learned to love the bath...especially the hair.

As Maureen was finishing up, he was sitting in the tub and decided to grab himself south of the Equator. As we looked on, he gave us a look as if to say, "Yeah, so what? I'm a boy." and continued to explore. As long as he doesn't do that in front of us when he's older, I'm ok with his actions.

Can you tell which picture was taken several months ago and which was taken today?

Not For the Weak of Stomach

Our dear, sweet angel of a boy did something just unbelievable today. Actually, it's the second time I'd experienced it, but it still blew me away. The video has nothing to do with it, but I thought I'd share our John being himself

So, the little man was playing in his crib when I happend to hear him floating an air buscuit or two. I thought, "Hmmm, he might need a change." Sure enough, when I undid his diaper. there was a nice present in there for me. As I go for the wipes, I notice a sudden sound coming from his bottom. A second or two later, it's followed by a noxious odor. I thought to myself, "Oh boy, I was lucky on this one." No, I was not. In a moment, my world turned upside down. Something started to out of his bottom. I freaked out and called Maureen as I normally do when one of John's bowel movements freaks me out. She took control and knew what to do. Fortunately, we didn't have to throw out the Onesie. Thank God for Maureen.

John's New Tubbie Toy

John enjoys his tubbie toy and he also enjoys chomping on his feet.

John's Matinee Idol Looks Charm Yet Another Server

After visiting with his Church friends (Yes, he does have older Church friends like Fr. Truc, theBators, Mr. Pistey, Mrs. Coyne, and the Hermans, but he also has young ones like Catherine, Stephen, and Madeline.), we went with Grammy to Fiddler's Bistro on Third Street. Our waitress, Julie, just kept on fawning all over John. It's his Ricardo Montalban/Fernando Lamas Latin Lover looks (but not Cesar Romero because we all know he was a little light in the loafers, if you know what I mean.).

Is He more Jeff "Just Reboot Your Computer" Levy or Leo "I Know What I'm Talkin' About" Laporte?

John loves to play with the keyboard. He's so good with it that he knows which buttons to hit to send the computer into hibernation mode. So, if you are working on an important document, keep John off your lap because God knows that he'll shut the computer down.

On A More Serious Note

Johnny is giving a shout out to his friend, Alexis Celeste Diaz. He hopes things go well and asks that you all keep her in your prayers.

Baby New Year

John had a late night on Wednesday night (he wanted to get his drink on with some champagne, but we only gave him formula), but he wanted to make sure that he wished everyone a Happy New Year. He's ready to take on the world in the coming year.