Friday, July 23, 2010

The Magic Shush

If baby shushing were an Olympic sport, I think I could maybe medal in it.

I'm learning a LOT about babies since the bambino was born. One of the things I've learned: babies like white noise. They find it soothing and vaguely reminiscent of the various sounds they heard in the womb (mother's heart beating, lungs breathing, food digesting, blood coursing through veins, etc).

If you want to calm a cranky baby down, get up by their ear and "shhhhhhhhhhh" as loud and long as possible.

You see this in the video at the hospital, and you think "It can't possibly be that easy." But it works. Surprisingly quickly.

So the bambino's been having a rough couple of days and has been really cranky as a result. Other engagements kept me from this fun yesterday, but I spent most of today down visiting and making a batch of Ciccone sauce for dinner.

I was able to shush bambino down not once, but twice, while I was there. And I've apparently already mastered the art of making shush-like noise while I'm taking in a deep breath for the next shush.

That's right: I'm a circular-breathing baby whisperer.

I think I ought to add this mad new skill to my resume. ;)

Breen would be happy if I just made a recording of it before I move!

Sunday, July 18, 2010

To Quote the Incomparable Cole Porter

It's too darn hot.

Seriously, this is getting a mite ridiculous.

Jake has been camped out in front of the air conditioner like this for days.



What else is a poor katze to do?


In other local news, Dutch Days was a huge success for the Lutherans this year. Andy's church float (complete with rainbow-colored balloon hands of God holding a balloon globe, and adorable children singing "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands" live) took first place, and Patrick's church float (the pirate theme with the "candypault") took second. According to reports, the Mennonites were jealous. :)

And, I baptized the most beautiful baby in the world today, and couldn't feel more honored for the privilege.

Welcome to the Lord's family, Ruona Elizabeth! We are so glad you are here!