It's About Time...

About a half hour ago (11:42 am) there was a 5.8 (prelim) mag earthquake near Chino, which I wonderfully felt on the 9th floor (swaying and a rockin') of my workplace in El Segundo. Once you realize there is nothing you could do and accepted the earthquake was happening, it was pretty cool. First thing was I went to the window to watch the streets below and saw all the lamp posts swaying and I knew it was okay when I still saw planes landing and taking off at LAX (we have a view of the south landing strip). While cells seemed to be down, with good ol' Verizon, I was still able to leave a voicemail with my wife (and vice versa). Linh was at a shoe store with Spencer (now 15 1/2 months) and everything is okay.

So, the other day I was lamenting how I hadn't felt an earthquake in a long, long time. I seem to be driving or something and miss all the moderate ones we've had. After feeling today's, I don't really miss it. Which reminds me, I haven't been on a roller coaster in a long, long time. Also, yesterday, I was browsing around in one of our buildings and they had a radar map of the LA area where in small print at the bottom was that the most prominent feature on the map was the San Andreas fault, but I couldn't see it. So I was going to look up the fault to try to remember where it exactly is but never had the time. I guess I'll do that now...

Six Spencer None the Richer

Wow. From zero to six months (that's why there's 7 pics above) in no time. It's amazing the progress he's made. Our pride and joy entertains us and others with his curiosity, mannerisms, and now, movements. Yes, Spencer has been flipping back and forth for a couple weeks now. He can crawl in a circle, crawl inches at a time forward (using his head), and scoot while on his back forward or backward. Spencer thinks he's ready to walk but we have to get him to crawl first. His attempt is to look like a cat ready to pounce on a mouse (butt all the way up and on his hands and toes) but then he can't move his arms and falls back down onto his stomach. Once his arms get coordinated with his legs (which have been moving for weeks now), we'll have to watch out. He's already getting too big for his bassinet. And the pictures above (the latter ones) where taken in his crib, and he looks to big for that, too!

Spencer also has been eating single grain foods for a couple weeks and he's taking it well. Unlike his daddy, he's not a picky eater at all... breast milk, milk formula, soy formula, single grain rice, single grain oatmeal, water... doesn't matter to Spencer.

Linh and I are very blessed to have such a wonderful baby. We can't wait for the next six months...

Swim Spencer Swim

Today was Spencer's first swimming class at Cerritos' very impressive Olympic Swim Center. I think I was the least nervous and was looking forward to it. For Spencer's first lesson, he had just myself in the water but there was his mommy, Van, Quang & Debbie, and both sets of grandparents watching him near the pool. The class is just a half hour long and boy, they went through it like a speed reading class. We went through song after song, swishing our babies in and out of the water. (Apparently, you 're supposed to enroll over and over in this class so that the child doesn't lose his interest in being in water.) So Spencer was probably the youngest there (6 mo.-3 years) and there were probably a quarter of us who were new and trying to keep up. Spencer impressed everyone and he didn't cry. There were times he looked like he was about to, but then I'd put him on my stomach and he'd smile again. After a little bit, Spencer started to slowly kick in the water when we had our "free" time. I think it was very overwhelming for Spencer (and me!). Notice how I forgot to take my glasses off in all this excitement. Luckily, when we gave him a bath that evening, he didn't start to kick around in the sink.

Next week will be a little nerve-wrecking, as they will teach you how to dip your baby's head under water. The instructor (Linda) told us not to experiment with this (ha!). And maybe mommy will join us this time...

Moving on Up...

Doug was extremely nice in giving us a high chair (Slovenian, not Swedish, so not from Ikea). We were so excited we set it up that night while Spencer slept. And being impatient, I put Spencer in for his midnight feeding!

Feed Me...

After Spencer was over his side effects from his 4-month shots, we decided to finally test feeding him solids. Of course, we had no baby utensils so we were stuck with the silver spoon. Spencer did surprisingly well though sometimes it'll dribble down his cheek. Which is cute.

BTW, that forest you see is my hairy leg. Too lazy to crop out.

First Fever & Road Trip

A couple days ago (9/12) Spencer got his 4-month shots (even though he is almost 5 months old). He was moving around the table but he got through the shots okay. He's very strong. The nurse goes quickly and it was like last time, four quick shots, two in each leg plus the oral vaccination.

This time, however, Spencer developed a fever that reached 102.9 F the next day (9/13) but with some Baby Tylenol, he was fine that night (thank goodness). When Linh called the doctor, it was bring him in if it reaches 104!!! That's pretty high and luckily the fever passed quickly (though it never feels quickly as a parent).

I had a meeting for IEEE in San Diego (where some of my friends finally got to meet Spencer) so we spent Saturday in San Diego for our anniversary (6 years!). So I took the Amtrak from Fullerton to San Diego, my first time on Amtrak. Lesson learned: there is only a small parking structure in Fullerton where you can park overnight (up to 3 days). Because of this, I missed my train and my business class seat (Amtrak automatically refunds your money! Don't you wish airlines did that?). Eventually, a spot miraculously opened up and I parked there. The next train did not have any business class seats left so I was dreading the ride. It was sort of full when the train got there (15 min late) and picked a seat on the aisle. However, after the first stop people got off so I snagged an exit row seat! This had tons of leg room, I was by myself (no one sat next to me and it wasn't because I didn't shower that morning), and it had electrical plugs (for my laptop). Actually, the car was soon pretty empty. So I make my way to the "dining" car where the refreshments are and when I got to the Business Class car, it was 100% full and not as much legroom (though you do get refreshments for free). So not only did I get the better and more comfortable seat, I paid $12 less ($20 one-way, $32 for business class).

Linh drove with Spencer Friday night after he went to sleep and got to the hotel. So Spencer slept in his first hotel bed (not including the hospital he was born at, which was like a well-run hotel). Linh was like Mr. & Mrs. Howell, bringing like six bags for a one-night stay. So we'll have to get better at packing, I'm sure. Aunty Van and Sam came over and took us to this amazing dessert place called Extraordinary Desserts. They really excel in presentation. You have to remember what you want in the display window when you sit down because the menu only has specials/seasonal listings. I had to go back and find out what I wanted (don't ask me now, just some chocolate chocolate truffle something (Truffe Framboise?)). It was good but I think others made better choices than I did. So this was one day Spencer got to stay up way past his bedtime.

Spencer-cise!

Spencer finally made it to his first Gymboree class. He met his teacher and gave her a big smile right away. She was so impressed with Spencer that she kept complementing him. He sure knows how to impress a woman, I don't know where he learned that from. Spencer was also showing off his other skills. He was next to a 3-month old and a 6-month old baby but he prefers to compete with the 6 month old baby. When the teacher instructed all the mommies (about 10) to put their babies on the tummy, she passed out this miniature bobby pillow to the 3 month old babies to help them support the upper part of their body. Spencer didn't want the pillow, he preferred to raise himself up with his own two hands. He kept himself up pretty long and was staring at the other babies. The teacher and the other parents were so impressed that they kept staring at him. This mom didn't believe that he was only 3 3/4 months old. When it was time to sing the different nursery rhymes, Spencer realized that his mommy didn't know all the words so he helped her out. He was talking and smiling so much that his teacher commented to all the parents that Spencer really likes this class. So mommy got sucked in to signing up for 14 classes. Thanks a lot Spencer. For the next 14 Satursdays, Spencer will be sleeping very well after his Gymboree class.

Spencer Potter & Specks

First crazy thing we did with Spencer? Take him to Borders for the Harry Potter midnight madness book party (7/20). Since this was last minute, we had to get standby tickets and they assured us there will be enough books. Doug came down once he decided how much fun we'd have standing in line :-) I have only read the first couple chapters of the first book and have seen just the first four movies. I like HP a lot and one day will read the books which sit in the computer room. Spencer was enjoying the sights but eventually sleepiness crept in. We stood outside for a while and thus, the infamous Beckham jersey (I mostly kid my most expensive piece of clothing) shot. After about 1 am, we decided I'd take Spencer home since the it may be a while. About 3 am, Linh came back with book and free poster in hand (I managed to snag a free "wand" earlier). All in all, for the last HP book ever (until the $$$ come calling again), it was a cool experience.