Nine-month measurements

Today I went to my doctor's office for my nine-month checkup. Same old, same old...you know, a lot of talking between the doc and my papa and mama about my sleeping and eating, along with some poking and weird lights in my eyes. Among some new news is that I can start eating cheese, yogurt, and cheerios this month. Next month, however, I get to eat eggs. Doc said my physical exam was "wonderful."

I now weigh 22 pounds and 8 ounces (85th percentile), and measure 29" long (75th percentile). The whopper of the news, however, is that my head is 18.75 inches in circumference (95th percentile). Yes, you read that correctly -- NINETY FIFTH percentile...Out of 100 boys my age, I am number 5 in line if you arrange us by the size of our noggins. My head must be really huge because Doctor Kaminker actually measured my head TWICE to make sure the first reading wasn't a mistake.

Real men wear pink tutus...

...and real fathers encourage them!

Transportation Demand Modeling, Lesson I: Mode Choice in China

For those of you who aren't transportation planners (or who don't have a mom who is), the title of this blog entry simply means the modes I used for travel to, in, and from China:

BY PLANE:

Papa and me, enjoying the bulkhead seats

BY TRAIN:

Our spacious train car
Aboard the Z-train from Shanghai to Beijing

BY SUBWAY:

Inside the subway station at Tiananmen Square

BY TAXI:

Pictured here with Uncle Eric and Papa
And notice: NO CARSEAT, WOW

BY PRIVATE AUTOMOBILE:

Hired car and...

My own!

BY STROLLER:

Looking around outside the Forbidden City

BY HUMAN:

Getting ready to hike to the Great Wall (pictured behind us)

BY BOAT:

Powerboat ride on the reservoir along the Great Wall

Stay tuned for my next posting, which will highlight the new friends I made while traveling in China...

Nine-month update

Here's what I've been up to this month:

1. I now have four bottom teeth, and little white spots showing on the top row. I continue to drool like a waterfall.
2. Just a few days ago (April 29) I pulled myself up to a standing position (see photo below). Later that night, Dad came to check on me to make sure I was sleeping, but he found me standing in my crib smiling in the dark. The next day, my crib mattress was lowered.
3. I haven't figured out how to sit back down, so when my legs get wobbly, I cry and wail until someone comes to help me.
4. I traveled to China for two weeks and saw Shanghai and Beijing. I rode planes, trains, taxis, and boats.
5. I now can say, "mama," and I say it whenever I want to see mom, or when I want food, or when I want to sleep, or when I want to play, or when I need my diaper changed. Mom says she's going to teach me new vocabulary words like "papa."
6. I scream in protest when anyone removes my toys.
7. I love to eat teething biscuits, rice cakes, tofu, avocado, and rice porridge.
8. I can sit by myself and eat in a highchair.
9. I am losing my cheeks (facial).
10. I have learned how to shake my head, "no!"

We went off to China and when I returned...

...I stayed a few days with Halmoni (grandma on Dad's side). When I got home, I found that THIS happened to my room. It looks tons better now. Thanks, Dad and Mom, for finally decorating my place.


Stay tuned for pictures from our visit to China.