Commercialization

In my frustration of trying to figure out how to get video off my camcorder and into my computer, I wrote an e-mail to the local spokesperson for Apple's MacBook. Of course, the spokesperson is Brian Zepp, a friend of mine at work. Not only did this help him write a commercial for MacBook, but has provided audio for a new SAMtastic Video.

So, the audio you hear in this video is an actual radio commercial based on my e-mail put to some video clips of Sam.

By no means is this an endorsement. Just some Saturday goofing by dad between diaper changes. Enjoy!

Thinkin' About Mealtime

It's going to become quite obvious after watching this video how much fun dad is having here. Enjoy!

Audio clips used without permission, but asking forgiveness:
"Triple Trouble" - Beastie Boys
"500 Miles" - Down By Law

Sam Flips Over - The Video!

This video is from Saturday, just before Sam turned 4 weeks old. As mentioned before infants shouldn't be able to do this yet. He's done this for us 5 times now. Yah, I'm crazy proud.

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4 WEEKS!

Sam turned 4 weeks today. I got a little antsy and put his first pair of Chuck Taylor shoes on him. Yah, yah ... I know they are still a little big.

In other news, Sam has started tracking his mobile as it spins around.

I was able to get him rolling over on film on Saturday. Just need to get a little hardware for the computer and I'll post it soon.

THE OTHER KIDS

This is Lola and Pippin. They both have expressed some neglect since Sam took over. Lola has taken things too far and remains on the "bad kitty list." When the door to Sam's room opens, she darts in and hides under the crib. The only thing that works to get her out is bribery. A treat, catnip or tuna is all that gets her out. I believe Lola does this to draw attention to herself by being a pain in the ass.

We aren't worried so much about Pippin being in Sam's room. When the door opens, he saunters in and just lays down where ever it is most comfortable. I think Pippin does this out of sadness. You see Sam's room, used to be our room. We used to hang out in this room all the time until we started the baby room conversion.

To Pippin: Sorry, pal. We've been kicked out. It'll be OK. Just understand that you are still my big orange Mr. Cat buddy. When you get a chance, send me an e-mail and let me know how you are doing with all this. Cuz, I know you surf the Internet from time to time.

SMILE FOR MOM!

Sam has had a few fake smiles. This is easily the best one caught on "film".

According to this list of developmental milestones, a baby should smile around 5-6 weeks. Sam is 3 1/2 weeks old. Is this real?

Or did he just fart?

According to the same set of developmental milestones, he shouldn't roll front to back until 4 months. Well... we've seen him do that 3 times now!!!

Someone at work called him "bam-bam" ... I'm just impressed and amazed!

PLAYTIME WITH SAM

One thing that I have found the most fun with is Tummy Time or Playtime ... When Sam is wide awake and not eating (and boy does he eat alot), I lay him on the play mat and let him stretch his neck.

He has the most expressive eyes during this time.

After some good exercise. Sam gets flipped back over to relax ...

... and yawn.

THE BABY FAT BEGINS!

Out of the blue, Sam's head and cheeks are starting to plump up. Our son grows everyday.

Jim & Lee Visit Sam!

Jim with Sam

Good friends, Jim and Lee, came up this past Saturday for a visit. It was off to the apple orchard for much needed supplies of pickled eggs, kettle corn, microwavable black popcorn and wine. Oh yah ... and an apple pie.

Saturday at the orchard marked the first diaper changed outdoors. Sam's not one to let just mom or dad in on a new experience. After Jaime changed the diaper, he promptly wildly pee'd the next one. That meant it was my turn. I got the added bonus of changing his outfit as well.

Lee with Sam

OH, HE LOOKS LIKE (insert parent's name)?

My mom told me that Sam looks a lot me as a baby. So I dug up the baby book and scanned in my newborn picture. I can see it ...

... But, you can't deny Sam at three weeks looking a lot like Jaime at three weeks. You'd think I photoshopped the same nose, mouth and forehead on these two pictures below.

Result? He looks like both of us. As he grows, I really hope he continues to have his mom's good looks and my sense of balance.

SAM PUNCHES IN

On Wednesday this week, Jaime brought Sam up to where I work. He got all sorts of pinches, pokes and sniffs. He slept the entire time. Though, when my friend Justin pulled out his camera phone for a snap, Sam mugged for him a little bit.

Though you can't see them in this picture. This is the first time Sam wore pants. Brown, big corduroy pants. My co-worker "Doc" took a particular interest and approved of them.

SO ARE YOU GETTING ANY SLEEP?

The most common question is, "are you getting any sleep?"

Sam is a good sleeper (for now, we know). He's really good about giving us 2 hour stretches during the day and 3 and sometimes 4 at night. Yes, we know we are lucky. Yes, we know that might change.

One thing that everyone notices is Sam's nose. They think it looks just like Jaime's ... I think he also has Jaime's ears. He definitely has my thinning hair and Neanderthal like torso. Though, I just noticed ... he and I have similar eyebrow to top of cheek ocular area. Yah. I'll pat myself on the back later.

Q: HOW MANY RAMONES SONGS DOES IT TAKE TO FEED A TWO AND A 1/2 WEEK OLD BABY?

A: Seven!

I've been withholding the Ramones bib and a listen to the first Ramones record until Sam could appreciate it more. Today was finally the day.

Here's some of his better rock faces ...

1. "Blitzkrieg Bop" - began feeding
2. "Beat On The Brat" - feeding
3. "Judy Is A Punk" - feeding
4. "I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend" - feeding
5. "Chain Saw" - burped, burped ... no burps
6. "Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue" - second course of the bottle
7. "I Don't Wanna Go Down To The Basement" - finished feeding

Totalling 14.8 minutes according to iTunes

The encore
"Loudmouth" - Burped again... nothing
"Havana Affair" - Burped ... nothing
"Listen To My Heart" - Bopped around
"53rd & 3rd" - Walked out to living room to see mom
"Let's Dance" - We danced to it over the baby monitor, then he burped.

Feeding plus encore totalling 25.1 minutes according to iTunes

Press Ready Baby

The Janesville Gazette announced Sam's birth on Sunday and the Milton Courier should do so this week. Neither paper places photos with the announcements, so here's the one we would have used.

Grandparents visit Sam!

Jaime's mom and dad visited Sam Friday night and Saturday morning.

Grandpa Roger

Grandma Alice

Just before Grandma & Grandpa Cunningham had to go, Sam's Aunt Terry, Uncle Russ and cousin Russ stopped by on their way to a football game for their son, cousin Josh. It's too bad I didn't have the camera ready. Both Grandma Alice and Aunt Terry are baby hogs (we love them for it). This was the first time they were in the same room together with Sam. It never came to tug-o-war, but if Sam was just a bit more awake with his bright eyes shining and his head bopping around ... I'm sure we would seen one.

---

This just in from my mother, Grandma Sandy's visit.

Grandma Sandy

Last week during the "pins and needles" of jaundice ... Grandma Sandy was able to drop by. She arrived at the hospital just before they put Sam under the UV lights and was able to hold him for a little while. It was a little heartbreaking that we couldn't all spend more time together. Though we are very thankful for Sam's doctors, nurses and everyone who helped Sam turn around.

Finally, the first bath!

The nurse came this morning to test Sam's blood and a few hours later she called back. Sam's jaundice level has come down enough that they don't believe he needs to be on his "Billy blanket". Woo hoo!

Because of the blanket we were instructed not to give him a bath. Now that he's free from the blanket, he got his first bath almost immediately after we heard the good news.

The above picture was the cutest from the first bath. He wasn't too tickled about getting suds up.

What's Up Cuz?

Cousin Josh stops by for a visit.

As Josh was leaving, we think Sam shot him a smile.

Trisha visits Sam

Mom's best friend Trisha pays Sam a visit.

Rock and Roll

Sam will turn one week old tomorrow. At this point he has heard only one rock and roll song. He listened to "Rockaway Beach" by the Ramones about an hour after he was born. We had an encore presentation of "Rockaway Beach" on his first car ride home.

Rockaway Beach
by Ramones
Chewing out a rhythm on my bubble gum
The sun is out and I want some.
Its not hard, not far to reach
We can hitch a ride
To rockaway beach.
Up on the roof, out on the street
Down in the playground the hot concrete
Bus ride is too slow
They blast out the disco on the radio
Rock rock rockaway beach
Rock rock rockaway beach
We can hitch a ride
To rockaway beach
Its not hard, not far to reach
We can hitch a ride
To rockaway beach.

I think for his one week birthday he will listen to the entire Foo Fighter's record, "The Colour And The Shape", you know the one with "Monkey Wrench" on it.

Day six

Sam has had a little Jaundice for the past couple days. He spent one night in the hospital under the "Billy Lights" and has a "Billy Blanket" that he's been on at home. He's doing pretty good, so he got a reprive to play with mom, dad and Auntie Trisha ... (and Lola).

Back from the hospital

Sam's first car ride home on Tuesday.

His first nap at home

What a big boy!