The Corner

Phoebe has a peculiar fascination with the northeast corner of our apartment. It is not clear what she finds so interesting there. There is a lamp, and a sort of wrought-iron folding screen. There used to be an umbrella and a didgeridoo, but those were taken away and she keeps on looking into the corner.

She also liked the Christmas tree, before we took it down.

Fun with Papa

Phoebe stayed home with Papa and Grandma while Mummy and Dad went to the Aero Theatre for their anniversary.

Kyle

We went out for brunch with Julie, Eric, and Kyle. Kyle is pretty large for a four-month-old! After checking the CDC growth charts, we think he is at the 95th percentile for height (length).


This was Phoebe's closest approach so far to the sand and ocean.

Also today: Phoebe built her library by capitalizing on the closure of the Borders bookstore on the Promenade. We established the first Skype call between Phoebe and Zosia. It turns out that pictures of Zosia (previously thought to be rare) are available on Facebook.

Christmas Day

For Christmas Day, Phoebe was appropriately dressed as a Christmas present.

Christmas Eve

Phoebe was very well-behaved at Christmas Eve dinner with Jonathan, Emily, Papa and Grandma Swiatek, and the Zarins.

Shots

Phoebe had four vaccination shots today. To add insult to injury, the wounds were covered with Garfield bandages. Garfield!

B is for...

Bouncer:




Boppy:



Bathtime:



Blanket (thanks, Auntie Judy!):

Crossword

At first glance, one might be impressed that this baby appears to have finished the Saturday New York Times crossword puzzle.

On closer inspection, however, there is an error. "Birthplace of Yves Saint Laurent" is Oran (in Algeria), not Oman. "Papal capes" is orales, not omales.

Plague Baby

Phoebe has been coughing and sneezing and was diagnosed with Respiratory Syncytial Virus. She also passed it on to her poor parents. This virus is occasionally fatal but generally only among immuno-compromised victims. Phoebe is putting on a brave face and generally remains a happy little girl.

Walking About

Phoebe has been taken on daily walks around the neighborhood. On Friday night we took her to the Montana Avenue Annual Holiday Walk in her BabyBjörn (not pictured).

Phoebe still excites frequent comments from passers-by for her tininess and general adorability. The other children on the holiday walk seemed brutish and ungainly.

Granny and Granddad

Granny and Granddad met Phoebe for the first time!

Bath

We gave Phœbe her first immersion bath (as opposed to sponge bath). She didn't care for it too much and cried, which she hardly ever does. That might be because I bonked her head on the sink.

Princess

Phœbe celebrated her five-week birthday in regal style.


Outfit by and from Aunt Kathryn. Balloon from the Russells.

Thanksgiving

We spent Thanksgiving with Aunt Emily and Uncle Jonathan. Phœbe got to model both her holiday outfits. She went home with some lovely additions to her library, including a copy of Playful Bunny signed by accomplished author Kim Zarins.

The blanket-turned-burp cloth is by Dwell Studio for Target (it's the Olivia pattern). I'm pretty sure we got three of these for less than $10. On Friday we happened past a shop that had some items from the Dwell Studio Not-For-Target collection, which were far more expensive and totally not as cute!

Pub Quiz

Phœbe attended her first pub quiz at O'Brien's. She mostly slept through the quiz, and some of her teammates felt she should have been contributing more. Nevertheless, we placed second -- not too shabby for her first time. That gives her something to work towards for next time.

The lovely handmade blanket in the last two pictures came from quizbowl champions Rob and Emily. We thought it would keep Phoebe warm and bring her good luck at her first trivia event.

The sling is the Baby Pouch, which is a great alternative to lugging Phœbe around in the heavy, awkward baby bucket.

Ribs

Phœbe celebrated her four-week birthday with an outing to Mr. Cecil's California Ribs. The blanket was knitted especially for her by Mimi (Aunt Barb).

The Phœbe Films

Welcome to the Smart Bohemian Baby, your one-stop shop for Phœbe updates and pictures!

Phœbe's first movie (taken 11/17/2008):



And the director's cut:

Presidential Election

Phoebe witnessed the election of Barack Obama as President, replacing the incompetent George W. Bush.

Hallowe'en

We took Phœbe to the Montana Avenue parade of trick or treaters, which apparently is the neighborhood Place To Be on Hallowe'en. She was one of the stars of the show, mostly due to relative size. Crowds of admirers actually abandoned perfectly cute 9 and 12-month-old pumpkins when we walked by because "OMG look at that one she is so TINY!"

Grandma and Grandpa

Grandma and Grandpa arrived to help with Phœbe.

In the Hospital

Birth