Yesterday, our future competitive eater ate more than 5 ounces in one sitting (and with no reversal of fortune). I wonder how far in advance we can register for the 2034 Nathan’s Famous hot dog contest?
Monthly Archives: April 2013
“No. 1 in the Babyweight Division”
(I haven’t posted anything in a few days because of how I’ve been feeling, but a midmorning nap gave me some extra energy today. I hope to do some catching up, at least to post some photos.)
The Saturday after Jesse was born, EPIX had a boxing telecast from London. (Since that was Jesse’s due date, Dan had declined to travel for it.) During the show, WNBC’s Bruce Beck congratulated us on his birth. In the “tale of the tape,” he announced Jesse’s birth weight — 7 pounds, 7 ounces — and his ranking (although I’m unsure which sanctioning body), hence the title above.
Now, Jesse had been to the pediatrician Friday afternoon, and was declared 6 pounds, 14.6 ounces (he got down to 6 lbs., 14 oz., on Wednesday night, his low mark, still within the expected 10 percent loss.) Since it’s Friday, I wondered where he was a week later, in terms of weight gain.
Enter the kitchen scale.
I originally bought it a few years ago to weigh portions of turkey for Winter Mitzvah Day at Temple Rodef Shalom. I remember choosing one that could weigh up to 11 pounds, to handle the aluminum pans going to larger shelters.
To get as accurate a weight as possible, I chose a light plastic bowl and added a blanket, diaper and a onesie and sleep gown identical to what he was wearing. That totaled 12.9 ounces. I hit the TARE button and went to get Jesse.

(Yes, I kept the bowl steady, so I know that may have affected the outcome.)
The result: 126.1 ounces, or 7 pounds, 14.1 ounces, give or take. Whatever the exact measure, he’s eaten his way back to his birth weight and beyond.
Soooo sleepy
Dinner is served
I made dinner for the first time, roasting, broiling, sauteeing and boiling for about 40 minutes, and it made for a lovely, if brief, date night. (You can see Dan snapping a photo at the table as proof it actually happened.)
Our “roommate” declined to join us, but he watched the proceedings from his swing.
*****
Our neighbor, Kathy, dropped off raisin bran muffins today (on the table behind the wine), along with our newspapers and mail — thanks!
Detente?
Hard life
Outtakes from the big day
Jenn gets Jesse dressed for his party/elective genital surgery. The monkey suit picked out by Aunt Amy and Cousin Elaina gets the honors, except no pants.
It feels like a long way down the stairs. In the foyer, grandparents practice their readings for the ceremony.
Grandpa Chuck has the sugar-slicked pacifier ready for the rabbi’s command. (Baby nurse Jessica shared that circumscisions at the hospital are done with the same trick, a pacifier dipped in sucrose.)
Rabbi Henesch (mohel extraordinaire, learn more at mysonsbris.com) holds Jesse.
Waking up at home, for the first time
The Ride Home
First bath (for me)
Yes, Jesse got a bath his first night, but I missed it. Dan went the nursery to watch while I dozed.
So when the doctor decided to have me stay Thursday night instead of sending me home, I asked if Jesse could get bathed again, for hygenic and photogaphic purposes.
Our nurse that night, Elaina, took him to the nursery and folded some blankets next to the sink.
Those hands just can’t stay way from his face.
He started to lick the suds. (I think they’re phosphate-free, at least.)
He yelled a bit, but overall enjoyed the experience.















