Here starts the countdown to change ...

Work days left before Hava's break: 7

Days left until Simon's first birthday: 42 (which is, coincidentally, the answer to life, the universe, and everything)

Simon is slowly starting to eat solid foods once again and his rash which turned into red blotches on his face is now starting to fade. His fourth tooth fooled us into believing that it had broken the gum when indeed it is still tucked away and bothering him a lot while it moves ever so slowly down.

When he is tired he lays his head down on the floor, a chair, a toy ...

He not only talks but he has long conversations full of inflections and gestures (mostly pointing, clapping, and waving) with himself, his toys, plants, and Mom and Dad; unfortunately, we don't speak his language.

Sometimes, when he falls, he makes the sound that Mom and Dad make when they see him fall (a breathless "uhhhh!").

Most of the time he lays down and peacefully waits while we put on his diaper (as long as he is holding something or Mom is singing "The People on the Bus").

He grinds his teeth loudly.

He seems completely fearless of strangers (though he won't give up a smile until they clap, wave, cluck, or do something else to amuse).

He is starting to obey when Mom says "NO!" (hooray)

1. A house with two bathrooms

3. "Resolve" carpet cleaner and baking soda

Simon is still a bit under-the-weather but he is happy cuddling with Mom in the poof chair, reading books, and watching Dad clap, wave, and do a little jig (ahh the things you can get your parents to do when you aren't feeling so well).

1. Simon has had three explosive poops in two days (one at a restaurant last night with his Grandparents' Kagle and Uncle Richard - a big thanks to Grandfather who ran out to get an immediate fix).

3. He hasn't eaten more than a few bites of solid foods in the past couple of days.

4. He threw up all over Mom this morning.

What is particularly unfair? Simon's fourth tooth broke through the gum this morning.

In other news, Matthew taught Simon to stick out his tongue and spit out his food so now, when he doesn't like something, out it goes (thanks, Matthew). Simon no longer likes tofu and he won't even attempt to put a raspberry or piece of pasta in his mouth. He will, however, pick up mushy avocado chunks and smear them all over his mouth, arms, and hands. He is also starting to understand "No" and here is how: We say "No" when he pulls at the tall lamp, when he bites, or when he pulls hair. Much later, when Mom or Dad are not paying enough attention to Simon (making dinner, getting ready to leave, etc), Simon walks over to the lamp and pulls at it, walks over to Mom and bites her skin, or to Dad for a good tug at his chest hair; anything for attention.

Hava's time off will start on Matthew's birthday, May 16, and continue until Simon's official due date, June 5. During those three weeks we hope to slowly start Simon on milk (probably soy milk since he seems to have a problem with dairy) so Hava won't have to pump anymore; you're also likely to find us at the gym, the beach, the park, and at lots of Las Madres play dates.

It has been a busy weekend for Simon. He started the weekend off with a visit from Grammy, and Cousins Sarah and Amanda. He figured out how to clap by himself and spent almost all of Saturday clapping. He went to his new and improved swimming class (new instructor, better time, same place) and enjoyed jumping off of the pool wall and into Mom's arms. And then, perhaps the biggest deal ... today he got his first pair of shoes. As soon as the shoes came on he walked Mom and Dad around the Stanford Shopping Center and then around his neighborhood.

Tooth number four continues to defy us; it is so close you can see it but it refuses to break through. And, just after we said Simon hadn't slept through the night without a break for food in months, last night he did.

Yesterday, Dad brought Simon by Mom's work and her coworkers wanted to see his new walking skills. Mom held Simon's hands while he stood on the ground and a friend put her arms out. Simon leaned into Mom's legs, smiled sweetly and gave his best impression of a bashful child. He then stood on his own, let go of Mom's hands, and gave a remarkably accurate impression of Godzilla about to attack the Empire State Building.

Simon's bloody nose/face plant log: 2 when starting to crawl, 1 when attempting to pull himself up on furniture, 2 when trying to walk.

So it happened, somewhere along the line I became a Boob Nazi.

Yes, there are people out there who can't breastfeed (a minuscule percentage) and there are babies out there who can't suckle and only in the past fifteen years or so have doctors begun to understand the importance of breastfeeding for mother and baby and stopped telling women that they shouldn't or couldn't. But this breastfeeding Mom has visited one too many baby blogs lately where new mothers complain that they need sleep (switching to formula gives Dads the ability to make nighttime feedings and causes babies to sleep longer), or who complain that they don't want saggy boobs or the extra fat associated with the milk makers, or that they "ran dry" because they didn't use a hospital provided pump while their baby was ill. Formula is such an inferior option that it shouldn't be an option without prescription. If we really want a "culture of life" in this country and the American Academy of Pediatrics says that women should nurse for one year, then women should have that year off PAID or be supplied with the time and equipment to make healthier babies who will eventually become healthier adults.

Hava, Boob Nazi