Drum Roll, Please!

Peas and Carrots

Raphael has his first taste of carrots. We have not told him that cooked carrot puree is gross.

Prior to lunch, Raphael practiced for the big debut.

Roll over Beethoven!

After the trip to Venice, Raphael's stroller got an upgrade. Raphael does not seem to like
the idea of a harness, but he enjoys looking around. When he can look around we have a bigger window before he starts to grunt.

This is what Raphael looked like mid-November, just before his new babysitters arrived.

Raphael and his "babysitter" relax in bed.

Okay, so he doesn't exactly roll over, but at least this is more respectable than his previous "crepe" trick.

Baby Beethoven!

Raphael critiques Charles' guitar performance.

Hunger Strike

Raphael is showing off his French side by having already developed a discriminating palate. He has decided that he doesn't like the taste of formula. However, he does like teasing Charles.
Once I went back to work, Raphael decided that he was going on a hunger strike. Fortunately, he was a very smiley striker.

Raffaele in Venezia

We went to Venice for the weekend to visit Tanja, Alvise and Nicolo Piccolo.
A stroller is not ideal in Venice, but this bothers the stroller pusher more than the stoller occupant.

Piazza San Marco

Berkeley babies! Nicolo patting Raphael's head.

Baby Fashionista

Raphael is modeling his Paul Smith shirt. Realizing that this is the only Paul Smith shirt he'll ever own, he didn't even spit up on it.

Vivien knows that Charles (v-neck and Polo) and I (dirty t-shirt and PJs) are lost causes. So he has decided to introduce Raphael into the world of fashion and high-end clothing.
Post-bottle bliss


Raphael's favorite toy (In other words, the one we shove in his hands most often.)

Videos of Nothing

I'm sure prior to having a baby I would have asked why somebody would bother filming this. When you spend all day with a newborn you get very excited about the smallest signs of neural connections. You even get excited enough to film them.

A visit from Les Grandparents

Raphael has learned to smile! I was sad not to have the blue sheet on his bed. It was a tough decision, but I opted not to change the sheet just for the picture. Some more compelling reason would surely make me change the sheet soon enough.

A bottle with a view... Raphael prefers to take his meals by the sea. We're saving the silver spoon for when he moves to solids.


If somebody was wiping my rear, I'd smile, too.


Whatchou talkin' 'bout Willis?
If only I knew where this picture was taken...

A trip to Montreal

It was wonderful to see everybody. A special thanks to Sharon and Robert for the pictures.

The oldest member of the family with the youngest member of the family.


Cousin Elie and Aunt Adi



Robert holding Raphael during the five minutes when Raph wasn't whining.

The Double Header

Charles and I have been desperately trying to reassure ourselves that brains are not linked to size.

A toothless grin!

Of course, I got this picture on the first try. I don't have 20 pictures where he isn't smiling.
As if to say, "Oh my! I've had enough of this."

If only we could all be so easily amused.
Take note of skin tag-less left ear! I was going to mail the little piece of blackened skin and string to Kira (fan of all things grotesque), but in the end I decided that it wasn't worth the 85 cents. Finally, people will stop asking, "What's that thing on his ear?" How rude!

Thumbsucking is for the weak

Unable to find his thumb, Raphael engages in a forearm suck.






A very happy cockroach that has been flipped on his back

Milestones (or Kilometerstones)

Apparently, "Tummy Time" is good for babies. What's the cute equivalent in French?

Raphael does not find anything cute about lifting his head, and he prefers to squeal instead. Given the example set by Charles, this is not surprising.



Raphael can now amuse himself for about 5 minutes. "Himself" is employed very loosely, since off camera there is definitely somebody (or multiple people) making sure that the balls keep moving.

5 minutes are up. Next activity?


Raphael tests the theory that we can learn while sleeping. We will start quizzing him on Alpine flowers and plants next week.



Nicole calms down a grumpy Raphael.

Over the river and through the woods to Grandmother`s house we go...

First family picture
C++, Java? They start younger and younger these days.
Raphael with his "Grandpere," who also took the great pictures.
Raphael with his "Grandmere"
It only took 4 people to give Raphael a bath.
One month old!

Yawn...

Raphael, doing what he does best.

Homeland Security

Raphael needs his own passport to travel. This is what the US Government expects in a passport pictures. Good luck trying to fulfill these requirements for a newborn!

Guidelines

• Head should be positioned directly facing the camera
• Photo should capture from slightly above top of hair to middle of chest
  
• Eyes should be open and looking at the camera
  

Here's what Charles was able to do with a digital camera and Photoshop. He turned a sweet baby into a convict!