2 Month Check-Up

Lewin went to see Dr. Jennifer this morning for his 2-month check-up (even though he's 9 weeks old today). Everything looks great and he was a champ during his first round of vaccinations. He even gave Dr. Jennifer a smile! He measured 24.25 inches (90th percentile for height/length) and weighed 12 pounds 8 ounces (75th percentile for weight...also, he gained 3 ounces since Monday). His next check-up will be at 4 months (early September). Dr. Jennifer, who was concerned about Lewin's sluggish weight gain immediately following our return home from the hospital, no longer has any worries. In addition to being given the green light to stop setting a middle-of-the-night alarm, we've also been given the ok to feed on demand during the day too. Even better, we learned that it's ok to jog (yes, at least one of us is going to start jogging...) with Lewin in the jogger stroller and to use the front-facing carrier (instead of the Maya wrap/sling).

We followed our trip to the pediatrician with a walk along the Manhan Rail Trail. We started at the parking lot off Ferry Street where the City of Easthampton recently built a beautiful new bandshell and walked to the south end of the rail trail (at South Street). We're looking forward to the City's upcoming repair of the trail so we can walk the full lenght (all 4.2 miles...).

Easthampton Bear Fest 2009

Lewin, Grandpa [Parsons], Dan and Melissa walked into town on the beautiful afternoon of Saturday June 12, to view the recently unveiled bears on display as part of the first Easthampton Bear Fest. The trip also included lunch at Antonio's and dessert at Mt. Tom Ice Cream. Mt. Tom's is locally famous for clever flavors you won't find elsewhere. Melissa enjoyed lavender. Dan tried their chocolate stout (chocolatey and good, but not very stout-like). Grandpa enjoyed Heath Bar coffee crunch frozen yogurt.

The bears were cool, too.

Lewin's Birding Life List

We have decided to start Lewin's Birding Life list. That is, as you might guess, a list of birds speicies that one has seen throughout their life. We will hopefully be updating the list on a regular basis. You can get back to this post and list at any time by using the Life List link under My Links in the left had sidebar. The rules are that if we see the bird and say to Lewin "look Lewin, a Yellow Warbler," then that counts as Lewin "seeing" the bird. It is not our fault, nor do we feel that he should be penalized, if he decides that sleeping in more important.

Park Hill Road

Lewin has now enjoyed two walks up Park Hill Road in Easthampton. For those who aren't familiar with the area, it's quite possibly the prettiest part of town. Mostly preserved agricultural land that is being revitalized (Echodale Farm, Park Hill Orchard), the hill has an amazing view of Mount Tom. It's also a prime area for birding due to the mix of fields, orchards/forests and wetlands (i.e. a massive beaver pond).


Melissa and Dan especially enjoyed the fresh local strawberries grown at Park Hill Orchard!

Another Walk in the Park

Another Monday, another walk in another park. Following Lewin's weekly weigh in (he's up to 9 pounds, 1.6 ounces...a 10.6 ounce increase since last Monday...our boy is turning into a championship eater), the family ventured across the street to Child's Park (http://www.childspark.org/). Melissa and Dan enjoyed a picnic lunch and then all enjoyed a couple of loops of the park. It's not a very large park, but it is quite beautiful and well maintained. We especially enjoyed the blossoms in the rose garden. Yes, we stopped to smell the roses.

A Walk in the Park

Lewin, Dan and Melissa took a lovely walk in the park (Look Park; http://www.lookpark.org/) on Memorial Day. This was Lewin's first trip to the park and we chose quite a busy day for the visit. It was also an absolutely beautiful day. Great temps, blue skies, lots of sunshine...though not for little Lewin. Given his nearly albino heritage, we're keeping our boy out of direct sunlight as much as possible until his skin toughens up a bit. Besides, neither Melissa nor Dan wants to deal with a baby suffering a sunburn!

In the gazebo (that's usually in the middle of the 'cross course).

More Pictures

We have been receiving requests for more Lewin pictures and updates. Lewin is doing great. We will try to give more details soon, but for now here are some more pictures.

Lewin, Mom and Dad during a walk in the neighborhood maze across the way. This was on one of the really warm days during the week but we got out early.

Dad with Lewin in the Maya Wrap sling. This was the first time we were able to get him into it and to get him to settle down. It is now one of our and Lewins favorite. It is quite versatile and womb like, which we think is why Lewin likes it. It is great to be able to get some stuff done around the house and still be holding Lewin close to us. Dad is a little more fond of it probably because he had not already carried Lewin on the front of him for 9 months.

The result of carrying Lewin around in the sling.

Lewin doing what he does for a big part of the day. I think we have turned into those kind of parents that think that every little thing that their baby does is cute and need to take a picture of it.