Karis and Her Duke

To follow up on "The Quest for Duke", I made it home with a stuffed Duke for Karis. Turns out it shrank a lot in the wash.

Mommy or Daddy? (updated)

Many people tell us who they think Karis looks like, but we can't keep track. Tell us what you think.

Tara suggested that I add some pictures to help those who need more data to make their decision. Make sure you vote after you look at the images below.

Make sure you scroll down for the pictures.

Karis	Tara Baby	Drew Baby
Nala	Tara Now	Drew Now

Miss Personality

I absolutely love this picture! I think I had to take six pictures to get this one. This past sunday was an awesome day. We did nothing except hang around the house and play with Karis. She was so happy! And as you can see her personality is starting to come out.

Karis Kicks It, Old School

If I had more time on my hands, I would have fired up the Fruity Loops and made some baby rap to go with that picture. I would have mixed together some coos and cries that would have been so cheesy you would think it was 1985. It would make "Who Let the Dogs Out" sound like Bethoven's 9th. Lucky for us all...

What would her rapper name be? Maybe Vanilla Chip or White Noise? Comment with your suggestions.

Peace, she's out!

Click for Someone Else's Baby Rap

Cooing

If you have never had a baby, cooing probably does not seem like a big deal. You have to understand that in the first month there are very few social interactions with your baby. She is effectively a social blob. The sounds that come out of her are either related to crying or an activity that rhymes with cooing. (I'll spare you those videos) For Tara and I, any signs of social development are extremely exciting. Karis has been getting more and more smiley every day. You'll see in the video. Towards the end, you'll hear a little coo. It's very cool to watch her grow and develop.

More Cousins

This past weekend was our first road trip with Karis. She did really well in the car and it was great to get out to see family. One of the highlights of the trip for Karis was that she got to meet the rest of her cousins, Nick, Natalie, and Samantha.

The Pink Floyd Show

Can you believe how much she has changed already? She is so much more alert. We think she is smiling socially. It's not just gas anymore... Something lights up in her eyes that says she recognizes us. Anyway, at the time of posting, this slide show had 6 pictures. We will be adding the seventh shortly, so if you don't see week seven check back later.

The Quest for Duke

I'm homesick! I miss my awesome wife, my baby girl and that furry thing... I figure if I am on a business trip I need to bring home a stuffed animal for Karis. The mascot of the conference I am attending is a little guy named Duke. I'm not exactly sure what he is or even if he is a he for that matter. To me, he/she looks like a white and black arrow head with a big red nose.

I've been on the hunt for a plushy Duke to bring home. I found one, but I'm pretty sure I won't be able to carry it on the plane...

JavaFX Will Make Your Head Spin

If you understand that title, you are a huge nerd! Wait, that makes me a huge nerd... Anyway, I'm experiencing separation anxiety this week. I'm not crying inconsolably about it. But, I am missing my girls!

My company sent me to a conference in San Francisco. The conference is all about a technology called Java which I have been using every day at work ever since I graduated from college. So I'm spending my days enjoying the company of a plethora of technology enthusiasts. I know what you are thinking: "That must be the dorkiest place ever! Like a Star Trek convention!" Well that's the crazy thing... It's actually kind of hip. For example, Niel Young was here the first day and actually spoke for a little while. I know, pretty surprising.

I have a video clip below to demonstrate the blatant coolness of this conference. Java has a relatively new technology that they are hyping big time. It's called JavaFX. The video below is from the main session where they started talking about JavaFX. It's amazing the urban influences in technology today. Nothing says computer programming like a little hip-hop and some break dancing! Just watch the video below:

That was maybe the last thing I expected to see at this conference. Apparently JavaFX is so cool it will make your head spin. At the very least it will make you spin on your head?

We Expect Smiles!

Karis is now nearly 6 weeks old. She loves to sit in that bouncy seat and look out the window. I don't think she can see anything out there, but she likes the light and all the movement. We're loving every moment with her! Even the ones where she's grumpy.