The Quarter Year Old

I never thought I'd be saying things like this...but I am. Little Marley J is now 3 months old.

Now the reason I never thought I'd say stuff like that is because, frankly, I always hated hearing people say, "My son is 12 months old," or "My daughter is 18 months old." True as it may be, should I go around telling people that I'm 425 months old or should I just say 35 + change. While it makes me cringe when people say stuff like that "we're pregnant" being included, I now get what saying something like that means - milestones.

It's a pretty important time to hit some of those milestones, but I'll still push back, when I can, against those mainstream ideas, if for nothing more that to be a nuisance.

Anyhow, little Marley J is doing great. She talks at length about blah blah bluuuu or someone named aghoooo. I tell her back in kind words that I know aghooooo and blah blah bluuuuu is also a favorite past time of mine. Her smiles let me know we are on the same wave lenght. She even appears to speak Thai as my wife carries on and on in Thai and, once again, Marley just smiles and replies with mention of aghooo or yeeyoo, which must be a Thai word I don't yet know. It's funny, I never thought I'd be a part of a two language home, let alone three. English, Thai and the most important Baby, which is a surprisingly easy language to learn.

Besides that, Marley J is now pushing hard with her legs and is showing promise as some sort of a squat lifting champion. Without any use of her arms she thrusts with her legs and moves herself quite well.

Also, she has discovered 10 new friends that keep perplexed from time to time. They are right in front of her face these 10 little guys that grasp and move and scratch her face when she's tired. The day is coming when the executive will learn what they do. And on that day my friend Trouble will start showing his face, more and more.

Marley J and Pops home from work


Marley J gets prepared for Chicago Wiiiiiiiinnnnnter


MJ and Mom enjoy a Fall day walk

The Executive

There are no excuses the executive will take. No, "I'm exhausted. Can this wait" or "It's been an hour. Can I stop rocking now?" The look says it all. And usually the look doesn't even come your way. It's a look off into the distance while she sizes up the situation. Rock rock rock....an hour later stop. Whamo, eyes open and stare straight into the darkness, eyebrows in full arch.

Something like this:



"Ah..excuse me Mame. I'm not sure why I put you down. Please allow me to rectify the situation," and it's back to rocking, or picking her up, or walking her trough the house, or...you name it. Whatever she likes.

This volley goes on-and-on until finally, at the crack of exhaustion and what appears will be utter defeat, we all fall asleep wherever we may be. Alas, sleep comes to her royal highness and we all soak in every precious, unconscious moment.

Nothing the Exec does is in the wrong. Be it never sleeping, or throwing up on you, the couch, the floors, or even when the exec has the flatulence of a grown Chicago Bears fan after a 15 beer tailgate, it's always, "Good job!" afterward. She can do no wrong.

But I jest. I can sit and rocking her for hours on end. I find myself in awe as the little one lays still in my arms knowing that someday, she'll get up and walk away never to be craddled again. So for now, Ms. Executive, your wish is my command.

The Executive is also getting quite talkative. Many "Ahgoo" are commanded, and repeated back to her in kind. And like any good executive, she loves hearing her statements repeated and shows her pleasure with unexecutive-like smiles as you can see here:



The executive would also like to wish a Happy Haloween. She showed up as Dracula one morning, a few weeks too early I might add, but like any good worker, I didn't mention it. She demanded I photograph her and post the photo for your enjoyment.


Okay, no fangs or anything, but the hair is close.

Regards from the assistant (me) to the President (Samran) of the Executive known as MJ Coffee.