First 100 Days

President FDR promised major reform during the first 100 days of his administration in 1933.  Today marked the end of my first 100 days.  While I did not create another new deal (my dad is glad).  I did do a lot of wheeling and dealing (and smiling and drooling).   In fact, on my recent winter trip to St Louis, my dealing paid off.  I went to visit my Dad's old co-workers and they decided to make me City Clerk.  Real reform here I come.

Here I am with Dad's assistance running City Hall

To celebrate the end of my first 100 days and my three month birthday, our friends Jonathan and Stef from J. Pollack Photography came to the R's and took some stunning photos.  Who knew I looked so cute.  Dad takes fine photos, and I'm normally cute, but dang are these phantastic (hehe).  Visit J. Pollack Photography's website and in the galleries box enter "Baby Phineas Hilburg" (tell 'em Phin sent you).  Here are a couple of samples:

See, Phantastic!  Here we are playing in the snow and posing on the couch - J & S were so much phun to hang with!  Thanks.

One request, please don't repost my yittle tush (as cute as it is).  More photos from my extended trip to STL coming soon.

Peace Out,
Phin

Phin Wins International Award - Named Most Beautiful Baby

Not to toot my own horn (I do enough tooting as is).  But I wanted to share my recent victory. Baby Face Magazine recently proclaimed me as Most Beautiful Baby of 2010. Take that baby-friends.  The Winter 2010 cover is listed below.  As the winner, I am also featured in a couple of other articles in the magazine - you can guess which ones for yourself.  I will let you know when the magazine hits the newsstands.

Peace Out,

Phin

Who's This Big Guy? I Like His Soft Suit!

 Today, Mom & Dad took me to see this big guy.  I'm not sure who he was or if he's even real.  But he had the softest track suit - so fun.  And we both wear red; although mine is a dinosaur suit.  ROAR!  He was very nice and held me for a while.  He even asked what I wanted for the holidays.  I told him that I like barbeque and gray dress socks (Dad told me to say that).  Mom and Dad even joined in the fun!  When we were leaving, this jolly fellow said that he'd see me in 2 weeks.  Fun!  But how does he know where I'll be? 

 
 
Mom and Dad just took this picture of me in my new fleece outfit - it's super soft and cozy.  Look how much fun I was having in it just lying on the bed.  Can't wait to take it for a spin outside!!  So phun.  Hehe. Check out the originals of these photos in my Dec 2010 album.

Peace Out,

Phineas

I Like Pants

Just wanted to throw out that I now like wearing pants. It is cold without them.

It has been a busy few weeks since Thanksgiving. I had a lot of visitors. I did a lot of crazy things. And I played a lot.

One day last week, I was getting my daily dose of tummy time and I had a thought. It was my first one, yeah. Mom caught it on camera. I was trying to decide what to do next, play or cry. I chose play; crying is not as fun.

Then fun time ended (at least for mom)

Then my friend Simon came over. He is 2 months older. But now we are the same size (I’m 88^th percentile). We had a lot of fun at the activity center. He likes the baby in the mirror too.

After a little bit of playing, Simon’s mom had to go. It was a long a long day. I took a nap on mom and dad’s bed.

Dad wanted me to write that there will be more photos coming for December. Including my first airplane ride and visit to St Louis. Stay tuned, but in the meantime, check out my December 2010 album here.

Peace Out,
Phineas

Phineas' First Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!  This weekend I celebrated my first Thanksgiving ever with my Grandma and Grandpa H, Anut Mini-M, Uncle D, and my Patsy.  This was my first time meeting Patsy and my first time seeing the H’s since my bad party – everyone was amazed how much I grew and how much fun I am now.  You can see my Turkey Weekend pics.

On Wednesday, everyone came over to hang out before dinner (which I slept through).  On Thursday, we all hung out again.  So much fun.  This time we had dinner over at Uncle D’s and Anut Mini-M taught me how to play cards (although I should have learned from Patsy, since she won every hand).

Friday morning, my Dad woke up extra early (3 am) to buy me a new Cuisinart and other goodies.  I woke up at 3am as well.  But I got up to eat and wake up Mom.  After relaxing the rest of Friday, the H’s came over on Saturday and we took family pics.

Can’t wait to see them in 3 weeks in the StL.  Also, can’t wait to see the StL – I have never been.

Peace Out,

Phin

My 2-Month Birthday

Happy 2 Month Birthday to me! Can you believe that on Saturday 11/20/10 I turned two months old... wow, life moves fast. Check out some photos from my photo shoot - we went outside to the swing set too! Here are a couple of highlights

Peace Out,
Phineas

Halloween - Apple Story, Retold

Dear Leon, in response to your comment, I spoke with my Dad and your story is below. Evidently, this is the 15th annual retelling of the much loved Apple Story.


One Halloween during in the 1970′s, while my Grandpa H (aka Sir) was at Wash U, he and his roommate were in their room relaxing, when all of a sudden they heard a knock on the door.

Not knowing who or what to expect, they answered the door and were surprised to find a 10 year old boy in costume. After a few seconds of staring at each other, the kid finally shouted “TRICK-OR-TREAT.” Sir and his roommate were temporarily at a loss for words. They lived in a locked dorm in the middle of a college campus and were not expecting any Halloween visitors.

Sir told the youth to hold on while they looked for candy. Unfortunately, they did not have any candy, sugar or anything close. After searching high and low, the sweetest item available was an apple. So, Sir presented that apple to the kid as a treat.

As you may know, the 70’s was a decade of change – food, once thought safe, was now under suspension of tamper. Aware of this potential danger, combined with the deference all youths should show towards strangers, the kid inquired, “How do I know there’s no razor blade in there or anything?”

Grandpa H, trying to defend my future family name, instructed the little hooligan that he and his roommate are good people and that there is nothing foreign in the apple. ”Oh yeah, well then bite the apple and prove it,” said the youth. Oddly complicit to a ten year old, Sir bit the apple and pointed out the kid that there still was no razor in the apple.

Still not believing, the munchin replied, “You knew where to bite! Bite here instead!” As proof of his good-standing, Sir took another bite of the apple. Then, just as Sir extended his arm to prove to the pint-size punk that the apple was clean, the kid the apple, turned, walked down the hall and went into the stairwell, never to be seen again.

------

Leon, I hope the story is still as good as it was the first time you heard it.

Peace out,
Phin

Halloween

 NOT QUITE SURE WHAT HAPPENED.  RE-ADDED THE PHOTOS. - Phin

Happy Halloween! I love dressing up. I get to act crazy and have fun! You can check out my Halloween photos here.

My Halloween started with a trip to the pumpkin patch. My parents say they got me at a cabbage patch, so I was curious to see what we came home with this time. Papa R and Granabelle came in for the trip. It was fun. Here I am in the pumpkin field with the R's.

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Then, Dad helped me carve the pumpkin we picked. It looks like my piggy bank and toy pig. Here is my pig pumpkin all lit up.


On Saturday, Mom and Dad dressed me as a lion. We went to the farmers markets and bank. The ladies at the bank kept roarring at me. There was no way I was going to answer their mating calls. I am too young. Here I am dressed in my lion suit.

Dad said it was not cool for babies to wear just one costume on Halloween weekend. I got mad at Dad. I'm a little guy, not a baby. Grrrrr.

Either way, I changed costume last night, so that I would match my Mom and Dad's theme - Star Wars. When I was only 4 weeks old, we watched all three original movies one weekend. They are cool. So I was excited to get dressed up and join the rebellion. I was the world's bestest Yoda. Mom was a cute Princess Leia. Dad was a rough & tumble Han Solo (certainly not a scuffy looking nerf hurder).

You can see all of my Halloween photos here.

Peace Out,

Phin

My One Month Photo Shoot

It is well documented that I am a fashionista. As such, my parents dressed me up and took a lot of photos of me to celebrate my month birthday the other day. After my last party (re: circumcision), I knew to ask for something simple. Check out my photo shoot!



Peace Out,
Phin

Happy Month Birthday to Me

Wowzers, did you realize that today at 12:29 pm I turned 1 month old. That is so ancient. I think I am ready to retire.

Now that I am older, I can show you what I have been up to for the month. I had lots of visitors. Too many to name, but all super cool. I took a lot of walks. Including one to a gazebo.


I had a date with my friend Orli and had some naked tummy time (but not with Orli around, that would be embarrassing).


And I made a lot of cute faces

Check out my whole album here.

Peace Out,
Phin

Reader Questions

Dear Phin,

I was wondering how your conquest turned out. Did you get over the baby hiccups? Did you take over the apartment? When you do take over the world, will you hire me for a cool position?

Good luck.

- J.

---------------------------------------

Dear J.,

Thank you for the kind letter. I did eventually get over the hiccups. They suck (literally). They make my whole body gyrate and my make my family coo and giggle. They think their cute. The conquest went well. I not only took over the apartment, but also the blog.

World conquest is progressing. Yesterday, I sent a bag of dirty diapers to Manhattan. New York should surrender later today. I sent a bag to siege the Capitol here in DC, but they sent the diapers back a day later more full.

Thank you again for your encouragement.

Phin

Here's Dad prepping my NYC diapers

Newborn Pockets - Huh?

Big shout out to all my blog reading phans (phans, like Phin, instead of fans). I can’t read, but I am glad you can and that you do.

Yesterday, my Dad called me a fashionista. He said I change outfits more then a movie star on Oscar Night. I can’t help it; I like to look good for the ladies. Plus, I spit up and drool a lot.

The other day during one of my outfit changes, my Dad put me in a pair of pants. The pants had extra material on the outside. My Dad calls them pockets. He says Grandpa H loves pockets. That is good for Grandpa H.

I don’t know why my Dad made me wear pants. I am a newborn baby. I wear a diaper all of the time. I only leave the house to get the mail and go to the doctors. When I leave I have at least twenty blankets covering me (plus mittens, a hat, and a shirt). Nothing is ever exposed except my face and that is covered by a pacifier. I am never cold.

Also, why do newborn pants have pockets! I just realized last week that I have hands. I do not have the dexterity to put them in the pockets. When we go outside my hands are always covered in mittens, so my hands are always warm. I don’t have a wallet or keys. I don’t know what money is. So, why the heck do I need pockets, especially butt pockets. My hands don’t reach that far. Plus I am scared to know what is back there.

Anyway, here I am in my pants.

Phooled ya. I am so phunny, it is phantastic! Here I am in pants, watching football with Dad.

Also, here I am without pants, looking good with that hot load of diaper, Orli (insert cat call here). She's a hottie.

Worldwide Domination Plan

Email readers, click this link to view the video

Week 1 - Fin (hehe)

For a first week in the world, it has been pretty exciting.  It started great but ended in a less than awesome fashion.  If you want to skip reading about me and just look at me, you can check out my pics from this week.

After spending two days in the hospital with the aforementioned alien-like abduction team, I was very excited to leave. My mom and dad took me to their great and cozy apartment. I even have my own room and lots of stuffed animals, toys, and books. Even though I can’t read yet, I haven’t figured out how to control my hands enough to play with toys, and I’m not allowed to sleep with anything soft yet, it is all super neato.

Leaving the hospital with mom and dad  ||  Little me, lying in my big crib

It has been a busy week here at our new apartment, with lots of visitors. My grandparents and one of my aunts came in town (in addition to my uncle who visited me at the hospital). I don’t understand why, but every time they see me they coo and take way to many pictures. For 4 grandparents, they have like 10 cameras and each take 5 pictures every time I move. That’s about 200 pictures every sneeze, arm raise and fart. Sheesh, at least wait until I do something cute!

Grandpa H holding me  || Grandma H taking a pic for her phone ||  Grandpa & Grandma R

Also, all sorts of little friends came over this week, including Max, Joey (he’s older though), and Simon. Oh, and that super cute Orli. Hey baby, wanna have a play date? Maybe we could go for a nice bottle of milk one night. I’m up every two hours, so call whenever. PS - My mom says you are a nice Jewish girl.

Dad's Wash U friends  || Me with Simon and our Moms  ||  Oh yeah, my pacifier matches Orli's, score!

This week, I also got some tummy time, which was a little bizarre. Who lyes on their tummy. I rolled over. I prefer my side or back. Or better yet, curling over an arm for a nice burping.

Oh man, the week was going so great until Monday afternoon. Monday at 12:29 pm I completed my first week outside my womb (exciting, I know). When I told mom that I wanted a party, I knew she’d get balloons, blue decoration, and cake (baked by grandma). But, who celebrates with a circumcision?  What a crappy way to party (although the rest of the party was great).   Wowee was that uncomfortable.  Now I look totally different down there.  But don’t worry, I got dad back for this lousy party by peeing on him later that night.

Big shout out to everyone that came to my party; despite the downer. Thanks to Aunt Annie, Uncle Goldberg, Cousin Mark, and all my friends and their parents. Hopefully next week ends on a higher note (and with a better party).  You can check out photos from my first week online.

Peace Out,
Phin

Spa Treatments and Sponge Baths

Spa treatments in DC are ridiculously overpriced (at least from a guy’s perspective).  But, sometime the best, most relaxing treatments are free.  On Saturday morning, C and M pampered Phineas (also known as P) with his first sponge bath at home.  While P got a bath at the hospital, C and M missed it; therefore this time was documented to share with the world (pictures were redacted for P’s privacy).

Here’s P getting a rub-down sponge bath with a frog wash cloth

Here he is all wrapped up in his towel drying off

It is a hippo hoodie towel (someone must have known that M thinks hippos are cool).

After the bath and towel time, it was time to go to the stylist.  Does he wear it spikey, or brushed forward like his dad?  Nah, he's likes it unbrushed to show his curls off (they drive the newborn ladies wild).

Good News P, you’ll be getting another sponge bath before your bris on Monday.  Hopefully, no one will tell him what a bris is until it is too late.

Wow, What a First Day!

Wow, yesterday was some day.  It was a wonderful day, but woah was it rough.  My day started just like every day of the past 41 weeks.  I woke up in my womb. It was a comfortable day, although I did not sleep too much the evening before (my mom was so restless & the womb walls kept contracting every 5-7 minutes).  But after only a few hours, I felt pressing, lots of pressing (like lots of giant hands) on my womb; and my mom was rolling side to side and back again - it was like a crazy rollercoaster (or so I am told – never seen one of those things before).  My mom and dad later told me it was nurses at the hospital pressing my womb trying to find me. 

Next thing I know, I am being taken out of my womb by some guy.  I did not want to go, it was so warm and cozy inside.  At first, I thought I was being abducted by aliens.  Someone stuck a squishy turkey baster down my throat, nose and ears (so gross).  I started to cry.  It was scary.  After several minutes of poking and prodding by these people in masks, a nice man came over and started to leak from his eyes.  I call this man Daddy.  While I have never seen him, his voice sounded familiar and he has a weird fascination with giving me raspberries.   Daddy picked me up, wrapped me in warm blanket and took me over to this woman who was lying down.  I recognized this woman immediately, she was my mom.  They saved my from this alien abduction, but for some reason they did not put me back in my womb.  That was disappointing at first, but we have had a lot of fun bonding since (I am glad not to go back).

While Mommy rested, Dad took me into the next room and we played!  Once Mommy came out we cooed and cuddled and had even more fun. 

But, life has not been all giggles.  For some reasons every few hours a weird black gunk shoots out of the back of my body.  It is gross, really gross, and it make me cry.  The nurses come wipe me all over when this happens (but not my dad).  Also, my midsection gurgles.  Mom makes it stop by holding my close to her.  Also, sometimes I cry for no reason.

Day 1 is now over, it has been one crazy day that ended with lots of all night hugs and kisses from my mom and dad.  It is tough being a baby, but I am excited for day 2.  My mom and dad took lots of pictures from my first 24 hours out of my womb.  Check them out online. 

Love, Phin

PS – A special thanks to Dad for typing my posting as I cooed it to him – my finger are too yittle to type.

Happy Due Date!

Today was Bean's due date (9/14/10), but he is not here yet.  To get the basics out of the way before the blog continues: C is doing fine, we don't know when he will be here, and he is still going to be a boy. 

So, we anticipate Bean will join us within the next week or so.  But, in the meantime C & M are really enjoying their time together pre-parenthood (we are very excited for him to arrive).  We had a great time apple picking  and back to Kenilworth Gardens.  In fact we're having so much fun we broke out in song and dance tonight - luckily it was recorded and thankfully FOX was not there this time.

(click here for the video)

Right about now, Bean's sleeping off his big dance.

Mmm...Pork...

The Discovery Channel has Shark Week. The Simpsons have Pork Chop Night. C&M like weeks and we certainly like pork (although M likes pork more than C does). So the idea to combine them was born. As a result, August 9 – 13 has been Pork Week. To celebrate pork week, M started out eating nothing but pork.

First, M made a pork smoothie for breakfast. When this idea failed, M turned to PB and jelly on a pork chop (an adaptation of his traditional breakfast). That was disgusting too, so M decided to celebrate Pork Week by taking pork loin slices for lunch. Luckily, C&M had just bought a couple of bento boxes at the giant Asian grocery store.

Below is a compilation of photos from this year’s Pork Week, featuring one of M’s new bento boxes.

* M worked from home on Thursday due to a swollen throat, hence it is on a plate

See you next year Pork Week!