A Million Little Pieces Of My Mind

That my mom put so much minutiae regarding my infancy into my Baby Book, and hung on to it for some six decades, for me to receive…well, it just seems like there's no reason to preserve what she wrote indefinitely. (Internet, don't fail me now!)

So, picking up where I left off…

September 27, 1951

Paul now weighs 16 pounds and is 25 inches long. Thank God, he is in perfect health. (There must be something wrong with that length.)

He now tries to stand and walks up daddy's tummy and chest to his shoulders. He likes to be walked. He is taking beef and vegetables now and will soon be on whole milk. He still plays with Tommy Dolly and Kitty-Kat. He also likes to kick and pull the swinging toy around. For example, last night in the middle of the night.

He is so good and was really so at the hospital today. Everyone falls for his little charms. He shakes his head No! No! and often hits it at the right time.

October 19th, 1951

Today, Paul stood up by himself with daddy's help and held onto the crib. He also pulled things off the low part of the radio table. He reaches up from the floor and tries to pull himself up. He almost says Dada and Mama and Baba.

He pulls the blanket over his head and plays peekaboo. I say he's gone away on a visit when he puts the blanket over his eyes. When he removes it, I say: "Oh, there he is!" Then he laughs.

Tonight, he crept from one end of the crib to the other period he's very pleased with himself when he accomplishes something and laughs.

No teeth, yet, but he still "swims" well and loves it, swimming on dry land when he wants to go for a swim in the water.

He is now taking his meals up in the highchair and holds on for dear life. He likes his little stews and green beans and squash.

In the morning, when he wakes Up, I give him prune juice in his bottle. Later, he has his cereal. At noon or one or two, his usual meal is the aforementioned Stew. For dessert, it's often custard or pineapple pudding. In the evening, he has cereal and fruit. He takes his milk from a glass but only a little of it. He still prefers his bottle. Once in awhile, he has egg yolk but I don't think it agrees with him too well.

Back a couple of weeks, he learned to "chew gum" (probably teething) and did that to our amusement for awhile.

Started taking whole milk about three weeks ago, before his formula was completely reduced.

November 8th, 1951

Paul is seven months old, today, and a perfect dear. He loves to entertain but wants an audience. His latest trick is to shake hands. He is beginning to understand what we say more and more, and will obey if he wants to do so. He still insists on putting his hand in his mouth after or while eating. I say, "Fingers out!" This he does but back in they go.

He likes to get in bed with Daddy in the morning and have "play play." The latest teaser is to pull Mommy's hair.

December 7th, 1951

Sat up and stood up in his crib, today, by himself for the first time. Tomorrow, he will be eight months old and very proud of himself to be sure.

Has been saying "dadda" and "maamaa" and "baba" for a couple of weeks and seems to know where they belong.

Two teeth showed through last Sunday, December 2nd. He got his first shots, the tri-vaccine, Tuesday December 4th at Clifton clinic. He was very good and had little or no ill effects.

Last Tuesday, November 27th, Paul experienced his first fire when our apartment was on fire. Had to awaken him at 2:00 AM and get him into his prom suit. Was so good; he just smiled and carried on like a  trooper all through the excitement. Fire was upstairs but we had to get out.