Three Cheers for Skype!

While I've been skyping with my Aussie grandparents since I was 8 days old (you may recall my virtual bris), my American Grandpa and Bobelepie were late to join the bandwagon. Seems they still have a ways to go before they get entirely used to it.

Happy New Year - Another Ball Drops!

Today, I am a man - thanks to world renowned pediatric urologist Dr. Dix Poppas (that's right, the urologist's name is Dix).

On Friday, January 22, Dr. Poppas and his best-of-class team, including the chief of Pediatric Anasthesiology at Cornell Medical Center, performed a right inguinal orchiopexy as well as a right inguinal hernia repair. In laymen's terms, that means I grew a pair of balls. (I've kept this close to the vest, but since it's all over I can tell you now: my right testicle has been hiding out in my groin since birth and hadn't dropped - so I had to get it fixed.)

After it was all done, a seven-member team marched into the recovery room, one of the doctors cradling me in her arms. I was super brave - didn't even cry, just fell right to sleep, woke up a bit groggy and hungry, but that was it. No drama. The doctors were beaming and told my parents I was - I quote - "the posterboy of pediatric surgery." My mom and dad haven't stopped bragging since.

As far as recovery goes, I was basically back to my super active and gregarious self the next day. The hardest part is that I can't use my exersaucer - which my parents hid and think I didn't notice. (hello, object permanence? I know when something's missing...) Also, I'm enduring dry sponge baths for the time being and am denied the pleasure of playing with my other favorite toy until the stitches come out. As you can imagine, given my enthusiastic curiosity with my own anatomy, changing my diaper has become a four-hand, two-parent job.

P.S. If anyone ever needs a right inguinal orchiopexy and/or a right inguinal hernia repair, Dr. Poppas is your man, and Cornell Medical is the place. They called later that afternoon and the next day to check up on me, as did my pediatrician (shout out to Dr. T. J. Gold and Tribeca Pediatrics). And they say New York is a cold, impersonal place. Not so. I was very well taken care of, and so were my parents.

Auntie Donna's Visit - and 7 Months Old!

It was a sweet time. Apart from closing the gap and meeting the last member of my mom and dad's collective nuclear family, I scored big on Aussie gear. My Auntie Donna spoiled me rotten with all kindsa super adorable, expensive clothes my parents would never buy me. She had it in her head that she'd be taking a short trip to Boston during her visit to the States, but once she laid eyes on me, the furthest she got was Woodbury Commons. Go figure. The other perk: some decent-quality photos taken with an actual camera (vs my mom's fuzzy iPhone.) See for yourself.

Christmas in Memphis

I'll keep this brief since, yet again, I'm woefully behind and have lots to report. So, here's a quick punchlist:

1. After celebrating my first Hanukkah (rumor has it there are eight nights-my slacker parents only celebrated one), I traveled to Memphis over Christmas for another family visit, this time so my Grandpa and Bobelepie could show me off at various and sundry holiday parties. My charm and responsiveness generated all kinds of effusion, including but not limited to: "He's even more adorable in person - who knew it was possible?" And some of my most loyal followers got to meet me in the flesh, face to face. They pretty much stood star-struck while I smiled and gave the occasional courtesy chuckle.

2. I also got to enjoy Christmas day with my Episcopalian brethren, when I met and became bff with one of my mom's dearest friends.

3. Per usual, I was a champ on both legs of the flight - traveling only with my mom this time. We got stuck in a middle seat, so I just charmed the pants of the folks on either side of me. The lovely woman on my right had severe aerophobia - turns out she was most grateful for my babble and kicking, which distracted her through take-off and landing.

All in all, another wonderful visit filled with lots of kisses and pinched cheeks. Visual aids below.

My First Blizzard

14 inches of winter wonderland, and my mom had grand visions of a holiday card. This is why you never got one.

Uncanny