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Not counting Paci Reinsertion at 4:27am, 4:55am, and 5:07am, Oliver slept from 10pm to 6am.

Hallelujah, Hallelulujah, Ha-lay-ay-lu-jah. Woo hoo. Yee ha.
Yippie-kay-yay. Exultation. Jubilation. Celebrate good times, c'mon. NOW is the time on Sprockets when we DANCE.

Today, I am a nice person. I gave my husband a back rub for the first time in months.

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It's true what they say about newborns - the first 3 months are really hard, and then it gets a little easier. Oliver is still not an easy baby, but he's sleeping more and freaking out a bit less, so things are a bit better around the Solomonceo household. Breastfeeding never worked out, despite a perfect latch on Friday the 13th that was just an act of mental torture. I'm beginning to wean Oliver and myself from the breast pump, which is tough - I hate giving him so much less breastmilk, but I also hate having to pump every four hours - it's a really tough lifestyle to sustain. I'm not ready to give it up entirely yet, but I'm going easier on myself.

Oliver was diagnosed with a paralyzed left vocal cord and severe
reflux about a month ago. The cord is probably a birth injury, and
60% of the time the nerve regenerates in about 6 months. Most of the rest of the time it doesn't matter anyhow, since babies just
compensate for it naturally. At worst, he may need some speech
therapy down the line. If it doesn't regenerate he probably won't be an opera singer, but apparently he could have an interesting voice and be a kickin' rock star. Unless he's tone deaf like mommy.

He's on prevacid now for the reflux, which helps, but I don't think
it's the miracle drug some make it out to be, at least not for us.
Still, he's coughing and fussing less. And the older he gets, the
better it gets. We're working on sitting up, which should happen soon and make all the difference. We're hoping that the next few months will bring an end to us covered in baby puke.

He's also a smiley baby now, which is so awesome. The kid just loves 6am - 8am. I can't say it would be my first choice for favorite time of day, but if that's what he's into, fine with us. He also loves his mobile, and is developing deeper relationships with Stuffed Monkey and Stuffed Elephant. He likes to hug them and wrestle with them - it's really cute. He's also finding his voice. Oliver and I usually have a good conversation every afternoon. But I have no idea what we're talking about, since we use his language.

As for me and Greg - Greg is working on a photo shoot for his book and for Getty that will take him and his crew to Vieques for a week this month. They've found some stunningly beautiful locations, and are bringing down a few hot Brazilian models. Oliver of course wants to join them, because he's not stupid, but I can't figure out how to get his bassinet onto the puddle-jumper that will take us between San Juan and the little island, so he's going to have to wait until he's bigger. And so, therefore, am I. Alas. But Greg assures me it's all work and wouldn't be any fun anyway. Uh huh. Also, this week is PhotoExpo, so Greg's having loads of meetings and will be on a panel about stock photography over at Javits.

I'm still wrestling with the work decision, which is a big one, but am leaning heavily towards quitting. I've been ramping up my work for Greg's business, and have realized I'll need some help from a nanny two days a week in order to get some work done from home. Finding one is overwhelming, but it's time for me to do it.

In my spare time, I've become Lead Organizer of a group of Park Slope Mommies. There are now 51 moms on the listserv, all of whom live in the area and have babies born within 6 weeks of each other. The group had a Halloween party last night and then joined the Park Slope Halloween Parade. See Oliver's first Halloween photo attached.

That's about it in terms of news. We're still working on those thank you notes (I suck), and we're still lousy at making plans, but totally capable of seeing people. If you'd like to visit, be forceful. Just inform us of when you will be coming to Brooklyn to see us. We'll be here.

Much love to all,
Michelle, Greg and Oliver