What the kids are doing these days

Now that Freddy's starting to emerge from newborn-dom, we can see some of his early predilections starting to emerge. It's interesting to see how he's already learning a lot about social trends and consumer culture.

Exhibit One: note how naturally he takes to repose in a soothing bath. Give him a cigar, some brandy, and outfit that baby tub with some Jacuzzi jets and he's good to go.

Exhibit Two: Like many kids, Freddy's already bcoming devoted to name-brand apparel. Here he is grabbing Dad's 15 year-old Nike soccer sandal. I swear, no matter what it is, if you put a swoosh on it the kids just go crazy.

Exhibit Three: Freddy discovers the remote control!


Exhibit Four: CELL PHONE!!! (with cutting-edge No Tooth technology)


Exhibit Five: Freddy learns that this particular remote has no batteries in it, his parents only want him to watch PBS, and that stupid cell phone is apparently out of minutes!! Grrrrrrrr!!!

The Cost of Celebrity

Freddy's blog has brought him close to his many admirers the internet world over, but it has also changed his life in innumerable ways. He's not the anonymous baby he used to be.

One example of how celebrity has affected him: the coast-to-coast flights are exhausting:

Also, there's the rigors of staying in shape (baby curls, shown here, are the latest trend):

Then there's the constant need to watch your diet. As you can see, like most celebrities these days, Freddy's got a nutritionist who looks to all his dietary needs:

All the book and movie deals people offer are another of the many burdens of fame. Freddy tries to consider them all but, as you can see, it's quite overwhelming:

Finally, there's the paparazzi. Ubiquitous. Not much you can do except try not to rise to the bait. Sometimes it's impossible. Get that thing out of my face!

I suppose all a child star can do is try to relax and take it all in stride. The spa is a good place to get away. Here's Freddy soaking out the stress at one of Greensboro's more exclusive spots:

On the top of the list

of things we never dreamed we'd allow into our house, much less PURCHASE with our own money, is this enormous plastic noisemaking contraption that is only slightly smaller than our car, also known as Fort Surrogate Parent.

How the mighty have fallen, and how far and quickly and shamelessly. Even Frederick seems a bit baffled.

Mozart or Jerry Lee Lewis?

Freddy loves his GranPete heart and soul.

World Turned Upside Down

Having a baby will do that to you. Happy Five Months, Fredo.

Just tha' Boyz

So, Freddy got left with his dad, ALONE, for almost the entire day today. To be honest, there was some trepdiation, by both Freddy and Dad, but as you can see, there was nothing to worry about. The day was pure, unadulterated, and TOTALLY un-contrived FUN:

First, we played some hoops:

















Then we listened to some hip-hop:

















Then we talked (Pirates) baseball:

And finally, we kicked back with a couple of cold ones:

The perfect end to a perfect day of male bonding. Stay tuned for the next post, entitled: "Mom reveals what REALLY happened." :)

RAD GLAD WELL-CLAD JAD the DAD

To celebrate Dad Day, Freddy gave his Dad a bobblehead of their mutual favorite current member of the Pirates roster, FRD's namesake, Freddy Sanchez. Freddy couldn't decide who had the more enormous head.

He also played wildcat in the Zona t-shirt his Aunt Jennie gave him back when the shirt seemed so giant we couldn't imagine it would ever fit. AND, speaking of putting on the pounds, he graduated from his baby bjorn carrier to the uberchic Ergo carrier his Nana gave him before he was born. And he couldn't keep his eyes open in it.
Oh yeah, then some more intense sitting with the goal of exhausting oneself so to go to sleep early so that dear dad can enjoy his OTHER father's day present, Deadwood Season Three on DVD. yippee!

Sorry

This whole sitting up thing is just cracking us up. Has anyone ever tried to do something more hilarious and difficult looking? Of course, that intense look on Freddy's face could also be b/c lately he's been thinking really hard about how he might be able to eat the camera.

The Jolliest Jumper

Sorry this is sideways. Freddy's parents aren't too clever.

Apparently

being 4.5 months old is entirely about figuring out who thinks you're cute enough to allow you to douse them in spitup, drool, and/or poop and still wants to give you hugs, kisses, and unlimited cuddling. Freddy found himself some good suckers. Do you blame us?

Greensboro Dayz

Freddy was a little skeptical at first of the idea of moving to the 336, but he seems to be adjusting well (not that he'll ever forget his roots: holla back 919!!). These days he's mostly just enjoying the fact that his parents have smiles back on their faces after a couple tense moving weeks (a tautology in our household). Even Zilch is feeling the euphoria: he has decided to turn over a new leaf and try his paw at enjoying this whole baby thing. We're CAUTIOUSLY optimisitc about that...

JD, JD and Other Adventures

Busy times in the life of Frederick Duberstein! First and foremost, just in time for Mother's Day, Freddy is very proud and excited to announce the graduation of his father from the world of Eternal Education into the Land of Lawyers and People in General Who Work for a Living.

In other recent events, Freddy left the state for the first time to attend the beautiful wedding of his newest crush, Eliza Harrington Meyers (!!!), in Washington, DC. The paparazzi were unable to get a shot of baby and bride together, but we were able to catch a glimpse of what Freddy wore to the glamorous affair before being sent back to the hotel for his very successful stay with his First Ever Babysitter, who remarked upon leaving "what an easy baby!" HA! Guess Freddy kept the Turkmen in him at bay.

Oh yeah, did Freddy mention his parents bought him a new house in Greensboro? The big move is this weekend.

So, other than that, it's just been a lot of hanging around, spitting up, giggling, trying to sit up, and other general baby shenanigans.