The Kilchoers of Costa Mesa

Eric in his first four months

Big brother watches over him

Joël holding Eric
18 February 2006

Starting early, Eric was always very curious and his little legs were constantly moving. At the age of 1½ months he was already making funny faces, but as you can see, he needed help to keep his head in the right position for a photograph, hence the big hand coming in from the right of the picture to guide his face towards the camera. Joël is still very proud to hold baby brother in his lap.

Eric settled into his new room with no difficulties. Like Joël, for the first few months we had a crib right next to our bed to make the nighttime feedings and diaper changes easier. He never cried much at night and didn’t wake us up very much. We were lucky this time that Elizabeth was able to breastfeed with no difficulties which made feedings so much easier — no having to warm up formulas in a bottle in the middle of the night.

Nowadays, American doctors recommend that babys sleep on their back to avoid sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). But since always having your head in the same position can lead to the head becoming flat on one side, and also to strengthen your neck and arm muscles, you are encouraged to have your child lie on his belly during the day, which will make him push himself up on his arms and look around. Here Joël was showing Eric how it’s done, but they both got tired and feel asleep on Eric’s play mat in the process.

Joël and Eric sleeping

Joël and Eric sleeping
18 February 2006

Eric the starfish We have dressed Eric very warmly for the cold California winter (in March the temperature can sometimes drop below 50˚F!) and I’m sure Eric is very grateful that we are taking such good care of him. Now if only he were able to move his arms perhaps he wouldn’t look so scared. But his starfish imitation is spot on, and I think that he has a possible bright future ahead of him as an actor specializing in sea creatures.

18 March 2006

Just a month later, Eric looks quite capable of conveying meaning with his facial expressions. In this one, I think he’s trying to tell us that he is tired of having a camera always pointed at his face. Also he might be hoping that soon he will have more hair to keep his head warmer. Both of our children were born bald and took several months to get some covering on top.

11 April 2006

Eric and Joël riding the horse When Joël was a young boy, his grandfather from Switzerland bought him for Christmas a beautiful wooden rocking house. Joël went for many rides on his steed, and now he can take his younger brother along with him on his travels. At five months Eric is sitting up quite well and ready for adventure. Of course Eric’s parents are both standing just out of reach because we’re slightly apprehensive that the bronco might start bucking and throw off the younger rider in front. But Eric is fearless and is having a grand time galloping on the horsie.

14 June 2006