Ninja

Being half-asian, I would assume that Abe would inherit typical asian (specifically Filipino) qualities-- big flat nose, dark brown skin, the love of noodles and rice, and, eventually, poor driving skills (hopefully the caucasian in him overrides that last quality).  Well, he got the flat nose (although time will tell if a bridge actually comes in), not sure yet if he'll like noodles/rice, but, so far, he has pretty light skin. 

I did not, however, know that he would inherit some pretty Japanese qualities... mainly the fact that he's a ninja.  In more ways than one.

Swaddle Ninja
No matter how tightly you wrap him in his swaddle- and sometimes I think it's so tight the kid can't even breathe- he'll wake up, every now and then, with one arm out.  During the latter half of my pregnancy I had many ultrasounds, but we were never able to see his face because he always had one arm over it.  We know he doesn't like the feeling of his arms flailing around, so we swaddle him.  But then he's upset that he can't put his arm over his face.  Pick your battles, kid.

Pajama Ninja
Footie pajamas are awesome! They keep your entire body, including all extremities warm.  Plus they're super comfortable... unless you're Abe.  This hasn't happened too many times, but somehow he's managed to ninja his legs up and out of the leg slots.  And, with the frog feet that he has, it's a challenge to get him to stay in the "foot" part of the pajama.  But once he's in-- he's golden.

Last, but not least, and my favorite part to tell...

Poop Ninja
(Is it obvious that I built this entire post mainly so I can write about this?)
As a first time parent, the learning is constant and sometimes comes in the most interesting packages.  On top of learning how to nurse, bathe a baby, and prepare a bottle -- changing a diaper was a fascinating new arena of knowledge.

Placing a diaper on Abe is like trying to put underwear on an attacking ninja.  Imagine trying to make nice with a kicking assassin whose throwing stars are poop and nun chucks spray urine.  Sounds like bad anime, right?  Our little poop ninja's greatest defense, however, is the infamous geyser poop. 

geyser poop (n.)  a bowel movement released in such a violent manner that a column of excrement is sprayed into the air--similar to the forces of a boiling geyser.

He's cunning too.  He lays on the changing table with such calm over his face, waits till you've almost completely cleaned him (usually it's just pee), and as you go in for the last wipe.... WHOOSH... a geyser of poop!  Sometimes it's even multiple gushes.  Essentially, he blitzes you with his bowels and, without fail, laughs and smiles in victory.  He wins every time and with the culminating joy and laughter on his face you can't help but laugh and smile with him.  What a pooper.

Guilty as charged... here's our little pooper caught after one of his feces felonies.