Bryce said, "Hello all, my name is Bryce Daniel Griffin, and this is my first column. I was born just over a week ago, August 1, 2005 in San Jose, California. I weighed 7 lb, 11 oz, and was 19.5 inches long. I've known that this day was coming for a while. About a week prior to my birth, while I was still amphibeous, some wise guy tried to manhandle me and almost succeeded in dislodging me from my comfortable position inside Mama's stomach. I would have been completely turned around had they succeeded, so I pretended to act hurt to get them to stop. I still have the bruises on my face to remind everyone how traumatic that experience was, but it's mostly healed now.


"I'm a pretty healthy baby. I came out 2 weeks early, so I was a bit smaller than I would have been, but I still have spunk. My parents often comment how strong I am, and I'm pretty good at letting people know when I'm hungry or need to be changed. Which isn't to say I'm overly fussy like my older sister was (I hear my parents had to drive her around all night to keep her calm); I rather prefer being calm and spending my waking time observing the new sights and sounds around me.


"I've enjoyed having Grandma Everett around these past few days. She's very good at soothing me, and showing me how much she cares for me. I hope she can stick around for a while. My big sister Emma, who seems a little closer in height and weight to me, is also good to see. She loves to hold me and stick passy in my mouth."



Emma said, "Alot has been going on at our house in the past week. I now have a baby brother, Bryce. I am really good at taking care of him. I go and see him first thing in the morning and ask to 'hold baby bryce chair' and mom or dad help me to hold him in a chair. Whenever he cries, I help him by putting his passy in his mouth or by giving him a hug and a kiss or by holding his hand.


"In other news, I started a swim class with Dad a couple of weeks ago. I really look forward to putting on my bathing suit and going to swim in the pool each week. I even went all the way under the water last Saturday. I also got a new pair of shoes that light up when I walk. I call them my 'lights' and I have fun jumping around when I am wearing them and watching them light up.


"It is great having my Grandma here to play with me. I am having fun showing her my toys and books. I am excited for my birthday next week. I have been practicing singing the happy birthday song to get ready. I have fun making sand birthday cakes with sticks for candles. I like to blow out the candles and clap each time I sing the song. Mom and Dad tell me that I will be two years old. That sounds pretty big. "

Emma said, "I have become an active toddler. I enjoy Sunday's now because I get to go to the nursury and play with all the kids in the ward. I do very well there, and enjoy interacting with lots of other kids. When it isn't Sunday, I'm constantly trying to get Mommy or Daddy to take me to the park, where I have a set routine of things I do. First, we take our sand toys and go dig up buckets of sand, which I like to pour on my shirt. After I get bored with that, I go look for other kids, and say hi to them. Even though some of them are stand-offish, I still do my best to say hi to them and see what they are doing. As you can see, I very much enjoy motion-filled activities.


"Daddy has a new job at Amazon.com, so he isn't home quite so much these days (longer commute). Mommy reduced her work commitment, so I spend most of the week with her."

Emma said, "I most sincerely apologize for my delinquency in keeping my page up to date. Mommy and Daddy have tried their darndest to keep me away, but tonight I managed to sneak out of my crib and write this update while they watch a movie downstairs.

"So much has happened since May that I can only gloss over the best highlights. First, we moved from our apartment to this townhouse in Campbell. I love it because there's a lot more space to run around in, and the city park is just around the corner.


"Another highlight is, as you can tell, my literacy. Whenever I wake up and often several times throughout the day, I make Mommy or Daddy read me all of my books. I have quite a good attention span for a baby, and I'll sit quietly for long periods of time and absorb all of the stories. As a result, I recognize upwards of 20 different animals and can make their distinct sounds (ie 'hssss' for snakes and 'doodle doo' for roosters). My tongue still isn't coordinated all the way, so I can only say a handful of words, but I understand much more than they think.


"One cool place we went was to a ranch up in the Sierra Foothills called Apple Hill. It is a nice retreat from the hustle and bustle of the Bay Area, and it was an absolute gorgeous day up there. There is nothing like a good crisp autumn day up in the hills. We have some photos below of our trip there.


"As for these days, I'm obsessed with opening the Christmas Advent Calendar windows each day. We have 2; one with a felt Christmas tree, and each day the window reveals a new decoration to hang on the tree, and the other is a standard chocolate one you buy at the store. Personally I like the chocolate one, though I wish Daddy wouldn't take half the chocolate each time. He says I'm already too hyper; I retort I'll be more hyper if he doesn't give me the full piece."