Visit by Joe and to the Museum

Cool frogs at the Houston Museum of Natural Science frog exhibit

Sean's first trip to the Flying Saucer

Hanging out the the Pasta grandparent compound

Non-working doorbell before


New doorbell

Rainy Saturday

Saturday morning we skipped the Houston Rodeo parade due to rain. Instead, Sean and David let Mom sleep late. Dave read the paper and Sean mainly watched the fan, probably his 3rd favorite thing to look at next to Mom and Dad's faces. (OK, maybe 2nd after Mom's face!) Click here for short Sean "talking" video

Sean's Cutiesaurus pajamas have little dino feet on the bottom!

The fascinating fan

Coming in at number 4 on the list of things Sean likes to stare at - the picture on the the wall

Gasoline Price Update

Chuy's President's Day

First, broken photo links for last night's post have been fixed.

Today Dave had the day off, but spent the whole day working on the plant's hurricane plan (bad part about living in Houston.) This did allow Barbara to go out and get a pedicure and to run for the first time since 5 weeks into pregnancy - a loooong time ago! Then we took Sean to Chuy's Tex-Mex for the first time (Dave wearing shorts and a t-shirt in February - the good part about living in Houston.) He was not impressed with the margaritas, but was fascinated by all the colors and mirrors.

Sean is gaining weight and is right at 50% for weight for a 6-week old. (Yes, I did download the NIH charts...)

Sleepy Weekend and the Zoo

Picture Album update click here

David has a great fascination with prairie dogs. The prairie dog farm at the Houston Zoo is awesome.

Friday night Sean and Barbara fell asleep together.

Saturday morning snuggling

Mason communes with the prairie dogs

Saturday night the Pasta's hung out at the Heider's with Nick, Heather and Elissa. Carol is 4.5 months pregnant - expecting baby Isaac in July.


Sean starts grabbing things for the first time - see the photos and video HERE

What is in Sean's Baby Wash?

Surfactants clean hair by stripping sebum from hair shafts. Sebum is the natural oily coating that tends to collect dirt, styling products, scalp flakes, and the like. It is attracted to the hydrophobic end of the surfactant, then washed away when a shampooer rinses. Surfactants determine how gently hair will be cleaned--harsh cleaners can overstrip hair and dry skin.

Cocamidopropyl betaine (CAPB) is classed as a semi-synthetic Surfactant/Foaming Agent. Origin: Semisynthetic compound derived from coconut oil obtained from the kernels of palm. Says the “govmint”: We recommend patch testing cocamidopropyl betaine 1% aq. routinely in hairdressers with dermatitis of the hands, and in all patients suspected of suffering from cosmetic allergy.

Nonionics such as polyethylene glycol (PEG) esters can play a number of roles in a shampoo system. For example, PEG-80 sorbitan laurate promotes mild cleansing, whereas PEG-150 distearate is used to build viscosity

Sodium Laureth Sulfate: is a detergent and surfactant found in many personal care products (soaps, shampoos, toothpaste etc.). It is an inexpensive and very effective foamer. Funny Cancer rumor Irritation due to SLES was convincingly detectable only after 7 days if continuous exposure in skin tests.

Tetrasodium EDTA: a chelating agent – reduces water hardness by complexing metal ions, safe as used in cosmetic formulations.

Sodium Chloride: table salt used to thicken the mixture if the main surfactants are sodium lauryl sulfates.

Polyquaternium-10: is used as a hair conditioner, and anti-static agent for hair. It makes hair less prone to static electricity buildup by making it slightly conductive. Safe in rinse off products.

Quaternium-15: antimicobrial preservative. May release formaldehyde, but safe at <1%. style=""> Although ISP is big into biocides these days, not one is named ISPicide – yet.

Citric Acid: Used as a chelating agent to reduce water hardness. Guvmint says: citric acid is not judged to be a substance that presents a hazard to the environment. First synthetically produced by Pfizer for the U.S. World War I effort!

Sean & Todd & Updated Links

Todd stopped by briefly and dropped off some Valentine gifts for Sean. The Johnson family has been sick for the past week (except Todd, thanks to Zicam.) David is now trying to stave off a cold with Zicam, we shall see.

The links at right are now updated. Geeks will appreciate the link to Colorants History - a history of this industry in the U.S. (including ISP's predecessors - GAF or General Aniline and Film.)

C9 Christmas Light Failures 2005-2006

Not a good year for Denver Bronco's colors.

What is a C9 Bulb?

Christmas lighting began with small C6 bulbs -- C meaning "candle" for the flame shape, and 6 meaning ⁶⁄₈ inches (¾ in, or 19 mm) in diameter. These were on a miniature candelabra screw-base, now designated E10 (Edison screw, 10 mm). Replicas of these bulbs are now produced as miniature strings, usually with the entire bulb replaced, but sometimes as a decorative cover with regular bulbs inside. These bulbs tend to be transparent white or colors, and are often ornately designed with crystal-like patterns.

Later bulbs were called C7½, being 7 1/2 inches (¹⁵⁄₁₆ in, or 24 mm) in diameter; however, these have a blunt shape (and should therefore be called B7½, or B24). Mixing metric and English units, there are also now G30 globes which are 30 mm (1+³⁄₁₆ in, or G9½) in diameter that uses these sockets. These are still used for the classic or even retro look, and use about five watts each. Older bulbs drew 7½ watts of power, and were reduced to save power. Early bulbs, as well as some new antique reproductions, are made in various shapes and then painted like Christmas ornaments. Bubble lights and twinkle bulbs also come in this size.

Outdoor-only bulbs are designated C9¼ (1+⁵⁄₃₂ in, or 29 mm), and have a similar

blunt shape as the C7½, but an E17 "intermediate" base. Some modern versions of these strings are now listed for indoor and outdoor use. These bulbs are rated at about seven watts each, and also now come in a globe shape, designated G40 (40 mm, or 1+⁹⁄₁₆ in). Some of the blunt-shape bulbs now come painted with designs, or swirled in more than one color. It is now very difficult to find twinkle bulbs in this size.

Visit by Fariba

Sean David's weight continues to grow well

Fariba entertains Sean

Fariba meets Sean

Sean Chills

Mellow Saturday

Barbara's friends Hank and Diane taunt the webmaster

Were just having a mellow Saturday. Dave is picking back up the "repair the front entryway" project (and just had to stop after running out of wood putty.) Sean is great. He is now tracking objects and faces with his eyes. He has slept in his crib for 2 nights and seems to like it fine. He sleeps from 11ish to 3:30am-ish and then 4ish to 7 or 8.

Barbara at 3 Months

Yup, I think Sean looks like my (David) baby picture - judge for yourself.

I am a Thumb Sucker!

Mom finally achieved taking a picture of Sean sucking his thumb:

Sean was very awake today and very much wanted human company - which his Mom, Dad and Grandma Pasta provided. He only slept for 15 minute stretches. Should be a very sleepy night.

Tonight before his bath he weighed in at 9 lbs 4 ozs. Here he shows a big yawn after a very awake day.

Happy 1-Month Birthday to You!

Sean reached his 1st month birthday happy and healthy and still single and loving it!

Sean's parents along with Joanne and Jennifer took Sean on his first trip to Two Rows Brewery. Daddy enjoyed a Hopzilla IPA and Sean, well, milk.

Busy Day for Sean

See all photos HERE

In mid-week Aunt Beth came to visit for several days. Sean was looking forward to meeting her. Friday Beth, Barb and Joanne had a girls night out going to a movie and then to dinner.

Sean had a very busy Sunday! Early in the afternoon we went to Gillian's 1st birthday party. She had a great time and was pretty into opening gifts. Her coolest gift was from her sister, Madeline - a Learn and Groove drum that displays numbers and letters on the surface in LED lights when it is hit.

The theme for the party was Winnie the Pooh. Here Sean models his best Winnie the Pooh ears in his Winnie onesie (by coincidence.)

Then we headed to Uncle Greg's for a Superbowl party. Unfortunately Da Bears, from Greg's home town, did not pull through. A very exciting game though - Sean did not pay much attention. At half-time we went back to Gillian's grandparent's house to watch the 2nd half.