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Silver Rattles, Baby Prisons & The Spit Up Saga Continues

Gray Hair & Daycare : Gen X Dad, Gen Beta Baby

Release Date: 06/10/2025

Gray Hair & Daycare: Gen X Dad, Gen Beta Baby – Episode 26: Spitting Up, Car Seat Chaos, and Community Building

Hosts: Frank Cerio and Carlo Russo

Welcome to Episode 26 of the Gray Hair & Daycare: Gen X Dad, Gen Beta Baby podcast! This week, Frank and Carlo delve into the realities of infant care, from surprising baby milestones to the unexpected challenges of keeping things clean. They also share exciting news about the podcast's growth and connect with their growing community of listeners.

The Ever-Changing World of a 12-Week-Old Baby

Frank kicks off the episode by celebrating Josie reaching 12 weeks old, almost three full months! They've officially transitioned from 0-3 month clothing to 3-6 month sizes, a testament to how quickly she's growing. Frank describes Josie as generally happy and good-natured, even when she's a little gassy or hungry. Carlo reflects on the cuteness of a crying baby, a sentiment unique to parents.

Silver Fox Mailbox: Listener Shout-Outs and Relationship Insights

The "Silver Fox Mailbox" segment brings in listener comments and questions:

Judy Fire on Instagram playfully commented on an earlier discussion about tickling baby feet to wake them for feedings, highlighting a humorous shared experience among parents.
Christine, a "superfan" on YouTube, offered valuable advice: prioritize "Frank time," "couple time," and "family time." This sparked a discussion between Frank and Carlo about maintaining a strong relationship amidst new parenthood. Carlo shares that he and Trina naturally combined "couple time" and "family time" by enjoying outings with their kids, even going to the mall. Frank, as a Gen X dad with a Gen Beta baby, is finding his "Frank time" in the late evenings after Kelly and Josie are asleep, as his sleep needs are less. They emphasize the importance of carving out personal downtime, even if it's just an hour or two.

"I Was Wrong": The Reality of Baby Spit-Up

Frank addresses a previous statement in his "I Was Wrong" segment: Josie's spitting up. While initially infrequent, he admits that it has increased in recent weeks, peaking between two and four months of age, as is common due to an underdeveloped esophageal sphincter. Even at its peak, Josie only spits up about twice a day, far less than some babies who do so 10-12 times. This leads to a humorous tangent about scary movies, as Frank and Carlo both admit they prefer lighthearted comedies over horror.

Crash Test Daddy: The Car Seat Deep Clean

A practical "Crash Test Daddy" segment is introduced, born out of necessity. After a major spit-up incident in the car seat on the way to church, Frank realized the importance of knowing how to thoroughly clean a baby car seat. He demonstrates how to "field strip" the UPPAbaby Mesa V2 car seat, highlighting how to remove the canopy, shoulder pads, and main harness cover for machine washing. This segment is a must-watch for new parents as it provides crucial tips for handling inevitable messes and maintaining hygiene.

What Just Happened: Vaccinations, Family Visits, and Developmental Leaps

Frank updates listeners on recent events:

Post-Vaccination Fussy Period: Following her first round of baby vaccinations (Vaxellus, Prevnar 13, and Rotavirus), Josie was a bit fussy for about a day and a half, but quickly returned to her delightful self. Carlo recalls his own difficult experiences with his son's infant surgery, emphasizing the emotional toll of seeing your child in discomfort.
Thoughtful Gifts: Frank's sister and brother-in-law gave Josie a beautiful sterling silver baby rattle with her name and birthday engraved. His sister also gifted Kelly an old-school beaded bracelet with the family name, reminiscent of how babies were labeled in hospitals in the past.
Cold and Family Visits: Frank battled a chest and stomach cold, which also made Josie a bit fussy and stuffy. Kelly's sister visited from New York City, and Frank's sister, Lucille, is coming for a week-long visit, which Frank is very excited about. His brother plans to visit for their summer party in July.
Summer Party Preparations: The family is planning a summer party, which will be a great opportunity for extended family to meet Josie.
New Baby Behaviors: Josie is making new noises, including shrieks and squeaks that sound like precursors to laughter and giggles. She has also discovered her hands and is now grabbing and grasping objects. Her range of motion is increasing, allowing her to reach new things.
Social Milestones: Josie is hitting many four-month social milestones, actively seeking interaction and reaction from her parents. Frank humorously observes that Josie is already developing an "eye roll" in response to his silly antics. The hosts marvel at the incredible bond and unconditional love that grows with each new interaction.
Nursery Update: Frank provides an update on the baby nursery, admitting that procrastinating on its completion was a good thing, as their ideas for furniture placement have evolved. He plans to tackle the light fixtures and other tasks during his sister's visit.

Call to Action: Support the Podcast!

Frank encourages listeners to subscribe to the podcast on YouTube, like the videos, and leave five-star reviews on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, or wherever they listen. He emphasizes that positive reviews help boost their rankings and grow the Gray Hair & Daycare: Gen X Dad, Gen Beta Baby community.

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