9 Weeks and still smiling

This has been the best week so far for Devon in many ways. He is becoming very consistent with his sleeping and eating patterns (even though that could change at the drop of a hat) and is a smiley, happy boy when he is awake. Unless he is thinking hard and then he puts on serious face or furrows his eyebrows. We believe we have entered the Winston Churchill phase. Russ has a theory that all babies at some point look like Winston Churchill for awhile. Here is photographic evidence and a photo we're sure he'll hate us for later:

Devon is also very good at letting us know when he’s had enough and is ready for a nap. He looks away, gives up sleepy eyes or starts to get cranky. Bundle him up, lay him in his crib with a nuk and bam, out like a light. We are so thankful since this means we get more rest.

This week we had a few fun outings and even ts. Devon went to meet my coworkers at Vision Loss Resources and it looks like he may be bound more for a career in the nonprofit sector as he was a super happy kid during this visit – unlike his US Bank adventure. We played Pass the Baby and he smiled a bit and then fell asleep. I’m sure some staff members wouldn’t have minded falling asleep during the meeting too, but well, less socially acceptable for them I guess.
Devon and I also met with the staff at the church where my aunt Barb is buried to finalize plans for redoing the rose garden near her. It’s a go! My Uncle Tom helped me come up with a plan and the church is on board and even willing to foot the bill of whatever we can’t cover so we can get it all done this year. I’m now working on the details of when and where to get plants and am really looking forward to this project. In a few years that garden will actually LOOK like a rose garden instead of a bunch of dead twigs and red woodchips.

Devon had another play date with his neighborhood friend Benjamin on Friday. While they don’t actually interact with each other yet, they did hand out near each other while Jody and I had lunch. And Devon lucked out and got some hand me down outfits that don’t fit Benji anymore. My kind of shopping! Now we have more than 4 outfits that fit him until he grows a bit more.
Today marks my return to water aerobics at the Y! And no, I am not bringing him to sit on the side of the pool with me. That just sounds like a horrible idea for the Y. Today also is the day we are getting a bike trailer!! I found a used Chariot on Craigslist and Russ is headed out to pick it up today.

And get this – it comes with the attachments like the jogging stroller, infant sling and wait for it….SKI attachment. That’s right, I can go skiing and pull Devon along behind me next year! Russ says that way maybe he can keep up with me…

I have been rather surprise d at how many people think that now that we have a baby our lives are basically going to stop. Of course it will be different and adjustments will be made but for goodness sakes, yes, I can sign my name and hold Devon in the other arm. Yes, I can spend 4 hours a month working on a volunteer project, yes I can go back to work, yes I can train for a bike ride and yes, I can garden. Not all at once of course but my goodness, Devon is a baby not a soufflé!

This week we're in for a bunch of shots and more field trips. Send soothing thoughts tomorrow afternoon to Devon!