Happy Spring – finally! Devon was truly ready for warmer weather so he could get out and explore the world now that he is so mobile. So of course every time we try to go inside for things like, dinner, bedtime, diaper changes, get out of a downpour, it’s a meltdown.


Like he thinks he is a groundhog that’s just seen his shadow and has to wait 6 more weeks to come back out. Which I’m pretty sure was about the time of our last update so –

Winter was cold and winter was amazingly snowy for us this year. We found this monster snow suit for him that was pretty much like a down sleeping bag with appendages. He enjoyed bumbling about in that through the snow. Riding in the sled along the sidewalks and skiing behind mom in the tag along were fun ways to get outside.

Russ and I took our first vacation away in February when he was 13 months old. Devon got to hang out with his Grammy Jan and Auntie Anna for almost a full week! He did very well (and we did pretty good too) with them but he knew something was different. When we came home I was hoping for a ‘wow!’ or some recognition that we were back but he played it very cool…

In February he really jumped on the signing bandwagon. Milk, water, more, all done, eat, etc. He’s added a sign every other week or so since then. Overall it’s been very helpful because we know what he wants or is looking for. Now if he could just remember to use them when he’s cranky or over tired, we’d love that too…

As you may imagine he’s developed a number of new skills since turning one. Running with gusto, open and closing doors (only one broken window so far), climbing on things (thankfully he’s still too short to get onto the couch), going down the little elephant slide by himself (over and over and over and over), becoming fairly adept at using a spoon and fork to feed himself (granted there are times more food ends up on him than in him), and expanding his vocabulary of sounds. Now he clearly says only two real ‘words’ – mama and bye bye. He says ‘da’ for dad, buh for ‘bug’ or ‘bag’, kkkk for ‘keys’ or ‘kitty’ and gg for ‘dog’.

He’s totally a sleeper agent when it comes to this English thing though. He can’t yet speak it but he knows EXACTLY what we’re saying and how it might impact him. Simple directions are easily followed - when it suits him of course. One morning he spilled a little milk on the floor and Russ told him it was time to wipe it up. Devon of his own accord went into the bathroom, found a washcloth and proceeded to wipe up the milk. Wow.

In true Devon fashion, we’ve already had our first tornado warning of the year. Luckily we weren’t camping this time. I’m amazed at the level of trust kids this age still have. I scooped him up while he was sleeping (all 24 pounds of dead weight), carried him down two levels of stairs, sat upright for about 10 minutes, climbed the stairs again and he barely blinked his eyes open the entire time. One of the few times recently he has felt like my baby again.

Oh, and who knew how much fun your belly is? I sure didn’t. Where are your (fill in the blank) games can occupy a good 10 minutes at times. Russ wants to move on to things like uvula already but I’m advocating for mastering knees and elbows first.

Simple games are sticking in his brain now too. He ‘dances’ to his boombox (aka, the barn shaped thing that sticks on the fridge). And he kind of dances like my dad. Back to that memory of his – it is very clear he remembers the silly little songs that we sing in our baby and me class. While he doesn’t get the words to the song right, he will randomly spout off the melody with his own sounds.

We took two trips to Grafton to see my family recently. One for Easter weekend and we got to spend time with Grammy Jan as well. I was amazed at how quickly he took to the idea of an Easter Egg hunt. After he found the first one, he was all about finding those eggs and keeping them in the basket. The other trip was less happy. We lost my Grandpa Terlizzi at the end of March so we traveled down for his funeral. I am so thankful that Devon got to meet him a handful of times and that he was a part of Devon’s blessing last summer. It’s pretty special to be able to say that when you were born you had four great grandparents to celebrate with. We miss you, Grandpa.

In other news, there have been some major changes for Russ and I with regards to our work. In February I started working for Lutheran Social Services in the Senior Companion Program doing case management for seniors who are matched with a weekly volunteer. It’s still part time and is an excellent fit for our family and my interests. In April I also started up as Representative for Silpada Designs – think Tupperware parties with jewelry. It’s been a lot of fun so far and an excellent learning experience. Tell your friends! Visit my website! Just last week Russ started a new position with a marketing firm called Gage as a Technical Lead (still doing computer programming with more project management of sorts). So all three of us are trying to settle in to a new way of life again this spring, but these should all be positive changes.

For me the best new addition to our lives is that Devon has mastered giving hugs and kisses. There is nothing better than coming home after a difficult day and getting a wet kiss from a 16 month old. It really does put things in perspective.

Kisses to you!

Ann, Russ & Devon