Busy Day

We started with breakfast, which he ate well followed by a trip to the Y. Donovan was a huge hit at the Y and the caretaker spent the whole time playing with him, leaving the other kids to her co-worker. Whenever I peeked in he was playing with her and laughing and talking. He had a short nap and then we went to Randolph-Macon to give blood. There were thee kids there who watched him for the time I was there. Again he was a delight and everyone was smitten. He ate a pretty good lunch, and then a splash in the pool. I think I've finally got the water level good so he can sit in his "turtle" and play. Then he took a very long nap. I had intended to go visit Steve's mother who broke her arm when Donovan woke up and meet Maris there; it's very close to where she works. But Donovan didn't wake up until 4:10 (he went to sleep around 2:00). So no visit to Nana, but a very happy little boy to go home with his Mom. By the way. . .he is starting to be very unhappy to get into his car seat. He doesn't like to be strapped in. But being his own chill self, he stops fussing as soon a the deed is done!

Life Is Good

Today was a fun day with Donovan. We started with breakfast and he ate a small bowl of cereal. I think he isn't an early morning person and needs some time before he is really hungry. I went to the YMCA and Donovan went into the day care room, where he did great, enjoying almost everything, except when the older kids started screaming during some kind of game. He had a morning nap and a good lunch of sweet potatoes and was even opening his mouth at the end. (When I put the first bite in, he spit it right out--but I persisted and he got a lot better.) He had a long afternoon nap and then we got into the wading pool in the back yard. He is so close to sitting up--he can actually balance himself for about three minutes. Then he starts to tip. But it wont be long.

Lots of New Things

Wednesday was a beautiful summer day and Donovan and I really enjoyed it. First we worked in the garden for about an hour, enjoying a lovely cool morning--all the nicer after our record degree temperatures throughout the month of June. I had a lot of errands to do in the morning, so that yielded a nice long morning nap. He ate peas for the first time for lunch and he is really eating well. Actually opening his mouth wide some of the time. He also rolled over BOTH ways a couple of times while I was watching him; then he seemed to get tired of it and he cried once he got onto his stomach. He had a little more trouble getting to sleep for his afternoon nap, but he was clearly tired, so I put him in his swing and he eventually dozed off. When he woke up, we went to the pool, where we met Maris. Altogether a very satisfactory day.

Heat, heat, heat!!

It's already 97 out, so the wading pool seems especially nice. Donovan has had a good day so far. He is eating well--had half a container of sweet potatoes and a bottle for lunch and fell asleep while taking his bottle, so he is now having a nap. I had to go to VCU to pick up some materials for R-MC Orientation tomorrow, so he had a long nap this morning in the car--that's the easiest way to get him to sleep. Then we spent a little time in the pool before his very good lunch. Over the weekend I made some baby food for Maris: sweet potatoes, squash, and peas. I froze them in ice cube trays and will get them to her as soon as I can without having them thaw out. He is sleeping right now and then we will head back to the wading pool in the side yard under the trees. The water is cool and in spite of the heat, there is a nice breeze. Earlier this spring, Donovan absolutely rolled over for me--from his tummy to his back. He seems to have forgotten how to do that. Now he rolls from his back onto his tummy, can't seem to get back, and gets very frustrated. This is unusual for me--all my kids rolled from tummy to back first! Oh, well. . .as my mother would say, "I never saw a kid go to college who couldn't roll over!"

Summer Is Here

We had a ten day road trip to the mid-west, with good visits with Kathleen and other good friends in South Bend, Iowa City, and St. Louis. Lots of driving but good visits. We missed Donovan during our trip, but we returned to our summer schedule. So I had Donovan for the day on Monday and Wednesday. It's VERY hot--high 90's to 100! On Monday we spent some time with Peggy O'Neill's granddaughter, Althea. Donovan seemed to enjoy her; he really responds to little people. Peggy and Al bought a plastic wading pool, and Donovan was happy as a clam just sitting in there. On Wednesday we did a little shopping at Costco and in the afternoon we went to the pool. He really seems to like just sitting in the water. I'll have to take a picture of it next week. He's getting so much bigger. He has started eating vegetables and is really getting the knack of swallowing. On Wed. he ate about 3/4 of a container of squash. I think I'll make some vegetables for him. I made my own baby food for my kids and it really isn't very much work. Squash, sweet potatoes, and maybe some peas!

The End of the School Year

Well, of course it is only for me. . .Maris has a little more than a week left. But it was our last evening with Donovan before we leave town and the summer routine begins (which for me is Monday and Wednesday from 7:30-4:30). We started off with a good afternoon; he ate and then we went in the stroller around the community and ended with a visit to Bob and Patrick, who really wanted to completely clean Donovan with his tongue! (For those who might wonder, Patrick is a dog.) Then we went to the Farmer's Market, where we usually meet Maris. But after we got home, Donovan wasn't very comfortable. He was clearly in some discomfort, though he did take most of his bottle before we ate opur dinner. He is so tired--rubbing his eyes, almost falling asleep while he is eating. But does he sleep? No. . .his eyes open wide and he is up. Steve and I tok turns with him; Steve was walking with him to settle him down, something I really couldn't do because of my back. But he finally settled down and fell asleep in my lap until Maris came. So, tomorrow we leave on our trip and when we get back, we will be on the summer two-day schedule.

An Uncomfortable Day

Yesterday Donovan's tummy seemed to be causing him distress, because he was writhing when he took what little of his bottle he could take. He was quite uncomfortable. Yesterday was also the day of my third back injection, so Steve came home early to stay with Donovan. So I also was very uncomfortable and, unlike previous injections, this one brought no quick relief. In fact, as I had been warned about earlier injections, this one made my legs sorer! But it was quick, so I was back home before Maris got here. Maybe today, we'll both eel better!

Avery's 10th Birthday

June 23rd is Avery's actual birthday, but because he is usually with his Dad on his birthday, we always celebrate it sometime early. This year because of our schedule he is having quite a few celebrations: last night with us, next weekend Adam and Rachel are taking him to the movie, and his actual birthday in Disney World. He was thrilled with his special gift (it is after all one of those big "5" birthdays) and when Steve measured him he had grown almost 3/4 of an inch since April. He comes up to the bridge of my nose and his feet are almost as big as mine! We had a great party and Donovan sat in his high chair for the first time. As you can see from the picture, he really isn't quite tall enough, but when we put a cushion in the bottom it made the tray rub on his knees. But he loves to sit up and while he really likes his little green chair, he really is almost too big for it. Avery is really a great big brother and adores Donovan, except of course when he doesn't! But Donovan always lights up when he sees Avery. Donovan is really getting quite responsive to facial expressions and seems startled if you make a sad or mean face at him with no sound at all. But when you smile, he breaks into the sweetest smile. It was a lovely evening.

What a Guy!

Donovan does not like to sleep, so in spite of my best efforts, he only napped for about 25 minutes. Not really a problem, but he gets so tired that he's very uncomfortable and if I don't put him in the car he really can't go to sleep. But mainly we had a great afternoon laughing and talking. He really doesn't want to miss anything. He has been lifting his hands in the air when we do and if we clap, he is so proud of himself and he laughs out loud. He is amazingly responsive! But Maris says he is getting better at night sleeping, which is really what matters.

The Last Thursday

Yesterday was the last Thursday night we'll be having Donovan late while Maris teaches (actually, next week we will have a late Tuesday, which will also be my last afternoon for the school year). He got a little fussy around 4:00 and couldn't settle down for a nap, so I packed him up and off we went to the pool. I think he could stay in that little ladybug lounger forever, just floating around. There was hardly anyone there, but in the baby pool was a young mother with her two children. Her daughter, Liza, was about 4 or 5 and was completely enchanted with Donovan. Since there was no one else there, I let her float him around and play with him. He really responds to little people. As we got up to go after about an hour, she looked at me and said: "Is he yours? He isn't the same color as you." Deciding not to have a long explanation, I just explained that I was his grandmother. He was excellent during our dinner and then, while he had a pretty hard time settling in (I think his tummy was bothering him) he finally ate himself until Maris came to get him.

What a Day. . .

Donovan was an angel yesterday: he played, he ate, and he took an hour and forty-five minute nap. But Maris' day, that was something else! We were supposed to meet at the pool and I was waiting for Donovan to wake up before I went. Maris called at 4:30 to say someone had run into her at a stop light. To top it all off, it was a three car crash with the person who started it having left the scene. She was beside herself, because this meant that on top of the accident, she would have to pay the deductible. If it wasn't so upsetting, one would have to laugh. You couldn't make this stuff up. Since last July here is what has happened: First Maris found out she was pregnant--not planned! Then a few weeks later, she finds out it's twins. She gets used to that and starts getting excited and she loses one of them. Then she was in the hospital for more than a week trying not to have the baby. Donovan arrives and spends three weeks in the NICU. Then there was the scare about the fluid in his brain and all the tests for that. A week ago Greg was on his way here and something flew off a truck in front of him and smashed his windshield--it's a miracle he didn't have a crash. And now this. Well, we did have some relaxing at the pool and Maris and Avery stayed for dinner. So we hope this is the end of a series of bad tough events and the beginning of a very god year.

College Days

Just before Donovan arrived yesterday, I found out that I had a meeting at Randolph-Macon at 3:00 and that some of the young women in residence life were willing to watch Donovan for me. So I only had time to give him a little of his bottle before we had to leave. He was a big hit! One of the students moving in for summer school saw Christina with Donovan and expressed surprise; she replied: "You never know what someone's going to leave in their room!" Katie decided he looked just like the baby on the e-trade commercials, so she pulled it up for me and sure enough , he does! By the time my meeting was over, it was time to go meet Maris. Donovan was so tired, he went immediately to sleep. He had had a big afternoon.

What a Weekend!

It was Memorial Day weekend and we spent two days at the pool with Maris and the boys. Avery has always been a fish and he once again loved the pool. But Donovan was great. Maris had gotten him a lounger floaty and he just laid back in it and chilled in the water. I think he would have stayed forever--it didn't hurt that it was really hot! He is so full of smiles and laughs these days. We'll have lots more days to swim.

Lots of Smiles

I really hadn't kept Donovan since Monday, since I was at a meeting out of town Tuesday and Wednesday. I got home Wednesday and took over from Steve, who had brought work home. He broke into smiles when he saw me. Both Wednesday and yesterday we took a long walk outside; we went down by the pond and stopped to listen to the frogs sing to him. Yesterday afternoon he had a hard time settling himself down to go to sleep. I just let him cry for a while (it seemed like an eternity, because he was SOOOO unhappy!) and finally he slept for about an hour and a half. He really resists sleep--he wants to stay in touch with everything. His legs are getting so strong and he loves to stand up. Then he laughs out loud and chatters away to let me know how much he likes it. He is getting so much stronger; it's wonderful to see. What a great little guy!

End of the Week

Yesterday was cool and cloudy, but today is beautiful. Yesterday Donovan rolled over from his tummy to his back. First he was startled and then very proud of himself. Greg tells me he is doing this a lot, but it was the first time I had seen it. I tried to get him to do it again, but he was tired of all the effort by then, so nothing doing. I was once again struck by how much work it is to grow and learn things. Babies seem to be just lying there: smiling or not, eating, sleeping. But they are learning so many things and working very hard each step of the way. I'm trying to appreciate how he is growing and learning. Cathy and Tom Rowan came to visit and they were very happy to see Donovan; he was appropriately well-behaved for them. I tried to get him to take a real nap, because Maris says he does better over night if he sleeps a fair amount during the day. But he isn't easy to get to sleep unless I'm in the car for a long ride. Today the weather is lovely, so we are about to head out for a good walk. We'll go down by the pond and see if we can hear the frogs.

A Long Nap

Yesterday was another cold, drizzly day. Donovan was in a great mood when he arrived. After he ate, we decided to go to the farmer's market. By the time I got there, he was sound asleep and since I can park just next to Victory Farms, I didn't wake him up. He slept through Agriberry as well and was still sound asleep when we got home, so I left him in the car. We had left at 3:30 and he didn't wake up until 6:00. Then he was hungry, so we ate. Maris was delighted when she arrived, because she says he sleeps better at night if he has a long nap. Usually he sort of cat naps for me, so I shall try to find a way to get him to sleep better.

Rain, Rain, Rain

Yesterday was cold and rainy, so good intentions about outside walks of course went by the wayside. We stayed inside and cuddled. I put him on his tummy for a while and was amazed at how much stronger he is. He tried to get to a toy I put in front of him and he was having fun. But that got old after a bit and he wanted up. All was well until about 4:00. Donovan catnapped, but couldn't really settle down and seemed very uncomfortable. I tried to put him in on the bed, but nothing doing. Finally he fell asleep in my arms until his mother came.

Thursday

Well, yesterday was our long day and it went so smoothly. Donovan and I took a couple of walks outside, which he really seemed to like. We went down by the pond and listened to the frogs and chatted with some neighbors. He took a couple of small naps, talked a lot, and smiled at everyone. He sat on the table with us in his bouncy chair during dinner and after we were finished, he decided to eat himself. Then we all watched a movie after dinner and he fell asleep. Today is his doctor's appointment, so we are keeping our fingers crossed.

Such a Short Day

Yesterday I got home a little late, because I had my last class for the year. Donovan was tired--he had been outside working with his dad for the whole morning. He ate a little and then went to sleep. I took him to meet Maris at Avery's orthodontist appointment, so I really didn't have him very long. Maris got an appointment for him on Friday; a pediatric neurosurgeon will look at him and at the tests--and probably feel the need to do more--and give them an opinion. It doesn't seem right for such a tiny guy to have to go through all this. We are all so worried, but I know Maris will at least be glad to have some idea of what's going on and what the plan is. In the meantime, we enjoy his smiles and hang on.

A Cold Day

Yesterday was the first day after my second back injection and I felt a lot better, so I had looked forward to taking Donovan outside for a little walk and later to the farmer's market. But it was cold and drizzly and I was having my computer fixed, which took a lot longer than I thought it would, so it was time to go meet Maris. He was sound asleep by that time anyway, so it's just as well. What a good little boy he is--took his bottle, cooed in the swing, and went to sleep while eating at the end. It really is such a pleasure to have this time with him and watch his development. It may be a help to Maris, but it's even better for me.

A Peaceful Day

Yesterday was my "long" day, since Donovan stays until 9:00 while Maris teaches. He was in a fine mood--lots of talking and smiles. He ate, took a nice nap around 4:30, and after I ate dinner we went for a little walk outside. He loves to be outdoors and to be walked in the stroller (the sun was going down so keeping it out of his eyes wasn't much of a problem). Then we just relaxed until Maris arrived to get him. Avery, who is usually tired and often asleep in the car, was pretty revved up when they arrived and he started to "discuss Donovan's day" with him. Knowing how important it is for these babies to hear lots of words, I loved hearing Avery talk back to Donovan who was smiling and cooing in response. What beautiful little boys they are. Being a grandmother is the very best! Today he's going for shots before he arrives. . .it may be a different kind of day.

The Farmer's Market

Tuesday Donovan had his first experience of the farmer's market--and he was a big hit! I hope that, unlike his brother, he will learn to love vegetables from this early exposure to a wealth of beautiful veggies (not to mention all the hours he spends in the yard with his dad working on his garden!). Luckily the CSA I belong to is very close to the parking lot this year, so I didn't have to take the stroller over too much gravel and Donovan had a ball smiling at everyone. I, as usual, got too many vegetables--I just can't resist! Wednesday he was mellow and fun. He definitely has mastered the thumb in the mouth and that occupies him for a good while. He is also reaching for toys within his grasp and seems pretty fascinated with them. He is such a happy baby. I can't help thinking about all the babies who are not cared for with love and attention and how quickly that joy can get dampened. Luckily, Donovan doesn't have that problem.

Upset Tummy

Yesterday Donovan had a more restless day. His tummy was in distress and he had trouble finishing his bottle. Even holding him didn't quiet him down. Finally I got him into the swing and the motion soothed him and he went to sleep. He didn't sleep too long before Maris came to get him, but he seemed happier when he woke up. Well, really Avery woke him to play with him. It's wonderful to watch how comfortable Avery is with him and how delighted Donovan is to see Avery. How lucky we are to have two such wonderful grandsons!

A Good Friday

Friday was a lovely day and Donovan and I enjoyed it on the porch. He is still so good--he just enjoys being in his bouncy seat and looking around. He's starting to notice his fingers and he played a lot with his banana toy that he could reach. He wasn't as successful at getting his thumb in his mouth as he was the day before. He's a really laid back little guy who loves to smile and is beginning to "talk" a lot. I'm still not able to get him outside for a walk, which I know he'd love, but we are enjoying the porch.

Big Milestones

Yesterday was a big day. First of all, Donovan ate his first dinner on the screened porch! This is only important because Steve and I wait all winter for spring to come, the pine pollen to disperse, and the porch to be cleaned. And last night was the first night we ate outside. . .and Donovan was with us! Also, last night he got his thumb (with no additional fingers) in his mouth and sucked on it for a while. And he did it twice. He didn't appear to love the taste of it, but I think he was really tired and trying to get himself settled down. And, perhaps for Maris, the biggest milestone of all: he slept all night and was still asleep when she left for school this morning. So we'll see what ths afternoon brings.

I'm Back

Well, after a week of traveling for work and a back procedure, I have been back with Donovan for the past two days. Steve held down the fort while I was in Connecticut and he reported how happy Donovan was--lots of laughing and smiling. He is one happy kid! And how he's growing. I don't know how much he weighs, but he is clearly growing lots. He doesn't sleep much, but he is happy and smiling and just beginning to grab at a toy banana that can hang within arms reach on his bouncy chair. He lights up whenever he sees Maris or Greg or Avery. Steve and I have to work a little harder for a smile, but we get plenty. He's eating a little faster, though his "meals" are still quite leisurely. And he's still working on getting his finger, thumb, or fist in his mouth--can't be sure which yet. He really loves to be outdoors, but since my back has been bothering me, I can't take him out for walks as I used to. Bummer! Yesterday Steve cleaned off the porch--yeah, the pine pollen is gone! So perhaps if we can't go for walks, we can sit outside a little more. And we are reading lots of Winne the Pooh poems.

The Days Fly By

Yesterday was a good day--lots of smiles and coos! It's really fun. Today, however, was Donovan's first day at college! I had a meeting at Randolph-Macon that I really needed to be at, so I got a student to watch him in my office and then I held him while he slept and I took a conference call. He couldn't have been better. So right now he's "helping" me type this and waiting for his Mom to pick him up. I posted some new pictures so you can see how big he's getting--and how alert! He's getting lots more curly hair and a big bright smile. What a treat it is to have this time with him, even when I'm a lttle distracted.

Back from Spring Break

Well, we did have a great week with Avery, but I never got to a computer to write about it. We went to lots of museums from Durham, NC to Washington DC. Many were outdoor and very interactive and we all had a great time. One of Avery's favorites was the Museum of Life + Science in Durham with a Dinosaur Trail; it had lifesize reproductions of dinosaurs that had existed in this part of the country and at the end a fossil dig, where he found some shark teeth that he was able to take with him. There were lots of other fun things as well, including an exhibit on wind that involved remote controlled boats on a pond; Avery really liked that part. We also recommend a new exhibit at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History on the Origins of Human Life. It is very interactive and quite fabulous. All three of us loved it. And then yesterday, I saw my baby again! I think he is finally getting his first finger into his mouth--though it's still a little like his whole fist. He does it with lots of loud sucking noises, but he seems to find it comforting. He is also just starting to notice his hands when they are up in front of him. He didn't sleep much, but we had a nice afternoon just sitting and cuddling! My back is still a mess, so no walks in the stroller--too bad, because the weather is wonderful and I know that Donovan loves to be outdoors. I'll be anxious to get back to walking with him.

The Real Beginning of Spring

Well, I haven't been very good about writing this week, partially because things don't change that much and partially because my back has been giving me so much trouble. Our days are spent eating, trying to burp, napping, cooing and laughing, and then starting it all over again. Donovan is getting bigger every day and he is so engaged; we spend a lot of time "talking" to each other and laughing! Today I had him on the sofa propped up on a pillow; I looked over and it looked like he was starting to roll. I'm not sure he really could have, but, even though I'm moving very slowly with my back, I was there in a flash. From now on he lies on the floor! The weather is so perfect for being outside, but with my back so painful, I didn't feel I could carry him out there, let alone push the stroller any distance. So he had to spend the day in the house looking at the furniture. Too bad! Before my very eyes I have become my mother!! As she aged (much older than I am now) and didn't get around very well, she created a little "nest" around her chair so she didn't have to get up. I find myself now doing the same thing: gathering book, bottle, diapers, wipes, burp cloths, etc. all around. Next week is Maris and Avery's spring break, so we'll be taking Avery on his trip and Donovan will spend the week with his parents. I'll try to get on here from time to time to update on that trip, but no more Donovan for a week.

Donovan Has Lunch with the Ladies

Today Donovan met the Stratford Hills women--Jo, Betty Fay, Kay and Mary Jo. We usually meet for lunch monthly, and since I had to be home by 1:30 to receive the main celebrity, they came to my house for lunch. Donovan arrived and was a perfect gentleman--smiling, cooing and being fed. Then we went to my piano lesson and my teacher got her "granny fix" as she calls it. I am finding that I'm having a harder time carrying him in his car seat, with my back out of whack. Maris suggests that I carry the seat out and then add him to it. I think until I get my back squared away, that's what I'm going to do. Over the weekend we had some pictures taken, from a certificate from the Peace Center auction. We had both Avery and Donovan and us. Tomorrow he and I are going to see them and make selections. The day of the pictures promised to be cold and rainy, but at 1:00 when the photographers arrived, the sun came out and it warmed up, so we got some great outdoor pictures! The weeks are going so quickly, I can't believe it! He is already 12 weeks old and as many pounds!

A Perfect Friday

It's cold and rainy out, so how could it be a perfect Friday? Well, I had a productive meeting this morning about some potential work that I'm excited about. And then Donovan arrived, had a very peaceful bottle, and settled down for a real nap. I'm trying to remember what my own kids were doing at this stage of life (I remember it best for Adam and Maris, since we got them at 8 weeks old each and so I can recall some of the early milestones). I remember lots of specific things about Kathleen's infancy, but in a more general way. She was particularly good and always competing with Adam and Maris in my memory! This will no doubt confirm what each child remembers about how I didn't pay attention to them or how someone else was the favorite! Their lives loomed large in my life at the time and I was less able to really know that every event is not a life-trend. I get that now so am a little more attentive to the daily details. But also, I'm taking some time to write about it, something I surely did not have time to do all those years ago. In a month, if it's not written down, I won't recall the details of these days at all. Anyway, after the nap, more feeding and some cooing and smiling. Altogether a very good day.

Thursday

Donovan was already here and outside with Greg when I arrived home. He loves to sit outdoors. . .so he stayed out there until he got hungry and then inside for a bottle. He is still trying to get his fist in his mouth without success, but yesterday there was lots of cooing and smiles. We went for a walk in his stroller, which he likes, but it was really windy and the wind was bothering him, so we didn't stay outside. He had a hard time going to sleep yesterday; he'd doze off and then wake up again hungry. But he couldn't eat very much. On Thursday he stays until after 8:30 and during that whole time he slowly took two bottles. When he's fussy, it's so clear that his little tummy is in distress: his fists ball up, his hands go over his head and his tummy is tight. He was asleep when Maris got here.

A Trip to Ashland

Today was a beautiful day and Donovan was much more mellow--yesterday his Dad had forgotten to give him his Zantac! So after having part of his bottle, we decided to go into Ashland and take a walk in the stroller. We went for a long walk around town and even ran into Bob and Mary Lou Brown and had a nice chat with them. Donovan stayed awake the whole time and even smiled on cue. He loved seeing everything around him. When we got home he finished eating and then fell asleep. He was still sleeping when Maris got home and was still asleep at 7:00, so Maris had a chance to get dinner for Avery and herself. He's still trying to get his fist or thumb in his mouth without a lot of success. One of these days he'll do it.

Discomfort

Today Donovan was mighty uncomfortable and, while he was hungry, he really couldn't eat. I held him most of the time and he finally fell asleep while I was holding him upright against my shoulder. You could see how uncomfortable he was, because his arms were up and his belly very tight. Once he fell asleep, he did sleep for about an hour and seemed peaceful, but when he woke up, he still had trouble eating (Steve had come home by then and was able to get him to finish his bottle). Poor little guy has such a difficult digestive system! How different it is to be a grandmother--all I plan to do when he is here is hold him and feed him. . .and I'm already reading Winnie the Pooh poems to him. I think I want him to get used to the rhythms of the poems.

Rain and Curls

Yesterday morning was rainy and humid, so when Donovan arrived his hair was very curly! It's been straight up until now most of the time. He is trying so hard to get his whole fist into his mouth, but without much success. He will be a happy boy once he can get whatever it is he wants to on his hand into his mouth. I remember Adam trying to get his thumb into his mouth at about this age; it took him a week or more to be able to coordinate all that. He is also really smiling, though most of the time I have to work at it. However, the minute Maris walked in and Donovan heard her voice, his eyes lit up and he got a big smile on his face. Yesterday after my piano lesson I really needed one thing at the grocery store, so for the first time I took him with me. I was a little leery of carrying the car seat into the store and then getting it situated in the basket--but no problem! When I was a young mother I managed three all the time, but I find I don't have the energy or the dexterity that I did. That isn't easy to admit!

Weekend at "the Rivah"

Donovan and I had a good day on Friday. Greg said he had been awake all morning, so we both thought he'd sleep. . .but no, he was awake most of the time. Not fussy, but awake. Still a long time spent eating. Debbie, Terrie and Carolyn came for dinner and our trip to the river for the weekend and Donovan was appropriately good--he even smiled a little. Can't be sure those are real smiles yet and you really have to work for them, but he is cute and he loves the attention. Avery is also getting much more skilled on the trampoline, since he has a chance to jump every day when he's here. After a beautiful weekend, today is cloudy and rainy, but still warm.

A Lovely Day

Donovan was particularly mellow today. We both fell asleep in sitting in the chair after his bottle, but then he napped for a good while after that. Then we walked outside for a while and more eating. It does take him a long time, and it seems to make him tired. So lots of eating and napping and I got some reading done. I hope he sleeps tonight for Maris! I can't seem to really get a handle on his schedule--it's different every day. When my kids were little I felt like I always had to be doing something; if I didn't get something done today, I'd never get anything done in my life! I am much more patient as a grandmother and I enjoy just watching him get stronger and bigger each day. Perhaps that's one advantage of age.

A Beautiful Day

It's 70 degrees and sunny out and both Donovan and I enjoyed the weather. He is really getting bigger. When I arrived home today, Greg was here already, giving him 4 oz. of milk. When he left, Donovan was still hungry and immediately took four more ounces. Then he had a little tummy time, which he doesn't like a lot. I think it feels like work to him, which it is, of course, because he needs to get his neck muscles nice and strong. But then, we went outside in the stroller and took a very long walk, across the field into the neighborhood next door and all around (the appeal of that is a paved road once we get there--much easier than gravel!) Then we sat outside for a little and when we came in he ate 4 more oz. of milk! This is the most so far. He fell asleep and was sleeping when Maris arrived. He really perks up when he hears her voice, though a little less when he's sleeping. I found a picture of Avery at just a little older than Donovan and am amazed at how much they look alike. When Avery came in he took Donovan and handled him like a pro. He really knows how to hold and carry him and he is the best at entertaining him. All in all a very nice day.

A Better Day

Today it was a beautiful spring day and Donovan's mood fit the day better. Of course, it didn't hurt that Maris went back to the formula she mixes with breast milk (Nutramigen) instead of the Similac product that she thought was the same thing. The formula is very expensive, but often necessary for preemies, and my wonderful sister Amy, who works for a pediatrician, got her two cases--one of the Nutramigen (an Enfamil product) nd one of the Similac. They are basically the same, but apparently they are different enough that Donovan has trouble with it. At 6 weeks old, he hasn't been taught to only like one thing, and clearly yesterday he was in distress when he was trying to eat. He really does have trouble with his digestive system, poor little guy! But today, he was much happier. He ate and then we went out for a walk--65 degrees and sunny! Then after our walk, we just sat on the patio and enjoyed the sun. Steve came home to relieve me so I could go to my Tuesday afternoon meeting and Donovan was happy for a while, but he was really getting tired. So Steve held him until he went to sleep. The quilt in the pictures has a story itself. 36 years ago when we adopted Adam, I was teaching at Melrose High School in Massachusetts. One of my classes was a junior honors English class, which coincidentally had about 13 girls in it. They made me a small quilt and used fabric from clothes that they had worn themselves. It's nice now to be able to use it for Donovan.

Rainy Monday

Donovan's mood fit the day--he seemed to be very uncomfortable, with a lot of gas and a hard time eating. I had just about decided to bag the piano lesson, but since nothing was making him very happy, I left about 20 minutes early, hoping the car would soothe him. And of course it did. He didn't go to sleep, but he seemed quite happy for the half hour lesson (it certainly wasn't my playing!). Once we got home, he was fine for a while and then worked on eating, but it was difficult and caused him clear discomfort. Poor little guy. Finally the swing made him feel a little better, but the best was when his mom arrived. He actually perks up when he hears Maris's voice. I hope he has a better night tonight.

A Short Day

Donovan arrived very mellow. I had to take him to meet Maris at the doctor's at 3:30, so he wasn't there long. Most of the time was spent taking a bottle. He eats very slowly and then takes a long time to burp! I joked with Avery that while we get really excited whenever Donovan burps, We tell Avery to say "excuse me" if he does the same thing! I never realized how much work it actually is to get born until I watched this little guy, more than 5 weeks early, struggle to learn the most basic things like how to suck and digest his food. He is now the age both Maris and Adam were when we got them--8 weeks--and I'm trying to remember details of them at that age. It's not easy; and at the time I thought I would never forget!

The first four days

I agreed to keep Donovan, 9 weeks old, from 1:30-6:00 every afternoon until the end of the school year. I thought it would be helpful to describe his days so his mom and dad would have a record of it. On Monday, he arrived awake and ready to eat. I needed to take him to my piano lesson with me at 3:00, hoping he'd just listen to my beautiful playing ecstatically! Well, not quite. He did for a while, but then decided he wanted in on the action. So Debbie, my teacher held him while I plodded on. We'll see how that works! Day two he was uncomfortable and fussy all afternoon. He had a stuffy nose and just couldn't get himself settled, except for a very brief nap. The day was beautiful, so we sat in the sun parlor and enjoyed the nice weather. Steve came home at 4:00, thinking he could get some work done--but no! Oh well, it was only for an hour. On Wednesday, Greg had to bring him to me at Randolph-Macon. Everyone was waiting for his arrival, and he came sleeping and placid. It was a good day. Very warm and we took at long walk outside, which he loved. He got to stop and visit with the folks in Ashland Vineyard al0ng the way. On Thursday, he did very well. He stays late on Thursday, so we had a longer time. I raised three kids, but am finding I really have to start over figuring out what to do! His neck is getting stronger every day, and when I put him in the Snugli, I loosened the straps so he could look around. He seemed to enjoy that. He really likes the swing. . .and so do I!