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.