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.