Daddy Does Daycare and Beer Brewing

Now that Momma has returned to work, Papa takes care of Damien on Thursdays and Fridays. Father and son are really enjoying this special time together. In his first week on the job, Papa taught Damien how to fall asleep on his own in his crib for naps (previously it was quite a rocking, shushing, bouncing and hope you don't wake him up when you put him down endeavor). THANK YOU PAPA!!! In his second week on the job, Papa took a trip down south to hang out with Hoju and Kellen and brew some beer! Word on the street is that the boys were well behaved and even napped at the same time.

Kellen was showing Damien his new sitting skills & Papa was telling him that it was OK he couldn't do it yet, all in due time.

Damien really prefers to lounge like the Greeks anyway.

Eagerly learning the ropes from Hoju and Papa - should Momma be worried?

Papa brewing beer again - bringing back fond college memories.

Damien Loves His Toys (All 100 of Them!)

Damien has a mountain of toys. Momma has always had a shopping addiction, as has Grandma Linda. So, between the two of them, Damien is quite rich in the toy department. Momma would argue that they are all necessary since D has a pretty short attention span and likes to rotate through his toys throughout the day. Here are some fun photos of D with his toys.

Probably the last tummy time photo - D has since learned how to turn over immediately after getting placed on his tummy. This somewhat bouncy wooden toy is one of his favorites, he loves to chew on the rounded ends and kick the toy and make it bounce.

Do I like to sit in my bumpo chair and play with my toys, yes, yes I do Mom.

What's that you say momma? Papa thinks I have too many toys?

No, no I do not. They are mine, all mine.

Jumping is soooo much fun, thanks for getting me this new toy!

I love it, I love it, I love it!

Damien Richard Gets a Special Visit from Grandpa Richard

Grandpa Richard has a new job at the Arthritis Foundation and had some business in Sacramento so we were lucky enough to get a special visit for a few days. Grandpa came on the first plane Sunday morning and left Tuesday night, a short but wonderful visit. On Sunday we took a walk to our favorite brunch place nearby, Homemade Cafe (a place Grandpa used to take Mommy when she was a Cal student!). D was a champ the whole time. Shortly after Papa left to go teach a windpower workshop at his alma matter Midland School. On Monday evening Grandpa and Mommy took Damien to our favorite sushi place where he was again really well behaved. Must have been Grandpa's calming presence. Thankfully Grandpa was there to help Mommy deal with the biggest poop crisis to date - little D, who is quite fond of his jumperoo, literally jumped the shit out of himself. Momma was dumbfounded as to how to deal with the messy situation. Grandpa to the rescue - strip him down and hose him off in the sink! Thanks Grandpa for the great visit!!

Reunited! Grandpa Richard gets quality bonding time with his only grandchild.

The boys outside the cafe - looks like a postcard to me!

No, the Giraffe was not on the menu!

Just a little final playtime before bed.

Damien Welcomes Mommy Home From Work

Sooo, the time finally came for Mommy to go back to work part-time. Mommy now works Tuesday through Friday. While Mommy is at work, Damien gets to kick it with his new friend Suri, who he LOVES, and Daddy. Suri timed things perfectly so D woke up from his last nap at 5:30 when Mommy walked in the door on her first day back from work. As a result, Mommy came home to the sweetest happiest baby. While it was super hard to leave adorable little D, Mommy was happy to go back to work and use her lawyer brain again. But, boy does Mommy miss her little guy and can't wait to come home!

Yay! Mommy's home.

Did I have fun with Suri, Yes, yes I did.

But, I'm just out of my mind giddy to have you back Mom (thank's D for the FABULOUS reception).

Oooh Mommy, I am just soooo glad you are home!

Damien Eats in his New High Chair

So Damien is finally big enough for his high chair! We tested his chair out for a nice Sunday brunch when Uncle Sam and Aunt Jane came over and made a fabulous brunch of eggs, sausage, and grits. Damien got to eat, reluctantly, peas and enjoy pears. He was not a fan of the peas at all. He managed to swallow a few bites. But he definitely preferred the sweeter tasting food!

What's this all about?

Who's the party guy? This guy!

You tricked me, this isn't a party at all. What IS THIS?????

Um yeah, I don't care for this. Please take note.

Damien Celebrates Mommy's Birthday

Mommy turned 33 this year. To celebrate, Damien let Mommy dress him up in an extra super snuggly outfit, let her take lots of photos, let her torture him with tummy time, and gave her lots of birthday love. Damien was the best present Mommy's ever had.

Does this outfit make me look tall?

I pontificate, therefore I am - practicing mindfulness is important you know.

I'm gonna play it cool and pretend like I meant to strike this pose and didn't get attacked by gravity.

Oh mommy please, don't make me do this, I can't do downward dog yet.

I forgive you Mommy, but only because it is your birthday.

Damien is 5 Months Old!

Damien is already 5 months old! Time sure is flying by. Damien's 5th month was marked primarily by playdates and visits with his grandparents. He hosted the Klein family for an action packed three day weekend, then jetted off to LA for a last minute trip (the Klein's were going through withdrawal and Mommy's maternity leave was almost up) and finally made a trip to Chicago to see William (Yum, Yum) and Locey (Lo Lo). He's a baby on he go.

Developmentally, Damien continues to change before our very eyes. He can now sit up unassisted on the couch or a chair for a little bit, he loves to stand when you hold him up, he has great hand control with his toys and can reach for toys, pick them up, put them in his mouth (his FAVORITE activity) and then pick them back up when he drops them. He's getting better at naps, not fighting them all the time, making put downs so much easier (usually). And he's still sleeping pretty well at night, from approximately 7:30pm-6am getting up once in the night for a bottle. And still growing like a weed. We don't know his stats, but he is wearing 9 month clothing and growing out of it quickly.

Buddha Baby - I have the key to happiness.

Well, it's a closely guarded baby secret!

OK, I'll give you a tip, you gotta take time to relax, and play!

And definitely smile, laughter is the best medicine =)

Damien Plays in the Windy City

Damien took yet another plane trip. This time to Chicago to visit Grandpa William (Yum Yum) and Grandma Locey (Lo Lo). Feeling adventurous and cheap, the trip started out with an hour long BART ride. Damien was a champ, he just loves to people watch just like his mommy. And once again, Damien was great on the flight, and then the hour long train ride in freezing Chicago. He is SUCH a trooper.

The entire Craig clan had a great time. We spent the long weekend relaxing in William and Locey's gorgeous and cozy condo, enjoying food and exercise at their super nice athletic club, going for walks in the cold, and enjoying some fine food. On Sunday in particular, we went to the Goose Island Brew Pub for brunch and then to Shaw's for some oysters and sushi. Damien was quite the show stopper at Shaw's where he sat at the bar with us, made the rounds around the restaurant and then danced with Yum Yum to the Jazz band! It was quite a day. Thank you William and Locey for the great visit, we look forward to coming back soon.

Scoping out the colorful scene on BART.

Enjoying a nap with Papa.

Smiling at strangers out and about on a nice walk down Michigan Avenue (in his chicken hat!).

Enjoying some cozy time on the soft couch.

Enjoying some one-on-one playtime with Yum Yum.

Playing with one of his favorite toys, other people's fingers.

Celebrating his 5 month "birthday" at Shaw's .

Damien Jets to Los Angeles

As soon as they left after visiting Damien over President's Day weekend, the Kleins missed him like crazy and were pleading for more Damien time. So, on a whim, Momma bought a last minute ticket and decided to take Damien to see his fan club on a solo sans papa mission. Damien was once again a great traveller, smiling at everyone and just being in a good mood.

Shortly after arriving, Grandma Linda busted out the latest Damien grab bag she had compiled in the last few weeks, filled with lots of toys and clothes. Damien happily, OK more like reluctantly, indulged us with a fashion show. Grandma Linda was worried that Damien would be cold in Chicago, so she picked up some cold weather essentials like a ridiculously cute chicken hat and some suede gloves. Too cute. The weekend was mostly spent at the Klein's beautiful home and enjoying the great weather outside. With 5 Klein women, Damien had plenty of action to watch! Damien sure likes how spoiled he is with all the Klein's at his beck and call and looks forward to returning soon. Thanks Klein's - especially Grandma Linda for all the loot!

Damien plays with Auntie Candace, who ADORES him.

Modeling the Chicken Hat!

Damien loves the suede gloves, what a great chew toy, I can't drop them.

Modeling his new (and first) monkey baseball cap.

Modeling an adorable new shirt. Mommy LOVED Kermit when she was a kid, Damien looks like he does too.

I got stripes, stripes around my shoulders ... Check out my Cal colored socks.

Grandpa Richard tries to console a tired and cranky baby with a little fresh air (It worked!).

Dining al fresco.

Damien Models his French Clothing

Damien was lucky enough to receive lots of adorable French clothing from his French Grandma Colette when he was in France. The French clothing are cut on the smaller size for our big American boy so he was quickly in the 6 month clothing at 3 months and now in the 9 month clothing. Thank you Colette.

Whose eyes are bigger, mine or the owl's?

Yeah, that's what I thought. I have big beautiful eyes, that's what the ladies say.

Does this jumpsuit make me look fat?

Ahh shucks mom, but I know you think I'm perfect.