Damien's First Thanksgiving

Damien embarked on his first long travel trip to Los Angeles to have thanksgiving with the Klein's. We opted to drive since little D is still pretty young, we wanted him to have his first set of shots before plane travel. On the trip down we left around 8pm and he slept almost the whole way there except for a few quick feed and diaper change stops.

The next day, Wednesday, Mommy enjoyed getting her hair done and Papa recovered from the all night drive (we arrived at 3am) and got some work and a jog in while Grandma and Grandpa and Aunt Candace (surprisingly the baby whisperer) gladly watched the little bug. Over the next few days Mommy and Papa enjoyed these extra pair of hands to get some extra rest and work done. The thanksgiving meal featured Richard's rotisserie turkey and many delicious sides prepared by Linda. It was heaven and fantastic, and thankfully Linda packed us home with lots of leftovers!

The few days we were down there flew by and were way to short for the Kleins who of course were smitten with Damien and didn't want him to leave. We drove home Saturday morning and it being day time (requiring more feeds and stops) and stop and go traffic on I-5, it took us a total of 9 hours to get home. Remarkably, Damien only had one small meltdown, and luckily it was a mile from a rest stop. He was a total champ for making it that long with minimal fuss, we are hopeful for our upcoming plane trips!

The Klein/Craig crew with their newest member.

Little D with his Aunt Crystal.

Little D with his Aunt Candace, the baby whisperer.

Little D with his Aunt Pamela.

Damien and Mommy with her new hairdo.

Going for a pre-Thanksgiving stroll in the neighborhood.

Grandpa Richard with his masterpiece rotiserie turkey.

Grandma Linda with her other grandchildren, who were confused and jealous of Damien.

Mommy's Boys!

Damien Explores the Jungle

Damien has decided that after eating and being changed, he likes to lay on his back and play instead of being held. Mommy discovered this by accident when he was super calm and happy while being changed (a new phenomenom he used to scream bloody murder every single time), and then picked him up to hold him after changing him. His happy demeanor turned fussy pants, so eventually Mommy laid him back down again, and the smiles returned. So, we decided it was time to break out Damien's jungle play gym that the lovely Jennifer Fearnow got him (thanks Jen!). He's a fan folks. Still too young to play with the toys, but he is mesmerized by the thing. It will keep him entertained for a good 15 minutes!

What the heck is this Mommy?

Papa gives Little D a tour of the jungle (practicing for a future Nicaragua trip!)

Damien Does Brunch at the Chateau

A veteran of road trips, Damien heads back to Sacramento to visit his great grandmother Nelda for brunch. After resting the whole trip out there, Damien enjoyed playing with Nelda and showing off his conducting and kicking skills. Grandma Nelda proudly showed off little Damien to the brunch crowd while Mom and Dad enjoyed a hot breakfast with mimosas!

Snuggle time with Grandma!

Damien shows off his flailing and kicking skills.

Damien Goes to Work

Damien headed to the City of San Francisco for the first time to visit mommy's work and her colleagues. We opted to drive into the city because BART seemed like too much of a challenge at this point - which left us with a hefty parking bill (BART it will be next time). Mommy's work is undergoing renovations, so everyone was dispersed making it hard to find everyone. But, Damien managed to make the rounds and say hi. He was really well behaved, which made Mommy proud. Mommy was happy to see her friends, and really glad to not be working and to not have to return until March!

Off to the big city in his little monkey outfit.

A happy boy, Damien starts to show off his smiles.

Damien Plays with the Pfeiffers

Little Damien enjoyed a visit with his cousins Mariano and Alma, Uncle Jordan and Grandma Lo Lo. It was a nice warm and sunny day so everyone played outside while Mommy took a much needed nap. Little D was a little to young to really play with Mariano, but in another couple of months these two cousins should be able to interact with one another. I hope the will be thick as theives some day.

The proud papas.

Damien with Grandma Lo Lo

Damien is One Month Old

Damien went to the doctor for his one month check-up. He is a perfectly healthy and happy boy. He is gaining weight like a champion boxer! His one month measurements are:

Weight: 10 lbs 14oz

Height: 23 in

At the Doctor's office.

Getting a second chin!

Getting cuter by the day!

Damien Enjoys the Neighborhood

Damien has been getting out and about in the neighborhood and going for walks. On a few occasions Mommy has walked all the way from home to downtown Berkeley (approx 40 minute walk) and back to meet up with friends for food or more walking. Damien doesn't love his carseat/stroller combo, but he doesn't seem to mind it too much. It doesn't put him to sleep as Mommy thought and hoped it would, but he seems mostly content to sit there and look around. He definately doesn't love the bummpy ride when he is sleeping. Unfortunately the stroller, while uber convenient, doesn't have great shocks so the bumps startle him when he is sleeping. Mommy is digging the exercise and needs to make it an almost daily event!

At the park near our house.

All bundled up, its getting cold here.

Sporting his Cal hat and bear jacket.

Damien Gets a Passport

With Damien upcoming world travels to France and Italy, Damien heads down to the downtown Berkeley post office to apply for his passport. Damien was happily asleep when he arrived at the super crowded post office and slept through the long wait for his paper work to be processed. When it was finally his turn, he was taken to a back room where he was laid down on a white piece of paper to get his passport photo. Damien was in such a deep slumber that he almost didn't open his eyes, but when we pretended to change his diaper, he opened those little peepers. Damien's passport has arrived safely and he is now ready for world travel.

En route to the post office.

Getting his passport photo taken.



Damien's Mug Shot!

Damien Loves Visitors

Damien is a popular baby! Now that family are gone and we are settled, Damien (and parents) have been lucky to have a steady stream of visitors (often with food in hand which is much appreciated!). It's been nice to have the company and to get to show off our little man. And we are extremely grateful for all the meals people have brought us. Auburn made us a delicious mediterranean meal with lamb kabobs and homemade hummus and tzikki, Gabrielle and Big Guy (well really Gabrielle but Big Guy did the dishes!) made us an amazing stirfry, Odessa made us an awesome Japanese curry dish that we enjoyed for days, and Kate made us a super yummy sausage and bean soup and lactose free cookies. THANK YOU EVERYONE!

Damien and Kate

Damien with Matt Flannery (who dressed up for the occasion)

Damien with OE (who bought Damien his bear suit he loves so much)

Damien with Jenny

Damien with SM (aka David)

Damien with Katie

Damien Roots for the Ducks with Papa

Well, as you may or may not know (but probably do) Papa is a HUGE Oregon Ducks football fan having grown up in Eugene, Oregon blocks from the University of Oregon campus. This year, the ducks are ranked #1 in the BCS for the first time ever. Boy is Papa excited. Little D got suited up in his duck outfits and put on his fancy duck shoes (Thank you McDonald's) and cheered the ducks on to several victories (USC and Washington). GO DUCKS!