Damien Has His First Weekend at His Grandparents

Damien jetted off to LA again. Mommy had a bachelorette party to attend in San Diego over labor day weekend. Unfortunately, Momma back was not in good shape, and Papa was away for a week at Burning Man, so Momma took Damien down earlier than scheduled (Wednesday night) to get some help from the Klein crew. Damien received a King's welcome by his fan club. He didn't sleep a wink on the plane (it was an 8:30 flight) and was so excited to see everyone, he didn't get to bed till 11pm! It was a rough night as well, as D does not like to share a room! After the first night, aunt Pam made him a CD of rainfall to drown out the dogs and Klein family noise, and Momma slept in the living room - he slept like a champ every night after the first!

Damien LOVED the pool, and went for daily swims with various members of the Klein crew. He also loved playing with his grandparents and aunts in the toy pit Grandma Linda created (with a TON of new toys). Grandma Linda also took him on a few walks up and down the looong driveway (not really a neighborhood with sidewalks to walk on). He had a blast, and didn't seem to really notice when Momma left him for 2 nights. Momma had a much harder time! Thanks Klein family for taking such good care of Little D.

Another new "car" - this one plays lots of music. D loved it.

D also loved these stacking cups and especially silly Grandma when she would put them on her head, or her face.

Grandma found D's same bath tub - so he got to enjoy his baths outside in the warm weather!

Having a BLAST swimming with Grandpa.

Giggles galore.

Snuggling with Crystal (celebrating her birthday) and loving the dogs.

More water play - Damien splashes Grandma!

We have a water baby for sure!

I love Grandma and Grandpa's house! (D took a tumble on the carpet under Momma's care, and had a little boo boo on his nose).

This caterpillar rocker is fun! Grandma gets the best toys.

Damien Goes to Mineral King

Grandma Lolo has a couple of family cabins in Mineral King, California in the Sequoia National Forest. Momma and Papa have been fortunate enough to enjoy the magic of Mineral King for many years and this was D's first trip up there. Unfortunately, little D got quite car sick on the winding road. Poor little guy. So, it was a bit of a rough start. (Also probably not a good idea to feed him Mexican food for the first time at lunch before the drive up there - another parenting mishap). We were also sharing a room again, and that didn't bode well for nighttime sleep. D regressed and ended up waking up screaming several times in the night, except for one! Thankfully, Grandpa William and Grandma Lolo were more than happy to play with D in the wee hours of the morning (they are early risers!).

D was a little fussier than normal, and cut a tooth while we were there (his 8th tooth). So, wasn't exactly the most relaxing trip to Mineral King for momma and Papa. But, he loved the outdoors, especially eating rocks. He tried out his new backpack carrier on his first hike. D was not a huge fan, and after quite a scream fest, he got to enjoy the nature from the comfort of papa's arms. His favorite part, however, was probably taking a bath on the deck in his toy bucket. He loved to splash and splash around - even though there wasn't much room to move. We look forward to bringing D back many times.

The upper cabin, named "Hub's Barn"

Trying out his new carrier. Skeptical/content for now.

Splish splash I was takin a bath.

A man of the new frontier

Lookin Good.

Watching Papa and Uncle G go in the freezing stream water.

3 Generations of Craig's

Into the wild.

Stopping at the creek for a lunch break for D, and a little swimming for G.

Card sharks!

Somebody loves the great outdoors

Our serious sock monkey.

Dining alfresco.

Our little mountain man.

Toasting to Nelda with the last of the Cordi Brother's White Port

Damien had a BLAST with his Grandpa, who taught him how fun rocks are.

Lots and lots of rocks to choose from.

Enjoying his teething rock he found.

Getting measured on the stairs, a Mineral King tradition

There Damien is, taller than the dogs Dilo and "Red Dog" Dungan!

Enjoying the farewell meal - his first ribs!

Mastering the sippy cup finally!

Damien Does Visalia

In between Sonora and Mineral King, Damien stopped in Visalia, California, to stock up on provisions for Mineral King and to enjoy the blazing hot weather and visit with Grandma Lolo's cousin Carol Sonier and her family. D got to spend some more time with Grandpa William who took him walking a lot (which D loves), got to stay up late at a delicious dinner party hosted by the Soniers (and LOVED Carol's gazpacho), got to go swimming with Papa, and got to eat his first Mexican food. D enjoyed the pit stop.

Walking with William - he did not want to walk on the grass!

Just chillin!

Damien brought his fish to the pool.

Swimmin with Papa with his cool shades (that he now will barely tolerate).

This is my road trip game face.

Dining alfresco, practically naked because of the heat (D hates to be hot), and enjoying Mexican food (he loved the guacamole - he's daddy's little boy).

Damien Celebrates Great Grandma Nelda

To remember and celebrate Great Grandma Nelda, Damien accompanied Momma, Papa and Uncle G to Sonora, CA to meet up with the rest of the Craig/Pfeiffer clan. This was the start of Damien's big summer trip. He didn't really like sleeping in the same room as Momma and Papa - and being forced to sleep in a pack'n play, so there were a few rough nights. D did have a blast playing with his cousins Mariano and Alma, and with snuggling with Grandpa William and uncle G. It was a great weekend of remembrance and family togetherness. The house had a large living room that was carpeted. This became a giant toy pit for the little boys, who each enjoyed playing with each other's toys. D learned how to do his little scoot crawl the day before we left - so he had a blast scooting here and there on the carpet. Papa calls his moves the pirate peg leg scoot (not sure why?!). He's on the move folks.

The big Craig boys

The older kids enjoying watermelon for dessert.

Lot's of laughs in the toy pit.

Water play in the hot afternoon with cousin Mariano

Kitchen tools make the best toys.

No, he's not smoking, that's a baby rice cracker!

Family photo (taken at 7:30 pm - i.e. bedtime). Damien was not amused.

Damien Welcomes His Godparents

On the day he turned a whooping 10 months old, Damien made the day even more special by asking special friends Auburn Daily and Brian Wenzl to be his godparents on a beautiful sunny Berkeley afternoon. They said yes! And to prove what great role models they will be for the little fella, they promptly started to share their champagne with little D! Good choice D.

"Won't you please be my godmother/godfather?"

"Thank you for saying yes, now let me have some of that"

"Yes ... I knew Brian was a softie."

"What did you do with my champagne?"

"Come on man, hook a baby up."

"Kisses, I don't want no stinkin kisses."