Damien Takes a Trip Down Daddy's Memory Lane

Papa's college roommate and good friend Philip Stupak came to down for business and was able to stay an extra day to see all his old college friends. So Damien's Daddy Daycare Friday was spent taking a trip down Daddy's memory lane at Cal. First they started off by going to Zachary's pizza, a delicious Berkeley institution, then some walking around campus with some frisbee throwing on Memorial Glade, then a house party at Chez Craig with Top Dog and Crusty Sticks (cheese sticks dipped in Ranch dressing). D loved meeting Stupak and had a blast with everyone who came to see Stupak.

Meeting the infamous Stupak.

Having a fun lunch at Zachary's with the lovely Katie.

Eating his first Crusty stick with ranch - he was a little wary, but liked it in the end.

Playing footsie with Big Guy.

Just love the look of happy wonder on his face - thanks BG!

Hamming it up with Jenny!

Sweet little Ashby (David and Katie's daughter) who was an angel at the party.

The gang - after D finally went to sleep!

Damien Hosts His First Baby BBQ

Damien hosted his first baby BBQ on a GORGEOUS Sunday in Berkeley. Momma and Papa wanted to kick off BBQ season by having our neighbors and new parent friends and some longtime college friends over. Since the weather forecast was hot, Momma purchased several kiddie pools, one for the babies, one for the older kiddos and one for a fun ball pit. Papa cooked up some delicious top dog, and our guests brought delicious side dishes. Unfortunately, momma injured her back on Saturday morning - leaving Papa with having to do ALL the chores to get the house and yard ready (thank you Papa you are AMAZING). And, because Momma couldn't stand up straight on Saturday night, no baking =(. Yep, Papa bought store bought cupcakes and cookies, Momma just about died. But, a fun time was had by all and we'll just have to have another BBQ soon when momma is all better.

Damien scopes out the scene with our lovely neighbor Sara.

The dads enjoying a rare quiet moment to chat.

Lovely Leah and baby Bella.

The bigger kids checking out the bigger pool.

The adorable Evan playing in the ball pit. He later gave stunning renditions of Beatles songs, and had quite a scary fall down the back steps, but rebounded like a champion.

Damien's lady friend Maya stopped by to say hi.

Damien's other lady friend Elyse also came over, two women, one Damien, lucky dude.

Andrew enjoying some momma time.

Damien tries to steal another beer (from his friend Enid).

Damien plays in his new baby pool with Elyse. He didn't like it one bit when it was just the hose water, but after papa put in some hot water to make it tepid, he was happy to jump in (guess he's just used to the hot tub at 97 degrees!).

Post pool, post nap, post wardrobe change, Damien says hi to pal Will.

Little Elyse is such a charmer, so beautiful and sweet.

Kickin it in the shade.

Little Will falls in love with Damien's monkey. Papa offered to sell it for one million dollars. Thankfully Will declined (since mommy is somewhat attached to the monkey).

Damien Plays with Auburn and Rob

Sooo, we finally got on the busy Auburn and Rob calendar and they came over to cook us dinner and enjoy the hot tub. Little D had a nice late nap so he was able to stay up a little later than usual. He was really into Rob's beer and Auburn's scarf. Auburn and Rob cooked the BEST dinner - the best fish I think we've ever had, with grilled asparagus and veggies. Awesome. Then some glorious hot tub time, during which we managed to convince them to spend the night. D was super excited about this, and tried to wake them up to play at 3am, but had to settle with a more reasonable playtime. You guys are welcome back anytime. =)

Damien is eyeing Rob's beer.

Damien see's an opportunity when Rob closes his eyes and he goes for it.

In a split second he has achieved his objective, much to the surprise of his friends.

Damien Parties in Stinson Beach

Good friends Gabrielle and Big Guy celebrated late March birthdays and to celebrate in style they rented a PHAT house in Stinson Beach right on the water! With such an easy going, flexible baby, Momma and Papa signed on for the party weekend, with the caveat that they get their own bedroom. The weather was incredible, sunny and warm, just magnificent. It felt like perfect LA summer weather. D adjusted pretty well to sleeping in his pack-n-play, getting up just a little more than normal. On Saturday, we took another great hike on Mt. Tam and D again loved the ride, sleeping most of the time except for a lunch break at the peak. The highlight of the trip for him though was Saturday after the hike where he got to go swimming (full body swimming for the first time) in the heated pool (was like a very warm bath), had his first water, and took his first shower. He's a water baby just like Momma!

BG and D coordinated their outfits!

A little small, but a bath nonetheless.

Our little monkey enjoyed his bath as usual.

Breakfast with Auntie Jenny

Oh boy, he sure does like to stand, but he's not even 6 months and looks like he is ready to take off - god help us all when he does.

D was fascinated with the liquor bottles

Father and Son go into the wild.

The Craigs hit the trail.

Another great lunch with a view.

Lovin the good outdoors.

Proof that Damien will eat anything.

Our cool cat sure loves the water.

He wouldn't take no for an answer, he had to have the water bottle. He loves it.

View of part of the house.

Another view of outdoors, amazing house.

Walking down to the beach, trying to keep my WHITE baby protected from the sun.

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 Goes Hiking on Mt. Tam

In a rare moment of spontaneity, Momma and Papa Craig spearheaded organizing a last minute hiking trip to Mt. Tam and dinner party at Chez Craig. This was little D's first hiking trip. It was pretty chilly - in fact it actually snowed a bit at the peak! D was well bundled up though and strapped on to a magnificent heat source, aka Papa. D loved it, not a peep once in the many hour adventure. You would have thought D did the hike on his own two feet since he passed out on the ride home and slept in his carseat in his room with a 10 person LOUD dinner party going on in the dining room. We ended up waking him up after midnight when we wanted to go to bed!! Thanks BG, Gabrielle, OE, Mel, Evil, Jenny, David, Katie & SM for making it happen.

Getting suited up - looking cool D.

Taking a lunch break in the great outdoors.

The boys with the new addition.

Amazing view of the city, it was a terrific day.

Damien Visits with Fellow Bear Cub Lauren

Damien got the pleasure of meeting fellow bear cub Lauren, who is a year and a half. Thank you Karen for stopping by to visit. Lauren showed off her walking and eating skills. She also had fun reliving her baby days by playing in Damien's bumpo and with other toys. The fact that she is a much older woman didn't seem to deter Damien who was very interested in Lauren. Fearless, that's our guy!

Craig family photo.

Lauren skeptically scopes out Damien.

Hey hot stuff, it's ok I won't bite, I don't have any teeth yet!

OK dude, you seem cool enough, wanna hold my hand?

My dates are still chaperoned at his point, but I still think we can make a connection.