Damien Does Reno

Damien's Grandpa Yum Yum and Grandma LoLo are/have moved to Reno so Yum Yum can work at a clinic as a Dr. We are all super excited that they are a mere 3.5 hour drive away - rather than a plane ride to Chicago (although we loved visiting them in Chicago!). We took a last minute trip to visit them in their new place, which hasn't been furnished yet (movers were on the way with some stuff!). D loved the place, his own personal soccer palace. He also loved getting to see his grandparents. D was a champ on the drive out there - mostly cause he watched Elmo on Mommy's portable DVD player - and was a total sweet, well behaved boy all day. He slept peacefully on the drive home. We can't wait to go back.

Indoor soccer.

Lunch on the floor!

Enjoying a stroll to lunch in the nice weather.

Story time on one of the only pieces of furniture in the place!

Amazing dinner with friends where D got to run around!

Our tired boy snuggles with Daddy.

Damien Visits Maga and AyeAyeAye

D had the opportunity to return to LA to see Maga and AyeAyeAye and Aunts Candy and Pam. He arrived to quite the toddler paradise created by Grandma Linda (Maga). There were Elmo and Thomas balloons, books, toys, dolls. There was a new swing, TWO easels, a sand box, chairs, a playhouse, ride on toys, pull toys, push toys, balls, books, cars. It looked like a preschool. D was thrilled (thank you Maga). He had a blast with all the stuff, but mostly with his beloved extended family - who all squeal and scream and clap with everything he does! He is king of the castle in LA, and loves it. Thankfully, he slept very well in his own room. Auntie Pam slept on a blow-up bed in the living room so he could have his own room and Momma and Papa could have Aunt Pam's room (Thank you Pam). It was such a fun trip, despite the little rain on the last day (which caused snow on the Grapevine and shut it down, almost stranding the Craigs). Thank you Kleins.

The side yard play area.

D's custom play rocket ship, with pictures, elmo doll and elmo balloon, you outdid yourself Maga.

Lovin his new swing!

And sand is always a winner.

Our little Picasso.

Who didn't love (surprisingly) to be so messy. But, luckily, water play was at his finger tips.

Enjoying the beautiful LA weather and Maga's company.

Yay! Outdoor play in the sun is fun.

Fascinated by the mini watering can.

A short moment with Papa (who doesn't get a lot of face time with D at the Kleins!)

Dinner with AyeAyeAye

Somebody loves his Grandpa and Oranges (in that order)!

I'm so grown up now. Lovin a park in Beverly Hills.

How most photos turn out these days! Give me -- "Mine."

Deconstructing Momma's wallet on the long drive home from Beverly Hills, darn LA traffic.

Watching over the Klein household.

Hmmm, what kind of trouble could I get into.


What, who me? Hahhahha (in evil laugh tone).

Damien Gets a Visit From "MaGa"

Papa had to go to Nicaragua for blueEnergy's board meeting, so D and momma were sans Papa for two weeks! One week just the two of them, and then, THANK GOD, Grandma Linda came up to help out. D was sick the WHOLE time papa was gone. He was just getting over a cold when Papa left, but his back up day care left him with a worse cold, pink eye and an ear infection! Grandma Linda to the rescue. She arrived just as Momma was about to loose it and was a HUGE help (thank you Grandma Linda). She watched D while mommy was at work - a big feat to watch a sick D while it was raining, and hence no outdoor play. She also made delicious chicken soup - twice - that D and Momma devoured. Both D and Momma were so sad to see her go.

While she was here, D got to go to a special indoor playland called Studio Grow and to the Berkeley Hall of Sciences to let him stretch his legs during this long rain period. D is an outdoor kid, and rainy days are super challenging. D loved both places so much. It was a little challenging sharing toys and such with the older kids, but once he got the hang of both places he had a blast. At studio grow he watched his first puppet show. He was mesmorized.

D had such a great time with his grandma. He nicknamed her "MaGa." It was so cute, he would call out to her when he needed her or just wanted to say hi. Grandma of course loved it. Such a great visit, despite all the illness.

Our sickly boy, lovin the bathtime bubbles though.

Someone loves his "MaGa" and the hat she brought him.

D also loves to use the dust buster (Just like his mom did apparently).

D loved stealing his MaGa's olive bread and butter, he would/will only eat this from MaGa.

The BIG ball pit at Studio Grow.

Balls and snuggles with MaGa = Awesome.

Someone loves slides.

Rainy day activity - finger/body painting.

Talking to Dada while he is away.

Moving big blocks at Lawrence Hall of Science.

SCIENCE!

Sensory fun!

Damien Rings in the New Year in LA

Well, Damien has been up to a lot - but Mommy's been busy. Hopefully she'll have time to go back and update the last few months, but instead of waiting for that ... we are marching on.

The Craigs made a last minute decision to spend New Year's weekend in Los Angeles to go see the Oregon Ducks play in the Rose Bowl and spend time with family and friends. Thanks to Grandma Linda and Grandpa Richard, and Aunties Pam, Candy and Crystal, Mommy and Daddy were able to have a night away for New Year's Eve and spend a glorious day watching the Ducks WIN the Rose Bowl - thank you Grandma Collete for making the game a possibility.

Damien had a blast with his extended family. He was particularly in love with Grandpa Richard, and followed him around like a lost puppy. It was adorable. Damien also enjoyed the wide open spaces, grass, play structure, dirt, and MANY toys and balls grandma got him. All that running around - we kept this active little monster outside as much as possible - made him exhausted, so he napped and slept well! It was a terrific way to ring in the new year. THANKS KLEIN FAMILY!

Pensive (and tired) boy.

Those eyes!

All smiles during lunch.

Somebody loves to give kisses.

Water play in January!!!

Somebody loves water.

Basking in the warm sun.

Our nature boy!

Damien Has a Special Birthday Lunch with Grandparents

Continuing his birthday celebrations, Damien hosted some of his grandparents for lunch on Friday afternoon. Well, it was supposed to be most of his grandparents (Grandpa Richard had a work retreat unfortunately). But, momma screwed up and accidentally reversed the airports when booking Grandma Linda's flight, so she booked a ticket from Oakland to Ontario instead of vice versa. With $200 to change the flight at that last minute, Grandma agreed to come the following weekend when she could have little D all to herself. And Grandma Lo Lo got sick and couldn't make it. But Grandma Colette and Grandpa William and Maurice were there. And boy was it a nice sunny day. It was a nice time to celebrate Damien in the calm before the birthday party storm.

Enjoying his new walker that godmother Auburn got him.

Enjoying his water table that Maurice made him.

Loving Maurice.

Giggles with Grandpa and Daddy

A riviting game of peek-a-boo with William

An overtired but sweet little boy.