Damien Rides the Choo Choo

After many months of wanting to go, Momma finally took Damien to ride the choo choo train in Tilden Park. Damien's buddy Kellen and parents Jeff and Laura made the drive up from Mountain View and after a brief visit at home, we made it to the trains (finally). Damien, who fell asleep on the drive up, was soooo excited. He kept saying choo choo over and over. We just missed a train when we arrived, and remarkably, Damien waited patiently for the train to come back after momma reassured him that the train would be back - prompting Damien to say choo choo back, over and over. He LOVED the ride, he clapped his hands and said "yay" a few times. After our 12 minute ride, we took a walk under the train track and D loved watching the train come and go. He had a blast. We will definaitely be back, especially while he is still free.

On the train - he looks rather unimpressed but the picture with a smile was too blurry.

Our train.

After our fun ride.

Enjoying a snack under the train tracks.

A bonus trip to a new playground after the train.

Damien loved the slide, especially going down head first.

Round and round the boys went!

Damien and Kellen Play at Cal

It had been a long while since their last playdate, and with Kellen starting daycare soon, one last Monday playdate was arranged for a nice sunny day at Cal. Papa Hoju and Momma Craig packed lunches for the boys and visited an old sandwich place from college days and took to the campus for a picnic. It was about 12:30 pm and it sure felt a little funny to be walking among all the very young kids with babies. We found a nice shady spot (that unfortunately was a little damp) and had a nice lunch. Damien was very nice and shared his fruit with Kellen. Then we let the boys walk/crawl around before hitting Bancroft Clothing Store for some Cal gear. Damien scored a Cal shirt and a mini Cal ball (because Mommy made the rookie mistake of giving it to him to prevent a meltdown while shopping and he was not letting go without a fight. A fun day.

Papa Hoju and Hoju Jr. showing their Cal pride.

Yay, crawling in wet grass and getting muddy is fun!

I love water!

Cute as a button.

This is my skeptical face.

Damien Shares His Toys With Kellen

The little bear cub pals got together again, this time at Damien's pad. Damien was really happy to see Kellen and shared his plethora of toys, mostly. He's already into taking toys from his friends, so there was a little bit of that, which Kellen, understandably, didn't like too much. Kellen showed off his agility and almost crawling, slithering skills. Damien still hates to be on his stomach for a second, so that's probably a ways away for him! Damien's aggressive ways did have Kellen a little uneasy at times, but overall the boys seemed to have a fun afternoon.

Playing a safe distance apart.

Kellen slithering into Damien's reach, here comes trouble.

Damien watching Kellen in his jumperoo with earnest.

Kellen LOVED this toy.

The jumperoo yielded sweet smiles.

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 and Kellen Are Two Peas in a Pod

Damien's buddy Kellen came over for another play date. While down at Kellen's house for the last play date, Mommy noticed that Kellen had the same outfit as Damien (a nice gift from Auburn - thank you). So she asked Jeff to dress Kellen in the froggy outfit so we could take photos of the "twins." It was ADORABLE. See for yourself. Note how Damien is filling out his outfit quite nicely, while Kellen's on the loose side (both size 6mo)!

Just two peas in a pod.

Got the secret handshake down.

Does this outfit make my butt look big?

We can't do anything about these matching outfits now, but just wait till we can run around and talk, well show them!

Damien Goes to the Oakland Zoo

Damien had a play date with fellow bear cubs Andrew (3), Isabella (1), and Kellen (5 mo) at the Oakland Zoo. Unfortunately, Damien arrived at the zoo pretty cranky and in need of a nap. And, since he rarely falls asleep in his stroller anymore, Momma ended up having to wear him most of the afternoon. Damien does not like the stroller anymore since we returned from France, where he was not in one for 3 weeks, and so Momma usually has to end up wearing Damien in the carrier when out for walks (which is not great for Momma's back). After a decent hissy fit, little D fell alseep in the carrier, which allowed Mommy to enjoy the zoo. And, no, Mommy didn't have any crazy notions that D would be all that interested in the zoo at this age, but just likes to get out of the house and enjoy this crazy good winter weather (highs in the 60's-70's). Momma forgot D's reflux medication, so he missed his mid-day dose, and when he woke up from his brief nap, he was none too happy, prompting mommy to high tail it home. So, not exactly the most enjoyable/sucessful outing!

Damien's spectacular view of the Zoo.

Baby Bella (who's just about to walk) enjoying the tree frog.

Adorable Andrew demonstrating the benefits of full mobility.

Jeff with his little Giant's fan.

A moment of calm and alertness - quick, someone take a picture!

Damien Kicks It With Kellen

Now that Damien is finally done travelling for the time being, he had time to meet his homie and fellow bear cub Kellen. Kellen's Papa Jeff is a stay-at-home dad for the time being and he was nice enough to make the drive from San Jose to visit with Damien and folks. After some bottles for the babies and burritos for the parents, the motley crew went to the Berkeley marina to enjoy the gorgeous sunny weather and views of the bay. Damien, the notoriously bad napper (30 minutes only 99% of the time and not without a put down fight) slept during the whole hour and half walk! A super fun visit for all.

Looks like Damien didn't get the memo about the Cal gear - he still prefers his french clothing.

So this is what twins would be like, no problem for super dad!

Damien at 3 months has Kellen at 5 months in size (Craigs come in large and extra large only), but Kellen's got Damien in bodily movement and turned toward Damien and tried to touch him, Damien on the other hand just looked freaked out.

Totally enjoying each other's company.

The Dads and their boys strollin in the Berkeley Marina.

Kellen eating his blanket, he much preferred that to nap time.

Baby Craig Meets Fellow Bear Cub Kellen

The Craigs took a trip to the South Bay to visit with Baby Kellen and his proud parents Jeff and Laura. Jeff is one of our best friends from Cal and we were so excited to meet his adorable 4 week old son Kellen. Lorelei got lots of quality time cuddling with Baby Kellen, Mathias received some good baby calming techniques from Jeff, and both received lots of good advice from Jeff and Laura. We can't wait to get the two bear cubs together.