Damien is a Ladies Man

Damien loves the ladies. He's been having quite a few play dates recently with some girlfriends and having a blast. He favors the older ladies, but loves them all. He just loves to kiss them. Soooo cute. Although given that it is cold season, it's caused a little bit of bug swapping. All in the name of love though right?!

Markers with Isabella and Andrew

Our Picasso.

Kisses from Isabella.

Playing in the rock garden (aka driveway) with his girls Adeline and Juna.

Full service!

Blocks and lots of laughs with Adeline and Juna.

A new park adventure with Elyse.

After hitting Elyse, Momma said only kisses were acceptable, so D went in for the kiss.

And nailed it!

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 Plays with His Girlfriend Maya

Damien had a few more (play) dates with his girlfriend Maya. For one of their dates, the two met up at Totland in Berkeley, which is a great park for kids under 5. They have swings, play structures, and lots of toys for the kids. Damien hadn't been there for many months because of mommy's bad back (and back to work schedule). Damien had a BLAST, he loved playing with Maya as always and loved riding in the car. On another date, Damien hosted Maya at his house where they played with Damien's toys and shared an avocado in the yard. They are so cute together.

Bumper cars - in color coordinated cars!

Whoa, check out all that traffic out there.

Damien loves to touch Maya.

And take any toy out of her hand, luckily she doesn't mind Damien's aggressive ways.

Who knew the floor foam parts would be their favorite toy!

Damien's pure glee when Maya is over.

The more advanced Maya using Damien to pull up.

Hugs!

Maya and Odessa, a beautiful pair.

Damien and Lucas Go Swimming

Another great playdate with Lucas. On another Monday afternoon the weather in Berkeley was just gorgeous, so Momma got out Damien's pool and sent a message to a few of Damien's friends to come join in the water play. Fortunately, Laura and Lucas were game. The boys had a blast in the water with each other. Both of them cried when their mommies pulled them out of the pools for being to cold (so we projected). Apart from a small fight over the beloved red tower, the boys had so much fun playing together.

Like father like son.

Yes Lucas, I will bless you again.

Arm wrestling, baby style.

Arm wrestling proved dangerous, so we made the boys back up a few paces.

Enjoying the pool side by side. Damien is unaware that Lucas has the precious yellow ring.

Oh wait, it's you again. What's up buddy?

Darn it, I feel for the giraffe trick, now he has the precious yellow ring.

Oh my gosh Damien, I want it back.

Where's Lucas, let's just say he was getting too close to my yellow ring, my precious.

Damien Visits Lucas' House

On another Monday afternoon, Damien made a trip to his buddy Lucas' home. Damien was so excited, and loved playing with Lucas' toys. He's not so great on the sharing part, and wanted whatever toy Lucas was playing with and would grab it out of Lucas' hands. After some mat playtime, the boys were moved to the hardwood floor to work on their crawling. Lucas has mastered the backwards slink, Damien still usually screams when on his stomach. But with Lucas to watch and the beloved red tower, Damien spun around a bit on his tummy without protest. Other babies might be the key!

Welcome to my castle Damien.

Lucas, how did you get way over there?

Mom, why do you keep taking that toy out of my reach, you are going to make me cry.

OK, are you happy now, this is really hard work, I'm about to melt down.

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 Kicks it with his Girlfriend Maya

Damien has a girlfriend named Maya, and boy does he love to hang out with her. This time he met up with Maya at his parents' alma mater Cal, for a little food in the shade and some quality staring time. Those two sure get riled up when the see each other. Maya's papa is a professor at Cal and he's gonna stay at Cal for at least another year. Yippeeee. Maya is here to stay for a while.

The rascals and Odessa.

Odessa and Maya

Mommy and Damien

The Beautiful Maya.

The happy couple.