Damien Goes Oystering

Momma asked Papa for a Saturday off when Papa returned from Nicaragua. So, on a gorgeous day in the bay area, little D went on an adventure with Papa, and friends David, Katie and Ashby. They all piled into D's car, and even though it took almost 2 hours to get there (and D doesn't love long car rides) he had a blast playing with Katie (who was jammed between two carseats). One they finally reached their destination, D loved running around and playing with the rocks and making new friends with all the fellow osyter hunters (eaters really). D slept most of the way home (staying awake long enough to enjoy one of Katie's delicious chocolate chip cookies), and didn't make it home till 7pm! A long fun day.

Checking out the shore with Katie.

Busy busy.

Even the parking lot was fun.

Gorgeous sunset.

Damien is a Silly Monkey

These pictures were just too funny not to share. Helping Dad tidy up the room, D came across momma's bra. Hilarious. He will love these photos when he's a teenager, don't you think? Thanks to Papa for capturing, and Momma for sharing with the world!

Ohh, what is this?

How do you work this thing.

I think it goes like this.

Alright, who's lookin good now.

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 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 Is 15 Months Old!

Well, our little boys keeps on growing and growing. 15 months - that's just crazy. D turned 15 months of Friday the 13th - lucky Damien. He's a very active boy right now. He loves to walk, run, and get into everything. Some of his favorite things right now include balls, balloons, bubbles, watching Elmo (aka "El-Mono") on TV, reading his Elmo Christmas book, cats (aka "Meow's"), dogs, crackers, cars, slides, sand, singing and dancing (row row your boat the absolute favorite) and hide and seek. He's getting into art - trying some painting and markers and stampers for the first time. He likes it, but like most things, only for a few minutes until he's ready for the next thing. A SHORT attention span. Which makes entertaining him a challenge sometimes, especially when it is raining. D is an outdoor kid, he's so happy to be playing outside in the dirt, rocks, leaves, running up and down the street looking for the neighborhood dogs and cats, yelling at cars. So, our go to plan right now involves as much outdoor play as possible.

Damien is very verbal in both Spanish and English. His words include shoe and zapato, adios and bye bye, hello and hola, agua and water, bananna, apple, "ra ra" for raspberries, eggs, dog, cat, momma, dadda, no, yes, si, yeah, all right, uh oh, mess, avocado, crackers, cheese, night night (which means both his blankie and bedtime), bubbles, ball, car, music, mono (monkey), mucus, owie, book, baby, balloon, meow, up (which means both up and down), bath, outside, slide, choo choo, and bottle. He likes to repeat what we say - dangerous at times!

An expressive guy - here he is telling Momma that he needs help down the stairs.

Shocked and excited to see the Choo Choo (Aka BART)

Loving the BART commute to the City for daycare.

Damien's best friend Elmo.

Our handsome devil.

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 Celebrates "Discovers" Santa

Last year, Damien was too small to get Christmas. This year, he was still a little too young, but he liked opening presents and getting gifts. He did pretty well with the tree, he would occasionally decide to relocate some of the ornaments around the house, but for the most part left it alone. Despite Mommy's best efforts to rein her shopping impulses in, Damien ended up with a lot of loot. One of his bigger presents was a talking Elmo doll, since Damien has recently been enjoying watching a little bit of Sesame Street here and there. He loved it. He also received some bath toys, some dinosaur magnets, some kitchen food for his little kitchen, and many books, cars and ornaments. As an added bonus, D's Aunt Pamela was up to spend the holidays, and it was great to have her. It took D a few days to warm up - he seemed nervous that her presence meant Mommy and Daddy were going to leave, but once he did, he smothered her with kisses.

Checking out his Elmo doll.

He immediately pointed to the eyes, said "ball" and then proceeded to try to eat them!

Happy with his new toy.

Loving his Aunt Pam.

Oh, the ever more present skeptical look - You mean I can't have whatever I want?