We've Got Giggles & Wiggles!

I wasn't exactly thrilled at 5:45am when I could hear Devon talking in his crib. I could just tell that he was AWAKE... for the day... no way was he going back to sleep. So I stumbled into the kitchen to make his bottle and headed off to his room. And he was very much awake. But God was kind to me in my morning grumpiness. Today was the first morning that when I went to get Devon out of his crib, he started wiggling all over the place... because he was happy to see me. Vivi (a little girl I nannied for in San Diego) used to do that when she would wake up. She would talk and laugh in her crib until someone came in to get her. When she saw me, she would wiggle uncontrollably with excitement. She was my favorite kid to babysit because of that. Today Devon did it for me, which is pretty cool...And I thought that was going to be my highlight of the day.

Then later this morning (around 9:00 or so), Devon and I were playing on the floor. I've been trying to get him more comfortable on his tummy and sides because he has a super flat head from laying down. Well, we were playing and he LAUGHED. Well, it was more of a giggle out loud. Two milestone moments in one day!!! Giggles AND Wiggles!!! I am one happy mama.

P.S. I am including some of the pictures from my trip to Redding last weekend. Weston sure loved his entertainer, but Devon wasn't quite sure what to think of his new toys. But he did enjoy watching his cousins. He really misses his cousins. I hope you enjoy the pictures!

Photo Sessions Aren't For Wimps!

Wow! Devon had his picture taken for the first time yesterday at Sears. Man, the photographer must be striving for sainthood because through the entire session, she never once got mad or upset despite the fact that Devon cried through most of the session. And I did absolutely everything that I could to try to make it go as smoothly as possible. I got to the mall an hour early to give him a bottle and change him right before the session... But, because of the trauma of traveling, he didn't get a nap for the second day in a row. He basically decided that he was NOT going to be a willing participant in the photo sessions. After much drama, we did get some good pictures of Devon. Anyone who wants to see the entire photosession can log on to www.searsportrait.com and start a (free) account. Our session ID was 42338a102653141 and the online session password is RF3WZ78PY.

I should also add that road trips with babies aren't for wimps either. I completely underestimated how hard it would be to take Devon to Redding for a few days. Not only does Devon not want to see his carseat for a VERY VERY long time, but he hasn't yet recovered from the break in his normal routine. He is not a happy camper... but he will be soon I'm sure. I really tried to see as many family members as possible over the weekend and I am really sorry that, for those I did see, time was limited... and for those I didn't quite make it to (Grandma & Grandpa K.), I am really really sorry. I really wanted to see you both. It just didn't happen. I love and miss you both (Devon loves and misses you too...)

The lesson learned from all of this is simple: when planning a road trip with an infant, make it count. Next time I will plan it so that we can be in town a little longer so that we don't have to rush and try to see everyone in such a small window. BUT it was really good to see those people that we did manage to see. And I mean that.

OK, well, I will add some pictures of the cousins tommorrow. I hope you enjoy the Sears pictures. Yes, nanas, papas, grandmas and grandpas... you will be receiving pictures soon. Well, sometime after June 11th when I get to pick them up... Adios!

Can you say no to this face?

Update: I got a job in Livermore (yeah!)... actually a pretty good job with potential for rapid advancement in the company.

I will actually start in insurance sales with United American (Think Medicare Supplements and Health Insurance), but within 90 days of my start date, I have the possibility of becoming a sales manager instead. Which is all pretty awesome because my hours will be more flexible than if I worked a typical 9-5er. Plus Josh can spend time with Devon in the mornings and I can be home in the late afternoons with him, meaning that we will only need child care for a few hours in the early afternoon time. Which is great!

Now here comes the tricky part. I need to take a class to get certified June 5-10th in Concord. Josh has a managers conference the 6-7. Josh and I can put Devon in childcare for the week, but we thought that family might also like to help. I thought we could put out feelers to see if any papas, nanas, aunts or uncles might be willing to watch Devon during that week (or maybe a combo of family members so that no one family would be inconvenienced). I'm not totally sure how I will handle being away from Devon for sooo long, but I thought maybe family would like to spend the time with him, especially because of our move. These are all just thoughts and I was just wondering what everyone else thinks. Any takers? Any naysayers? Let me know.

Hooray for Pictures!

Alright, I know I have been pretty overzealous with the blogging lately. It just seems like Devon is changing so much... so quickly... He looks older to me since we moved here... and I see him everyday so changes are harder to notice. So I have been taking lotsa lotsa pictures so that I (as well as nanas, papas, aunts and uncles) don't miss a moment. Here are some of the latest pictures of Devon grabbing toys and chilling out on his swing.

Devon Update!

I am pleased to annouce that Devon slept in his crib for the first time last night! I had been trying and trying to get Devon to take naps in his crib, but all he did was scream and cry. So last night I was pretty much expecting the same, but thought that I pretty much had nothing to lose by trying. So last night, during the Suns game, I placed him in the crib. He fussed a little bit. After ten minutes, I checked back in, gave him his pacifier and he went to sleep. Then during his middle of the night feedings, I put him back in the crib and he fell right back to sleep. I think this crib thing might actually take!

And on another note, Devon is actually grabbing toys now! Right now he is laying on the floor playing with a toy. He is really growing up fast!

A Devon Fix for Nanas and Papas

OK, here are some pictures of Baby D to satisfy all nanas and papas that are missing their boy!

Livermore or Bust!

We made it! We finally arrived in Livermore on Saturday and are officially settled in after a long week of moving preparations. A special thanks to everyone who helped with the move: Mom, thank you for the help with cleaning and laundry. Next time, I'll clean the oven racks in the backyard. =) Dad, thanks for letting us crash at the house the night before the move. (Your secret ability to clean is safe with me... Not so sure that it is safe with the rest of the readers) Maffoo, thanks for your help with the yard sale and for sacrificing a night with your family to get us moved down. Tricia and Weston, thanks for letting us borrow Matt for the weekend. David, thanks for letting Mom keep Heppy while we continue to look for a home. Anyone who's reading this want a cat? Steve and Jenni, thank you for coming down with us and helping us unpack. We couldn't have done it without you. Mike and Jamie, thanks for finding the Pooh binkie. =) Everyone, thank you for the constant support and all of the prayers. Trust me, we needed them all, but we made it through and we definately appreciate each and everyone of you. For those of you wishing to keep in touch our official new address is: 5665 Charlotte Way #71 Livermore, CA. 94550

I am including some pictures of our new place. Devon has been sleeping most of the time, but I'll try to take some pictures of him awake and bright eyed in the next few days to give the nanas and papas a Devon fix. Mr. Studley is adjusting well. His favorite place to take a nap is on top of Devon's dresser. All in all, everyone is adjusting to Livermore quite well.