Waiting for Dogot, Part 4

Could this dog be any more patient?  She is approaching sainthood.

Sick Days

August has been sick for the past few days (since Thursday, when he registered a 102.1 fever), so we've been taking it easy around the Diego house.  Nothing too serious; our doctor just thinks he has a baby version of a sinus infection, and his fever is gone as of this morning.  There is a lot of coughing and nose stuff happening, though, so most of my attention has gone to the little man.
What to do with a little man who is under the weather?  Our play dates were canceled, dinners with adults were rain checked, and we've hunkered down inside the house.  I've got a few tricks up my sleeve, though!
-Bubbles!  We've got tubes of them around the house (near the high chair, living room play area, upstairs nursery, diaper bag), and they are perfect for distracting a fussy kid.  I can usually get at least 15 minutes to contented play out of them.
-Outdoor time.  I've got two picnic blankets (one in the car, one near our backyard door), so we can head outside to listen to the birds, watch Mia sniff around, touch all the leaves near the stairs, and swing!  We can be outside for up to 30 minutes without complaint.
-Baby gym. More than anything, August just wants to be mobile these days.  With adult supervision and guidance, he loves crawling/walking up our stairs as many times as our legs allow it.  He also loves to scurry over pillows I lay on the living room floor, pull himself up and 'cruise' along a furniture 'obstacle course,' and find me as I hide behind corners in the house.  The more active he is between naps, the longer he sleeps!
-Story time.  August absolutely adores books, and we have piles of them around the house for his perusal.  We do a few 10-minute story times, including a couple of songs, throughout the day.
-Drive-through outings.  Sometimes, I just have to leave the house, if only for a drive around.  August and I like hitting up the Starbucks and enjoying a treat at a park, or sharing some frozen yogurt in the back seat when I park.  He really doesn't mind his car seat, so we can be out for 30 minute increments.
-Mama workouts.  As much as I love going to classes at our YMCA, I can't leave August in their daycare while he's sick like this.  When his fever is down, though, I love taking him for runs in the stroller around our neighborhood.  He likes getting out and checking out the scenery, and I love that I don't feel like a bum sitting around the house all day.  We're usually out for about an hour this way.  Mia usually joins us, which keeps August extra entertained!
-Lots of snuggles.  Need I say more?

Waiting for Dogot, Part 3

Because he is the sweetest little man and love to chew on everything, sometimes we give August a mini almond biscotti from Trader Joe's to munch on.  As you can see in the above video, Mia keeps a very close eye on him during these episodes.  She is our little vacuum cleaner.  

The Little Man's Latest Photoshoot

 A few weeks ago, the talented and patient Olga Diego visited our house to take some 9-month lifestyle photos of August.  I have to say, I think this is my favorite set of photos yet (as I've said at every photoshoot she's done for us)!  Is there anything sweeter than that little man reading to his panda?  He looks like a little doll!

 Olga is so great to work with, and I love her for focusing on the light and subject, rather than the perfect pose or outfit.  These are the small things I want to remember about August: how he loves to turn the pages of his board books by himself, his utter delight when he's next to Mia, these first hard-earned baby teeth.

There are some more cute photos over at her blog, and I can't recommend her enough if you're looking for an Atlanta photographer.  She's so lovely to work with!

The Week in Photos

 August and I checked out the High Museum last Saturday together.  Can you imagine a cuter date?

The modern art wing is my favorite.

JP took me here on our first visit to Atlanta, when I met his parents; I loved this piece then, and I love it now!

August takes watching soccer with his abuelo very seriously.

'Mama, I am done with this photo shoot.  I need to put my feet in my mouth, please.'

The breastfeeding continues in earnest here, seven months in.  If you'd told me when he was 3 weeks old how much I was going to love this part of the job, I wouldn't have believed you.  I'm so glad we stuck with it.

 So handsome!

I love August's bath time; he's so happy in the water.

7 months is a really fun age with August- he's generally a pretty smiley, cheerful kid with the cutest giggles!

Waiting for Dogot, Part 2

JP headed out for a ski trip on early last Friday morning, and August and I got to spend a lazy morning hanging out with Miss Mia.  For a big sister who loves licking any part of him she can get to, Mia is a little hesitant about August holding her paw.  They have a weird relationship. 

Our Week in Photos

Oh my goodness, y'all, this has been such a long week.  I've got a post coming up about the horrendous  road trip back to GA that August and I went through on Tuesday and Wednesday, which put a massive kink in our productivity these past few days.  In the meantime, here are the high points from the last 7 days!

 August can (sometimes) hold his own tiny bottle!  Already such a big boy.

 We had a playdate last week, and I was able to fit into some pre-pregnancy, non-stretchy pants!  The smile is totally genuine.

 Is there anything sweeter than chunky baby toes?

 Last Saturday morning, JP, August, and I ventured up to Cumming to check out Dutch Monkey Doughnuts.  Um, we might have enjoyed it a smidge.

 We got an assortment of flavors: coconut lime, chocolate passionfruit, Aztec chocolate, banana and chocolate, etc.  Soooo tasty!

 Holding hands.  Be still my heart.

 This is his, 'Mama, stop taking pictures.  I'm trying to concentrate on my sweet potatoes and peas' face.

 August and I took our first solo trip to visit Haley in Tallahassee Sunday!  Hello, Florida!

 Hein read August some poetry before dinner on Sunday night; he liked Elizabeth Barrett Browning.  Good taste.

 Big smiles!

 Auntie Haley was an excellent hostess, and also a wonderful back support for August.

 Prior to leaving on Tuesday, the little man took a quick nap with his Hein.  They looked so cozy wrapped in a blanket!

When in Tally, we must wear our FSU sweaters.  How adorable is this little fan?

Waiting for Dogot, Part 1

One of my favorite plays from the 20th century is Waiting for Godot.  Have you read or seen it?  Estragon and Vladimir essentially spend the entirety of their time onstage just shooting the breeze; there isn't too much happening, but it is difficult to stop reading.  Their friendship and conversation just draws you in.

That's how I feel watching Mia and August interacting.  Mia has gone from super-anxious to relaxed but alert with August, who has officially taken notice of her and her many licks.  

I'm calling this the 'Waiting for Dogot' series.  There are many more to follow.

August is eating solids!

It has been an exciting month around here; August is firmly into a routine with solid foods!  It is awesome.  I love watching him discover new tastes and expand his world to include something so essential to our daily lives.  It really does feel like he's becoming more grown up just by eating what we do.

We started giving him tastes of solids about 6 weeks ago, and, though he was completely disinterested at the beginning, now it's part of his morning and night routine.  Our pediatrician gave us the okay to start solids at 4 months, but we waited until he was 5.5 months based on some new research that says babies can totally subsist on breast milk for the first 6 months.  Our nursing routine was going so well, I was a little hesitant to switch it up. 

 August's first food was sweet potato puree, and he's since had carrots, green beans, peas, avocados, bananas, applesauce, pears, prunes, peaches, apricots, and even butternut squash!  The only thing he's not crazy about is avocado; I didn't like them until I was about 20, so will cut him some slack on that.
I make most of his food, but have bought a few jars of organic baby food to have on those days when I need to grab something quick.
The process of making baby food is so simple, though: steam or roast veggies, and puree until smooth.  I am in love with my immersion blender for making this even easier.

I store the food in ice cube trays, and freeze until needed.  So simple!  

August got a great high chair for Christmas, which he sits and plays in while we get his meal together.  We just defrost the food in a ramekin or on a small plate, add a bib, and feed him.  He's a quick eater, so it doesn't take too long. 

Generally, it's a neat process, but we have our messy nights.  Peas can just get out of control sometimes!

After he eats, we let him play with the ramekin and spoon to get him used to eating utensils, and he really enjoys it.  I can't even tell you how fun it is to watch a smile spread over his face when he tries a new food and likes it.  We're having fun with this stage!

The Week in Photos

 August's first pair of sneakers!!  Nike Baby Force Ones.  Thankfully, they're velcro.

 When I look at this picture, I can see him 5 years old already.  Not sure if it's the light or the cute expression on his face, but something about him feels older than just 4 months.

 Enjoying some tummy time with soft blocks from his Hein.

 Sweet little man with his Auntie Haley!  They are very good friends.

 Grandpa Dave was on baby duty a few times last weekend; it was very sweet to see!  It's been a very cool and meta experience to see August interact with all of his grandparents.  He's lucky to have so many great grown-ups in his life!

 Tummy time before the big baptism last Saturday.
You can tell that Mia is continuing her duties as personal bodyguard and diaper sniffer.

 Mama and the little man.

 Biggest milestone of last Saturday: no spit-up or stains on the white baptism outfit.  Score!

 Auntie Haley got August this onesie that says 'Mr. Fancy Pants,' which he is so nonchalant about wearing with leg warmers.  My little hipster.

 Mia snuck in a little kiss!  She's too quick for me to stop sometimes!

 She is 'ever vigilant,' as my mom says.

 We're listening to a lot of The Okee Dokee Brothers these days; this one won the Grammy for best kids' album last year.  It's so good!  These guys spent a summer canoeing down the Mississippi, and wrote some awesome songs about it.  'Can You Canoe' and 'Thousand Star Hotel' are my favorites to sing to August.

 Happy Halloween from the sleepiest skeleton!
P.S. I went as Rosie the Riveter (no photos-sorry!) at our neighborhood Halloween block party, which was very fun/difficult to explain to a 6-year old.  'Well, Avalon, Rosie the Riveter was a proponent for women helping build weapons and other war supplies during World War II.'  Obviously.

They're going to be best friends if it's the last thing Mia does.

And, last but certainly not least, a very happy birthday to this guy- my wonderful Dad!  I am constantly amazed his depth and thoughtfulness.  When I called him 3 weeks ago to tell him about August's baptism, he said he would be there automatically; he drove through the night, arriving at 2am, to see me after August's birth; this photo is from when he and Haley surprised me in DC when I couldn't afford/didn't have time to go home to Florida for a whole year.  Dad, you're a wonderful father, and an awesome namesake to your grandson.  I love you and hope you have a great time at dinner tonight; I wish I could be there!

August's Baptism

On Saturday, we baptized David Augustine Diego into the Catholic church.  Oh my goodness, he could not have been a better behaved kid during the 20-minute service, which took place at a church close to his abuelos' home.  The same priest who married us led the baptism, which was intimate and lovely. 

Belen took some wonderful pictures of the ceremony, which I'd love to share with you!

 We prepped the little man with a quick bottle before and during the beginning of the service.  I love that he's started guiding the bottle with his own little hands; it melts me.
PS How adorable are his pudgy little fingers?!

 Proud parents.  (We're just glad there's no spit-up involved, and we're wearing matching shoes.)

 August's godparents are the very excited Pablo Diego (JP's dad), and Auntie Haley, who took over some of the feeding duties.  He will be a lucky kid to be spiritually guided by those two.
And how cute is Haley's face here?  She looks very matter-of-fact.

 You can barely tell, but Haley is holding August's hand while he checks out his godfather; it was an interactive service!

 Sticking his tongue out; what a lovely child.

August loves his baths, so we weren't concerned with the water portion.
On another note, I want to frame this photo and hang it all over our house.  Love it!

A little unsure of the oil on his head, but holding it together for the camera.

 How sweet is that little face?!

 His papa took over some of the carrying duties, as well.  It was a team effort!

 The whole service was lovely.  We had close family friends and some family there, and Msgr. Maron had everyone stand around the font.  It felt like a little campfire, only a baptismal font instead of s'mores!

 We're so lucky to have people in our lives who care about being at our son's baptism.

 Such a good-looking group!

 I die.  This kid has me wrapped around his fingers.

 Looking like parents again...

 These wonderful folks drove all the way up from sunny south Florida (and missed the FSU game!) to be here this weekend.  Thank you so much, Daddy Man, Auntie Haley, and Karen!  It was great to have the Shelton family represented.

The Diegos welcoming another sweet baby into the church.

And, ahem, totally not a big deal (yes it was), but I ordered the first cake for my son last week.  How adorable is it?!  It was two layers, one chocolate and one vanilla, with chocolate buttercream between and vanilla buttercream on top.  You can't see, but there were also blue polka dots on the side.  It was so delicious!
I felt like a mom while placing the order.  It happens.