11 Months

For his 11 month Deven received (for better or worse) his two front teeth. I think I jinx'd myself earlier this month when talking with a friend that Deven didn't really seem to be bothered when his teeth came in...well it WAS true for his two bottom ones but apparently top teeth are different ball game. Deven is usually one happy camper most of the time (knock on wood) but this month was marked with some challenging moments; I mean opportunities to learn patience! I think it was a plethora of variables (tummy troubles, cold, changing nap schedules) that contributed to the challenge but as you can see we made it through this mini phase relatively unscathed.



















Deven's stats:

Weight: 21.8 (officially doubled birth weight)
Height: won't know for sure until next month but he is now officially on Nana's measure board.
Teeth count: 4 (I sware two top eye teeth are on their way)

Like:

• His baby walker
• making new sounds - shhhh, weeeee, raaaarrrrrrr
• computers - as we speak he's trying to clime my leg to get to the keys - one of which he broke already
• walking the perimeter of the living room - because he can hold on to everything
• guitars - still jammin' with dadda every night
• soft things - anything that remotely reminds him of his blankie gets a cuddle
• dogs - any and all get cuddles (see above 'soft things')
• kitchen utensils - a nice distraction as we make bfast, lunch or dinner
• swimming - we are off for another month but starting back again in July
• grass - we found out grass makes him calm, weirdest thing
• avocados - his teachers hold up his snacks of banana or avocado and he always chooses the avocado!
• giving high fives - getting super good at this
• reading - he actually sat in my lap for about five minutes reading one of his books over and over (a miracle)

Dislikes:

• colds - again!
• getting his diaper changed - see above discussions on opportunities for patience
• teething
• being told he can't do something - I have a feeling this will not end soon
• napping two times a day - we have changed to one a day a little early, so says my research, but I think it is the only way he will not get kicked out of school! ; )
• car seat - he has taken to getting extremely up set when being restricted in this manner
• over eating - a good thing yes but his way to tell me is to suddenly and without warning spit the food, with force, back at me
• hats - doesn't seem to like things on his head so we will have to get Velcro ones when necessary

New food:

• Cheese
• peach yogurt
• deli meat
• cucumber
• olives
• orange juice
• ravioli

I can't believe Deven is going to be a year old in a month from now. We are celebrating by going to the zoo today! Hope the weather holds, so far it is a gorgeous day in LS.

LS

Lake Stevens is pretty far away from Seattle (our favorite place to hang), but lately we have been realizing some of the nice perks. We of course live by a lake, although you can't really walk/run around it because there is no direct path, at least there are a few parks around it. There is one within walking distance, one with a little sand beach and one with a boat launch. Along with the park the rest of down town Lake Stevens offers a convenient though highly expensive market, a gas station, mini library, post office, police station and even a little museum. There a actually quite a few other things but to get to my point...this Friday we all went (minus Sam) to the fancy restaurant in town. Its a little Greek restaurant that has a deck. It was such a nice evening that Nick suggested an al fresco dinner. How could I resist? One hour and some wine, beer, ravioli and spaghetti with marinara later we were one happy family full with food and our annual dose of Vitamin D. Deven tried lots of new foods which included olives. He has apparently taken after his Great Grandpa Nelson and just loves them, which good because nick and I do not and so they won't go to waste anymore! Here is Deven celebrating new food groups and showing LS how Friday evening dinners are done.

First Recording

A few posts back I promised to get Deven's first 'track' up...here you go!

Cute Pic

I just thought Deven was so cute in these new PJ's that I had to post this picture

Mother's Day

I know I am a little late in discussing mother's day but oh well! We had a great day, Deven let us sleep in until 8:30!! We decided to head to GL for a walk around the lake. Nick and I realized that we hadn't done this yet with the new stroller. Deven played in the grass for the first time, which is strange given that we have a yard but I guess we just haven't had the chance or rather the NW weather hasn't really allowed! Here are some fun pics Nick took! Notice the Mohawk courtesy of the sun screen acting as hair product. Oh and he really is that pale...just like momma and dadda!!

After a stroll around the lake Nick and I decided it was Popsicle weather. Deven got his first taste of strawberry Popsicle (don't worry it was 100% fruit and even had big strawberry chunks). Funny boy, he started laughing at it! The coldness made his mouth cringe but he just laughed and went back for more!

After GL we had soccer so back we went to Everett where we met up with Aaron who looked after Deven for us. I got my second ever goal! It sort of just rolled in but it went in none the less.

Nick went all out for a mother's day gift and created a scavenger hut. I had to run around the how reading clues that incorporated fun facts about our 10 years together. He only had to help me once. At the end I found a basket filled with goodies any lady (mom or not) would be grateful for. It include wine, new stemless wine glasses, chocolate, a nordy's card and a few other things that are none of your business!

I had a great day and just couldn't be happier with the life Nick and I have. I am so proud!

Auntie Jay!

So last night a group of our friends decided to get out and celebrate our friend Erin's birthday. The dinner was at 7 which is nearly past Deven's bed time so we decided to make it a "date night" and have my sister come up to watch our little fella.
Right before we were set to go Jaymie was playing with Deven and set him up with his "walker," a little toy that he can push around (thank you Grammy Johnston). Nick and I have not felt like Deven could handle pushing it alone for fear of a face plant of sorts. Jay not know this, let that kid just take off!
It was amazing (to us any way). Deven just trucked all around the living room and kitchen, all by him self!! You could tell he was so excited and proud of himself (at least that's how I'm interpreting it).
So we just wanted to give Jaymie a shout out and say thanks for watching Deven; he was so excited to have someone come up and tell mom and dad to chill out and let him get his walk on!!
I will of course be taking picture of this activity this weekend and get them up!! ; )

Playing!

Deven and I skipped out on nicks soccer game today. First because it was raining but most importantly because Deven decided to take a 3.5 hour nap. I think the long nap is due to some confusion between swim class vs bath time/bed time. Regardless we stayed home but decided to meet Nick at Alderwood for a little "mall walk." Yes we are one of "those" people...but with the potential rain and the need to get out I think it is a justifiable visit! Any how, along the way we found Deven a new hat! Now he truly is taking on some qualities a la Nick.