Deven is ONE!!

Deven had is official birthday with his unofficial party this last Wednesday. He celebrated by having a fabulous day at school (a.k.a., napped and ate well with no "incident" reports). Of course there was traffic on my way to pick him up from school but Nick swooped in to save the day. We all met up at our fav Mexican restaurant and had a birthday dinner. I totally should have told them it was his birthday but I forgot about the sombrero until it was too late! The lighting was not the greatest but we got some funny pics of Deven rocking water in a straw.



We are saving Deven's first real dessert treats for his official birthday party next weekend...so stay tuned for cake mashing, ice cream mess pics!!

I can't believe it has been a year already. Official measurements will be available after tomorrow's One Year check up. Here are this months up dates though:

Likes:

• Freaking mom and dad out by banging his head on the floor in protest - protest for various things as simple as us leaving his sight or as "serious" as us taking away his new drum set because it is bath time.
• Per above, his new drum set
• Giving hugs - he is a lover not a fighter
• Biting - In contradiction to above
• Giving hi fives
• dancin' - give him a good beat or a guitar solo and he bounces and shakes his head back and forth
• playing outside in the sun...yes the sun appears occasionally here in Lake Stevens

Dislikes:

• Getting his face cleaned - he prefers food, snot and Sam slobber
• napping at school - he is an expert at home but there are too many exciting things to do with all his friends.
• baby measles
• ear infections
• getting four teeth at once

Total teeth: 4 on the top, 2 on the bottom - 6

New foods: Mango and mango juice, curry, cous cous, tamale

New babbles: Bye bye, ni ni dadda, occationally momma

Weight and height tomorrow. Shots are tomorrow wish us luck!!

Belated Father's Day Post

I am so late in getting this up that it is a little embarrassing but please don't let that diminish the importance! Nick deserves the best and I am so freaking glad he thinks I belong in that category. This past year...OK, this past 10 years has had its challenges but Nick is always calm, cool and collected. He has proven this over and over again as a new father. If you know me at all, you know I may have a tendency to over react, over think and perhaps over do in certain circumstances. Nick has always been by my side to listen and at the right times give me a kick in the butt. I feel so honored to be able to share this life and now share this parenting journey with him. Deven loves him almost as much as I do!!

For father's day we stayed local...which is a bit unusual for us. We hit up our local starbucks for morning coffee/soy/juice for Nick/Me/Deven respectively. After morning nap and in pure defiance of the Puget Sound weather we when on a mini hike on one of the lower Mount Pilchuck trails. I would give you the actual trail name but my better half who would know such things is snoozing on the couch and currently unavailable for a consult. Here are some picks of the family. We always let Sam off leash when its not crowded and thus could not get a still photo but these will have to do!

After afternoon nap, the man of the day requested a walk to a lake and a hamburger. Its a good thing we live by both a lake a local burger joint. Again in defiance of the weather we strapped our pride and joy into the Bob and went for a stroll. I need to get a pic of the Burger joint...The Chick Drive In...a one room brick building with the ability to serve up all sorts of greasy burgers, fries and "fresh" berry milk shakes. Pure heaven, if you will! I am pretty sure there was a soccer game mixed in the events of the day too. So there you have it, Nick's first Father's day...a success I think.

We love you Dadda!!

Roseola/Exanthema subitum/Baby Measles

We had obviously gone too long without an illness at the Johnston homestead so Deven filled the void with this, seriously! I think it would have been OK had it not been for the ear infection (virus caused) and two top eye teeth coming in all at the same time. Poor Deven and poor Momma and Dadda. Life pretty much sucked for Mr. Deven.

The virus is hard to diagnose so for all that haven't experienced...high fever out of no where for 4 or so days, including febrile seizures, followed by a yucky chicken pox looking rash...likely the same thing. Pauvre Deven...good news though is that he is all better and has a total of 6 teeth now!!

Brew Fest '10

Flash back!!!!

























We attended our third annual Washington Bewer's Festival yesterday. As you can see, Deven has gotten a lot bigger...We had such a good time; now we need to find a festival that allows both kids and dogs! I will happily sign a consent form for Sam too.

Our adventure started off at the Kenmore park and ride where we caught a free bus (thank you transit) to St. Edwards State Park. This was Deven's first bus ride. He showed his excitement to all those on the bus by screeching in joy as we pulled away, banging on the window with his book and jumping up and down on my lap.




















If you have never been, you should definitely go next year. Perform your research at this year's website here. There are hundreds of beers to "sample" many food vendors that are guaranteed fill your caloric intake for at least three days and finally there is a beer keg toss. Yes, grown men and I am sure some women take it upon themselves to pick up a keg of beer and see how far they can toss it...all good fun!

When we got there a festival staff member reminded us that we live in a litigious society and were required to sign a form stating we would not allow our under-aged child to drink alcohol and that at least one of us would be a designated driver. I am not convinced that this would change a person's actions but at least the festival did their due diligence. No worries, I was a good momma and let Nick get hammered (in the name of father's day).

Once inside we toured the facility, met up with our friends and found a piece of grass to hang out on for the afternoon. Deven rocked the hiking back pack and just loved hanging with Nick in various places including beer sampling lines, out houses and gyro food stands. What? what was that?!? Yes, Nick took him into an out house. Per Nick, this was apparently the coolest thing most men had seen as they squeezed passed Deven in the back pack to get to the other stalls. Deven made friends where ever he was taken (including the out house).




















Once Nick's tokens were gone and I had successfully eaten my fair food we had to get Mr. D back home for his dinner and bed time routine. Best time and can't wait to do it again next year!

Ear protection!

Though I was hesitant to go to a boat race where the motors can get pretty noisy grandma and grandpa Johnston came prepared. Here is Deven trying out some ear protection; he actually kept them on which was a shock to Nick and me. I also included some new play ground picks because I just couldn't resist.

Classic

I'm experimenting with my phone settings and thought I would share. We went out for Mexican tonight for a little fun. Deven of course loves the guacamole and black beans but turns out he likes straws too!

The zoo

Deven had his first trip to the zoo on Sunday. We decided to not let impending rain stop us (we apparently will be stuck inside all summer if we let it). The Block family met us there with their week old addition Coen, the easiest going baby I know! We saw as many animals as possible which wasn't too many provided Deven and hadley's need for food and sleep but we got in my favorite, the gorillas, so I was satisfied. We also got a little more swinging in at a play ground just outside the west entrance. Memorial day weekend was pretty darn relaxing which rare for us. Boat races, ballets and soccer are on the docket for next weekend, bring it!