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!

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.