Dylan Joseph and Max Joseph

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Dylan Eats and Bathes!

Dylan, wearing a lot of rice cereal - and an "I love my Daddy" bib!
February, 2008

Mommy feeds the boy a spoonful of yummy cereal.
February, 2008

"I don't know what it is, but keep it coming!"
February, 2008

Nothing like a bath to soothe the little boy!
"Splish, splash, I was taking a bath..."
February, 2008

Not much text here, just some photos of Dylan eating rice cereal and getting one of his baths.

He has passed the phase of whatever and has now returned to his old, happy self. Thankfully! Was it teething, illness, upset stomach, a reaction to Jennifer's hormones... ? We'll never know. But things have settled down once again and we are grateful for that.

Jack is coming out here next week, he and his girlfriend Teresa flying in from Louisville, KY on Feb. 19th. This will be Jack and Dylan's first meeting and we are excited about it. They are staying for about ten days. Then we are thinking of a trip to KY in May if we can make it work.

All else is moving forward and in good ways. Dylan continues to delight and amaze.

Saturday, February 9, 2008

Day Tripper!

Uncle Mike, Aunt Clarice, Dylan and cousin Kyle
January, 2008, Fresno

Grandma Pilulaw, Dylan and Ah-tish-win
January, 2008, Fresno

I got a burr under my saddle last week, and felt like I needed to make a road trip - taking Jennifer and Dylan, of course! Jennifer was most accommodating, agreeing to the madness that had taken hold of me, and so we loaded up the Sienna and drove to my brother's home in Fresno.

For those of you who may not know it, taking a baby on the road does something to time. What would normally be a three hour trip all of a sudden becomes more like five or six hours! But we sallied forth anyway and got down to Fresno around 3PM. We had a very nice visit with Uncle Mike (what a lucky kid to have not just one, but TWO Uncle Mikes!), Aunt Clarice, Grandma Pilulaw and cousin Kyle. Not to mention all the puppy dogs there -Jeb, Jake, Petey, Ah-tish Win, and Pumpkin!

After having a very yummy dinner, and having a video-fest of early Dylan movies, our little family of 3 loaded back into the van and headed back north. Actually the trip back only took about 2.5 hours as Dylan slept through the entire trip. That was generous of him, don't you think?

Dylan at Home

Dylan, January 2008

Here are just a couple of snapshots taken the last week. Nothing special. Well, I ought not to say that! I mean, the little boy is amazingly special. And then his Aunt Connie knitted the beautiful sweater which accentuates Dylan's blue eyes. And he is getting ready for his high chair, which is a pretty cool one... it's got wheels and all the latest gizmos! But no special occasion for the photos is what I meant.

What's been going on? Well, I have returned to work (sigh). I got used to spending nearly every moment with Dylan while I've been on vacation the last six weeks. So it's been a big adjustment for me. The only plus to it is that I get to come home and see that boy smile at me!

As for Dylan himself, right about the time I went back to work, he hit a rough patch. Dylan went through a major change in his attitude. Whereas he has been a very happy baby with just a few moments of being unhappy and fussy, all of a sudden - almost overnight it seemed to us - he became a baby that was mostly miserable with just a few moments of smiles. The techniques we used for calming him that worked flawlessly, were no longer working. Very hard on him, and on us as well. Maybe he was ill, or having a growth spurt or possibly reacting to the change in my schedule. We didn't know, and took him to the doctor. Not much help there, but it didn't seem like there was any overt illness causing this.

Now a week later, it seems like Dylan has more or less returned to his old self, though the sleep issue continues to be difficult. We are trying to find a solution - if you have any ideas, do share! We'd like to find one. We tried the crying it out method many weeks ago, and it was like torture for all of us.

Well, he's once again happy most of the time again. And, we are having a grand time and love him
with all our hearts!

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Dylan's First Road Trip!

Dylan had his first road trip this past weekend, January 18 through January 21, 2008. We loaded up the brand new Toyota Sienna and headed down to Santa Barbara. We found the van to be a most worthy purchase (so much room!) and Dylan to be a true road warrior. He did a terrific job of handling the vagaries of a journey and very flexible and patient and accommodating!

The trip to Santa Barbara was short, but eventful. It just so happened to coincide with a memorial event for an elder of the Chumash Coastal Band, Sespe, who recently passed into spirit. The memorial service was held near Solvang, at Nojoqui Park. There we met up with Grandma Pilulaw and Uncle Mike (my mother and older brother). Dylan enjoyed meeting everyone and delighted all of them. He also enjoyed the drumming and singing a lot! We shall have to make sure to get him to more ceremonies and events in the future.

We stayed in Santa Barbara at the home of my youngest sibling, John, and his lovely wife, Kim, and her son, Josh, along with assorted dogs and cats: Pinga and Max, the two adorable Maltese dogs, and Qupid, Gizmo and Phantom, the 3 cats. It was a very comfortable stay, thanks to the grand hospitality of John and Kim. We also got a chance to have a meal with my very best friend, Leigh. I've known Leigh for over 30 years now, and try to get together whenever we can. Hopefully he'll send some photos he took along so we can include them on the blog, as I was very neglectful and didn't take any!

We are now in the planning stages of making a major, cross-country road trip to Kentucky to visit Jack and Teresa in Louisville in May of this year. Both Mommy and I will be off-track then, and we think it would be a lot of fun and very adventurous to make this sojourn with Dylan!

Dylan and Grandma Pilulaw, Nojoqui Park, January 2008

Grandma Pilulaw and Dylan, Nojoqui Park, January 2008

Grandma Pilulaw, Dylan, Jeb and Uncle Mike, Nojoqui Park, January 2008

Aunt Kim, Dylan, Uncle John and Max, Santa Barbara, January 2008

Poppy, Pinga, Aunt Kim, Dylan, Uncle John and Max
Santa Barbara, January 2008

Poppy, Uncle John and Dylan, Santa Barbara, January 2008

Thursday, January 10, 2008

Just the Facts, Ma'am...

Dylan with his mobile - his fave animal? Donkey! January 10, 2008

Dylan had his four month doctor visit today. The short and sweet news is that he is doing just fine! We figured as much - he's such a happy boy and seems to be very content with his situation. Mommy and I are so grateful to have this little boy with us!

As to the numbers for the past (and only) three pediatrician visits:

Weight:

09/12/07 7lbs, 4oz (birth weight)
10/10/07 9lbs, 2.4oz (36th percentile)
11/15/07 12lbs, 6.9oz (65th percentile)
01/10/08 15lbs, 7.5oz (66th percentile)

Height:

09/12/07 1' 08" (birth height)
10/10/07 1' 10" (83rd percentile)
11/15/07 2' 0" (77th percentile)
01/10/08 2' 2" (91st percentile)

Head Circumference:

10/10/07 14.17" (28th percentile)
11/15/07 15.75" (48th percentile)
01/10/08 16.73" (60th percentile)

That's mainly for you who are interested in the numbers. What it all boils down to is that Dylan is growing just fine.

For more information on his day today, keep reading.

A Day (1/10/08) in the Life of Dylan:

7AM feeding
9:20 drive to doctor
9:40 - 10:20 wait in doctor's waiting room (another feeding) for 9:50 appointment
10:20 - 10:50 get weighed, measured, examined
11:00 injection clinic: THREE SHOTS!!!
11:20 - 1:00 Mommy and Poppy eat out (Dylan has the WORST blow out [to date], and during the diaper change in the women's restroom at Panera Bread, screams and screams - Mommy was the brave one who unknowingly got stuck with this; normally, Dylan really enjoys a diaper change and is all smiles and chatty)

1:00 - 1:30 Another feeding in the car in parking lot
1:50 - 2:30 Sleep in the bank, while Mommy and Poppy check out car loans
3:00 - 6:30 Car shopping at Maita Toyota (another feeding)
7:00 Jiggedy jig, HOME AT LAST!!! (another feeding)

Now considering that the boy is only four months old, it is amazing that he tolerated being out and about for nearly 12 hours! Not only did he tolerate it, he actually was in a great mood for nearly all of it (diaper change and injections being the only real exceptions!). Tons of smiles for doctors, nurses, car salespeople, and various assorted people just (naturally) drawn to the boy. I kept thinking "Oh, this is it... we're going to have to head home..." only to have him be in a great mood and happy to be wherever he was.

He's a great kid!

Wednesday, January 9, 2008

Rock and/or Roll

Here is Dylan, rolling over! Actually, last month he did this a few times over the course of a few days. These initial roll-overs were always accompanied with great drama and struggle. Then he stopped, for reasons unknown to everyone - but him, of course! Maybe it was just more work than it was worth.

Then, Tuesday, 1/8, Mommy (who's been fantastic with working with the boy on his tummy time) had him on his tummy and he just rolled over. Just like that! She put him on his tummy again, and Dylan did the same thing - rolled right over! So on Wednesday morning, I thought I'd try to catch it 'on film' (OK, digital). It's very spontaneous and spur of the moment sort of digital capture (i.e., photography).

Anyway, here is our own little Dylan, doing his 'first' front to back roll. More to follow.

Saturday, January 5, 2008

Visitation from Uncle Mike and Aunt Patti!

Uncle Mike, in town for the holidays from his librarian job in Tampico, Mexico, and Aunt Patti dropped by for a visit the other night. This visit to Sacramento is the first time Uncle Mike got to see his newest nephew and Dylan was very taken with him and Aunt Patti, too. Uncle Mike has now returned to Mexico, but we hope to see him as soon as he returns!

Uncle Mike and Dylan, January 3, 2008

Uncle Mike, Mommy, Aunt Patti and Dylan, January 3, 2008

Wednesday, January 2, 2008

Wednesday Lovins

Mommy got hold of the camera this morning...

Dylan and Poppy, chillin' at breakfast, January, 2008

Tuesday, January 1, 2008

Happiest Baby on the Block

OK, so Dylan's the ONLY baby on our block, but still... He is one happy baby, and here are some photos to show it! He's still a little leery of the camera and the flash, but if Jennifer is around she can usually cajole a smile out of the boy. There is also an introspective look on his face in some of these photos - Dylan is a deep thinker. I'd love to know what he is thinking when he furrows his forehead and stares right at me.

And when he smiles (which is a lot of the time), his toothless, gummy smile lights up the whole house.

Can you tell we are rather partial to the little guy?

Dylan Joseph, doing some 'tummy time,' January 1, 2008

Dylan at the gym, December 31, 2007

Just Because!

No particular subject here on these photos. It's just when you have a cute baby like this, you can't help but force him on everyone!

Enjoy (and thank you for your indulgence)!

Dylan gets a manicure, December 2007

Dylan busts a move or two in some overalls he got for Christmas, December 2007

Monday, December 31, 2007

Christmas Morn'

OK, so they don't look particularly Christmas-y, but these photos were taken on Christmas morning. We awoke rather late - the last time that is likely to happen for a few years!!! With Matt in attendance, we proceeded to have a nice, relaxed Christmas morning. Dylan grew weary after awhile, and so we had to pick up the pace on his gifts; after he went down for a nap, we all continued with our EZ-going Christmas morning. Next year, when Dylan will be 15 months old, it is sure to be much crazier and less forgiving, but certainly even more magical and wondrous!

Dylan and Mommy opening a Christmas gift, December 25, 2007

Lots and lots of books for the Dylan boy!

He is going to be one well-read little guy.

Moccasins for the Boy

My sister, Anne-Marie, went on a long and exhausting search for a pair of moccasins for her new nephew. She finally found a pair. As is often the case, the items were a bit too big for the boy when they came. But on Christmas Day we tried them on once again, and, viola!, they fit! So now they are the footwear for Dylan! What is sort of strange is that it takes two people to get these things on his little feet. As my sister says, "Four hands to dress two feet..."

They look awfully darn cute, don't you agree? Of course, Dylan makes anything look cute!

Note: The warning is well advised - we've had our fair share of blowouts! Oh, mama!

Dylan, with moccasins on, December 25, 2007

Mommy and Dylan Read the Paper

In the morning, Mommy often reads the Sacramento Bee with Dylan. I got up one morning a bit later, and saw the two of them sprawled on the floor, reading The Ladies, as she calls them: Ann Landers, Miss Manners and Dear Carolyn. Along with the In The News section, which covers all the going-ons of the celebs, and the daily horoscope, it makes for an interesting bit of oral language for the boy, which he enjoys immensely.

Dylan reads his horoscope for the day with Mommy, December 2007

The Eyes and Hands Have It!

Here's Dylan playing in one of his most favorite places, his gym. It has been both fun and amazing to watch his eye-hand coordination improve over the weeks, and this gym, which has some toys that hang down from cross bars, has seemed to really help. He has worked really hard at getting his hands under control and making them go where he wants and get what he is going after. A wiser person than myself has said that for children, play is their work, and watching this little guy makes me believe it! You can see how hard he is concentrating.

A Belated Thanksgiving Greeting!

Well, life got busy right around the start of the holiday season, Thanksgiving, so I have not had time to update the blog. So without further ado, let me get these photos posted. These were taken on Thanksgiving, which we celebrated at the home of Suzy, Jim and Jake. We all had a good time, and Matt was able to join us as well.

So here are the photos. Enjoy!