Thirteen Weeks

Drew knows there's more to it than what he can see just laying on his back and this week he's been trying to investigate what it looks like beneath him by trying to roll over. His personality is showing through when he rolls to the side and after trying and trying and not succeeding he starts to wail and moan with frustration. Parents at Gymboree have said that the rolling over from front to back process spanned a few weeks before their babies actually succeeded - so I think we're at the start of it.

He got his first membership card this week, so he's officially a member of the YMCA. He's been going with me in the morning - and sleeping most of the time. So I think we've overcome that hurdle. Now the next hurdle is getting him to sleep through the night and possibly moving him to his crib.

His Grandpop and Granje are visiting us this weekend. We'll be out and about for a walk today and a museum or two in the next couple days. He's getting to know them and I can tell they will be life long friends!

12 Weeks Old and Part of History

While I didn't vote for the guy, I felt inspired today watching the inauguration...if not for the African American community and the momentous occasion it is for them, then for the inspiration to work for and achieve your goals. I captured some of Obama's speech on video so Drew could see that he, too, was present during this historic time. Drew had some comments of his own to add.

Yesterday was our first visit to the YMCA together. He spent the time in child watch, that is until they called me to come get him because he wouldn't stop crying. Strange for Drew, but alas when I arrived at the nursery and announced that Drew's mom was there--it was, indeed, true. He was crying and enough so that he was shedding his first tears. That was a heart breaker and is making it difficult to try it again. I know, I know ... I willlll ...

Today was also our first Gymboree class. He enjoyed it and couldn't take his eyes off the only little girl in the class. She was an older woman though at 7 months. However, I think that Drew may have enjoyed dipping his toes in the sink filled with water tonight just a little more than Gymboree today. At first he held his feet out of the water, but by the time I pulled the plug on the drain he was stamping his feet left and right and splashing!

Each day with Drew is a pleasure and I look forward to new activities with him - seeing him explore and learn about our world is a great joy while at the same time very humbling. The complexity of our creation astounds me more each day - the processes of a mother and child's relationship seemingly simple is yet so profound and has so much impact on a developing child's brain. I am becoming more aware of the enormity of my responsibility to this child for his future's sake and the impact that I can have if I so choose, as well as feeling a sadness for the children whose parents aren't so devoted or even aware of their role in their child's development.

11 Weeks Young

...and taken to chewing on my fist now! He's loving pulling himself up to sitting by holding onto my hands. I get a strong sense that he's itchin' to be mobile so he can get a view of the world other than from the bottom up!

Drew is such a happy baby. He loves to smile - even at people he doesn't know very well. He wakes happy even after he's turned himself around 180 degrees in his bassinette. He's getting a little large for the co-sleeper these days and I know that the time is quickly drawing near that I will have to set him in the crib -- ALL the way across the house -- to sleep at night.

He attended his first playgroup with the neighbors this week, too. And promptly fell asleep after we arrived. There are three other babies on this cul-de-sac all under 6 months and three out of the four are named Drew. Bummer.

We're working on the sleep schedule during the day, but it's hard enough nailing down an eating schedule at this point that we may be a way's off from sleeping at regular intervals.

Tomorrow is Drew's 2 month appointment (even though he's already 2.5 months). I am sure we'll have good news to report back.

10 Weeks Old

Drew is handing out smiles left and right and even smiles at people he doesn't know. His little laid-back personality is really emerging as illustrated by his ability to hang loose while I cook dinner or as he gets passed around from friend to friend at dinners out.

He sticks his hand in his mouth regularly these days and seems to prefer it over his binky. While he isn't grabbing for much yet, he's using all his energy to communicate with us using his own little language of "agoo's" and "blubbb's".

He is outgrowing outfits, socks and onesies left and right. People have actually commented on how big his hands are. Of course, if he's anything like his Dad who's got rackets for hands...

Serving Up Smiles

What Dad would not feel good about coming home from work to a face like this? It is so great to see Drew begin to engage with both Alexis and I. You can just imagine all of the thoughts that are running through his mind as he studies our faces. He is also starting to talk to us quite a bit as well. Granted, they are basic Gooos and Oooohs but he definitely has something to say and we are more than happy to listen and provide additional dialog. I can't wait to see how his personality develops but until then I use pictures like these to remind me to live in the moment.

Drew's First Christmas

Alright, well it is about time that we captured a picture of us three together as a family. Drew was wide awake right until we started shooting but hey, we gladly operate on his schedule. Our first Christmas with Drew was fun and relaxing - we actually slept in until about 9:30 or so and did not even get around to exchanging gifts until early afternoon. That will all change in another year or two so we made sure to enjoy this last opportunity to sleep late and have a truly relaxing day.
From additional pictures, you can see some of the things that little Drew got for Christmas. His future is so bright that he has to wear shades. Yes, we could not resist dressing him up a bit and taking pictures. As you can tell, he was given some books and he got right down to business by starting to sound out sections from Harry Potter. Drew is acquiring quite the book collection and will have pleanty of great titles to read as he gets older. Finally, I could not resist putting up a picture of his latest sleep sack - Batman. Drew's 4 year old cousin Spenser is quite the batman crazed individual these days and he obviously wanted to share his fettish with other members of the family. By the way, this sleep sack comes complete with cape and batman mask so Drew can hide his real identity.