Devin's Journal

Devin has outgrown almost all of his little footie pajamas so today I hit the clearance rack at Babies R Us. I snagged a cute, lightweight pair for super cheap and I figured that they'd last awhile since they were 12 month size.

He's wearing them right now. They fit perfectly.

Lately Cat and I have been enjoying looking back at Dax's journal to see when he was wearing the clothes his baby brother now wears. This is a fun but weird experience as Dax was always a bit below average growth percentiles so he was much older. For example, Devin wears these pajamas now that Dax was wearing when he was about 14 months old.

Dax circa October, 2005

Devin has totally mastered sitting up unassisted. He's so over sitting in his baby carseat and does very well, thank you, in a high chair when we go out to eat.

And speaking of eating? He's had such a variety of foods by now: apples, pears, grapes, mango, banana, plums, apricots, spinach, peas, carrots, yams, sweet potatoes, squash, green beans, yogurt, rice cereal and oatmeal (and I'm sure I forgot something somewhere). He's up to three solid food meals a day but he still gets the majority of his nutrition from the mommy milk bar.

He's getting around a bit now as well. I'm not entirely certain how he's doing it but he rarely stays where you put him. Cindi says that he scoots around on his back at school and I've seen him push himself backwards on his tummy and bounce forward on his little diapered behind. Tonight he looked suspiciously close to figuring out how to push himself up on all fours which, while cool, is not good because we need to get some of Dax's toys with tiny parts out of the living room before baby brother decides to go crawling around.

He grabs at everything. EVERY. THING. He's like a grabby little octopus. Nothing is safe. He is showing preferences for certain toys but he will still pick a phone, a remote, or any article of clothing before a more traditional toy.

The other day he scooted over to this basket which was temporarily housing some toys and clothes that needed to be put away and he tipped it over and played happily until he tipped over in a joyful stupor and fell asleep in a big pile o' stuff.

Ahhhh. Bliss.

His crib is still in our room mostly because I still haven't gotten Dax's Old Room converted into Devin's New Room but also partly because Cat and I are both perfectly happy to have them in there with us. I can't speak for Cat but, for me, it is because I know he's my last baby and I just want to enjoy every moment. I love that when I wake in the night I can hear him right there across the room from me. I also love that when he wakes in the night it is just a few steps from my side of the bed to his crib to the Big Green Chair that I nurse him in while dozing.

Sometimes while I'm sitting in that chair with him in the middle of the night I find myself wishing he'd just stay this way for awhile. Why must there be outfits to outgrow and milestones to meet? Why can't there just be sweet milky smiles and soft coos and tiny hands tangled in my hair for just a bit longer?

Just down the hall his big brother sleeps with his long limbs draped across his bed. Sometimes I see glimpses of Dax in Devin's face and it is bittersweet because, while I love the gift of those memories, it only makes me think of the quick rush of time and how powerless I am against it.

I am thankful for every single beautiful blessed moment.

Devin started daycare last week and so, don't you know, he has a cold now. That's just the way it works and I was expecting it.

He loves daycare and Dax seems to be happy to have his baby brother nearby during the day. They don't spend the whole day together because Dax goes to the other side of the house for preschool while Devin stays with Miss Cindi and gets cuddled and hugged and smooched and spoiled.

Devin continues to be an incredibly mellow and happy little dude. He's also so very, very squishy and huggable and lovey and.....swoon.

I'm still making his baby food and having a ball doing it. I just made some spinach and tomato and I'm in the midst of making plums. Next up? Yams, yellow carrots, and an apple/orange compote. All of this I will freeze and he'll have food for a couple of weeks. Easy peasy lemon squeezy.

Of course he's still nursing as well. I'm thrilled to report that I've been able to keep up with him as I pump during my workdays. I would really love to not have to supplement with formula but we'll see how it goes.

I'll leave you with this...a picture of Devin wearing his brothers underpants. Just because.

Devin had his 6 month appointment this past week. He weighs 18 pounds, 9 ounces and is 26.6 inches tall. That's the 49th percentile for height and 63rd for weight. He's dropped a bit since the last appointment which is normal and expected.

He's still wearing mostly 12 month outfits. Some of the 6 to 9 months still fit him but not for long. Weird that he's average for height but outfits that should fit him keep coming unsnapped at the crotch. The kid has a long torso.

My favorite things about this week? He's starting to reach his arms out for me when he wants me, he pats me on the arm when I'm holding him, and he gives me giant drool-ridden and open mouthed smooches. I am feeling the love.

He finally decided he'd go ahead and do that rolling from front to back thing. He did it a couple times many moons ago and then I think he spooked himself or something because he boycotted it until just before his appointment. I think because he didn't want me to tell on him.

In other big news....he'll be starting daycare next week so Cat is dropping him off for a trial day on Friday. He's actually going to switch out kids, taking Dax out for a daddy and son day. Then Monday we will officially have two kiddos in preschool/daycare. I'm hoping his presence in "Dax's Territory" will not cause any issues. Time will tell.