Two

Tadpole,

This week, you are two months old. As I write this, you are sitting in your swing next to Mama's desk, asleep. I thank goodness for the invention of the baby swing. It is brilliant. My decision to move it into the office was brilliant as well. I can finally be slightly (albeit barely) productive.

Not surprisingly, you continue to grow at an alarming rate. I try to savor each moment, but the truth is that I can't. The moments simply occur too fast and we have so much going on in our lives that it seems like each day slips by too quickly. I try to ignore work as much as possible. I try to limit our obligations to others, but still...

I'm so grateful that you came into our lives when you did. Mama is lucky in that she can work from home this summer. Fall quarter already stresses us out though. What will we do? What is best for you? For Mama? For Daddy? For our family?...Unfortunately, I'm already locked into one contract that requires me to be on campus a good portion of the week. I hate the idea of leaving you -- of being gone for even a moment. At the same time, however, I am lucky in that outside of lecture time, my schedule (while slammed) is flexible.

There is no way to fully capture all the changes that take place on a daily basis, or all the joy that occurs in our family due to your presence. Here are the highlights from this month though:

- Much to Mama's horror, you've grown so much that you're up a size in diapers.

- Your Auntie P and Uncle D had a BBQ in your honor so that you could meet the whole family.

- Aunt E came home from sea and you had the opportunity to meet her too.

-Aunt G got ill this month, which was scary. She came down from Alaska to be closer to her kids. In turn, you got to meet a good portion of Daddy's family at a BBQ at the beach.

- You've started smiling on a fairly regular basis. You find a lot to be amusing. Your smile is adorable and lights up a room.

- You babble now too. At times, you have a lot to say. Mama likes to take you to the coffee shop in the morning to discuss the day. You seem to enjoy it as well, as you contribute more to each conversation with each passing week.

- Your favorite song remains 'The Wheels on the Bus'. You also seem to enjoy Mama's butchered versions of 'Twist and Shout' as well as the Monkeys theme song. Unfortunately, Mama doesn't know the words to either of them completely.

- Your favorite books seems to be Eric Carle's "Brown Bear, Brown Bear...". You're a fan of the Hungry Caterpillar though, too. Mama and Daddy love to read to you and talk about all the books we hope to share with you as you grow.

- Bath time calms you, although you have yet to figure out splashing.

- You can be in the worst mood, but are always relatively happy when on your changing table. Mama and Daddy cannot figure out why this makes you happy.

- Daddy put some cool paper lanterns up in your room. They're brightly colored and you love them. Mama and Daddy are working on another project to decorate your room too. We hope it will be done soon.

- You seem to intuitively know when you're being photographed or recorded. You will not cooperate for either. You're so much cuter in real life though, too.


- You're an awesome sleeper. You have been since you were born. Typically, you go for a good 4 hour stretch at the beginning of the night and then wake up for regular feedings every hour or two. The feedings are brief and the you go back to sleep without issue. After 5 a.m. though, you refuse to go back to your cradle. You'll take an awesome morning nap though, if Mama brings you to bed.

- Mama takes a LOT of pictures of you and Daddy sleeping. You both really enjoy morning naps (which works out well since he works at night).

- Daddy loves coming home to you each day. He likes to check-in with you, cuddle, talk, etc. He regularly talks about how proud of you he is and how awesome he thinks you already are. He has big dreams for you.

- Sometimes you notice the kitty and pause, but seem mostly unaffected by him. The funny thing is that R watches you closely. He makes sure we take good care of you.

- Your yawns are still amazing. So are your eyes.

You, my sweet little boy, are amazing.