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| E & Mommy cuddle time |
The Ballou pack reached a new chapter this past
week: Lisa returned to work and I started my month as Mr. Mom. It's really
bittersweet, but we're all handling the transition well. Luckily, Lisa is able
to do the reentry in stages - only going for half days and only for a couple
days last week. Next week will be longer hours and more days, but still
building toward full time. I’m sure E misses his mommy, but he’s in good hands
(if I do say so myself). And we’re there for mommy when she needs her baby fix.
For example: we met her ½ way for lunch one day.
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| Bailey giving E a quick sniff |
Which bring us to: So far, I do love being the trophy husband J. Somehow, I always knew I would. Though, I was really only on the clock for 2 x ½ days, it does appear to be a full time endeavor. But,
as always, E was reasonably patient with me as I began creating my routines for
prepping bottles, changing diapers, feeding him, feeding myself, etc. Our
favorite times are errands and long walks around the neighborhood with the dogs.
In fact, E loves being outside so much, that on Wednesday I even dropped the dogs
off back home because they were hot and tired, but E wanted to keep strolling.
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| Cody, the guard dog |
Yesterday was another big day of firsts: E went to New Mexico to meet
his Great Grandma Audrey (known as “GG”- cute, right?). I’ve lugged our diving
gear all over this hemisphere. I never travel to the snow without my ski stuff.
I’ve got an REI store full of camping gear that I’ve used all over the States. All
that combined is still less than what we brought with us for a long weekend of
travel. Roller bags, stroller, car seat, car seat base, diaper bag, pack’n’play…I
end there, because I’m sure I’m wearing you out. I wanted extreme baby-ing. I
got it, huh? In the end, though, it was much easier than it could’ve been. Much,
much easier.
E was a champ on both legs of the flight, since we had to change plans in
Phoenix. He either ate or slept the whole time and got kudos from all the other
passengers about what a good baby he was. We touched down in Albuquerque an
hour late and starving, but that was the worst of the problems.
Nana and Papa greeted us and whisked us off to get a burger at (one of)
their new favorite hang outs in Albuquerque, HOLY COW (I thought the name was
pretty funny for a burger joint). We did a quick walk through at Nana’s lab for
her to show off her grandbaby and then headed to the Northeast Heights to meet
GG.
We walked into GG’s house and she said, “Well, I just never thought
you’d get here.” E nursed and got his diaper changed and then we all huddled
around him on the bed, providing a very attentive audience as he kicked and cooed
and held GG’s hand with his strong lil’grip.
Then we headed up into the mountains to show E the house his daddy grew
up in. We introduced E to a long time neighbor and friend over wine, while Papa
and I put together his new vibrating lounger for while he’s in New Mexico. We
ended the night with a candle lit dinner of pizza and salad on their third
story deck with the Sandia Mountains rising around us. There was a nice breeze,
still cool from the rain earlier, and the crickets played their little legs
off. E loved every second.
Ok, I better sign off. We have some full days of Extreme Baby-ing: New
Mexico Edition ahead of us, but don’t worry, I’m sure I’ll post about all our
adventures.
Quick stats update: We weighed E last Monday at Kaiser and he clocked in
at 13 pounds, 11.5 ounces. He really has started to make a lot of baby
conversation noises and is smiling fairly often – though never on demand. Even
though he’s not sure what to do with them, he can hold onto toys. He as a killer
grip and I’m still secretly hoping he’ll have superhuman strength – because wouldn’t
that be awesome?
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