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One of my favorite things to do now is feeding Declan... I was amazed at how fast he was able to figure the whole thing out. I had my doubts for the first couple days as he didn't seem to get the "open your mouth" concept, his tongue served as more of an output device rather than a swallowing device, and bibs were an absolute necessity. But within a few days Declan had it down, he opens his mouth when ready for another bite (whether we're ready or not), 95% of the food actually seems to make its way down his throat, and he just generally seems to like it. The only issue really is distractions, people moving around, favorite toys, belly button lint, ... all can cause him to suddenly jerk his head so that what previously was just about in his mouth instead suddenly gets stuck into his ear.

We just returned from a nine day trip to Seattle, Portland, and the surrounding areas. It's truly beautiful up there. I'd love to live there for a couple months at some point though St. Louis is definitely my home.

We had fabulous hosts in Dan and Kai (of Metropolis fame) in Seattle and Noel (one of my college roommates) and Stacia in Portland. It was particularly cool staying with Noel and Stacia as they have a son that's 4 weeks younger than Declan (and a fabulous 2 year old daughter too!).

We didn't get in as much outdoorsy stuff as usual due to the Declan factor but still managed to get in a bunch of day hikes and saw lots of beautiful scenery.

Declan did great overall. He had no problems on the plane rides (other than an inconvenient diaper blow out on the way home) and everyone commented on how good he was. He slept though chunks of the hikes but enjoyed them otherwise. The car rides were the most difficult (he's usually very content back there) and required several hundred rounds of 'Wheels on the Bus', lots of backseat riding, and several stops. But all in all, he was his usual cheerful self, though he's happy to be home.

Pics

He's Just started giggling... it's awesome.
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It's fascinating to watch Declan figure out new things everyday. He's gotten so much better at using his hands, he now grabs everything in reach which definitely keeps us on our toes, but also lets him do things to soothe himself, like shoving the pacifier in his mouth, or a stuffed animal, or a burp cloth, or a ...

I think I'll win the award for wimpiest way to hurt yourself... driving home from Live at the Levee one night, Declan was fussing a bit so I reached back to put the binky in his mouth and tweaked my shoulder something good... I've been telling people it's an old war wound...

Jen and I finally got a 4 door car, a 2005 Camry. The two doors have been fine until Declan outgrew his pumpkin seat. With the new car seat in rear-facing position, we had to climb in and out of the small opening with Declan in our arms... a week and a half of that and we got a new car.

New Pics are up: July | August

It's amazing what a difference 8 solid hours (that's for Jen and I, Declan slept 12) of sleep makes. I feel like a new man!

Another first for today, Declan can no hold onto things for extending periods... he had his little plastic key set in his hands for at least an hour. Much of that time was spent trying to cram the keys into his mouth.

And he's finally begun Chinese lessons, I know I know, we're way behind... he took his 2nd trip to Noodle Cafe (in the Loop East of Skinker), his first trip we bonded with the owner as he cried most of the time (the only time he's ever cried at all while eating out) and they were more than happy to play with him as we ate... Today he was all smiles as he showed off all his new tricks. We learned Nai-Nai (spelling highly questionable) is Chinese for mother's milk.

[FROM JEN]
Declan is doing good.  He slept his first 7 hour night Wednesday night!  Yay!  He did a 5 hour one last night, so we're not consistent yet, but it was still pretty nice. 

On Monday he also intentially grabbed the red dog upstairs and the blue elephant on his car seat.  Very cool!  He's giggling more now and grabbing at things more now.  He's so cute! 

He also had his biggest explosion yet today....soaked right through the diaper!  Usually it just leaks out the sides and/or top.  This time it did all that plus soaking through the actual diaper material...Talk about a big mess!  His whole back was covered in poo, as was his outfit, burp cloth, boppie cover, boppie pillow, couch, changing pad, and pack and play sheet.  Yuckie!  it was his smelliest batch yet also...

Anyhoo, that's the big stuff this week.  Otherwise he's just his usual cute little self...although Dave weighed him again and we think he's around 15 1/2 lbs now.