The Davolts

16 weeks  Today was the last Sunday Parkways of the season. Parkways are one of our favorite events in Portland, as the city closes streets in a designated neighborhood to allow for bicycle and pedestrian traffic to take over for several hours. Our participation has been quite limited this year as Nathan is not old enough for bicycle carriers. When he was about three weeks old, we walked part of the North Portland route. Today, the Parkways came to our neighborhood and Jennifer, Nathan and I set out in the fall weather (blustery and cool followed by total downpour and drenched). To prepare for the cooler weather, I finally put Nathan into his first pair of jeans. I love how they look on, but are significantly more work to put on and take off compared to the sweats he usually wears. Since Nathan is growing, I adjusted his stroller so he is no longer lying flat, but reclined slightly. He didn't seem to notice the difference much and didn't pay any more attention to his surro...

The Davolt's on our first day of school. As the new school year approached, Jeff and I began investigating infant care in our area.  We toured three facilities, but given that we had few resources for recommendations, it felt a little arbitrary to choose one. We decided we felt most comfortable with a place called Jump for Joy Christian Early Learning Community and elected to enroll Nathan there. One aspect we liked was that the director is a former kindergarten teacher in Portland Public Schools. Therefore, her facility has a more school like feel compared with the other daycare type facilities. Jump for Joy offers classrooms for infants through pre-school age and requests parents and teachers commit for two years to keep turn over low. Thankfully, Jump for Joy provides diapers, so I don't have to worry about restocking and they also provide organic food for the older kids. The school is located in an old church which has been remodeled to fit their needs. It's about ...

Nathan is now three months old and continues to grow before our eyes! We estimate him to weigh about 20 pounds and he has moved into yet another diaper size. We are thankful to Jennifer for collecting hand me downs from Seattle for us since he is now in 9 month size clothing. Friends, family and strangers alike all comment on his size. We are just thankful he is healthy! A colleague of mine was kind enough to snag some Husky tickets for the season opener against Eastern Washington University.  Jeff could hardly pass up the chance to see a Husky win! We hit the road with Jennifer in tow and made it to my dad's house by lunch. The river looked tempting but we had to keep moving to make it by kick off. We all had a great time at the game; the weather was perfect even if the play wasn't. Nathan cried a bit when the  crowd would roar but otherwise slept or people watched. Nathan is developing some new skills recently. For several weeks he has used his fist to soothe...

Nathan received a colorful gym mat from his Great-Grandma Davolt and Auntie Jennifer that my dad put together for us when Nathan was first born. Nathan spends some time each day watching the colorful lights and the animal mobile while listening to the music. As he gets older, he enjoys it more and more, smiling and laughing until I pull out the camera, of course. When he gets really excited his arms start swinging and his legs start kicking. The gym mat provides a great distraction for him while I am putting away laundry or cooking dinner. His cousin JD loved the music so much he turned it on every time he was in the room (and it usually stayed on even after he wasn't in the room). We use it so much I had to change the batteries this week.

Earlier this year, my cousin Annie suggested a reunion of the King family, my mother's family. Over the last ten years, we have become increasingly spread out over the west coast and unfortunately do not see each other often. I loved the idea and soon had airline tickets booked. As the trip neared, I began to feel nervous about flying with an infant and being "that parent" with the crying child. As we boarded the plane, fellow passengers gave us dirty looks as they evaluated their proximity to us. Fortunately, Nathan hardly made a peep the entire time and seemed angelic compared to the hysterical toddler a few rows ahead of us (definitely makes me want to avoid flying with a toddler)! Lilly swimming in the pool My Auntie Betsy and her husband were gracious enough to offer to host this first gathering at their home in Glendale, Arizona. Of course, Arizona in August is HOT but the pool in the backyard was convenient and refreshing. Most of the weekend was spent in t...

Today was Nate's two month check up with his pediatrician. Dr. Chrissie was recommended to us by my OB-GYN. Dr. Chrissie's practice is different than the offices I've become accustomed to throughout my life. First of all, she is the only doctor in the practice which is located just a few minutes from home. She has a small office without a receptionist or waiting room. There is a cozy living room type feel to the office. Each appointment is scheduled for an hour should that time be needed. I first met Dr. Chrissie just two days before being hospitalized back in April and loved the personal feel to her office and the chance to build a relationship with a doctor. When we have questions about Nathan's health and care, she can be reached easily through email. My dad described her practice as "New Age" but honestly, it feels more old-fashioned to me; more like how it might have been a hundred years ago. Maybe it's a little of both. Sure enough, Dr. Chrissie co...

I can hardly believe how busy we have been during Nate's second month of life. As each week passes, we become more comfortable as a family, pursuing more adventures and enjoying the summer weather that has finally arrived! Nate continues to grow beyond our belief (and nearly beyond his diapers). We decided to celebrate Independence Day at home this year, and were lucky to have many of our Portland friends come cook out and visit with us. Ever enthusiastic about hosting, Jeff bought thematic decor from the Dollar Store and created a patriotic themed soundtrack for the day. We had a last minute brainstorm to create a sample citizenship test for our guests (we are both social studies teachers after all). Unfortunately, most guests didn't make a passing grade (yikes!); but we had a good laugh and appreciate our friends putting up with us. Thanks to the collective contributions, there was a ton of good food and I probably ate three or four plates worth! Nap time with Grandpa Mur...