Oh So Sad

What is it about baby faces that even when they are upset or sad, they still look so cute? I read somewhere once that it is a purposeful evolutionary phenomenon that newborns are so cute, and that their cries are sweet to the ears (well, in comparison to an older infant). This likely aids attachment, making their caregivers more inclined to care for them, even at 3 a.m. when they are incredibly sleep deprived.

Kalani, while he is sweet baby, and well, perfect in my opinion, has many moments when he is not so content, thereby bestowing us with his increasingly forceful cries. He also has many faces to communicate his discontent. This one is my favorite.

Our Growing Boy

Kalani turned 7 weeks old yesterday. It is so strange to me how it is difficult, near impossible, to remember life before Kalani. I feel I have known him forever. His sounds, his facial expressions, the feel of him in my arms, all are so familiar... like we've always been together. I anticipate it will be a shock to the system to return to work - to leave him with someone else and not have him within arms reach. How do career moms do it?

It's wonderfully amazing to watch Kalani grow and develop. He smiles and laughs more everyday, he loves his playmat (especially the ladybug whom he tries to charm with his grins), he swats at his toys and is constantly kicking and moving, he blows bubbles, and coos and gurgles when he is amused. Kevin and I are growing and learning too - we are beginning to distinguish his cries, we (I think) are more relaxed, and we are growing comfortable with our delegated tasks. I continue to be the "milk machine" while Kevin has adopted the title of "sleep magician." Sometimes, I find myself observing my friends' children, who are all older than Kalani, and getting so excited, imagining how he will fare at their age. I look forward to when he will crawl, or walk, or pick up toys, or squeal in delight, when he will be able to say "Mommy" or "Daddy" and tell us what he needs. Then I have to remind myself to slow down and enjoy the moment. To enjoy and relish him as he is in this very moment. Luckily, that is not hard to do.

We have had much social time lately - with family and playdates. This post will capture just a few of our get-togethers. Here is Kalani with three of his six grandparents.

Addie Sue, Mallory, and LuLu, finding creative ways to play at Amy's during our first Graceland playdate.

Kalani chillin' with his pal, Owen, who is 4 months older.

Kalani making sure that his friends, Addison, Holly, and Hayden know that he is very, very, VERY hungry.

What a big boy at Aunt Katie's wedding! Looking much like Grandpa Sisavath in this photo

Eric took our first professional family photos for us, which turned out great! Kalani had a couple meltdowns but overall he did wonderfully. Looking so darn cute is hard work, and it wore him out!

Kalani Stats:
10 lbs 15 oz (>50th percentile), 23 inches long (75th percentile), 14.5 head circumference (10th percentile)