Our first trip to the ER

So daycare adjustment has been kind of nil as Joaquin got really sick this week. He has been congested since his 4 month appointment and he spiked a 103 degree fever on Wednesday. We went to the ER and hung out until 2 am. No news really...chest X Ray looked fine, blood work was fine, urine was fine.

What amazes us is what great spirits he's been in through everything. He really is a great, easy going kid. They tortured him in that ER with the blood work and sticky urine collecting thing and he stayed smiley and happy through the ordeal. Sure he cried when they stuck him, but right back to the smiley, happy kid when they were done. And still wanting to play...it was kind of sad/funny as he had basically lost his voice but would still reach for things with these low groans that made him sound like an 80 year old smoker. No fever anymore, but still congested.

The first pic was taken the day we took him to the ER, second pic is from today...happy in both, just degrees of happiness...we're pretty lucky : )

Back to work

I have been back to work for a week now and debating what to write about it. I've got family, friends, and work peers that read this and we also use it as a 'journal' for Joaquin in the future, so the question becomes, how honest should I be? I think I have decided to go bare bones on this one...just the basics...

The first day was awful. I cried...several times. Since then, we have acclimated pretty well. It's not awful anymore and its not necessarily difficult. Is it ideal? No, but I don't like to dwell on that. There are benefits to me working like the tickets we bought to the Philippines for New Year's so that Joaquin can go meet his great-grandma, so we can do it. I am grateful to have a job that is so supportive and flexible, especially in this economy.

I miss him terribly during the day, but now I get that big smile when I get home like Gideon always got before and that feels great. Joaquin seems to enjoy his day care lady...we found a woman that has an in home operation a few blocks from our house. The first day I went to pick him up he was happy to see me, but not desperate to see me...I could not have asked for a better reaction.

Here's some of the fun I'm missing...my mom took this during the day...

5 months old!

These pictures are perfect because at 5 months old, Joaquin wants to put everything in his mouth.

Halloween Part II

We took Joaquin to the beach for a photo session in his costume

Happy Halloween!!!

Joaquin: Baby Spokesperson

We seem to be in the middle of our friends as far as life development goes. We have friends who are slightly older than us who are much better established than us...better houses, greater income, more than one child, etc...and we have friends who are slightly younger than us who are just buying, just getting married, thinking about children, etc... Two observations about these groups:

Among the younger group, I often get the women of this group looking at Joaquin with fear. They ask questions and it is clear that they're scared of having a baby and going into this next part of their life. We were at a party the other night and that seemed to be the case, but Gideon and I have nothing but positive things to say about having a baby. "How is it?" she asked, and we said "It's fun" as she kind of regarded me skeptically. I told her husband later that we are great, walking advertisements for having a baby and that Joaquin was a great baby spokesperson. My pregnancy wasn't particularly difficult, neither was labor and delivery and neither is having him at home. Which brings me to my second observation...

Both groups, but especially the older group, likes to steal our sunshine on this. During pregnancy, when I said it wasn't particularly difficult, they said "Just wait, people that have easy pregnancies have awful deliveries." Then I had an easy delivery and people said something to the effect of 'your child will be the devil.' Now Joaquin is easy to be around and everyone says, "Oh just wait til your second one, you'll be in for it then!" What's up with that? We keep coming back to the idea that a baby might be more easy going if you are more easy going...self fulfilling prophesies anyone?

Anyway, here are a few photos of our beautiful, easy going 20 week old (20 weeks!). He is now reaching for things and people (mostly his mama when he is tired) and really likes stuffed animals. By the way, he was beyond perfect at the party and everyone remarked at what a great baby he was as we left : )

My son...soon to be triathlete.

Joaquin, Anjelica, Lola (Barbara) and Nate went to Hermosa Beach @ 6am in the morning to go cheer on daddy for the 'Day at the Beach Triathlon.'  It starts with an early morning swim in the ocean for a quarter mile, 10 mile bike ride then a 3 mile run.  It's pretty fun and usually you get to see something or somebody interesting.  Daddy struggled in the swim this year.  The water was pretty choppy.  You know it's bad when it's cooler out of the water than in it.  Can't wait till next year.  Joaquin will have to wait another 13 years and 8 months before he will be able to compete with daddy.