One of the things I knew I wanted to do during my paternity leave was to take a train ride with Graham. Erica knew it too, so she planned a special trip for us. I viewed it as my paternity leave final exam given that, among other things, it involved three bottle feedings on the road and lots of baggage on the train.
Last Tuesday, Graham and I took the 12:17 from Durham to Greensboro, N.C., where we visited the International Civil Rights Museum (Graham made it through the full hour-and-a-half tour even though it ran into his afternoon feeding); had a bottle (him) and a Red Eye (me) at a local coffee shop; wandered the city by stroller (him) and by foot (me); and passed some peaceful time by the fountain in Center City Park.
Erica drove to Greensboro after work and met us at Smith Street Diner. After having breakfast for dinner - including a biscuit bigger than my fist - we took a family outing to a Greensboro Grasshoppers minor league baseball game. Graham lasted six innings this time around; between the Durham Bulls and the Grasshoppers, we've now seen a full minor league game.
A train ride, a touch of history, some great coffee, a diner visit, and a minor league baseball game. Most importantly, quality time with my son and my wife. That's pretty much a perfect day in my book.
Graham on his first train ride
Outside the Civil Rights Museum
Mmmm ... diner food
Mommy and Graham at the diner
Finishing up the day with some Grasshoppers baseball
Graham is one lucky little boy to have Erica as his mommy. And we're blessed to have him in our lives. Happy Mother's Day to all our friends and family who are moms.
We joined the Rutgers Club of Raleigh-Durham at the ballpark on Friday night for the Durham Bulls' game against the Syracuse Chiefs. It was Graham's first baseball game. A rain delay pushed back the start, but the clouds eventually gave way leaving a rainbow in their wake. We enjoyed three innings before calling it a night and getting Graham home for a good night's sleep.
Graham in his baseball cap and baseball outfit.
May all Graham's rainy days be followed by rainbows.
We interrupt this program to give you the news from Graham's latest pediatrician visit. Our sweet boy now weighs in at 15 pounds, 8.3 ounces. We asked Graham if he's been raiding the refrigerator at night, but the only response we got was a quiet look away. He just might be guilty of midnight snacking. : )
I have to give Matt credit...he was confident before the visit that Graham weighed at least 15 pounds, and he was right. Daddy knows his little boy.
As you may be able to tell from our lack of blog posts, March has been a blur. Matt and I saw it coming given that we had two scheduled trips out of town and two sets of visitors to North Carolina. Now that we're almost past the "busy season," we'll try to catch up on what we've been doing.
The first weekend in March, Graham set out on his first road trip (and first stay in a hotel) as we all headed to Asheville, NC to meet my parents for the weekend. Asheville is a great town with lots to offer, and it just happens to be a good midpoint between Nashville and Durham. We spent the weekend hanging out in the hotel (and providing Graham with his first experience in a pool), walking around Biltmore Village, and eating at tasty restaurants like Tupelo Honey Cafe, Corner Kitchen, and Asheville Pizza and Brewing Company. Graham was showered with lots of love during the weekend thanks to all of the time Nana spent holding him and all of the kisses that Papa gave him. It was a trip full of good times, good food, and good memories.
Nana and Papa couldn't wait to see their grandson
Mommy loves her Graham
All suited up for his first swimming experience
Papa surfs down to the elevator to go swimming
Taking Graham for his first dip in a pool
Nana warms Graham up after his swim
All decked out from head to toe
Peaceful boy in his Papa's arms
The gang in Biltmore Village after a fun morning
Worn out after a fun weekend
Upcoming posts include coverage of the Fuquas' visit, our trip to Catonsville, and Pop Pop's pilgrimage to Durham.
Matt posted a couple of days ago about Graham's recent developments in the smiling department. I was able to capture the blessed event on video today, so I wanted to share. Enjoy!
"When you're smiling, when you're smiling, the whole world smiles with you ...."
Graham smiled for the first time on Sunday. Okay, so he's smiled before, but this time it wasn't gas, and he wasn't having a dream. This was what the pediatrician told us to expect: a social smile. Even with that warning days in advance of it happening, Graham's first real smile caught us by most pleasant surprise.
I returned from the gym Sunday afternoon, greeted Graham in his swing, and received a look I hadn't seen before - serious eyes, pursed lips. I commented to Erica about what very much appeared to be an angry face when Graham's demeanor changed entirely. And there it was, his first real smile. The whole world may not have been smiling with him, but his parents sure were.
Here's some video that Erica took right after the smile:
Graham smiled at his mommy soon thereafter, proving he's wise beyond his weeks. He now has a potent new weapon in his arsenal that's guaranteed to melt his parents' hearts any time he uses it.
Graham's smile isn't the only thing making me smile lately. I've also enjoyed...
Watching Graham sleep on his mommy. He usually falls asleep in Erica's arms after his morning feeding.
There's no denying the bond.
Seeing our 13-pound, 1-ounce baby boy in his Mr. Strong outfit. I grew up on the Mr. Men books, so buying this outfit was a no-brainer.
Love the Mr. Strong outfit.
Coaching at the YMCA. Jon and I have two more weeks left with our Pre-K basketball team, the Leprechauns. Don't be fooled by the picture below - the kids rarely sit still.
Coaching at the Y is great fun.
Buying Graham his first Orioles hat. Opening Day is just around the corner, so I placed an order for two new Orioles hats - one for me and one for Graham. I got Erica an Orioles hat when we visited Camden Yards in September, and unlike me she doesn't need several of them.
