Our Staycation

Dear Violet,

We just got back from our Staycation in Santa Cruz.  Your mother and I usually travel quite a bit to faraway places, but given that you just arrived recently, we need to save up time and money to stabilize us before we can do that again regularly.

This break from the norm was really about just a change of scenery.  Your mother is off of work to take care of you, but usually stays home with you or if you guys go out, will stay local.  I happened to have close to a week off from work, so we headed to Santa Cruz for a few days.

We did a couple of hikes while we were there, one that skirted the cliffside of Wilder Ranch.  The ocean waves crashed onto the cliffs, and we saw seals sunning themselves, and just took in the ocean air.  I carried you on my chest and you slept the entire time.

Our second hike was at Henry Cowell Park on the Fall Trail.  It was an out and back about a mile into the redwood forest.  This is a hike that your mom and I usually do when we camp, and it was just as serene and peaceful, and scenic.

Things that we've noticed about you now that you're 7 weeks old.  You definitely seem to take an interest in looking outside.  I've caught you looking out the window while we are driving, and you were doing the same out of our hotel window this past weekend.  You seem to be 'fighting' sleep when you get sleepy, and more and more we need to make the conditions right for you to fall asleep.
Your appetite is increasing!  And as a result, your feeding times are not so regular anymore.  It's a bit of an adjustment, but an expected one since you are growing so much now.

I see you often so your growth isn't as noticeable to me, but when compared to your earlier pictures, you can obviously tell.  We don't know how much you weigh, but you last weighed in at 9lbs about a month ago.  A couple of people have mentioned that you look like a 5-month old.

Despite your youth, your legs are strong, and you can hold yourself up.  You're still too young to have full voluntary control of your arms, head, neck and back, but it's getting there.   Your eyesight is getting better as you continue to track people that are in front of you.....and your smiles are more obvious and deliberate.

You also yell like a banshee when you are upset and crying.  But still, we haven't encountered you to be inconsolable.  You'll cry if you're gassy, need your diaper changed, or if you're hungry.

That's it for now.  Your mother just got back from the Brian McKnight concert with your Auntie Gladys.  I'm going to sit with her while she gets a bit to eat before bed.

Love,
Dad