13
May 12

Bad Ass Mother

 

Donovan is very lucky to have a mom like Brook.   She makes him homemade baby food.  She sings to him when he cries (Salt -N- Peppa seems to work best.)  She bathes him.   She knows what to do when he poops while she is bathing him.  She reads him stories.  She is his favorite dance partner.  She can change a diaper with one hand in the dark.  She takes to him to the pool so he can dip his feet in the water.   She sews him homemade bibs.   She is constantly on the internet looking for ideas for birthdays he is going to have years from now.   She’s not afraid (like his dad is) to cut his fingernails.  She picks his nose.   She tickles his feet.   She kisses him no less than 1000 times a day.

Since Donovan can’t say it yet, I will say it for him.    “Happy Mother’s Day Mama.   I’m very lucky to have a mom like you.   I love you.”


09
Apr 12

Pick me!!

Does Donovan look more like his mom or dad?   Brook and I have been debating this since the day he arrived.   It’s time to settle it and we would like your help.   Below are two comparisons between Donovan and his parents (as babies)   Please vote for who you think he gets his dashing good looks from.

 

 

 

Who does Donovan most resemble?

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25
Mar 12

Room Service

We have shared a lot over here at donovantoreno.com. We showed you how little Van came into this world, what his first bath was like and how he suffered through his first immunizations. We originally intended to share his nursery with you before he was born, but life gets hectic and before you know it, it’s four months later and people are asking what his room looks like.

So without further ado, I give you the staged nursery. I say staged because there have been a few changes since he has moved in.

For instance, this plant is now dying a slow death out on our patio. It was emitting a moldy odor so it had to go. Also, the crib is now nice and boring, free from the evils of blankets and stuffed animals.

The chair was impractical in the nursery. It now resides in our living room. There now sits another chair in its place where all the evil blankets and stuffed animals live.

The dresser is now a fully functioning changing station.

Ebay sponsored our vintage toy replicas. The lunch box is legit, though.

These books have made their way to our bookcase.

Handmade gifts for Donovan hang on the walls.

Every nursery needs a touch of Disney.

Finally, this portrait of the shuttle launch was taken in 1964 by Joe’s stepfather. It was an appropriate addition to our outer space themed room.

Of course there has been the addition of toys and dirty diapers. Other than that, everything remains the same.

-Brook


08
Mar 12

February flicks.

Here are some of my favorite photos from February.

- Joe


01
Mar 12

I miss my arms.

When you live with a newborn baby the first thing you lose is the use of your arms. Babies like to be held (especially mine) and  you quickly realize  how hard it is to do anything with a baby in your arms. So you just sit on the couch, hold him and watch TV all day. That gets old real quick. Dishes start to pile up, as does the laundry and the backyard starts to look like a jungle. All you want to do is put the kid down and clean the house but he’s just not having it.

The “baby harness” we have is a perfect solution. The baby still feels like he is being held and I can actually get some shit done. The problem is that Donovan has yet to decide if he likes the harness or not. Sometimes I put him in it and he’s chill. He will look around for a while then pass out. Other times he acts like I have just destroyed his life and screams the second I put him in.

I’m hoping he comes to terms with the harness soon; I really want my arms back.

- Joe


26
Feb 12

Kiss Me You Fool!

One thing I really enjoy doing is kissing my son. I kiss him when he cries, I kiss him when he smiles; I even kiss him after he spits up.

I think ahead to the day when he decides it’s no longer okay for me to kiss him. It will be embarrassing and gross cause it’s from his mommy. I obsess about when that will happen. Maybe it will be when he turns 3 or when he starts kindergarten…or maybe it’s already begun. :(

-Brook


05
Feb 12

Shots shots shots shots shots

This is Donovan being weighed when he was around 5 minutes old.

 

And this is Donovan being weighed at two months (He’s in a much better mood.)

 

We took Donovan to the doctor for his two month check up on Friday. I’m happy to report that he is growing like a champ. He now weighs 12.5 lbs. which is above average for his age. I’m pretty sure the five new pounds are all in his cheeks.

 

He is now 22 inches tall.

 

Waiting for Doctor Max.

 

 

Mom keeping Donovan warm and loved.

 

Doctor Max doing his thing.

 

 

 
We knew going into our visit that it was going to end badly. Donovan needed three vaccine shots. We tried to prepare ourselves for the inevitable screams but it didn’t help. The little dude screamed so loud that he lost his voice. It was heart breaking. I was only able to shoot one photo…
 

 

I’m happy to report that two days later Donovan is as happy as a clam and has forgotten all about those stupid shots.

- Joe


22
Jan 12

Sleepless in Ontario.


When you have a new baby your life literally gets turned upside down.   All of the sudden you find yourself awake at ungodly hours every night.   At first I hated it.   I felt like a walking zombie.  As I adjusted I started to really like being awake at 3:30am.

The truth is our house is kind of beautiful in the middle of the night.   It’s quiet and calm.   Everything is covered in the blue light from our TV.   Donovan is usually pretty peaceful so I get to stare at him and trip out on the fact that I helped make him.

However, there is a bad side to being awake in the wee hours.  I find myself dangerously close to believing what the infomericals are telling me. You laugh now but you won’t be laughing when I’m a real estate millionaire and I have the perfect six pack abs.

-Joe


14
Jan 12

Eat your heart out Sinatra.

I want to start out by saying that I will love Donovan no matter what his eye color is. Do you hear that Brook?! I will still love him even if he has brown eyes. That being said I have to admit that since he was conceived I have hoped that Donovan would get his mom’s beautiful blue eyes. Now I know it is still early and they can still change, but it looks like I might get my wish…..

- Joe


14
Jan 12

The sleep sheep is watching you…

I know I would be creeped out by this dude constantly staring at me while I snooze but Donovan finds him soothing. It probably helps that he makes whale sounds.

- Joe