Vin is 6 weeks old today and over 8 lbs.
His body now:

• has ear wax
• boogers
• tears when he cries
• the beginnings of eyebrows
• beginnings of fat rolls (see picture)

He likes:

going on walks in his stroller

laying "tummy to tummy" with Teri

sitting on the front porch

going out to dinner

pretending to stand up (see video)

He can't decide if he likes:

• his new swing
• pacificiers

He hates:

• getting his nose sucked out (boy does he hate this!)

We've had a very big week around the De Leon household. On Tuesday Teri left town for the first time since Vin was born. She went to Atlanta to the Women in Foodservice Forum conference and went to Richard Blaise's restaurant Home. Those of you who watch Bravo's Top Chef know who I'm talking about. Now, while Teri is off with chefs and eating great food I was braving my first days without her. Luckily James lives "two doors down" and so I'm never really alone. He came over with Jefferey and Bob on Tuesday night and made us quesadillas and then the nicest thing of all... he emptied my dishwasher. Who knew that something so simple and domestic would make me so happy. Who knew that I would find it impossible to do this myself. We love James!!


On Wednesday we went to lunch with Uncle Mat to a great bbq joint called Hard 8. For those of you in Dallas I highly recommend this meat joint. Afterwards made a visit to the new Mrs. Paul Travis aka Marilyn Murphy. Then on Thursday Teri returned (yea!!) and she took over Mommy duties so I could get some school work done. But the greatest part of the week was dinner at Blue Mesa. Last night they kicked off their corn festival with a Corn Buffet featuring Corn Fritters, Southwest Succotash, Corn Cakes, Pork Tenderloin with a Warm Corn Relish, Corn Crusted Grouper Tacos, Shrimp and Corn Skewers with Pomegranate Chile Glaze, Chimayo Market Corn and Sweet Corn Upside Down Cake with Mangos, Peaches and Blackberries.

This I know is true: Teri loves Vin, Corn, the color Orange and Me, and in that order. We had a wonderful time and couldn't resist getting our picture made with the corn. Actually, we were taking Vin's picture in the corn crate when a fairly drunk woman insisted on taking our picture too. She grabbed an ear of corn and stuck in down my shirt. Who was I to resist this photo opportunity!

When we got home Michael had left a decorative bag of apricots on our front door. I love it when people leave presents on the front porch!

To finish up our week, we went to Brinker's home office today to show off the boy. Whew... I'm exhausted!

Check out his neck pillow!!

I can't believe it's been two weeks since I last posted! Obviously we've been busy with Vin but we are kind of starting into a routine around here. He's doing great and had his one month check up last week, can you believe its been a month already! He's up to eight pounds and so he has the beginnings of some fat rolls on this legs. He has definitely filled out in the cheek department too and is adorable.

Yesterday he was kept by his Aunt Irene and cousin Jessica while Teri and I went to Tara & Nikki's pool with James and Jeffrey. We were able to get some desperately needed sun and a bit of a tan. Afterwards Teri barbecued some ribs, corn and asparagus and we all ate in the backyard. We have a tradition when we eat ribs -- we toss the bones into a stainless steel bowl in the middle of the table, the bones make a "pinging" sound when they hit so throughout dinner there are constantly flying bones and "pings".

Our other tradition on Saturday nights is to listen to classic country and sing. James and I are quite the duet, we can really belt out some Dolly, Kenny, etc. We can't wait to embarrass Vincent when he gets older with this behavior!

Last week my step-sister Cassie was in town from Savannah, she's expecting her first baby (a girl) in the fall. I've copied several pictures below of her visit.

I must also take this opportunity to tell everyone how wonderful my wife is. Now that Teri is back to work, Vin and I are busy with a constant cycle of feedings, diapers, rocking, feedings, diapers, rocking... To make sure that I've got lunch everyday Teri made me homemade hotpockets which we call kampockets. By homemade I mean that she made the dough from scratch then rolled it out and filled it with six varieties of fillings. Now all I have to do is heat them for one minute and I've got a lunch I can eat with one hand. She's the greatest!!

In honor of Teri's fierce love of the color ORANGE, I bought Vincent this orange striped hat. There's nothing like a good swaddle and a hat to top it off!

Simply Precious