Joe turned seven weeks old on Tuesday, and we celebrated with a leisurely walk around the neighborhood. We popped into the CVS for something cool to drink. While we were there, I stopped to peruse the lipsticks. Suddenly I heard Joe breathing fast, the way he does when he’s about to cry, so I looked down into the stroller to comfort him.

Instead of crying, he had this giant beaming smile on his face and was giggling! I almost grabbed the cashier’s microphone to make an announcement.

I’m still not sure what amused him, so I haven’t been able to get him to do it again. He doesn’t even smile regularly yet, but when he does … hoo boy. It’s too cute for words.

One recent Saturday, Patrick announced that he and Joe were going out. He didn’t know where, but he was eager to spend some time with the boy. (Even though the boy doesn’t really do much yet except sleep and fuss.)

A couple of hours later, I received this image from Patrick’s camera phone:

That’s Joe in a sidecar at one of Patrick’s favorite motorcycle shops. If it were legal (and there were a helmet small enough for Joe’s little noggin), I’m sure Patrick would have driven him home in it.

Joe’s Social Security card arrived today.

Now he can start job-hunting. Time for that boy to start pulling his weight!

He’s been smiling up a storm in his little baby gym this morning. Here’s a glimpse:

Cute overload!

Joe is getting so big and so grown-up! He’s starting to really smile now, though only occasionally, and he talks to himself throughout the day. (Mostly “Ahooo” and “Gmmmm.”)

Yesterday we went to a picnic hosted by the Richmond Mommies, a local group that has been a big help to me as I learn this whole parenthood thing. Joe wore what we’ve come to call his Cuba outfit — doesn’t he look like he just needs a cigar and a mojito to complete the look?

His new favorite thing at nap time is to listen to the waterfall soother my “Aint Naincy” sent him. It plays rainforest sound effects and a nice little lullabye. I’m tempted to keep it on my nightstand, but I can’t take it away from him.

I’m eager for him to start smiling more regularly so I can get lots of gummy grin photos. Stay tuned!

Patrick does this to Joe’s hair every night after his bath:

This afternoon I told Joe he was a month old. I explained all about what months are, and how many there are in a year, and how after 11 more of these we’ll let him have cake and maybe a little party. He didn’t seem all that interested, but he listened politely.

Today in the mail we got a Peanut Shell sling that I ordered last week. Joe seems to really like it! I wore him all over the house today while I tidied up, and then again when the four of us went for a walk around the neighborhood.

I can’t believe tomorrow is Friday already! This week has flown by. I have no idea what we’re doing this weekend, but I bet there will be lots of photos.

I can’t believe it’s been four weeks since Joe was born! It seems like just a few days ago.

Joe is currently celebrating with a nice nap, but earlier this morning he spent some time kicking his feet and looking around in the little “baby gym” our friend Lisa got for him:

We spent the weekend at my parents’ house for Independence Day. Joe got to meet his Uncle Rich and his two cousins, and he was such a good baby. He likes when there are new faces and things to look at.

Patrick and I slept in the guest room, and Joe took the office across the hall. That’s the cradle I slept in when I was a baby:

He just gets cuter and smarter and BIGGER every day!