Meet the Lynches

We've had quite the week at the newly-anointed Oakland Street B&B. Christopher's two older brothers were here last week - that's Ralph, who lives in Connecticut, and Philip, who lives in Hong Kong - and his mom (sorry, mum) and stepfather have been here since Sunday. They leave today to continue their US-tour in CT/NY, and it's been a fun, productive visit. Productive because Elizabeth is a master organizer/house planner, so we've been moving and arranging and cleaning like mad all week. Much, MUCH appreciated. There's also been ample "Angus appreciation" time, and the kid continues to woo with these grandparents, as well. I think it goes without saying that the first grandparents he met were fairly smitten.

Anyway, Angus is one-month old today, and he's growing like a weed. As for my mothering abilities/skills, I can only hope they're developing and improving at an appropriate speed. I'm certainly trying, but I'm also finding that (as my more pragmatic friends told me while I was pregnant), it's mostly a matter of finding what works best for you and your baby. So far, Angus is proving to be a relatively unfussy baby - the qualifiers in that statement are a protection against my jinxing myself by making outlandish claims of a nonfussy baby, which will surely be met with a host of "wait until..." statements. BUT so far, so good. Having said that, any and all advice/suggestions are always appreciated :).

Pictures of the rapidly-growing baby boy are attached, along with some pictures from our field trip to the Udvar Hazy Air & Space Museum out by Dulles. I'd never been there, and I was a teeny bit skeptical about the wisdom of making the trip with a one-month old, but Angus was probably the last-fussy of the lot of us. Not a single crying fit or melt down. For the most part, he alternated between sleeping and taking in his surroundings in a very Angus-typical contemplative manner. As part of my "do what works best for you and your baby" lifestyle mantra, we haven't shied away from taking him out in public. Some new parents opt to minimize outside exposure during the first 6 weeks or so - while I do understand there are reasons for this school of thought, I would probably lose the plot if I went that route, and Angus has been quite a trooper in his numerous outings. Now, that's not to suggest that I allow strangers to paw at him, and I'm not taking him to Chuck E Cheese (well, that will NEVER happen), but I do believe it's in everyone's best interest to get him started on the real world as soon as possible.

Past Angus's stellar performance yesterday, I must admit that I was pleasantly surprised with the museum. I'd been, of course, to the Air & Space Museum on the National Mall, but I preferred the Udvar Hazy exhibits. Far less touristy-packed, less shtick (best word I can think of) and more actual information and planes, etc., and overall just a well-organized place. It would have been nice if they'd had a second option for lunch past McDonald's, but nobody's perfect :).

One of his mid-sleep spaz-outs. Usually including a solid punch to his own face.

Angus with his binkie at the museum. Taking it all in.

Molly in front of the space foods and poop-bags exhibit. Quite a combination.

Who knows what he was doing. Pretty standard Angus-face.

Vietnam and Korean War exhibits.

Sleeping.

Just woke up.

I love this picture for some reason.

Back shot of the Discovery.

Sleepy boy.

LOVE this picture, too. I could watch him making faces for hours.