Reading today: Detroit Free Press & News, Livonia Observer
Music today: Billy Joel "Greatest Hits Vol. I," Webb Wilder "Acres of Suede" and Off Kilter "Etched in Stone." These are in the CD player in my car.
TV today: None. Can you believe it?!
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Saturday was Doug's birthday. We celebrated by driving to Niles to visit relatives. We arrived around 1:30 and my parents were already there. Starla and Crocus (my aunt, long story with the nickname) were thrilled to meet Roman. We played a lot. We began to feed him at 3:30 when my dad's other two sisters arrived. They watched the entire time as Doug fed Roman. They didn't believe that Roman could eat 3 large jars of baby food in one sitting. As he polished off the third and cried for more, they were speechless.

More relatives arrived, including my brother, his wife, and Iris, their daughter. What a beauty she is becoming. Blonde curls, just the cutest. Anyway, we played a quick shower game and we got a few videos, burp cloths, drool bibs, some small toys for outside. Dispersed in the group of prizes were things for grownups - candy, candles. So it was fun to see who got the "Bob the Builder" video and who got the candles.

Then I began to open presents. And more presents. And more presents. My cousin divorced a long time ago and my aunt's grandson never had young children, so Iris and Roman are their "babies." And they spoil them! We joke that when they visit my other cousin in Alabama, they know every children's store between here and there! We got a lot of nice things from my other aunts, etc. Fun stuff for summer, clothes, toys. Good stuff!

We then went back to my parents' house to spend the night. Roman did wonderfully for going to all these strange places and seeing new people. He slept remarkably well. Took an hour nap on Saturday, and a 2 hour nap on Sunday. My relatives no longer believe me that he doesn't nap during the day!

Sunday after we left my parents' house we stopped in K-zoo to see more relatives, including my grandmother. Roman was so good with her, sat nicely on her lap for quite awhile and allowed himself to be cuddled. Considering he usually struggles and whines, this was wonderful. Doug let my little cousin Ali, who just turned 10, feed Roman his big meal in the afternoon. She just loved it and was so thrilled to be able to help.

So now we're home and it's going to take us days to unpack all the gifts and put them away. :) But how lucky we are to have so many relatives who love this little guy!