October already?

As usual, time flies by. Each day brings something new... our little guy is getting much more proficient at riding his wheeled vehicles, and is pretty good about the helmet now. He has moved up, with a lot of his friends close to the same age, to a new classroom, which has all new things to explore. (They have a bigger kitchen play set, which delights him.) He is also a big fan of the vacuum and broom. We are certainly trying to foster these traits, which will no doubt endear him to others in the future! We've moved some furniture around the house to make a better race way and play space for him... which was clearly well worth our while ~ since all he wants to do is jump on the sofa and climb on the coffee table. Sigh. :-) I think his high chair days are numbered, though I am the one fighting to hold on to that... there is something to be said for strapping him down at mealtime so he can't wander around with food! It's confusing for the puppy, to have snacks wandering around at his level... but he is SUCH a good dog.

Little man's vocabulary is really taking off. He can identify a LOT of animals (with corresponding sound effects) as well as most of the characters in the Winnie the Pooh books. He knows Mickey Mouse, Superman, Batman, Curious George, and Handy Manny on sight. (As well as some of Manny's tools.) He says something new just about every day, and is actually putting things together such as "more cheese mommy please." It does, I confess, (for now at least) make it harder to refuse him when he asks so correctly. (Of course, I am a sucker to start with, which doesn't help.) We are trying to make him a good eater, and he is pretty good with most fruits and vegetables so far. He hasn't met a "carne" he doesn't like, unsurprisingly. Some days he just wants what he wants and will flat out reject that which he ate with gusto the day before; but overall, I think he does well. He is running around a lot, and starting to lose that precious little baby buddha belly. Overall, he is starting to resemble a little boy. A sweet, thoughtful, loving; if somewhat rambunctious and opinionated, little boy. (Where he could have gotten an inherent genetic stubbornness is completely beyond us.)

We are looking forward to our first trick or treating experience, and to seeing all the grandparents at Thanksgiving. It will be a houseful of fun!

Whirlwind weekend snapshots

Whirlwind weekend

So, Daddy is finally home! Being an operatively single parent for three weeks was a learning experience, to be certain. Hats off to the parents who do it every day. I know you find some inner reserve that allows you to do what has to be done... because it has to be done. But having a wonderful partner sure does make it a lot easier, and I am clearly spoiled by mine. We picked Dad up at the airport, where we were both VERY glad to see him again, on Friday. On Saturday, we went to the local county fair (it was the last day) and spent most of the day/evening there. Little man had a blast. Fed the goats and camel; saw a real live organ grinder monkey - handed it a dollar, in fact; climbed on a dozen tractors (possibly the highlight of his day); talked to the cows, bunnies, roosters, ducks; saw chicks actually hatching from their eggs; and saw a sheepdog demonstration. When one of the goats nipped him during feeding, he shook his finger at the little animal and told it repeatedly, "No bite! No bite!" (Guess he has heard that a time or two...) He "dug" potatoes out of the sawdust plot, watched Dad milk a pretend cow, and helped gather some indestructible eggs from the pretend chickens. (It was a cute little setup for little kids to be "farmers for the day" and he had a good time. Especially when he was throwing the sawdust mulch everywhere...) He had kettle corn, chocolate ice cream, a corn dog, and some baked beans... and didn't get sick. We're so proud. It was a good day, though a long one.

On Sunday, we got up and drove over to get Dad's car from the unit, and went to the aquarium. It was also pretty cool. Little man was more interested in the turtles than the fish, but they have a lot of turtles, so it was good. They have a small butterfly aviary, where the inhabitants were also admonished, "no bite!" when they flitted too close. The otters were sort of fun, and the jellyfish exhibit is absolutely beautiful. They are so ethereal, so graceful. We stopped in a Mexican restaurant for lunch, and the beef burrito was not our best plan for the boy, but these are learning experiences, right? I think hubby's shirt may eventually come clean... but can't be sure yet. Let me do a little plug for the portable Tide pen, though. Every parent should have one in their car, their purse, and two in the diaper bag. Those suckers rock.

Overall, the little man was a super trooper for all the activity. He is such an interesting little person now. Yesterday, I asked hubby what the little guy was saying (over and over and over) in the next room, because it didn't sound like English. So, Hubby, who couldn't tell either, said, "I have no idea." Then you hear this little voice saying, "no idea. no idea." Such a mimic. Such a sponge.

Catching up...

The weekend after the reunion, we cruised on up to the closest Army base to get Dad a few things he needed for his uniform, and the boys got haircuts at the post barber shop. I was a little tiny bit anxious, I confess, but little man did really well, and the lady wielding the clippers had obviously done this before. Several thousand times. That week. She was great. It is pretty short, but he looks adorable, and he is good for the rest of the summer, I suspect! He made a mess of his shirt in the car on the way up, and then had little hairs on him, so we got a tee at the post exchange with "US Army Soldier in Training" on it. It's a little early for indoctrination :-) but he was more comfy for the rest of the day and it did sort of match his hair. It's a bit of a dance for me... I have nothing but the utmost respect and admiration for those who willingly give up so much - often literally everything - to defend what they believe; so half of my heart is filled with pride. The other half cannot help but want those I love to never be in harm's way. (I'm clear I am not unique in this dichotomy.) But it helps me to look it in the eye. I'm not trying to raise a little boy shoot-em-up-wanna-be-soldier just because I live here and he is a boy and Daddy has chosen to serve his country (which again, I respect and admire SO much) but I recognize (already) that my little guy is going to make choices that I would not have made for him. And I will tell him what I think, and try, try, try to hear what is in his heart. So, ultimately, this little tangent is not just about military service. If he chose that, I would be proud and terrified, like every other mother out there. That is probably true of any number of paths our children might take. But the larger point of my ramblings is that every day I see him learning something new - and figuring things out on his own - and as he continues this process called growing up I am more and more in awe of mothers in general. That balance between pushing them, pulling them, holding them tight and letting them go; in a million little different ways each and every day just amazes me.

It's funny, this is not where I had intended this post to go, but it just sort of flowed. So, today especially, my hat is off to the moms I know. I had no idea how you felt - until I became one. I have some amazing girlfriends who have already taught me so much - I hope I can remember it all when these things come up for us! For my own mom - and my husband's - I wonder how you managed all we put you through with such grace. I hope I learned something from you along the way. This is a tough job. And a most excellent sorority. Thanks, Ladies.

Let me throw in a quick disclaimer here, Dads are awesome, too. I have an incredible dad, and I married one, too. But, today, I was just thinking and writing as a mom. Those cool men I know are used to our emotional ramblings, and beautifully patient with them - and us. :-) Thanks.

Behind...

I do get irritated with myself when I get behind - this has been true of every diary, journal, or blog I have ever attempted in my life. When things are slow, or I have been lonely, there is endless time for introspection and writing. Then, I will meet someone, change jobs, go on a trip, or get involved in life in some fashion, and all my interest in stopping to chronicle seems to evaporate. Two, six, ten months later, I will come back to the neglected forum and think, "Wow, it would have been great if I had gotten these experiences down while they were fresh in my mind..." Alas, I am aware of this pattern but apparently, incredibly unmotivated to alter it. :-)

So ~ we all went to a small semi-reunion of the band that we belonged to in High School (please feel free to insert any High School Musical 25 or "band camp" jokes here...) and it was huge fun. It was amazing, that even after 25 years, I would have recognized any of these people had I bumped into them in an airport. Time has been kinder to some, as is always the way, but overall, we looked GOOD! And it was fun to catch up - and especially fun for me because these were people who knew my husband and me when we were dating (on again, off again, on again with the requisite adolescent drama) in high school. So, to the people who saw us hold hands on the bus and snuggle in the bleachers during football games, it was perfectly natural that we were married. (Poor mom would always ask who won the game when I got back from these events, and I rarely knew. It was about halftime, and holding hands!) It was fitting, that after practicing signing my now-married-name on endless notebook pages in school - I was ready to sign the guest register that way. I'd like to think my penmanship has improved, but can't actually claim it to be so. So, it was a lovely evening. Little guy hung in there until 10:30 p.m. and was really very well behaved and a lot of fun!

Summer Snapshots

A few images of our summer... we really do love playing in our backyard and harvesting herbs.

Summer flies by

This weekend, we loaded up our bikes and went for a ride on the "greenway" (a local path designed for walkers/bikers which runs by the river.) After a long week, it was really nice to get away for a bit in the great outdoors. (Plus, I am really out of shape and NEED the exercise!) Little man really seems to enjoy riding in his little bike seat and every person we passed smiled or observed his super adorable cuteness. Riding up between Daddy's handlebars with their matching helmets and his little sunglasses on, he is pretty darn irresistible. Then, he rode his little tricycle around the neighbourhood. His little legs are just long enough to reach the pedals, and he does NOT want any help!! He ran into the curb about 20 times, but apparently, that is hilarious. I, for my part, am getting much better at stifling that innate sharp-intake-of-breath reflex... I know I have to let him stretch his wings, but it's tough, sometimes. Last weekend, the little man an Mom went to visit the Georgia grandparents and go to a friend's birthday party while Dad played soldier. It was so very strange to get in the car all alone and head out somewhere. I mean, I do it now and again, but usually, the boys are at home. Being away made it feel so very odd. Thanks to Grandma and Grandpa for letting me do that! (I only called once and texted two or three times from the party, thank you very much.)

Big shoes to fill

He's already looking to walk in his father's footsteps. Or at least his shoes. :-)

Haircut!!

So, the little man went to the salon for the second time for a big-boy haircut. It went pretty well... as with the previous cuts at home, the hardest part is holding his little head still for the trimming over the ears. He just doesn't like being kept still when there is so much to see. However, if you feed him a continuous stream of M&M's, it will keep him fairly focused and still for short bursts, anyway. And the greenish brown drool that runs down his chin attracts the little shorn hairs, so there is less to sweep up. :-) Overall, though, he does pretty well. The lady who cuts his hair now is very patient and kind. After it was all said and done, she let him pick out a lollipop. A few more trips like this and he will figure out that getting a haircut isn't all bad... chocolate and lollies... so much for my striving to raise a healthy eater! Although, in truth, I think we do pretty well. The only time he gets candy is times like this, so I think we'll be okay. His current favourite sweet thing is blueberries. He is eating them like mad... makes for colourful diapers.

He looks so grown up with the little boy haircut. Sigh.

Friends and Family

I saw the lady who married us on campus today, as I often do. She is one of those people who brings light to this world, she makes my heart smile every time I see her. She is a living reminder of the source of so much joy in my life: my husband and my son. Every day, there are a multitude of opportunities for me to be amazed at the richness in my life... not in dollars (to be sure!) but in the things that matter more. In our friends, who put up with our our faults and peccadillos each day; in our families, who support us through thick and thin; in people like the good reverend T., who in executing her office and opening her heart, helped create our little family. I have always felt that my family includes some incredible people who are not actually related to me by blood or legal ties ~ and that makes me fortunate indeed. Some of them are far away in geography and time between visits; but in my heart, part of my history and my heart, and part of who I am today.

Those of you who know me well know I am frequently sarcastic or snarky; but there is a "Pollyanna" in here, too. One who is, deep down, richly blessed; aware of that fact; and deeply grateful.

Tonight, we get another toddler haircut. It will require a conscious effort to feel grateful while I am covered in hair trimmings and M&M's. But I am grateful. :-)