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. :-)

Choo choos

One of our good friends gave us our very own set of choo-choo's that her children had outgrown (thank you!!) and it is both fun and frustrating. It is such a delight to watch the little man figure things out... sometimes the temper tantrum comes first, but usually, with some encouragement, he gets how to do it on his own. As we re-connect the trains for the 73rd time, I already think about the times he won't want me to do things for him. All the things I have to let him do on his own. I already sense that those moments will fill me with both pride and wistful sadness. Right now, he needs us, and that is enough. At dinner time, we are already not allowed to touch the spoon (at least not often) - he needs to do it himself. It's funny, to watch him try to scoop his food up with the wrong end... but it is one of those things he figures out. We are working on the socks and shoes... he has the concept, but lacks some fine motor execution still. Last night, I asked him if he had pooped. He reached behind himself and pulled at the top of his diaper to open it so I could look for myself. SO helpful. :-)

Cooking

Cooking is one of our favourite things. We add invisible spices, and are always eager to give you a taste. We even rearranged the kitchen furniture at school yesterday. Perhaps the prep stations needed to be better organized.

March of Dimes

At school, we did the "march" for babies around our playground. And we got cool shades. I'm a rock star, baby!

Bubbles

We know the word, and we know how to blow them!

Daddy's Day

Was a lot of fun. It was strange to look at last year's photo and see the little man's changes. We had some friends over, and the kids ran around in the sprinkler and blew bubbles in the summer heat. I find it hard to express the delight I derive from watching my boys together. The little guy watches the big guy, and the similarities are sometimes surreal. Watching my husband be a dad is one of the coolest things in the world to me. Watching them "play" with blocks together, read books, even starting to play back and forth with a ball - it is all pure joy. Just this last week or so, little man started to really get the throwing back and forth thing... he has a pretty good arm! And, if you tell him "go long!" he will back up, and back up... it's precious.

Baby gates and beer: It is also fun/interesting to watch the guys gather now. Once upon a time, there was more beer involved, and most CERTAINLY less talk about poop, birth experiences, and placentas. Now, they are different, from fatherhood. Now they change diapers, cut up hotdogs, and fill sippy cups on their way to the cooler for another cold one. And, one of the newer dads needed some direction on how to open the door to the bathroom, since it has a childproofing device on it... I cannot help but think we are richer now. For all the freedom and frivolity of youth, which was great fun, make no mistake; this new dimension makes us more complex; and, I have to think, more compassionate people. We are automatically wired now to consider this other person, (or other people) at all times. I'm not trying to say that parents are in any way better than people without children. (I know an abundance of wonderfully compassionate not-parents!) Just different. All your filters change. You see and feel things differently. And, for me, that is pretty cool.

Another Friday... the weeks fly by...

Our little man is growing up so fast. Our first trip to the ocean was really amazing. He was an intrepid little explorer; just tentative enough of the new at first to give me some peace of mind; but once he had the chance to get comfortable with the pool, the ocean, the sand, the boat, Pop Pop's golf putter... he was off and running. It was a great joy for us to watch him take in new experiences and to watch him fall asleep in the seat on the back of Dad's bike as we tooled around the island.

At the moment, most everything with wheels is a "choo-choo" and most everything with wings is a duck. All things four legged are puppies. His vocabulary is growing daily, however, it is like living with a Myna bird! He is an avid, if demanding, reader ~ daily he will climb on us and pusha book at you and demand that you "wree!" He is very good at identifying all sorts of animals in the picture books, and telling us what sounds they make. Just in case you didn't know, (I didn't) porcupines say, "Ow." He is such a little boy now, and it is amazing to get to know this little person. More and more, he has opinions, and there are occasionally battles of wills already ~ but there are already stubborn people in my house, so he fits right in. :-) Even when he's screaming, I wouldn't trade this for anything. (Of course, I have had coffee this morning, and he is at school, so it is easy to wax philosophical...)

Our lives are very full, and while I think I am going to be better about this whole blogging thing, I fear it may be sporadic. I will try, however to find time to share the fun things...