Mojo's Birthday

A proper posting to come, but first:

My Haiku for last night

shopping at the mall
is not so easy a task
with two under two

Give my hand five

Maureen asked me to "Give my hand five" after completing a difficult puzzle maneuver last night. I obliged.
We are looking forward to a super-silly fiesta with family this Saturday - it's Mojo's Dora the Explorer themed second birthday party. Fantastico!
Other upcoming events of note: Dartball this Wednesday night and Aunt Erin's and Uncle Jeff's wedding the following Friday night. Rehearsal Dinner Thursday. We can't wait!!

What were we thinking?

This is what happens when you give a two-year-old a tube of lip stick and turn your back for a few minutes.

Up, up and away

These are photos from the balloon race taking place outside my dad's back yard yesterday morning. Nothing beats seeing family, watching hot air balloons, and eating donuts (except adding in a cup of coffee, but I know you tried Uncle Joby.)

First day of school photo

Big day

Rowan's first day of school is today. They grow up so fast these days.

Twinkle, twinkle

Out of the blue this morning, Maureen yelled out "like a diamond in the sky" from her bed. She was not awake. I'm curious as to what she was dreaming.

Separate news: Rowan dances while I play the ukulele. We'll try to record this for my next entry.

More separate news: Kristin just switched real estate affiliation to Remax. They have an office very close to the house. She has a pretty picture on her new cards.

Back on the grid

150 hours. That's what we figure. More than six days without electricity due to 80 mph winds - remnants from Hurricane Ike (go to the dolberry blog - I'm sure he can explain it.) More than 300,000 households lost their power for some amount of time during the week. We lost a couple of large limbs off our big tree in the front yard, and a decorative tree in the side yard. The power came back on late yesterday afternoon and we are thankful.
This whole experience has made it crystal clear how dependant we are on technology. Work was basically shut down for a week because our phone systems are run electronically, and all of our important files and operating systems are stored and run on the computer. The gas stations that had power were backed up into the street with folks wanting to fill their tanks. The restaurants that were closed lost thousands of dollars of revenue, while the ones still open had problems keeping stocked up. Stores were sold out of C and D sized batteries and bags of ice. Charging cell phones, became a challenging necessity. Maureen couldn't understand why we couldn't turn on Dora at any time of day.
We were very fortunate that the nights were cool, and we had a gas run stove and water heater. We survived just fine, though we would rather not have to go through this experience any time soon.

Temporarily out of service

I'll be back when we get friggin' power.

In the meantime, go to http://www.dolberry.blogspot.com/ to read about rain and softball and forgotten 80's rock bands.

September images

Photo 1: We've started saving for Maureen's orthodontia.
Photo 2: In a down economy we've resorted to drastic measures.
Photo 3: Couch potato training starts early in this household.
Photo 4: First day of school (technically 2nd day, but who's counting?)

School flu

Of course we can't have Maureen go to school without her bringing home something special for her family - sore throats, coughs and sniffles. Ah, the pleasures of parenting!! (Sniff)

The reluctant spider

Back to school

Maureen started back to school yesterday at the Parents Day Out program, now in the younger twos classroom. She's not one to tell us how her day went - you have to play twenty questions to try and piece together events and you're never quite sure if she's giving you accurate information. Case in point: if you ask her an A or B questions, like "do you like apples or bananas", the answer 90% of the time is the B option. I use this to my advantage: Do you want Daddy to change your diaper or Mommy?
She is also saying "huh" as an answer to an open-ended question, and I don't think she knows the proper use of the word (as if there is a proper use for huh.) "Maureen, do you want bananas for breakfast?"
"Huh?"
"Do you want bananas for breakfast?"
"Huh?"
"Do you want bananas for breakfast?"
"Huh?"
So anyway, I think she had a good day at school. She wasn't weepy, and she was worn out. Both good signs. Rowan can't start school until he is three months old. He goes to the infant room in a couple of weeks, when Kristin's maternity leave ends. Mornings will become more of a juggling act when that happens.

Funny photo

Here's Mojo and her aunt Carrie during a live, online chat. This photo captures the moment when Carrie types "LOL" to a witty comment Maureen just sent.

Fun in the field

We had discussed going to the pool for, perhaps, one last hurrah before the end of the summer but the weather was a tad too cool - imagine that. Instead and after dinner, we ventured for a short walk to the middle school grounds down the way from us with a big red ball. Maureen has become a really good kicker. And boy, did she kick! Mommy kicked, Daddy kicked, Mojo kicked, and Rowan cheered us on from the confines of his stroller. We ambled through the field, looked at doggies, played and casually talked. It was nice and relaxing.
Kristin keeps asking me what I want our life to be like. I think it doesn't get much better than a carefree walk with a big red ball.

Rowan update

Rowan turned 2 months old this week and had his nine-week check-up this morning. He had 6 shots and, apparently, he wasn't very happy about it. Down-right pissed was the impression I got. He weights a whopping 13 lbs, 2 oz and is in the 90th %ile in weight and measured in at 22" (20th %ile in height.) So he's like a little teapot.

Rowan's getting bigger

Last count 12 pounds and growing.

August Shower part two - the shower

We had a nice time at the shower last night. It was thrown by Jeff's brother Jules (Joe? He goes by both) and his wife Rauhen, the same people who threw the big one year birthday party for their daughter Miriam back in June. It was a very pleasant evening, the food was great and the kids got to play, a lot. Maureen kicked a ball for about an hour. She and her cousin Claire got to play duck-duck-goose with a group of willing aunts and uncles. Seems like Uncle John got "goosed" more often than not.

"Doc"

In loving memory of Doc, Maureen and Rowan's great grandfather. He passed away peacefully yesterday afternoon. He was a World War II veteran, an avid sports fan, husband to Betty, father to 6, grandfather to 14 and great grandfather to 23 (by latest count - give or take a few). Having joined the family not so long ago, I don't feel I can provide a proper tribute. However, many of you can. I'd love to open the comments section of this entry for your comments, memories, and wishes for the family.

August Shower

Someone is throwing a couples shower this weekend for my sister Erin as she prepares to get married in October to Jeff. At first I think she is too young to get married, then I realize she's almost thirty. How did that happen? Anyhow, we are very excited for her and can't wait until the wedding. Jeff is a really nice guy and they are a good match.

Happy Birthday Cousin A

Yesterday was Cousin A's eighth birthday party. Here are a few pics. Pay particular attention to the last shot, where Granpa P offers to hold A's birthday money in a safe place. Good try GPP.

Other news: Maureen was the recipient of the covetted tutu, originally worn by none other than Aunt Carrie.

Fair 2008

The fair never, ever, ever changes. That's why I can't wait to go each year. There are too many good memories I have as a boy; and it's nice to see how those exact same experiences influence my kids. Maureen seemed perplexed that the two story man (Freddy Farm Bureau) spoke -directly to her - he said her name! The cows were big. The roosters were too loud. The goats were a little creepy. Maureen got her driver's license from Safety Town and rode her tricycle (daddy propelled) through the main drag. Red means stop. Green means go. Yellow means slow down. The nice State Trooper (you don't hear that phrase too often) gave her a yellow sucker after the ride. We saw the blue ribbon bale of hay, the blue ribbon stalk of tobacco, and we even got to see the beer that Papa Paul & Uncle Scott submitted (ribbon?) We actually went to the midway to see if Mo wanted to ride something, but once we got there we were all too tired to care. We decided to go home instead. Rowan slept through it all.

Morning routines

6:08 am - I hear rustling grunts both over the baby monitor on my bedside table and from the baby's room the mere 15 feet away. I lie still, wondering why we need the monitor. I start to pray that he falls back to sleep. He does not. I know good and well that he is hungry and there is little I can do. I'm tired. I want those last few minutes of rest before getting up. He starts to cry. The wife still sleeps.

I gently say "Kristin", feeling guilty. She doesn't stir. I say it a bit more forceful, yet still gentle, "KRISTIN." "What?" she moans, not quite awake. I feel guilty again. I ask her the last time she fed the boy. She repeats, "What?" in the same confused tone as the first. Then, realizing what I asked mumbles, "2:30". I feel guilty again.

"It's 6:08", I try to say in my most supportive tone. Pause. No response.

I offer, "I'll go change him first before you feed him."

She mutters her appreciation as she rolls over.

The grunts turn to wails. I groan. I know this will not go well. I walk into Rowan's room and he is tensed up and crying hard. He seems unsatisfied with his savior this morning and I can feel his disappointment as I lift him out of bed. "I want the shorter, softer one. Not you."

I swiftly shift him to the changing table and try to cram a pacifier in his mouth. He refuses the offer with a sustained wail. The clock is ticking; the race is on. I fumble to unzip his sleeper, wrangle his legs loose and hopelessly search for the tape on his diaper. I blindly wipe his bottom in the dark and try the pacifier again. No deal.

"Mommy" emanates from the next room over, like the buzzer of a game show telling me I just lost the grand prize. Kristin springs into action, finds Maureen's pacifier - she is pacified. Game on. I pull out a fresh diaper and try to put it on Rowan, but his little hand is blocking my attempts. I marvel at how strong this little person is but manage to get the job done.

Kristin comes to both of our rescue. Tag. Rowan and I are both relieved.

His prize? Mother's milk. My prize? Precious minutes of solitude in our kitchen for a quick fix - a double shot of Medaglia D'oro (espresso.) This is a new brand I am trying out - the local imported foods shop stopped carrying Cellini, the brand I've come to know and love since my trip to Italy back in the late '90s. I hate change.

The TV monitor focused on Maureen is on and she is stirring. I have time to look at my on-line Scrabble matches with my brothers - my move. I begin to shift the letters and I hear, "Mommy?" again. It's 6:35. The day has begun. My cup is half full.

Go to sleepy little baby

Smiling boy

Caught for the first time on film; a smiling baby boy!!

Merry-go-round

More photos

Here are a few shots from Friday night pizza at our house:

Date night

We were able to take a date night last night. The trick was to feed Rowan just as were about to walk out the door to keep him as full as possible; to buy us as much time as possible. We met our good friends Alley and Steve at Bonefish - I know, why go to a chain restaurant on a rare night out opportunity? Well:

1. Location was the key: we had to pick a joint near Aunt Kathy's house - she graciously watched the kids, and we had to be nearby because Rowan was a ticking time bomb. There are some good non-chain restaurants in the area, but chains seem to dominate the east end.

2. It's down-right yummy. The monkfish special was very good!

It was just really nice to get out and have uninterupted conversation with adults, if only for a couple of hours. Maureen was in heaven because she got to be with Aunt Kathy, and cousins A and G. And she has a certain affinity toward her Uncle Scott that none of us can quite explain. Throw in a visit from Papa and Meemaw and Mo's visit was complete. Rowan got a bit fussy toward the end of the evening, but he just needed a little water (in lieu of breast milk) and he was fine (or that's what they told me!)

We get to reciprocate with Scott and Kathy in a couple of weeks.

Other news: Aunt Chrissy was in town this weekend and we got to see her twice. Here's a photo of her wrestling match with Mo on Friday night. I think Maureen won.

It's Sunday morning at 7:27. Kristin and Mo are trying to catch some more Zs after a late night (9pm is late for both of them). Rowan is downstairs with me, asleep in the swing. He is making cute little kitten noises. I think my quiet moring is about to be disrupted though - everyone is beginning to stir. That's ok - I think I'm ready to start the day.

Arnold the snoring pig

Water babies

Mo and Claire had a nice evening of watery fun last night at the pool. We get to see her and her parents again this Friday night.

Swim party

Last night was spent with Kristin's extended family - cousin Jeanine and family are in from Colorado. The occasion last night was her son Jack's birthday out at a subdivision swimming pool. This function was hosted by her parents (Kristin's uncle Mike and Aunt Jane). I think we pushed the limits of fun because we had to make a quick milk stop for Rowan on the way home in the parking lot of a gas station, across from the malls.
Tonight brings more swimming fun - we've invited Cousin Claire and parents out to our pool. We are trying to take advantage of what summer we have left before the pools close down and school starts up. Yes, this is the exciting life of a daddy of two.
I've included some recent and random photos for your viewing pleasure:

Da Beach part dos

The beach trip almost did not happen this year with the arrival of Mr. Rowan in late June. I think the call of the tide was too strong and last minute plans were put in place. Even later, Kristin decided she and the kids would join the family, and later yet I decided to take a couple of days off work to at least share half the experience. Kristin and the kids drove down starting Friday morning and I took a flight to Raleigh late Friday afternoon (after work) - We arrived at the same time and of course I caught quite a bit of grief over that.
We stayed with the very hospitable Dolberry family over Friday night, and headed for Emerald Isle on Saturday for a 4pm check in. We had a total of 12 folks with us including the Dolberrys, Aunt Kathy and her monkeys and the Grandfolks. The Dolberrys and I cut the stay short, leaving Tuesday morning - everyone else is still having fun in the sun.
Maureen was more interested in the sand than the water. She did not want to get wet at all and opted to make castles instead. I think she remembers a Curious George cartoon about building sand castles. Rowan got a bit of beach time, although he was bundled up so much you could hardly see his face. Our stay included some really yummy meals, a round of putt putt, a couple of rounds on the go-cart track and some nice, old fashioned rest.
It's weird not having the family here and I look forward to their return. I keep hoping for some tears from Mo over my absence, but I think she's having so much fun to notice. She loves being pampered by her MeeMaw! I think that's a fair trade off.
Well, time to go back to work so I can help pay for this trip. See you soon.