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: