Not quite sure what it is

I am not sure why I look at MHM and wonder what he will become or what things he'll see? With E I don't recall having those thoughts, I just see a spectacular little girl that I love immensely and I don't think I feel the same care or wonder about her future. I think she gets it even at her age...

MHM seems very sure of himself and assertive, probably necessitated to keep pace with E. He is sometimes quiet and thoughtful where E never let her brain rest long enough to be still. On our walks to school, he just looks around and listens to E and I as we talk. I try to remember to include him when I can but keeping an eye on her is a job. I see lots of similarities with both of them but many differences as well. So far, his vulnerability has been pretty low. Our protectionism of him is much lower than with E, and he is doing quite fine growing up indeed. He is such a great kid!

My hope for MHM and E is that they both can feel secure in who they are and that they excel in their endeavours. I also hope for them a safe environment, community, religious foundation and happiness from what ever they become. I can't quite put a finger on it, but somehow I see MHM differently which is of course appropriate because they are different. Both of these kids are wonderful and I hope these times and feelings we share last a life time.

I like this kind of morning

Morning walks to school have been very nice for the past two weeks. We live about a half mile from E and MHM's school. MHM just started a week ago so on his first day, I made quite a big to-do about it to E to keep her focused on the task at hand, getting to school. As we walked up the hill, she of course wanted to help push the stroller so I let her. That lasted only a few seconds as she found it quite difficult going up hill. "You do it daddy, I need help!".

Up the road, there was a cop pulled over checking the speeds of our neighbors. She rolled down her window and kind of chuckled at the sight of us. I explained that we were walking to school and she smiled as though she understood and said that it looked like a tough job ahead of me... No, I am sure I had everything handled quite well.

As we progressed, I asked E what she thought she would do in school and what MHM might do. "I'm going to plaaay, and I'm going to have snACK!
"Do you think you will do a craft?" "Oh, hey E, I am pretty sure you will go to music class today." "What is your favorite instrument?"
"I like ###tar" (unclear but intelligible)
"Oh yes, I like Guitar and I also am partial to piano. Mommy and you play piano some times, do you care for the piano??"
Yes, I do care for the piano!"

As we walked along we shared more conversation like that and I would once in a while look down to see MHM just taking it all in, peacefully and quietly. If ever I would speak his name, he would crane his neck to look up and back at me to give me just the most awesome smile and giggle.

What a wonderful couple of kids. I miss them when they are not around. They drive me nuts when I can't get away from them...

Back yard sanctuary, depending on who you are!

Our Humming bird feeder is buzzing with activity these past days. The small one (Bitey by name) is now really plumping up. The other day I noticed Bitey and another female feeding at the same time so we know for sure that we have 3 humming birds and probably more. I looked at a field guide which more or less pointed out that the birds really start feeding in order to fatten up for the up coming migration south. Boo! We have tried for quite some time to get a really good pic of one of them in flight or just on the feeder but just can't seem to get it just right. For as much as I like to take pictures, I defer to magazines, books and the Internet when I want to see beautiful photos of underwater, stars and most wild life. There are some people who actually get paid to sit for hours to get the best pic. They may not get paid much or they may get eaten by thousands of bugs but I think they enjoy what they do.

The back yard sanctuary is nice for some but treacherous for others. Those of which I speak are the little tadpoles in our pond. Two days ago as E, MHM and I were out enjoying the early afternoon, I was looking at the pond and noticed something small surface near one of the resident frogs. A very quick moment later, it was gone from sight and now inside the frog. I am pretty sure we won't get any new frogs!

Missing it?

With the summer heat expected to subside, it sure is HOT! Today it is in the mid 80's with some clouds and humidity building. Everything is dry, dry dry! I have for the past few days tried to do some minor watering to keep some green in the yard. A week or so ago, the local weather guy said he expected a moderate August with little precipitation. The low precip is holding but the heat is above normal.

One thing that is still in my mind but not currently being practiced is running. As August slips by, I am reminded of the Crim 10 mile race of which I am not at all fond of but am sad I am not entering yet again. The Crim is held the third Saturday of August which by a freak of nature or something else, is the most ungodly, horrible, hottest, stinkiest, most humid day of the year. I have in past years said that I am boycotting the race until they change the date to suit my needs. I have had mostly good memories of the race. Alot of it being the sense of accomplishment in finishing and being able to wear the t-shirt for the "Coolest Race in Michigan". A friend of mine, A, will for probably the 7th or 8th year in a row be running on Saturday. I have not had this fortune to keep up this annual event with several things which have taken precedent like my Honeymoon and a couple of other distractions. I will miss it yet be happy to be out of the nasty weather and for this year not to feel the ache of my quads. So sadly, this is yet again not my year but I still have a yearning to get out there so I hope I will not loose my drive to run run run!

One of many new days

Today marks the beginning of MHM's formal education. As a treat to myself and hopefully them, I decided to walk to school with E and MHM. It was the beginning of a beautiful day so why not. I hope to continue to do this when it seems right.

When we entered school, I took E and MHM to MHM's room so E could see it. She immediately wanted to play with the other infants in the play area, so I told her that it was snack time so we would headed off to her room. MHM was still quite content in his stroller so I left him there while I dropped E off at her room. With perfect timing, it was snack time. I told E that I would go take care of paper work for MHM then come and sit with her through snack.

I went back to MHM's room where he was patiently sitting in his stroller. I picked him out and hauled him with me as I put away his stuff. When finally I was finished, I handed him over to Miss K and with barely a notice that I was even there, he happily turned away and was engrossed in what the other infants were doing in the play area. How different from E! I am almost sad that he doesn't miss me...

Back to E's class, she was still sitting with crackers and juice so I sat with her. by doing this, I know that the other kids see me at their level which makes me accessible to them. They come in droves. E was in good spirits today but a bit troubled at how to sit next to her first dear friend K when the craft was getting readied. She didn't get next to her but across the table so that was good enough so I gave her a kiss and took my leave.

A nice peaceful walk home with stroller in hand, I can only imagine what things the kids will experience without me and hope that M has a good day as well at work after being gone for more than 8 months.

So good!

MHM is a champ. M dropped MHM off for his first day at school (child care) about 9am. I dropped E off after church at 9:30am and peeked in on him. He was in his crib, they were trying to get him to nap.

I headed off to finish some work at the duplex before meeting M for lunch at noon (or before). Well, we had a nice lunch though I was late then as we headed home, M called to see how MHM was doing, he was napping. At 2pm we both went to pick him up and we were just amazed at how grown up he seemed. He was at a table with some other kids where he had a sippy cup and was trying to drink from it. He just was looking around checking things out.

Out in the hallway, we talked to some teachers who seemed pretty pleased with him... Who wouldn't be?? Anyway, the message M got on the phone earlier, was that everyone was stopping by to see the new kid and commenting on how handsome and well behaved he was. He truly for today at least has done very well.

When finally we entered his room, he saw M and smiled grandly. He was happy to see her. When he saw me, he gave me a nice little grin but was much more interested in M as she had something he wanted soon (milk).

I just talked with M and found MHM to be in a bit of pain from teething so I am glad he had such a great morning.

We are both so proud of him on his first day...

Did I ever mention that this boy is HANDSOME??

Fun, Sun, Sand and Gooey

Last week we went to the "Jersey Shore" with M's family. It was quite a nice vacation and it was mostly a joy seeing E and MHM react to0 all of the different sights and sounds. The Beach was very nice but crowded as to be expected for this is what the east coast does for enjoyment.

E having some experience on her own of the beach loved it all. From digging, running in the water, making sand angles to jumping in the waves mostly with M. I think she really enjoyed it though she did certainly get tired out from too much stuff all in one day. MHM on the other hand came to the beach dressed rather lightly usually and was kept in his stroller most of the time. This was to make it easier on us as he did really enjoy the sand but as soon as he would touch it, the drool from teething would automatically make mud which would gravitate to every little crack and crevice on his body.

Later in the week after M and I kind of figured out how to enjoy the time together, I had some time in the afternoon to take E to the "Gooey Geyser" pool. this was a nice pool mostly kid friendly with very pleasing aesthetics including bubbling fountains near some rocks which looked almost natural. This pool also had a nice gentle slide into about 4ft. of water. The first time down for E was a pass off from me to uncle E. E shot down the slide and laid right back so she ended up going for a little dunk. She came up, sputtered a bit but with appropriate praise, she smiled and actually liked it. For E's last pool trip, I took her down before dinner Friday night. She seemed to miss not having her cousins and others around so the excitement level just wasn't there. She seemed to want to stay in the real kids pool but as time approached to go back for dinner, I coaxed her into going to the "Geyser" pool. As we made our way, I studied it and made my way to the entry point. At the edge, I noticed the #ft mark but looked at the lady just a few feet away standing at knee depth so I proceeded. I took one step and down both E and I went. I realized before my foot hit the water that something was going to happen. Once again, E went for a dunk as did I and she handled it like a pro. Oooopppps!

M has already written about the "Board walk" but I just want to say that it was very very nice to see E as well as the whole clan having fun doing what they wanted to. Rides, skill games, luck games and all the sights and sounds were wonderful. I will say that the Board walk is NOT something I would like to do every day but it was a great family outing.

MHM will have fun if ever we do it again. There might be some new style family vacations coming our way in Maine??

Ugh!!!

Wow, what a totally draining and icky experience this week has been so far. Work; I have not been able to be effective for some odd reason, I mean this completely, everything I have touched in the last three days has fallen apart or done something screwy that hasn't happened for a long time. Monday was busy then Tuesday fell right apart. Today, trying to do what was right and part of the job just lead to more frustration. I won't go into too much detail but I have been irked at the opposite shifts for what I see as childish or just really silly antics concerning their jobs which are the same as everyone else around here.

WOW!, even writing this blog has been a challange. This is try number two for this part because the computer want's to keep changing my password...

I can hardly relate what kind of stuff has been happening but it is just coincidence one after another that add up to one big yuck!

Enough of that, I'll shake it off because tomorrw is another day!