Father's Day

Best wishes to all the other fathers out there!

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Empty

So the wife and kids are on vacation. They have been gone for over a week already and still have several days to go. I always think that some time alone will be awesome and I think about all the stuff I'll do and things I'll get done but after a few days, it gets a little too quiet. The areas where kids are usually playing and getting into things are just silent and empty. I hope the to-do list to keep me occupied until the weekend, otherwise I'll just have to pull the toys off the shelf and throw them all over the room just so it feels normal again.

Thank You

We are fortunate to have friends and family in our lives that not only enrich but also help. Whether it is time, expertise, or assistance we could not have all that we have and do all that we do without you. Sometimes I feel that this needs to be said for no particular reason. I hope you know how much you mean to us and how much we appreciate you. We will always do our best to return the favor, please do not ever hesitate to ask.

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Kids are awesome

Firsts like this are fun. Amazing how much joy and excitement they get from something so simple...

The Young One

This is where food and drink we don't want anymore ends up: off the high chair and onto the floor. Cheerios, peas, bread, milk, etc. Each meal means sweeping and often scrubbing. If she gets a spoon and she is done with whatever is in her bowl, heaven help you.

Still not walking, still monkey scooting, standing up more and pulling up. She has worked over her fear of sitting down, several times throughout the day you can hear the baby thud as she releases and hits. She'll also walk down the couch or coffee table. She enjoys getting into and out of the bumbo and has even gotten up onto things, like her toy drum.

The phrase "Mama" has become the baby aloha, it means "pick me up," "more food please," "I'm sad," etc. I guess she has recognized the attention she gets when she says it so now, whatever she wants it's "Mama." Dada did not last long. Just Mama and the crying.

Speaking of crying, 3:30am has become the new 6:00. My wife is a soldier, waking night after night to calm, pacify and attempt to placate the child who refuses to truly communicate. At times she goes at it guns blazing: clean diaper,Tylenol, teething tabs, gas drops and a waffle. Sometimes it helps, other times not so much.

I woke up yesterday morning and found Sailor in her swing with her blanket over her head and olivia and the dog on the couch. I never knew she had gotten up. Ru slept in. I made coffee.

I'm a lucky man.