Thursday, June 30, 2011

Sand, Baseball and Family

I know, I know, we're heading right into another weekend and I'm just now posting about the last one!  You'll have to forgive me though, as my weekend only ended yesterday.  (Yeah, I know, I know, but that's what vacation days are for!)

So, to say this was a busy weekend would be an understatement.  To say we had a great time would also be an understatement.  It was so very, very nice to finally get to see Jon and Becca after two and a half years.  I've missed them so.  I mean, sure we've got email and the phone but it's not the same as being able to hang out together.

Anyhow, Friday night is when Jon and Becca got into town.  They were staying at Mom and Dad's so, I didn't actually get to see them until Sunday.  Saturday started out as a "normal" Saturday with the laundry and lunch and stuff.  But, that evening we were going to the movies with Kat, Zoe, Steph, Billy, Barb, Norm and their two boys.  We went and saw Cars 2.  It was a good movie.  Maybe not quite as good as the first, but enjoyable none the less.  It might not be the most spectacular Pixar movie, but I wouldn't call it a bust either.  Boo sat beside Zoe mooching her popcorn and watching the entire thing.  He was great.  As far as the movie goes, the first movie was "Doc Hollywood" and this one is "Mater meets James Bond".  It was cute, funny in places and over all not too bad.  I could have waited to see it as a rental, but I'm glad we went as a group.

Sunday was baseball day!  Jon and Becca decided that for his third birthday they were going to take Boo and I to a game.  (Gak was more than welcome to come, but he declined as it was the end of a very long week for him and he's just not a baseball, or any sports, fan.)  Dad also came along as a Father's Day gift.  We all had a pretty good time.  Becca and I got a chance to catch up a bit as we hiked halfway around the stadium to the hoagie place that would make any hoagie a salad.  (I was totally stuffed for the entire game and quite happy with it... sure, I didn't need all the bacon that was on it, but...yum.)  Boo had a good time.  He spent some of his time watching the action on the field.  (Unfortunately, baseball doesn't have the most action and it can be a little hard to see and pay attention to...)  He also spent a lot of time playing with my camera, demolishing two small things of goldfish and just being a three-year-old little boy.  The Phillies won, which was great.  It was also nice that we didn't have to go into the bottom of the 9th, because Boo was just beginning to really hit that wall of tired/fussy/antsy.  He eventually fell asleep in the car once the traffic started moving and he realized that both Jon and Becca weren't going to play with him any more.

Monday was a good day.  Monday was also kind of a sad day.  Gak, Boo and I met up with Jon, Becca and Amma at the McDonalds right outside of Rehoboth Beach.  (I still find it hilarious that the one actually in Rehoboth Beach closed after only a few short years... I'm surprised Cold Stone Creamery has lasted as long as it has and I wonder how long Five Guys will last, they're the only national chains actually at the beach and boardwalk...)  Anyhow, this wasn't just a day for sun and fun.  This was the day that we were going to spread Gram's ashes in the water and the the tides take her away.  It was her wish.  We gathered by one of the jetties and Mom, Jon and I spread her ashes and let the waves take them away.  It was bitter-sweet.

The amazing part is the fact that we actually got Boo down to the water, and in very short order we had him splashing in the waves!  The past two summers he'd get about halfway to the water and then turn around and make a bee-line right for our blankets.  Once he got into the water splashing, he didn't really want to get out.  And he was OK when a couple of good sized waves got him good and splashed him up into his hair.  I was so very happy about that.  I love the beach and the sand and the ocean and it's nice to see my boy-o enjoying it too.  Gak had a pretty good time too, which is nice.  He actually had a two day weekend, and that is always a good thing.

Of course we had to have Grotto's for lunch (a bit of a late lunch, but we were too busy running or playing on the beach...).  We also had to have ice cream and visit Browse About Books.  Over all it was a great day, just right in length, but in some ways too short as well.  Tuesday Becca headed back to CA and Jon begins his European whirl-wind tour.  He was supposed to go to Vienna for a couple of days and then home, but the office called while we were at lunch and asked if he would go to London for about a week after Vienna "since he was already there".  Ugh.  He eventually said yes.  It'll make for a bear of a travel week, but hopefully he'll be able to dodge the next bullet that comes through like that.

Anyhow, Tuesday was a nice low-key day for me and the boys.  Other than spending about $600 on new tires for the truck.  (She really, really needed them.)  Gak had to work, but only his normal shift.  He's got to work open to close yesterday through tomorrow and then again on Tuesday.  Yesterday was also truck inspection day, and other than a bout $350 in repairs (and $50 for the actual inspection), she did just fine.  I'll gladly take spending only $1200 in truck repairs over the course of a year as opposed to around $4500 in truck payments.

Anyhow, time for me to wrap this up and get going.

Peace to all and may your weekends be good, and your family time fun.

Friday, June 24, 2011

Schedules and Privelage

Ok. I’m going to vent here a bit. I’m going dangerously close to the “airing dirty laundry” that I try very, very hard not to do here. But this has been festering for a few weeks now.


As most loyal readers (I have those?) know, my business was bought by a different “big corp” just over a year ago. Well, like many big companies out there, they have a “compressed work week” schedule available. This is where one week you work four 9-hour days, an 8-hour Friday and then the next week you work four 9-hour days and have off that Friday for a three day weekend. It sounds lovely. I mean, who wouldn’t want around 15 additional 3-day weekends or the potential for a 4-day weekend for a normal 3-day holiday? I know I sure as anything would love it. Extra time with my son. A week-day every-other week I could get things done like doctor’s appointments and car repairs (although, I usually use the shop that’s within walking distance of work… so that wouldn’t change). An extra chance to unwind or take a nice weekend getaway.


Unfortunately, this is where the reality of my life steps in and stomps down HARD. You see, this isn’t a mandatory schedule, but an optional schedule. And there was a fight between employees and local management to get this put in place. But that’s not even the problem. The problem is with my own personal schedule. The problem is that we haven’t been organized, or thrifty enough, or even just plain lucky enough to get a second car. The problem is that while Gak’s schedule is great for watching Boo in the mornings, it leaves us in a tough spot in the evenings since he works until 6:30 or 6:45 and Boo has to be picked up by 6.

You see, for me to take advantage of this, I would have to work 7-5 every day. This would be so I could get home before 6 to pick up Boo. This would mean I’d have to give up my Tuesday and Thursday morning swims. I’ve really grown quite fond of those. It would mean on weeks like this coming one where Boo would have to be in daycare all day either I’d have to drop Boo off at 6:30 in the morning (making for a very, very long day for him) or make him and Gak leave for work approximately half an hour after I leave for work so they could walk. That’s not fair to either of them and just plain silly.  (Not to mention dangerous in winter months...)


I thought I was fine with this. I thought I just accepted this as all part and parcel of being a mom of a young child. But, no, I’m not OK with this. I’m actually quite upset by this. I feel like I’m being penalized because I couldn’t get my act together and save enough for a second car (not that I really want the expense of a second car, but in this case it would be needed). I feel like I’m being penalized for Gak having the job he has, and that’s the last thing I want to feel. I’m happy he can stay home with our boy in the mornings, but lately he’s been used and abused soundly by his boss with his hours. Gak’s been trying to look off and on for a new job for a year or more now, but he’s either over qualified, under qualified or the job totally isn’t worth what he is or what he needs to make to make switching break even, let alone let us get ahead. He’s stuck and feeling it, and well, so am I right now. I feel like Gak’s boss is hurting me and my family and my career, and I don’t even work for the man! Unfortunately, without a whole lot of help, a good dollop of luck and possibly some divine intervention at this point, we’re stuck. It’s not Gak’s fault at all, but I know he feels that it is. He shouldn’t have to feel that way at all!

It’s not really my fault either. Sure, I could have been better about putting money away, but you know what; I’ve made my decisions. I like going out for lunch on Saturdays with Kat and Zoe and the gang. I’m glad I bought my new bike and Boo’s seat for it. I like having the phones we have and the damn data plans that go with them. I like being able to buy yarn now and again for projects. Sure, I waste plenty of money, but more often than not, I have made the conscious choice of where to spend my money. I’m not getting ahead in the slightest. But you know what; I’m usually OK with that. I will never be rich or even comfortable enough not to worry when it gets close to pay-day at the middle of the month. That’s just who I am and where I am and there are other things I’d rather worry about and spend my time on.

I don’t want the million dollar house or three cars or to be able to jet around the world at the drop of a hat or anything like that. I want to be able to send my son to a good school. I want to live in an apartment or rent a house that’s comfortable, safe and clean. I want to be able to enjoy the weekends with my friends, my husband and my family doing fun things, not moping about the house because I don’t have gas money. I want to be able to juggle it so I can have those three-day weekends every other week.



So, yes, I’m very bitter right now. I’m bitter that I can’t get my act together enough to solve the transportation “problem” (and until now, it's not been that big of a problem, more of an occasional inconvenience). I’m bitter that I have to choose between working out and 3-day weekends and missing my son’s bedtime. (This is why I go to the gym in the mornings, I get my “me time” in and I get as much awake time with Boo as I can get.) I’m bitter at the joy my coworkers who are able to take advantage of the schedule are showing. It almost feels like they’re gloating. (In a way they are gloating because they had to fight management so hard and for so long to get it in place here… even if it’s on a “trial” basis for the summer…) I’m taking it very personally and I shouldn’t. I shouldn’t at all. I just look at other families with small children and see them so much more “together” than we are. It all seems so nice and perfect from where I’m sitting. I know damn right well that it’s not, but from where I’m sitting right now, for the most part, their lives are looking pretty rosy. For once, I’d really like something to break in our favor. Even if it’s just a little thing.



Anyhow, I’d better get back to my projects.



To end this on a positive note, Jon and Becca are currently winging their way across the country to be here for a long weekend. It’ll be quite a full one! Tomorrow they’re doing wedding site searching and food finding adventures. Boo, Gak and I are probably joining Barb, Norm and their boys as well as maybe some others to see Cars2 in the evening. Sunday, Jon, Becca, Dad, Boo and I are going to the Phillies game. Monday, Dad is staying home but Mom and Gak are joining us to go to the beach. We’ll be spreading Gram’s ashes (which will be sad and happy and all kinds of mixed up) and enjoying ourselves as well. Tuesday they fly back to California and I took a second vacation day. So, this will be quite the busy weekend coming up and quite enjoyable.



So, peace to all and may your schedules work, and your family adventures be good.

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Ponderous Ponderings

I've had something weighing on my mind a bit more than usual lately, the precarious nature of mental health and the battles that so many have to fight, including my beloved husband.  He's been fighting his own demons very hard lately, and while he knows I'm here 110% for him, there is only so much I can do from the outside.  Mostly I can just be there and roll with the punches.  (NOT physical punches! just the emotional ones.  He's never hurt me and I never will let him...  I know I didn't need to say that for those who know my wonderful Gak, but... this is a public blog after all...)

Anyhow one of my New York Times headlines was this interesting story.  I have already shared it on my facebook wall, but I thought I'd take a little time and write some more about it here.

There are so many people in the world who have to deal with their own personal demons when it comes to mental health.  I sometimes feel like the odd one out amongst my friends when it comes to this.  I am so very thankful that I've never had to battle depression or anxiety or any other of a hundred different mental illnesses including eating disorders (and yes, it is most defiantly an illness) in any significant way.  There have been plenty of dark times in my life where looking back I boggle at how I made it through without falling into vast pits of despair and depression or into that trap that so many young women fall into of self mutilation and self harm.  I've written before how times in my school life were anything but fun, more like a living hell.  The mere fact that I did not turn to self harm in any way, including eating disorders, is amazing.  I may not be the most emotionally stable person at times, but apparently I have a fairly resilient and hardy mental system.  I am truly thankful for that.

Anyhow, I just thought it was interesting this woman's story.  It's a story that all too many know all too well.  I'd like to think that "the system" and "everyone" has come so far since the 1960s, but in many ways I doubt it.  We hear stories all the time of veterans who fall through the cracks and other unfortunate souls who get lost in the system, or never even make it into the system and end up causing themselves, and often others, quite a bit of harm.  My heart truly hurts for them.  No one should have to endure something so life altering and heavy on their own.  (I did not watch the video at the top, as I'm at work and videos are usually blocked...)

I mostly want those I know who have mental illnesses of their own to battle to know that they're not alone.  That there are others out there, very successful others who have been there, done that and are often willing to help you find your way out of your own personal dark hole of hell.  I want those of us who love and support and care for and about people with mental illnesses to know that we're not alone either.  It's not our fault.  It may be our problem, but we're not the solution.  Some times we're not even a small part of the solution.  We just have to keep loving and being available to our friends, family and loved ones and let them know that they're not alone.  There is help available.  There is no shame in asking for help, or demanding that you get it if you run into a brick wall.  This is your right as a human being.  Maybe it's the tree-hugging hippie liberal in me, but I truly believe that everyone deserves an avenue to help.  I can't force help upon anyone, because then it's not help.
Help for mental illness has to start from within.  Just like with my weight loss, often times you know what needs to be done, what should be done and even if you do it, it won't work unless you are ready for it to work.  You have to believe in yourself, and often times that belief is hard to come by.  I know when I was living through my own personal hell of 5th and 10th grades (the other years were only slightly hellish... those two were the worst, with the second half of 4th grade a close third...) that things only started to get better when I decided that I didn't care what others thought, I loved myself for who I am and the rest could go take a flying leap.  Maybe it's because I came to that conclusion fairly early and was able to get there fairly easily that I didn't slide further down that slippery slope.  If so, I'm thankful for my parents who always believed in the person I am, even if they didn't say it to me every day.

I'm really not sure where I'm going with this.  There are a lot of thoughts all jumbled up in my head as I watch close friends of mine fight their own personal demons.  Most seem to be winning.  I think they're all winning the war, even if they don't feel like they're winning the current battle.  The fact that they are battling it tells me that they will win.  Maybe not tomorrow, but they will win.  Again, maybe that's be being an optimist, but that's who I am.

Well, I'd best get back to work.  I hope that someone, somewhere, got something out of my ramblings.  I'm not sure I did, but at least I got some of the thoughts bumping around in my head out onto "paper".

Peace to all and may you have the friends, support and love that you need.

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Bike Time

Today I got to do something totally awesome.  I got to pick my son up from day care on my bicycle!  Last week I was finally able to pick up a helmet for Boo and a seat for Lady (my bicycle).  As you can see, I now own a mom-bike (pardon the lousy picture, I took it with my phone and I'm still learning how to get pictures with it.).  And I'm so totally thrilled!
There were a few misadventures and a bit of grease and it took a couple of tries, but I got the seat on.  Boo had been saying he didn't want to ride on my bike, until we got to the store and I showed him the box.  I told him we'd get it and try it, and if he didn't like it, I could take it back.  (I'd just claim I couldn't get it to fit on my bicycle, which was almost true...)  Anyhow, once we got it into the cart, he wanted to ride my bicycle right then. It took me until Friday to get it all set up right, and away we went.  Let me tell you, I was only planning on taking a short ride Friday, but I think Boo would have let me ride to Amma's and back.  (Yeah, that'll never happen... it's 45 miles on the highway!)

Anyhow, today I was able to get home early enough to quick change into shorts and grab the bike and the helmets.  You should have seen the look on the ladies' faces when I pulled up and Boo was saying "my Momma's here!" and they didn't see the truck.  They both thought it was pretty funny.  I thought it was awesome, and so did Boo.  We took a nice 15 minute round about ride home.  (We mostly rode on the sidewalks even though you're not supposed to... I don't mind riding on the roads, but the sidewalks were empty and seemed a hair safer, except at the corners without ramps...)

Hopefully if It's not raining tomorrow I'll be picking him up on the bike again and we'll head to the park.  We didn't have enough time today.

I just thought I'd share this new adventure that I'm sharing with Boo.  I really love it.

Peace to all and may your transportation be happy and fun!

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Hawk Mountain Hiking

Today was a grand adventure.  One that hopefully be repeating again.
Shelby on Monday declared that she was needing "out" and was going to Hawk Mountain today and if anyone wanted to join her, we were more than welcome.  I've been wanting to go back to Hawk Mountain for a while now and in reality, I needed a day "out" as well.  So, I told her Boo and I would be joining her.  It turns out that her two, Jared and Jocelyn joined her and Steve came along and Shelby's friend Stacy joined us as well.
It turns out that Hawk Mountain was hosting a fund-raising 5K today, so Steve was more than happy to run it.  He wasn't terribly impressed by his time, but not totally put out.  He felt he did OK for himself and he enjoyed himself, so that's the biggest judge.  His biggest problem was the fact that pretty much the last 2 miles of the 3.1 was all uphill, the last mile being very uphill.  (What do you expect, we were at Hawk Mountain after all.)

So, while Steve was running, the rest of us prowled along the trails for a little bit.  Then we joined up with Steve and went for a longer walk.  We weren't really planning on going all the way to North Lookout, but we ended up there.  We did make a few stops at some of the other lookouts on the way and the boys (especially Jared) had a blast climbing on the rocks.  Boo did really awesome, walking a good portion of it.  I ended up putting him into the back more because the ground was sooo rocky and he was having problems keeping up, more than he was complaining about walking.

I'm really impressed with myself though.  Even carrying Boo for a good portion of the 2 miles up and back, I was able to keep up for most of it and really wasn't winded and exhausted.  Let me tell you, the trail may have only been 1 mile each way, but there was a LOT of climb, especially at the end.  Of course, I love scrambling over the rocks and climbing about.  Mom has claimed I'm half mountain goat from time to time.  I think Boo inherited a good chunk of that too.


Steve was so impressed by Boo.  He was just wowing the socks off Steve most of the day with his conversation and observation, not to mention his endurance and willingness to climb all over the place.  I think Steve was more thrilled than Boo to give him a piggy back ride.  You'd think Steve liked Boo or something.  I really wish we got to see him (and Shelby and the kids too!) more often.  They're great people.  Of course, it doesn't help when Steve gets deployed overseas for a year or more at a time.  But that's a totally different story.

Anyhow, I think this is where I'm going to wrap this up.  We've got a picnic at Kat's tomorrow for Father's Day and Billy's birthday.  I've also got laundry to do and a quick grocery run to get in there somewhere too.

Peace to all and may your weekends be full of adventure!

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Weekends of Adventure

The last two weekends have been full of a lot of fun things.  Last weekend we went to the WWII weekend and air show at the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum in Redding, PA and yesterday Boo, Mom and I went to Rehoboth Beach for the day.  (I love vacation days!)

I was hoping to post about the air show at some point last week, but the furthest I got was to get all 30-some pictures downloaded off the camera, edited (and played with in some cases) and posted up to Flickr.  That's really taking a lot of time and energy lately.  I've been splitting my valuable free time among too many activities again...

Anyhow, the air show at MAAM was very cool.  Most of the clan went.  Gak stayed home because he needed a day to himself before his one (now two) weeks of working open to close the entire week.  (That's a whole other post and I'm not going to get into it...)  Also, Barb, Norm and the boys joined us for a bit as well as Steve, Shelby and her two and Steph's dad came along as well..  There was so much to see and watch.  Everyone had a pretty good time over all.  I had a lot of fun with my camera and taking pictures of the planes, the trucks and motorcycles and the people too.  I loved being able to shoot in B&W or color at the flip of a switch, but there were times when I was doing the editing this week that I was seriously missing the smell of fixer and the seclusion of working in a darkroom.  Yes, I'm a geek that way.  I miss getting messy for my art.

Anyhow, if you want to see all of the pictures from the air show, you'll have to click the link to go to my Flikr page.  Here are a few of my favorites.





Yesterday I had a vacation day planned.  So, a few weeks ago I asked Mom if she wanted to go where the sand meets the water for the day.  She jumped on it and said "yes!" in a heartbeat.  I really do enjoy these trips with her.  It gives us a day together, which we don't get often these days, and a chance to get away.  (Not to mention the chance to eat Grotto Pizza and ice cream and play in the sand and the water...)  It's a nice time to relax and catch up and play.  Something we've both been needing.




Anyhow, Boo had a total blast in the sand as usual.  I think we had enough sand toys for three or four little boys.  I really love the ones that Aunt Eileen and Uncle Joe got Boo for his birthday.  (Boo really liked the shovel out of that one too...).  Boo just loves, loves, loves sand and digging in it.  But not mud.  Nothing squishy for my boy.
And he doesn't like the water much.  He loves splashing in rain puddles and will happily spend half an hour in the tub some days.  But the pool isn't such a marvelous thing and the surf... forget it, he won't go near it!  We convinced him to help carry the buckets to get them filled with water, and he got about halfway from our blanket to the waves, turned around and ran in a straight line right for our spot.  He did the same thing last year too.  Oh well.  Maybe we'll have to take him over to Indian River inlet (at Pot-Nets even though we don't know anyone over there any more, which is sad and another story...) and see if he likes little waves any better.

We had a great day.  We dropped Poppa off at work, picked Amma up at her house and then had a fairly uneventful drive down.  We stopped at the McDonalds right at route 24 for a smoothy and to change, then it was to the beach!  I actually found a spot about a block and a half up, right on the Avenue.  We got there right around 10:30 or so and it was just about a perfect weather day.  The sun was out, the temperature wasn't too hot and there was a nice breeze (which got a little too playful at times, but was very nice over all).

We spent a good two hours almost on the beach and then went and had pizza at the Grotto's on the boardwalk.  (No pictures of the pizza this year, sorry Jon, but you'll be out here in two weeks and can enjoy some for yourself.)  Then there was a slight misadventure with a swim diaper holding half a bucket of salt water and lemonade and the parking meter as well.... Then back to the sand for a little bit until we had a tired boy.  Boo actually managed to sleep in his stroller for just about an hour.  Most of that time Amma and I spent either sitting in or wandering around in Browse About Books.  (Unfortunately, I couldn't remember any books I was looking for, and they're not almost more "stuff" than books.  They're still one of my favorite books stores though.)

Anyhow, I have an awake boy and I need to get ready for work.  Just enough time to slap some pictures in here and get going.

Peace to all and may your weekends (and weeks....) be filled with fun adventures!

Friday, June 03, 2011

Three Years!

Three years old! My boy-o turned three on Tuesday.


Where has the time gone? I really don’t know, but I do know that I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Boo has really made our lives so much more full and interesting. (Sure, there are days when I wish we could just up and go out or something without worrying about someone to watch Boo or things like that, but over all, I’m very happy with our life.)


So, time for a little updating. There are both bigger and fewer changes to report now days compared to when he was first born.

At his doctor’s appointment Thursday, which he barely even cried at this time, he was 38” tall and 30 lb even. This puts him just above 50% on height, and between 25 and 50% on weight, at least according to the charts I have. Developmentally he’s right on track and unless he gets sick, we don’t have to go back to the doctor until next June for his 4-year-old checkup! Amazing. And, considering he’s a pretty healthy little boy over all, we may not have to go over the winter. The challenge will be to remember to make the appointment next spring.


Like I said, developmentally he’s right on track. He loves to scribble and can draw a straight line if you ask and he’s willing. No shapes or anything recognizable, but his doctor said that’s normal for this age. He can jump and run and balance on one foot with ease. He talks and talks and talks (I have no idea where he gets that from looks innocent) and uses lots of words and full sentences and paragraphs really. He loves to look at pictures and identify them and will tell you the story based on the pictures. He loves to point out the big cutout of Frog whenever we go to the book store, and happily states that “he’s up there!” in reference to Harold (of purple crayon fame…).


He’s pretty good with his alphabet and can say it if he wants. He’ll often start at “E” or “F”, but that’s OK. He can count to at least 20 and when counting things will even remember to stop at the right number most of the time. (Although, there are times he’ll just keep going because he likes counting.)


As far as potty training and other personal care tasks, that’s where he needs to come along. He’s not behind, but he’s not ahead either.

I think our son is one of the only children I’ve ever known who does not want to take off his clothes. He can take off his pants and pull them up again if you don’t give him an option. He can put on his shirt with help. If you pester him enough, he’ll take off his shoes. (He loves to sort of wave his hands at his shoes and pitifully whine “I can’t!” whenever you ask him to do this…)

As far as potty training goes, well, it doesn’t. Day care still is putting him on the potty when he wakes from naps, even though he really doesn’t want to. We’ve been trying to put him on the potty firs thing in the morning and before bed, but if he says no when we ask if he needs to go/wants to go we don’t force the issue. He really doesn’t care yet if he’s wet or stinky. Every once in a while he’ll ask to go potty, but about 80% of the time this is a stall tactic, and the other 20% it’s well after the fact that he’s already peed his diaper. He’ll use going to the potty as a stall tactic at dinner or when we’re out if we’re asking him to do/eat something he doesn’t want to do or eat. It is frustrating, and we know it’s a stall tactic, but I’m not going to not take him just on the off chance that he isn’t bluffing.

He’s obsessed with the Elmo Potty Time DVD we got him and the “Bear in Underwear” book he got recently as well. But, if you ask him if he’s going to wear underwear or if he’s going to use the potty, his usual answer is a simple head shake or a “no”.

Oh well, we’ll get there. It’ll be a long, frustrating and annoying trip, but we’ll get there. This isn’t something any of us can force. (Although the thought of putting him in underwear for a couple of days when we’re home and dealing with the resulting mess is appealing at times. I think a good part of the problem is that he honestly doesn’t feel when he’s wet or realize how icky it is with the way diapers are today…)


Anyhow, enjoy the dragon picture at the top of the post. I’ve got to get back to work, but thought I’d give a “quick” update with where our wonderful, amazing little boy is. I realize I gave you a lot of facts, but I didn’t really give you much of his personality. He continues to be a sweet, loving, heart-meltingly adorable boy. He’s fun to be around (although the tantrums have been flaring a bit of late) and has enough imagination for 3 or 4 kids his age. He really is a joy to have around.



Peace to all and may your checkups be good and time be slow through the good parts.