Tiny little steps

Finn, born on Father's Day, took his first "real" step on Mother's Day.  This kid is going to appreciate meaningful occassions when he grows up.

Go, Finn, go!

Annie was terribly impressed.

Goodbye, April!

 

April was not our best month.  We are all fine, just recovering from the little frustrations, disappointments and bumps in the road that come from, well, living.  The month ended with recovery from a flooded basement, which has been a time-consuming mess to fix.  It turns out that even the best insurance companies are sometimes too busy with major problems to worry about a claim that involves only a hot water heater, A/C unit, washer, dryer and assorted stuff stored in the basement.  But dealing with those things is a pain in the neck, even if I am trying to remember that if the insurance company is busy dealing with the bigger fish, there are other people with much bigger problems than replacing some appliances.  I still wish I could just snap my fingers and be done with it. 

 

Anyway, there was some good news in April - very good news actually.  You may remember that Toby had to perform CPR on a colleague about a year ago.  The accolades continue to pour in for a job well done, and Toby is being honored at work next week and at a fancy-schmancy state-wide EMS function at the end of the month.  He was highlighted in the Franklin Fire Department's annual report (see below).  But most importantly, Toby's colleague finally received a heart and lung transplant late last month, and he is doing amazingly well.  It is absolutely beyond comprehension that a young man who was pretty much dead when he was found by his co-workers received such great treatment from bystanders, EMS staff, and of course the hospitals, that he suffered no neurological impairment and was strong enough to get a heart and lung transplant when a match became available.  The messages his mother sent to his office were so heartwarming.  So that is what I'm going to try to remember about April.  Sh*t happens, but so does really, really good stuff.

 

I suppose it had to happen eventually...

So Annie and I were enjoying some quality playground time after dinner last night.  Toby, Finn and Sadie had left for home, so it was just the two of us, hanging out at the (fully enclosed by a fence except for one small entrance) Tinkerbell playground.  As is usual, we were playing Dora the Explorer.  And by that I mean that Annie was ordering me around and changing the rules every five minutes. 

Then it happened.  She ordered me to stay up on top of one of the large wooden play structures HERE, while she marched her happy self over to the other large wooden play structure over THERE.  Like down 10 twisty wooden steps and across the mulch and past the big kids pushing one another and up a ramp and over a bridge and past several places where she could fall 10 feet to the ground and into a wooden tunnel where I couldn't see her.  And when I followed her, she ordered me back to the other structure.  So I went back over to the top of the other play structure, and like a hawk I watched the tiptop of her little head as she marched around in the striped top that camoflagued her against the wooden planks, got bumped by the big kids, handled everything herself, happily played her game and generally flexed her independence.  It was kind of heartbreaking, and kind of liberating.  I was so happy for her, and sad for me.  Then happy for me, because I realized I could theoretically be letting her play on a swingset in a backyard while I lounged on a chair with an adult drink in my hand...if only I had a backyard with a swingset. Then I was sad again, and not about the lack of a big backyard and margarita.    

She is so incredibly grown up.  She uses big words and thinks abstractly.  She is michevious and funny and so smart.  And she wants to run around the playground without me hovering.  So I guess I have to let her.  But I promise you one thing - next time I'm putting her in a bright pink shirt.

Wonderful Wife (if it even needs to be said)

Anyone who knows me (this is a guest appearance by Toby, b.t.w.), knows I like to seek adventure.  My latest 'adventure' has required a huge amount of patience and sacrifice, not by me, but by Krista.

Each Tuesday for the last 3 months, I have been leaving my fab wife to look after the home front while I go to class.  In addition, I have been absent on many Saturdays (including a fun snow day), and have had to throw last minute changes to schedules her way on more then a few occasions.

She has done an incredible amount to accommodate me by changing her own plans and figuring out all the logistics involved with looking after our two little adventurers!

Simply put, thank you, Krista, for all that you do for me and the family.  I hope you realize how much you are appreciated by everyone.

Happy Easter!

Okay, ya'll, in case you forgot, I have the cutest kids in the entire world.  See our annual bunny-ear photos for proof.  

Annie initially was totally uninterested in cooperating, but a little funny business from Grandpa, and she perked right up.

Finn took no convincing.  He pulled out his best cool-dude charm and we had our shot after about 3 seconds.

He even had enough smiles left over that I managed to jump in the shot.

Seriously, I don't think it can get any cuter than this.  But stay tuned for next year!

Flashback - Life before kids!

We were one good looking couple!  Thank you, Autumn, for sending this to me today - it brightened my day to see it! 

Stats for this photo, taken at Autumn's wedding: married almost one year, just 2 months before we found out Annie was on the way.  Happy and relaxed.  No idea about how our lives would change in less than year.  Stats now:  Married almost five years.  Happy and exhausted.  I can't remember the last time somebody took our picture without one or both kids.  Maybe it was this one.

A Very Dora Birthday!

I just can't believe Annie is 3. I also can't believe that we caved on having a Dora-themed birthday. Pre-baby, I would have insisted that we would NEVER do such a thing. And as further proof that our family believes in going all out, Toby planned an over-the top Dora extravaganza! He bought official Dora backpacks, a Dora costume for himself, a Boots costume for Finn, baby jaguars for all the kids to rescue, Swiper to try to swipe the cake, drew up one heck of an adventure map, and created a grumpy old troll mask.

As hoped, Annie absolutely ate it all up!

Map!

Reverse side of map - the kids had to go over the troll bridge, rescue baby jaguar from the slide, and find Annie's birthday party. 



Dora and Boots, ready to lead the explorers on their adventure!

You really should click on this one to enlarge.  Annie catching her first view of Dora.  She was in awe!  Then she started to look a tad uncomfortable until Dora revealed that she was really just Daddy playing dress up. 

That  made her laugh. Silly Daddy!

The Grumpy Old Troll who lives under the bridge!  AKA - Grandpa.  He sang a very nice troll song, and the kids had to solve his riddle before going over the bridge.

The explorers enjoying some Diego Rescue Animal Crackers out of their backpacks before continuing on their adventure.



What's that sound?  I think Baby Jaguar needs help!  Go rescue Baby Jaguar!

She could have run around with that map all day.  :) 

 Note to other parents.  When your child says they want their face painted like Baby Jaguar, the face painter may very well take them seriously.

Life-size Dora balloon - thanks Sammy Grace!

Happy Birthday, Baby Jaguar!

I love this photo of Annie blowing out her candle - or at least blowing right in mommy's face. :) A very fabulous time was had by all. 

And finally, the reason my back/shoulders/legs/everything seems to hurt all the time.  Can you believe this hunk is just 9 months old? Such a love...he did not appreciate the wind, but did his best to enjoy Annie's birthday party.