In honor of the September birthdays, Astronaut Liam sends his love.
IN ORDER
Nina Simone, Daddy, Karry, Auntie Lynda, Nana, and Auntie Katie. Great-grandpa comes soon too, in October.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Birthday Wishes
September is one of the most popular month to be born. In our world, a lot of happy birthdays go out during this month. Liam now knows how to sing "Happy Birthday" though he most frequently sings the song to himself.
In honor of the September birthdays, Astronaut Liam sends his love.
IN ORDER
Nina Simone, Daddy, Karry, Auntie Lynda, Nana, and Auntie Katie. Great-grandpa comes soon too, in October.
In honor of the September birthdays, Astronaut Liam sends his love.
IN ORDER
Nina Simone, Daddy, Karry, Auntie Lynda, Nana, and Auntie Katie. Great-grandpa comes soon too, in October.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Autumn, Not Fall
We are starting to see the weather change, and with the colder nights comes a little color in the trees. The school buses are back on the roads, and the pumpkin decorations are starting to show up. Summer must be over.
Liam asked about the seasonal change, so we learned the new word -autumn. He doesn't like the word fall. He says it sounds like it hurts.
He eagerly anticipates Kindergarten, watching the littlest students at the elementary school lining up outside every morning. In his mind, he's ready. All he needs is a lunchbox and someone to sign him up. We often discuss the requirements; being able to write his name, for example. "You need to be four-and-a-half years old to go there," I tell him. He simply throws out the age requirement, "I big boy now." I should probably add using verbs to the list, but for now, his caveman sentences are endearing.
Our plan is to enroll him at a nearby Montessori Preschool in January. At one point, my goal was to enroll him in Preschool so that he would start in September, when he turned two-and-a-half. In fact, he wasn't quite ready to make that transition, given the changes he's working through at daycare right now. At this school, the children make their own snacks every day. Liam equates this to being able to eat whatever he wants for snack. He plans to eat goldfish crackers and apple juice every day. He tells me this every day. I think he is in for a rude awakening.
Snack seems to be a constant attraction in his world. Sunday school started at church this week. He was not very excited about going until he learned that he gets to eat a snack at Sunday school. Once he sucked down a juice box and devoured several handfuls of crackers, he decided we could come back again. But as we were leaving, just to be sure, he asked, "Is there snack every time?" Smart kid.
Liam asked about the seasonal change, so we learned the new word -autumn. He doesn't like the word fall. He says it sounds like it hurts.
He eagerly anticipates Kindergarten, watching the littlest students at the elementary school lining up outside every morning. In his mind, he's ready. All he needs is a lunchbox and someone to sign him up. We often discuss the requirements; being able to write his name, for example. "You need to be four-and-a-half years old to go there," I tell him. He simply throws out the age requirement, "I big boy now." I should probably add using verbs to the list, but for now, his caveman sentences are endearing.
Our plan is to enroll him at a nearby Montessori Preschool in January. At one point, my goal was to enroll him in Preschool so that he would start in September, when he turned two-and-a-half. In fact, he wasn't quite ready to make that transition, given the changes he's working through at daycare right now. At this school, the children make their own snacks every day. Liam equates this to being able to eat whatever he wants for snack. He plans to eat goldfish crackers and apple juice every day. He tells me this every day. I think he is in for a rude awakening.
Snack seems to be a constant attraction in his world. Sunday school started at church this week. He was not very excited about going until he learned that he gets to eat a snack at Sunday school. Once he sucked down a juice box and devoured several handfuls of crackers, he decided we could come back again. But as we were leaving, just to be sure, he asked, "Is there snack every time?" Smart kid.
Monday, September 7, 2009
End of Summer
Bye-Bye Summer
Liam's birthday marks the start of spring. Mommy's birthday bridges the gap between Mother's Day and Memorial Day. Daddy's birthday closes summer out, falling once every seven years on Labor Day itself.
So the third summer of Liam's life is nearly over. It seems summer was created with children in mind; warm, sunny days for playing outside, evenings that linger, bathed in light until well after bedtime. Liam took every advantage of playing and staying up well past his 8PM bedtime whenever possible. It seems as though this summer was his first opportunity to play like a big kid. He played in his playhouse, kicked around a soccer ball, and learned to enjoy hiking in the woods. It seemed every day was filled with new adventures for Little Bean.
Early this summer, Liam couldn't make it up the ladder on the playground in front of the house by himself. Not only did he figure it out on his own, but he also showed his friends how. With practice, all things eventually are possible.
Liam also explored on back of a bicycle for the first time. Thanks to a new bike seat, he gets a great view of the neighborhood. "Faster, Daddy, faster," the backseat driver shouts.
With each passing day, Liam's vocabulary -- and imagination -- grew. Our little boy who once wailed when his needs were under met now explains in full detail that he wants his milk in the pink sippy cup with an orange lid, and if possible he'd like the milk to be chocolate milk.
Most of what he tells us about is really important. Yesterday, for example, he deducted that octopuses don't travel by train because there isn't any water inside for them to live in. Right now he likes to figure out what animals eat, and where they live. Squirrels live in trees and eat acorns, just like Piglet, he announced a few days ago. But then he wondered why Piglet lives in a tree, if in fact he is a pig. Rules are the foundation of a two-and-a-half year-old's existence.
Liam was helping me put away groceries. Fruits go in the fruit bowl; meats go in the meat drawer; cereals go in the cupboard. "Where do treats go?" Liam asked holding the dried apricots he loves so much. I didn't respond right away, so he answered for me. "I know, treats go in Liam's tummy!"
This summer, Liam's been working on more than just his vocabulary. Thanks to a great teacher at school, and lots of practice on behalf of everyone, Liam is nearly out of diapers. As soon as Liam is accident-free most of the time, Liam gets to go to Montessori School. He's very excited.
We look forward to fall, including Halloween and Thanksgiving. Summer is fun, but so are the other seasons!
Liam's birthday marks the start of spring. Mommy's birthday bridges the gap between Mother's Day and Memorial Day. Daddy's birthday closes summer out, falling once every seven years on Labor Day itself.
So the third summer of Liam's life is nearly over. It seems summer was created with children in mind; warm, sunny days for playing outside, evenings that linger, bathed in light until well after bedtime. Liam took every advantage of playing and staying up well past his 8PM bedtime whenever possible. It seems as though this summer was his first opportunity to play like a big kid. He played in his playhouse, kicked around a soccer ball, and learned to enjoy hiking in the woods. It seemed every day was filled with new adventures for Little Bean.
Early this summer, Liam couldn't make it up the ladder on the playground in front of the house by himself. Not only did he figure it out on his own, but he also showed his friends how. With practice, all things eventually are possible.
Liam also explored on back of a bicycle for the first time. Thanks to a new bike seat, he gets a great view of the neighborhood. "Faster, Daddy, faster," the backseat driver shouts.
With each passing day, Liam's vocabulary -- and imagination -- grew. Our little boy who once wailed when his needs were under met now explains in full detail that he wants his milk in the pink sippy cup with an orange lid, and if possible he'd like the milk to be chocolate milk.
Most of what he tells us about is really important. Yesterday, for example, he deducted that octopuses don't travel by train because there isn't any water inside for them to live in. Right now he likes to figure out what animals eat, and where they live. Squirrels live in trees and eat acorns, just like Piglet, he announced a few days ago. But then he wondered why Piglet lives in a tree, if in fact he is a pig. Rules are the foundation of a two-and-a-half year-old's existence.
Liam was helping me put away groceries. Fruits go in the fruit bowl; meats go in the meat drawer; cereals go in the cupboard. "Where do treats go?" Liam asked holding the dried apricots he loves so much. I didn't respond right away, so he answered for me. "I know, treats go in Liam's tummy!"
This summer, Liam's been working on more than just his vocabulary. Thanks to a great teacher at school, and lots of practice on behalf of everyone, Liam is nearly out of diapers. As soon as Liam is accident-free most of the time, Liam gets to go to Montessori School. He's very excited.
We look forward to fall, including Halloween and Thanksgiving. Summer is fun, but so are the other seasons!
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Daddy's Big Birthday!
Liam,
I met your Daddy when he was 28, while we both studied at Syracuse University. Back then he had a scruffy beard and only wore clothes suitable for hiking in the forests of Central New York. Even then he only had memories of hair, but he was handsome nonetheless.
Today he's a bit less scruffy, which you and I both take responsibility for. He spent most of the day today mucking about in crawlspaces, the garage and the laundry room, doing his best to add networked cables to our cozy home.
Yesterday, you and I went shopping to find gifts for Daddy. You picked out gummy worms for him, and wrapped them up, with only a little help from me. Then, this morning, as soon as you remembered, you brought over the package and proudly told Daddy that the worms wanted to get out. He opened the gift and thanked you, and then we each ate one gummy worm in bed, while we were all still half asleep. You demanded more worms, but then became reasonable when Daddy wanted to save some for later.
After you watched Curious George and Word World, we went downstairs for a nice breakfast. The rain pounded the ceiling, so we turned on the fire to keep us warm. Granny & Grand dad called after breakfast, so we talked for a while.
We've been inside all day. The rain and wind outside have picked up, and really, the only reason to go out would be to get wet. You're snug in your bed right now, listening to Peter and the Wolf, which you love. You get scared when the wolf comes, and you're sad when the wolf eats the duckie. So far, you haven't made it to the end yet, so you don't know that duckie is set free by the wolf, as Peter drags him back to the woods by his tail. Sometimes you like to be the wolf, and Mommy is the kitty and Daddy is the bird. Other times, you insist on being Peter.
When you wake up, you're going to visit Krysti, Dave and Carter, while Mommy and Daddy go to dinner with our friends. We'd love to take you with us, but you will have more fun watching a movie with Carter.
I just wanted to let you know about today, so that you can always know how much you are loved.
Love,
Mommy
I met your Daddy when he was 28, while we both studied at Syracuse University. Back then he had a scruffy beard and only wore clothes suitable for hiking in the forests of Central New York. Even then he only had memories of hair, but he was handsome nonetheless.
Today he's a bit less scruffy, which you and I both take responsibility for. He spent most of the day today mucking about in crawlspaces, the garage and the laundry room, doing his best to add networked cables to our cozy home.
Yesterday, you and I went shopping to find gifts for Daddy. You picked out gummy worms for him, and wrapped them up, with only a little help from me. Then, this morning, as soon as you remembered, you brought over the package and proudly told Daddy that the worms wanted to get out. He opened the gift and thanked you, and then we each ate one gummy worm in bed, while we were all still half asleep. You demanded more worms, but then became reasonable when Daddy wanted to save some for later.
After you watched Curious George and Word World, we went downstairs for a nice breakfast. The rain pounded the ceiling, so we turned on the fire to keep us warm. Granny & Grand dad called after breakfast, so we talked for a while.
We've been inside all day. The rain and wind outside have picked up, and really, the only reason to go out would be to get wet. You're snug in your bed right now, listening to Peter and the Wolf, which you love. You get scared when the wolf comes, and you're sad when the wolf eats the duckie. So far, you haven't made it to the end yet, so you don't know that duckie is set free by the wolf, as Peter drags him back to the woods by his tail. Sometimes you like to be the wolf, and Mommy is the kitty and Daddy is the bird. Other times, you insist on being Peter.
When you wake up, you're going to visit Krysti, Dave and Carter, while Mommy and Daddy go to dinner with our friends. We'd love to take you with us, but you will have more fun watching a movie with Carter.
I just wanted to let you know about today, so that you can always know how much you are loved.
Love,
Mommy
Friday, August 7, 2009
Old Car, New Car
As one does with an older car, we evaluated the life left in her, and what the repairs would cost. In the end, we were somewhat concerned that the airbag didn't go, and that in another crash, Liam would be without side-impact airbag protection. Once upon a time, our main interests in a car were costs; now we consider the unimaginable first. Ahh... parenthood.
So as the dog days of July (all four of them here in Seattle) stretched out to the end, we dragged Liam from one car dealer to another. We tried Toyotas and Minis, Fords and Hondas, and even one car that outsmarted us, before we found our choice: the 2009 Honda Fit Sport in tidewater blue.
One day while Liam was at school, Mommy and Daddy set out to purchase the car. This process is meant to make even the strong weary, with negotiation tactics thrown from both the dealer and the buyer. Luckily, we had done our homework. The first dealer wanted to throw in nearly a thousand dollars in extras. Bah! We did not want $250 floor mats, so we walked away.
At dealer #2, we walked in, named our price, and owned our new car within an hour, sans floor mats. Daddy picked Liam up from school in the new car, which of course Liam wanted to drive right away. The two stopped by the old red car on the way home, to grab her old floor mats (reduce, reuse, recycle) and even she was gone a few days later.
A man who had recently rebuilt a green car, just like our red car, while he was unemployed. He was now going to help his unemployed neighbor fix red car, so he too would have a car when the economy picks up.
It was only when we pulled out the paperwork to sell red car that we noticed an interesting coincidence. The MSRP for our 1993 Honda Accord matched the MSRP of the 2009 Honda Fit Sport to the penny.
While it was difficult to part with the car we drove for so much of our life out here in Seattle, in the end, she will help someone else with a fresh start. We fondly remember taking her on the ferry, over to Orcas Island, for our wedding. She drove tiny Liam home from the hospital on his third day of life. She owed us nothing; and we owed her reprieve from the junkyard, if only for a few years more.
Our new car has already brought us on an adventure; up to Sunrise at Mount Rainier. Liam prefers the new car to Mommy's car, even though both cars are essentially new. I know we'll have more adventures in both cars as time ticks by. If we're lucky, we might even get a few more in this summer...
Friday, July 24, 2009
Birthday Cakes and Motorbike Races
Happy Birthday Suri & Devin!
Liam has been preparing for his friends birthdays for a while. If Liam had his way, every day would be Liam's birthday. He would never have to go to another child's birthday party, because all the parties would be for him, at his house. At least this was how he felt until last week.
Tuesday was Suri's 2nd birthday, and today is D's 2nd birthday. (Yes, Liam's two best friends were born a few days apart, but unfortunately we didn't know Suri back then.) We went to Suri's to celebrate on Tuesday afternoon. Liam had fun playing with Suri's cousins and neighborhood friends. The day would have been perfect had Liam not exploded in the car on the way home. (I think this may be his way of telling us that his medicine needs adjusting, or perhaps he doesn't need it anymore?)
Just before Suri's birthday, Liam figured out that birthday parties are fun, even if he is not the guest of honor. He also realized that his friends get gifts too. So after Suri's party, Liam asked if we could get Devin a Red Step 2 Motorcycle, just like Liam's for Devin's birthday. There was only one thing on Liam's mind at the time, I'm sure: motorcycle races.
The best part about racing motorcycles would have to be the crashing. Both boys enjoyed the first pre-ameteur, back-alley motorbike race, sponsored by Step2 and Huggies.
Liam won the first heat, mostly because Devin was getting used to the bike. D won the second heat, perhaps because Liam was riding in the wrong direction. The bikes malfunctioned in the third heat, with both bikes curiously beeping and honking in unison. In the last heat, both boys got of the bikes and had to be coaxed back on by the bystander daddies. The bikes required tow trucks, and had to be parked in the garage overnight.
Two years ago, Liam was sitting up and eating solid food (well that cereal stuff, if you call that food) and Baby D was still alienlike. Liam started walking around the time that D started to crawl. Even six months ago, there was a substantial difference between the boys, but not so much anymore. After the motorcycle races, they came inside and made towers out of bristle blocks, chatting away for nearly 20 minutes.
The differences between them now are minimal -- mostly personality based now. They do the same things, eat mostly the same foods, speak the same language. Even in size, Liam is still a tiny bit taller, but that's it.
Suri's a different story. She and D are the same age but she's tiny compared to Liam and Devin. I have a feeling they will all catch up by three.
Tonight Liam said his prayers, like always. But he added a thank you to God for giving him his friends, and his motorbike, and for birthdays.
Motorbike races:
On July 24th Liam weighed about 31 pounds and he calls himself a big boy. He can sing the ABC song on his own, with only a little help.
Liam has been preparing for his friends birthdays for a while. If Liam had his way, every day would be Liam's birthday. He would never have to go to another child's birthday party, because all the parties would be for him, at his house. At least this was how he felt until last week.
Tuesday was Suri's 2nd birthday, and today is D's 2nd birthday. (Yes, Liam's two best friends were born a few days apart, but unfortunately we didn't know Suri back then.) We went to Suri's to celebrate on Tuesday afternoon. Liam had fun playing with Suri's cousins and neighborhood friends. The day would have been perfect had Liam not exploded in the car on the way home. (I think this may be his way of telling us that his medicine needs adjusting, or perhaps he doesn't need it anymore?)
Just before Suri's birthday, Liam figured out that birthday parties are fun, even if he is not the guest of honor. He also realized that his friends get gifts too. So after Suri's party, Liam asked if we could get Devin a Red Step 2 Motorcycle, just like Liam's for Devin's birthday. There was only one thing on Liam's mind at the time, I'm sure: motorcycle races.The best part about racing motorcycles would have to be the crashing. Both boys enjoyed the first pre-ameteur, back-alley motorbike race, sponsored by Step2 and Huggies.
Liam won the first heat, mostly because Devin was getting used to the bike. D won the second heat, perhaps because Liam was riding in the wrong direction. The bikes malfunctioned in the third heat, with both bikes curiously beeping and honking in unison. In the last heat, both boys got of the bikes and had to be coaxed back on by the bystander daddies. The bikes required tow trucks, and had to be parked in the garage overnight.
Two years ago, Liam was sitting up and eating solid food (well that cereal stuff, if you call that food) and Baby D was still alienlike. Liam started walking around the time that D started to crawl. Even six months ago, there was a substantial difference between the boys, but not so much anymore. After the motorcycle races, they came inside and made towers out of bristle blocks, chatting away for nearly 20 minutes.
The differences between them now are minimal -- mostly personality based now. They do the same things, eat mostly the same foods, speak the same language. Even in size, Liam is still a tiny bit taller, but that's it.
Suri's a different story. She and D are the same age but she's tiny compared to Liam and Devin. I have a feeling they will all catch up by three.
Tonight Liam said his prayers, like always. But he added a thank you to God for giving him his friends, and his motorbike, and for birthdays.
Motorbike races:
 |
| 07-09 Motorbike |
On July 24th Liam weighed about 31 pounds and he calls himself a big boy. He can sing the ABC song on his own, with only a little help.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Harry Potter and the Helicopter Teeter Totter
Friday night Liam's Daddy went to see the new Harry Potter movie with Devin's Daddy. After Liam was in bed, a phone call was made to arrange the details. Liam obviously overheard the discussion.
Shortly after Daddy left, Liam toddled into Mommy's room, blankie in tow. He wanted to know why Daddy was going to the park.
"Daddy go Teeter Totter?" Liam's favorite attraction at the froggie park is the helicopter-themed teeter totter.
I didn't get the connection at first. I told him Daddy went out for a little while. Daddy was not at the park, back in bed.
Liam grudgingly crawled back in bed.
Twenty minutes later, the sun had gone down and it was dark in Liam's room. He appeared again.
"Mommy, Liam scared. Daddy at teeter totter too long. Dark outside. Daddy lost."
I still didn't get the Harry Potter/Teeter Totter connection. He was upset though. I took him to the front porch, where first we drank milk, and then I planned to rock him to sleep. It was too hot upstairs.
He did not fall asleep, insisting that we were waiting for Daddy to come home. I could hear TV on inside, where I heard a commercial for the new Harry Potter movie. It was then that I understood Liam's confusion.
Liam thought Daddy went to play on the Teeter Totter with Brian. The park closes at dark, so when Daddy didn't appear after sunset, something was wrong. Come to think of it, there might be something odd about two grown men teetering and tottering for hours in the dark.
I thought about explaining the confusion to Liam, but had no way to explain Harry Potter without making him sound fun (which he is), in which case Liam would want to know all about Harry Potter.
You're asking why not introduce him to HP? We currently have a long list of phobias, including bears, dinosaurs, alligators, bunnies, big things, bumpy roads, thunder, dentists (rightly so) and Batman. Do we need to add a Whomping Willow or a three-headed dog? Not yet.
Shortly after Daddy left, Liam toddled into Mommy's room, blankie in tow. He wanted to know why Daddy was going to the park.
"Daddy go Teeter Totter?" Liam's favorite attraction at the froggie park is the helicopter-themed teeter totter.
I didn't get the connection at first. I told him Daddy went out for a little while. Daddy was not at the park, back in bed.
Liam grudgingly crawled back in bed.
Twenty minutes later, the sun had gone down and it was dark in Liam's room. He appeared again.
"Mommy, Liam scared. Daddy at teeter totter too long. Dark outside. Daddy lost."
I still didn't get the Harry Potter/Teeter Totter connection. He was upset though. I took him to the front porch, where first we drank milk, and then I planned to rock him to sleep. It was too hot upstairs.
He did not fall asleep, insisting that we were waiting for Daddy to come home. I could hear TV on inside, where I heard a commercial for the new Harry Potter movie. It was then that I understood Liam's confusion.
Liam thought Daddy went to play on the Teeter Totter with Brian. The park closes at dark, so when Daddy didn't appear after sunset, something was wrong. Come to think of it, there might be something odd about two grown men teetering and tottering for hours in the dark.
I thought about explaining the confusion to Liam, but had no way to explain Harry Potter without making him sound fun (which he is), in which case Liam would want to know all about Harry Potter.
You're asking why not introduce him to HP? We currently have a long list of phobias, including bears, dinosaurs, alligators, bunnies, big things, bumpy roads, thunder, dentists (rightly so) and Batman. Do we need to add a Whomping Willow or a three-headed dog? Not yet.
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