Welcome Home Daddy!

Den gets home around 9 tonight. Yahoo! I don't know if it was the excitement over Den coming home--knowing that at 2am my time he was waking up, or at 6:20am my time, he would be leaving, or what, but beyond my normal multiple wakings, I was up from 4-5:30 and then Ed woke at 6:30.

I was eyes-burning tired, but just couldn't sleep. I think I was also worried about Ed who is coming down with/fighting a cold. We keep his door closed, or mostly so when he sleeps and we have it very carefully calibrated for the amount of heat with the amount of vapor the humidifer puts out so that his room is 'just right'. I upset that balance this week by having him sleep with the door open so I could hear him (I'm usually so tired, I don't even hear him when Den is home) and also because 2 nights in a row with the ice storm, I was worried about the power going out and wanted to make sure his room was plenty warm.

So last night, with the door open, and hearing him cough every so often, I went up to check, glad that I did because at different times it was too hot and dry, then too cold, then...well you get the picture. Every time I went up to check, I made an adjustment, hoping to find the right balance to ensure (ironically) he is able to sleep through the night.

When he woke this morning I told him I was really tired and needed to sleep some more. So he climbed into bed with me and watched cartoons for an hour before deciding it was time to play.

These pictures were taken this morning. I think the one in which he is throwing 2 balls at once is particularly cool. He didn't want to go down for his nap this afternoon--I hope I get a long one. Only another couple more hours of stress about Den getting home safely!

Greetings from England

As you may recall from a previous post, my Cousin Kurt is teaching at a school in England for a couple years. Turns out he is pretty close to where Den had his conference and so Kurt and Den were able to meet up. Here they are savoring their first beer of the evening.

Cookie came today--after waiting 2 hours in the cold for a bus that was promised and never came, I told her to hop a cab and come that way. The stories she tells me about taking mass transit are at times unbelievable.

Looks like I'll get Ed all day tomorrow as his preschool has been cancelled. They follow the closure policies of a neighboring school district and apparently that district has decided to remain closed for a third day in a row. I will freely admit it's kind of nasty out there. It's not like packed down snow. I'm not even sure if it's like man-made snow at a ski resort. You don't sink into the 'snow/ice', so you can never fully get any traction. I've been out twice today, both times from my garage to another garage. But 3 days of school closure is a bit excessive. Our schools were closed 1 day and opened 2 hours late today, but just about every other school in the region seems like it's closed.

Den's conference is offically over, so I suspect he's entered the euphoric stage where you wish you were home, but you are still on travel, and your responsibilities are over so you might as well just relax and coast until you get home. Where he is staying is so far from the airport that he has to take a train tomorrow and then fly out on Saturday. Hopefully in approximately 48 hours we'll have him home. After tomorrow, I should be able to start talking about his homecoming to Eddie as I'll be able to put it in a timeframe that he can comprehend. With all the flight and weather fun lately, I'll believe he is home when he actually calls from our home airport.

Happy Valentine's Day

Ed made this in nursery school on Tuesday. Not the greatest picture of him (it's about 1 inch by not quite 2 inches), but the sentiment is there. Den and I do not traditionally celebrate V-day. But I guess with kids that is going to change. 3 kids in class handed out Valentine's, so I felt slightly sheepish not providing anything. I did give the cute little packages of Valentines a second look when I was in the drugstore earlier in the week, but figured we could hold off at least a couple years.

However, I did prepare a Valentine for Den for his trip. I NEVER do anything like that--send him notes or other things packed into his suitcase, but this time I had Eddie color a couple pictures for him and we made 8 days worth of Valentines. It was fun to do, and even more fun that he's enjoyed it so much. But I'm still not doing Valentine's Day--except for my kids!


I might have said yesterday was hump day, but today was 'hell' day. I had a second night of waking up every.single.hour. Magically almost at the same time each hour. Then last night, Ed woke at 2 or 3 AM and was inconsolable. He's done this a couple times to us recently. Don't know if he's having nightmares or what is going on, but he wound up perpendicular to me in my bed, so you can imagine how well rested we both were.

We were both snapping at each other and in general fussy. Plus, the bus system was running on emergency snow routes only, and it would have taken Cookie all morning to get here, so I told her to just stay home--she sounded pretty thankful. Tonight is supposed to get into the low teens and freeze all the already icey areas (we wound up getting a base of several inches of snow, following by sleet all night long--you could hear it hitting the windows). Hope she can get here tmr.

Eddie took a 3 hour nap and I took a 2 hour nap, which seemed to serve as good attitude adjustments for both of us. Afterwards, he asked for hot tea (he likes drinking what mom is drinking) and I countered offered with hot chocolate, which he happily accepted. He is usually incredibly neat with both, so I didn't use a bib, but the first sip out of the gate launched hot chocolate all down his shirt.

Then I broke out the graham crackers and he decided to dunk them in the hot chocolate. He got frustrated when they disintigrated so quickly and wound up with a bit at the bottom of his cup, but he was happy, I was happy and the world seemed right.

Even the card reader worked tonight. And yes, if I decide to stick a foreign object in the computer again, I'll use a freakin' screwdriver--I caught slack all over for that one.

32 week doctor's apt. tmr. Where does the time go? I'm not ready! I want this to last a while longer. Don't forget to check the 'name that baby post' a couple days back--we just need ideas--and thanks for those we've already gotten.

Hump Day

We owe the pictures on this post to Justin. I couldn't get the computer to read the card and after a phone call discussion with our pal who knows a thing or two about computers, he was able to give me enough moral support to disconnect the power and stick a butter knife (entirely my idea AFTER I got off the phone) in the 'card slot thingy' which was enough to do the trick. For the record, he was ready to just have me download my pictures to his machine, because he couldn't figure out what it was Den did to 'fix' the reader based on my description. Now I talked with Uncle K, also a computer geek who said my idea of sticking a butter knife in was pretty stupid, that apparently I could have still gotten zapped. Well thank goodness I didn't. Again, the knife was never discussed with Justin, just wiggling the reader around or trying to pop it out.

Earlier tonight, I told Eddie I wanted to take a picture to send to daddy. Well, if he didn't get all excited and want his picture taken with all his balls--both individually and in groups. He went running around the living room, trying to find just the right thing to pose with. It was really cute and he really hammed it up for the camera. There are at least another dozen equally cute photos I'm not posting.

Today is hump day. When I go to bed tonight, Den will be exactly 1/2 way through his trip. Today was what I had built up in my head to be the worst day, especially as I thought Ed's preschool would be cancelled because of the weather--thank goodness they only closed 2 hours early, so he got a good 2 hours to run off some energy. I even forced myself to take a nap.

The trip (so far) has not been that bad--I think because I was really preparing myself for much worse. Granted Ed hasn't had a bath since Sunday, but I'll get Cookie to give him one tomorrow, assuming she is able to get here. We are supposed to get about 1/4 inch of ice tonight and tomorrow morning. I know 8 days is absolutely nothing and that woman with houses full of little kids figure out ways to be super pregnant and handle being on their own--espeically those spouses of the military and people who are away for extended periods.

Eddie's eyes got really big when he saw how high I had built the tower of blocks in the top picture. And he wanted to make a contribution. He had been pretty focused on putting together a bunch of colored pegs to make a long stick and I was surprised I got it as high as I did before he looked up. He really can zero in and focus on the task at hand.


I hear people say that when their spouse is away, the kid goes to bed early. I never seem to be able to make that happen. I'm such a procrastinator and then seem almost happy to indulge Ed's stall tactics. Well tonight, I put him in bed 30 min. early (after reading 1/2 the books in his collection) with instructions to read some books (he is REALLY into reading and being read to). Right around the time he would normally be put in bed and fall asleep, I heard the distinct sounds of board books thumping onto the floor. I went up, turned out the light, said goodnight and that was it. Then I couldn't get the pictures uploaded...

4 nights and 4 days to go (Den gets back late on Saturday night). Don't forget to provide name ideas in the name the baby post below.

Name that Baby

With Eddie we didn't really want any help with names. We didn't really do much besides kick around a ton of names (I checked a bunch of websites), checked to see where they ranked on the social security list (didn't want a name too popular or too far out--but that is a not completely reliable method, I've found), and then a couple days before Eddie came, his name was the one that at that point, neither of us was completely rejecting. We just couldn't agree on the boy's name--except his middle name.

This time, we are in a similar situation, except that I've purchased 4 baby name books, that while quite interesting, haven't resulted in a name. We continue to suggest names to each other and then the other isn't completely thrilled with the name. I'm interested in some ideas. So, lemme have 'em. Following are the guidelines:

1. Must be submitted via the comments on the blog--no emails to me please--I have 1400 that need to be read before the baby arrives--and I'm not exagerating.
2. Must not be offended if we don't pick your suggestion(s) or anything close
3. Must be a name that is not so far out in either spelling or name that people stumble with
4. Must be a name that can have a nickname that clearly derives from the original name. For instance, we call Edward everything from Ed to Eddie to Mr. Ed, but not Ward. Not that I don't like Ward--reminds me of a simplier time, but does't seem like it relates to his first name.
5. No androgonous names--nothing wrong with these, but we want it to be clear it's a boy.
5. Last, but most important, no girls names. We are all set with the girl's name from last time and we don't need to muddy the waters.

Okay, lets see what you come up with...

Jump. Jump. Jump Around.

Remember that Song in which they sing 'jump, jump, jump around'? It's has the weird pseudo rap/hip hop type music in the background that I actually found quite annoying. I don't have a clue who sings it, but Eddie jumping around today made me think of it--except I thought his jumping was cute. He had previously made attempts at jumping in that bend the knees and jerk himself up kind of way. But this time he was jumping. And doing a good job.

Eddie has also taken to wanting his hands clean. If they get overly dirty during a meal, he holds them out to be cleaned. He is generally a clean/neat eater--except when he decides to throw stuff from his chair.

G'parents Ohio left today. Boy was I glad they came. Sure made the weekend fly by--besides which I got a lot done and they got to play with Ed. Got a new mattress for the new baby. Am borrowing a crib from some friends down the street.

In the top photo, Ed looked like a professional dog walker the way he was pulling his snail, catepiller, and dog all at the same time. I don't know what's going on with the serious face--maybe the dog is so heavy he's just focusing on holding it up.

Looks like we are in for the classic winter storm for our area. This involves several days of warning from forcasters about exactly what will happen (only in this case, they were actually quite cautious, as they didn't have a clue--and less than 12 hours from the start of the storm still don't). But what I mean by classic is that we could get anything from snow, to freezing rain, to sleet, to rain, and back again--basically just about any kind of precipitation. It's supposed to start this evening and continue into Wed.

Often forcasters completely blow it and nothing happens, but it does appear we'll get something. The worst of the ice is supposed to occur right when Ed goes to nursery school, so I suspect it will be Ed and me all day. When Cookie the nanny left today, she kept asking what else I needed her to do to make sure I had what I needed for Tuesday. She is always telling me to lay down and rest.

Ed really enjoyed his phone call with Den, hugging the phone and then kissing the phone until it was wet with slobber. I'm trying to figure out good ways over time to help him cope/understand about Den leaving. Sort of start fun traditions--if anyone has any ideas, I'm all ears. One I thought I'd do is make a calendar with the days Den will be gone and put an 'x' through each day until he comes back to help him understand. Another was to put up some pictures of Den at Eddie's level.

Cross your fingers we don't lose power with the ice. I'm just not a fan of the cold.

Oh and I don't know what's going on with the formatting. I've gone in 3 times and inserted empty lines between paragraphs! Maybe it will work this time. If not, I give up.

From Donald Duck to Donald Zee-ba-ba

It all started when Eddie put his giant Mickey Mouse stuffed animal (a gift from friends, for the record) in his toy stroller.

G'ma and G'pa launched into a rendition of the Mickey Mouse Club Song. I wasn't in the room, but could hear the 'Donald Duck' refrain and g'ma asking Eddie if he had a Donald Duck to go with Mickey.

The next thing we know, the 2 ducks you may or may not be able in the picture above to see were renamed from Baby Duck and Mama Duck to Donald Duck. Every animal as it was handed to g'pa became Donald and then whatever the animal was named. It was pretty funny.


Eddie and G'pa were having a great time. I don't if the text will match up, but when I saw Eddie standing against the chair with his ankles crossed, it cracked me up.

He and g'pa were moving pretty quickly, so I had a difficult time getting any good photos while in action except the ones with the red and blue balls that when thrown will stick to stuff--and g'pa was purposefully making him laugh so I could get a good shot.

We had clearly prepped Eddie sufficently for Den's departure when Ed, who had been playing in the living room, saw Den's suitcase and said "bye-bye dada" as he waved his hand as if saying goodbye. While talking to Den from ATL, he hugged the phone several times, blew kisses and said 'I love you daddy." This is a new party trick--saying 'I love you."

Round about 5, I asked Ed if he wanted a snack and he tore off like a shot, squealing his tires as he rounded the corner. He nearly ate his weight in cottage cheese and applesauce and didn't want anything else to eat when we had dinner later on--lets hope he still sleeps okay given that early dinner.

I keep thinking it's Sunday, as I can't remember Den every leaving for a work trip on a Sat. It's so nice to have the g'parents here the whole weekend.

The Night Before...

For Christmas G'ma and G'pa Ohio gave Eddie these cardboard blocks. We had put them away for a later date as he had more than enough toys. Well, he found them. And he wanted them. We still have probably 15 of the small yellow ones that we haven't put together and he keeps trying to get us to.

The bottom picture I took this morning. I thought I'd see what happened if I let him color. The last time I attempted any art projects was in much warmer weather out on the back porch with these markers called 'Color Wonder.' These Color Wonder markers are supposed to only leave marks on the special paper, but they can leave some filmy type stains on other surfaces from what I've heard.

He had a great time and asked that I put his artwork up on the wall with some other artwork of his. He especially enjoyed lining up the crayons and then putting them back in the box.

The title of the post, The Night Before refers to the fact that Dennis is leaving on a work trip tomorrow (Sat.). This is not just any work trip, this is to England. He will be gone 8 days, longer than he's ever been away from Eddie.

I will be 32 weeks pregnant when he's gone (that's out of 40 total weeks). Each time he has had a trip on the calendar during the pregnancy I wondered how things would go for us back home. Yet each time it worked fine. I'm sure it will this time too, but I'm going to be wiped when Den gets back next Sat.! I've tried to schedule the days such that my parents are here this weekend, then our nanny is working an extra day and Ed's favorite babysitter is coming a couple nights towards the end of the week. Den has cooked up several meals and I think I'm about as prepared for his depature as one can be. Communications will be somewhat limited with Den, so I'm sure I'll be in withdrawl from the phone and email.

What this means for you, my reading public, is that the next 8 days of posts are going to be pretty boring for most of you so that daddy can keep up with us, but hopefully filled with lots of cute photos of our star.

Moving Forward

Back around Christmas, I wrote in a post that my sister and her husband were losing the foster child they had cared for since that March. The child's g'parents had come from Mexico and wanted him back. Well, for reasons that will likely never be known, the case was dragged out another 6 weeks. This morning they gave Patrick to his Grandparents to in theory, return to Mexico.

To people who have not been exposed to foster care, adoption, or social services, their story may seem just dreadful (and it is). It's full of twists and turns and unbelievable decisions, that if they hadn't lived it, I'd think someone was taking liberties with the truth. Yet, as I've been sensitized to their experience, I've noticed stories recently that aren't all that different from theirs in terms of heartbreak, information exchange that at best could be considered lacking between the state agency and foster parents, deadlines that come and go, and a process that while it has to be flexible because it's dealing with our most precious assets of families and children, is so dysfunctionl and paralized, it makes corporate and political scandle pale in comparison.

My sister and her husband are pursing all potential options to become permanent parents. Which is another heartbreak--so many unfit parents, abused and unloved children are out there, yet I could easily tick off 5 couples after my sister and brother-in-law that I know presonally who want to become parents and are having to navigate the field of adoption often for years. One would think that the foster care and social services agencies would be working to fill this void. That a comprehensive look at how we approach child and family issues is in order. Do we create legislation that says if you are high on drugs while pregnant or when giving birth that you lose your child, no questions asked. Or that if you are convicted of a violent crime or serious felony, you lose your kids? What happens then to all these older kids in the system who are more difficult to place and adjust in families.

All these gut wrenching stories and no way to apply the same approach to case 'A' as to case 'B' and 'C', because each is different. So frustrating. I freely admit I know next to nothing about the system, except for an internship in college many years ago that helped soldify for me that juvenile and family court was not a professional path I wanted to pursue. We've tried to legislate ourselves out of the problem and it's not worked, there are to be sure agencies and non-profits that are trying to do something, but what is the panecea to this issue of a broken system?

Helping around the house...

Ed likes helping out around the house...when he hears me start to unload the dishwasher, he comes running--"hewp, hewp!" indicating he wants to help. Problem is, he does the same thing when we're loading the dishwasher.

It's kind of nice to have him unload the bottom rack of the dishwasher, so I don't have to bend over. On the top rack, once he unloads everything within reach, it's a bit of a joke to move dishes within his reach.

He also helps with the laundry. I put all the clean, wet clothes in a hamper and he loads them into the dryer while I reload the washer--most of the time.

Back to the superbowl.