Holiday recital...

Alexandra's daycare is run like a school. The sitters are teachers. There are conferences and book sales and daily report cards. In this vain, last night was the Holiday Recital. Each class, from infants to kindergarten, sang songs and danced.

We skipped this function last year. "What could infants do that is worth going out in the cold?" It. Was. A. HOOT! From start to finish it was entertaining. It took Alex some time to warm up, but about half way through she decided that it was HER show.

Here, in it's three minute entirety, is the "Toddler" portion of the show (Alex is in the middle in a red dress)...


By the end, she was so tired that she could barely function...
Happy Holidays!!!

Hey internets!!...

Just wanted to check in and let everybody know that we are, in fact, still alive. We have been having some computer issue of late which have not allowed us to download any pics from our camera. Since most of our post inspiration comes from adorable pics/vids of Alex, it has been an issue. I would also like to offer the following lame excuses:

• We've been busy Christmas shopping
• Alex is a pill
• It's cold
• We lost power for 12ish hours last Wednesday night and became squatters for a night
• We are trying to convince Alex that "one, two, six, eight", while cute, is incorrect
• We'd rather drink
• Alex outgrows her shoes every two days necessitating mas shopping
• We went to Suttons Bay for the weekend and drank too much wine
• We're not sure anybody still reads this thing
• We're lazy

Hopefully we can get back in the swing moving forward... what have you been up to?

Happy Michele-day...

Today is Michele's birthday, and she rocks... so we took the day off to celebrate. She and I had a leisurely breakfast and then did some shopping this morning. Then, with some help from Robin and I, she collected a free cannoli from Gratzi, a free Car Bomb from Conor O'Neill's, A free cupcake from Cake Nouveau, a free tea from Teahaus, and a free pint glass from Jolly Pumpkin (we ran out of steam before we could get 6 free bagels from Zingerman's).

This "birthday crawl" may become a tradition...

Up, at 'em early,
the turkey is brining
polishing stemware
for Pisco and wining

clean up some dishes
some junk finds a home
then sitting for breakfast:
some coffee and scones

more cleaning lightly
and early food prepping
onion/garlic peeling
ingredient schlepping

off to the telly
where floats will be floating
and inevitably soon
some cheese-headed gloating

finish off cooking,
sauteing, and mashing
then sit 'round the table
for story rehashing

some pie, some cheesecake,
another drink if you wish
reminiscing, still stuffed,
of the best received dish

then off for some slumber,
or restlessly turnin'
with belly still sloshing
with gravy and bourbon.


Though we wish you could,
you can't all be here drinking,
so we'll just have to settle
for long distance clinking...

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

I think I mentioned this before...

I am not handy. I am not good with my hands, good with tools, or good around the house (unless you count cooking). I am the kind of useless sort that would rather hire a guy than take the chance at embarrassment.

But I still have to do some things just to keep my man card. So last weekend I broke down and finally replaced the faulty breaker in the basement (mostly because the short had stolen the sweet, sweet internets). Electricity makes me nervous, and so it took a fair bit of encouragement form Michele. But I did it.... and I lived. Yea me.

Perhaps it was this tiny, simple, expectable victory that lead to my demise. Yesterday I went to help Bob on the latest phase of his ridiculously large garage. We were framing walls... which is to say that I carried things where people pointed and held things in place. Most of the day went without incident and I was feeling good (dun dun dun). Toward the end of my servitude my thumb ended up in the wrong place, at the wrong time, on the wrong end of a pneumatic nailer (do not click this link!). According to the doctor it would have been much better if it went through my thumb (!!!). Instead, it entered near the tip and went in to about the knuckle. C'est la vie.

Now, not only do I know for sure that I'm not handy, but I'm down a hand for turkey prep. Two thumbs up from Ann Arbor... just don't look too close at the left one.

Perfection...

Tonight Michele and I went to parent/teacher conferences for Alexandra... that's right, she is not yet two. While this seemed like a silly affair, we went because she is changing rooms soon (moving up to Twaddlers) and we thought we could get some info. Man am I glad we went!

All of my feelings and assumptions were confirmed. She is brilliant. She is adorable. She is advanced and loving and perfect. They said she is a pleasure and helps lead the other toddlers. She has a remarkable vocabulary, understands an astonishing amount of words, and is a great influence on the younger ones who are just learning to talk. Oh yeah, and she is fearless.

Maybe all the little brats get this kind of glowing review, but I prefer to think that she is just the best baby ever. She's perfect.

Pork free cardio...

Pop's surgery went well and everything is on track. Triple bypass. Replaced some aorta. Decided not to replace the valve with piggy parts because it was working just fine (and I had so many swine jokes saved up). They may even move him out of ICU today if all goes well.

Thanksgiving indeed.

Waiting...

My dad went in for triple bypass sugery a couple hours ago... so we are just sitting around waiting. A few random thoughts to pass my time:

• He was in good spirits and joining in on the swine jokes this morning (he is getting some piggy parts put in his heart along with some veins harvested from elsewhere in his body).
• Apparently my nephew was worried about "Papa's broken heart" the other day. Ahhh.
• Hospitals don't feel strange to me anymore. I guess anything can be normal if you endure it enough.
• Thanksgiving plans for the Harrington clan are up in the air for now. Six grandkids might not be the best for the rest he needs.
• Toledo Hospital staff has been hanging holiday decorations all around us... it'd not even Thanksgiving.
• Everything's gonna be alright.

My little helper...

Alex loves to help in the kitchen. And by help, I mean stand and watch you work. I think she would rather watch me do dishes than play with any toy she has. There are times that the only threat/bribe that will work is the ability to stand and watch me chop onions.

Every time Michele or I go to the kitchen to do dishes, cook, make coffee, etc Alex is right behind us. She'll run to the dining nook and grab a chair and start noisily sliding it into the kitchen. "Dishes, dishes!", she says, regardless of the task at hand. I guess it's the little things that thrill them sometimes.

But, we have found out, a wooden dining chair is not the safest perch for little feet. She's fallen off, run over her toe, and almost tipped it over almost every day. So we finally broke down and did something about it. Thanks to a suggestion from our friend Megan, we got Alex a Learning Tower.

Call it a Christmas morning dry run. We assembled it after she went to sleep Friday. When she woke up Saturday morning we ushered her toward the kitchen and it took her about two seconds to figure out what it was for. She ran over and climbed up and made this face...


No more chair, no more peril, no more impending doom. This may be our best baby purchase yet.

Try and shrug it off...

I don't know if it is a growing spurt, normal two year old stuff, or the reckless abandon with which she throws herself at life, but Alex seems a little clumsy lately. In the last week she has:

• tripped on a shoelace and fallen face-first
• fallen off a chair
• pulled a chair down on top of herself
• slipped off a stepping stool
• tipped off the stairs
• hit herself in the face with a volleyball
• and fallen off the toilet

Not necessarily in that order... and not necessarily just once each.

I am always so proud that a hug, a kiss, and sometimes a little attention from BooBooBunny calm her quickly, but, seriously, she is going to have to slow it down.

UPDATE: to the bullets just from this morning...

• dropped a book on her toe
• stepped on a Lego-man named Pepe
• stood up, while under the table, banging her head (at least three seperate times)

Sheesh.

A tale with two tails...

The lion and the dragon were having a terrible feud. The only meaningful conversation that they could muster was screaming "MINE" at each other from across the room. They were really at each others throats...

Though they had once been very close, an argument over a car had driven them apart. They found that they couldn't even look at each other...

Finally, after being forced to break bread (grilled cheese) together, the lion and the dragon realized the error of their way. Cars are fun... but much more fun when you play together. A hand extended for a shake quickly became a long overdue embrace...

And then they co-authored a self help/relationship book with a focus on conflict resolution called "Roar Fire". They went on a national speaking tour...The end.

Happy Halloween!

Lellow Boon...

Alex is getting better with colors... but it's hard to tell. She knows them. I'm telling you she knows blue. She is familiar with purple. She has intimate knowledge of red. Orange is a seasonal favorite. But damned if she still doesn't say "lellow" every single time you ask her what color something is.

"What color is that car Alex?"
"Lellow."
"Alex... what color is it?"
"Lellow."
"Come on."
"Boo." (Blue)

See, she knows. She knows. But, while at first I think she was just repeating "color", which she pronounced at the time the same as "yellow", I'm pretty sure now she is a jokester. She has decided that it's funny to say yellow every time. Or it's her default. Or some combination thereof. But the point is, she knows.Yesterday we went to Trader Joe's. She loves Trader Joe's. Bread, cereal, bananas, and cheese are harvested there and these are a few of her favorite things. But above all this, there are balloons. She loves balloons. She loves to play with them, and she seems to love the responsibility built in to a toy that is ever trying to escape. As soon as we walk in the chorus of "boon, boon, boon" starts. But here's the thing... balloons come in colors.

When it comes time to check out, I head not for the shortest line, but for the line with yellow balloons. Not because it's her favorite, she tends not to care. No, I go there so that when the nice man/woman undoubtedly asks, "what color balloon would you like honey?" she can confidently say "LELLOW!", and everybody wins.

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer...

Today was the walk that we have been nagging you about, and it was pretty cool. We got up early and dressed Alex in enough layers of pink to annoy My Pretty Pony..Then Robin managed to get up early and join us, even though she was out rocking a crazy (literally) concert last night...It was cold, but we were happy to be there for a little three mile walk with a huge group of excited people...
The walk started slow because there were thousands of people on small park paths. Luckily everyone was happy and cheering and smiling at Alex. Despite the cold, and not wanting to ride in the stroller, I think Alex had a good time people watching. We learned some timing and positioning lessons that we should be able to put to good use next year... wanna join us?

We got a bit of a late jump on the fund raising aspect of this fundraiser, but as ever our friends and families proved to be generous, caring, and understanding. We raised over $1700 in just a couple weeks and are so grateful to you all that we offer, as a token, this video of Alex dancing in the car on the way home from the walk...



Thank you and ROCK'N ROLL!!!

It will be cold, give me your money...

Okay people, this is your last chance to step up. Tomorrow we are walking in the American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer thingy. Follow this link *bing* and donate to a worthy cause. Because after tomorrow I will post adorable/touching/heartening photos from the walk, and then you will feel bad. I'm just trying to look out for you here...

From Hair

Poop peas...

Last weekend we finally had some time, some patience, and some panties and hunkered down to start actively potty training Alexandra. We have been passively working on it for about a month, just talking to her about it and sitting her there from time to time. But Saturday, armed with six "big girl" panties, we spent the day doing a lot of this...

...and not always in time. We were doing laundry by noon because all the panties, a couple outfits, and the floor got a good soaking.

The good news is that she has taken to the idea of it, if not the tangible practice. We spend a great deal of time sitting in the bathroom, though little happens other than reading. She asks to go often ("poop peas")... usually right after she has gone. But she is getting it, and she likes it.

The bad news is that I have been broken down and see no way around using two of my less favorite words: potty & panties. I fought for toilet, I pushed for undies. I may have even had Michele convinced. But every book, friend, teacher, grandmother, and song we encounter cheerfully says "take off your panties and use the potty!", so what am I going to do?

Think pink...

Last night our nephew's football team were all decked out in pink to promote breast cancer awareness... including Derek have Michele's initials on pink tape on his wrist. How cool is that?


And then they went out and kicked a$$ to boot...

The American Cancer Society:

We are walking in the Making Strides Against Cancer event on October 17th in an effort to give back and to help people in a situation that we know all too well. Please join us and/or visit the link below to make a donation for a very worthy cause.

The American Cancer Society:

Rock n Roll!!!

Love Actually...

I get that Alex says things because I say them. I realize that mimicry is one of the ways that she learns the language. I am fully in charge of my faculties and not an overly doting father... until this.



And then I melt.

It is entirely possible that she has already beaten me.

Little Star...

Two things about the following video:
1. Believe it or not, this is Twinkle Twinkle.
2. That cheesy smile at the end is her new reaction every time she sees a camera. Adorable.

Oktoberfest...

Friday after work we headed downtown to enjoy Oktoberfest! Robin and Bobbo joined us and it was a perfect, warm, sunny evening to sit outside and imbibe.
Alex had a great time running around and people watching... but when the band started playing, she was enthralled. She stood and stared. Then she started swaying. Then full-on dancing. I think we will have to find more live music for her to enjoy. And if it happens to come with local, delicious craft beer, sobeit.

The butterfly effect...

Last weekend Michele was in Dallas, so Alex and I had to roll solo to watch Michigan football with the regular rabble.On the phone prior to game time she asked what the little munchkin would be wearing to the party. "Michigan won last week.", seemed like a perfectly reasonable response to me.

"So?"
"So, she'll be wearing exactly what she wore last week..." I said, a bit irritated.
"You... are... nuts."

Now, I don't consider myself to be especially spiritual. I wouldn't say that I am superstitious, necessarily. But it makes perfect sense to me that the entire world is connected, if not directly, then indirectly and with a sensitive dependence on any given initial condition and the effects thereof. I don't think that a butterfly flapping a wing will cause a hurricane across the globe... but who am I to say that it can't.

Does Alex wearing this adorable outfit lead to Michigan winning? Probably not. But I won't be testing it, and Alex will be swathed in this exact uniform until it falls apart, or the Wolverines do.

I might be nuts, but I'm not crazy.

Petting Farm II: Pet Harder...

Last week we went once again to the petting farm @ Domino Farms. This is where I would usually describe how GD cute Alex is and how she still points with her middle finger and how she makes all the animal noises except the llama because who knows what a llama says... but instead please enjoy a bucket full of adorable:

Not so fast...

Michele's flight home from Dallas was canceled. I have to hope that Alex's tiny little brain has a short memory because the last thing she did before her night time routine was get right in my face, hands on my shoulders, and say, "Almost Papa? Almost?". It turns out I lied.

If all goes well she'll be there to pick the little munchkin up from daycare tomorrow. Let's hope so, because I am a terrible liar.

Almost...

Yesterday we dropped Michele off at the airport... Alex cried. She is in Dallas visiting her friend Jen and her three little ones Hudson, Zoe, & Levi (a baby who is the apple of Alex's eye). The crying didn't last long, and she eventually fell sound asleep in her carseat... but it was still heartbreaking.

Alexandra and I spend a fair bit of time on our own. I work from home a couple days a week and we are mostly alone on those days. She'll occaisonally ask about Mama, but a quick "Mama's at work" seems to satisfy her. But, since we dropped Michele at the curb, we have had some variation of the following conversation at least once every ten minutes:

Mama?
Mama's in Texas.
Baby?
Yes, she is visiting Levi.
Lee-Lye!!!!
Yes, Levi.
Home?
She'll be home Sunday.
Almost?
Yes baby, almost.

I'm not sure how she senses the difference between this absence and the norm, but it was the first thing she said again this morning.

Almost baby, almost.

Go Blue...

Last weekend was the first football games of the season, and we were excited. We watch Michigan almost every week at our friend's house with a group of great, if not overly excitable, UM faithful. Last season was tough. This season we realize that things will be different. Not only because the second year of a sea change overhaul of offensive and practice philosophy brings with it a previously unrealized basic understanding that allows the kids and the staff to start on step one instead of in the hole, but also because keeping up with a toddler while screaming at the TV is harder than just plopping down an infant.

We also realized that, after buying this adorable outfit, Alex is at least a 2T now... holy crap she is getting too big!

She enjoyed herself and didn't get in the way too much... we'll see how it goes this week when we fly solo because Michele will be in Dallas.

Okay...

...I know that we have been lazy, lean, and behind in our blogging duties. I know this because we have gotten sh*t from friends and family from sea to shining sea.

I am officially trying again...

Hair cut

While Alexandra in no way needed a hair cut, we got her hair trimmed last week. I say that she didn't need a hair cut-only some hairs. Specifically those in the back of her head. She started to look like she had a tail...old school 80s style. Except that boys had those and it was just looking back. So I took her into my hair dresser for a quick trim.

She was a bit overwhelmed by the salon but as long as I was next to her, she was fine. We placed her on the booster and after a few snips here and a few to stack the back (?), she was done. Easy Peasy.

Alexandra looks no different, but we took her curl (I have no clue what the hell I am going to do with it). Another first for Alexandra. She is getting so big.

Frugality vs. Stupidity...

We are getting a new fence along the side of our house where rickety evergreens used to patrol. We hired a company to install said fence, assuming that it was a touch over our heads. When the sales-dude came to have us sign papers and nail down details we told him that we could demo the old fence ourselves... save some dough. "Great! No problem. Just make sure you remove the posts, and remove the cement base of at least the first post. If our guys have to take it out they will have to charge you by the hour for that work."* They will be here on Tuesday.

Thursday Bob and Michael were kind enough to take down the old fence while I made dinner. Easy peasy. When they got to the posts they looked a bit worried and started asking me for tools that I do not have.** "I'll dig them out this weekend," someone who sounded remarkably like me said, "let's eat."

Yesterday, suffering slightly from an overwrought Tequila Friday, I pushed off the task to today. This morning, after running six miles***, I got to work. I dug. And dug. And scraped, and pulled, and swore. I think I lost three pounds from the sweating, on top of the four I lost running. At one point I was sitting on the ground, in a pile of wet clay, digging with the back of a claw hammer. Two hours later Michele and I finally pulled a clump of cement the size of our daughter out of the ground... literally...I need to find better places to save money in the future.

* This should have been my first clue, but it turns out I'm an idiot.
** Second clue because these guys are both much more capable and patient than I.
*** Brilliant!!!

Those people...

Have you ever driven by a hotel/motel and seen those people sitting outside their room, in the parking lot for all intents and purposes, drinking beer? Well, it turns out, we're those people.

We packed up and left Leland Sunday afternoon to head down the coast to Grand Haven to hang out with some friends up from Texas. The drive was pleasant. As soon as we checked in to our hotel the heavens opened up. It was like a really big budget version of a terrible Kirk Cameron, straight to DVD, over the top movie... and we were left behind. The rain pelted the door, and the wind was strong enough to not only topple a tree within our view but also knock out the power.

So we hung out. And hung out. The kids played. The kids went to bed (no small feat by candle light). And the adults were left to sit in the parking lot, swilling beers and being taunted by the lights twinkling across the street at another hotel. But, damned if it wasn't fun. The power came on eventually and we went sleepy-time.

Next morning we were up and out the door, headed for the beach. I think we were the first ones there and so had the pick of spots. Alex immediately started following Hudson and Zoe around like a homesick puppy. She had a blast staring at baby Levi,

playing with the kids, and being buried alive by her uncle Michael (who just happened to be in town with Max and Cheri so they could meet up with the rest of the rabble).

Max, of course, chose a more solitary endeavor... contemplating life's little foibles and solving all the world's problems... his health care reform bill will be ready for review later this week.

Life... as it should be...

We took a long weekend this week and visited a couple groups of friends... first stop, Leland. After much promising, we visited our friends Tom & Phyllis at their beautiful home up north. We had a blast and started the process of relaxing. We arrived Friday evening and just hung out and puttered around Leland checking out the sites. It was Art Walk and so the town was buzzing and the stores/galleries were pouring free wine... yum...
We got up Saturday morning and, after an amazing home cooked breakfeat, settled in for more down time. We chilled, read, napped, shopped, went to a couple vineyards and ended the day with another fantastic meal thanks to Tom...
Sunday... another great breakfast, and then it was out on the lake. Alex loved it. She was excited about seeing so much aqua, ecstatic over every boat, loved the speed and even got a chance to drive!


Then it was off to Grand Haven for more adventure (details pending). Thanks Mendenhalls!!!

I can assure you...

... there were no better looking toddlers at the farmer's market this morning.

Papa...

I think that my parenting style probably comes across as nonchalance. A curious indifference delivered with a watchful eye. I try to let her feel out the world for herself. To learn the lessons that life has to teach. To let her bump her head, when a bump is the best tool to teach. I feel compelled to compel her to independence. I think about how my actions today will bear fruit when she is 5, or 14, or 30... when she is a teenager, a student, a mother.

Then there are times like just now... nap time. She knows it's nap time, and had no problem with the story, the song, the crib until I left. Then she stood in her bed sobbing, "Papa, papa, papa." She knew she had to sleep, wanted to sleep, but just needed this one time to fall asleep in my arms. My instinct is to leave her. To let her figure it out. And I did... for a while. And then that voice creeped in the back of my head saying, "how much longer will she want to sleep in your arms?"

So I picked her up, and she drifted off, and I may have ruined her... but that's okay, because she ruined me a long time ago and I will always have those five minutes with her in my arms.

Naked baby...

Every night when Alex finishes her bath (and Max too when he bathes with his cousin) there is a very distinct calendar of events. There is the undressing and taking the clothes to the hamper. Getting out the bubbles. Yadda, yadda, yadda. But one of the last steps, the one between drying off and getting on PJs, is easily the favorite... naked baby time.

Following the toweling off there is a knowing smirk... a twinkle in the little eyes. She looks sideways at her bath technician and, cheeks pulled to their limits by a smile, says "naked baby?". Then the race is on. Running, sans clothes, out of the bathroom and toward the living room screaming, looking for an adult. Our part (that is whoever happens to be at the house) is to yell, "Oh no, it's a naked baby! How did you get so naked?!?". Laughter, the likes of which you have never seen. Running, laughing, climbing on people. Naked baby time, while odd, is the most joyous of the day.

While I will spare the future angst-ridden teenage Alex by not posting a full video of naked baby time (you'll have to be at our house around 7pm for the show), I submit for your perusal this half naked, post potty escape as a prelude to the Full Monty...

All good...

Michele, her boobies and I went to see the oncologist on Tuesday to review the results of her recent mammogram. Everything is clear!! Yay!

Zero concerns. Deep breath. Happy, happy, happy.

Additionally, since our dag nabbed insurance is no longer accepted by any of Michele's doctors, the oncologist saw us for free... how cool is that? Who says we need health care reform?

Enthralling...

Alex watching Alex on Youtube...




...adorable...

Fresh veg/fruit...

We harvested our first fresh veg from the garden today... although a cucumber is technically a fruit. One big, fat cucumber was staring at us from one of our bush cucumber plants...
So in the ultimate farm to fork move, we ran inside and washed it up then sliced it up...
Within an hour of harvest we were enjoying an early lunch of a turkey sandwich with munster, brewers mustard, and fresh cucumber...
Mmmmm...

What's that?...

The zoo was so much fun that when we found ourselves with another day off we just had to go to the petting farm. There is one here in town at Domino Farms so we headed out yesterday. Needless to say, we had no idea where to go or what to do... but we figured it out in the end.

Alex had a blast. There were tons of baby animals so everything was right at her level. She saw/touched/fed cows, horses, rabbits, turtles, pigs, goats, llamas, chickens, peacocks, sheep, ducks, and geese just to name a bunch. She was seldom scared, often giggly and spent most of the visit pointing and saying, "what's that?". We would tell her the name of the animal and she would usually follow with the sound the animal makes (ie moo, neigh, or oink).

For the sake of continuity, this is what Alex looked like soon after leaving the farm... can you tell that she still had "what's that?" on her mind?

Lions and tiger fish and bear sloths... oh my...

Yesterday we got off our lazy rumps and took Alex to the zoo for the first time. We have heard some great reviews of the Toledo Zoo (thanks Jana) and so headed down 23 to check it out. It was a beautiful day and the crowds weren't too bad.

Alex had a blast! She was engaged and curious about almost all of the animals, but especially enjoyed the aquarium and the reptile house. There was more movement and activity with these animals as most of the rest (lions, camels, etc,) were enjoying naps in the warm summer sun. She spent two hours pointing at an animal, asking "what's that?", and then clapping (sign for more in her little world) and saying "mas, mas, mas". She was adorable.

We are not great at trying new things, so we were pretty proud of ourselves for getting her out. In the long run she probably won't remember this trip, but she had fun and we will definitely be going back (and/or to the Detroit Zoo).

Our camera was out of commission (situation solved today), so we don't have any pics of the event... but this is what she looked like before we could even get out of the parking lot on the way home...

Running errands...

Yesterday I was off work and Alex had nothing going on, so we decided to run to the farmer's market... literally. I loaded her up in the jogging stroller and ran to Kerrytown (about 2.5 miles). We perused the veg and bought a ton of berries and cherries. Then we loaded back up and ran back home.

All in all it wasn't too bad (other than doing something to my hamstring along the way). I got in a nice run and Alex had a blast pointing out the dogs, the trucks, and the flowers as well as saying "Allo" and "Ba-bye" to everyone we passed along the way. This may become our regular Wednesday morning routine.

Vacation it ain't...

I have all next week off from work... but I am not on vacation. A couple months ago everyone in the company I work for received a pleasant and well written memo informing us that we would all be required to take a week off sometime before September, sans pay. Unpaid furlough they call it. "Sweet", I says to myself... another week off. Don't get paid, but we can figure it out. But...

Now, not only do I not have to work next week, I (for liability reasons I assume) am technically not allowed to work. No phone calls. No emails. No bar charts. The problem is that not being at least slightly engaged for a week will not only hurt the company, but more importantly will make my life hell upon return. So, in the interest of an equitable solutions for all involved parties, I have come up with a plan. Starting tomorrow and continuing through the entirety of next week I will only work under one of the following three conditions:

1. In my basement, in my boxers: Nobody could accuse me of working if I am sitting in my basement with only my boxers covering my nether region. Hopefully most of this toil will take place between 3am & 5am when I am usually alone and bored.
2. Wirelessly from someplace fun: Coffee shop, playground, bar... whatever. If I am sending an email while dangling upside down from a ladder at Jungle Java it hardly constitutes labor.
3. With a beer/scotch in the hand not holding the mouse: Nuff said.

This is my plan. If you would like to help me be efficient next week, buy me a beer someplace fun and don't look down.

Chomp...

I got a letter from the government, the other day... I opened and read it, it said they were suckers... no wait, that's not it...

I got a phone call while at work Monday afternoon from the daycare. Just an informative call this time (usually they are telling me to pick up my sick/injured baby). Alex had bitten a "friend". My heart sank. "No big deal," the girl said, "she didn't break the skin or anything, just wanted to let you know". Apparently she was playing with a toy and a "friend" was leaning on her and trying to swipe it... she bit him/her on the arm.

My immediate instinct was shame. She's a biter. I'm a terrible parent. I planned to never tell you people, ye of the blogosphere, lest I sully an almost spotless record of my angel being an angel.

I pictured two possible scenarios in my head...

1) It's like freakin' Lord of the Flies in that room with a yellow door and the kids are left to determine the social hierarchy through force. It's bit or be bitten.

2) All those times I worried that the "biters" were biting my baby, that the "mine!" kids were teaching her to scream MINE!, that the little monsters were ruining my daughter... she was the one biting and mining and being a bad influence. Where did I go wrong?

Then I did some reading. It turns out toddlers bite. They bite for many reasons, including but not limited to frustration, teething, anger and a need to sense this new world with all of their senses. Most of the reasons for biting at this age (including trying to get some brat off your back before they steal your toy) are understandable and not evil. Which isn't to say that one can condone it...

So when she got home Michele and I separately sat her down and talked to her about it. Lately I have been getting down on her level and making her look at me so that I can talk to her. She looks at me with those serious little eyes and I know that she understands. I explained why it was bad and she said "yea". I asked if she was sorry and she said "yea". I asked for a smooch and she leaned in, mouth agape, and did the best she could. Finally I asked if she was going to do it again, and she said... "yea".

We'll just keep working on it.

Ahead of the Fashion Curve

Tonight Alex helped pick her outfit for sleeping.
I thought the choice rather bold... the pigs and the cars are quite a compliment!
Then she topped it off with the sneakers, which was a daring and difficult look to achieve because on the footies on the piggy pajamas!
She was more than willing to pose for a picture for me! She even choose the location... "Outside" she said!

She is too cute!