I Love My Tiny Tub

Words, I don't believe, are necessary.

The Horror of the Shenandoah

We took a totally different route home from Wintergreen this year thanks to the Garmin. We got to enjoy the last 15 miles or so of the Blue Ridge Parkway and stopped off at a scenic overlook. Well, as you can see, Connor was none too impressed. He's no where near the edge. In fact, there is no edge, just a nice little hill leading down into the woods. But the effect of the overall vista and the height had him totally freaked out.

Tube Tube Tube!

Here's a little photo album from our past weekend on our annual family tubing trip to Wintergreen. As usual, it was a blast. Connor is wearing the bright orange hat in the tubing pics. It was frosty cold and the runs were FAST.

My First Race Track

Brother showed me how to make the cars go VROOOOOOM!!!!

Hoops!

This is Connor's second year playing winter basketball in a local program-Giant Basketball. Today was his first game and WOW!! Its like watching a totally different kid/player out there. Last year he had maybe one or two games where he was engaged the whole time and concentrating on the game. I'm pretty sure we've turned the corner on that--he seems really into it. Georghe Muresan was there today and that's always cool for the kids. His team crushed the other one--even though they don't keep score. And as for me, I enjoy an hour of basketball much more than 2 hours of baseball. So, everyone's happy!

This Is How You'll Find Me

Most days, this is how you'll find my baby boy. Some gash or other on his face from those razor sharp nails that seemingly grow in just minutes. Lots of drool coming out of his mouth to lubricate the way for those new teeth. And, looking inquisitively at the world around him.

He's absorbing so much right now. And his personality is starting to show. He's intrinsically happy but fairly demanding. Probably a great combination for success in life.

He's beautiful in so many ways. Sometimes, I can't stop myself from just staring at him with awe. Those deep, lovely eyes. His sweet little bow of a mouth. The gorgeous, smooth skin. The wispy baby hair.

I'm so glad he's mine.

Normal Groove

Its the first "regular" day of the New Year. We're all back to "normal" in Tatertown. Bob was up at the crack of dawn for work today. Connor was rousted from his slumber by his mother's usual "Rise and shine, Pumpkinhead!" (I have no idea why I say that.) And Palmer was unceremoniously plopped into his cold car seat for the ride to the bus stop. And then he and I were off to Chantilly for work and daycare.

It felt good. Really good.

I love the holidays. I really do. But 12 days of doing not much besides talking, eating, watching TV, and watching kids is...well...its nice when it starts but by the end its just way too much of a good thing.

As I type this we're in the evening family mode. Dinner's been had (chicken/cheese/spinach/mushroom quesadillas) and cleaned up. Bob's on one computer in the office, most likely checking various weather sites for updates on how the weekend's golf will fare. Connor is playing Vancouver Winter Olympics Wii and I've seen him hurl a curling stone about 5 times. Palmer is rolling around furiously on the floor playing with all of his new toys--a little workbench, some gear spinning thing, and a soft stacker. He propels himself around the room by rolling in the direction of what he wants. An ineffcient but ulitmately effective mode of transport.

We're starting to get our groove back. And its a groove that will last for awhile. Our next big break won't be until spring break--which is really late this year. One thing I know for sure, by the end of this, it will seem like too much of another good thing.