good 'ahavior

Meanwhile... back at the ranch

So the Sunday of Charlie's party, we all got to go to the hospital to accompany their Dad whose head was about to implode. He had a nap and then got up and it was clear we had to head on out to the place where Schuyler, Charlie, and their Dad were born. An hour later, Dad was on a morphine drip and an oxygen mask diagnosed with viral meningitis. If you want to be really unhappy for a while and migraines just aren't enough pain for you, I recommend viral meningitis. Dad was home for dinner but not very useful since even the morphine only took the edge off but, boy, are we lucky we canceled the party. Monday was a sick day for everyone and we got to go to the doctor again (this time for the kids who had chest and ear infections - the fun literally does not stop!). So, to pass the time, we got to colouring. This is great if you are three years old but becomes a taste testing expedition for a one year old. He found the orange crayon to be busy with a waxy bouquet while the purple crayon was a disappointment and was obviously a bad vintage from the crayola folks. The last pic is Schuyler enjoying a time out for some bad behaviour.

at hospital

Schuyler appears worried and scared here...

but really she is scheming on how to get some peanut M&Ms out of the vending machine when her parents have no cash.

uh oh

Charlie!? Don't do it, buddy! You have so much to look forward to: taxes, mortgages, unemployment, a cratering economy. Choose life!

So we planned Charlie's birthday party for today to give the little guy some time in the limelight of which he is completely oblivious. The day before, we had taken Magic to the vet after he was sick from all exits everywhere. Food poisoning. Well, we can live with that for a party. Then the kids' colds got a bit worse, so we decided to have some downtime with Lil Pim the French tv panda. I had a headache. The kids got a little worse and finally we decided to postpone the festivities to avoid getting everyone else ill. That was a good decision...

presents & parties

We took Schuyler to the toy store so she could pick out a present for her little bro's birthday. After surveying the goods, she settled on this 'guitar'. While strongly in favour of any musical instrument, her dad was a little horrified at the molded, bright plastic that the toy manufacturers labeled a 'guitar'. This was no Gibson 335 but her dad finally accepted the idea. Unwrapping it was a spectator sport for the birthday boy but both offspring loved the experience. Now, if we can just find a way for Schuyler to both choose AND pay for the gifts, we'll be on to something.

a basket of goods

Schuyler likes to keep all of her toys in this red basket, including Charlie.

the crocodile is coming!

Every night when we put Schuyler to bed, she runs through of list of things she wants us to confirm are absent from the room. A perennial staple in the list is crocodiles: "Daddy, are there no crocodiles?" So her mum went out and bought a crocodile for her bedroom and left it on her pillow. At first blush, it was a hit with her and a terrifying development for her little brother who cried the instant he saw it. As bedtime approached, however, she grew a little more timid and asked us to remove it from the room. We took it out and put it on the landing. She came out and moved it several steps down - just to be sure. The crocodile is an ongoing feature in her fantasy play: Once she was eating dinner:

S: Der's a crocodile!

Mama: Where?

S: In da car!

Mama: What!?

S: It's coming in da house!

Mama: Noooo!

S: It's here!

Mama: Where?

S: On da couch.

I just love that her reptilian nemesis was kicking back watching Seinfeld reruns.

sharing

Charlie "shares" his new wheely bug with Schuyler. He gets a quick try on it and then she spirits it away.

one year

23lb 4oz & 30.5"

charlie 1.0

Dear Charlie,

One year ago, you burst into this world after a hurricane and by the light of a Super Harvest Moon on the first day of Autumn - how's that for an auspicious entrance? When you arrived it was different. When you came, we knew what this screaming baby would become and we couldn't wait to just add milk and find out. You completed our set. You are a happy baby and draw strangers to you. Your Baby Jail says you are the easiest kid in the world (although, some days and nights, we can offer substantial counter evidence). You are very tolerant of your sister's sometimes violent affection for you. You love pulling yourself to stand, gripping our outstretched index fingers with you miniature hands. You have a great smile. You laugh a lot and make us laugh. You are keen and focused and can play by yourself for ages. You play with wheels. You are absolutely mad for any kind of music and can stop yourself from boogying back and forth. You even danced to the different beeps the phone makes when I call a number. I want to keep you this happy. I never want you to lose the ability to dance just the way you want to and just because you want to. I want you to make the most of everything. I want you to do things that terrify you and show yourself you how much you can do.

I was scared of being a father to a boy. Scared I wouldn't be a good enough Dad. I don't watch sports. The strongest beer you'll find me drinking is a Corona and lime. Your mum knows a lot more about cars than me. I'm still not 100% sure how to bbq well. But I have other skills. Other things I can teach you. I can teach you your first chords on the guitar (unless your sister beats me to it). I can take you on elaborate adventures through Tom Moore's where goblins and pirates still exist in my head. I can teach you how to tell a joke (although, you'll probably think I'm lame when I do). I can raise you among some of the most extraordinary people I've every met. I can do my very best to show you how to seize the day. I will throw the ball around with you and your sister on a Sunday afternoon. I will help you do your homework. I will be there when life gets scary. I will be there when life is great. I will spend every day making sure I am the kind of man who can make you guys proud. I love you, kiddo. Thanks for sticking around.

music, books and a checkup

Charlie enjoys some of Papa's tunes. However, when he tries to go read some books Dr Schuyler intervenes with an urgent need to check his heart, ears and neck. I'd say this bodes well for his upcoming 1 year check up.

brekkie

Nothing like a hot breakfast on a rainy hot day.

scrapping at baby jail

When Dad picked up Charlie from baby jail today he was informed that there had been an altercation. Apparently Charlie didn't let go of a toy that another child tried to snatch from him. He held on with all his little might and therefore took a digger as the other kid pulled and pulled. What a scrappy little guy! At home, so far, he lets Schuyler grab anything from him. There will come a day when his strength is a valid threat to her dominion. Watch out!