Three Lives One Roof

It amazes me that once the first day of daycare was behind us, I so eagerly anticipate the next. At two days a week, fast approaching three, he has his own entire social life. I'm amazed at how he just waltzes right in with a backward wave, then happily greets us when we come to retrieve him. His cheerful, playful mood continues the rest of the evening at home. There was talk of one of the two girls his age bullying him a tad, but he sure jumped back with his own gusto. I'm confident they'll be good friends and that he'll be sweet to the shier one. It really is interesting to watch them figure out how to play together all on their own level.

I feel some guilt at pushing him toward solo pursuits so early. While I can certainly appreciate that my employed counterparts would have been doing the same, I still feel like we've hardly had any time with him, ourselves. And then of course the selfish side of me is doing a little jig at some stolen 'me' time here & there.

Business is really picking up. It is relieving and exhausting at the same time. I have to teach my body to work again! I'm really enjoying the diversity and challenges of my days. We put up a new highway sign near our closest town today. I'm pretty excited about how well it turned out and am looking forward to filling the remaining holes in my clientele roster.

Patrick's season is starting to heat up, even with road restrictions applied early. The hope is that they will be lifted early, as well! He's been working hard to network with his industry peers and it's paying off.

His First Cold

We may be set for a tricky night. The little man has phlem. It certainly is trying at this age, when expectorants you're used to running to for yourself are not yet an option. I was a little dismayed to learn most cold meds are restricted to children 6 years and older. I will also admit to being sort of relieved, if you won't tell my hubby. For myself, I like trying to tough it out a bit before going for the heavy hitters. I believe in trial by fire, so to speak. Maybe I'm crazy, but I'm thinking these first six years may be difficult, but may also set him up better to cope. Then again, it is difficult to watch him struggle.

On a more charming note, he has discovered the confidence to venture into his new ball pit, a week after opening the birthday gift from his Pepere. And now he won't come out. Peek-a-boo takes on an entirely new shine when there's windows to hide behind! We throw the balls out. We throw the balls in. We throw the balls at the dogs. It's all just fantastic fun.

Get a load of that hopper! Uncle Shane has a run for his money!

Belated Birthday Post

Feelin' guuud at 1 YEAR OLD!!!

All a boy wants to do on his day is ride a good pony.

The Party Masterpiece.

Mmmmm..... Caaaaaake.....

I don't know. Maybe you should get it.

The official day, Wednesday was nice and low-key. Breakfast with the great-grandparents, dinner with the grandparents and Uncle Charlie. Lots of great presents - toys, toys and toys. We had to roll over the bin, collecting some good out-grown stuff for an up & coming "cousin".

The big party was on Saturday. Lots of cousins to play with, lots of good chaos. It was interesting to note that the big man kept checking to see if one or both of his parents was in the group, and to watch him naturally gravitate toward us from time to time. We've never had him in a larger group of kids and people before. He did quite well and REALLY enjoyed eating with everyone (of course)!

Comin' up on 1 year.

Already! Wednesday will be one year since we first/finally saw his sweet face. I feel slightly guilty that his big day will be my landmark of an entire year since the craziest event of my life. I suspect (hope) that eventually the reactive shallow breathing and cold sweat will fade and all that will be left is "Kaleb's Birthday". As it is, even the smell of the brand of wipes we used that first month is enough to stop the air dead in my lungs.

The whirlwind of his arrival was something that completely knocked me on my ass and left me scrambling to find my SELF again. Now, having finally attained some measure of who I used to be and who I'm supposed to be today, I'm not exactly eager to revisit the floundering insecurity of this last year. I love our lives once again, where there were more moments than not that I honestly wondered if I ever could again - never once because of our precious little man, but rather because of the monster that threatened him. I'm so grateful that our life with him is just begining, rather than already ending.

Our new lives are spectacular and I am finally again looking forward to the path we will travel, as a solid and sound unit.

Picture Post!

Showing off his new 'hopper' (belly)...


His favourite drawer in the kitchen... no pots? no problem!

Bath time! Note how he just loathes it.