Grieving the loss of a friend

We lost an amazing friend today. Our wonderful black lab mix Sparky has passed away. Despite his age, his passing was extremely unexpected. He had a strong heart and strong lungs, but has been ailing over the past several months.

Sparky was about 14 years old, 98 in dog years. We don't know much about his puppyhood, but we have loved him since he was four years old. He has provided our family with so many happy times, visiting Danville will just not be the same without him there to greet us with his regal profile and his dopey grin.

Jeremy and I picked Sparky out at the Dublin animal shelter when we were 14 and 18respectively. Our parents sent us to maybe look for a small dog that doesn't shed. Two hours later, we called and said that we met a great dog and that I (using my newly established adult and legal signature) had adopted a dog. Several days later, after the customary shelter procedures, my father and Jeremy went to pick up the giant and hairy black lab that would become the most loved and spoiled member of our family.

Sparky came with the name Sparky and we didn't have the heart to change it on him. However, it took on several forms, including, Sparkplug, Sparticus, and Sparkles, among others. He was particularly close to my mom and would bark loudly whenever anyone attempted to hug her. He was a black lab who hated water and refused to fetch. He avoided the kiddy pool in our backyard, never drank from the toilet, and would stare blankly at you if you were silly enough to throw a ball or a stick. He seemed to be saying "Well if you wanted that stick, why did you throw it across the yard?"

He was a bit skittish and hated hair dryers, vacuums, and strangers, but once you earned his trust, he loved you forever. He loved giving kisses and getting a good long back scratch. He was the sweetest dog you could ever hope to meet.

We will miss you so much Sparky. I feel honored to have known you.

Reed couldn't tell the difference between his Uncle Sparky and his Uncle Jeremy.

Sparky was so gentle with Reed. Patiently watching him till he could sneak in a big kiss.

We love you Sparky. You'll be missed.

Making Friends- A Video Diary

So Hot

It has been warm here in Seattle the past few weeks. Very warm. Like, Danville California in August warm. In fact, it has been hotter here in Seattle than it has been in Danville. We hit a record high. For the first time in recorded history, I think they said the record books go back to the mid 1800's, we hit the 103 mark. It has been nearly intolerable. Danville, where it regularly hits the low 100's, is tolerable due to the miracle that is air conditioning. We don't have air conditioning in Seattle. We have giant south facing windows (see the myriad of blog posts about why I thought I loved this window) that just soak in the heat, and then multiply the power of the sun rays through the glass. We also have three fans that do little more than maybe give the illusion of air movement.

Anyway...there has been a lot of whining about the weather, but I have more important things to talk about. We have a five and half month old who not only crawls with purpose, but who is also PULLING HIMSELF TO A STAND. While some (my husband) are incredibly proud of this feat of strength. It makes me nervous. The advice my parents gave us seems very wise: When they stand up, knock them down. This video is one of his earliest attempts. He is becoming more and more adept at this nonsense.

Reed hasn't worn clothes in about a week, trying to keep cool. We also have him in disposables instead of his regular cloth because they are thinner and we assume cooler. Our days have consisted of sitting in front of fans, taking cool baths, and trying to find a parking spot in the shade so that we can go into some sort of shopping establishment with air conditioning. Oh wait, how did I manage to get back to whining about the weather?

Grounded with Gratitude

How can a person not be grateful for this beautiful face?

We have such a wonderful little boy. I am working on being appreciative and expressing gratitude for the ...what is the right word? If I were a religious person, I would call him a miracle, even a blessing. But I'm not. What would be the atheistic version of that word? Either way, Reed is fantastic.

Some days are so difficult. I get stuck in my own head with my own thoughts. That can be a pretty dangerous place. I get wrapped up in this stay at home mom thing, and I wonder how I am going to finish school. I miss talking to adults. I miss my vices. I miss the relationship I used to have with my husband.

But most days are wonderful. We wake up. We nap. We go to the beach or we walk at Green Lake. Check Reed taking a fantastic nap at Golden Gardens. This was also taken the day that I managed to burn one quarter of my face. It was awesome. I wish I had a picture of that.
The other day we went to a Thursday Mother's Day Movie at the Bellevue movie theatre. It was fancy. We saw Harry Potter. It was good, but I felt it deviated to greatly from the book. That same day we went to the aquarium, where Reed really enjoyed the fish. I think. Then we went to the Spanish Table and got some delicious machego and rice for Paella. Then we had a lovely evening with our Peps group. Days like that are fantastic reminders to stop and remain grateful. Today we had an amazing day at home, filled with naps and domestic chores. And it was an even better reminder to enjoy every day I have with this incredible child.

I am working on appreciating every moment.

Nothing to Procrastinate

The original intention on this blog was to have something to do instead of homework. Its summer break, so I have nothing to put off. I suppose I could blame it on the baby, but he goes to sleep at 7:30 and pretty much stays that way for eleven hours...I hope writing that didn't just jinx us! Anyway, I could easily blog once he goes to bed, but I just haven't.

So much has happened in the past month! Reed went on his first two plane rides. He was a superstar, people around us complimented him on both flights. I was so proud. He met so many new people, including his Great Great Aunt Ruth, and really bumped the numbers up in his fan club. He turned four months old and got his shots. Once again, he was far braver than his mama. The White family came up to visit us from Vegas and Reed has a new girlfriend in Anna.  He also got to meet his Great Aunt Patty and her Seattle native boyfriend Ken

What else, I managed to take and pass once class. That's great, cause my goal was to not fail. I was very happy with my B+. We'll see how it goes in the fall once I start back full time.  We still have to figure out childcare. Although it hasn't been confirmed, it seems that we will not be getting the childcare subsidies. I am pretty concerned about this. Maybe I should have a bake sale or a carwash to raise funds. Or maybe I should look into that email I got from Nigeria...

My triathlon plans have been somewhat derailed. Apparently it has been postponed till next year due to bridge construction or something along those lines.  I can't say I'm not a little tiny bit relieved. Phew. Anyway, I have entered a couple 5K races to keep the dream alive. I'll have to more actively look into finding another tri. I'm currently reading a book called "Slow Fat Triathlete: How to Achieve your Fitness Goals in the Body you Have Now" Very funny. I recommend it.

Our upcoming plans include trips to Los Angeles, Danville, and Portland. We have visitors heading up from those same places. We are looking forward to an exciting summer.

I will post some pictures and videos in my next blog. Hopefully that won't be a month from now!

Likes and Dislikes

Here is a partial list of some of Reed's preferences...

Dislikes

1. Not being fed. RIGHT NOW.

2. Sleeves. Just like Michelle Obama.

3. His swing, much to his mother's chagrin.

4.  Being strapped into anything - car seat, moby, ergobaby, miracle blanket, diapers,

5. Second hand tofu

6. Staying still.

7. Being startled by farm animals.

8. Papyrus, the font.

9. Neglect as a result of Facebook.

Likes

1. Eating, all the time.

2. Standing up.

3. Dancing on Daddy's desk. 

4. Being naked, and then peeing on closest parental unit.

5. Did I mention eating?

6. Long walks

7. His friends, the pillows.

8. Rolling from his tummy to his back.

9. Public Enemy.

Take A Deep Inhale

And exhale.

Three months. Three months. How could it have possibly been three months? I barely recognize the baby in that picture. That baby is so little and fragile. He is hardly the robust little man we spend all our time with these days.

I realized that it was one year ago that I was watching Kirk Cameron talk about his wife's pregnancy test on the View, when I decided that I had nothing better to do, and that I might as well pee on a stick. I thought it might be fun (ask me about the time I peed in a mug just to practice for an upcoming doctors appointment). When that little pink plus sign appeared, I ran out the door to buy more pee sticks, calling Hill for support on the way. When the next THREE tests came out positive, I called a nurse asking if I should take a real medically sanctioned test administered at a doctor's office. She told me that the at-home tests were extremely accurate and that a false positive is extremely rare. So, when I asked if three positive tests probably meant I was pregnant, she laughed in my face...or she would have, had we not been on the phone.

Anyway, here we are, with a giant baby who laughs and smiles and squeaks and cries. He is asleep now, so I am drinking a white Russian (we ran out of wine!) with the homemade Kahlua that Julia and Zach made, while I blog, take quizzes on face book, and thumb through my Real Simple magazine. He is sweet and funny, with really keen comedic timing, particularly for any scatological humor. Few things are rewarded with such a big smile as pooping in a brand new diaper, leading to yet another trip to the changing table.

The balancing act is a challenge, but I am slowly getting the hang of this. I registered for a full schedule in the fall, so I certainly hope we've got an even better handle on it by then.

I will be doing a triathlon in August. If I write about it here, I have to be accountable to everyone who reads it, right? It is a fairly short tri, a half mile swim, twelve mile bike ride, and 2.5 mile run, and my only goal is to complete it. I don't have any fancy notion of doing it to win. While I know I can do all of these things individually, it is the sequential nature of a triathlon that makes me nervous. So I am running (read jogging slowly) every other day, and once I get my bike fixed/exchanged for new bike I will start that. I really need to get some practice with some open water swimming. I won't have any walls to kick off of in Lake Washington. 

So, here is my little man today, on his three month birthday. I am hoping that we are past the age in weeks business, that requires far too much remembering. Am I a bad mom because I let this fall happen? Not just let it happen, but documented it, and then laugh every time I look at it? I hope not. It's not like our couch is made out of razor blades and shards of glass.

Wha' happened?