Inspirational

An older gentleman told me I was "inspiring" at the gym today as I got off the treadmill. My first reaction was to be flattered but after some thought on the matter I wonder if he thought I am disabled. Isn't that we, as Americans, reserve the word "inspirational" for most of the time?

Snow Day

This is the second time I've been sledding in my life; which makes sense knowing I grew up in the Willamette Valley, Oregon but not much sense knowing I lived on the Wasatch Front, Utah for 13 years.

The local weather authority predicted "the storm of the century" Monday evening, for Wednesday. Local schools and business announced their closures for the following day Tuesday. L's school canceled classes and so he got a day off. We decided to make the most of such a rare occurrence.

We started the day out by digging out of under approximately 10 inches of snow. Our city declared a "snow emergency". The neighborhood stood around outside and scratched our heads over why Michiganders were freaking out so much--storms like this happen in Utah and I was always expected at work/school the next day.

Then we went sledding. Hip was exhilarated to say the least. PT, not so much. It was windy, as it seems to be all of the time in Detroit winter, and even though I had him covered up the wind kept going through his blankets and he couldn't catch his breath (imagine what babies do, how they stop and swallow and stop breathing for a second, when you blow in their face). I ran, quite a distance and through a lot of snow, him back to the car and by the time we got there his lower lip/chin were blue. Once in shelter he started breathing normally again. PT stood for "Poor Thing" that part of the day.

We had lunch at McDonald's and made it home in time to change our clothes, pop some corn and head off to the dollar theatre to watch "Megamind." Hip brought his best friend from the neighborhood and they discussed important matters on the ride there: music, big houses, cars, and construction equipment. PT had a blow out in the middle of the show and there was a homeless man snoring and stinking the place up.

By the time we got home and cleaned up from our day (and L shoveled the driveway again) we were exhausted. But it was that happy kind of exhaustion when you know you just had an one-of-a-kind day; a day you always hope for but rarely get.

By the way, it was not the storm of the century--not even in the top 25 apparently.

And, today the weather authority predicted 2-3 inches of snow and we got 8-10! Uh, where's the disaster/emergency talk now? There was so much snow, in fact, the wise-guy neighbors buried L's car which was parked on the street. L retaliated by tackling them both. I think they are all acting out because of self-conscious feelings related to this picture published in the news:

P.S. "Megamind" is super funny and clever. I loved it.

3 Months

Our PT is three and a half months-old. We wonder, each day, where the time has gone and why we don't take more pictures.

PT continues to be a little angel, delightful in every way. He is quick to smile and laugh. He engages with everyone and anyone, doing so by cooing and chatting with anyone who will listen (even if that is simply his mobile). PT likes to squeal at Mom and enjoys being tickled to the point of laughing hysterically.

He enjoys his brother very much, getting a lot of his daily stimulation from Hip. Hip loves him too and likes to help change PT, talk to him, and watch over him for a few minutes while Mom goes to another room.

PT finds his reflection in the mirror gorgeous and will spend quite a bit of time admiring himself and chatting with himself.

He likes to chew. He grasps some toys, particularly teething rings, and puts them in his mouth. He is anxious to begin eating as he stares longingly at table food and even drools and "air eats" (does the mouth motion of eating) when Mom and Dad eat. He chewed on a cucumber the other night and threw a fit when Mom took it out of his mouth. We know he will be ready to start rice cereal within the next couple of weeks (we don't quite feel ready though).

PT likes to play with toys too, is really interested in his mobile, and likes to watch other people and kids.

PT does not like to be left out and often gets hurt feelings when he is isolated or not involved socially.

PT at his first professional sports game: Detroit Redwings

This month PT has started exercising in his exersaucer, has moved from the bassinet to his crib in his own room, is sleeping 12 hours at night, and has put himself on a 12-hour schedule (something Mom could not be disciplined enough to do): he gets tired each night at 8:00 pm and gets up each morning at 8:00 am. He puts himself to sleep at night (and naps) too.

PT loves to watch television even though we limit his daily viewing. He will crane his body to see the television. He went to his first movie today and loved the quality and sound of the theatre and big screen! Don't worry too much, he also likes to read with Mom, Dad, and Hip.

PT's current likes: eating, Mom, Hip, napping, toys, chewing, smiling, laughing, chatting, television, reading, singing, socializing.

PT's current dislikes: being alone/left out, having to wait to eat, wind (more on that later), tummy time.