Thursday, March 31, 2011
Cantina Changa
Cupcake!
3 THREE 3 THREE 3 THREE 3 THREE 3
I woke up one morning and my son was 3.
At 11:11 a.m., 3 years ago Monday, J.P. was born at Baptist Hospital. I'm pretty sure there's not been a 3-year period in my life that's gone by faster. It's crazy to think that my son is 3 years old. It really is.
Saturday morning, we had a small birthday party at our house. We pretty much limited it to family only, although Rob and Ann Marie Elliott stopped by in between trips from their old house to their new house and back again, as they completed their move. As usual, I over estimated how much food we would need, as a result of which we gave bar-b-que to our guests to take home and still had enough left over to eat for the next few days.
J.P. received some great birthday presents, which is good, because what he needs is more toys. He was particularly enthralled with a lego construction set and a kid-sized tunnel and tent. There were dinosaurs, clothes, books, etc. It was a good haul for him.
After the party ended, Jude, her folks and I took J.P. to the fire station (#8) on 12th Avenue, a couple of blocks from our house. J.P. was disappointed when we pulled in front of the fire station, because the fire engine was gone. Fortunately, as we were preparing to leave, Engine #8 pulled into the driveway. J.P.'s eyes lit up as we walked inside and stood next to the firetruck. The fireman, Lloyd and Spence, couldn't have been any nicer. Lloyd showed J.P. around and even lifted him up into the back seat of the firetruck. J.P. grinned from ear to ear, looked down at us, and said, "this is awesome!" He couldn't get enough of opening and closing all the doors and panels on the firetruck. It was great. As we left, he asked, "can I go back to the fire station tomorrow?"
Saturday afternoon, Jude's parents babysat for J.P., while Jude and I went to see a live broadcast of Garrison Keillor's Prairie Home Companion live from the Ryman Auditorium. Our seats were dead center, in the first row of pews, behind two rows of folding chairs. It was absolutely amazing - we were 15 feet from the state - within spitting distance of Emmylou Harris, Sam Bush and the man himself, Garrison Keillor. As always, the show was fantastic.
When it ended, a little after 7 p.m., Jude went home and I walked down to Bridgestone Arena to see the Nashville Predators play the Dallas Stars. When the Preds' won, it capped an almost perfect Saturday for me - J.P.'s birthday party, Garrison Keillor and Prairie Home Companion, then a Predators' game! Beautiful.
At 11:11 a.m., 3 years ago Monday, J.P. was born at Baptist Hospital. I'm pretty sure there's not been a 3-year period in my life that's gone by faster. It's crazy to think that my son is 3 years old. It really is.
Saturday morning, we had a small birthday party at our house. We pretty much limited it to family only, although Rob and Ann Marie Elliott stopped by in between trips from their old house to their new house and back again, as they completed their move. As usual, I over estimated how much food we would need, as a result of which we gave bar-b-que to our guests to take home and still had enough left over to eat for the next few days.
J.P. received some great birthday presents, which is good, because what he needs is more toys. He was particularly enthralled with a lego construction set and a kid-sized tunnel and tent. There were dinosaurs, clothes, books, etc. It was a good haul for him.
After the party ended, Jude, her folks and I took J.P. to the fire station (#8) on 12th Avenue, a couple of blocks from our house. J.P. was disappointed when we pulled in front of the fire station, because the fire engine was gone. Fortunately, as we were preparing to leave, Engine #8 pulled into the driveway. J.P.'s eyes lit up as we walked inside and stood next to the firetruck. The fireman, Lloyd and Spence, couldn't have been any nicer. Lloyd showed J.P. around and even lifted him up into the back seat of the firetruck. J.P. grinned from ear to ear, looked down at us, and said, "this is awesome!" He couldn't get enough of opening and closing all the doors and panels on the firetruck. It was great. As we left, he asked, "can I go back to the fire station tomorrow?"
Saturday afternoon, Jude's parents babysat for J.P., while Jude and I went to see a live broadcast of Garrison Keillor's Prairie Home Companion live from the Ryman Auditorium. Our seats were dead center, in the first row of pews, behind two rows of folding chairs. It was absolutely amazing - we were 15 feet from the state - within spitting distance of Emmylou Harris, Sam Bush and the man himself, Garrison Keillor. As always, the show was fantastic.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Captain Underpants
Monday morning, as Jude was getting J.P. dressed, she said, "Daddy, come quick, look at John Patrick!"
I walked in his room and was astounded to see him standing there, looking up at me with a big smile on his face, wearing a t-shirt and "Buzz Lightyear" underpants. "Daddy, I'm wearing big boy underwear!" he exclaimed. Honestly, I was a little conflicted, as I watched him dance around. I was excited, but also a little sad, as I couldn't help but think - albeit briefly - my son's got stay in diapers or, at least, pull ups. That way, I can know he's not growing up too fast. It was fleeting thought, though, and it made me really proud to see him standing there in his underpants.
About 15 minutes later, as I was loading up my truck in front of our house, Jude opened the front door and announced J.P. just had his first "accident." Ah, yes, growing pains.
Today, though, he kept his underpants dry the entire day, which was huge! Not to get too technical, but he even went "poopie" in the potty. Twice.
Did I really just write that (sigh).
I walked in his room and was astounded to see him standing there, looking up at me with a big smile on his face, wearing a t-shirt and "Buzz Lightyear" underpants. "Daddy, I'm wearing big boy underwear!" he exclaimed. Honestly, I was a little conflicted, as I watched him dance around. I was excited, but also a little sad, as I couldn't help but think - albeit briefly - my son's got stay in diapers or, at least, pull ups. That way, I can know he's not growing up too fast. It was fleeting thought, though, and it made me really proud to see him standing there in his underpants.
About 15 minutes later, as I was loading up my truck in front of our house, Jude opened the front door and announced J.P. just had his first "accident." Ah, yes, growing pains.
Today, though, he kept his underpants dry the entire day, which was huge! Not to get too technical, but he even went "poopie" in the potty. Twice.
Did I really just write that (sigh).
Truckin'
Watering
Monday, March 14, 2011
Ch - Ch - Ch - Changes
I've never handled change particuarly well, especially change over which I have no control. I'm a creature of habit, as they say, and I don't like it when something happens that changes my routine. I also tend to be somewhat nostalgic, which I think makes change more difficult for me to easily accept.
The topic of change (and my reaction to it) has been on my mind lately, thanks to a couple of recent events that occurred.
La Fiesta, a mexican restaurant on Belmont Boulevard that J.P. and I discovered closed last week, without any advance notice. Thankfully, he and I just been there for dinner Thursday night, before it closed the following Monday. J.P. and started going there last spring on nights when Jude played tennis. It was the first restaurant he and I frequented on a regular basis. The staff there knew us, because we were there so often, and they really doted on J.P. Also, he was really comfortable there and, as a result, enjoying running around and playing, most nights, after we finished dinner. It makes me sad to think we won't be able to have dinner at La Fiesta anymore.
A more significant change, in the scheme of things, is that our friends, Ann Marie and Rob Elliott (and their daughter, Ayden) are moving. They live a block away from us and we've spend a fair amount of time together the last 2 + years, as J.P. and Ayden are about a month apart in age. Ann Marie and Rob are about our age and Ayden is their first child, something Jude and I have in common with them. Many, many nights after dinner, Jude, J.P. and I would stroll (as J.P. got older we'd walk) down to their house and talk with them, as the kids played on Ayden's swingset.
At dinner at their house one night, a few months ago, Ann Marie casually mentioned she and Rob had looked at a couple of houses, just for fun. I immediately knew that meant they would be moving, because they're "doers." They don't talk about doing things - they just do them (I wish I were more like that). Sure enough, a month or so ago, I stopped by to pick up J.P. after Ann Marie had babysat for him while Jude and I were at a Renewal House event. Somewhat regretfully, Ann Marie told me they had bought a house in Forest Hills, an expensive neighborhood in a nice part of town 10 or 15 miles from where we live now.
As I processsed the news that they were moving, I experienced a myriad of emotions. I wasn't surprised, not really. Certainly, I was sad and more than a bit nostalgic, realizing that J.P. and Ayden wouldn't have the opportunity to grow up together as toddlers, then young children. Selfishly and irrationally, I was a little angry, almost feeling like their decision to move to Forest Hills was a rejection of our neighborhood. On one level, I realized and understood that Ann Marie and Rob have to do what's best for their family. On another level, I couldn't help but feel like they were abandoning us (which, of course, isn't fair). A range of conflicting emotions, really all over the place.
Of course, their house sold to the first person that looked at it, before it even went on the market. They'll be gone by the end of the month, maybe as soon as this weekend, according to Rob. Sure, we'll all give lip service to the idea that we'll still get together, that we'll still see each other. Realistically, thought, I don't think that will happen. We'll drift apart and in all likelihood, after a short while, we won't see them anymore which makes me sad.
Life is about change, though. People (and families) come in and out of your life and you mark certain periods of your life by the friends you had and the people you spent time with on a regular basis. Maybe, on a rare occasion years later, you see them and you're reminded of that period of time in your life when you were in each other's orbit, when you (and your children) were younger and life was, well, different. That's just the way it goes.
The topic of change (and my reaction to it) has been on my mind lately, thanks to a couple of recent events that occurred.
La Fiesta, a mexican restaurant on Belmont Boulevard that J.P. and I discovered closed last week, without any advance notice. Thankfully, he and I just been there for dinner Thursday night, before it closed the following Monday. J.P. and started going there last spring on nights when Jude played tennis. It was the first restaurant he and I frequented on a regular basis. The staff there knew us, because we were there so often, and they really doted on J.P. Also, he was really comfortable there and, as a result, enjoying running around and playing, most nights, after we finished dinner. It makes me sad to think we won't be able to have dinner at La Fiesta anymore.
A more significant change, in the scheme of things, is that our friends, Ann Marie and Rob Elliott (and their daughter, Ayden) are moving. They live a block away from us and we've spend a fair amount of time together the last 2 + years, as J.P. and Ayden are about a month apart in age. Ann Marie and Rob are about our age and Ayden is their first child, something Jude and I have in common with them. Many, many nights after dinner, Jude, J.P. and I would stroll (as J.P. got older we'd walk) down to their house and talk with them, as the kids played on Ayden's swingset.
At dinner at their house one night, a few months ago, Ann Marie casually mentioned she and Rob had looked at a couple of houses, just for fun. I immediately knew that meant they would be moving, because they're "doers." They don't talk about doing things - they just do them (I wish I were more like that). Sure enough, a month or so ago, I stopped by to pick up J.P. after Ann Marie had babysat for him while Jude and I were at a Renewal House event. Somewhat regretfully, Ann Marie told me they had bought a house in Forest Hills, an expensive neighborhood in a nice part of town 10 or 15 miles from where we live now.
As I processsed the news that they were moving, I experienced a myriad of emotions. I wasn't surprised, not really. Certainly, I was sad and more than a bit nostalgic, realizing that J.P. and Ayden wouldn't have the opportunity to grow up together as toddlers, then young children. Selfishly and irrationally, I was a little angry, almost feeling like their decision to move to Forest Hills was a rejection of our neighborhood. On one level, I realized and understood that Ann Marie and Rob have to do what's best for their family. On another level, I couldn't help but feel like they were abandoning us (which, of course, isn't fair). A range of conflicting emotions, really all over the place.
Of course, their house sold to the first person that looked at it, before it even went on the market. They'll be gone by the end of the month, maybe as soon as this weekend, according to Rob. Sure, we'll all give lip service to the idea that we'll still get together, that we'll still see each other. Realistically, thought, I don't think that will happen. We'll drift apart and in all likelihood, after a short while, we won't see them anymore which makes me sad.
Life is about change, though. People (and families) come in and out of your life and you mark certain periods of your life by the friends you had and the people you spent time with on a regular basis. Maybe, on a rare occasion years later, you see them and you're reminded of that period of time in your life when you were in each other's orbit, when you (and your children) were younger and life was, well, different. That's just the way it goes.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Flying Solo
It's almost midnight and I'm in bed, iPad in my lap, faithful cat (N.C.) by my side. It's quiet, except for the sound of the heat running, as the temperature has dropped enough this evening to remind me that winter hasn't left us just yet. I just checked on J.P. and he's sound asleep in his crib, Gnash tucked in beside him underneath his blanket.
Jude left Friday evening for Gatlinburg, accompanied by several of the ultimate frisbee ladies - Joanie, Kim, Molly and Carley. They're celebrating Carrie Plummer's 40th birthday this weekend, in the mountains of East Tennessee. Unlike the old days - the ultimate frisbee playing old days - the ladies don't get together as a group too often, so I'm glad they were able to make this trip. Selfishly, it's nice to have J.P. to myself for a weekend, too.
Last night, J.P. and I had dinner at the Frothy Monkey. Other than Bongo Java, it's probably his favorite place to go to eat. After dinner, we came home, played doctor's office (one of his new imagination games), then I put him down to bed. He struggled a bit at first, crying and saying, "mommy wants to put me to bed." After a little while, he fell asleep, only to wake up around 11 p.m., crying and asking for mommy. Fortunately, that didn't last long.
This morning, he woke up at 6:45 a.m. We snuggled in "the big bed," while he drank his milk and watched "Super Y" and "Sid the Science Kid." Next, it was off to Bongo Java for a rare Saturday morning appearance. From there, we went to the Downtown Library. Unbeknownst to me, there was an Alice in Wonderland puppet show scheduled for 10:30 a.m. We walked around to kill some time, then got in line and waited for the children's theater doors to open.
By the time the show started, we were packed in like sardines. I was sitting cross-legged in the floor with J.P. in my lap, and children on both sides of us. It was crazy. The puppet show ran about 40 minutes, which was good, because he got antsy about after a half hour. He seemed to enjoy himself and it was nice to try something a little different.
This afternoon, fate his nap, J.P. and I drove down to "Mee Maw's" house to play and watch the Vanderbilt - Florida game (Florida won, in Nashville, rather easily). I got a run in on a treadmill at the Brentwood YMCA, while J.P. played with Matthew, my sister's son. Nice visit, overall.
Tonight, J.P. was great. He went down to bed with no trouble whatsoever. I caught up on some episodes from Season Two of "Breaking Bad," and now I'm gong to shut it down for the night.
Jude left Friday evening for Gatlinburg, accompanied by several of the ultimate frisbee ladies - Joanie, Kim, Molly and Carley. They're celebrating Carrie Plummer's 40th birthday this weekend, in the mountains of East Tennessee. Unlike the old days - the ultimate frisbee playing old days - the ladies don't get together as a group too often, so I'm glad they were able to make this trip. Selfishly, it's nice to have J.P. to myself for a weekend, too.
Last night, J.P. and I had dinner at the Frothy Monkey. Other than Bongo Java, it's probably his favorite place to go to eat. After dinner, we came home, played doctor's office (one of his new imagination games), then I put him down to bed. He struggled a bit at first, crying and saying, "mommy wants to put me to bed." After a little while, he fell asleep, only to wake up around 11 p.m., crying and asking for mommy. Fortunately, that didn't last long.
This morning, he woke up at 6:45 a.m. We snuggled in "the big bed," while he drank his milk and watched "Super Y" and "Sid the Science Kid." Next, it was off to Bongo Java for a rare Saturday morning appearance. From there, we went to the Downtown Library. Unbeknownst to me, there was an Alice in Wonderland puppet show scheduled for 10:30 a.m. We walked around to kill some time, then got in line and waited for the children's theater doors to open.
By the time the show started, we were packed in like sardines. I was sitting cross-legged in the floor with J.P. in my lap, and children on both sides of us. It was crazy. The puppet show ran about 40 minutes, which was good, because he got antsy about after a half hour. He seemed to enjoy himself and it was nice to try something a little different.
This afternoon, fate his nap, J.P. and I drove down to "Mee Maw's" house to play and watch the Vanderbilt - Florida game (Florida won, in Nashville, rather easily). I got a run in on a treadmill at the Brentwood YMCA, while J.P. played with Matthew, my sister's son. Nice visit, overall.
Tonight, J.P. was great. He went down to bed with no trouble whatsoever. I caught up on some episodes from Season Two of "Breaking Bad," and now I'm gong to shut it down for the night.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)