The Danger Zone

She insisted on wearing undies to bed tonight. We’ll see how it goes.

See more progress on: toilet train Little Girl

Hello station wagon, good bye truck!

In an effort to make sure that I can safely transport not one, but two children, we bought a station wagon to replace my truck.

I am loath to get rid of it, but why does one man need two vehicles? So to keep my increasingly pregnant wife’s mind at ease, we are getting the safe and sensible Volvo v70. All-wheel drive? Check. Gobs of airbags? Check. Build in booster seats? Check.

Oh, the shame. I’ll look like just another suburbanite in my car. No more man of mystery in the pickup.

See more progress on: again, help my wife as best I can through her pregnancy

Camping

In an effort to teach her the fine things in life, I took Little Girl camping last night. The place is called Marengo Ridge, but Mosquito Ridge is more like it. Anyway.

I actually arrived ahead of my wife to set up camp and get familiar with the surroundings, which were about one step more sophisticated than primitive. Fortunately we are still working on potty training, so the pit toilet disaster was averted. I am making note of that for future trips. Why does the closest camping area have to be like that?!

After cooking supper on my camp stove, my wife went home while Little Girl and I found some ice cream. And pure DEET. That accomplished, we made a campfire. For a 3 year old, she watched the flames quite well. We talked about baby animals and not touching the fire. Well beyond bed time we went to the tent to sleep, or whatever it is that passes for sleep with excited toddlers. “We gonna sleep in the tent.” Please, yes, I invite you to do so.

The next morning we woke up and had a very simple breakfast. I struck camp and we were on our way. While it wasn’t the most successful outing, it helped to keep camping fun. And I suppose that’s the whole point. No technology or rushing about, just time outside.

See more progress on: Be the best father I can be

Fresh herbs

I’ve been slowly getting a garden full of fresh herbs at the farmers’ market here in town. The plants are comparable to buying dried herbs and wayyyyyy cheaper than buying fresh at the store.

Best of all, most of them are attractive plants that take up minimal space. Even folks with apartments can grow ‘em fresh.

See more progress on: find ways to economize that don't detract from quality of life

Solo camping!

With a 3 year old child! We’re leaving after her nap.

If that’s not an adventure, I don’t know adventure.

See more progress on: Have adventures

Fatigue

Well, that’s what the expectant mother feels. Not much to be done about it from my end.

I feel bad because after being stuck at home all day, I want to get out. It’s almost pathologial. I feel jailed at home—ludicrous really—but at the same time I know that it can be selfish of me. Which brings me to my wife. She’s just worked all day, and I want to stick her with a toddler.

It is definitely harder to maintain balance this time around, though we do try to keep it balanced. I went canoeing the other day. When I got back, she went out shopping.

See more progress on: again, help my wife as best I can through her pregnancy

Sharing

The other day—with no prompting, I might add—Little Girl was telling me how she wanted to share her baby toys and bedroom with her “brotherandsister.” Yes, all one word.

So we’re making progress. She seems to be aware that there will be a major change, even if she doesn’t quite grasp its full magnitude.

See more progress on: help Little Girl make the transition to Big Sister

Two steps forward, one step back

Three years old. So I guess that’s just the way that goes.

Some days she’s all excited about her subligar (Latin for underwear). Other days she wants her diaper. This is all very instructional about thinking about the things I want to do in my own life. How to tackle the truly large projects. Again, the teacher came to me as a tiny child.

See more progress on: toilet train Little Girl

Two steps forward, one step back

Three years old. So I guess that’s just the way that goes.

Some days she’s all excited about her subligar (Latin for underwear). Other days she wants her diaper. This is all very instructional about thinking about the things I want to do in my own life. How to tackle the truly large projects. Again, the teacher came to me as a tiny child.

See more progress on: toilet train Little Girl