Something I've thought about often throughout my life. What will be left of me in 100 years?
Part of that is in a physical sense. Although there isn't much mystery there - we all know that there isn't much left of us 100 years from now. A few bones, maybe some ash. Maybe under a shade tree in a cemetery or spread over some meaningful location. This concept has always frightened me. Death has always scared me. The thought of no longer existing on this earth has always been something very difficult for me to cope with.
But what about the non-physical portion of it? What else will be left? What legacy is left? Children? Grandchildren? After a generation or two - anybody that actually knew you is no longer there either. The people that knew you and talked to you and could tell stories about you have also moved on. Are you able to leave any kind of lasting legacy beyond that? Is there anything in your life that you can accomplish that makes you last after those stories for a generation or two? A select few are able to leave a legacy like that. But most of us just get our few decades, a microscopic piece of the timeline of history. And then we're gone.
Does that mean we are to work harder to create a more lasting legacy? Or does it mean we just accept that our time will end. That the reality is that our story will simply end.
Or, does that lengthened legacy matter? Is my job on this earth only to create my boys? Are Fenn and Lincoln my legacy? Is my legacy beyond that even within my control? Do they control my legacy?
100 years from now someone will be writing down their thoughts on some kind of computerish device that we can't currently imagine. 100 years from now somebody's kids will be running around giggling and playing in the next room. 100 years from now government and countries will still be battling. 100 years from now people will be over-analyzing both complex and simple concepts.
And 100 years from now, I will have been under my shade tree or in my meaningful location for a good 60 years. Will anything other than that remain?
Thursday, September 25, 2014
Half Full? Or Half Empty?
Well folks, we are 1 month away from having a 4 year old, and a little over 2 months from having a 2 year old.
Now that we're approaching those milestones, the day-to-day care seems to be a bit simpler. And maybe that allows a little more time for some writing.
I'll still keep you informed on how the miniature Hager boys are coming along, but I expect I'm also going to spend some time veering off course, and exploring some other topics.
First - On Topic:
Fenn has started pre-school. Hard to believe he's old enough to do that. It's crazy how much he looks like a little boy with his hair all fancied up and his backpack on. He really likes going to school and interacting with the other kids. He needs the interaction and the practice at following instructions.
Fenn continues to amaze with his mind. He can add. He can subract. He can read just about anything you put in front of him. All of that money spend on fresh produce has really paid off!
Lincoln is becoming a bit more of a 'traditional' little guy. He likes buses and airplanes. He likes to break stuff. He prefers defiance over obedience. You know, all the stuff expected of little boys. Although, his big brother had definitely worn off on him as well. Lincoln can count to ten (and 10 to 1 I'm afraid). And he can identify most of his letters.
He's also starting to string together some sentences. And I think he's realized that's he's nearing 2 - because he's becoming very strong willed. Everything he comes in contact with.....or sees.....or essentially anything on this earth....Is HIS. And that's that.
But, Lincoln is also an incredibly cute, sweet little guy. Hard to resist that face when he wants a snack when he's already had one, or wants to do something you don't want to do.....or wants a new car.....
Now - Off Topic:
I heard a discussion today on a sports radio (related to my playoff bound Royals!!!) regarding half full vs half empty. One guy said he was half full.....the positive type. The other was half empty....more of a negative outlook.
I realized something during that discussion. I'm neither half full or half empty. I mean....as far as I'm concerned, both of those guys have the exact same amount of water (or whatever their beverage of choice is) in their cup. Label how you'd like - but half full and half empty are the same thing. I suppose you can claim to be positive and say it's half full. Or be the negative type and say your stuff is halfway gone. But at the end of the day - realistically - is there a difference? Does that perception alter the reality?
If you still owe have your car loan, have you already paid for half.....or have you ONLY paid for half? If it's July 1 - is half of the year already gone? Or do you still have a full half of the year left? If Lincoln poops 4 times in 3 hours - does that really stink (so to speak), or is it good because he's probably done for 24 hours?
Now, of course, there is nothing wrong with being positive - as long as you aren't so overly positive that you set yourself up to be disappointed when reality knocks on your door. And I'm not sure there is anything wrong with being negative - because sometimes those folks are actually leaning a little close to reality (plus for them good stuff that happens is a bonus!).
As for me, I'm going to choose to keep standing on the line of realism. Steady as she goes people.
Now that we're approaching those milestones, the day-to-day care seems to be a bit simpler. And maybe that allows a little more time for some writing.
I'll still keep you informed on how the miniature Hager boys are coming along, but I expect I'm also going to spend some time veering off course, and exploring some other topics.
First - On Topic:
Fenn has started pre-school. Hard to believe he's old enough to do that. It's crazy how much he looks like a little boy with his hair all fancied up and his backpack on. He really likes going to school and interacting with the other kids. He needs the interaction and the practice at following instructions.
Fenn continues to amaze with his mind. He can add. He can subract. He can read just about anything you put in front of him. All of that money spend on fresh produce has really paid off!
Lincoln is becoming a bit more of a 'traditional' little guy. He likes buses and airplanes. He likes to break stuff. He prefers defiance over obedience. You know, all the stuff expected of little boys. Although, his big brother had definitely worn off on him as well. Lincoln can count to ten (and 10 to 1 I'm afraid). And he can identify most of his letters.
He's also starting to string together some sentences. And I think he's realized that's he's nearing 2 - because he's becoming very strong willed. Everything he comes in contact with.....or sees.....or essentially anything on this earth....Is HIS. And that's that.
But, Lincoln is also an incredibly cute, sweet little guy. Hard to resist that face when he wants a snack when he's already had one, or wants to do something you don't want to do.....or wants a new car.....
Now - Off Topic:
I heard a discussion today on a sports radio (related to my playoff bound Royals!!!) regarding half full vs half empty. One guy said he was half full.....the positive type. The other was half empty....more of a negative outlook.
I realized something during that discussion. I'm neither half full or half empty. I mean....as far as I'm concerned, both of those guys have the exact same amount of water (or whatever their beverage of choice is) in their cup. Label how you'd like - but half full and half empty are the same thing. I suppose you can claim to be positive and say it's half full. Or be the negative type and say your stuff is halfway gone. But at the end of the day - realistically - is there a difference? Does that perception alter the reality?
If you still owe have your car loan, have you already paid for half.....or have you ONLY paid for half? If it's July 1 - is half of the year already gone? Or do you still have a full half of the year left? If Lincoln poops 4 times in 3 hours - does that really stink (so to speak), or is it good because he's probably done for 24 hours?
Now, of course, there is nothing wrong with being positive - as long as you aren't so overly positive that you set yourself up to be disappointed when reality knocks on your door. And I'm not sure there is anything wrong with being negative - because sometimes those folks are actually leaning a little close to reality (plus for them good stuff that happens is a bonus!).
As for me, I'm going to choose to keep standing on the line of realism. Steady as she goes people.
Friday, October 18, 2013
If Anybody Is Keeping Track, Lincoln Now Has
....More Teeth than Hairs. Teeth 7, Hairs 6. It's a close race.
We discovered tooth #7 today. He got the first 6 all within about two weeks when he was six months old. Fenn got his full set of baby teeth very early as well. If anybody needs to know how to have kids that grow their teeth fast.....just do everything we've done for the last 3 years. I'll send you a list.
I guess we're good at growing kids that sleep well at night also. Fenn has slept 12 hours since he was 6 months old. And Lincoln doesn't quite make it that far, but close. Lincoln naps a little better than Fenn does.....but that doesn't take much. I'm well rested today because after Mommy gave Lincoln a snack at 5:30 while she got ready for work, the little guy went back to sleep until 8:15. Growing tooth #7 can wear a kid out.
5 days until Birthday #3 for Fenn.....and boy does he know it. If I recall, the first day we counted down was around 44 days.....and he's counted down since then. Although he's a little confused and not particularly happy when I tell him there will be parties that aren't on the 23rd. That just doesn't quite compute....and his mind is kind of like a miniature computer.
They have started playing more together....I can see a difference even in the last week. And I guess I need to calm down, because when I turn to tell Fenn to be gentle, Lincoln is smiling and giggling. It starts with Fenn hugging Lincoln and patting him on the head.....and turns into basically a wrestling match. Fenn is bigger and stronger.....but Lincoln quickly goes for the hair. I've been a little brother for a long time.....so I understand those tactics. Hair pulling, biting, head butting.....it's all fair game when you are half the size of your opponent.
We discovered tooth #7 today. He got the first 6 all within about two weeks when he was six months old. Fenn got his full set of baby teeth very early as well. If anybody needs to know how to have kids that grow their teeth fast.....just do everything we've done for the last 3 years. I'll send you a list.
I guess we're good at growing kids that sleep well at night also. Fenn has slept 12 hours since he was 6 months old. And Lincoln doesn't quite make it that far, but close. Lincoln naps a little better than Fenn does.....but that doesn't take much. I'm well rested today because after Mommy gave Lincoln a snack at 5:30 while she got ready for work, the little guy went back to sleep until 8:15. Growing tooth #7 can wear a kid out.
5 days until Birthday #3 for Fenn.....and boy does he know it. If I recall, the first day we counted down was around 44 days.....and he's counted down since then. Although he's a little confused and not particularly happy when I tell him there will be parties that aren't on the 23rd. That just doesn't quite compute....and his mind is kind of like a miniature computer.
They have started playing more together....I can see a difference even in the last week. And I guess I need to calm down, because when I turn to tell Fenn to be gentle, Lincoln is smiling and giggling. It starts with Fenn hugging Lincoln and patting him on the head.....and turns into basically a wrestling match. Fenn is bigger and stronger.....but Lincoln quickly goes for the hair. I've been a little brother for a long time.....so I understand those tactics. Hair pulling, biting, head butting.....it's all fair game when you are half the size of your opponent.
Monday, October 14, 2013
"Winkin"
Well, I see my last post talked about how many days it had been. I won't count this time - at least it's been under a year.
Just to catch things up - baby #2 ended up being Lincoln Douglas Hager.....or "Linkers" as I normally call him. Or "Winkin" if you ask Fenn.
Lincoln just turned 10 months old. A few people have asked why I haven't been writing blog posts about Lincoln. I always explained it's because there just isn't time. And it's true. Having a toddler and an infant at the same time is rather time consuming. And in the 10 minutes per day one of them doesn't need something, I usually spend it laying flat and crying....
I always felt a little guilty. Fenn got probably two years worth of blog posts.....and Lincoln had one single post when he was still just an ultrasound. But today I found a little book that Anne made for me for Father's Day. It was a picture book of Fenn, with some excerpts from the blog. That did it. The Lincoln-Blog-Neglect guilt overwhelmed me.....so here I am.
The past 10 months have been a whirlwind. A challenging, but rewarding whirlwind. I remember a friend told me that "Having two isn't really twice as hard". She's a liar. It is incredibly hard, particularly at the ages my two little fellars are. I remember when Fenn got to be about 10 months old, he became more independent, happier, less demanding. So, for about 10 months now, I've been waiting on Lincoln to get there. And he has. He can crawl around and get himself into trouble and find things to do without being held. I think my back is slowing recovering.
It's funny, because Lincoln is now getting into all the exact same drawers, turning off all the same electronics when he shouldn't be, making all the same messes his brother did a couple years ago. They don't look much alike, but they like to get into similar trouble.....
Fenn has brown hair/brown eyes, Lincoln has blond hair/blue eyes. Fenn looks like Anne when she was a 3 year old, and Lincoln looks like me. So, we both have our own little miniature versions of ourselves.
Some quick Fenn updates.....He turns 3 in nine days. He has known his alphabet for a year and a half. He counted to 100 a year ago, and he could make it to 1000 if he was patient enough. And he can read. I mean, he can actually read. I'm not talking about knowing the word dog. He is well on his way to being a genius. Which will come in handy since I'll probably spend his college money on an RV long before he's 18.
Lincoln wants to play with Fenn so badly. And Fenn wants Lincoln to leave his stuff alone so badly. Not that Fenn doesn't appreciate his little bother. He's practically decapitates him on a daily basis hugging him. He just isn't a fan of sharing yet. We're trying. Fenn gets tired of hearing the words "Gentle" and "Share".
Little Lincoln is developing quite a personality. He has always been such a happy baby....constantly smiling. And while he literally has turned half of my goatee hairs white, it has been so much fun watching him work his way toward the 1 year mark. It's hard to believe that the little newborn we brought home 10 months ago is now trying to stand up and learn some words. Folks always tell you to appreciate those times when your babies are babies, and it's so true. Some of best memories in my life are just sitting with a sleeping baby on my shoulder (and by the way, Lincoln's Mommy STILL tries to sneak off a couple times a week and get those little baby shoulder naps in).....
I am really going to try to do a few more of these, so that some day Lincoln knows I gave it some effort. And if I don't, just to make it up to him, I won't spend as much of his college money....
Just to catch things up - baby #2 ended up being Lincoln Douglas Hager.....or "Linkers" as I normally call him. Or "Winkin" if you ask Fenn.
Lincoln just turned 10 months old. A few people have asked why I haven't been writing blog posts about Lincoln. I always explained it's because there just isn't time. And it's true. Having a toddler and an infant at the same time is rather time consuming. And in the 10 minutes per day one of them doesn't need something, I usually spend it laying flat and crying....
I always felt a little guilty. Fenn got probably two years worth of blog posts.....and Lincoln had one single post when he was still just an ultrasound. But today I found a little book that Anne made for me for Father's Day. It was a picture book of Fenn, with some excerpts from the blog. That did it. The Lincoln-Blog-Neglect guilt overwhelmed me.....so here I am.
The past 10 months have been a whirlwind. A challenging, but rewarding whirlwind. I remember a friend told me that "Having two isn't really twice as hard". She's a liar. It is incredibly hard, particularly at the ages my two little fellars are. I remember when Fenn got to be about 10 months old, he became more independent, happier, less demanding. So, for about 10 months now, I've been waiting on Lincoln to get there. And he has. He can crawl around and get himself into trouble and find things to do without being held. I think my back is slowing recovering.
It's funny, because Lincoln is now getting into all the exact same drawers, turning off all the same electronics when he shouldn't be, making all the same messes his brother did a couple years ago. They don't look much alike, but they like to get into similar trouble.....
Fenn has brown hair/brown eyes, Lincoln has blond hair/blue eyes. Fenn looks like Anne when she was a 3 year old, and Lincoln looks like me. So, we both have our own little miniature versions of ourselves.
Some quick Fenn updates.....He turns 3 in nine days. He has known his alphabet for a year and a half. He counted to 100 a year ago, and he could make it to 1000 if he was patient enough. And he can read. I mean, he can actually read. I'm not talking about knowing the word dog. He is well on his way to being a genius. Which will come in handy since I'll probably spend his college money on an RV long before he's 18.
Lincoln wants to play with Fenn so badly. And Fenn wants Lincoln to leave his stuff alone so badly. Not that Fenn doesn't appreciate his little bother. He's practically decapitates him on a daily basis hugging him. He just isn't a fan of sharing yet. We're trying. Fenn gets tired of hearing the words "Gentle" and "Share".
Little Lincoln is developing quite a personality. He has always been such a happy baby....constantly smiling. And while he literally has turned half of my goatee hairs white, it has been so much fun watching him work his way toward the 1 year mark. It's hard to believe that the little newborn we brought home 10 months ago is now trying to stand up and learn some words. Folks always tell you to appreciate those times when your babies are babies, and it's so true. Some of best memories in my life are just sitting with a sleeping baby on my shoulder (and by the way, Lincoln's Mommy STILL tries to sneak off a couple times a week and get those little baby shoulder naps in).....
I am really going to try to do a few more of these, so that some day Lincoln knows I gave it some effort. And if I don't, just to make it up to him, I won't spend as much of his college money....
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
1 Year, 3 Months, 13 Days
That's how long it's been since I've posted on the ol blog. I have two goals. First.....create at least one blog post so that Baby #2 doesn't feel neglected, and Second.....remember to tell somebody that I did it so that it's not a waste of time.
So, here goes goal 1. Although, I suppose if I was really aiming to reduce neglect, I'd start the new guy his own blog. But, let's be realistic....it took my over 36 weeks to give him a post at all - chance of starting a whole new blog are slim. Poor little guy....getting hand-me-downs before he's even born.
New guy, by the way, is Lincoln Douglas Hager. If I do rememeber to tell anybody I wrote this, whoever it is already knows this....so it's not exactly news. But this way I can call him by name the rest of this post. Initials LDH are after my Dad, Larry, and middle name Douglas is after my uncle Norman (Dad's older brother) who passed away when I was about 8. Lincoln is due Dec 2. Anne is 36 weeks and 3 days as we speak - and everything appears to be going well.
Anne feels pretty good this time around as well. Although the grunting, groaning, and general expression of discomfort has multiplied by a number I won't share as I would fear for my own safety if I did.
Lincoln's room is ready to roll. Mommy added her custom curtain/bed skirt combo to this room as well. Everything looks good, we just need a little baby to christen the room with poo, pee, vomit, spit up endless night crying....and everything will be fantastic.
I'm not sure that having a 2nd baby has really set in. It seems hard to imagine - figuring out how to have a 2 year old and a newborn at the same time. Although Fenn and I have a deal about his behavior during the first few weeks. Ok.....I'm lying. He's not old enough to make deals yet. If he were, I'd owe him thousands of dollars, 3 cars, several pets, and some season tickets. Instead, when I tell him how I need him to become a well behaved, independent little man, he just looks at me with this all-knowing, squinted little grin. And I swear one time I saw little horns come out.
Some days I'm excited, other days I wonder what I've gotten myself into. I was talking to a lady I know in line to vote yesterday (Obama won his 2nd term - take that Mitt) - and I realized how excited I am to have two boys, only two years apart. I thought about how neat it would be in a few years when they could play together. I had some of those Daddy daydreams about them playing on the same sports teams in school. So yeah, it's going to be cool - and it will get cooler as the years go on. But my new goal, after I finish those first two I mentioned earlier, is to figure out how to survive the next couple of years.....to get to that cool part.
I don't mean to come across as overly negative. Obviously I'm very excited to welcome Lincoln into the world. And I can't wait to hold a little baby again - I can't believe it's alread been 2 years. But, it's a blog after all, it's where I come to share some things, and communicate some of my feelings! So, on the slim chance that I succeed in goal #2 and somebody else reads this.....Hey....take it easy. I'm allowed.
Late breaking news.....Goal #2 has just been met. I just told Fenn that I made a post about his little brother. Whew....I feel better already.
By the way, Fenn's response was "Whatever Dad, it was my blog first!".
Yeeesh, it's started already....
So, here goes goal 1. Although, I suppose if I was really aiming to reduce neglect, I'd start the new guy his own blog. But, let's be realistic....it took my over 36 weeks to give him a post at all - chance of starting a whole new blog are slim. Poor little guy....getting hand-me-downs before he's even born.
New guy, by the way, is Lincoln Douglas Hager. If I do rememeber to tell anybody I wrote this, whoever it is already knows this....so it's not exactly news. But this way I can call him by name the rest of this post. Initials LDH are after my Dad, Larry, and middle name Douglas is after my uncle Norman (Dad's older brother) who passed away when I was about 8. Lincoln is due Dec 2. Anne is 36 weeks and 3 days as we speak - and everything appears to be going well.
Anne feels pretty good this time around as well. Although the grunting, groaning, and general expression of discomfort has multiplied by a number I won't share as I would fear for my own safety if I did.
Lincoln's room is ready to roll. Mommy added her custom curtain/bed skirt combo to this room as well. Everything looks good, we just need a little baby to christen the room with poo, pee, vomit, spit up endless night crying....and everything will be fantastic.
I'm not sure that having a 2nd baby has really set in. It seems hard to imagine - figuring out how to have a 2 year old and a newborn at the same time. Although Fenn and I have a deal about his behavior during the first few weeks. Ok.....I'm lying. He's not old enough to make deals yet. If he were, I'd owe him thousands of dollars, 3 cars, several pets, and some season tickets. Instead, when I tell him how I need him to become a well behaved, independent little man, he just looks at me with this all-knowing, squinted little grin. And I swear one time I saw little horns come out.
Some days I'm excited, other days I wonder what I've gotten myself into. I was talking to a lady I know in line to vote yesterday (Obama won his 2nd term - take that Mitt) - and I realized how excited I am to have two boys, only two years apart. I thought about how neat it would be in a few years when they could play together. I had some of those Daddy daydreams about them playing on the same sports teams in school. So yeah, it's going to be cool - and it will get cooler as the years go on. But my new goal, after I finish those first two I mentioned earlier, is to figure out how to survive the next couple of years.....to get to that cool part.
I don't mean to come across as overly negative. Obviously I'm very excited to welcome Lincoln into the world. And I can't wait to hold a little baby again - I can't believe it's alread been 2 years. But, it's a blog after all, it's where I come to share some things, and communicate some of my feelings! So, on the slim chance that I succeed in goal #2 and somebody else reads this.....Hey....take it easy. I'm allowed.
Late breaking news.....Goal #2 has just been met. I just told Fenn that I made a post about his little brother. Whew....I feel better already.
By the way, Fenn's response was "Whatever Dad, it was my blog first!".
Yeeesh, it's started already....
Saturday, June 25, 2011
I'm Back!
Ok well, it's been 6 weeks since I've posted. I'm pretty sure my Mom is the only one that even checks this anymore, but I'll catch everybody up anyway! It's been a busy last couple of months. Here are some of the highlights!
We really enjoyed our first Mother's Day and Father's Day. We went to Loose Park (also where we decided what Fenn's name would be) for Mother's Day and got to spend time with both sets of parents/grandparents on Father's Day. It was kind of hard to remember that those days actually include us now!
Fenn has FOUR teeth. The bottom two are getting close to all the way in. The top two are both coming in - but haven't made it that far yet. This is good and bad. It's good because it means he's developing just like he should. It's bad because it's starting to make him look like a little boy instead of a baby. It's also bad because now he bites!
Fenn took his first long car ride when we all went to Tulsa with our good friends Travis and Amy to visit Travis' family. 4 hours both ways - and he did really well. He also go to go swimming for the first time on this trip. He seemed to really enjoy the pool, so we bought him his first little pool when we got back. We also stopped in thru Joplin to look at the tornado damage on the way to Tulsa. It was terrible. Impossible to describe.
Fenn also got to take his first weekend trip by himself to Clinton to stay with Grandma and Papa. We were both in Amy and Travis' wedding, so we dropped him off down there for two nights! It was the first time we'd both been away from him on the same night - and only the 2nd and 3rd nights that Anne has been away from him. From what we hear, he was very well behaved and Grandma and Papa didn't miss out on too much sleep. His top two teeth really popped thru down there though, so Grandma got to change lots of Teething diapers! Fenn got to spend some time with Uncle Tim, Aunt Liane and all his little girl cousins too.
He came back knowing how to set up on his own much better and had only gained a couple of pounds from chocolate chip cookies.....so it looks like they've earned another shot at full weekend babysitting! Which is good.....because Daddy needs a vacation.....
They also sent him home with a new toy that he just loves. It's a Bob the Builder tool box. You hit a button and it has a song plus several different sayings. Fenn LOVES the song. He'll use his little index finger to push the button until he gets to that song....then he'll put his arms in the air and dance around! He's already a better dancer than his daddy. It also has several tools with it....Fenn doesn't like to get too far away from his little hammer!
I'm pretty sure his first word was Kitty. At least I think he TRIES to say Kitty. I think he tries to say Daddy too.....but Mommy's not buying it. Kitty (aka Hula Hoop) seems to like Fenn, despite the many handfulls of hair he's borrowed from her.
Fenn just turned 8 months a couple of days ago. Still another few weeks before we go back to the Dr, so we're not sure how big he is. A neighbor told me yesterday that you are supposed to be able to see how tall kids will be as adults when the are 2 and a half for boys and 3 for girls. It's apparently pretty accurate. So, we have a little less than two years before we know how tall Fenn will be when he's 20.
He's eating lots of cereal and baby food now. Like all babies, he loves the fruit. His Mommy is determined to make as much food as she can for him. She's tried sweet potatoes, carrots, green beens, garbanzo beans, chicken, spinach.....so far he's liked the sweet potatoes and the spinach (well, the spinach was just this morning and Anne tells me he liked it as I typed this.....but I didn't get to see his face while he was eating it). The rest of it....well....let's just say it takes some getting used to.
Fenn's first 4th of July is just a week away.
And Christmas is 6 months from today! Better start shopping. Little Fenn is going to love opening Christmas presents this year!
We really enjoyed our first Mother's Day and Father's Day. We went to Loose Park (also where we decided what Fenn's name would be) for Mother's Day and got to spend time with both sets of parents/grandparents on Father's Day. It was kind of hard to remember that those days actually include us now!
Fenn has FOUR teeth. The bottom two are getting close to all the way in. The top two are both coming in - but haven't made it that far yet. This is good and bad. It's good because it means he's developing just like he should. It's bad because it's starting to make him look like a little boy instead of a baby. It's also bad because now he bites!
Fenn took his first long car ride when we all went to Tulsa with our good friends Travis and Amy to visit Travis' family. 4 hours both ways - and he did really well. He also go to go swimming for the first time on this trip. He seemed to really enjoy the pool, so we bought him his first little pool when we got back. We also stopped in thru Joplin to look at the tornado damage on the way to Tulsa. It was terrible. Impossible to describe.
Fenn also got to take his first weekend trip by himself to Clinton to stay with Grandma and Papa. We were both in Amy and Travis' wedding, so we dropped him off down there for two nights! It was the first time we'd both been away from him on the same night - and only the 2nd and 3rd nights that Anne has been away from him. From what we hear, he was very well behaved and Grandma and Papa didn't miss out on too much sleep. His top two teeth really popped thru down there though, so Grandma got to change lots of Teething diapers! Fenn got to spend some time with Uncle Tim, Aunt Liane and all his little girl cousins too.
He came back knowing how to set up on his own much better and had only gained a couple of pounds from chocolate chip cookies.....so it looks like they've earned another shot at full weekend babysitting! Which is good.....because Daddy needs a vacation.....
They also sent him home with a new toy that he just loves. It's a Bob the Builder tool box. You hit a button and it has a song plus several different sayings. Fenn LOVES the song. He'll use his little index finger to push the button until he gets to that song....then he'll put his arms in the air and dance around! He's already a better dancer than his daddy. It also has several tools with it....Fenn doesn't like to get too far away from his little hammer!
I'm pretty sure his first word was Kitty. At least I think he TRIES to say Kitty. I think he tries to say Daddy too.....but Mommy's not buying it. Kitty (aka Hula Hoop) seems to like Fenn, despite the many handfulls of hair he's borrowed from her.
Fenn just turned 8 months a couple of days ago. Still another few weeks before we go back to the Dr, so we're not sure how big he is. A neighbor told me yesterday that you are supposed to be able to see how tall kids will be as adults when the are 2 and a half for boys and 3 for girls. It's apparently pretty accurate. So, we have a little less than two years before we know how tall Fenn will be when he's 20.
He's eating lots of cereal and baby food now. Like all babies, he loves the fruit. His Mommy is determined to make as much food as she can for him. She's tried sweet potatoes, carrots, green beens, garbanzo beans, chicken, spinach.....so far he's liked the sweet potatoes and the spinach (well, the spinach was just this morning and Anne tells me he liked it as I typed this.....but I didn't get to see his face while he was eating it). The rest of it....well....let's just say it takes some getting used to.
Fenn's first 4th of July is just a week away.
And Christmas is 6 months from today! Better start shopping. Little Fenn is going to love opening Christmas presents this year!
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Yum, Yum
Well, everybody, I'm up to 18 lbs! Well, at least I think I am....at my 6 month appt a week and a half ago I was 17 lbs, 15 oz, and 27 inches long. I'm in the 75th percentile.....but I'm not sure what that means....it's just what Mommy and Daddy tell me.
I got to start eating Rice Cereal last week. I'm not sure I really love the taste, but it's fun to play with. And the spoon is really cool.
I also starting having some formula a few days ago. I'm not really a big fan of it. It's kind of stinky. But I'm getting used to it. Mommy and Daddy really pressed their luck once and tried to make my cereal using formula. I gagged....several times.
Oh....I forgot to tell you. Mommy and Daddy gave me a sippy cup! It's kind of like a bottle....but it has boring tasting stuff in it. I normally just like to beat it on things and throw it around. But it's a nice accessory....makes me look like a big boy.
I got some cool new stuff for my first Easter. And I got to go to church with Grandma and PaPa Hager, and Uncle Time, Aunt Liane, and my cousins. They passed me around a lot during church so I didn't get too bored. I kept throwing my toys on the ground and making my cousins pick them up. It was funny. People pretty much do what I say.
Well, that's about all the news I can think of right now. I have to go - my kitty wants to play with me.
Love,
Fenn
I got to start eating Rice Cereal last week. I'm not sure I really love the taste, but it's fun to play with. And the spoon is really cool.
I also starting having some formula a few days ago. I'm not really a big fan of it. It's kind of stinky. But I'm getting used to it. Mommy and Daddy really pressed their luck once and tried to make my cereal using formula. I gagged....several times.
Oh....I forgot to tell you. Mommy and Daddy gave me a sippy cup! It's kind of like a bottle....but it has boring tasting stuff in it. I normally just like to beat it on things and throw it around. But it's a nice accessory....makes me look like a big boy.
I got some cool new stuff for my first Easter. And I got to go to church with Grandma and PaPa Hager, and Uncle Time, Aunt Liane, and my cousins. They passed me around a lot during church so I didn't get too bored. I kept throwing my toys on the ground and making my cousins pick them up. It was funny. People pretty much do what I say.
Well, that's about all the news I can think of right now. I have to go - my kitty wants to play with me.
Love,
Fenn
Monday, April 4, 2011
My First Vacation
Anne and I have always been a little big 'fly by the seat of our pants'. Little vacations, spending the night here and there. We finally decided to break Fenn in this weekend took our first family vacation. Ok, so we were only gone 20 hours.....and it was to Topeka....but we didn't want to press our luck.
We went to the Topeka Zoo. It's a small zoo, but was just about right. I'm sure he didn't get a lot out of it, but he did watch some of the animals, and it was fun to have him out and it was a very nice day.
Then we went to dinner and back to the hotel. Fenn slept very well in his pack n play - sleeping all the way thru the night while Mommy and Daddy quietly played cards and listened to the Royals game on the radio.
We got up Saturday morning and just decided to head home. We drove thru downtown Topeka on the way to the highway. As we drove by the Capitol building.....we heard a low rumble coming from the back seat. We both just looked at each other....with our eyes saying "Oh No!". We knew it was coming sometime. Fenn hadn't stinkied in about 4 days. That time was now. I quickly turned on a side street and headed for a McDonald's parking lot. When he waits several days.....and then has a blow out....you have less than a minute to get is clothes off or you're going to have a mess.
We made it into the parking lot.....Anne jumped out, took him out of his seat, and starting changing him.
10 years from now....I imagine that will be what we remember the most about our first family vacation. Changing Fenn in the back seat of the car in the McDonalds parking lot in downtown Topeka!
Here's a shot of Fenn and Mommy enjoying the zoo (I also have a shot of the McDonald's parking lot incident....but I think this one is more suitable for the public):
We went to the Topeka Zoo. It's a small zoo, but was just about right. I'm sure he didn't get a lot out of it, but he did watch some of the animals, and it was fun to have him out and it was a very nice day.
Then we went to dinner and back to the hotel. Fenn slept very well in his pack n play - sleeping all the way thru the night while Mommy and Daddy quietly played cards and listened to the Royals game on the radio.
We got up Saturday morning and just decided to head home. We drove thru downtown Topeka on the way to the highway. As we drove by the Capitol building.....we heard a low rumble coming from the back seat. We both just looked at each other....with our eyes saying "Oh No!". We knew it was coming sometime. Fenn hadn't stinkied in about 4 days. That time was now. I quickly turned on a side street and headed for a McDonald's parking lot. When he waits several days.....and then has a blow out....you have less than a minute to get is clothes off or you're going to have a mess.
We made it into the parking lot.....Anne jumped out, took him out of his seat, and starting changing him.
10 years from now....I imagine that will be what we remember the most about our first family vacation. Changing Fenn in the back seat of the car in the McDonalds parking lot in downtown Topeka!
Here's a shot of Fenn and Mommy enjoying the zoo (I also have a shot of the McDonald's parking lot incident....but I think this one is more suitable for the public):
Ok, Now He's Done It
Fenn rolled over for me last week....and he's done it several times now. So, I guess I'll believe that he did it for Mommy a week or two earlier.
He's been a very good baby recently. Pretty easy to get along with and sleeps pretty well. We don't see any proof of teeth yet - although to slobbers all the time and chews on his hands all day.
Everywhere we go - people ask how old he is. When we say "5 months"....almost every time they respond "Oh, He's Big!".
He's been to church twice now - once with Grandma and Grandpa Hager (and Uncle Tim, Aunt Liane and cousins Sidney, Tori, Maddie and Kinzlie). He even got to go to pizza hut after church!
And we took him for the first time yesterday here in KC. He just about made it thru the sermon - but we went at naptime - so we were kind of expecting he'd have a short fuse.
Grandma and Grandma Donner watched him so that Mommy and Daddy could go to opening day. We were gone about 7 hours - and he did great (either that or Grandma Donner is just being nice)!
Spring is here - and Fenn is excited about spending more time outside. He's got his sunglasses and hat and he's ready to go!
He's been a very good baby recently. Pretty easy to get along with and sleeps pretty well. We don't see any proof of teeth yet - although to slobbers all the time and chews on his hands all day.
Everywhere we go - people ask how old he is. When we say "5 months"....almost every time they respond "Oh, He's Big!".
He's been to church twice now - once with Grandma and Grandpa Hager (and Uncle Tim, Aunt Liane and cousins Sidney, Tori, Maddie and Kinzlie). He even got to go to pizza hut after church!
And we took him for the first time yesterday here in KC. He just about made it thru the sermon - but we went at naptime - so we were kind of expecting he'd have a short fuse.
Grandma and Grandma Donner watched him so that Mommy and Daddy could go to opening day. We were gone about 7 hours - and he did great (either that or Grandma Donner is just being nice)!
Spring is here - and Fenn is excited about spending more time outside. He's got his sunglasses and hat and he's ready to go!
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Crib Notes
Well, Fenn has been sleeping in his crib, in his own room for a little over a week now. We were pretty nervous about it - because he's never liked being in his crib for more than about 5 minutes at a time. It's gone very smoothly though - he's done just as well there as he had before. Of course, we have the video monitor going in our room, so it's FennTv all night long.
Anne claims he rolled over once the other day. But I was out of the room, and he hasn't done it again. So I'm not sure if he really did or not.
He continues to grow into a big boy. We were at dinner the other night and a couple at the table beside us had a baby boy as well. He looked to be about a half of a Fenn. Turns out he is 9 days older.
His eyes continue to play tricks.....blue one day, brown the next, greenish another. And his hair has really started coming in. Still a bit of a comb-over, but it's much thicker than before.....and it's pretty cute.
I taught him a new trick the other day - he likes to watch TV with his hands in his pants like most men do. See!
Anne claims he rolled over once the other day. But I was out of the room, and he hasn't done it again. So I'm not sure if he really did or not.
He continues to grow into a big boy. We were at dinner the other night and a couple at the table beside us had a baby boy as well. He looked to be about a half of a Fenn. Turns out he is 9 days older.
His eyes continue to play tricks.....blue one day, brown the next, greenish another. And his hair has really started coming in. Still a bit of a comb-over, but it's much thicker than before.....and it's pretty cute.
I taught him a new trick the other day - he likes to watch TV with his hands in his pants like most men do. See!
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