dear poppy-poppy

Aidan recently started calling Michael 'Poppy-Poppy'. As in "Oh my Poppy-Poppy! I LOVE him!" "You want it Poppy-Poppy?" "I do it too, Poppy-Poppy!" It's very cute. Henry sometimes follows suit- but may be more inclined to stick with Pappa. Michael is our touchpoint- a working guy that brings home the bacon and the smiles and love. He's the guy we turn to to change diapers and fix Sunday breakfast. He shows how to use a hammer and reads Henry's Thomas book- EVERY time it comes into play. (Seriously, this could be 100 times a day!) He's an invaluable person to our little pod.
There are a few other fathers we celebrate today... Daniel is Aidan's first father. He was a little hard to get to know when we were initially introduced to Aidan's first family. He was young-in outlook. He was transparent and possibly naive- if that's right? Well, surely he was energetic and so into his kids. He had lots of dreams and it was hard to see so many of those dreams remaining dreams for him. When we had a family visit last summer, he was exceptionally kind to Aidan and Henry too. Kind with his wife and kids and us. Real. Open. Here is a man that gave up his right to parent this boy of 'ours'. He chose us to parent his child. Sometimes thinking about what played out nearly three years ago- just leaves me completely flummoxed.
David is Henry's first father. We don't know him- except through what Carissa shares with us. She sees David's expressions in Henry's face -but prefers to see herself I think:) - which isn't hard! He looks just like Carissa. Its hard to know what David thinks of being a father to our sweet Hen. Hopefully we will know him someday and he too will see himself in this little mirror- and he will share with us all who he is. I found some photos of him online- from when he was 16. Tall and skinny, shooting hoops with a friend or foster brother? Few words. We heard last Christmas that he might be interested in seeing Henry and hope it happens.
My Pops. A funny rock. Slippery and sharp and soft. He loves our boys and us and supports everyone. He is happily ensconced in music after years of teaching other's kids. He is our grandpa, our pop- our Thursday morning recycling celebrator-the guy with the magic in his shirt pocket-and we love him!
Happy Father's Day to you all!
Robert, Jay Jay, Ken, Matthew, Oty, Jerry, Ralph, Tory the illustrious fathers to those in our circle- we salute you!
Michael reading with Aidan and his baby. Aidan is telling the story of the puppies and is saying, "Listen baby!" Michael is helping out by holding baby at attention. Here is Mr Ballionne getting the boys to smile BIG on our recent vacation! He's always good at encouraging the 'crazies' to come out at picture time- especially at roadside attractions! Why he's having them all hold the barbed wire- I just won't ask. No pain no gain, I guess :)

a week of winter

What the heck! This is June. Middle June. RAIN. That's what we're talking about here. Even when it's not raining it's cloudy or generally, not bright. Now, we're in Oregon. A nice place for rain. But seriously, enough is enough.
We've taken to the streets- on bikes and in bike trailers. Off to the park? You bet. Amusement rides? That too! A boat ride on the river? Out to dinner? BubbleFest 2009? The zoo? Yes, yes, yes. YES. Still, it would be nice to have some rays. Not for our skin- but for the vitamin D or light therapy. All it makes me want to consider is adding another baby to our family. What? Well, the subject has been broached a few times. And now well, things look one way- and then the other. I'd love it. Maybe if the sun comes out, the boys won't want to cuddle so much- want to run and play and take up sports and run through the neighborhood naked or something- to distract me. We'll see. Tick Tock. (Obviously- by tick-tock, I am not referring to my own personal ovum- but the idea of starting diapers again from scratch, say- next Tuesday) I must be feeling smug- or missing my babies being actual babies. Gad. Well, there are surely things to consider- but the idea of being needed by another little one- who needs a mom and dad- some big brothers- plus all the love in the world- well, lets just say, we're not closing ourselves off to the idea. Last week, Aidan was telling me how he wanted a baby. His baby would be called baby Biolet- he reminded me. Well, I asked him yesterday if he wanted a baby for our family and he replied- in your tummy? I said no- he said- baby Biolet? I said no- she'd be staying with Auntie Lib and Uncle Ken. He said- No. Later he told me he was a "tiny baby"- our fun game where he gets carried around like a tiny baby and rocked and coo'd at, etc. He said he wanted to be in my tummy. I told him I'd eat him up- but he reminded me- no biting! (shaking his finger) so we were at a standstill. I couldn't get him in and I couldn't provide him baby Biolet- so I guess he's voting no for now.

oh, dammit

I always thought I was a shi%* person. Even worse, (before the boys) I'd drop the f-bomb like a pirate with a sore tooth. But I know now, as I watch Aidan build his 'tower' that I am- in fact- an, "Oh, dammit" person. Bad mommy.

adventure day

Today started with making custard with papa and then off we rode on our bikes to the farmer's market for a little adventure. The boys got balloon animals (yeah- they lasted about three minutes- so we won't be standing in line for those again!), tasted fresh organic salt free butter, strawberries, ate a peanut butter cookie, petted carrots- lets see- anything else? Oh, great marimba music from White Rhino (that hit the spot!) and dancing, crepes and sausages, the boys 'fished' in a teeny-tiny rain puddle with pine needles- then back in the bike trailer and home just in time for naps and papa is off to golf with uncle JJ. I heard a rumor we might see uncle Scott this afternoon- so the adventure continues! OK- close your eyes and listen- at least till I can get this thing figured out!

big bands and queen kisses

Friday night the boys and I had a date with uncles Arthur and William! We had a fun night cavorting under the clouds at BandFest 2009. Both boys received "Princess Power" buttons from Reigning (2008) Rose Festival Queen Marshawna- and kisses and offers of baby sitting! We had a pretzel and some fruit snacks and pink lemoname and we pissed off the people in front of us with cheers of "Great job guys!" and "Good drumming!!" oh and Henry kicked the ladies chair in front of us which caused the uproar to begin. Ah well. Aidan swung his arms with the flag girls and Henry sat patiently- leaning on either William or me and finally pooped out just as the One More Time Around Marching Band started up with Louie Louie. We had a great time! Though- I think we all wished the 'Mummers' were a little more mum. Still- the rain stayed away and we snuggled in our blankets and clapped hard for everyone!

eiy yie yie yie