Lovely moment tonight. After I put a fresh diaper on a seriously cranky child, I stood him up on the bed, just to soothe him. My usual tricks, including goofy faces and silly noises, had no effect. I went with the song route, and for no reason at all out came The Righteous Brothers. I made it to "you never close your eyes" when Charlie ran into my stomach, embraced me, and started swaying--really swaying. I kept singing and hugged him back, the joy from which I am still feeling.
So much to get out of this. Mostly, how essential music is, how communicative it is to our wiring, how perfect it is among imperfect, that is all, lives.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Mad Man
Charlie is becoming a legitimate madman. He bursts out into loud calls of the wild at any given time. He gestures with his hand while he talks like he's playing bocce at that Saugus ITAM. For reasons unseen by me he will make a break for it to the other side of the living room, panting in desperation to escape something.
I am loving every minute of his exploration into these new facets of himself: voice, expression, doing something because he can.
I am loving every minute of his exploration into these new facets of himself: voice, expression, doing something because he can.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
New England Weekend
One of the joys of living in New England is that there are so many different experiences within range of a daytrip. Depending on the direction you drive, you can within an hour be in mountains, along the ocean, in farm country, in the city, within history, or next to quiet nothingness.
We did a little bit of everything this weekend. Friday night found us at Castle Island, right in South Boston. For readers outside of this area, Castle Island is a little spot of land that juts off the Southie beach. It holds Fort Independence, a pre-Revolutionary War military fort. For more modern tastes, it also holds Sullivan's, a burger-and-seafood joint whose prices are miraculously stuck in pre-Revolutionary War times. A burger for $1.80, seriously? Basically, Castle Island is a great place to hang out with your family. Charlie seemed to enjoy the walk by the water, the swinging on the playground, and the aircraft blasting past us as they took off from the nearby airport. Great start to the weekend.
Saturday was closer to home. We attended our friends' baby's birthday party in Chelsea. There's such satisfaction in walking through a party with a baby who is showered with positive comments and attention. Charlie forever draws immense praise, and whether it's truthful or not, it feels great to hear.
Sunday we took a roadtrip to Newport, Rhode Island. I like to think that it's important for Charlie to see as many places and take in as many things as the world offers even now. It's not for him to remember, obviously, but I believe that the more he is exposed to, the more agreeable he will be later to new experiences, the more he will crave what he doesn't know because there is something within him, planted at this tender age, that makes him seek out places familiar and wonderful. We'll find out as we watch the story of Charlie unfold.
We did a little bit of everything this weekend. Friday night found us at Castle Island, right in South Boston. For readers outside of this area, Castle Island is a little spot of land that juts off the Southie beach. It holds Fort Independence, a pre-Revolutionary War military fort. For more modern tastes, it also holds Sullivan's, a burger-and-seafood joint whose prices are miraculously stuck in pre-Revolutionary War times. A burger for $1.80, seriously? Basically, Castle Island is a great place to hang out with your family. Charlie seemed to enjoy the walk by the water, the swinging on the playground, and the aircraft blasting past us as they took off from the nearby airport. Great start to the weekend.
Saturday was closer to home. We attended our friends' baby's birthday party in Chelsea. There's such satisfaction in walking through a party with a baby who is showered with positive comments and attention. Charlie forever draws immense praise, and whether it's truthful or not, it feels great to hear.
Sunday we took a roadtrip to Newport, Rhode Island. I like to think that it's important for Charlie to see as many places and take in as many things as the world offers even now. It's not for him to remember, obviously, but I believe that the more he is exposed to, the more agreeable he will be later to new experiences, the more he will crave what he doesn't know because there is something within him, planted at this tender age, that makes him seek out places familiar and wonderful. We'll find out as we watch the story of Charlie unfold.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Happy birthday, kid
Dear Charlie,
Hi kiddo, it's Dad. One year ago today, around 10:45 a.m., you made your grand appearance into the world. Despite coming three weeks early and giving Mom quite a few health challenges, you emerged healthy as can be. I remember those first moments in the delivery room so well. Once we got back to the room, I remember everyone taking turns holding your tiny body, and feeling something completely new within me. A couple of days later we headed home, and I tell you, the following 363 days have gone by intensely fast. I'd like to think I remember everything, but watching an infant become a toddler, especially one as active and gregorious as you, makes time go into hyperspeed.
So here we are, with one year of experiences and stories under our belt. I look at you now, such a happy child, full of mischief and playfulness and a joy in being with other people, and I find myself so pleased to be a part of this. I'm sure your Mom, siblings, grandparents, uncles and aunts, and everyone else that makes up our big family shares this.
As we enter your second year of living, I hope to write much more in these pages, to document not necessarily the big events that all children go through, but the small things that make you who you are.
I love you, Charlie,
Dad
Hi kiddo, it's Dad. One year ago today, around 10:45 a.m., you made your grand appearance into the world. Despite coming three weeks early and giving Mom quite a few health challenges, you emerged healthy as can be. I remember those first moments in the delivery room so well. Once we got back to the room, I remember everyone taking turns holding your tiny body, and feeling something completely new within me. A couple of days later we headed home, and I tell you, the following 363 days have gone by intensely fast. I'd like to think I remember everything, but watching an infant become a toddler, especially one as active and gregorious as you, makes time go into hyperspeed.
So here we are, with one year of experiences and stories under our belt. I look at you now, such a happy child, full of mischief and playfulness and a joy in being with other people, and I find myself so pleased to be a part of this. I'm sure your Mom, siblings, grandparents, uncles and aunts, and everyone else that makes up our big family shares this.As we enter your second year of living, I hope to write much more in these pages, to document not necessarily the big events that all children go through, but the small things that make you who you are.
I love you, Charlie,
Dad
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Charliepics: First Birthday Party
We held Charlie's first birthday party the weekend before the actual day. 85 well wishers joined the fun. Some evidence is here:
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