In keeping with my life's apparent theme: Never A Dull Moment, I have spent the past few days dealing with an interesting type of crisis. I don't want to add to the Google index on the topic (nor do I need any extra spam brought on by the inclusion of certain key phrases), so I'll explain without using the actual words. Anyone who works with me will easily be able to recognize the issue.
A group of people at a clothing-optional vacation destination have joined our cause. Seeing as it's our goal to eliminate the nasty disease we fight every day, we welcome their support. It seems, ahem, as though some others see their efforts on our behalf as misguided and perhaps damaging to our reputation.
The crisis? In my world, that means helping people answer the phone calls and emails that usually go something like this: "Have you heard about this?" "Thought you'd want to know about this" and "What do I say about this?"
First, yes, I have heard. At this point, I've heard a NUMBER of times. So many, in fact, that I've had plenty of opportunity to think about how I feel about it as an individual. I agree with my organization. This is not about our personal values. While I wouldn't choose to sign up for that team, I am grateful that people from all walks of life give of their time and energy to make sure other families don't suffer.
Ours did. We were truly lucky in the outcome (and, arguably, even in the course of treatment) but it was not something anyone in their right mind would choose to face.
I've spent the last week or so helping to proof dozens of stories that will make up a monument to those who have fought the same fight. Too many of them didn't make it. For that reason alone, I say more power to anyone who is trying to do their part to end this disease.
Oh, and if the issue itself weren't keeping me busy enough, I also have just 19 days, 0 hours, 14 minutes, and 47 seconds to prepare for another rather large event that I've been working on for over a year now.
But who's counting?
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Saturday, August 26, 2006
You get good material on the road...
Of the past 28 hours, I spent 4 of them waiting in airports to board planes, about 2.5 of them actually flying, another hour waiting for my half empty suitcase (containing the requisite toothpaste and hair gel), and about 8 hours in a car with my coworker and blogging buddy Leslie. All of this to visit a Relay at the very tippity-top of a mountain, accessed only by a road that is curvy enough to film BMW commericals on. More on that later...
First, I have to note that you know you've officially become a blogger when something strange happens and the conversation is not about how weird the event was, but what good fodder it will make for your blog.
I never figured Leslie and I would be at a loss for words while traveling together, but just in case the tourism board of the great state of North Carolina was concerned, they peppered the landscape with all kinds of sights that left me repeating, "Well, there's something you'd never see in New Jersey." Most notable were probably the huge water tower supposedly shaped like a peach that looked more like a sunburned rear end to me and some restaurant that had a 10-foot tall set of wooden flatware marking the entrance. My guess is they want to be prepared in case The Abominable Snowman ever makes his way down the mountain for a tasty meal. A not-very-distant third was a "dairy bar" festooned with ice cream cone-shaped lights clearly not intended for outdoor use, yet precariously dangling from the makeshift roof of said dairy bar. I shudder to think of the sparks that probably fly if it rains.
Our destination, the Mountaintop Relay For Life, was worth the crazy ride... Let's just say that the road up the mountain was curvy enough that we were asked in advance if we ever get carsick... and that maybe we should pick up some ginger Altoids just in case. Turns out it wasn't a bad suggestion. We braved the road with nothing more than Diet Pepsi and wound up losing our appetites for the rest of the evening.
I came down to North Carolina to see a Relay that earns top per capita honors in its population bucket every year. Now, coming from a sort of middle-of-the-road Relay area, when I heard this Relay in this little town raises over $200,000 each year, I was expecting a HUGE event. I wasn't surprised to see traffic at the one light in town as we approached the site. Turns out that traffic was because of construction. It also turns out that we sat in it while waiting to go down the wrong road. Apparently pink flamingoes aren't the beacons the event organizers had hoped they'd be.
I digress.
We turned into the event parking lot to find an event that would probably fit into the little park in my neighborhood. In other words, not very big. However, I quickly learned that this "quietly wealthy" (as I was told)community had raised $221,00 already, and Opening Ceremonies hadn't even begun. Only $58,000 was from corporate sponsors. While that's impressive, it was more impressive to me that the funds raised were coming from things like an auction in which a coconut cream pie fetched $250 and a mountain music festival that raised $17,000+. It's stories such as those that make me remember why I fell in love with Relay to begin with. I am also reminded that I have a very cool job!
As much fun as my whirlwind tour of North Carolina was, my favorite sight was still coming home to see Sam and Rob right past Security at the airport. Sam screamed and started bouncing up and down in his stroller. I hope someday he knows how much those little squeals mean to me.
First, I have to note that you know you've officially become a blogger when something strange happens and the conversation is not about how weird the event was, but what good fodder it will make for your blog.
I never figured Leslie and I would be at a loss for words while traveling together, but just in case the tourism board of the great state of North Carolina was concerned, they peppered the landscape with all kinds of sights that left me repeating, "Well, there's something you'd never see in New Jersey." Most notable were probably the huge water tower supposedly shaped like a peach that looked more like a sunburned rear end to me and some restaurant that had a 10-foot tall set of wooden flatware marking the entrance. My guess is they want to be prepared in case The Abominable Snowman ever makes his way down the mountain for a tasty meal. A not-very-distant third was a "dairy bar" festooned with ice cream cone-shaped lights clearly not intended for outdoor use, yet precariously dangling from the makeshift roof of said dairy bar. I shudder to think of the sparks that probably fly if it rains.
Our destination, the Mountaintop Relay For Life, was worth the crazy ride... Let's just say that the road up the mountain was curvy enough that we were asked in advance if we ever get carsick... and that maybe we should pick up some ginger Altoids just in case. Turns out it wasn't a bad suggestion. We braved the road with nothing more than Diet Pepsi and wound up losing our appetites for the rest of the evening.
I came down to North Carolina to see a Relay that earns top per capita honors in its population bucket every year. Now, coming from a sort of middle-of-the-road Relay area, when I heard this Relay in this little town raises over $200,000 each year, I was expecting a HUGE event. I wasn't surprised to see traffic at the one light in town as we approached the site. Turns out that traffic was because of construction. It also turns out that we sat in it while waiting to go down the wrong road. Apparently pink flamingoes aren't the beacons the event organizers had hoped they'd be.
I digress.
We turned into the event parking lot to find an event that would probably fit into the little park in my neighborhood. In other words, not very big. However, I quickly learned that this "quietly wealthy" (as I was told)community had raised $221,00 already, and Opening Ceremonies hadn't even begun. Only $58,000 was from corporate sponsors. While that's impressive, it was more impressive to me that the funds raised were coming from things like an auction in which a coconut cream pie fetched $250 and a mountain music festival that raised $17,000+. It's stories such as those that make me remember why I fell in love with Relay to begin with. I am also reminded that I have a very cool job!
As much fun as my whirlwind tour of North Carolina was, my favorite sight was still coming home to see Sam and Rob right past Security at the airport. Sam screamed and started bouncing up and down in his stroller. I hope someday he knows how much those little squeals mean to me.
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
The Terrible Twos...
...are a very real thing!
Not to be naive and think that *my* kid would never act that way, but Sam's such a sweetheart most of the time that I was mildly hopeful that he wouldn't hit that terribly defiant and sometimes obnoxious phase in earnest.
He has.
Case in point: after a nice little snuggle session early this morning, Sam proceeded to very deliberately hit both Rob and I before we could wrestle him into a timeout. We literally had to stand with our backs to him, arms locked, to keep him in place. The good news is that rather than giggle the whole time -- which is typical -- he screamed like he was actually being punished. Imagine that.
I am trying to take solace in the fact that more experienced moms tell me that it's etiher age 2 or 3 that is bad. Maybe he'll be more consistently charming next year?
Not to be naive and think that *my* kid would never act that way, but Sam's such a sweetheart most of the time that I was mildly hopeful that he wouldn't hit that terribly defiant and sometimes obnoxious phase in earnest.
He has.
Case in point: after a nice little snuggle session early this morning, Sam proceeded to very deliberately hit both Rob and I before we could wrestle him into a timeout. We literally had to stand with our backs to him, arms locked, to keep him in place. The good news is that rather than giggle the whole time -- which is typical -- he screamed like he was actually being punished. Imagine that.
I am trying to take solace in the fact that more experienced moms tell me that it's etiher age 2 or 3 that is bad. Maybe he'll be more consistently charming next year?
Saturday, August 12, 2006
Fate at the Farmer's Market
Well, if I ever doubted that some things are just meant to be, I think I finally decided this morning to put the notion to rest.
I've actually experienced quite a few things in my life that were simply not accidents: I know that's how I met Andrew. I know that's how Sam came to be our son. I know I was laid off from a yucky job just as the American Cancer Society needed someone in my area (which was also a time when Rob didn't want to acknowledge his cancer experience, but I was feeling a need to find a tangible way to show my gratitiude, but I digress...)
This morning, we ran into Jodi and Eric at the Collingswood Farmer's Market. We don't go there frequently, but had only been there about 5 minutes before we ran right into them. Jodi and Eric are the parents of the adorable Cesi, their sweet daughter born in China.
We first met them when we went to Music Together class last summer. We hadn't had Sam long, but wanted to foster his immediately obvious love of music. As soon as we sat down in class, there they were, and we just clicked right away. They'd been home from China only a couple of months when we met.
Well, we didn't see them again for a while, but asked the teacher (who goes to our church) if she'd seen them, only hear they'd asked about us, too. When you think about all of the people you meet, just the fact that we remembered and asked about each other was interesting enough.
About six weeks ago, we walked into the Moorestown Mall -- where we NEVER go -- and said to each other that we should really look them up. Several minutes later, just chatting over salads, they walked up to us. They were out on a "date," yet hadn't been in that mall for five years. We exchanged numbers and decided to get together soon. Rob and I went on vacation soon after and kicked ourselves for not having called them first.
Today, we made plans while we were together just so we wouldn't let the time pass before we actually met up again. Eric joked that waiting to meet at the mall, while a strange coincidence, is sure not to happen again within the next five years.
The moral of my story is that I just know we were meant to know these people. It's also yet another example of how the miracle of adoption really does bring people together. Our now-very-good-friends, a.k.a. Ethan's parents, were just here the other day, and we met them online of all places.
Hmmm. I just had a thought. Maybe it's Sam and Cesi who were meant to be together?! I'll have to remember that thought when they're out of college...
I've actually experienced quite a few things in my life that were simply not accidents: I know that's how I met Andrew. I know that's how Sam came to be our son. I know I was laid off from a yucky job just as the American Cancer Society needed someone in my area (which was also a time when Rob didn't want to acknowledge his cancer experience, but I was feeling a need to find a tangible way to show my gratitiude, but I digress...)
This morning, we ran into Jodi and Eric at the Collingswood Farmer's Market. We don't go there frequently, but had only been there about 5 minutes before we ran right into them. Jodi and Eric are the parents of the adorable Cesi, their sweet daughter born in China.
We first met them when we went to Music Together class last summer. We hadn't had Sam long, but wanted to foster his immediately obvious love of music. As soon as we sat down in class, there they were, and we just clicked right away. They'd been home from China only a couple of months when we met.
Well, we didn't see them again for a while, but asked the teacher (who goes to our church) if she'd seen them, only hear they'd asked about us, too. When you think about all of the people you meet, just the fact that we remembered and asked about each other was interesting enough.
About six weeks ago, we walked into the Moorestown Mall -- where we NEVER go -- and said to each other that we should really look them up. Several minutes later, just chatting over salads, they walked up to us. They were out on a "date," yet hadn't been in that mall for five years. We exchanged numbers and decided to get together soon. Rob and I went on vacation soon after and kicked ourselves for not having called them first.
Today, we made plans while we were together just so we wouldn't let the time pass before we actually met up again. Eric joked that waiting to meet at the mall, while a strange coincidence, is sure not to happen again within the next five years.
The moral of my story is that I just know we were meant to know these people. It's also yet another example of how the miracle of adoption really does bring people together. Our now-very-good-friends, a.k.a. Ethan's parents, were just here the other day, and we met them online of all places.
Hmmm. I just had a thought. Maybe it's Sam and Cesi who were meant to be together?! I'll have to remember that thought when they're out of college...
Thursday, August 10, 2006
My life as affected by the news
It just dawned on me how very much my life has changed in the past just-over-a-year. First, I'm working while my husband and son at are Gymboree. I wasn't quite sure what Gymboree even was at this time last year.
More significantly, though, is the fact that the latest news of a terrorism plot has real ramifications in my very own life. I'm sitting here stunned by the fact that I can no longer carry my bags onto the MANY planes that I travel on each month. I can't check bags, because checking bags would mean no hair product. No hair product means a slightly deranged look. Slighty deranged and serious business meetings aren't typically a good combination.
Now... of course I understand that the state of my "do" is unbelievably insignificant in the grand scheme of things. After all, very disturbed people are spending their free time plotting to blow up aircraft, thereby killing large numbers of people at once. Thank heavens for the people who devote their lives to making sure this kind of thing is prevented.
It's just so strange to sit here and think how much terrorism has affected my daily life. In some ways, they really are getting what they want: we're all terrified and affected in various ways.
I vow not to get annoyed at long security lines (which is a big commitment) since I know that they'll mean I get back safely to my family. That is worth the wait.
More significantly, though, is the fact that the latest news of a terrorism plot has real ramifications in my very own life. I'm sitting here stunned by the fact that I can no longer carry my bags onto the MANY planes that I travel on each month. I can't check bags, because checking bags would mean no hair product. No hair product means a slightly deranged look. Slighty deranged and serious business meetings aren't typically a good combination.
Now... of course I understand that the state of my "do" is unbelievably insignificant in the grand scheme of things. After all, very disturbed people are spending their free time plotting to blow up aircraft, thereby killing large numbers of people at once. Thank heavens for the people who devote their lives to making sure this kind of thing is prevented.
It's just so strange to sit here and think how much terrorism has affected my daily life. In some ways, they really are getting what they want: we're all terrified and affected in various ways.
I vow not to get annoyed at long security lines (which is a big commitment) since I know that they'll mean I get back safely to my family. That is worth the wait.
Monday, August 07, 2006
I was tagged...
I have been tagged by Leslie, so here are my answers...
5 things in my freezer: Waffles, Ice Packs, more ice cream than I should admit, peas, coffee we brought back from our vacation
5 things in my closet: lots of Relay Gear, several sizes of clothing, a bridesmaid dress, Rob's ties, the shoes I wore for my wedding
5 things in my car: transponder for my iPod, several Thomas trains, a car seat, my cell phone charger and an EZPass
5 things in my purse: my iPod, wallet, inhalers, business cards I've collected and a Weight Watchers Point slider
5 things in my wallet: license, US Airways Dividend Miles card, Marriott Rewards card, business cards to give away, Canadian coins
People I tag to do this list:
I'm supposed to tag someone with a blog, but Leslie is my only blogging friend and she tagged me.... Uh oh! I'm breaking the chain.
5 things in my freezer: Waffles, Ice Packs, more ice cream than I should admit, peas, coffee we brought back from our vacation
5 things in my closet: lots of Relay Gear, several sizes of clothing, a bridesmaid dress, Rob's ties, the shoes I wore for my wedding
5 things in my car: transponder for my iPod, several Thomas trains, a car seat, my cell phone charger and an EZPass
5 things in my purse: my iPod, wallet, inhalers, business cards I've collected and a Weight Watchers Point slider
5 things in my wallet: license, US Airways Dividend Miles card, Marriott Rewards card, business cards to give away, Canadian coins
People I tag to do this list:
I'm supposed to tag someone with a blog, but Leslie is my only blogging friend and she tagged me.... Uh oh! I'm breaking the chain.
It's so good to be home
I spent about five days in Los Angeles last week for the Relay Strategic Conference. It was a great meeting, I accomplished a lot, met some fabulous volunteers, yet of course, I just wanted to see Sam and Rob. Goes with the territory of being a traveling mommy, I suppose. The trips that are longer than a few days are harder than the quick ones...(duh, mommy!)
It didn't help that Rob told me he was "fighting" with Sam several of the days. Uh. Ok. Fighting with a toddler. I know it was just his stress talking. Sam was teething and being a grouch, which translates to not one, but two, short fuses.
Anyway, I arrived back home yesterday (via my very first first class updgrade I might add... very nice way to travel!) to a little boy that was just thrilled to see me. It was sooooo nice. The best 30 min. I've had in a while were during the ride home from the airport when Sam did nothing but hug and kiss my arm and "sniff" me, which is a big bonding thing for him. We giggled the whole time and he's been a lap baby ever since. I love that.
Today is our eighth anniversary, too. I told Rob that all I want to do is celebrate somehow as a family. We had tears in our eyes this morning when after a quick good-morning-happy-anniversary hug and kiss, Sam whined that it was "My turn! Hug me!" That's what it's all about. We never would have guessed eight years ago what a normal day like today would look like, but we couldn't have asked for me. God is so good to us!
It didn't help that Rob told me he was "fighting" with Sam several of the days. Uh. Ok. Fighting with a toddler. I know it was just his stress talking. Sam was teething and being a grouch, which translates to not one, but two, short fuses.
Anyway, I arrived back home yesterday (via my very first first class updgrade I might add... very nice way to travel!) to a little boy that was just thrilled to see me. It was sooooo nice. The best 30 min. I've had in a while were during the ride home from the airport when Sam did nothing but hug and kiss my arm and "sniff" me, which is a big bonding thing for him. We giggled the whole time and he's been a lap baby ever since. I love that.
Today is our eighth anniversary, too. I told Rob that all I want to do is celebrate somehow as a family. We had tears in our eyes this morning when after a quick good-morning-happy-anniversary hug and kiss, Sam whined that it was "My turn! Hug me!" That's what it's all about. We never would have guessed eight years ago what a normal day like today would look like, but we couldn't have asked for me. God is so good to us!
Sunday, July 30, 2006
Adventures in transcontinental travel
Well, we're home! And we're all still one big happy family...
Sam was one fantastic traveler, I am proud to report. I was actually musing on our return flight that it's nice to know I am raising a seasoned traveler considering how much time I spend airborne myself.
Seriously, he slept a good portion of both nearly-six-hour flights, then played and watched Thomas DVDs fairly happily the rest of the time. I don't think he was any more restless as we started to get close to home than many of the adults on our flights. He was also the "Welcome to Philadelphia" entertainment when we landed at home. He is not old enough to realize that planes, trucks, trains, helicopters, etc. are not all paying personal visits to him from his favorite Noggin or Sprout shows. He screamed that the "Troublesome Trucks" and "Big Jake" were outside our plane when we landed. He yelled hello and waved excitedly for a full 10 minutes or so. Once we convinced him that we could get off the plane to get another look, he waited in our row of seats and served as a deputy flight attendant, waving and saying "Buh-bye" to everyone we was deplaning before us.
I wish I'd had a video camera handy, too, to capture the moment when he decided that the little aerodynamic tip to each wing on the aircraft was actually Eeyore perched out there, following us to "See-Adam," his name for Seattle.
Our time in Canada was a lot of fun, but quite hot. So much for escaping the 100-degree New Jersey heat. We did lots of the touristy stuff that Victoria has to offer that you just don't do as a childless couple. I think one of the highlights was visiting Butterfly World. We got some great pictures and one Sam decided not to be terrified of the butterflies, he had a blast chasing them around and splashing in the puddles of the simulated rainforest.
I think that this is one of the vacations that will forever live in my memory. I originally thought it would be all about our first family vacation, which it was, but it was also about spending really quality time with Rob's aunt, who's just really wonderful to be around. Given her age and how rarely we're able to make it out to Victoria, I was conscious the whole time we were with her how special it was to spend that time with her. She took the week off from work to be with us, and we did everything from playing solitaire side-by-side while the boys napped to feeding seals at Oak Bay Marina to hosting a family BBQ at her house. I certainly hope that we'll be out there again while she still feels up to touring with a toddler, but I'm really glad to have lived in the moment while we were there. I just wished we lived closer to her so that we had more time together. She got such a kick out of Sam and he was totally bonded to her by the time we left. I saw the joy in her face when he'd run up to give her random hugs and said "I love you, Auntie Barbara" as we had to say goodbye.
Now that (I hope) I have the hang of the picture posting thing, I'll include a few other great pics from our first official Becker family vacation. These are the photos that I always daydreamed of having while trying to have kids, and now they're real!
Sam was one fantastic traveler, I am proud to report. I was actually musing on our return flight that it's nice to know I am raising a seasoned traveler considering how much time I spend airborne myself.
Seriously, he slept a good portion of both nearly-six-hour flights, then played and watched Thomas DVDs fairly happily the rest of the time. I don't think he was any more restless as we started to get close to home than many of the adults on our flights. He was also the "Welcome to Philadelphia" entertainment when we landed at home. He is not old enough to realize that planes, trucks, trains, helicopters, etc. are not all paying personal visits to him from his favorite Noggin or Sprout shows. He screamed that the "Troublesome Trucks" and "Big Jake" were outside our plane when we landed. He yelled hello and waved excitedly for a full 10 minutes or so. Once we convinced him that we could get off the plane to get another look, he waited in our row of seats and served as a deputy flight attendant, waving and saying "Buh-bye" to everyone we was deplaning before us.
I wish I'd had a video camera handy, too, to capture the moment when he decided that the little aerodynamic tip to each wing on the aircraft was actually Eeyore perched out there, following us to "See-Adam," his name for Seattle.
Our time in Canada was a lot of fun, but quite hot. So much for escaping the 100-degree New Jersey heat. We did lots of the touristy stuff that Victoria has to offer that you just don't do as a childless couple. I think one of the highlights was visiting Butterfly World. We got some great pictures and one Sam decided not to be terrified of the butterflies, he had a blast chasing them around and splashing in the puddles of the simulated rainforest.
I think that this is one of the vacations that will forever live in my memory. I originally thought it would be all about our first family vacation, which it was, but it was also about spending really quality time with Rob's aunt, who's just really wonderful to be around. Given her age and how rarely we're able to make it out to Victoria, I was conscious the whole time we were with her how special it was to spend that time with her. She took the week off from work to be with us, and we did everything from playing solitaire side-by-side while the boys napped to feeding seals at Oak Bay Marina to hosting a family BBQ at her house. I certainly hope that we'll be out there again while she still feels up to touring with a toddler, but I'm really glad to have lived in the moment while we were there. I just wished we lived closer to her so that we had more time together. She got such a kick out of Sam and he was totally bonded to her by the time we left. I saw the joy in her face when he'd run up to give her random hugs and said "I love you, Auntie Barbara" as we had to say goodbye.
Now that (I hope) I have the hang of the picture posting thing, I'll include a few other great pics from our first official Becker family vacation. These are the photos that I always daydreamed of having while trying to have kids, and now they're real!
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
And we're off...
First, I have no business whatsoever writing this post right now. I have the typical oh-no-I-have-more-work-to-do-than-can-ever-get-done-before-leaving-for-vacation dilemma going on today. Couple that with the fact that my laptop needs some serious surgery and is being shipped off to Corporate IT in the last FedEx collection of the day, meaning by 4 p.m., and you get my drift. Ahem. I should be working right now, not blogging about my first ever true Becker family vacation.
But, a very sweet coworker that I only know by phone and email right now has just informed me that she has a blog. Ever one to be distracted by more interesting things than the drafting of fundraising talking points, I jumped right over to Blogger to "see" her and her adorable kids. She has a post in there somewhere indicating that a fellow blogger keeps on her case so that her blog stays updated. I have no such person, but feeling the vicarious pressure, decided I should post. Heading off for our first trip as a family of three is a milestone that should be noted anyway.
I'm approaching this trip with a healthy mix excitement at all of the fun stuff we're sure to do in Victoria and fear that Sam will be the toddler from you-know-where as soon as we board a nonstop, transcontinental flight.
I also have vague memories of what the poor little guy, as well as his exhausted new parents, experienced last year when his time zones were shuffled. I can only imagine what sleeping in a strange house that lags three hours behind his own body clock will mean.
Assuming that we can weather the actual flight and all get at least some rest, I'm sure we'll have a blast doing all of the cool vacation stuff that you don't do (at least we didn't) until you have kids. We've been to British Columbia several times over the past 15 years, but this time, we'll be sure to hit places like the butterfly sanctuary and the tidepools.
I'll be sure to get back on the whole picture posting thing when we return.
Until then, we're off!
But, a very sweet coworker that I only know by phone and email right now has just informed me that she has a blog. Ever one to be distracted by more interesting things than the drafting of fundraising talking points, I jumped right over to Blogger to "see" her and her adorable kids. She has a post in there somewhere indicating that a fellow blogger keeps on her case so that her blog stays updated. I have no such person, but feeling the vicarious pressure, decided I should post. Heading off for our first trip as a family of three is a milestone that should be noted anyway.
I'm approaching this trip with a healthy mix excitement at all of the fun stuff we're sure to do in Victoria and fear that Sam will be the toddler from you-know-where as soon as we board a nonstop, transcontinental flight.
I also have vague memories of what the poor little guy, as well as his exhausted new parents, experienced last year when his time zones were shuffled. I can only imagine what sleeping in a strange house that lags three hours behind his own body clock will mean.
Assuming that we can weather the actual flight and all get at least some rest, I'm sure we'll have a blast doing all of the cool vacation stuff that you don't do (at least we didn't) until you have kids. We've been to British Columbia several times over the past 15 years, but this time, we'll be sure to hit places like the butterfly sanctuary and the tidepools.
I'll be sure to get back on the whole picture posting thing when we return.
Until then, we're off!
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
The musings of a two-year-old
Someone on the Holt adoption boards started a really cool thread about what you love about your kids at certain ages. I read it on a Saturday morning, so had more time than usual to ponder the subject. I couldn't believe how long a list I came up with of the recent things Sam does. Clearly I'm biased, but the kid has personality, that's for sure.
In keeping with what my original intent for this blog was anyway -- figuring out a way to capture such moments for posterity given that I'm deficient in the scrapbooking gene -- here goes...
Air guitar/air drums/air piano/Rock On! Not that we use our child as a puppet, but it is quite amusing what you can ask him to do on command. Ask him to play air guitar, and he does. He will also play air drums and air piano. You can end this little game by saying "Rock on!" and he does a two-year-old version of squirmy dancing and head banging.
Tunnels/brides If we come anywhere near a tunnel or bridge (and driving under highway signs count as bridges) Sam yells "Tunnel! (or Bidge, no "r") and holds up his arms and yells "WEEEEEEEEEE!" No idea where this came from, but passersby probably think we are all crazy since Rob and I now do it with him.
THOMAS Sam is obsessed. I don't see the charm, personally, but he's all about Thomas and his many train friends. He sleeps with the toys, asks for Thomas on TV nonstop and hums the theme song to himself.
"I LOVE MY DADDY/MOMMY!!!" Sam must be more comfortable with expressing his feelings lately, because he'll proclaim to anyone within a 5 block radius (the kid has some serious lungs) that he loves his mommy or daddy. Very cute, but odd that he thinks this phrase should be YELLED!
Faster Faster! Sam now tries to sing every song he knows as fast as he can. It's so funny. He can sing the Bob the Builder theme song in triple time.
All right? Ok? Poor Sam has had his fair share of germs over the past year. When he coughs or sneezes a lot, we ask "Are you alright? Are you ok?" Sam now asks us if we cough or sneeze -- or make any noise that could be construed as such -- "Awright, Mommy?" "Ok, Mommy?" He drops everything to make sure you're doing just fine.
"Night Night, Guys" Sort of like the Waltons, toddler style. When we put Sam down for a nap or for the night, he now yells as soon as we leave the room. He used to yell because he was upset. Now he screams, "Night Night, Guys!" and then addresses us each individually. He continues this little exchange, with us often responding from downstairs, for about 5 full minutes.
Doin'?? About 100 times a day, Sam asks us what we're doing. It comes out as, "Doin' Mommy?"
Massachusetts, Alabama! I travel a lot. Sam is learning his state names as I go to new places. He loves to say Massachusetts, Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi.
RELAY!! I know it's a cult, but the kid recognizes the logo!!
I find Sam amusing, can you tell?!
In keeping with what my original intent for this blog was anyway -- figuring out a way to capture such moments for posterity given that I'm deficient in the scrapbooking gene -- here goes...
Air guitar/air drums/air piano/Rock On! Not that we use our child as a puppet, but it is quite amusing what you can ask him to do on command. Ask him to play air guitar, and he does. He will also play air drums and air piano. You can end this little game by saying "Rock on!" and he does a two-year-old version of squirmy dancing and head banging.
Tunnels/brides If we come anywhere near a tunnel or bridge (and driving under highway signs count as bridges) Sam yells "Tunnel! (or Bidge, no "r") and holds up his arms and yells "WEEEEEEEEEE!" No idea where this came from, but passersby probably think we are all crazy since Rob and I now do it with him.
THOMAS Sam is obsessed. I don't see the charm, personally, but he's all about Thomas and his many train friends. He sleeps with the toys, asks for Thomas on TV nonstop and hums the theme song to himself.
"I LOVE MY DADDY/MOMMY!!!" Sam must be more comfortable with expressing his feelings lately, because he'll proclaim to anyone within a 5 block radius (the kid has some serious lungs) that he loves his mommy or daddy. Very cute, but odd that he thinks this phrase should be YELLED!
Faster Faster! Sam now tries to sing every song he knows as fast as he can. It's so funny. He can sing the Bob the Builder theme song in triple time.
All right? Ok? Poor Sam has had his fair share of germs over the past year. When he coughs or sneezes a lot, we ask "Are you alright? Are you ok?" Sam now asks us if we cough or sneeze -- or make any noise that could be construed as such -- "Awright, Mommy?" "Ok, Mommy?" He drops everything to make sure you're doing just fine.
"Night Night, Guys" Sort of like the Waltons, toddler style. When we put Sam down for a nap or for the night, he now yells as soon as we leave the room. He used to yell because he was upset. Now he screams, "Night Night, Guys!" and then addresses us each individually. He continues this little exchange, with us often responding from downstairs, for about 5 full minutes.
Doin'?? About 100 times a day, Sam asks us what we're doing. It comes out as, "Doin' Mommy?"
Massachusetts, Alabama! I travel a lot. Sam is learning his state names as I go to new places. He loves to say Massachusetts, Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi.
RELAY!! I know it's a cult, but the kid recognizes the logo!!
I find Sam amusing, can you tell?!
Saturday, June 10, 2006
Forever and Ever, Amen
I love that Randy Travis song... I had it going through my head a lot the last few days. It's not exactly pertinent to our situation, but all I've been able to think about is how very moving it is to finally know that Sam is ours forever.
We finalized his adoption on May 26th, just two days after he turned two. It felt so perfect to have his first birthday at home with us coincide with his finalization. In our hearts, he's been ours for a very long time, but it's hard to describe how emotional it was to hear a judge declare it so.
It's weird. The proceedings in court were formal and quick. I'd expected more for some reason. I was excited to have all of Sam's cousins there with us because I'd always heard they all get to go up on the judge's bench and spend more time "exploring" the court. In reality, it was a sort of wham-bam few minutes, but the end result was the same. Sam's officially Sam Becker "with all of the rights and obligations that are afforded a child by birth." Beautiful words. I actually had tears in my eyes while answering all of the boring questions about how financially capable we are of caring for him.
As an aside, Sam was in the emergency room this week. They had to xray his chest and didn't want me in the room for fear I could be pregnant and not know it. Uh...no. I actually got the giggles at how insistent the nurse was. Anyway...
Here's a pic of the big day. It still gives me chills to look at it.
We finalized his adoption on May 26th, just two days after he turned two. It felt so perfect to have his first birthday at home with us coincide with his finalization. In our hearts, he's been ours for a very long time, but it's hard to describe how emotional it was to hear a judge declare it so.
It's weird. The proceedings in court were formal and quick. I'd expected more for some reason. I was excited to have all of Sam's cousins there with us because I'd always heard they all get to go up on the judge's bench and spend more time "exploring" the court. In reality, it was a sort of wham-bam few minutes, but the end result was the same. Sam's officially Sam Becker "with all of the rights and obligations that are afforded a child by birth." Beautiful words. I actually had tears in my eyes while answering all of the boring questions about how financially capable we are of caring for him.
As an aside, Sam was in the emergency room this week. They had to xray his chest and didn't want me in the room for fear I could be pregnant and not know it. Uh...no. I actually got the giggles at how insistent the nurse was. Anyway...
Here's a pic of the big day. It still gives me chills to look at it.
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
10 years
10 years is a long time without someone you love. I have been meaning to post for almost a week now, but haven't been able to make myself do it. How do you write just a few sentences to capture what you're feeling after you've been without someone for so long?
Andrew, Sam's namesake, died 10 years ago on May 18. I still miss him every single day. I have never taken off the CURE bracelet that I first put on the day of his memorial service. I often think how proud he'd be that I wear jewelry every day because of him.
I've done a lot of thinking lately about how I think of and refer to Andrew. In college, I always thought of him as my best friend. He was older than I was (though I'm now older than he was when he died, which is nearly unfathomable to me), the person I told just about everything to, and probably the one person other than my mom and husband that I've seriously considered the most advice from.
Now that I'm just about the age he was when he died, it makes me rethink the nature of our relationship to some degree. John has filled the role that Andrew did, but the age difference isn't as obvious now, which makes real friendship a bit truer. When I really focus on Andrew, I realize that he was the big brother I never had. It would always be hard to lose a friend, no doubt, but losing him really was like losing family member. There's not a day that goes by that I don't think about him, wonder what he'd be like if he were still here, and wish to the point of tears that he didn't have to die the way he did and when he did.
We'll have a lot to teach Sam as he grows up. It's our job to teach him all of the normal "stuff" that parents teach their kids, but it's also our job to try to help him connect as best he can with his birth culture and understand his adoptive status. It's also my job to make him know that we named him for a great man that helped to make his mommy who she is today. I think Andrew would be proud of both of us.
Andrew, Sam's namesake, died 10 years ago on May 18. I still miss him every single day. I have never taken off the CURE bracelet that I first put on the day of his memorial service. I often think how proud he'd be that I wear jewelry every day because of him.
I've done a lot of thinking lately about how I think of and refer to Andrew. In college, I always thought of him as my best friend. He was older than I was (though I'm now older than he was when he died, which is nearly unfathomable to me), the person I told just about everything to, and probably the one person other than my mom and husband that I've seriously considered the most advice from.
Now that I'm just about the age he was when he died, it makes me rethink the nature of our relationship to some degree. John has filled the role that Andrew did, but the age difference isn't as obvious now, which makes real friendship a bit truer. When I really focus on Andrew, I realize that he was the big brother I never had. It would always be hard to lose a friend, no doubt, but losing him really was like losing family member. There's not a day that goes by that I don't think about him, wonder what he'd be like if he were still here, and wish to the point of tears that he didn't have to die the way he did and when he did.
We'll have a lot to teach Sam as he grows up. It's our job to teach him all of the normal "stuff" that parents teach their kids, but it's also our job to try to help him connect as best he can with his birth culture and understand his adoptive status. It's also my job to make him know that we named him for a great man that helped to make his mommy who she is today. I think Andrew would be proud of both of us.
Saturday, April 22, 2006
It's time...
...to take my blog into the 21st century with photos. We won't discuss that I have been tasked at work with making blogs a reality for some 3 million volunteers. I guess it's time I experimented with more than just words. Have to look like I know what I'm doing!
No better subject to start with than the world's cutest kid.
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
Defending my "honor"
It's become an ongoing debate in our house as to who taught our dear son to say, "Hey, baldie!" Since my lovely husband is a bit challenged in the top-of-the-head-coverage department, he's been very quick to blame me for this latest of Samisms.
IT WAS NOT ME.
I remember the exact moment when Sam first uttered, "Hey, baldie!" He said it with only a moderate amount of glee the first time. Then, he heard me laugh hysterically. So, now, he squeals the words with great delight.
But, back to my version of the event... Sam was in the tub. I heard him say it. I laughed. He, enjoying the positive response to his performance, said it again and again and again. That's when we called Daddy in to hear the new words.
I have no idea where Sam came up with, "Hey, baldie." I figured he picked it up somewhere else and remembered it. Rob has tortured me for weeks that I taught Sam to say it. This came to be a particular point of contention when he said it on a public street as a bald man walked by.
As it turns out, Rob is now admitting that perhaps he himself first taught Sam this pseudo-insult. He's being a bit sheepish about recalling the details, knowing I'll be all over him in retaliation for weeks of admonishment, but I think we now know the real story.
Daddy did it.
IT WAS NOT ME.
I remember the exact moment when Sam first uttered, "Hey, baldie!" He said it with only a moderate amount of glee the first time. Then, he heard me laugh hysterically. So, now, he squeals the words with great delight.
But, back to my version of the event... Sam was in the tub. I heard him say it. I laughed. He, enjoying the positive response to his performance, said it again and again and again. That's when we called Daddy in to hear the new words.
I have no idea where Sam came up with, "Hey, baldie." I figured he picked it up somewhere else and remembered it. Rob has tortured me for weeks that I taught Sam to say it. This came to be a particular point of contention when he said it on a public street as a bald man walked by.
As it turns out, Rob is now admitting that perhaps he himself first taught Sam this pseudo-insult. He's being a bit sheepish about recalling the details, knowing I'll be all over him in retaliation for weeks of admonishment, but I think we now know the real story.
Daddy did it.
Sunday, April 16, 2006
No more rocking?
I seem to be posting a lot about the baby stuff Sam is giving up. I think the latest might be rocking him to sleep. It makes me so sad to think that he no longer needs a good dose of mommy time before going to bed. We used to have a whole nighttime ritual, but now he just wants to lay down with his Thomas the Tank Engine book. I shouldn't complain, I suppose, since he's going to bed with no fuss at all. I just miss the snuggle time! I think this is my first dose of gee-they-grow-up-so-fast. It might possibly be the only thing that's made me envious of the time people get with a bio child that you just don't have when you adopt. I wouldn't trade Sam, or the time we've had already, for the world, but I wish he would stay a little guy just a little bit longer!
My soon-to-be big guy did seem little, however, when we celebrated his first Easter today. I found him sitting in the middle of our yard in his fancy Easter outfit where he'd found an egg filled with chocolate. It only took me looking away for a second before he was eating a chocolate bunny with brown drool running down his face, totally clueless at the mess he was making.
We also had our first seder as a family this week. Sam is not a fan of matzo-crusted chicken fingers. He also doesn't quite have the patience for grown-ups to read the Haggadah, particuarly the Hebrew parts. He finally grunted until we let him down. I took him in the lobby, where he was soon joined by his young cousins. I might have been frustrated at his not wanting to "behave" like all of the other kids, but the sight of him chasing his 2 1/2 and 4 year old cousins reminded me of exactly why I couldn't wait to have kids. I used to daydream about the days when my kid would be the one screeching in the lobby of The Mansion during a seder.
I suppose I could do without the screeching, but since it's from my kid, and he's screeching because he's happy, I'm a happy mommy.
My soon-to-be big guy did seem little, however, when we celebrated his first Easter today. I found him sitting in the middle of our yard in his fancy Easter outfit where he'd found an egg filled with chocolate. It only took me looking away for a second before he was eating a chocolate bunny with brown drool running down his face, totally clueless at the mess he was making.
We also had our first seder as a family this week. Sam is not a fan of matzo-crusted chicken fingers. He also doesn't quite have the patience for grown-ups to read the Haggadah, particuarly the Hebrew parts. He finally grunted until we let him down. I took him in the lobby, where he was soon joined by his young cousins. I might have been frustrated at his not wanting to "behave" like all of the other kids, but the sight of him chasing his 2 1/2 and 4 year old cousins reminded me of exactly why I couldn't wait to have kids. I used to daydream about the days when my kid would be the one screeching in the lobby of The Mansion during a seder.
I suppose I could do without the screeching, but since it's from my kid, and he's screeching because he's happy, I'm a happy mommy.
Monday, March 27, 2006
Caca is really gone...
It just dawned on me. The days of Sam asking for "caca" a version of the Korean word for cookie or snack, are officially over. Someone on my agency's message board posted about the silly words their kids use, and one of them was "caca." I had to stop and think, then realized that he hasn't said that word at all, in ages.
I guess I should be glad that he no longer asks us for food that sounds like excrement while in public, but it's also a sign of how much he's grown up in just nine months. He's really not a baby anymore!
I guess this is an apropos milestone since a friend just suggested today that he may be ready for his big boy bed.
I guess I should be glad that he no longer asks us for food that sounds like excrement while in public, but it's also a sign of how much he's grown up in just nine months. He's really not a baby anymore!
I guess this is an apropos milestone since a friend just suggested today that he may be ready for his big boy bed.
Friday, March 24, 2006
Back and Forth
I posted earlier that Sam was starting to talk to me when I call home while away for work. He's actually having real "conversations" with me now! He listens to what I say, then responds. It's so cute. It also makes me happy to know that he knows it's me on the phone. It's our routine to talk at about 6:30 a.m.... regardless of the time zone I'm in, I might add. This week when I asked him how he was doing, he replied, "Fine. Thank you!"
His memory and vocabulary continue to amaze me, too. I'll admit that I have no gauge and, of course, regard him as the world's most intelligent child, but it's still fun to be caught off guard by some word that he knows. I was holding him last night when he was crying. I asked him what he wanted and he replied, "Your room." Sure enough, I took him in our room, and he quieted right down. This morning, as we walked by his door, he pointed and said, "My room." I secretly think that he knows his mommy is an editor at heart and is trying to win me over with his impressive grammatical skill.
His memory and vocabulary continue to amaze me, too. I'll admit that I have no gauge and, of course, regard him as the world's most intelligent child, but it's still fun to be caught off guard by some word that he knows. I was holding him last night when he was crying. I asked him what he wanted and he replied, "Your room." Sure enough, I took him in our room, and he quieted right down. This morning, as we walked by his door, he pointed and said, "My room." I secretly think that he knows his mommy is an editor at heart and is trying to win me over with his impressive grammatical skill.
Saturday, March 04, 2006
What's in a name?
I just watched RENT, the movie. I've seen the play several times, but had forgotten how much the story affects me. In one scene, Collins wets Angel's lips with a sponge when he's parched. I remember so many of us doing that for Andrew. It makes me miss him all over again and realize how proud I was to be his friend and how glad I am that my son carries his name. I hope we do a good job of honoring him and making sure Sam knows all about him.
Saturday, February 25, 2006
Just testing...
We just woke up with Sam in our bed. He's been getting sick again after a 6 week reprieve. He just wanted to be near us as he slept, so we caved. (First night without a dog in the bed and we add a kid!)
I'm so glad we did. He did the CUTEST THING EVER when he woke up. We've been feeling his forehead off and on to see if he has a fever. The very first thing he did when he woke up this morning was to feel each of our foreheads, kiss us, and say "Ok!" Like I've-checked-you-out-and-you're-just-fine-now-let's-play.
These are absolutely the best moments to remember. Right after the cuteness, though, it was back to reality. Leaky diaper in Mommy and Daddy's bed....
I'm so glad we did. He did the CUTEST THING EVER when he woke up. We've been feeling his forehead off and on to see if he has a fever. The very first thing he did when he woke up this morning was to feel each of our foreheads, kiss us, and say "Ok!" Like I've-checked-you-out-and-you're-just-fine-now-let's-play.
These are absolutely the best moments to remember. Right after the cuteness, though, it was back to reality. Leaky diaper in Mommy and Daddy's bed....
Saturday, February 18, 2006
Can you hear me now?
I travel for my job. Lately, it's been more than I'd like to admit. I love my job, but it sure would be nice to be able to be in two places at once.
As far as handling lots of travel and a new kid at home, we deal with what we refer to as "our normal." I won't get on a soapbox about it, but I firmly believe that what works for one family may very well not work for another. I also won't lie and say I don't feel pressure from quite a few places/people when it comes to our less-than-conventional schedule, but our normal is working for us. As I've mentioned before, I live on a quest to be a great mommy to Sam. I can honestly say that being happy with my job makes me a better parent.
But, back to the travel. When I first started this new position, we had not really found our family groove yet. Sam's schedule was erratic, at best, and leaving Rob home to figure it out alone literally made me sick to my stomach every time I walked out the door. I had faith, though, that we'd get through it. The hardest part about being gone back then was the assumption that Sam didn't really notice it and didn't know that it was my voice on the phone when I called. He was, however, really excited to see me at the airport when I came home. I will never forget the first time I came home from Dallas. I was so afraid that our attachment would be affected. But, he took one look at me, grabbed me around the neck and just squeezed. He had a huge grin on his face the whole time and just kept patting my back. It didn't hurt that he was holding a sign that said "Mommy... Welcome Home!"
As time went on, Sam seemed to be fairly unaffected by our routine (or lack thereof), but for a brief time, we were concerned that acting out at school could be related to my absence. Luckily, that, too, has passed. His charming love-to-bite-and-push phase seems to be over.
In an odd way, the turning point was something that I was sure was a harbinger of doom. About four weeks ago, I was on my way out the door. Sam took one look at my suitcase and started to cry. There was no denying that he connected that red bag with my leaving. BUT, a beautiful thing happened just after that. When I call home now, he recognizes my voice. He used to say "hi" into the phone -- which I absolutely ate up -- but I knew deep down that he'd say the same thing if Big Bird called.
Now when I call home, he say's "Hi, Mommy! I love you, Mommy. I miss you!" He gets excited to hear my voice and talk to me. In his own little way, he tries to tell me about his day. It's generallly babble, but I know he thinks he's telling me a story.
Reports from the homefront indicate that he's more settled, even when I'm gone. I am now truly confident that "our normal" is a very real thing. Even better is that I know this is all proof of a very solid attachment... an accomplishment to be proud of in the adoption process. He's my son, and he knows I ALWAYS come back.
As far as handling lots of travel and a new kid at home, we deal with what we refer to as "our normal." I won't get on a soapbox about it, but I firmly believe that what works for one family may very well not work for another. I also won't lie and say I don't feel pressure from quite a few places/people when it comes to our less-than-conventional schedule, but our normal is working for us. As I've mentioned before, I live on a quest to be a great mommy to Sam. I can honestly say that being happy with my job makes me a better parent.
But, back to the travel. When I first started this new position, we had not really found our family groove yet. Sam's schedule was erratic, at best, and leaving Rob home to figure it out alone literally made me sick to my stomach every time I walked out the door. I had faith, though, that we'd get through it. The hardest part about being gone back then was the assumption that Sam didn't really notice it and didn't know that it was my voice on the phone when I called. He was, however, really excited to see me at the airport when I came home. I will never forget the first time I came home from Dallas. I was so afraid that our attachment would be affected. But, he took one look at me, grabbed me around the neck and just squeezed. He had a huge grin on his face the whole time and just kept patting my back. It didn't hurt that he was holding a sign that said "Mommy... Welcome Home!"
As time went on, Sam seemed to be fairly unaffected by our routine (or lack thereof), but for a brief time, we were concerned that acting out at school could be related to my absence. Luckily, that, too, has passed. His charming love-to-bite-and-push phase seems to be over.
In an odd way, the turning point was something that I was sure was a harbinger of doom. About four weeks ago, I was on my way out the door. Sam took one look at my suitcase and started to cry. There was no denying that he connected that red bag with my leaving. BUT, a beautiful thing happened just after that. When I call home now, he recognizes my voice. He used to say "hi" into the phone -- which I absolutely ate up -- but I knew deep down that he'd say the same thing if Big Bird called.
Now when I call home, he say's "Hi, Mommy! I love you, Mommy. I miss you!" He gets excited to hear my voice and talk to me. In his own little way, he tries to tell me about his day. It's generallly babble, but I know he thinks he's telling me a story.
Reports from the homefront indicate that he's more settled, even when I'm gone. I am now truly confident that "our normal" is a very real thing. Even better is that I know this is all proof of a very solid attachment... an accomplishment to be proud of in the adoption process. He's my son, and he knows I ALWAYS come back.
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