Talk, Talk

On the poncuter - On the computer

The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in SF

That's a Mark Twain quote (no, I'm not reading Mark Twain, I'm reading Middlesex and the new Harry Potter book) and it's so true, it's

I wish we needed to beat the heat here but SF has been mostly cool & foggy lately. I'm so used to the summer being a little warmer and a whole lot sunnier than it is out at our new place. I'm trying to be positive about it and remind myself of the pluses: it forces us to drive to find new experiences, we don't need to go shopping for cute new summer clothes since we have to wear long sleeves & pants most of the time and we already own those (wait, that doesn't sound like a plus!), it's easier to do more running around when it's not too hot so I'm getting more exercise, and, it makes us REALLY appreciative when the clouds do break and the sun shines through. You suddenly see everyone hitting the streets, walking the kids and dogs and enjoying the couple of hours of warmth and sun.

I think we recently hit some record where the temperature at the coast was 53 degree and 20 or so miles away (out by Matt's work) it was a little over 100 degrees. It was the largest difference in temperature that had been recorded or something like that. But we've been making the best of it and if we can't get out to the sunny part of town (or farther) we go to our fabulous Golden Gate Park or to Tot's Gym (still a big hit with Mr. Skyler Bug). He's been getting better about letting me stay on the outskirts while he runs around and plays and he's interacting more with the other kids. Oh, they grow up so quickly!

Steph

One, Two, Free!

Oh, we're loosing more baby talk every week. It's kind of sad to see all of those silly little phrases that we've come to love, and have become a part of our everyday speak (even Matt and I say "What are you do-ning?" sometimes). The up-side, of course, is that Skyler can communicate better with the outside world (we almost always understand him) and they can communicate back. Our little guy is growing up! It's so much fun watching him learn about the world around him.

We had a lovely weekend. Saturday night I went to our friend Charlotte's belated (the wedding was a couple of months ago) bachelorette party and the big news was that she's pregnant! I had a great time hanging out the all of the girls. Matt and Skyler stayed home and watched movies and played (daddy & baby time is very important). On Sunday my mom took Sky, so Matty and I got to have some adult time: went to see Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, had a leisurely lunch, and strolled around Polk Street. And Skyler had a great time hanging out with Nana & Jet the Cat.

Steph

the apple doesn't fall...or what you give is what you...

I took the car in for servicing in our old neighborhood and went to the convenience store up the street to get change for the bus home. The man that owns and runs the store has a little boy maybe 3 years older than Skyler. I walk in pushing the stroller to buy some gum to get change for a $10, and notice the little boy behind the counter quietly playing with a little toy train and realize that this kid is the same toddler that I saw a couple of years ago and he was just as calm and quiet then as he is now.

I quickly turn my head as Skyler screams "I want this Mommy!" pointing to some candy he's never even had before and realize that if that other child was raised to sit quietly behind the counter his whole life of 4 or 5 years, that's why he's doing it now. And if my kid is sitting here semi-yelling (quiet for Skyler, loud for a quiet store).... well, let's just say that I think because we are "The Loud Family" (remember that Saturday Night Live skit called the Loud Family where the teenagers are downstairs screaming "Wow! This is really great POT!" and the parents are upstairs loudly having sex?) that we are going to end up with a loud kid. I'm not sure if I can change it at this point - modify my own behavior or change who Skyler is - or if I want to, and I'm not sure if it's completely normal for a small child to sit quietly all day focused on a little toy. I'm sure there is a happy medium that we should strive for and we have been better lately since we now have upstairs neighbors. And every person and child are different, maybe that little boy is just the quiet type?

Daddy Saturday, Family Sunday

On Saturday, mommy went shopping. So we went out and had fun Daddy-Skyler time. First we went to the park and you wanted to swing "way, way high" which you did for almost an hour. When we went home to have a snack, but instead we decided we'd try to go bowling in the Presidio. We brought Swirly Rat Jr. with us. We haven't seen him in while, so this was a good chance to hang out with him. Bowling was a blast, your score was 53 with the bumper lanes. On a few occasions the ball didn't make it all the way down to the pins. Just imagine for yourself, just how do you get the ball back when this happens?

On the way home you said the sweetest thing to me, you said "Thank you. Daddy, you take me everywhere good." and then you rattled off a list of all the great fun places we've been including today's park and bowling adventure.

I wanted to make sure you had a full tummy so you would get a good nap. We stopped at the Taco Bell near our house for lunch. Since you had behaved so well and said such nice things you had certainly earned a little treat. You do enjoy the enchirito, and you ate every single bite. We got home and within 10 minute, I had you changed and asleep. Job well done and one of the greatest days of my life. Thanks.

Sunday, Mommy packed a wonderful picnic and we set off to discover another wonderful park in the city. It was a beautiful, clear and warm day. We went to the Levi Strauss Plaza where they have several terrific fountains. Many of them have steps raised above the water in the fountain pools. We were walking across them just fine several times, but then 'some how' you stepped out and your foot went straight in soaking your shoes, socks and pants. Luckily I was holding your hand (which I insisted on, though you would argue that you can do it all by your welf [self]). So at that point we just let you go barefoot the rest of the afternoon.

You loved running through the soft grass and over the hot cement. We crossed over to the other side of the park and found an even better fountain with water you could walk in. We rolled up your pants and again we walked over a whole new fountain (again with the walking steps inside the fountain) with rushing water and everything. You even slipped a few times but again I held your hand the whole time. I could see you were thankful I had a firm hold on you.

After your nap we had Alisha and Lynda over for dinner, not even realizing the whole day that it was our 17th "Happily Ever After" wedding anniversary.

We love you Skyler,
Dad