WE HAVE A NINE MONTH OLD, FOLKS
We are now the parents of a nine month old baby girl, or infant daughter, as I like to call her. Saturday, "the twenty-second," was Vanessa's birthday.
That day we scrambled to pull together the new house for our first ever overnight guests, "Auntie" Katji and "Uncle" Todd. They graciously started their romantic California coast vacation with a few scheduled days with us - first time parents and a toddler. Despite that, we had a blast and they didn't leave early, nor did they shout and shimmy with delight as they left. No, Van Nestlekins and her baby ways did not seem to be too torturous. In fact, they insisted they had a good time as they departed.
When they first arrived we marched them around the neighborhood to the grassy park and ocean bluff at sunset. Katja immediately said, "So, this is the California life." Jack beamed.
Later, after we'd billy-goated it down to the beach for a walk, toured around in the Big Daddy Caddy, hiked Bishop's Peak, visited campus, inhaled seafood on the pier to the sounds of barking sea lions, and got caught by the surf spelunking through caves - baby and dog along the whole time - Katja observed, "You're living the good life." Heck yeah. We are.
Vanessa agrees, we think. Have you seen Milo quiver and whimper with excitement when we pull out his collar (because he knows a walk or trip to the dog beach is sure to ensue)? Sure enough, Vanny now moans and cries in desperate anticipation when she sees Daddio don the Baby Bjorn for our daily beach trek - it can't happen fast enough.
But oh! those Ankles of Delight do twirl, once she is strapped to her Daddy's chest. Adventure Machine, indeed. Daddio is thrilled, he said, now that his baby daughter thinks he's indispensible, too.
For Nanners' 9th month birthday we fed her samples of strained green beans, strained peaches, yogurt, rice, cheese, carne asada steak bits, a lime wedge, and ice cream. Yesterday she gnawed on Daddio's salami sandwich
and this morning she helped me with my waffles. She also likes oatmeal, fried rice, ice cream sandwiches, apples, cold water, and freshly baked artisan chocolate croissants (thank you, "Auntie" Katji). Her favorite? ice cream, hands down.
It's very interesting to see how God has masterminded evolution. The books all say a nine month old experiences a cognitive explosion and an instinctual need to stand and crawl that lasts through the night ("sleep crawling"). God must be a pretty smart parent because he balances this burning drive to mobilize with a desperate need to be tethered to the mother ship. Our wee explorer, VH1 does want her mama in the worst way. A typical 9 month old.
This week unfortunately brought some tremendous sadness to our home. There was a terrible situation last Thursday with one of Jack's incoming freshman athletes. He passed away while exercising in his pool. We think he may have had a heart condition, because he was drug- and alcohol- free, fit as a fiddle, and a fine swimmer. Our hearts are broken, but the prayers folks have been sending up for his family and for Jack have helped so much.
This athlete was one of those very special people - incredible quiet charisma and positive enthusiasm. His name is Morrey Brown and his funeral services are on Thursday. Jack will help bear his casket.
If you want to know a little bit about Morrey's story, here are links to the TV, newspaper, and university press on his untimely death. He was truly a special person.
