A few new images, mostly of snow

link.

brrr.

Jeff

on snowball etiquette and toddlers

Despite our abundance of snow during the time in Japan, we did not really get to show him the art/game of snowball tossing.  Being from Texas, not only do I have no idea what I am talking about, I am also convinced I know nearly all there is to know: make snowball, throw ...

Over the weekend we got a bit of snow overnight.  The temperatures traveled a bit above the freezing point and the sun would occasionally shine through.  After some snow mushing, then snow biking, he and I decided to make a few snowballs in the back yard as that is where the remaining snow was still mostly frozen.  He immediately knew what to do: attack me.

The battle began.

Now he may have won the first few strikes, as ... well ... he is very polite and asks, "snowball pease?" so as I made and stacked them he would begin his onslaught.  I should also mention that he had a superior tactical advantage, being that he was above me on the deck and behind the slats/railing.

So I would retreat after providing a supply of ammo ... At times I would gently toss a volley, at times I would test my arm and have it explode on the wood slats near him - this was very desirable and much laughter could be heard.  As the exchange continued he began to get eerily accurate.  Obviously when I was providing more ammo he would get direct hits, as I retreated I was getting hit more consistently, to the point where when I stopped to return fire about eight feet from the deck, I was hit in the chest.

We had successfully made enough racket to have Mimi appear at the door (a sliding glass door leading onto the deck).  Stone figured that he had a new target and thus he attacked the glass.  As I went around to come inside to grab him and get him in a bath he took another great shot as Mimi opened the door a snowball made it through and glanced off of her and smashed into the kitchen!  Success!  He was very pleased.

Today after gym time, we remained outside.  After some snow mushing and bike riding he realized the piles of snow from some of the shoveling made great snowballs .. and the second battle began.

This time we were on even ground, so after I made a few and retreated, he started getting the process of making his own.  After a few exchanges and general good times, he asked for more supply.  I provided, turned, stopped and turned to retur-n-fi ... fire ... hit directly in the face.

You might have had the opportunity to hear a child (or anyone in their life for that matter) laugh uncontrollably with good volume and seemingly unashamed to share their joy with the planet - this was one of those times.

I could not deny the addictive power of the laugh, so then we escalated to snowballs: 2.0. I would create something the size of his head and toss it against a tree,  then something the size of my head and hit a tree: the reward being laughter that gets the dogs barking from inside their homes across the street.

He would try to pick up the snowcanonballs and attack me - I let one partially hit and knock me over then rolling over in the snow - goldmine of pure joy.

Snow riding images.

J

December is here

As we all know, life is but a reflection of TV, and to prove it: Stone will now quite consistently inform someone when someone else is cross (with him).  This is a reference to the reality of Thomas the Train, located on the island of Sodor.  Quite often a main character is cross with effectively all of the other characters for all sorts of misbehavior and shenanigans.  We look forward to many new versions of reality from TV soon ...

These days, should you ask Stone not to do something, or not give him something he asks for and thinks he needs ... you'll we see a rather dramatic reaction and then be told on.  Such fun seeing all that visual and audio data be absorbed, analyzed and emulated in "real life" ... On the positive side, we've seen a significant increase and interest in being read to, preferably the author Dr. Seuss.

He also continues to enjoy assembly, destruction and reassembly of train track. In an few images (link here) you'll see that there is a section of lumps of track between him (the window) and the blue bridges, all he needed was some assistance in constructing the bases of the support towers, the rest was his doing.  The current plan for elf fest decoration/toy strategy is to have the head giant elf build an all TV room encompassing train track - which - he has nearly done all by himself as I type.



He continues to warm to her, and will get closer and closer with each pass.  Even so bold as to play on next to me while she was resting on my lap.  I'm sure I'll be looking back fondly on the day that only one of them was mobile.  So far his favorite activities include tickling her feet and trying to share food/monkey with her.  A few kisses on the head have taken place, yet he is not quite up for pushing her in the stroller yet.

All are doing well and I'll get a few more updates soon as we prepare for winter-fest holiday season time, or christmas, as some celebrate.

J

A few updated photos

We hope you are enjoying a pre feasting day.  I have a few more photos updated in her first album.

Enjoy,

J, J, S n S

we are home

We are all home and someone seems to like their new sleeping spot.  A couple of other photos added, more to come.

J

A few "big" images

The night went well, Sora slept for most of the time outside of feeding and changing.  Joan got rest and I managed to get some sleep as well.  All things point to a trip home in a couple of days.

Stone was initially excited as he rounded the corner to the room, then was startled by our nurse who rounded the corner to see him.  When I did get him into the room, Sora gave him a new addition to his Thomas the train collection, and he said "Thank you baby Sora".

On his afternoon visit to see her, he asked that she be put in the clear "crib" so he could stand on the couch and look and observe her.  He was mostly smiles, still a bit hesitant to touch.  Time will solve that, certainly.

Here are a few "high res" images from the day.  Enjoy, and I'll update as we go.

Jeff

She has arrived

Around 9:30 this morning Sora joined us, externally.  Momma and baby are doing very well, resting for the moment.  

8 pounds, 1.3 oz and 20 inches.  

her room, ready to go ... nearly

We are in the final days (hopefully not hours) of prepping for her arrival.  Here is a link to an album that shows the progress of her room, which is the first "occupied" room that we will call finished in the new house.  For the moment of course.

Momma is feeling well, all things considered.  Even he seems to know things are changing.  If only he could imagine the terror err love she will bring to his life.

I'll update when we have a view of the occupant.

J

T minus 14 days and counting

...

J

a final upload to the fall album

As we had the first dusting of snow this morning (nothing would stick of course) I will call the Fall photo album "complete".  Just a few new photos.

Soon, a new album for our new human.

J

A bit of sleet

As I walked the various remnants from the kitchen to the compost pile this morning I was greeted by a light, nearly mist, of sleet falling.  Stone and I spent a good few hours outside yesterday knowing that the next few days offered some chance of rain.  I was not quite expecting frozen stuff just yet; however, it did provide a gentle reminder of the weather to come in a couple of months.

As for other things to come in the next few months, I have been mostly consumed with the nesting process. Below is a brief list: some has been done, some needs to be done and some are nice to think about ...

• Install remaining ceiling fans and light fixtures
• Assemble and install shelving
• Assemble and rearrange furniture (think Chinese Fire Drill for the furniture in the bedrooms)
• Prep the out of doors for the Winter
• Organize both sets of clothes, him and hers, oh and maybe ours
• Get painted canvases up on the walls
• Assemble crib
• Assemble chair/glider
• Paint her room
• Paint his room
• Paint a couple of bathrooms
• Garage re-organization/winterization
• Build and install laundry riser
• Prep two bikes to sell

I'm sure there are a few forgotten, but you get the gist.  I have managed to get a few progress pics snapped of her room that I'll get loaded in an organized way now that we are almost finished with the room.  So as for process and "things" I'm in a good place timing wise.  As for mental stability leading to a new life that one is responsible for, is one ever prepared?

He continues to entertain, frustrate, delight and challenge one certain dad on a daily basis.  He is forming set of sentences, questions, requests, inquiries and demands on an hourly basis.  While we do understand each other quite well, and for certain segments of the day operate quite independently of each other, I do seem to get a raised voice from time to time with pouty face and maybe a tear when things don't go quite his way on his time frame.  At other times in the same day he might fall of his bike, run head first into something or have some other sort of toddler trauma that would normally send a child into a screaming bit of madness for a time.  Nope, he normally sits up, asses the situation, gets up, finds me and tells me something hurts.  I ask if it is ok, he says it is, and goes about the day.  

Momma is doing well, now very much looking forward to meeting her.

I'll get some updated images up soon.  Enjoy the coming Fall.

J

More new skills

He has been gaining new skills and words quickly and most are leading him to a more independent life.

Today he (as usual) asked for water.  As I rounded the corner he was at the fridge.  Well, he can now reach the button to disperse water for himself.  He could not reach last week ...

J

you guessed it

More images: link.

images continue

here are a few, there are more as seen here.

even more images ...

There are quite a few things needing to be typed.  There are even more things to be enjoyed weather wise outside at the moment, and beyond that the list is much larger for things that HAVE TO happen in a few weeks ... so for a while, most updates will be images.  enjoy and imagine.

Link to a fall album, which will presumably be updated as things progress.

J

A few images

I'm finding some time to snap images, yet not lots of time for typing ... These are from the phone, others with varying other cameras doing varying other things to come.

Well apparently he and I are not allergic to that type of bee

While clearing more trails for Stone and I to ride around the house, I was moving medium to small decaying branches by hand.  Stone and a friend were clearing much smaller sticks nearby, when my wrist began to send signals of significant stinging in effect.  I had two on bees my wrist and one ... trying to get very friendly through my shorts. 

I indicated that the boys needed to retreat and they mostly stood there. As I moved away to clear the bee from my pants, Stone progressed forward, not at all understanding the real threat, and as I cleared (successfully) my last bee from below he was hit by about five or six bees, three of which made contact.

He is seemingly not having an unexpected reaction, relaxing on the couch having bananas.   

This after the first day of gym class - full night of sleep ahead!

J

New accomplishments

Little did we know today was the day we found this to be something to now manage:

Such an organized deconstructor

a few new photos

I managed to get a few photos loaded into the summer album (link).  

I should also clarify as there was some inquiry regarding the last post ... from tummy through mouth to floor :).

He and I are nearly back into the normal routine after a trip to TX, and other than the continual sounds of construction next door we are enjoying the "summer" of New England.

J

Daadee its durtee

Hello Internet,

If all the smells to contend with that come from the tummies of toddlers before hitting the floor, chocolate infused is not that bad.   

Happy Tuesday,

Us

Window cleaning

This afternoon

Current vocabulary

Here is his current vocabulary as I hear it on a consistent basis:

no

momma

daddy

pop pop

elle

no

railroad

anago datway

aria

pee pee

NO

airplane

watey

wow

ok

ceeyou

ooohhtay

NNNOOOOO

yep

all done

clean uh

cookie

bikey

eye

ear

bug

spider

bird

doggy

tank you

byby

uptair

downtair

open

on

up pease

down pease

aaarrrggghhhhh!!!

J

A summer update

The temperatures are warm, nothing near hot.  Most days have a breeze which helps things feel better when playing outside.  Below you will find a few images from the summer thus far and here is a link to the larger album.

alive things

Here we are in mid June in our new environment and I am glad that Stone shows interest in things out of doors such as dirt, bugs, bees, planes, rail roads, bugs, dirt, flowers, dirt, bugs.  Recently a new family arrived and I was not aware of their number until today.

I now have an understanding of what the hungry young ones sound like when feeding, when the parents are warning them to not move and when they are going about their normal "chatter".

As we are still in spring, there is still a daily layer of new pollen to cover anything that decides to go outside.  So the family congestion is quite consistent at the moment.  Regardless I have spent a few hours moving rock and dirt and generally getting into messes and planting things in the ground.  While, at times Stone is enjoying school or at other times while he follows and assists.

As for critters, most have been in the bug variety directly around the house.  I have seen at least five species of spiders in the house thus far.  All small to medium sized leaping type predators.  Thus, little web to "clean up".  The only one I have removed thus far was in the tub are where the boy bathes - and I am not quite sure he is ready to have them with him during bubble time yet.

As for the plantings, so far so good.  Everything has seemingly taken root and I have not had any rabbits or deer assault any of my selections.  Thus far the only "pest" was a nice plump green caterpillar who was tearing into one of the leafy full sun plants.  I noticed it a few days ago and thought I would see how much damage it would do.  Inspecting the plant today, I found it could do quite a bit in a few days time.  It also feeds a family of four quite nicely.

Another wet day.

Rain continues to fall here as a series of fronts pass over and around us.  It is terribly challenging to keep him inside all of the day, so when we go out we occasionally get wet.  You'll notice that theme in the photos that were updated to this album.

Spring continues to flourish, and is thriving with the current rain fall.  Making planting a bit easier on the body.

Enjoy your day,

J

A few too many updates missed

The young one is currently considering how many more ways he can stay awake, despite his obvious desire for rest.  Perhaps the hum, rattle and shaking of the earth from the construction next door is keeping him awake.  At least they'll be finished with the noisy stuff in a couple of months.

Here are a few highlights from the past few weeks:

• In stead of a constant reply of NO to every question asked, if you ask the correct question you will get a smile and nod of approval for you finally reading his mind.
• He is heading into his third week of preschooldaycaretraining and loving it.  They are loving him, and at times are communicating very well.
• He can consistently coast on his two wheel "bike".
• Over the last few days you get a relatively constant teekoohh after provide any number of different services.
• He understands and prefers to water the front garden by hand with a spray nozzle.
• He and I both are adjusting to the new pollen that has enveloped us during this year's spring bloom.
• The bugs that prefer to remove your bodily fluids are quite large and agressive.  However, quite easy to remove from the population at large.
• He now is understanding that turning the wheel on his minimonstertruck turns him left and right.
• Below are a few photos updates.  Link to the larger album, which will get updated once or twice more this month.

Cheers,

J

Some rain fell

A trip to the coast

Over the weekend we enjoyed a stay in Rhode Island with Aunt Ellen and Uncle Steve and of course Scooter and Lacy.  Spring temperatures have encouraged lots of outdoor activity and this weekend was no exception as Saturday and Sunday seemed cloudless each day.

The general idea was to relax, ride bikes, roast meat and boil some lobsters.  I can happily report that each of these goals where accomplished and more.  Stone was very happy as not only was there ample outdoor space to roam freely, there were four humans to serve him and two dogs to chase and entertain him.

As a load of mulch was recently delivered for the property, Stone was glad to assist in the distribution of the mulch in locations throughout the yard.  At times he would assist by getting into the pile and helping get some into the wheelbarrow, at other times he would do his best to make sure that he removes it from the intended location and is distributed in a three foot radius around him.  His preference for his tiny green crocs meant needing lots of sock changes ... lots.

In other gardening related assistance we did manage almost give him the concept of watering; in that you have to occasionally point the water at other plants, not simply make pool of mud to dive into.  Inevitably, he simply watered his legs and hands.  Yep, more sock changing.

In other firsts, he decided to practice rock climbing and wall walking.  As one might imagine there were varying opinions on the potential outcome of this new found skill.  In the three day visit not once did he fall ... off of the wall ;).  

As I type he is starting his daily breakfast feast, which I know will then lead to the following "conversation": dady, downtide, shoo shoos with a grabbing of my hand and or foot ... Enjoy some downstairs outside (downtide) time wherever you are.

I'll update this post later with some images from the weekend.  For a few more photos take this link.

An afternoon nap

Stone an I ventured out on our second consecutive daily (maybe) bike ride. This is of course the first riding I get to do with the "new back". Here is today's result:

an update of sorts

I might be accused of not keeping things up do date on this web page with the correct amount of frequency ... and I would not even defend myself.  In an effort to make amends, I managed to get photos loaded and a few month review of images here.

Today's Stoneversation:

Daddy?

Ishi.

Whatudoin?

X, Y or Z (does not matter what you respond with)

HI!

Hello.

Daddy?

Stone.

Whatudoin?

X, Y or Z ...

Hi!

Hey.

Daddy?

... endlessly looping so far this morning.

jeff

A link

As I have some extended time off I finally managed to get the trip home from Japan drafted and published on the other site.

Link

Jeff

A message

The three of us were having a relaxing Sunday enjoying a day of relaxation.  The only semi down side was that Stone woke up drainy and sneezy.  Otherwise he was in pretty good spirits.

At one point while I was cleaning up after the previous days adventures in eating I got a text from Joan asking for fluid for the boy.  As I walk into the room Joan is peacefully sleeping and Stone is sitting waiting arms out for the bottle and Joan's iphone was just beside is hands ... 

Did Stone just send a text asking for drink?

He is progressing quickly!

J, J n S

A first and a then a lesson

Stone and I are going about the morning in a rather typical fashion.  Each of us going about our routines, etc.  The only real difference is that he has been getting up early the past few mornings and not gone back down, simply goes into the railroad room to play.  Unless of course he needs something from the kitchen staff.  He has this freedom as this week we moved into his toddler bed, which he loves!

Our mid day nap process lacks consistency to say the least.  However, being that is the first full week in the new "cage-less sleeping place" I think we are getting better about understanding each other when it comes to resting time ... He will typically come out of the room at least once before finally settling.  

A few hours ago he opened the door, "dady dady dady"

J, "stone carter stone caarteerr". I get up to head that way ... got through the door as he ran back into the room giggling as I was approaching.

S, "lovudady" runs up and grabs legs making the hug sound "aauuhhmmm"

Then sprints between my legs "letgo letgGGOOO railroads railroads" ...

I could not help but laugh and cry and shake my head and such loving and caring obstinance.

So he plays trains for a bit in the railroad room.  Out of nowhere - boom - train track on top of the foot.  I am being attacked by a two year old who just declared his adoration of me ... with train track parts.

J, "please DO NOT throw things at people"

S, smile - throws another train part

J, "WE DO NOT throw things at people"

S, pout and shrug and off to find monkey, who of course understands completely ... finds monkey ... attacks dady with monkey

J, "you can throw monkey, just not at people"

S, smile ... goes to get larger thomas toy ... tosses at dady

J, catches flying thomas engine, "we do not throw things at people" 

S, runs toward door, turns around to ensure that I am watching (I am) turns about and plants himself on the ground in full superman mode and lets out a primal initial scream ... then looks eyes with me ... waiting my retort ...

J, "you are not in trouble, we simply don't through things at other people"

S, smile, giggle, springs to his feet and runs back into the room gets in bed ready to sleep for a bit.

J, J n S

A brief conversation

Stone is beginning to practice and acquire more words for his vocabulary daily.  This for 99 percent of the day is great and fun and exciting and all those positive things.  The only real downside is when I am clearly two stoopid too stunderand thaw he si clearly moccincating.

Part of our current morning ritual involves the watching of, listening to and interacting with (toy) trains.  So nothing new for either of us when I try to get him started downstairs where I am getting food, etc. ready and normally within five to fifty seconds he is already saying, "Bye, C Uuuu, Luuf to, up tair gogogo railroads O K" ... and up the stairs he goes typically carrying a few parts of the downstairs train world to the upstairs train world.  

This morning, not much changed.  Initially there was nothing on the big shiny thing on the wall in the upstairs train room, so the conversation went as follows once I arrived with a plate of food:

S: a doot a tric too too too for railroad railroad engien tic woo click pees
J: So you would like to watch the engines on the railroad on the wall?
S: engin egiiieeeenn woo wooo chooooo choo tic reer aboocentiseranty no?
J: I apologze for only understanding that you would really like to see engines that sound like choo choo.

Turn on the three or so devices necessary to watch steam trains ...

S: YYYEEAAAHH [giant smile and arms in the air] eeeiinnnggiieenn
J: Yes, engines on the railroad
S: raaiilroo raaaiirooad railrooaa raaayroad [just repeat sequence in your mind for a bout two minutes while the movie starts and he climbs onto my lap]
S: no noo no engine sco to iceee noo no lisseen no noo no
J: what is the matter, why no?
S: [pointing towards the remotes] no engine noo choo chooo CCHHOO
J: You do want to watch trains right?
S: uh huu, uh huu (yes has not entered his vocabulary just yet)
J: Then what can I do for you with remotes?
S: istr istee choo choo engine railroad eingien on railroooa no listtn
J: Can you not hear the engine on the railroad?
S: no no engine listen railrooa tisredyer pees
J: Ok, I will turn it up.
S: taank uu railroad engin cchhoo CCHHOOO

Big smile, hopped off the lap and on the morning went.

J, J n S

Snow day update

As the day ends I wanted to get a few more photos loaded (done: link) and provide an update.

The snow did end around mid day; however, the wind has yet to truly calm down.  So while Stone did get out for a bit, there was still quite a sting in the air.

Evan (from across the street) was kind enough to lend their snow chunking device.  After a few passes I got the hang of it ... quite an upgrade compared to the human powered option.  I got most of our parking area clear, and a path to and around the propane tank access point then cleared a path for the other across the street folks as their snow chunker had an issue.

Jett (son of Evan) was having a blast outside today, and was very excited once Stone was outside.  They chased, they sled-ed, they planted themselves into the snow ... it was a good day.

So from our snow surrounded nest to yours ... cheers.

J, J n S

February 9, 2013

We are 24 hours into a winter storm here in New Hampshire.  We are doing fine, we have not lost commercial power and are reminiscing about the previous winter in Japan.  We have had in or around 18 inches of snow and with the consistent winds the drifts are between three and five feet around the edges of the house - perfect for little ones to sled down!  For the moment I got a few photos loaded from the morning shift of clearing the exits of the house.  Once the weather clears Stone will get lots of outside snow time!  More images to come soon ... unless of course we don't have power ... then the images will come later.

Photo link.

J, J n S

January 2013

Greetings and welcome to another year, that is according to certain calendars.

Stone and I made it to Texas and back to New Hampshire via the highway systems of various states for the holiday weeks. The trip was largely uneventful, and at time there was such minimal traffic that I could even glance at the countryside as we passed over for short periods of time.  It was a good trip and Stone was verbally upset to the point of yelling in my general direction for about 10 collective minutes of 80+ hours of in the car seat time.  He really does not mind travelling at all.

On the trip down he caught a cold, which turned into constant snotty sneezy drainage as we were crossing "OOOOOOOOAAAKLahoma" into Texas.  During our time in our home state he figured out that snot is not quite for eating, more for wiping away.  This was demonstrated on our return trip when he had only a couple of sneezes left for this round of virus / allergy stuff, and as he sneezed he looked toward me and waited.  I reached back to wipe; he then grabbed the cloth, wiped his face and handed it back to me.  Mission accomplished!  Behavior learned!  When he did this again later in the day, and the following days after our return I have been more lenient in the bottle to sippy cup transition process ...

During this trip to Texas Stone was able to meet and spend time with his Great Grandmother, Mema (Alice).  Initially, as expected, he was a bit reserved as he is with everyone (adult that is).  Her fate as a permanent foe was almost sealed the first night they met as she would not let him up a staircase that he so desperately wanted to climb.  For the next few days, each time he saw her, no matter how sweet and sincere her greeting was, he would turn his face and pout and/or scream.  As time passed, he would walk by without running or avoiding her. One day after a particularly long day and night before, he passed out on her bed in her hotel room.  From then on things got better and better to the point to where she was on the approved bottle in face lap time person list.

There are far too many stories to consider getting them all updated in the time that has elapsed from the last update.  So simply know I will make a bit more of an effort to update this site with some form of consistency.  I'll also update this particular entry once I get a few photos uploaded.

Until the next time, all the best to you.

J, J n S