Stormy Sunday and Letting Go...

Audrey surveys the park and pond on our "Adventure Walk"

It is storming outside at the moment. The thunder and lightening have captivated Audrey, who stands at the window as the rain pelts the other side of the glass. She startles at the loud rumblings and waits for the inevitable flashes that follow, only to lead to more booms. Our little family sleepily stirs on this Sunday morning, with no real goals or ambition today, only to enjoy each other and maybe a trip to the library this afternoon after nap time.

Earlier this week, Audrey and I walked to the neighborhood park. She has started to almost always insist that she walk "like a big kid" rather than be pulled in her red wagon. With the dog secured to a park post via leash, Audrey and I explore the jungle gym, slides, and swings. She keeps a constant eye on the other children, both big and small, observing their behaviors and games.

Audrey and her "walking stick" on our way to the park.

At one point, she asks for assistance onto a platform, that will ultimately lead her to the "big slide". I hoist her up, but before her now stands a curved ladder that leads up to the 8 ft. slide platform. I hold onto her as she climbs steadily up, but soon realize I cannot hold onto her for the final step. Rather than hold her back, I realize that I have to let her go, and make the last step onto the platform without holding onto her. An alternate reality scene flashes through my mind of her slipping and falling, but Audrey doesn't even notice that I've let go, and she easily steps onto the platform, sans daddy.

After a moment, I think she, too, realized that she was out of my reach, and stood up there looking around, savoring her new-found freedom, if only momentary. While she surveyed the landscape, I thought about how many more moments like this there will be: of letting go. I know she is not even three years old yet, but it was a "father moment" for me, and I am still just beginning to understand my role as a parent.

Uh-Oh! It looks like someone got into the marshmallows!

Beginning March

Hello Friends and Family,

It has been a very quiet past couple months. It feels as if, since the blizzard, everything has slowed to a creep and the days are just milling around, biding their time, waiting for warmer winds to push through. While the days have become noticeably lighter longer, the temperature still hovers around freezing. A few days these past weeks it has leaped into the 40's and once into the 50's on a windy, blustery day! However, here on Polaski Day, we find ourselves confined indoors, left to our own devices because it is simply too cold to take a nice long walk with a 2 year old.

As the days change, our little family looks towards the spring and summer with excitement about visiting friends and family. With about a quarter of school remaining, I am happy to be in the final stretch before summer break, although I am always torn because there is so much to accomplish in such a short period of time.

We will be happy to see Grandpa Ted in July when he and his wife, Lisa, visit and take us to a U2 concert in Chicago! While it will be an absolute blast to witness U2 at Soldier Field, I am more looking forward to spending some time with my step-dad and letting him play with his granddaughter and see how much she's grown and learned.

More travels to Indiana and around the country will be taking place in the next few months, followed by many more pictures and videos and stories. Thank you all for the love and support. Here is a video of Audrey at bath time "practicing her letters".

-a