April 29, 2012

Big Win!

I am bursting-at-the-heart-seams proud of this kid!!


Today was Little League Day at Camden Yards. Before the Oriole's game thousands of players from all over Maryland and Virginia make a lap around the warning track, high-fiving players, and waving to the crowd. I'd been talking to Owen about it for the last few days, letting him know that Daddy and Mommy weren't allowed to be on the field with him, and in fact he wouldn't be able to see us for most of the parade. He said he wanted to do it (although his little brow would crease as he asked me several times if we could go with him).

This morning we arrived at our designated "green balloon spot" at the side of the stadium. Owen happily joined in with his fellow White Sox. I mentioned to his coach that I wasn't sure how this would play out once Bob and I were no longer in sight. I straightened Owen's hat and told him again that his coaches and teammates would be with him on the field and then would bring him to us in the stands. I hugged him and told him I loved him.

Too soon it was time to leave. Bob and I walked to the stadium gates as my eyes welled with tears. I was nervous for my baby. There was no way I'd be able to get to him once we were inside; I couldn't reach him once the parade started. An image of his panicked face floated in my mind. I said a prayer that he'd be OK; that he'd feel safe and have fun. I literally wrung my hands and fretted.

Bob and I hurried to a spot in the stands and waited for the Westminster Little League teams to emerge from the tunnel. Other youngsters came by, waving and laughing. We waited more. I smiled for the camera, but inside I'm only thinking of Owen.


Finally - the green balloons! There are the White Sox - and there's #3!


As best as I can tell from yards away he looks calm. Just kind of taking it all in. Going by the dugout now - slapping hands with some players. I can't see his face but I know he's OK, and I'm smiling like crazy! His team walks by the outfield wall and one of the bigger boys from a team behind them picks Owen up so he can high five someone in the stands (O will later tell me he didn't particularly like that part!). Round the bend and here they come!

I yell "Go White Sox" as Bob yells for Owen and we are rewarded by waves and smiles from his teammates; and from Owen, a look that says he is just fine, as if he did this every day of his life.

You can only see the top of his head,
right in front of the coach in orange

Then they are heading off, Owen moving to the edge of the track to trail his fingers along the fence before hustling to catch up to his team. For the first time in almost 2 hours I exhale. My eyes well up and I know my baby is doing well. That's he's happy. That he knows he is safe and loved.


Coach Sean brings him to our seats and I give him a huge hug, saying I am so very proud of him. We eat sausages, and hot dogs, and cinnamon and sugar pretzels as we cheer on the home team. Bob and Owen get new matching hats and we all relax and enjoy a gorgeous day together.



Oh yes ... my heart is as buoyant as those green balloons set free and floating off into a crystal clear blue sky.



If you don't know Owen well; if you haven't read this (or if you don't know about attachment and separation issues that can arise with adoption); I realize I may sound crazy right about now. But this day was huge for us, and I wanted to share it with you all. Please be kind to this admittedly very protective mother!

April 22, 2012

On Shirts and Style

At almost 6, Owen has developed a sense of style. In other words, he'd wear his black and neon-green bug t-shirt or something "pirate" everyday if I let him.


More accurately, he now wants to pick his outfits all by himself, and no doubt inspired by his classmates attire has decided he does not like "collars". Which leaves me and the little polo player embroidered on his rainbow-hued closet of polo shirts - oh, brilliant blues, luscious limes, glorious greens, creamy corals and sassy stripes! - very sad indeed.


I learned very early on with Cearra that this is not a battle worth fighting. As long as they are clean and appropriately covered, you have to let children wear what they want (at least most of the time). This will most certainly lead to your kiddo sporting blue/green plaid shorts, a blue/red striped shirt (they both have blue, so they "match"), and yellow rain boots at least once on a sunny Summer day. But hey, in the grand scheme, that's OK.

Still, five years of dressing Owen in perfectly preppy splendor is hard to completely let go, so now I search for whimsical and appliqued t-shirts - no characters need apply - that will pass my style too. Thank you Janie & Jack, Mini Boden, and Gymboree.




Poor kid is going to be really disappointed when he learns that starting in September he will be wearing a collar to school every day.

April 18, 2012

WILW

Time for WILW! 

I think I'm loving my new haircut (new because I told my hairdresser I really didn't know what to do with my hair, and she and her scissors were off and running!), but since I can't seem to get a decent picture of me to post (in other words, "nope, nah, and no, no, no - I have three chins in that one"!), maybe it's not something I should be loving! It looks something like this picture with shorter bangs:


So, we'll see (and I'll be adding some highlights). Anyhoo, onto things I know I'm loving!

What a cute idea for cakepops!
Summer picnic anyone?

Of course I love it - it's a bee and it's handcrafted

Love this idea for simple art - glue wood letters onto canvas,
spray paint the whole thing whatever color you choose!
Easy, graphic, cool

Makes me smile! And I love the way the water looks!

Most of all I'm loving my little slugger!

Owen is doing so well in t-ball this year. No, not his batting average or pop-flys caught (although he is really improving all his skills), but how confident he has become as a member of the White Sox. Last year I spend a lot of time "shadowing" him because he was nervous about the whole situation - this year he is just one of the guys (and girls). He happily listens to his coach and readily participates in all the drills, and he's always smiling and having fun with his teammates. I'm so proud and happy for him!

#3 for the WLL White Sox
Tell me, what was your favorite haircut ever, and what else are you loving this week?

April 15, 2012

Worth It








Ten hours in the car; DC/Northern Virginia gridlock and constant construction.

Owen and I on an overnight visit to a cabin nestled in Bear Creek State Park to visit with my dear friend Audrey and daughter Jenna.

A time of walking in the woods; skipping stones; counting stars; making s'mores 'round a blazing fire. Watching Jenna and Owen explore; play; ride bicycles round and round. Loving on Luna the dog, and sharing a bottle (or two) of wine and talking deep into the night with my old friend.

Yep ... worth it.

April 14, 2012

Scenes From an Easter Egg Hunt

I'm ridiculously slow on posting these, please EGG-CUSE me!

Why yes, I did just eat a few too many leftover dark chocolate marshmallow candies ... why do you ask?

Anyway, we were happy to have Cearra, Nana and Pop-pop here for our Easter egg hunt; hope you all shared an equally special day with family!

Yep, he is soooo adorable!

Down low

Up high

Our new homage to the Washington Monument,
er, mailbox!

The Easter Bunny didn't forget Cee-Cee

April 5, 2012

Playing Catch-Up with Posts and Visiting

We finally made it to Aunt Cathy's and Uncle Rich's lovely new home in Fredericksburg, Virginia. It was a gorgeous day for a drive, and a stroll around the neighborhood after lunch (I'm drooling over the community club house and pool below).


Better late than never, we gave Rich and Cathy their Christmas gifts from us ... Rich is a gummy bear aficionado and when I saw this bodacious bear I just couldn't resist!


As Owen said "Watch out little gummy bear!"

We had messy fun dying Easter eggs ...



and Cally and Owen loved hanging out together.


Thanks for a great day Uncle Rich and Aunt Cathy! We'll be back soon!

April 2, 2012

Picnic ... with Cats

Nothing like a picnic with my Butter on a gorgeous Spring day!




Sadly, Remy didn't really agree. As soon as I put her down she headed for the garage ...


but Kitty Kitty thought his Wheat Thins and time outside were a treat!