Future Rock Climber

Evening with Keegan II

Evening with Keegan

Morning with Keegan II

Morning With Keegan

Thanksgiving Day

We had a lovely Thanksgiving day.  We started off with a beautiful walk to our friends' home--Amanda, Mike, and Claire--where we had the most yummy breakfast of pumpkin pancakes and fresh-squeezed orange juice (and bacon, of course!).  We were also joined by our good friends, Amanda and Mae.  Claire and Mae sat contentedly enjoying their food, while Keegan vied for the seat Mae sat in, only to quickly abandon it and then demand it back again once Mae returned to it.  Needless to say, Mama did not enjoy much adult conversation.  But I was happy to be amongst such good friends while marveling in the toddler play, as Mae presented grand conversations, Claire confidently exhibited just about all the toys in her room, and Keegan danced and jumped to the music of the Macy's Day parade (that boy does love to dance!).  Keegan's fusiness told us it was time to head home, but not before saying hello to the chickens in the backyard.  Keegan, of course, wanted to "touch'em"; Mae, on the other hand was not so sure.  We had lovely weather for the walk home and then Keegan slept for a few hours while Mommy made Thanksgiving dinner: roast chicken (I didn't like the looks of the turkeys in the grocery store!), sweet potatoes, green beans and kale, mashed potatoes, and cornbread--all quite yummy!  Keegan's favorite was the sweet potatoes, and the kale came in a close second; that's my boy!  What a beautiful day with much to be thankful for!

Moon

Keegan is obsessed with the moon these days.  A few night ago, Daddy took Keegan over to the park after dark to get a better view of the moon.  He willingly put on his coat while chanting, "see moon!"  He was equally excited to return home to tell me about the full moon he saw with Daddy.  The world is looking bigger and brighter theses days!  I love you, my little curious man!

Ahh, potato chips!

Keegan was sharing his crackers with a boy at the playground the other day, so his mom told the boy to share his potato chips with Keegan.  Keegan accepted the cheddar-covered chip with enthusiasm and quickly took a bite.  After a long pause he sighed and said, "mmmm, good!" much like I imagine Julia Child did when taking her first bite of French cuisine.   As you may guess,  potato chips is not one of our household staples.  I love you, my little munchkin man!

Bubbles!

When we went up to NH last week to visit my best friends from highschool, one of the fun things Keegan did was taking a bath with Myles and Thea.  Nina put bubbles in the bath, which Keegan thought was just the greatest thing ever.  So now when I say it's time for bath,  Keegan runs to the bathroom yelling, "bubbles!"  It makes me think of the fabulous time we had in NH and the start of memories to last a lifetime of friendship.

Zoom Zoom!

Keegan's favorite thing to do these days is "zoom, zoom".  I'm sure you can guess what that means: yes, driving the car!--well, not literally, of course, but he does get to sit on my lap as I stroll down our street.  He used to be satisfied with just a few minutes of "zoom, zoom" but now he's taking control.  Today, Keegan took a major fit when I attempted to remove him from his "zoom, zoom" experience.  So there we sat,  in John's van, for at least half an hour before I could coax him into the house.   I see much more "zoom, zoom" in my future!

"Funny"

My little boy just cracks me up sometimes.  His use of the word "funny" started when he would get into some kind of mischief, then he'd look up at me and say, "Funny, Mama, funny!" with this smirk and giggle.  I had to hold back a smile myself -- kids are so smart.  Now he is saying it more in context.  He'll be in the middle of laughing and say "funny" or "silly" and then keep on laughing.  My funny boy, how you make me laugh!

New meaning to multitasking

So, I never thought multitasking would include sitting on the toilet with a nineteen month old on my lap, while reading him an Elmo book.  Yes, Keegan, you actually did ask to come "up" while Mama was taking a poo (and it wasn't the first time).  Don't worry, you're too young to remember it.  So you won't be scarred for life--by this anyways!  Love ya, little guy!

What a nice day

Keegan and I had a very nice day today.  We started off our morning walking into town to get a smoothie, more than half of which Keegan drank.  He is starting to realize that you can't tip the cup up when you're drinking out of straw; yet, that last little bit, he can't resist but to tip it, as he sucks heavily from the straw, wondering why it's landing all in his lap and not in his mouth.   Before heading over to Story Time at the library, we stopped at the park.  There, Keegan found the biggest leaves he has ever seen, and picking up a few, he proclaimed his excitement --"wow!"-- as he hit he leaves together.   We met our dear friends, Amanda and Claire, at the library to share in the fun of music and songs.  Keegan, again, had a great time, pointing out objects in the story books and doing his little funny dance.  Following Story Time, we headed over to the Black Mountain Bakery for some yummy lunch, most of which Keegan ate on the way home, as he was not at all interested in eating at the Bakery.  It was nap time when we got home.   After a bottle and some snuggling (Mommy's got to get her snuggle time!), Keegan curled up in his crib and asked for his bear, then tucked it under his arm.  He doesn't usually sleep with an animal close to him, so it was a cute moment.  After nap, we went out to Lake Tomakawk.  We played in the sandbox for a bit, as that is one of his favorite park activities.  Then he followed another boy to go look for ducks.  He heard the boy's mom say, "let's go for a walk and find the ducks." Then Keegan got up out of the sandbox and ran towards the lake, yelling "duck!"  Along the way, he found a stick and started hitting the bushes with it (I used a stick to hit apple off a tree and now Keegan seems to think it's a pretty cool thing to do).  He was mumbling something as he was attacking the bushes, and sounded almost like he was looking for something.   So I asked him what he was looking for and he said, "ummmm, hmmmm"; the things these kids pick up.  Then we saw our friends Lauren, Jeff, and Sura from afar.  Keegan ran towards them, stick high in the air, yelling "hi Sura!"  After playing a bit at the park together, they decided they wanted to go for a walk.  So they both ran, screaming in sheer delight, almost half way around the park.  Then Keegan said "round" as he ran circles around Sura and then headed back the other way.  My goodness, how my boy surprises me with his cuteness every day.  How lucky am I!

"Delicious!"

Tonight Keegan had some grated parmesan cheese left on his plate after eating most of his dinner.  He kept sticking his finger in it trying to get it up off the plate, but it just wasn't working.  So he lifted the plate to his mouth and began to lick.  And, without any prompting, he tilted his plate back just enough to give me a little grin and say, "delicious"!  It was so funny.

Happy Day!

Today seems like a good day to get the ball rolling again; it's been way too long since I've written.  I figured I couldn't let too much more time go by before reporting what my little man has been up to;  and what a better day than my birthday.  And a good one it has been.  Keegan let me sleep in until 8:00 this morning!  Which was good for me and for him, since it's been taking him 2 hours to go to sleep at night (more on that later).  Then, with a bit of a grumpy start and Mommy not at all motivated to go anywhere, we decided to break into the storage container of toys that have been put away for quite some time.  "Wow" was his reply when I took it down off the shelf, then "dump!"--out with all the toys on the floor!  We had great fun and it kept us both entertained for awhile.  After attending to some laundry, I came back into the room to find Keegan peacefully reading his truck book,  pointing to each vehicle while naming them.  He's not a big "reader", so it just tickled me to see him entertaining himself that way.  Shortly later, he found a stash of pacifiers and tested each one, then he shoved one at my mouth saying, "eat!"  It made me laugh so hard, and we both just sat there laughing for a good long while.  What a nice dose of good ol' fashion therapy.   It is rare that we just stay home and enjoy our time inside.  It feels so good, with the rain falling steadily outside,  me still in my pajamas, like a cozy, winter day, just hangin' with my little boy.  Ahhhhh, happy day!

So tell me...

So tell me, how does one cut the nails of a toddler?  If you know, please tell me, because I've tried just about everything.  He even pulled his hand away while I was clipping his fingernails as he SLEPT!  Yes, he was asleep and still rebelling to nail-cutting.  Well, we'll just have to live with dirt under the nails for ... a few more months?
p.s.  And how about cutting hair and brushing teeth?!!

Camping Adventure #2

Camping adventure number two, just as fun as the first--and really, much of the same kind of fun as the first.  Except this time we found our own little camping spot, out in one of the hidden gems of the National Forest; and we didn't see another soul the entire time!  A nice escape from the everyday life of a father, a mother, and a wee little one (well, not so wee anymore).  The site was on a creek, which allowed for Keegan's favorite kind of play--water and rocks!   He didn't seem to mind the frigid temperature of the water;  Mommy only managed to take a few QUICK dips.  He was naked much of the time so we could get him used to the potty.  But he took it apart more than he sat on it; and he definately did not have any success peeing or pooping in it (well, a mom can only hope!).  I  hope we can get out for a few more overnights before the season's over, but nothing is planned yet.  Until next time.  Love ya, my little adventure boy!!

He's just...Keegan

People are always saying, "Wow, he is so blond!  Who does he get the color from?"  The first time someone said that, I looked at Keegan and said to myself  "oh yeah, he does have blond hair."  But I never really thought of it as a defining feature.  To me, he's just...Keegan.  I love you, my little blond boy!     p.s.  John, too, had very blond hair when he was little.

Fourth of July in Black Mountain

We just came back from town after enjoying a bit of Independence fun.  Keegan got to play in his first jump-house, accompanied by Mommy.  It won't be long before my little guy will be one of those crazy boys flipping around in there all by himself.  He was also quite taken with the bubbles and had fun trying to catch them, yet couldn't figure out how to make them himself.  Mommy and Daddy enjoyed an organic snow cone (although I was hoping for fried dough!) but mostly enjoyed watching Keegan have fun.  It'll be a few more years before we watch the fireworks!  Happy Fourth of July!

Miss you Meme

"I miss you Meme.  I woke from my nap on Saturday and wondered where you had gone.  I thought maybe you were going to take me to the pool, or for a walk into town.   But Mommy reminded me that you went on the airplane back home, and it would be a while before I saw you again.  I had so much fun while you were here.  I especially enjoyed our adventures to the Farmer's Market and when you played with me on your bed early in the morning (I know Mommy was so glad to get some extra sleep); and that time when we played with playdough and colored Mommy a beautiful picture.   I love you Meme and can't wait to see you again!  P.S.  Mommy loves and  misses you too!"
Love, Keegan

Race to the finish

I finally figured out that it is easier (in a way!) to put Keegan's pajamas on while he is drinking his bottle.  And together we have come up with a rhythmic system that enables me to put one arm in at a time and even slip a shirt overhead if need be, all while he is holding the bottle.  The hardest part is getting it all done before he finishes.  I do love that time at the end of the night when I can sit in the rocking chair and hold my little one; most of the time, I am able to cuddle for a few ounces worth.  I love you, my little milk-monster.

Camping trip

We went on our first camping trip of the season, and with rain and all, we had such fun.  I was a bit worried how Keegan would do sleeping, but he was a champ.  First day, NO nap!  He did surprisingly well for not having slept all day.  He just couldn't get comfortable in that new "crib" (the space in our Vanagon between the back hatch and the back seat; a perfect little built-in crib).  Luckily he didn't figure out that he could actually climb over the seat the get out!  But he did realize that he could pull the curtains back and peek out at Mommy and Daddy and declare his disinterest in napping.  But no nap made for an early evening, which Mommy and Daddy didn't mind at all.  And Keegan was so tired, he fell right to sleep.  And woke up happy and babbling in his new surroundings.  He managed to take a nap the second day and fall into a nice routine.

We did a lot of swimming at the beach; something Keegan can't get enough of these days.  He is such a little fish, plopping himself down in the shallow end, turning himself over with just his mouth and nose barely above water while enjoying the buoyancy as his legs float behind him. And sometimes he would venture out just a little too deep, or get just a little too daring and find himself under water.  Mommy or Daddy would scoop him up, and without a care in the world, he would continue on with his busy water activity.  As kids would come near, he'd laugh and puff out his chest, as if they were there solely to play with Keegan and to laugh at his very funny tricks.  And there were times when he wanted to play with all the other kids' toys and was quite obsessed with making them his own; luckily the other children were good at sharing.

Can't wait for our next camping trip in July!

Snuggle bug

Keegan woke with his first nightmare, not once, but twice in the same night.  Poor little guy.  The first time he woke, it was over an hour of rubbing his back before he fell asleep; if we left the room, he would just start to cry again.  I kept wondering what was going on in his head.  The second time he woke, John brought him into our bed and he crawled right up on my body and snuggled as close as he could possibly get.  It felt so good to hold my little one in my arms.  I didn't wish him to be having a nightmare, but it was definitely a cherished moment for me.  May you sleep peaceful tonight and many nights to come.  I love you, my little snuggle bug.

Life's mysteries

Keegan loves to play in the stream of water coming out of the faucet during bath time.  Usually he tips his head back just enough to catch the water in his mouth.  And sometimes he drops a toy at the base of the stream to see it spin.  And today he was trying to grab the water, and was quite confused why his hand kept going through it; so mesmerized by this mystery, his little fingers continued to dance with the stream.  Oh my little curious man, how I love you so!

Counting

It isn't often that Keegan plays independently, especially in the evening.  But yesterday, he let me cook while he puttered around with different toys in the living room.  His toy of choice being his blocks.  It was so cute.  As I pretended not to pay attention, I could hear him counting, "two, twee, four, FIVE!" as the blocks came crashing down.  And again, he would stack them as he counted, then crash!  I was quite entertained.  My little smarty pants, how I love you so!

Naked boy

I think the favorite part of Keegan's day is when he gets to run around the house naked after bath.  As soon as I dry him off and set him free, he begins to squeal with excitement and run around the house until I catch him to put his diaper on.  It's a great way to end the day.  My beautiful boy, how I love you so!

Tofu dogs for dinner again?!

Trying to prepare a meal is nearly impossible. Not that I ever "cooked" all that often, but it would be nice to be able to put fish in the oven and vegetables on the stove every once in a while.  It is rare, when Mommy is home, that Keegan will engage in independent play these days.  Instead, he is often standing at my feet crying or whining to come up.  And how is one supposed to cook with a toddler in your arms?  Try opening up the oven door or stiring something on the stovetop with a 15 month old trying to reach for everything in front of him, nearly catapulting himself to the floor. If I don't pick him up, he'll cry himself into a fit.  Is this just a phase, or am I giving in to his whining and creating bad habits?  Help! I still love you, my little love bug.

Gorilla boy

When I took Keegan's shirt off for bath, he immediately began to triumphantly pound his chest.  It made me laugh so hard, and of course, he was quite smitten with the fact that he had amused me.  He did not come up with this manly act himself, yet was mimicking a gesture from the book From Head to Toe by Eric Carle, in which a different animal acts out a movement for each body part.  His favorites are the crocodile wiggling his hips--Keegan shakes his whole body and says, "wiggle, wiggle, wiggle", which sounds more like "weeoo, weeoo, weeoo"--the gorilla pounding his chest, of course, and the donkey kicking his legs.   My little gorilla boy, how you make me laugh!

Storytime fun!

Keegan had so much fun at storytime today.  Until last week, we hadn't been in several weeks.  Today, unlike last week, we were in the big room that has a raised platform.  Keegan took to that stage like a little performer.  He was so happy, dancing and laughing and clapping his hands while Miss Lulu sang songs.  I couldn't help but keep a smile plastered on my face.  I was filled with such joy to see him having so much fun.  My little munchkin man, how I love you so!

"Yellow"

While playing with one of his toys, Keegan happened to press the button that caused it to say "yellow".  Without delay, Keegan mimicked right along with it.  I just stared at him, amazed by the continuous flow of words. My little Keegan boy, how you amaze me so!

Little water man

On this beautiful, eighty degree day, Keegan and I took a walk along the newly designed greenway in Black Mountain.  We stopped at the end to sit by the creek where we met Claire and Amanda.  There we stayed for over an hour playing in and near the water.  Keegan is such a water lover, caring little for the cold temperature; it wasn't long before he was sitting waste deep in the flowing stream.  It was fun to watch the little ones entertain themselves while the adults sat with amused attention.  After playing in the water for a while, Keegan completely soaked, I stripped him down to his birthday suit to warm up a bit.  It was the funniest thing when Claire saw Keegan's naked body, pointed at him, and started chuckling.  Keegan quite enjoyed the freedom and laughed right along with Claire. Oh boy, what I have to look forward to.  I love you, my little water man!

Family visit

We had a very nice visit from family this week.  Keegan was quite excited to have Nana, Grandpa, Shanon, and Steven here just to see him.  Unlike last visit, he gave a proper greeting by not crying when they entered the house.  He soaked up all the attention and kept us quite entertained.  He headed out on adventures several times a day, proclaiming "bye, bye" and blowing a big kiss as he ventured down the steps towards the outside door; he added "love ya" on one departure, yet failed to say it again despite Grandpa's several attempts for a repeat performance.  Keegan awaited Grandpa's pancakes each morning and devoured Nana's good cookin' each evening.  Steven taught Keegan to say "bird" and Shannon made him laugh with her tickles and chases.  Of course he spent quality time with "Gumpa"--as Keegan likes to say--reading books; he'd climb off his lap every few minutes to pick another book and then utter "up" while waiting for Grandpa to lift him back into his lap.  "Nanee" followed after the little tyke as he toddled outside, stopping several times to gather sticks and rocks, and occasionally to say "flower" while sniffing the green stem. And then, as if life couldn't get any more fun, Auntie Kiah and Grammy arrived.  More tickles, more chases, more eyes to see what kind of silliness Keegan was going to get himself into.  And Auntie just gave him the best kind of lovin' to last until her next venture down.  Oh, life is beautiful!

Bare feet

Since Keegan started walking, he is rarely without shoes on.  As usual, he followed Daddy outside to water the plants, this time without shoes.  His typical protocol is to toddle right along side his dad; yet shoeless, he was unable to take a step off the patio without a little whimper as he retracted his foot from the feel of the grass.  With encouragement, he managed to take about 5 steps into Mommy's arms and quickly crawl onto my lap to get away from that foreign feel  under his feet.  He managed to get in a few more sprints between Mommy and Daddy before realizing he was not having much fun.  The following day, I made a point of leaving his shoes off when we went to the park, and it wasn't long before he was traipsing over all surfaces without care of bare feet.  Oh, what fun these little ones are!

It was fun...but only for a little while

My little bugaboo is home while I sit here many miles away in Massachusetts.  I had the opportunity to feel like an independent woman, traveling without my little guy.  It was a strange feeling. I am a mama now, and having my son in tow is what I do.  But I've been playing Auntie for the last few days, giving lots of lovin' to my little nephew.  When I called home the first night, Daddy told me that Keegan was holding a train-track up to his ear like a phone; in the background I could hear his little voice saying, "mama, mama".  He was having fun, oblivious to the miles that separated us.  I was happy.  When I called home on the second night, Daddy's voice strained above Keegan's cries.  I immediately wanted to jump through the phone and scoop my little Scoobie Doo up in my arms.  Deep breath!  Daddy told me they were outside, Keegan naked, because he had a bad diaper rash. Keegan heard my voice on the phone and stopped crying just long enough to say "Mama?"  He was sad; I was sad.  When I called home the third night, the sound of voicemail picked up; no little voice to say "Mama".  I was hoping he was happy.  I was an independent woman; it was fun...but only for a little while!  Oh my little man, how I miss you so.

"Uh, uh, uh, no, no, no"

Not long ago, while we were playing at home, Keegan walked around the corner saying, "uh, uh, uh, no, no, no!"  I thought to myself, "what kind of trouble has he got himself into now?"  And there he was, holding a cap from the bathroom that he knows he's not supposed to play with.  I had to hold back a grin, as I asked him to hand it over.  The little mischief-maker just wants to see what he can get away with.  He utters the same mantra -- "uh, uh, uh, no, no, no"-- with any activity he's been told not to do:  letting out the drain in the bathtub; rolling out the toilet paper; playing with the computer keyboard;  lifting the lid of the trash can or diaper pail; sticking his hands in the toilet bowl.  My little mischief-maker, how I love you so!

Funny monkey

A few days ago I got a phone call from a good friend.  It took only minutes before her little boy started crying and it was nearly impossible for us to talk.  I started laughing, as she said, "I'll have to call you back you later."  I knew exactly what was going on, because it happens to me every time I try to make a phone call when Keegan is around.   If I don't give him the phone, he starts flipping out and makes it impossible to talk;  like a little monkey, he begins climbing up on me while all-the-while crying at the top of his lungs.  I don't know why I think maybe this time it will work, because all I have to do is make that quick appointment--not worth it!  My little funny monkey!

How you make me smile

Moments have come and gone since Keegan was born.  So many details forgotten.  And it doesn't seem to matter. Yet as I sit here thinking of my little guy, it's some of those small details that make me smile: the way he crinkles up his face just before he's about ready to whine;  the way he dances by clicking his tongue, stomping his feet, and holding out one arm as he rotates his wrist; the way, when on a mission, he holds his arm up high and points his finger just slightly inward and charges full force ahead; the way he blows a big kiss when saying good-bye or good-night; the way he says "ready, set, go" with such enthusiasm before going down the slide or propelling forward on his little push-car; the way he makes his body into an inverted "V" when standing up (and sometimes pausing to look at me upside down through his spread legs); the way he so sweetly says "peas" to get whatever he wants (with a needed reminder every now and then);  the way he licks all the creamcheese off the cracker before eating it;  the way he lays his head on my shoulder and hums to Twinkle,Twinkle, Little Star just before bed time.  Oh my little Keegan boy, how you make me smile!

Wasn't it just yesterday

My gosh, I can't believe my little man is already 13 months old.  Wasn't it just yesterday... that I dressed him in far too many layers and held him in my arms as we headed out of Mission Hospital and towards our cozy home? ... that, at 3 months, I was crying my eyes out because I had to leave my little peanut behind as I returned to work?  ... that I nearly had a breakdown in the middle of the night because my buggaboo had to be rocked just so in order to fall back to sleep, and it just wan't to his liking this night?  ... that, during his very first summer, he loved to go swimming (even after Daddy would dunk him underwater)?  ...that, at 11 months, I put earplugs in my ears and let my pookabear cry himself back to sleep, and now he sleeps 11 hours most nights!? ...that he'd wrap his little arms around his mama and nestle his face in my neck.  Oh my little Scooby Doo, how I love you so!

Here I sit

Here I sit...on my couch, in my home, hot chocolate on the coffee table, computer on my lap. In the past I would be sitting in a coffee shop, in Davis or Harvard Square, tea on the table--English Breakfast or Darjeeling--journal open, pen in hand.  I haven't written in a journal in a long time, more than a year, since before my little guy was born.  Recently I was inspired by a friend "to pick up the pen again".  Thus begins my literary journey as a first-time mama...