Footprints

We could not have had a better start to February break. I made banana pecan pancakes for breakfast using our new griddle. The first few were dark ("that's what she said"), but then I got the hang of it. After breakfast, I cleaned up and the four of us, five including Basker, went for a walk in the fields behind the house. It was a beautiful day so I went to the top of a knoll to see if could get a good shot of the Wind Turbines in Freedom. The prospect of Industrial Wind Power generation coming to the area has been a heated debat over the last year. Being Chair of the Planning Board, I will be glad when we are finished with the ordinance.

I realized as I rejoined the group that it has been a little less than 3 years since we first found out that Ciara was pregnant with Aden. Now we have two boys. Aden loves walking, running and dancing. I love watching him be independent. Along the way we found a few natural treasures. Deer droppings were all over. With the warmer weather, snow in the fields has melted and the deer have been moving.



There were many other tracks that we suspected could have been fox, birds, mice etc. Half way through our trek, Ciara saw a tuft of grass. We walked by for a closer look at what turned out to be a skunk carcass. Aden had many questions about this. He seemed to be able to recognize it as being somehow related to the cats and dogs that he sees everyday, but didn't understand why it was "incomplete" and what had happened. It was a long while before the image evoked fear. I ran ahead again to climb a deer stand and get a view from the vantage.

Initially I thought it was something that I could take Aden up on, but once I got up there thought against it. Aden had his own idea however and suprised Ciara and I both climbing two-thirds of the way independently. He further suprised us when he was able to climb down, with minimal support. Ciara and I were both relieved that neither Nannies were around to see it.

After our walk we went into town for groceries. The boys fell asleep as we expected, so we traveled further out to Skowhegan. The woman we bought our cloth diapers from opened boutique in one of the shops. We went there to get some supplies and an impulsive train set for Aden. Just down the road we broke for lunch at a fantastic spot. The Old Mill Pub was off the main drag but worth it. The interior was as Old Enlish/Irish as I've been in Maine. The pub fare was delicious - Ciara got the Fish and Chips and I a guacamole burger. Aden got a PB&J, minus the PB. To wash down the burger I had a fantastic Oak Pond Brew. MMM. I love my family.

Smelling Roses

I'm very excited for the next couple of months and the time that will be spent with my young family. We kick off the fun tonight, the beginning of February break for Maine schools, by heading to Bangor to watch Mount View win their playoff game. They were ranked 3rd in the Eastern Maine B and should go far into the tournament. Winslow's Girls team is also ranked 3rd, but we had to leave before their game kicked off at 8:00. Ciara and I have deliberately not made plans for the break. We'll have some time to work on Rylan's room, see some more tournament games. I might even get some time in the school to get caught up or ahead. Towards the end of the break we'll be heading to Orono to see the re-emerging Black Bear hockey team with my mother and Clair. I think they'll enjoy this as well .



The first weekend in march, we'll be heading to Boston to see friends, Caroline and Josh, and family Simon, Siobhan, Larry and Imelda. During the middle of the month I'll have a full week with Ciara and Rylan as part of my FMLA leave. I'm fortunate to be in the position to do so. Ciara will return to work after that week, I'll continue to stay home for another week and then return to school part-time for a few weeks. I loved having time with Aden without Ciara and feel confident that this go around will be just as good if not better.

The adventures culminate with a 3 night stay in Burlington, Vermont during April break. Last year we found the Lang House, a kid friendly B&B within walking distance of downtown.

26

Today was one of the best days of my young fatherhood life. Aden slept deeply all night and Rylan was cooperative with us in our room. We slept in, 6:30, but got an early start after showers. We decided to go out for breakfast and make our way to Belfast to visit the Coop, our favorite grocery store. This was our first grocery trip as a family of four. Aden had fun running up the aisles with a mini-cart and Rylan had fun...peeing. Fortunatly the Coop is an organic store and family friendly; none of the patrons seemed to mind the knee high read head tearing by or blocking the way.

Ciara and I unpacked while Aden hung out side. I eventually went up to the woodshop/garage/barn to open the door so he could go visit with the ducks and chickens. This was time he spent a prolonged period of time outside on his own. I'm sure both grammas would not have been happy had they been around but for Ciara and I was proud moment to see him finding enjoyment in the outdoors and being independent. This is why we live where we do.

This was the first weekend without company. I hadn't really connected with Rylan since his birth. Unlike Aden at that age, Rylan spends most of time asleep, when not nursing. So once I finished unpacking I settled down to enjoy a nap with the little guy. Ciara and I will both miss these times when the boys are young and small enough to fall asleep on us.

On the way home I had a new revelation. We knew on night of Rylan's birth that both Aden and were born on the 26th day of thier birth months (November and January respectively). Today I realized that Aden was exactly 26 months old when Rylan was born. Hmmm. So I googled 26 and found some interesting things on 26. Here are a few:

• Number of letters in the alphabet.
  
• Atomic number of Iron.
• Gematric number of the true name of God - YHWH.
• A Spiral Galaxy in Pegasus.
  
• The number of Spacetime dimensions in the original string theory.
  
• Michigan was the 26th state to foin the Union.
• The age at which males can no longer be drafted.
  

Heart Ache

Since the death of my father I haven't been as affected by the passing of an individual as I was on Thursday when I found out that legendary Social Historian and author Howard Zinn died of a heart attack. I had always hoped that I would be able to see him speak in person, but never made that happen. When I first read A People's History I threw the book across the room to the wall, in disbelief. Zinn's social history changed the way I viewed the world and my country. Is it coincidence that this man, who advocated so fervently for human rights of citizens in this nation and others, criticized the role of corporations and monied interests in our foreign affairs and how American democracy is continuously marginalized by the upper class, died of a heart attack less than a week following the Supreme Courts decision to reverse directions on how corporations can spend their money in the political arena. I realized after his parting just what a hero he was to me. Thank you, Mr. Zinn for being a true patriot.

Does this mean you're sick?

Ciara stayed home from work on Monday, what would have been her first planned day of maternity leave. Brandi, who watches Aden during the day, had to cancel due to her kids having the same 24 hour flu that we had had the previous week (Oops! Sorry Brandi.) Tuesday, just before 4:00 A.M., I rolled over and coughed. I had swallowed wrongly and was merely trying to clear my throat. Ciara, who had been denied a real nights sleep for a month because of the alien growing inside of her doing pilates at odd hours, commented with a "tone" in her voice, "Does this mean your sick?". That should have been my first clue. An hour and a half later after we had both showered and I was on my way to work, I commented "Someone's grumpy today." She said to me, "This is the day I'm going to have the baby."

At 11:30 I got a phone call from one of Ciara's friends. "I'm bringing her into the hospital". We arrived at the same time just after noon. Ciara was putting on her gown and getting ready for a physical exam. Beth, the attending nurse was quickly our favorite and we requested that she stay with us. Once we were admitted, I stole a few moments to make some phone calls and take snap or two. Ciara, though in pain during contractions, was calm and as relaxed as I have seen her.Ciara had recently had her haircut, which we both agreed may make birthing easier for her. Notice the big smile on her face, this was at 2:05 in the afternoon, just 15 minutes before the baby would arrive....Ciara's a rockstar.






This birth was some of the best communication between she and I. We had an excellent breathing pattern reminiscent of a crew team. When it was all said and done, I told Ciara that I counted only 3 actual pushes. Rylan Thomas Hargrove was born at 2:20 P.M. It was a textbook delivery,

au natural and Ciara was walking around a short time after.















I highly recommend afternoon deliveries. The doc and nurses were done with much of their work by the early evening. We had time to have a moment with just nuclear family. Aden was not initially impressed with the addition but warmed up as the afternoon wore on to evening. My mother was there as was Aunt Caity. They were tremendous help during this time. With such an "easy" delivery we only had to stay in the hospital for 24 hours. We got home as soon as possible on Wednesday....and how good it was to be home.

Chocolat Chaud et La Neige

After Christmas we had a couple of requests for another hot chocolate party. Originally Ciara and I had decided not to given her late stage of pregnancy. Caroline and Cathy's visit made denying the urge for chocolate and socializing impossible. We went ahead and pulled together a quick party. It was great having Ciara' s friends up for an extended visit. Cathy has one beautiful little girl and we all recently found out about Caroline's pregnancy. The three mommies exchanged stories, questions, advice and reassured each other. The party was a hit and the kiddos and daddies got to get outside and play in the snow.
Basker had difficulty moving around in the snow...

but Rocy found a solution...

We had a great time with good friends, the snow, and of course the chocolate. We look forward to hosting again next year.

Getting Ready for the Baby

With a special delivery on its way, Ciara and I amped up our efforts to include Aden and prepare him for big brotherhood. Ciara's appointments were only a week apart. We were able to pick Aden up from Day Care a few times to bring him to the appointments and hear the baby's heart beat. We learned just what a flirt he was after he spent 15 minutes delighting the nurses with his various tricks and a charming smile.