The Happiest Place on Earth

This year Sara and I were fortunate enough to be given annual passes to Disneyland.  We had used the passes once in December before Christmas and once in January, and decided to try today as we've been feeling a bit house bound since Owen was born.  I'm not sure how familiar everyone is with Disneyland and its operations, but our family is officially a front row of the parking tram family.  This is the special row with double doors, extra room for absurdly large strollers and even a helpful attendant who will help hoist anything without a pulse into the tram car.  In a few years I'm sure well graduate to normal row status, but for the time being, front row it is.

The day at Disneyland was awesome.  We started out at California Adventure as Connor had made a special request for the Monster's Inc. ride.  On our way to the ride Connor even recognized the location where he had thrown up the last time we were there (We couldn't believe his memory was that good and it also made us think that moment was pretty traumatizing for him).  After this we made our way to Mater's Tractor ride and then to Luigi's Tires.  Connor loved all three and then asked for Dumbo next, so it was time to head across the courtyard to Disneyland.

Once in Disneyland I definitely noticed how the streets were a little smaller than its newer neighbor as we tried to navigate the double Bob stroller to Fantasyland.  Once there Connor remembered that there was a carousel, and you obviously go on the carousel before Dumbo.  We decided this was the perfect opportunity for Owen's first Disneyland ride.  While in line we talked to Connor about how Owen and Mommy might ride one of the benches, since they wouldn't want to be on the horse going up and down.  Connor decided we all needed to ride together, so the 4 of us sat down and rode in circles for 45 seconds or so.  

Next up was Dumbo, which had a longer line than any previous time we'd been to Disneyland.  Connor managed to keep it together in line with the help of a few snacks, didn't lodge his head in between any of the railings surrounding the planters (a special nod to my cousin Erin who accomplished this about 25 years ago and I will always think of this when in line for Dumbo), and we mounted our flying elephant with Mommy and Owen in hot pursuit in the elephant behind.  

After Connor and I avoided being caught (I've personally never been caught in a Dumbo and assured Connor today wouldn't be the first time), we made our way to tomorrow land for a little lunch and then it was time for the last ride of the day, the Astro Rockets.  Owen and Mommy sat this one out, but Connor and I flew those rockets like pros.  As we boarded the tram, front row again of course, back to the parking structure we smiled at a pretty great morning.

Connor and Mom on Mater's Tractor Ride

Owen and Mom on Dumbo 

Dad and Connor on the Astro Rockets

The Two Kids Saturday Night

As far as parenting philosophies go, Sara and I don't adhere strictly to many.  However, one thing that we've always tried to accomplish is to have the kids be a part of the family, rather than the absolute center that our entire world revolves around.  We fail at this from time to time as we fail at most things occasionally in the world of parenting, but it remains a goal.

Part of this has meant continuing our lives with both Connor and Owen in terms of habits, things we enjoy doing, etc.  Throughout our marriage we have typically managed to get out of the house to eat one night a week, and we have tried to continue that tradition.  On Valentine's weekend, with Owen just over 2 weeks old, that meant a burger at Johnny Rockets.  Tonight, with Owen a whole 3 weeks old, that meant venturing out to Islands.  There is nothing quite like a dinner where one person is trying to corral a toddler and the other is looking on in terror as the newborn may or may not take a pacifier.  Regardless, we feel like each of these nights is a success.  If it does nothing more than get the kids used to going out to dinner, being in restaurants around crowds, etc., it was a worthwhile exercise.

One thing that was never previously part of our lives, but has now become one of our favorite parts of the day, is book time.  Each night we settle in and read two books before bed.  As kids tend to do, there are occasionally favorites that crop up and those get read every night for a period of a couple of weeks.  One of those books, when Connor was probably one and half, was Is Your Mama a Llama.  During the last year, this book had gone out of favor, but Connor rediscovered it tonight and asked if he could bring it to dinner.  On the way home, Connor held the book in the back seat as Sara and I read the book from memory.  I can't say how many books we now know by heart, or how many songs we can sing that got us a smile or a laugh somewhere along the way, but I know that those pieces of knowledge are more valuable than just about anything we've learned in our 32 years.  The worth of those smiles and laughs just can't be quantified....

And now, just because I know this is the reason most of you are here, a couple of photos from the last few days.

So It Turns Out Infants Cry

As a parent of a young child I have grown somewhat immune to the sound of crying.  I certainly still recognize it, and there is always the cry of pain that registers as different from the hungry cry or the whiny cry or the plain ole just want to cry cry.  However, compared to 24 year old Colin who would wince every time he'd hear a baby cry, 32 year old Colin is significantly lower on the reaction scale.

Despite all of that, Sara and I have been surprised at how much Owen seems to cry during his awake times.  Connor had a lead stomach that could suck down any amount of milk, be thrown up in the air seconds later and manage to keep everything down with a smile.  Owen seems to struggle simply with keeping in milk while having his diaper changed.  Jostling is definitely not a good idea immediately after feeding.  He also seems to struggle with swallowing a little more air during feedings than Connor, or being less adept at handling the air once it's in his system.  While his scrunched up face as he tries to deal with these problems is pretty adorable, the accompanying shrieks that he lets out on occasion are less so.

As Sara and I talk and try to figure out ways to make Owen a little more comfortable we come back to a couple of thoughts.  First, maybe in our sleep deprived state of the first few weeks of Connor's life, and all the joy he has brought to us, we're not remembering his attitude exactly accurately.  The negatives of anything seem to fade as time wears on, so why would this be any different.  Secondly, Owen isn't yet 3 weeks old, and perhaps our expectations, either based on Connor or our inaccurate memories of Connor are a little unreasonable.  It doesn't make the individual moments of crying significantly easier to deal with, but it does help with mental health as a whole.

As has been said many times when it comes to small children, days can be long but years are short.  In no time at all we'll be dealing with two boys crying from wrestling each other and someone banging their head rather than someone having a dirty diaper.  Until then, maybe it's time for a white noise machine.

A Different Type of Valentine's Day

With a 2.5 year old and a 2 week old baby there leaves very little time for huge romantic gestures or candlelight dinners.  What there is time for are crafts, and sharing the holiday with your kids, which can be way more fun (and significantly less expensive).  Sara is amazing for someone who is getting minimal sleep throughout the night, and among other things she and Connor made Valentine's cookies and a tissue paper heart.

If there's a better way to express the love that you have for your husband/wife than sharing the day with them and the lives that you've created, I haven't found it.  (But next year, we're getting a baby sitter :) )

The Wonderful World of Why?

I've seen it on countless tv shows and movies, and heard about it from friends with older children, but holy moly is it intense when kids learn the meaning of the word Why? Over the last week Connor has become increasingly fond of responding to just about anything with a string of Whys.  I couldn't say at this point if it is predominantly real curiosity or just the knowledge that the word why usually incites a response from Mom and Dad.  I haven't yet reached the point of exasperation, but I can see it as a very real possibility.

The other question that Connor has discovered that gets fun responses is "What happens next/after that?"  A typical drive home from daycare will include the following conversation occurring at least two times:

Connor: What are we going to do when we get home?
Dad: We're going to take the dog for a walk.
C: What happens after that?
D: We're going to play with your airplanes.
C: What happens after that?
D: We're going to eat dinner.
C: What happens after that?
D: We're going to take a bath.
C: What happens after that?
D: We're going to get in pajamas.
C: What happens after that?
D: We're going to read books.
C: What happens after that?
D: You're going to go to bed.
C: What happens after that?
D: You're going to fall asleep.
C: What happens after that?
D: Nothing! That's the end.  Day is over.

Wash, rinse and repeat.

At this point the behavior is slightly endearing with only minor hints of frustration.  I'll write a follow up in two weeks when Sara and I are ready to pull our hair out.

In totally unrelated news, below is a movie of Connor riding his tricycle around the block.  He had never been very adept at riding until the last couple of attempts, and last night and this morning we made it around the block.  Pretty cool.

Seeing the World Through 2 Year Old Eyes

During the past few weeks things have been a little crazy around the Means' household.  Connor got sick, Connor knocked out a tooth, Connor got sick again (I love daycare sometimes), Owen was born...  Some of this upheaval has brought on a few more bouts with the terrible twos than we had encountered previously, and Sara and I have gotten increasingly frustrated as we struggle to parent our way through the difficulties.

Despite these things, which total such a small portion of the day that it is unfortunate they are so memorable, there is an inherent joy in getting to experience the world through the eyes of your toddler.  The wonder of a plane flying overhead, of horses on the side of the road, of a little brother's smile, or of rain falling from the sky.  I was reminded of this fact on Thursday evening when Connor and I took Huck for an evening walk.  It was gray outside but I didn't think anything of it.  We tromped out of the garage and started around the neighborhood on our standard route.  About a block from our house I felt the first drop of rain hit my hand.  As we continued the rain intensified, but not to more than a steady drizzle.  Connor and I continued on our way, but at one point I noticed that Connor had slowed down and was no longer right next to me.  I turned and saw this:

It struck me, why wouldn't you open your mouth to the sky.  Sometimes it's fun to live like you're 2.

Galavanting to Gilroy

Last fall, as the idea of a second child was starting to set in, my cousin Megan announced that she would be getting married on February 7th.  As Sara and I stared at the Save the Date we also began trying to formulate various plans based on the fact that #2 was due on January 31st.  Among the varying plans:

- Connor was 5 days early, so I bet the next baby will be even earlier.  They'll be 3 weeks old by the time the wedding roles around.  We're Going!!

- There's no way we're driving 5 hours each way to spend a night in a hotel room with a toddler and a newborn.  We'll send a card.

- Mom and baby should stay in LA, but Connor and Dad can make the trip and congratulate Megan and Manny.  Wait, this almost sounds reasonable.  Hmm

For the months leading up to the wedding we vacillated between Option #1 and Option #3.  After Owen was born and the delivery took significantly more out of Sara than Connor's delivery, Option #3 was looking like a clear winner.  We even notified Megan that it would only be the two of us.

Well, as the wedding date inched closer Sara's FOMO (fear of missing out) began to ratchet up, and she started subtly campaigning for the whole family to make the trip.  It started out small, with statements like "I'm feeling a lot better today.  Sitting in the car on the way to Owen's doctor appointment isn't bothering me at all."  On Wednesday, two days before the wedding, it moved all the way to "One night in a hotel room can't be that bad.  We'll be up and back in no time, piece of cake."  After another text to Megan adjusting our family count once again we decided to make the trek.

We left Friday morning at 7am and hit the road on the way to Gilroy, CA.  The drive really couldn't have gone better.  We made a quick stop in Buttonwillow to enjoy all the culinary delights that Denny's had to offer, Owen got a quick snack and then it was back in the car.  We arrived in Gilroy at 12:30pm, with the wedding that evening at 4pm.  Not too shabby.  We all managed to get ourselves dressed, Owen wearing his finest onesie, and headed out to the wedding.

It was great being able to celebrate with Megan and Manny and I am so happy that we were there.  As an only child my cousins were the closest thing I had to siblings and it would have been awful to not be able to celebrate with Megan on such a special day. Owen slept throughout the ceremony and Connor loved playing with his cousins Edy and Shea.

We headed back to the hotel for the night, which Sara and I were both a little nervous about.  It certainly wasn't the best night sleep I've ever had, but it wasn't the worst either.  Owen woke up like a 9 day old baby does, Connor woke up a couple of times when the 9 day old baby woke him up, but all in all I think Sara and I managed to find a few minutes of shut eye.

On Saturday morning we got to spend more time with family before hopping in the car and heading back South on the 5.  The drive went pretty well again....until the last 15 minutes or so.  Connor was super tired after such a big day and didn't have the best night's sleep or naps.  He finally snapped and lost it in the back seat.  Owen decided that looked like quite a bit of fun and decided to join in.  We had crying in stereo.

All in all the trip went as well as we could have expected and we were both so happy to be able to celebrate with family, to introduce everyone to Owen, and to show ourselves that we can still do these things with the newest member of the clan.

A Free Photo Session

I'm sure this happens at just about every hospital that delivers babies, but among the pamphlets and paperwork we were given after Owen was born was a document from Bella Baby, a company that has photographers at the hospital every day to take shots of newborns.  By signing the form they offer a free photo session with your little one.  You'll get an email with a link and you can look at proofs of the pictures for free, send the link to family and friends, etc.  Well, it appears they are in business for a reason, much like the house always wins in Vegas, when a photographer presents you with wonderful photos of your baby it's hard to say no.  Below are some of the shots that they got, which were taken the day after Owen was born.  Enjoy

The Big Brother

After making it through the delivery and seeing that we had another happy and healthy little boy on our hands, we wanted nothing more than to introduce Owen to his big brother.  Connor has always been a sweet boy, so we weren't particularly worried, but he's also never had to share mommy and daddy like he'll have to for the rest of his life.  Bart and Joni brought Connor to the hospital on Wednesday afternoon and it could not have gone better.  Connor asked to hold Owen, gave him kisses and hugs, and although we'll have to work on the placement and intensity of these various actions as we move forward, it was obvious that Connor was willing to welcome Owen into the family.  Connor came to the hospital each of the three days that we were there and it was more of the same, and as we have transitioned home it's been great.  Connor has realized that he has a new audience for his football playing, airplanes and stuffed animals, even if that audience can't see more than an inch or two past the front of his face right now. Connor also is particularly concerned when Owen cries, asking who is going to go get him as Mom and Dad wander around the house taking care of odds and ends while Owen gets a little vocal energy out.

It has been an extremely small sample size, and we know that there will be bumps, craters and other obstructions down the road, but we've been thrilled with our big brother during this first week of Owen's life.  We'll check back when Owen can crawl and steal Connor's toys.

A Family of 3 Becomes a Family of 4

"What are we doing?"  It's been a common refrain between Sara and I over the last few months as we've prepared for baby number 2.  Sara, Connor and I had a routine, a very comfortable and known roadmap for most days.  Baby number 2 was going to throw all that into a mild form of chaos, at least for a short time.  It was at those moments that we would remember that harder and worse are not synonyms, just like easier and better don't share a common meaning.  And, at 6:48 am on January 29th we got to experience harder, better and a host of other adjectives as we welcomed Owen Bartlett Means into our family.

On Tuesday night Sara and I went to bed like any normal night.  However, at 2am Sara poked me and mentioned that the rest of the night probably wasn't going to go as planned.  Around 4am we moved to the couch, and at 5am we decided it was time to call Bart and Joni (Sara's parents) to head up the 405 and assume Connor duty.  Unfortunately, at about 5:05 Sara's contractions went from 7 minutes apart to about 2 minutes apart.  At about 6:00 we called Bart and Joni again and told them there'd been a change in plans, they'd be meeting us at the hospital to pick up C.  Well, we got to the hospital at 6:30 and the nurses suggested that Connor and I head to the waiting room as Sara was already at 10cm and things were about to get a little hectic.  Bart got to the hospital at about 6:45 and I rushed Connor downstairs to make the transfer, then rushed back up to the 3rd floor.  As I walked down the hall I could hear the tell tale cries of a newborn, and when I entered the room Owen was resting on Sara's chest.  We are not huge on the birth plan concept, but needless to say this was not exactly how we thought this process was going to go.  Regardless, we had a new baby boy to love and we couldn't have been happier (Editor's Note: Sara mentioned that if perhaps we had gotten to the hospital in time for an epidural, she would have been happier).