Denny and I were getting Miles ready for bed when I noticed that the clock in his room was displaying the wrong time.

D:  I guess the battery died.

M:  How can it die?  It’s not flora or fauna.

Tobin was fussing a little.

M: (in a sweet, gentle voice)  It’s okay.  I know it’s a little bit tough sometimes.

This is exactly what I say to him when he’s sad or frustrated.

I interrupt this regularly scheduled week to bring you my new son, Tobin (aka Toby, aka T-Bone).

His middle name, Armstrong, is my Grammy’s maiden name.  I hope this helps her know how important she has been to me now and throughout my whole life.

Tobin arrived at 38.5 weeks’ gestation, with a longer and more difficult labor than I would have preferred, but overall I’m pleased with the results.

this moment (with special thanks to Darah)} – A Friday ritual.   A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment.

I was helping Miles with dinner while Denny sat in the living room, researching various potential baby names.

D:  (calling from the other room) Do you know what Simon means?

A:  No, I don’t think I do.

M:  I know what seven means.

A:  Oh yeah?  What does it mean?

M:  Like when you count to seven.

A:  Hey, I think you’re right.

M:  I don’t know why you didn’t know what seven means.

this moment (with special thanks to Darah)} – A Friday ritual.   A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment.

Miles and Mubby were talking via iChat AV.  The topic of the conversation was opposites, and Mubby had been quizzing Miles on various words’ opposites.  After a while, Mubby had to go do some work, but Miles hates to say goodbye.  Sometimes he refuses to say bye and says hi just to be a stinker.

Mubby:  Bye bye, Miles.  I’ll talk to you tomorrow.

Miles:  Hi!

Mubby:  What’s the opposite of hi?

Miles:  (pause)  Low.

M:  Do you know how to say hello in Spanish?

A:  Yes.  Hola.

M:  No, ni hao.

Miles was having a green popsicle.

M:  What flavor is this?

A:  I don’t know, maybe lime?

M:  Maybe…

A:  Maybe kiwi?

M:  Maybe…maybe salad?

Around 4 a.m. today, Miles called out for me, sounding sad.  I went to his room to check on him.

M:  Mommy!

A:  I’m coming, honey.

M:  (whimpering)  I wanted you to eat corn.

A:  Okay, honey, I will.

And then he went peacefully back to sleep.

Presented without context, because that’s just how it happened.

M:  Africa is a very, very long trip.  Even longer than Mubby and Skittergramps’s.