Walking on Sunshine

Moment: Beata singing with Kavaun's spoon as her mic. and Kavaun laughing hysterically in his high chair at her antics.

The song: Walking on Sunshine by Katrina and the Waves, (1985)

Summer 2009 will be memorable

Kavaun is looking into the backyard at 419 Baldie Street, where his Uncle Ryan, Aunt Amy and cousins Miles and Jude live. This picture is set inside what was once the den where I spent a lot of my time as a child when my grandparents lived in the same house. Life really does seem to come full-circle. The den was the central meeting point in my grandparents home and this picture reminds me of the time I spent there as a child. If I could only choose one trait for Kavaun to inherit from his Great Grandpa Tony it is that he will be as honorable as my grandpa.

Inherited Dimple

Uncle Ryan got this shot and it shows Kavaun's single dimple. I also have one dimple. Kavaun really looks like his mom, but in this picture I see a lot of me.

Building Bonds

The boys love KK. From November through June, KK drove to Fenton to spend a day or two with Kavaun. She helped us by staying home with him on Fridays while we worked. Her help also made it possible for us to go out for a date at night once in a while. Kavaun definitely has a positive bond with KK.

Looking Out from the Den

The boys are looking forward to a fun summer. Jude is only a few months older than Kavaun so I am sure they will have their share of good times and an occasional fight.

Cousin Love and Rivalry

Kavaun spends one day a week in Ionia and that normally means some time with his cousins Jude (pictured here) and Miles. Kavaun and Jude antagonize each other from time to time. There is a little bit of a rivalry, but I did notice looks of concern on Jude's face when Kavaun broke down in tired tears in the afternoon.

Calm Kavaun

Bath time is usually calm, fun and relaxing for our little guy.

Father's Day treat

Kavaun is nice and snug when his mother holds him tight as she did at the MSU Children's Garden on Father's Day weekend. Kavaun is in a really cuddly phase right now. We think he is hugging us, but he may be simply hanging on for his own comfort.

Preparation

In preparation for the start of the forty day countdown on this blog which begins next week, I started looking through pictures. I have so many that it will be difficult to keep my posting to a reasonable minimum.

This picutre was taken on Father's Day weekend. Beata surprised me with Kavaun's first trip to the beautiful MSU campus.

The Motivation

I am struck by this notion that Kavaun will grow up too fast. It seems that every parent who has taken the time to talk about parenting with me has encouraged me to beware that Kavaun will grow up too fast. I picture Beata and I sitting on our front porch twenty years from now wondering where all the time went and regretting that we failed to really stay in the moment.

So, my answer to that porch swing fear is to write about "the times" and photograph them as well. As it turns out, I have more energy to dedicate to this venture in the summer since I am a teacher. It also works out that I enjoy writing, photography and journaling. With a two week vacation blocked out and the first full two weeks of summer almost in the books, I am left with about forty days to share with readers. I plan to start the sharing Monday June 29.


While parenting has been the most amazing experience in my life, I do hope that I can let my guard down and be real in this blog. Sure, there will be those sappy moments I write about too, but to leave out the reality that Kavaun is extremely uncooperative and annoying during diaper changes or that I used to consider giving him small doses of Children's Benadryl just so we could sleep at night would be disingenuous (I never did such a thing by the way!). I am considering pasting the thousands of words from previous blog entries on this site so I can have a comprehensive "blog baby book" in one place.


I am thrilled to have some time at home to spend with my son. I feel like it is my reward for working with so many children as a teacher that I get to specnd the summer with my own child all summer. I can also appreciate this stay at home expereince because I know that it will end in September and my wife is incredibly supportive and helpful.

We will see where this adventure takes us. Stay tuned. I will try to keep this to my expereinces as a new dad.