Yes sir, that's our baby

Actually, at two-years-old, Park looks nothing like a baby. And aside from the whining that comes with the age, he acts nothing like a baby, either. Park has embraced toddlerhood with full gusto. These days the little guy is into chasing the dogs around the yard, wrestling with dad, running through sprinklers, testing his parents' patience, cuddling with mom when he's tired or just needs a break, eating everything (especially hummus), repeating what we say (and do), putting two to three words together, admiring ducks, testing our patience some more, playing with his cars, locking us out of the house (that's a story for another post), singing and dancing, and becoming a backseat driver ("go!"). Wow, life was incredibly boring before we had him.

Here is just a sample of the photos from his two-year photo shoot with the very talented Jenna Unruh of Unruh Photography. She's a friend, a workout buddy, a mom of a little one and a magician. We seriously expected - no, hoped - to get just one good photo from our session with her. Park was more interested in the location than he was posing for the camera. But that just makes these photos more real and a true reflection of Park at two.

Ku Ku for KuKuRuZa

I had a pleasant surprise waiting for me on our porch last week. (Honestly, I was going on two weeks of caring for a sick toddler so really anything would've been a pleasant surprise.) Along with the usual bills, junk and catelogs, our mail included a box addressed to me with a return address in Seattle from a cooky little gourmet popcorn company. KuKuRuZa.

It's no surprise I'm a fan of popcorn. Growing up, we named our first family dog (a fluffy white peek-a-poo) "Popcorn." As a kid, popcorn was a sixth food group (just kidding, mom) and I remember making it for every sleepover and movie-watching or just-hanging-out occasion. Sadly, my sister got a nasty burn from making it on the stove once. I played it safe and stuck with the microwave or air-popped variety. But KuKuRuZa is a bag of gourmet popcorn goodness all its own.

About two weeks ago, Craig and I ventured off our usual TV course of Piers Morgan or House Hunters and landed on the Cooking Channel. They were showing tasty little companies, including this crazy brand of popcorn with flavors like s'mores, bruschetta and jalapeno cheese. They had me at "s'mores."

Ahh, s'mores. Between summer camps and youth group events it was practically a seventh food group growing up. I have a friend who incorporated them into her wedding rehearsal dinner and I was jealous I couldn't steal her idea. I also introduced Craig to his first s'more over the grill on our trip to Colorado last summer. But I never would have thought about putting s'mores AND popcorn together. BRILLIANT!

Craig picked up on my excitement during the cooking show. I guess I was so wrapped up in what was going on at home with the sick kid that I completely forgot about the discovery ... making the package a bigger shock when it came in the mail.

Sweet husband. Sweet bowl of popcorn. (Thank goodness the nutritional information isn't printed on the bag.) I can't wait to try another variety -- maybe next time I'll share.

Happy Adoption Day Luka!

Today marks the fifth anniversary of the day we brought Luka home from the Kansas Humane Society. While Carrie wasn't able to bake up something from scratch to celebrate the occasion like she did for Zoe's birthday a couple of months ago (she's had her hands full taking care of a sick and clingy Park) I picked up some carob-mint cupcakes and a new tug toy to show the little guy that we're glad he's part of our family.

The moral dilemmas of being a socially/environmentally conscious dad

It's probably no secret to you that I have some pretty passionate feelings about the world in which we live. I'll openly admit that I'm a tree hugger, a bleeding heart and yes … a liberal. I'm also a dad. A dad who takes his role extremely seriously and by that I mean there is nothing more important in this world than the happiness of my son.

Unfortunately at times, those two things are at odds. From plastic toys to animal shows, almost every day I'm faced with moral dilemmas regarding how Carrie and I are raising Park. It's a fine line between walking the walk and depriving our son. Compromises have to be made and sometimes it's hard … both ways. In the end, the goal is to raise Park to be the person we want him to be and give him a chance to live in the world we think he deserves. Sure, we know we probably won't have a huge impact on that last part, but by raising Park with an awareness of the world around him, maybe he will (and will be happy in the process).

Mother's Day

Like a lot of things lately, Mother's Day didn't exactly go as planned this year - kind of like Park's birthday, his birthday cake (a future post on that!) and his two-year photo shoot (why did I ever think a two-year-old would sit still for a photo?). I guess it's a good thing we're learning to be flexible and just roll with it.

Plan A: Craig got up before the sun (on a weekend!) to get in his long run. By the time Park and I were up, we found a beautiful orchid and card waiting for us (well, me) saying to wait on him and we'd kick-off the day going out to breakfast. Yum. Just as soon as I started salivating about having anything but the usual cereal, I got a call from Craig from the road that breakfast would have to wait for another time. He woke up not feeling so great but took a chance with his run and thought it might make him feel better. Not quite. After he made it home, he went straight to bed and we didn't see him for several hours.

Plan B: Instead of the hot cakes, french toast, hash browns or some other sinful breakfast I could treat myself to, I had the usual feast of cereal and fruit at home and gathered up the kids for a walk.



Determined not to sleep through the whole day, Craig gained enough strength to join Park and I for lunch (he deserves an Oscar for acting like he felt good). After a successful lunch without the toddler yelling or crawling out of his chair (yea!), we stopped by the park to visit the baby ducks and the slide.



Following Park's 3 1/2 hour nap (best mother's day gift ever!), we wrapped up the day with another enjoyable dinner out and some play time. Ok, so the long nap was a really nice treat, but I also love how Park is at an age where he wants to help me. Let's hear it for sweeping the driveway and watering the yard where I'm determined to grow grass! Gotta enjoy that while it lasts.





Really, I didn't care what we did yesterday. I was just happy to spend it with the little guy that makes my role as a mom the most rewarding and challenging adventure I've ever experienced. But next year? I'm taking Craig up on that offer for breakfast.