Changes in Weather?

I wonder if weather and seasons affect everyone's outlook and mood like they do mine. After surviving the very hot and humid summer in the South, I've very much welcomed the fall's recent below 70 highs (except for not today---80) and the evenings' 60s temps. Our first few months of North Carolina-living pretty much suffocated me every time I stepped out the door or just looked outside and thought of the beautiful, dry Colorado summer I was missing. The thousands of fire ants and other lawn creatures prevented me from letting Caleb crawl around the yard, a seemingly assured summer activity, and this trapped me even more. Did the 10, 11, 12 month-year-old feel as home-attached as I did? Probably didn't even know what he was missing.

Autumn is my favorite season. I was probably born to love it--my hair even resembles a deciduous leaf in the middle of losing its chlorophyll. Besides the colors (which I've been told explode here in North Carolina--I'm still waiting for this amazing show--this leaf picture was captured in our beloved Summit County, CO), the cooling air with that crisp-to-the-nose-and-skin feel, the promise of coziness brought by fleece jackets, and all the traditional smells and tastes fill my being during this time of year.

I think I posted earlier this year during spring's beginning...sharing how much I love that season's promise of growth. The promise of fall lies in change--(and NO, I am not responding to the current political slogans and all!)--that life and such will continue to cycle in the rhythm of centuries past and to come.

This summer, I felt like one of those huge green leaves stuck on a tall backyard tree--now, I want to be freed to actually enjoy something or someone (or maybe find some beauty) in this ugg place that I cannot yet call home. If Caleb could talk (and think in similes and metaphors), he probably would say he's felt like a freely flowing leaf his whole life (I might have a hippie child after all--then add the tie-dye, Smartwools, and eating mulch...)

New "colors" have already appeared inside the Hobart household. So far, Fall, 2009, has changed our crawler into an almost 14-month-old walker. It has changed a two-toothed mouth into a 7-almost-8 pearly cutter mouth. It has changed the whiny table communicator into a sometimes "more" and "all done" signer. It has begun to change (slowly, but surely!) the non cow milk drinker into an at-least-10-ounces-a-day sipper (hopefully to turn into a gulper soon). It has also brought the first toddler thrown-up meal (at least oatmeal looks like throw-up to begin with...), the first major toddler diaper rash, and the first bit finger (the mom's finger---bit intentionally by the teether who didn't want his nails cut). Summit the Cat would also like to add that fall has changed a hitting infant into a somewhat aware toddler who's trying to learn "gentle" (often petting his own head instead, after hearing the verbal reminder).

I have big expectations for the next few months...beyond the weather.

Time with Family in 2009

FAMILY PHOTOS:

THE 1st GRANDSON
By the time Caleb turns 11 months on Thursday (July 16), he will have met almost all of his closest relatives: 4 grandparents, 1 great-grandparent, 3 uncles, 1 great-uncle, 3 great-aunts, 5 first cousins (once removed), and 1 second cousin.

I think he has me beat...I never even met a great-grandparent, and I have only one aunt! Yet first cousins once removed....that's another story (my mother alone has had over 25 first cousins!!)

California (May, 2009): Hobarts/Gundersens--Everyone flew

to CA (except for the Gundersens, who drove up from the LA area) to surprise Caleb's Great-Grandpa Gundersen (Oldefar in Norwegian) for his 80th birthday. Keith was sentimental during the trip since it was the first time ever that the Hobart/Gundersen clan had all been together. I think I was sentimental knowing that

Caleb was meeting his oldest immediate family member--what a privilege it will be to say he spent time with his great-grandpa.

Maryland (June, 2009): Hitzemans/Scheichs--My mom, Aunt Janet (the "only one

aunt" I mentioned earlier!), Caleb, and I flew to Baltimore for a few days to visit my only girl cousin, Michelle, and her 12-month old. Connor (Caleb's only second cousin) is Caleb's youngest relative (though Connor is a month and a half older than Caleb). I was sentimental on this trip thinking that the age difference between my cousin and I is about the same as it is between our sons.

Bald Head Island, NC (July, 2009): McCoys--My parents and David and Beth flew to North Carolina, and we all drove to the Bald Head Island Ferry on 4th of July for a week. We spent a week on an island that only allows golf carts--and Caleb experienced his first Atlantic Ocean dip (and view of a real alligator). The sentimentality hit me after everyone left--and I sat with the reality that our new home is too many miles away from our families and friends.

People say we'll fall in love with North Carolina, and Keith even thinks I'll soon become a Tar Heel state resident and take off my CO license plate, but lots will have to change in order for my state/region affections to be shifted. I doubt Caleb will ever see one of these signs in Rocky Mountain country--but he'd surely be able to see family and friends who dearly love him. The Hobarts miss you, everyone!!

Destination Finally Reached

Goodbye Little Rock, Arkansas...

...Hello Sanford, North Carolina!!

The first move I can remember was the one just before kindergarten, when the Army moved us from Aurora, CO, to Ft. Knox, KY. Even though it was my third move as a child, memory strangely develops with age. Why is it that we have not been gifted with infant and early childhood memory? So interesting. I can’t recall the actual driving, but mental pictures of arriving at our rental home that Dad had picked out weeks prior stand out. The tall white pillars in the front, the large lawn surrounding the house, the long driveway approaching the garage, the dense forest in the back—first impressions last longer when memories associate with them.

Even stranger is knowing Caleb won’t remember either of the moves he’s encountered in his first nine months of life. Yet I will have more than first house impressions to define this Arkansas-North Carolina move: Summit and Caleb seemingly bonding throughout the packing and moving process, Keith living in Nashville during the last month of our Little Rock apartment life (and driving the 26-foot yellow diesel Penske truck from Tennessee to Arkansas, then back through the Volunteer state and on to North Carolina—all in 3 days), my mom's trooping with us on our crazy journey (and babysitting Caleb on our night in Nashville so Keith and I could visit the Grand Ole Opry),

driving the 2001 Subaru almost nine hundred miles with the check engine light on, ordering Caleb's first Happy Meal as my McDonald's lunch…the whole time wondering at what moment Caleb would decide to graduate from Army crawl to real crawl.

North Carolina: the more-than-two-and-a-half-year ultimate destination for the Hobarts. Until May 2009, I had never stepped foot in this basketball-crazy state. Now Caleb will get his first rural-living experience, surrounded by bugs and all. Maybe, if we’re here long enough, he’ll remember splashing in his “mushroom baby pool” I will inflate and fill this week in the 90 degree weather. Maybe he’ll remember going to the lake beach just down the way to wade, play in the sand, and watch the boats. Maybe he’ll remember going to the local produce farm’s pumpkin patch this fall. But probably—no distinct memories at all, at least none that aren’t implanted by digital photos and movies. Our little Texan, who for a few months was an Arkansan, will now begin to become a Tar Heel.

"I Love Technology"

I'm sure Caleb would agree with Kip.  How did we get through life before all of the gadgets and whatzits, we always ponder.  Cell phones, digital cameras, and home printers that act as scanners, copiers, and faxes--these are only some of the most basic technological advances over the past few decades.  Then there are gadgets that are way beyond me (including the high-tech I-phones, ha ha).  One of my favorite "toys" is the Flip video camera, which is dummy-proof for gals like me and easily pops into the USB plug on our computer.  Uploading to computer and internet?  Easy.  I can't even imagine all the headache our parents' generation went through to document our infancies and childhoods.  My father falls into the whatever percentage of the 1970s new parent population who slaved hours upon hours splcing, editing those 6-inch reel silent films (I have no idea what the actual name is--I'm sure Dad will send me an e-mail when he reads this so he can correct my naivete towards dinosaur electronics).  He was even obsessed enough (might I be related to him?) to take numerous still pictures of magnetic ABC letter movie titles ("Sarah, age 7 months" and so forth), some with the letters magically "moving" across the screen.  These, of course, then needed to be spliced in order to appear at the apprpriate times in the films.

(Due to technology--ha ha--, I cannot upload one of the videos my dad took.  Instead, please accept the scanned photo on the left--color, don't worry--taken in the same era as the 1970s videos.  Yes, this is Sarah Katherine McCoy, age 10 weeks, on the same couch that graces our living room today:)

Over three decades later, things have changed, thank goodness.  I simply press the red button on the Flip, record my subject (okay, I admit the "subject" for the majority of the times is Caleb, but sometimes Summit or another person get a few seconds of attention), and then press another button to instantly replay (with picture AND sound) what happened just moments ago.  Take a look at some footage of Caleb trying to jump in his new jumper-bumper, captured about an hour ago:

After filming, Caleb was able to participate in an activity that I, as an infant or even child, was never able to do: instantly watch myself on film while sitting in the exact same place.  We didn't need to move to the living room to view the VCR.  We didn't even need to turn on the computer to upload the data.  Caleb has grown to love being filmed; in fact, he often becomes distracted the moment he hears the "blooop" the Flip's on and record buttons make.  I wonder if part of that enjoyment comes with knowing what almost always takes place afterwards.  He's obsessed (might he be related to me?) with watching the "replay" mode.  I'd like to speculate that it's himself he enjoys, but I might be giving the 7.5 month old too much credit--does he even recognize himself in the mirror yet alone on the screen?  Maybe it's just the movement and flashiness on the 1" x 1.25" screen that catches his eye, but regardless--he knows he gets to see something when we turn the camera towards him.  View the evidence, gathered moments after the previous video's shooting, that this makes him excited:

I became intrigued enough to blog about Caleb's "love" for technology because it dawned on me that this is his reality.  Someone films you, and you can see it simultaneously during or immediately following the action.  Isn't that crazy to think about?  What would we have thought as children to do something and then to see ourselves doing it, with no real time lapse?  For today's children, it's not a privilidge, as I see it (knowing what it used to be like "back then"), but rather an expectation or even a no-brainer.  It will be fascinating to grow with Caleb and learn of his perception of the world and its "advances"--or rather its "realities".

One last thought, that is a photo rather than words.  Fill in your own blanks as you view my uploaded digital shot of an unnamed 7-week old, taken in a mystery year, on an unclaimed couch:

Happy Caleb

So, our son smiles and laughs.  What a joy, and how hilarious!!!  Here are some snapshots and video footage:

Getting ready for a springtime picnic outing--

The minute he saw the camera, he smiled, as if to pose!!!  

So we decided to have a photo shoot to see if he would keep "posing"...and he did!

Spending time with Summit on the changing table 

(she doesn't look to pleased, however)

Mirror, mirror, on the wall: who's that baby sitting tall?

We found a new "game" to play with the laughing boy!

What's to Love About a City?

It's always wonderful when reality exceeds expectations.  Keith and I will have lived in 5 states over two years...Colorado, Oklahoma, Texas, now Arkansas, and soon North Carolina.  Additionally I've also lived in 2 states (Kentucky and Washington as a kid, Washington as a college student and young adult), but it's interesting how one's "likability criteria" changes with age.  We've received many comments over the months, ranging from, "Which location have you enjoyed most/least?" to "You're going to love (fill in the blank with the state name of your choice)!" 

So, my commentary?

1. Cliche noted, a place is what you make of it.  This is the must-have attitude of military life, but  everyone should adopt it.

2. What is available to do outdoors?  Being a Colorado girl, this is key!!  (Unfortunately, weather can dampen this--I have not enjoyed living in humidity-saturated states for the past two and many upcoming summers.  I suppose "weather" could be marked as #3, but it's so connected to #2 that I'll just keep them together:-)

3. Character.  Who wants to live in a city that could be mistaken for some other place?  Uniqueness comes in many forms: landmarks, terrain, history, buildings, restaurants & cafes, activity, shops...and I'm not talking chains, people.

4. The "locals" must have a clue that the rest of the world exists!  Diversity is a plus, too.

5. A feeling or sense of "belonging", or rather feeling "at home".

6. The WHO make the WHAT more lovable...whom you befriend and become involved with makes all the difference in the world.

2007-2009 Hobart Cities

1. Enid, Oklahoma (June, 2007-February, 2008):

Pros--#6

Cons--#2, 3, 4, 5

Conclusions--We're just not small-town or prairie folk.   But, we can always fall back on the friends of #6!  (Keith would probably add his comments to #3...he misses Turkey Creek!)

2. Corpus Christi, Texas (February-October, 2008): 

Pros--#2, 3, 4, 6

Cons--#2 (very flat!), 5

Conclusions--Love the cultural diversity, but Sarah's finally come to terms with not being a beach gal.  Keith, on the other hand, votes Corpus as his favorite---can't beat fishing off your back deck!!

3. Little Rock, Arkansas (October, 2008-Summer, 2009): 

Pros--#2!!!, 3, 4 (for the most part...), 5, 6

Cons--(haven't survived the summer, yet)

Conclusions--Sarah's favorite military town so far.  I love a city with "pockets" yet to be discovered, even after living there for half a year!  While Colorado outdoors can't be matched, Little Rock has been a beautiful place to live.  Love that River Walk Trail and fresh farmer's market! It's always wonderful when reality exceeds expectations.  I had predicted Arkansas to be my least favorite place!!!

4. Fayetteville, North Carolina: 

Pros--TBD

Cons--TBD

Conclusions--So many have said we will love our "permanent" home.  I'm a little worried about the humidity and bugs (including tics!!).  While Keith is excited about fishing and boating prospects, I'm hopeful for good hiking and "strollering" areas.  I also hope I'll feel safe and that I'll desire to be "out and about" around town.  Who knows, maybe we'll become permanent transplants from Colorado!

Family "Consultation" after writing this blog post:

After discussing with our family of four, the "favorite 2007-2009 city" votes are in---

Sarah-born in Washington in 1977, favorite is Little Rock (reasons stated above)

Keith-born in Oklahoma in 1978, favorite is Corpus Christi/North Padre Island (reasons stated above)

Summit-born in Oklahoma in 2006 (maybe 2007), favorite is Corpus Christi because of the stairs in our home and because of the numerous island birds and creatures

Caleb-born in Texas in 2008, favorite is Little Rock because of his good friends Parker, Andrew, and Owen

Video and Website Postings: Food

If you know me, then you know I procrastinate when I feel I don't have time to do 110%. Hence the month lag between blog postings. Rather than give my usual narrative, I'm going to try to be techie. (I know, that doesn't go in sync with the old school Nokia cell phone that I was forced to give up last August. Man, I miss that thing....but I admit to enjoying my new "modern" phone's speaker phone and multi alarm features...) ANYWAYS....

**Part 1: The Eating

I invite you into our small dining room, where Caleb thoroughly enjoyed eating his pureed pears last week:

(Was it my cooking, Caleb????)

**Part 2: The Cooking

I invite you into my small apartment kitchen, where I enjoy experimenting with new recipes as well as baking and cooking familiar favorites. Two of my recent concoctions included some of the same ingredients (oatmeal, nuts, craisins).

First, a "happen to find" recipe for GRANOLA from the December 2007 edition of Cooking Light. My previous favorite granola recipe was Ina Garten's Barefoot Contessa "Homemade Granola" at http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/homemade-granola-recipe/index.html., but it involved a long cooking time and expensive dry fruit ingredients. Plus, with 3/4 cup oil, it was fairly greasy. So, I like this "Chocolate Crunch" recipe much better--it's faster, cheaper, and healthier. Plus, who doesn't like a little bit of chocolate? It's great with yogurt and fresh fruit, milk, or even ice cream!

http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=1687651

Chocolate (Granola) Crunch

Ingredients

• Cooking spray
• 3 cups regular oats
• 1 cup oven-toasted rice cereal (such as Rice Krispies)
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/3 cup chopped pecans
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 cup honey
• 2 tablespoons canola oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 ounces bittersweet chocolate (60 to 70 percent cocoa), finely chopped
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries

Preparation

Preheat oven to 300°.

Cover a jelly-roll pan with parchment paper. Coat parchment paper with cooking spray.

Combine oats, rice cereal, brown sugar, chopped pecans, salt, and ground cinnamon in a large bowl.

Combine honey and canola oil in a small saucepan over low heat; cook 2 minutes or until warm. Remove from heat. Add vanilla and chocolate; stir with a whisk until smooth. Pour chocolate mixture over oat mixture. Lightly coat hands with cooking spray. Gently mix chocolate mixture and oat mixture until combined. Spread oat mixture onto prepared jelly-roll pan. Bake at 300° for 20 minutes, stirring after 10 minutes. Cool completely on pan; stir in cranberries.

Next, one of my mom's and my favorite oatmeal COOKIES (from one of our favorite cookbooks): Colorado Ranch Cookies. You'll find the recipe in the Junior League of Denver's Colorado Colore on page 270. They're moist, flavorful, and quick to make. Tips: I follow the"to enhance the flavor" direction at the end of the recipe. The almond extract truly makes the cookie, and I love the craisins even more when they've soaked up all that flavor. Also, I scoop the batter with an ice cream scoop to make the cookies even in size. I think the recipe calls for smaller cookies, so do what you want. http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/member/views/COLORADO-RANCH-COOKIES-JUNIOR-LEAGUE-OF-DENVER-1249792

Colorado Ranch (Oatmeal) Cookies

Ingredients: 2 1/2 cups flour 2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup sugar
2 cups rolled oats
1 cup dried cranberries
3/4 cup shredded coconut
1/2 cup sliced almonds
3 eggs, beaten
1/2 teaspoon almond extract

preparation

Mix the flour, baking soda and salt together. Beat the butter, brown sugar and sugar in a mixing bowl until creamy. Add the flour mixture and beat until blended. Stir in the oats, cranberries, coconut, almonds, eggs and flavoring. The dough will be very stiff.

Drop the dough by heaping

teaspoonfuls onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes or until light brown. Cool on a cookie sheet for 2 minutes. Remove to a wire rack to cool

completely. Store in an air tight container.
To enhance the flavor of the cookies, mix the eggs, almond extract and cranberries in a bowl and let stand for 1 hour before adding to the recipe.

**Part 3: The Evidence of the Cooking (well, kind of...)

I will only post evidence of my "cooking" for my son (actually my providing food for him via me or via pureed veggies and fruits).......I know it's not much, but I've just got to brag about the first signs of "pudge" on my little guy!!!!!

(Picture taken days before his 7-month weigh-in at 13 pounds, 13 ounces.)

Toes, Teeth, a Tush, and a Tail

As adults, we miss the "interesting" in what we see day-to-day.  Thank goodness for infants, who remind us that each body part, nature element, and experience all have one-of-a-kind components to them.  This month Caleb has discovered a few of these wonders.  

Toes.  At first I thought Caleb's seemingly instant fascination with his ten little piggies came due

to my removal of his socks on a 70 degree day.  We were strollering outside, and I thought he was getting a bit hot--SOOOO, socks off, toes moving, hands touching feet, eyes staring. Throughout the winter and fall, I've struggled to keep those little pieces of baby body covered (probably because my own toes are always cold).  But I already know what my feet look like (and even if it were warm right now, I'd intentionally cover my toes due to my partially removed  postpartum ingrown toenail).  Caleb had only seen his toes during his short 5 minute baths--not enough time for ample observation.  But this day was different---30 minutes of uninterrupted toe touch time.  The fascination?  They're little and in different sizes.  Each moves (practically) independent of the other.  Shiny squares called nails tip the ends.  And, they stay attached when the legs bend the feet into touching range!  

Teeth.  No, Caleb does not have any teeth yet, and Summit has not bit him yet.  This discovery is just a speculation of mine.  Now that he's 6 months old, Caleb LOVES to put things in his mouth, including his own fingers (and sometimes hands).  I don't know if he likes the way his

gums feel to his fingers or the way his fingers feel to his gums.  Either way, his fingers get a completely different sensation when his hands touch his mother's or father's face.  Often times, those little hands find their way into our adult mouths---and our pearly whites get the Caleb Touch.  Don't you wander in what form babies come to realizations?  (Is it like the infants in that silly John Travolta and Kirstie Ally movie Look Who's Talking, where the viewers could hear the dialogue going on in, between, and among babies?)  Anyway, I'm sure our baby boy has thought, "Wow, these sharp things are NOT in my mouth...why is that?"  Just a point for we adults to ponder...

A tush.  This is more of an accomplishment than a discovery: our son can sit on his tush without any props, without falling over (well, 90% of the time...)!  

Of course I don't remember the first time I balanced on my bottom as an infant, but I DO remember the first time I could ride my training-wheel bike without needing the training wheels: that moment of balance when you hold your breath.  (Keeping with my psycho McCoy memory, the mile-marking even took place on our driveway in Radcliff, Kentucky, during the summer before my kindergarten year.  My dad and brother witnessed the event, and I then remember Dad taking the smaller training wheels off for me to test ride the "2 wheeler" around the house in the grass....)  I can say that Keith and I have coached Caleb in this sitting "ability" since Christmas.  Selfishly, we wanted to be able to tell the doctor at the 6 month appointment that our son could sit up, even though he doesn't roll over consistently.  Regardless of our motives, Caleb can balance, and I wonder if his baby brain had a silent celebration the moment his "training wheels" (the Boppy pillow and parent hands) came off.  (This picture is the before shot of Caleb's sitting era.)

A tail.  Yes, the tail belonging to a certain tabby.  Caleb finally notices the cat; when Summit walks across the room, Caleb's eye's track her movement.  Three months ago, Keith and I started taking Caleb's hand and petting Summit with it.  Now, he tries to do this on his own; most times the result is a previously baby-saliva coated hand now covered with cat fur.  It's humorous to watch--and occasionally Summit's tail comes into Caleb's grip.  No pulling yet, so I'm not sure if the cat is currently bothered by all this new attention/activity.  I'll simply close with this image, taken moments before I had planned to open the apartment door to wheel Caleb and the stroller outside for a walk, only to be halted by an "unexpected" cargo in the bottom basket:

PhotoWorking

I created a new "gerund" since I hear the one "blogging" all the time. I don't consider myself a blogger, nor do I think I'll ever become one who will be able to keep up with hundreds of blogs of internet friends whom I've never met. (I think I've been doing a good job, though, at following you friends who already have one; I love hearing what's going on in your lives!) I've had to push myself to make at least weekly entries--not something I would call a hobby yet.

So then, one of my newly proclaimed hobbies? PhotoWorking.

Actually, hobby is Keith's label. (I just looked up the word in the dictionary: a pursuit outside one's regular occupation engaged in especially for relaxation) A few months ago

while talking about how energized he became after a relaxing morning of fly fishing on the Little Red River, he mentioned that I appear to have no hobbies. At first, I took offense--I've had tons of hobbies over my lifetime: stickering in elementary school, rubber stamping in junior high, crafting in high school, ceramic and wood painting in college (oh, and I might as well label all my teaching days' classroom projects as a young adult hobby). "But you don't have anything now that you look forward to putting your time into to help you relax." Heh, heh, aren't SARAH and RELAX synonyms? "Well, sometimes I take naps!" was my rebuttal.

Deep down, I was experiencing that "I used to have a fulfilling full-time teaching job during the week and make time to play outdoors on the weekends but now I'm just a stay-at-home mom who does what?" syndrome. I questioned myself about what has fueled me over the past 6 months (or 4 at the time of this conversation) in my new role as an infant caretaker (a.k.a. MOTHER). I came up with cooking, in which my interest has grown as I've had more time at home (to cook AND to watch The Barefoot Contessa on the Food Newtork). Keith opened up another possibility: "You like to make photo albums through that website to give to people." (At the time, I was in the middle of creating a few projects to be given as Christmas gifts.) This made me smile. One I hadn't considered a hobby! I guess my form of relaxation is creating something, whether that be food or projects or something else to share. So, I'd like to share two of my recent albums with you:

*YOU CAN CLICK ON THE LINKS TO VIEW THE REAL ALBUMS ON LINE!

1. Caleb's First Four Months (I made it for my parents)

2. Stoppenhagen Family Album: the Past Century (I made it for my mom's side of the family)

3. While I'm at it----I'll also share my FIRST Photoworks book. For those of you who've know my family, you'll enjoy this one: McCoy Family Vacations

It appears husbands know how to get you thinking, reflecting, evaluating--because Keith didn't stop there. "Have you ever made or ordered a copy of a PhotoWorks album for yourself?" No--strictly gifts so far. So, next project? An on-line book we'll get to keep on our own coffee table (or on Caleb's book shelf). Any one have a suggestion for the new book's title?

PS---An interesting background tidbit I am admitting on line.....My enjoyment/obsession with computer photo book layout/editing/etc. stems from my yearbook staff days in high school....yes, I was editor in 12th grade, and yes I have been to yearbook camp. What a dork---yearbook camp, for a whole week????

A Reader, Let's Hope!

Every parent wants her child to fall in love with reading.  Especially me--but I think 66% of that hope is for selfish reasons.  First, I never really enjoyed reading myself.  In elementary school, I always viewed myself as a slow reader, so this affected my confidence and enjoyment.  The only time I remember truly craving books is when I became addicted to the Baby Sitters' Club series back in the late 80s when Ann M. Martin started writing them.  I stopped reading them, though, upon entry into junior high, when I became embarrassed about liking the juvenile books.  Over the next decade, I plugged through class-assigned literature, often skimming or just skipping to the end in order to make the "due by" date for discussion or test.   I didn't find books to "enjoy" until after college, when I became a 2nd grade teacher who all of a sudden needed to "enjoy" reading in order to motivate students to read.  The world of picture books opened up to me: the text is much shorter, the message a bit more obvious, and, of course, how could I miss the beautiful illustrations?  Just check out one of Cynthia Rylant's newer books,  Long Night Moon, which is lovely in its poetic voice and artwork:

In my "round two" of elementary school (oh, and first taste of grad school), I, Ms. McCoy also learned how to read all over again.  I found that simple metacognition really can increase one's understanding and enjoyment of text--being aware of what your mind can do and think while  (not just after) you're reading words can bring meaning to print, whether you're 8 or 31.  Which brings me to my second selfish reason for wanting Caleb to become a reader: I admit my feeling, since his mother has her masters in reading, that he should become a reader.  If I have all the "theory" in my bag, surely my own son could become a success.  (I'm sounding so full of myself right now, but at least I can be honest about these selfish thoughts.  I know reality will hit me when I realize that my son, too, like every one of my students, is an individual who has different learning needs and styles!!)

Lastly (and this one's actually for Caleb)--isn't it absolutely wonderful to be an avid reader?  (Those of you out there who actually are avid readers will have to back me

 up on this one---I can only claim what I think it might be like!)  Just look at what fun he's having already---monkey Caleb and Curious George are best buds!  We are sure to check out one of H.E. Rey's  Curious George books each library visit.  Last week's was the one with the pancakes. Over Christmas was, of course, Merry Christmas, Curious George, read with Uncles Steve and David.  Daddy Keith has always enjoyed reading, and he's looking forward to the day when he can read chapter books such as the Chronicles of Narnia and Hatchet to Caleb.  I think of how fortunate Caleb is to be able to grow up in an environment surrounded by print--so many children today do not have that privilege.  

Tennis, Anyone?

I'm sure I turn red every time Keith says, "She's really good---she played in high school and went to state."  Well, that was 15 years ago.  People would laugh now.  Needless to say, even Wii Tennis can't make up for years of lost practice.  Yet watching any Grand Slam tournament (right now it's the Australian Open) always puts the "Maybe I'll join a low-key league or something" thought in my head.  Today, taking advantage of the 60 degree January weather and apartment complex courts, we participated in the Hobart Family Team, Little Rock branch.  (I also somehow managed to find an old Cheyenne Tennis hoodie with pockets.  You'd think I was related Uncle Rico or something.)  Even Caleb came along--and he got to call the match at his discretion (after 5-1 in the first set...I won't tell who was ahead...it's too embarrassing).  Of course every parent wonders what sport his or her kid will want to play and thus begins to present "the best choices" starting at an early age.  Keith's vote?  Well...just take a look at Caleb's outfit (Avalanche).  Unfortunately, I don't think our little 12 pounder (remember, he's already 5 months) will make it to hockey player weight.  Tennis, however...well, Caleb already loves standing on his feet...I think you know my vote!

Early Spring Joys

I always jump at the first grocery store bulbs I see each New Year.  In 2008, I had to wait until the Valentine's Day stock arrived...needless to say, 2009's January spotting has made me so happy.  My sofa table's purple crocus, yellow tulip, and white hyacinth have been changing from green leaf bundles to promises of color to blooming flowers.  I can't explain the joy they bring me as I stare at them while feeding Caleb on the couch.  Maybe it's the fact that every year, there will be new bulbs to find.  Or maybe it's witnessing the process of blooming.  New.  Fresh. Fragrant. Cheery.

Yesterday my eyes were also opened to "firsts" with my son and with me.  For some reason, it struck me that I get to be the first one to show him new things--ranging from eating from a spoon to spinning a toy with his fingers.  Okay, obvious fact, BUT I just kept thinking about what a privilege that is.  Then, later on (while watching my favorite show "Barefoot Contessa"), I realized that I have never made a pie from scratch.  Thanks, Ina Garten, for giving me my new thing for January.  Anyone want to come over tomorrow for homemade apple pie?  I know Caleb will be a good sous-chef---he's already had experience in the McCoy kitchen.  Here's proof: 

Some days, I just need reminders that newness can come in any form.  Luckily, we are gifted with some that smell heavenly, taste delicious, and must be shared!!!

Just When you Think Things Havent (or Won't!) Change...

We're back in Arkansas, and things haven't changed. Or have they? Summit still obsesses through our floor-length windows in every room, attempting to "catch" or "chat with" the outdoor animals that are oblivious to her. She's started a new thing (apparently perfected during her 2-week "Home Alone" adventure) of jumping into the glass when things get really vocal between the squirrels. Between the squirrels? Yesterday this question required a double-take by me. What's going on between the squirrels? Ah, yes, "friendly" male-female relations. Translation form squirrel to human language: chasing each other up tree trunks, leaping from air conditioning unit to mud puddle...no wonder Summit's taken new interests in her "Natural State" friends.

And then there's Caleb. Things haven't changed upon return? While the obvious answer is "heck yes, they've changed," living day-to-day, hour-by-hour with a newborn sometimes blinds one to evidence of or hope for change. I'm not referring to biggo facts such as "he'll gain weight and get longer" or "rolling over and eating solids will come" but rather the timing of it all. Caleb's had his first tastes of cereal (just a bit of rice and oatmeal)--but I can't say it's the most pleasurable experience for all involved. I guess yet is the key adverb I should add to that sentence. While he doesn't seem to enjoy the new texture and utensil yet, he opened up his mouth sooner than yesterday. Today he also grabbed for the spoon, so I let him have it. Growth comes in tiny bird and squirrel steps; I must celebrate that.

As for CALEB and SUMMIT's friendship----tonight, while reading "On the Night You Were Born", my son and I witnessed the cat find a new spot: the bottom of the stroller. This must be Summit's way of saying she's on boardwith all the adventures we'll encounter as a family. Things will continue to change!!

Welcome 2009

We begin 2009 in Summit County, CO--our Rocky Mountain getaway destination--at the McCoy Mountain Home (a.k.a. my parents' place in the mountains). A little sun, a little snow, a little wind, a little football, a little snowshoeing, a little hottubbing, a little popcorn, a little Christmas cookie leftover action--ingredients of a perfect New Year's Day with the family. Oh, and the newest (and most significant) ingredient: CALEB. Today marks his 4 1/2 month birthday,and he's spending it with his mom, dad, Uncle David, and Omi and Papa. But not with SUMMIT. His feline companion, the grey and white tabby cat, is probably napping on his (Caleb's) changing table at our Little Rock apartment. She didn't make the cut of "what to pack for Christmas vacation". We all debate whether she faced that reality with relief or annoyance. Upon our return this weekend, will we be greeted by a sleeping cat or by torn-up toilet paper rolls? Two things we predict will happen upon CALEB and SUMMIT's reunion: Summit's competition with Caleb for our attention and Caleb's acknowledgement that Summit actually exists.

Arkansas, here we come again---but don't be offended when we claim another state as our home in April. I'm looking forward to the North Carolina friendship between CALEB and SUMMIT.