A few more from the BOP

Just because.

Mmmmmmm...I want pizza now.

My apologies to the pizza eating lady behind Owen. Didn't mean to catch you at such a vulnerable moment.

All but gradumacated

A few days ago Jon, Owen, and I had a little date at the BOP down in Fells Point while Gina hung with some friends in DC.  Pizza was ok but I'd definitely order by the slice next time.  Seriously, one slice was as big as our whole individual pizza.   We had so much fun together though - doesn't Jon's face say it all?  Owen and I both love, love, LOVE getting some quality time with the man of the house.  We may even actually occasionally fight over him.  But...that's not the point of this post.

Yesterday Jon was super sick with a nasty stomach bug.  Before he knew what was going on, even though he already felt sick, he voluntarily got up with Owen at some super early hour so that I could snooze a little longer.  Then, later when I had a headache he gave me a little neck stretch - even though HE was the one that was suppose to get the pampering.  But that's not the main point either.

The MAIN point is that Jon finished his LAST class at AU on Monday.  Last as in forever last.  As in now he gets to walk across the stage and get his diploma and never come back last.  And I am so proud of him.  He's stuck in there with this degree for an incredibly long time (yes, it is hard to believe since he's still mistaken for a 22 year old) and really gave this last class his all - reading every book and doing every paper 100%.

Congratulations Jon.  You never cease to amaze me and I love you more each day. 

Especially now that you're all official and whatever.  :)

Mothering - it's not for babies.

I wanted to rock Owen to sleep tonight.  I don't do that anymore.  I can't really.  He doesn't fit and, honestly, he doesn't want to.  He's much more comfortable falling asleep on his own. 

But tonight I wanted to hold him for awhile.  Those 1-year molars have shredded his top gums and I could tell he was uncomfortable and in need of a few cuddles too.

I was a little nostalgic tonight.  I remember Owen as a tiny baby but it's through a slightly faded lens.  I needed to just hold on to him for a bit and pray again about our changing relationship.   

Caring for a baby is easy really.  It's all about holding and soothing and feeding and changing.  Motherhood is born from those late nights and long rocking sessions.  But mothering...that's a different story.  I sense that mothering has only begun for Owen and me.  The process of teaching and shaping him - it's really just started.  I love, love, love him but all that loving isn't sufficient for the years ahead.  We have to build on top of that foundation a different type of relationship now and I'm only beginning to be able to actually put into practice all those lessons and values that I've thought about and prayed about and slowly introduced since Owen was born (and before). 

Tonight I sang songs to him as we rocked and he drifted in and out.  At one point I asked him if he wanted to lay down.  Instead of his usual 'please' indication he buried his little head in my shoulder.  Minutes later he was asleep - but restless.  His long legs tried to stretch out and he twisted and turned on my lap trying to get comfortable.  

As I laid him in the crib he instantly relaxed as he rolled on his side and cupped his ear with one hand.  

He made a tiny contented noise 

- as if to say "much better" - 

and was quickly

and deeply

asleep.  

Baltimore Spring

Patterson Park walk to work.  

Fishy, Fishy

Ever since we visited the Baltimore Aquarium when I was a child it has been a certain fascination for me.  I think everyone has those larger than life memories of places that amazed them when they were young.  It had probably been 15 or 20 years since I'd been but that didn't stop me from recommending it to friends as an awesome aquarium.  I remembered the blue columns of bubbles and the spiraling ramp that led you down through the coral reefs to the shark level.  

Given my small obsession - it's a little sad that it took us so long to visit once we moved to Baltimore.  I mean, we live about a mile away.  We can walk there.

To be fair - it is super expensive.  Taking the whole group of us gets close to $100.  

When Jon's dad,  Molly and little William came out in March we took advantage of their visit to buy a family membership.  It was like opening the floodgates.  I've taken Owen at least 4 times in the past month.  

But it's just such an awesome place to take a little toddler.  Some visits we've spent most of our time weaving in and out of the bubble tubes.  Or just visited the jellyfish.  Or took our time checking out the tiny shield shrimp.  It's perfect for short trips, exercise, and short attention spans.  

You can't tell - but these are GIANT fish.  They could probably eat Owen.

The jelly fish are awesome.  Did you know that jelly fish have no brain?

The bubble columns.  Yes.  Maybe the best part.

The only thing we have left to see is the dolphin show.  Gina, Owen, and I walked down yesterday just to see it but we got there after it was sold out.  But we managed to score some awesome spots at one of the underwater viewing stations and had a superb view of the underside of the show.  Which is still very cool. The dolphins are so big and it was amazing to see them propel themselves out of the water.  

If you're planning a visit to Baltimore - definitely include the aquarium.  But call us first so we can go too.  Although we might be there anyway.