A year later and I still can't find my keys

Sometimes, you think you just have to catch up. 

Preston had a full day today. Kristina has been in Boston this week enjoying her conference, leaving her boys to fend for themselves. It has been a good effort with heavy activity. I had to go to grad class on Wednesday leaving Preston with Kevin and Rachel, which was a treat for him and gave him some new friends and new cars to play with.

I had him on my usual Thursday. Friday I had to drop him at daycare so I could go to an interview. I picked him up afterwards and we worked on the lawn. He helped me weed the beds around the maple in the front, with a footprint now far beyond the stretch of our little corner townhouse lot. The branches reach out for the street, up about 40 feet, and down so you have to duck to walk under it, which is helpful to the deter the high foot traffic a tad further west. I threw him in the Kokopax and he rode on my back while I mowed. He likes the view from the height of my head, judging from his giggles and coos as we weaved about the narrow front yard, curling around the maple dodging the branches tickling our necks and head.

We worked hard, bagged up our clippings and had nice, cold drink in the shade like two hard working men, him all the while pointing out the passing jets on approach to Dulles. Being on the flight path allows a constant stream of world travelers above. He doesn't know where they come from or wonder like his father does, but he knows they are jets and that they are going "dye dye," or there to somewhere else. 

Today, we spent the morning packing up. Daddy was going to play at his favorite winery gig in Delaplane, while Preston was going to join Cindy and her daughter Ava for the day. Pack and Play in hand, stroller, bottles, snacks, diapers, etc. all on board, we climbed in the gear overloaded Explorer we keep for just such a reason and headed west to Haymarket. I expected Preston to fight my departure, but it seems his attention is captured fairly easily these days. Anything with wheels suits as a fine distraction for Daddy to slip away to sing.

Preston enjoyed himself, to say the least, and clearly he was comfortable.

We finished with dinner at the Proutys. Preston was off his game a bit growly and whiny with the full day and hadn't napped until four, which would have been worse if he had not slept until ALMOST 9 AM !!??!! He got a chance to say hi to Bruce, Kate, and Ally and met Barney for the first time...eyes big as all get out trying to figure out how dinosaurs are still around. We had a quick dinner then had to head for the door to get our young man back in the swing of things and race to bed. 

We arrived home and the whines went away, no reason I can see for it other than sometimes it's just good to be home. We did our bedtime routine, but he seemed riled up. After reading "Danny and the Dinosaur" he was somewhat relaxed so I left him in the crib to go downstairs and get the truck unpacked. 

I heard him from the driveway screaming and I finished quickly to go back upstairs. I didn't want to pick him up, so I laid him back down in his crib and gave him Señor Elephante, our generous gift from his cousins Lydia and Marin. He snatched him, grabbing and wrapping both his arms around him and he restlessly rolled from side to side to get comfortable. 

It hit me then this was one of these moments other parents always tell you about. "They grow up quick," they say. "The time just flies by...they are only young once." My adult self told me I needed to get him to sleep as quick as possible so I could go unpack or organize or something. Instead, I took Preston in my arms. I leaned back into the nursing chair and tucked the boy, Señor, and a binky (of course) inside my arms. He was energized and eyes open, looking into my eyes as only a child can. So I began to sing to him. 

Fingers clasped together in a tight cuddle, I sang the words from Goodnight My Someone from The Music Man (a song my mother use to sing to me) - 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CC33O52pGUg

and Edelweiss - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFHujvkacNY

He grew heavy and while he did, he would take his fingers and try to stick them in my mouth as I sang, moving them around my teeth and gums. I would nip his fingers with my teeth and he would giggle with the binky in his mouth, eyes sleepy and half open - a happy, joyous laugh such as none I have ever heard. Everybody has their own laugh. I would sing, he would probe, and I would nibble. Soon his fingers ran to my beard and he lightly caressed the coarse hair on my face, gently framing the line of my jaw retreating under ever thickening middle aged hair until his hand ceased to move. 

My third choice to sing was a Dave Matthews song I nipped for the title of this blog. 

Baby Blue by Dave Matthews - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cETu3WzTUx8

"Confess your kiss
still knocks me off my legs
First time I saw you
was like a punch right through my chest

I will forever because you'll forever be
my one true broken heart
pieces inside of me
and you forever my baby

You will rest your head
your strength wants saving
and when you wake
you will fly away
holding tight to the legs
of all your angels
goodbye my love
into your blue blue eyes in
your blue blue world
you're my baby blue

confess not quite
ready to be left
still I know I
gave my level best
you give, you give
to this I can attest
you made me
you made me
you and me forever baby

you will rest your head
your strength wants saving
and when you wake
you will fly away
holding tight to the legs
of all your angels
goodbye me love
into your blue blue eyes
in your blue blue world
you and me forever."

I can't remember many things and I am still looking for my keys. Just as everyone said, he grew up quick, but he still fits in my arms. Tonight was a night like no other. I am glad I took the time to hold you. I love you son...you and me forever. 

Daddy