Meanwhile...

These guys were having a date of their own...

Charlie and Hans took the tram over to Central Park to slowly make their way to the Natural History Museum.

Lots of leaves to stomp through all the way there

 Although the museum is one of our regular hang outs, this trip was special because they had tickets to a special presentation about bats.

The "live bat encounter" gave lots of information on bats and there were several species of bats there to look at and learn about, with he most impressive being the largest bat, the giant golden crowned flying fox.

And my shy guy even raised his hand in a packed auditorium to ask a question.  Thankfully he didn't challenge the presenter this time, but simply asked "Why are bats nocturnal?"  A pretty good question for a 4 year old I thought.  So proud of him for speaking up in a crowded room.

A good day for these guys.  Some one on one time with each boy is really a treat and thankfully can easily reset your feeling frustrated with their constant whining and obnoxious behavior.  Why are they a nightmare together so often??

Now to get some Mama + Hans and Dada + Freddie time on the calendar.

Every trip to the museum must include a stop to see the dinosaur bones!

The Biggest Presentation Yet

Charlie gave a presentation today.  It's certainly going to be one he remembers for quite some time.  It's his biggest yet, and probably the biggest ever.  The importance has been building all week as Freddie has reminded us he'll be "sharing Dad with his class," and as Charlie lifted Freddie from his bed the morning of the talk Freddie whispered in his ear, "I'm excited you're coming to my class."

Freddie's class has been growing sugar and salt crystals and studying crystals.  He's told his friends and teachers his daddy grows crystals at work, so the teachers invited Charlie to talk to the class about his research.  Now, if Charlie's ever talked to you about his research you're probably chuckling.  The man LOVES to talk about his research and he often forgets his audience.  But he knows this, and so he practiced what he'd say to this group of 4 year olds.

He talked about their sugar and salt crystals, the snowflakes and water crystals outside, and then proteins and the protein crystals he studies, all accompanied by pictures.  Perfection.  Freddie was beaming the entire time.  Thinking about the look on his face as Charlie walked into the classroom actually makes me teary.  He was so proud of Charlie and so excited to "share his Dad."  I know one day the pride will most likely be mixed with the normal embarrassment kids feel about their parents, but I hope we're able to find those moments to be present, a part of it.

35

The Scene: Monday through Friday at 5.30pm

Lots of this going on lately...

When Charlie comes home from work in the evening Hans fusses if Charlie leaves his sight.  Poor guy only gets to see the Daddy for about 20 minutes in the evening before he's headed to bed.  They make up for it in the mornings though.  And Freddie gets in on the lovin too.

On the lake

Same tricks, different year. 

Come on, Dad, step it up a notch.  Wink.

For the record, he didn't get up on his first try.  Second.  And he was aching the next day.  Suppose that's what happens when you take a year off...and get old(er).

Rub A Dub Dub

My three men in a tub.

Bathtime for Hansie!  Freddie is getting his shower a day, but would not be left out of climbing in the tub with the other guys.

Father's Day

Their self portrait on the playground this morning

A typical scene from our house this morning:  Charlie is busily trying to get done with a project I've asked about for a while...hooks in the hall to hang scooters and the umbrella stroller.  And he's got a helper.  This 20 minute project took well over an hour with his helper, not including the break for a dance party in the living room.  With the stroller and scooter hanging there were high fives, hugs, and compliments to the best helper ever. 

Fatherhood has changed Charlie, made him softer and more patient.  The man gushes with love and pride.  He takes his job very seriously, so seriously in fact that he even comes to me, whom he's labeled the CEO of Childhood Growth and Development, for advice and suggestions on parenting. 

It makes my heart swell to hear Freddie say, "I love you, Mama.  And Tummy Brother.  And Dada my guy, my best guy, whole world."  

Thank you, Charlie, for loving us so.  We couldn't ask for anything more. 

Our Family Genius

 

I'm very proud of Charlie.  Not just proud of him for cranking out a dissertation, having PhD behind his name, or getting mail addressed to Dr. Charlie but proud of him for pursuing what he loves.  I'm proud he loves science and the art of problem solving despite the lack of glamour and fortune.  And I am especially proud that he manages to put our family above all else regardless of the demands on a Genius.  I love you, Charlie.  Congratulations. 

Commencement

 

Charlie defended his dissertation in August, and his degree was conferred in December, but there was this little matter of commencement.  Commencement occurred this past week, and Charlie was present.  It was a big moment for him that I thought he shouldn't miss.  He did earn a PhD, after all.  He was game since it meant a few calorie packed days in New Orleans, his home for the past 13 years.

Charlie and Dr. H, his mentor

I know graduations are boring. Just ask Freddie...

Watching a movie on his ipod

But I think there are a few folks out there who didn't make it but may be interested in some of photos.

Charlie getting "hooded"

The entire Health Sciences Center in New Orleans graduated.  That's 600+ doctors, dentists, nurses, researchers.  It was a long morning.

I kept telling Freddie to listen for Dada's name and asked if he knew what Dada's name was, and sure enough he said "St....," Charlie's last name.  

Charlie smiled and didn't trip as he walked across the stage.  He represented well.  

My own scooter

Freddie is big on trying out bicycles and scooters that arrive on the playground.  And then Dada got a scooter to aide in his commute.  (Yes, a thirty something man scoots along the sidewalks of NYC, and he's not the only one!)  So of course Freddie had to have his "own scooter."

He talks about "my own scooter" a lot and takes it around the house.  We have been taking it out some to ride since the weather is warming, but he's pretty distractible and there's lots to be seen off the scooter so quite often "my own scooter" is pulled along.

Eventually he'll see the scooter as a mode of transportation but for now the big appeal is Dada has a scooter and Freddie has his own scooter.

Yippee!

Freddie and I don't keep much of a set schedule.  Sometimes recalling what day of the week it is can be difficult.  Lately Freddie has had gym class on Wednesdays and music class on Fridays so that's given us some structure, but for the most part, whatever we do on a Tuesday could very easily be done on a Thursday or the following Monday.  And if we decide to spend the day in our pajamas on a rainy Monday, no one misses us.  You'd think we'd have little appreciation for the weekends because of this, but Saturday and Sunday mean The Daddy is home.  That's big stuff.

When Charlie tucks Freddie into bed he usually spends a little time lying in bed with him just talking in the dark.  Friday nights he tells Freddie "Tomorrow is Saturday.  Dada will be home all day.  I am not going to work.  We can play all day."  To that Freddie usually responds with a soft "Happy."  And Saturday morning when Charlie walks into another room Freddie chases behind calling "Wait for me, Dada."  Charlie explains, "Freddie, today is Saturday.  Dada is here all day.  I am not leaving to go to work.  We can play all day."  Freddie throws is arms in the air and shouts "Yippee."  My sentiments exactly. 

Lost

Freddie's required to sit in the stroller when we're out and about in the city.  He knows this and typically doesn't fight it and rarely asks to get up until we're in a less frantic area.  When we're in the park, museums, zoo, at playgrounds, in stores, on the tram, in the subway he's pretty much free to get out and walk about.  He will dart ahead but responds to my calling him and telling him he needs to stay a bit closer.  Usually if he's within sight I'm not too worried about how far ahead he gets.

We've been talking to him about his needing to be more aware of where Mommy and Daddy are as well.  Sometimes I'll see him pan the area and I presume he's searching for me, but he doesn't seem bothered when he doesn't spot me and more often than not carries on rather than continuing to look for me if he doesn't find me within the first few seconds.  Of course there are those parents that will say this is a recipe for disaster....I imagine he could come upon a strange dog, step in a puddle or even better dog poop before I have a chance to intervene, cut in line at the water fountain without my correcting him right away, you know all horrible stuff, but so far it's working for us.  But there was this one incident...

Freddie rode the elevator in our building to the 14th floor by himself and he wasn't on the elevator when it returned to the first floor.

He and Charlie were returning from a trip to the drugstore to get Mama a treat (love those guys of mine) and Freddie ran ahead in the hall from the lobby.  The elevator doors were open so he hopped on.  As Charlie rounded the corner the doors were closing and off the elevator went with only Freddie inside.  Charlie watched the numbers climb on the screen above the elevator and called me to let me know Freddie was MIA.  The numbers slowed at 13, but had it stopped?  It definitely made it's final stop on the 14th floor before returning empty to the first floor.

Charlie instructed me to head to the 13th floor and he was headed to the 14th floor.  Down the hall I ran, barefoot, in my flannel flamingo pjs bottom shirt button undone to allow the belly breathing room.  As the elevator is slowly pushing upwards I can hear Charlie in the next elevator calling out Freddie, Dada's coming Freddie, you're ok, Dada's coming.  Evidently he could hear Freddie wailing.

My elevator doors opened on the 13th floor to silence so I went up to the 14th floor.  And there they were...Freddie sobbing, Charlie panicked, the woman who was on the other side of the elevator doors when Freddie ran out, and the family in the apartment at the end of the hall which Freddie ran to presuming it was our apartment.  Poor Freddie.  Poor Charlie.  And poor 14th floor residents having to see the my belly and stubby bare feet. 

Freddie kept repeating that he was scared through his sniffles and needed a little extra cuddling.  Charlie was pretty much in the same state.  Everyone's more or less recovered now that a few days have passed.  I though Freddie might become a little more cautious around the elevators but evidently losing his independence is a scarier prospect that riding the elevator alone again...."I do it!  Self!  BACK MOMMY!"  Go for it, Little Man.  I won't stand in your way.

My Guy

Yes, they are reading my New Orleans Gardens book.  I'm not the only one dreaming of lush gardens.

Charlie calls Freddie "My guy."

Freddie calls Charlie "My guy, " in a soft endearing voice usually accompanied by a pat or hug.

Super cut

We trammed it over to the east side on Saturday.  Supercuts is just a few steps away.  Charlie took his chances and only gave the instructions of "shorter all over" to the stylist to demonstrate for Freddie what he was in for.

Freddie was happy to sit in the chair by himself at first and didn't mind the scissors at all.  She really went to town chopping and I was a bit concerned that her  plan was to clean it up and shape it with the clippers.  Once she tapped the clippers on him he went nuts and it was over.   I sat down and had him sit on my lap, but he was really hysterical.  I don't think she'd cut a toddler's hair before with her requests for him to position his head just so and her expectation to give him a clipper cut.  

Next time I know to let the stylist know in advance he'll sit for scissors only.  Charlie did spend some time with him in the evening with the clippers putting them on his arms and belly to help him get over his fear.  Charlie was able to clean up the edges a little, thankfully.

He's definitely looking more and more like an big boy.  Sorry for the phone pics.  Promise there will be some better pictures soon.

The kitchen window

Freddie calls out for "Dada" a few times a day but seems to have some cues in the evenings to know that it is getting close to Dada's arrival home and calls for him more frequently after 5pm.  Charlie usually sends me a text message when he's heading out of the subway station just about home.  So I then ask Freddie if we should check for Dada.  He gives a quick "yesh" or "yeah" and runs to the kitchen window.

Can you see Charlie waving?

And we both watch for Charlie to come into sight.  Freddie immediately gets giddy when he lays eyes on Charlie and calls to him through the window.  Once Charlie's in the building Freddie is off to the front door where a giggly reunion ensues. 

It's Dr. Charlie to you

Charlie and his lab members

Dada's got a PhD.

He defended and walked out of school today with a letter in hand to certify his credentials before the diploma arrives in December.

Some lessons learned:

• Get a job, and you've got yourself a deadline.
• Have a job waiting and your committee will get you out the door.
• Give yourself six months to write the dissertation and it will take six months.  Give yourself a month to write the dissertation and it will happen in a month.
• Requiring your wife and family refer to you as Doctor makes it all worth it.

Congratulations, Charlie.

Dedicated and Ready to Defend

I dedicate this work to my greatest joy: FCS, III.

I never knew it possible 

to love so much.

Charlie's defense is in one week.  He's ready to go.  He said he's not even nervous about the questions I've prepared concerning the outliers.

Freddie and I couldn't be prouder of our Science Guy.  I've even handed over the crown.  He's the new family genius.

Best Part of Each Day

Skyping with Dada!

It also usually means my 13 hour Mama duty is almost over with dinner, bath, and bed on the horizon.

Daddy's Day

Happy Father's Day, Charlie. Thank you for loving us with all your heart. I am so happy to be your partner in this adventure, and you make this parenting part of the adventure so much fun.

And to my Daddy, who feels like he is a million miles away right now, I am forever your little girl. Thank you for the reminder that parenting is forever and ever.