Chicago Nature Blog: Peanuts & Cracker Jack

The Chicago Cubs, the baseball team I've ~~hated~~ loved for so many years, the team that has induced episodes of manic tantrums, a lot of head-shaking and exaggerated sighing, shouting of obscenities at the TV, chronic nail-biting, and serious thousand yard stare sessions, have won the World Series. A couple nights ago, I watched in disbelief as Kris Bryant fielded a bouncer and tossed it into the glove of Anthony Rizzo at first base, ending an unforgettable game 7 of a really good Fall Classic. As a long-suffering fan of the team, I felt this immense calmness, a satisfying sense of accomplishment, and a lot of old dead weight off of me. Becoming attached to such a team can be dangerous. As if I don't have enough things to worry about in life, I always have to hear from others about how bad the team is, how they'll never win because they are cursed, and whatever. Over time it all sort of accumulates like junk in the home of a hoarder. Now I feel like I've thrown out all of the trash and am living in a pristine, bright new house. Maybe the grey hairs in my beard will cease to proliferate.

Lumen turned four months old on November 1st. She has grown from the tender, pink, screaming, colicky newborn to a more inquisitive, smiling, and interactive infant. She is a lot of fun and Aimee and I are simply swooned. She started daycare on Halloween and dealing with her inevitable and expected cold symptoms (from the other dirty little kids) has added another dimension to her care.

I'm still pretty much locked into a more routine schedule for the most part. It's not easy, and over the last few months I see how a lot of parents (namely fathers) become frustrated and walk out of such situations. I mean, it's not bad when you remind yourself that these are the early years and that this doesn't last forever. I really enjoy picking Lumen up from daycare, or waking up in the morning and greeting her in her crib, where she always sports a big smile (not sure where she gets this whole happy in the morning thing). I walk around the house with her, showing her the beautiful fish, or Mr. Turtle, or anything that grabs her attention. Sometimes when the weather is conducive, we go outside and look at milkweed, and all of the milkweed bugs. We will see trees, and she watches as I touch the bark and say, "ooohhh, so nice!". It's something I never really thought I'd like to do, but I see how well she responds and it makes me happy and willing to try new things. Makes up for all of the diapers, spit up, boogers, cheesy neck, and sicknesses she has had and will continue to have for some time.

Here's a "photo dump" which sort of represents some of the routine and extracurricular activities I've involved myself in the last month or so.

Lumen! Shhh...

Photographing marine life in the depths of Lumen's nursery.

My pride & joy, 2005 Honda Civic, in its last day in my possession. First car I ever bought new, back in 2005. A lot of adventures, a lot of memories...just not compatible with a baby seat. That's Cassius' big dog head sticking out the window.