Einstein Move of the Day

I have been in a fog since the weekend. A combination of Owen's one-year vaccines, blog clots in his ear-tubes and a trip to Torrey, Utah (that ended prematurely at 3 am Sunday morning - another story later . . .) all contributed to my half-asleep state and to what I would consider the "Einstein Move of the Day." It is a rather complicated story . . . see if you can keep up.

For those of you who don't know, I live on the 3rd floor of our apartment complex. One of the people I visit teach lives on the 2nd floor of my building. Please keep these highly important facts in mind throughout the remainder of the story. I went downstairs to let a friend inside and we entered the elevator (another good reason to always take the stairs!). She pushed level two, but we had previously mentioned meeting at my apartment (level 3) to talk before visiting the woman we visit teach (level 2). I quickly pushed "3" in the elevator and we confirmed our decision to go back to my apartment before visiting teaching. Not thinking (remember the sleep deprivation?) we exited the elevator when it opened on level 2 and proceeded to what I thought was my apartment. I grabbed the door handle and to my shock, it was locked. I could have sworn I left it open . . . how could this be? I jostled the door again, banged on it and then in despair, admitted defeat. I must have locket it. "Great," I thought. "I don't have a key card to get in my building, shoes, a key . . . I'm going to have to walk down to the Heritage Center with bare feet. They are going to think I'm crazy. Now we're going to be late. . ."

"Let's just go visit Leslie," I said. "I'll take care of getting back into my apartment later." We agreed and walked down one flight of stairs to what we thought was level two. Now, we knock on the door and wait. Nothing. Again we knock. Nothing. "I could have sworn she said 10 . . ." Now I think I am going crazy. The neighbor to the door we are knocking on opens her door and comes out. I think, "That's weird that Jenny (lives on the first floor) is coming out of Ye Jin's apartment (lives on the second floor). I wonder what she is doing up here."

Then it dons on me: you're on the wrong floor. Brilliant. We immediately backtrack. We decide this time to take the stairs to my apartment (which I am happy to report I did leave unlocked and I did not have to walk down to the Heritage Center) and to visit Leslie.

I'm an Einstein.

Happy Birthday O-Ball!

Yesterday was Owen's 1st birthday. Wow, time has flown. I can't believe one year ago I was lying in a hospital bed meeting this little firecracker of an individual.

Some thoughts on my little guy from the WilsonForum:

Happy birthday Oball.

I really can't think of anything to say that can express how proud of you I am. You have fought through a very difficult 1st year of your life: stomach problems, ear infections, weekly sickness. In spite of your trials, you are the happiest and funnest one-year-old that I know of. Your sense of adventure and learning is unstoppable, and I love watching you develop on a daily basis. I was amazed at how close you brought our family by joining us in this world. Watching you learn to sit up, grab things, laugh, play, and walk has blessed my life. I love it when you talk to us in those funny words that you make up. Your continuous smile brightens all of our lives. Every day I thank God for you and your Mom. I love you.

Love, Dad (Joey)


Dear Oball,

Your name is really Owen; a perfectly acceptable name to call you. But Oball has come to mean what a really energetic and go-get-'em kid you are. Baby frogs grow up in the same stream as their parents so you are are a spitting image of your dad at your age. Running around, refusing to be penned up, headed for the nearest exit as if the world were just too big and interesting to spend much time in one place. So keep it up Oball. Or Owen. It really doesn't matter too much what we call you because you will carve an existence out of this life that will not really need a name. People will know who you are by just what you are and that is very, very special and wonderful. You have brought sunshine to this old man's life and I love you and your gorgeous parents for that.

Love, Poppy (Ted)

You have brought sunshine to all of us. We love you Owen!

To Move or Not to Move . . .

That has been the question since early April - and it is taking a toll on my body! I, unfortunately, wear my stress on my sleeve (or legs).

Five years ago, small red, painful bumps began appearing on my legs. I was in and out of doctors' offices and hospitals for months hoping to discover the mystery behind these growing red pests. Most doctors agreed: Erythema Nodosum. In simple terms, "little red bumps." Thanks. How profound.

Test after test was run to determine if they were caused by an autoimmune disease or if they were cancerous. After a biopsy, (which proved they were benign), I made one last ditch effort to uncover the mystery. During the doctor's visit, I received some of the wisest council I have ever received: relax.

I am not sure if it was the folded used hospital gown or my attempt to straiten the sheet on the hospital bed, but this doctor could clearly tell I was high-strung.

Since that time (and through a number of events since then), I have tried desperately to maintain a better sense of balance in my life. And, I fortunately have little reminders on my legs if I am not doing an adequate job.

Obviously, we are working through the decision to move and I am not handling the indecision well. Erythema Nodosum is back in full furry.

As you have probably read from the entry "DUN," Joey finished his Master's degree and is now preparing for his PhD. Although there is still school left to complete, he has finished one chapter of his life and in many ways is ready to move on. On the other hand, who would want to leave this little utopia called "Shoreline ridge?" We have some of the most fabulous neighbors and friends just a hop, skip and a jump away. I can call them at all hours of day in need of one thing or another and they happily oblige. Owen has a 50 different friends he can find on the playground at any hour of the day (and more importantly, they all have very cool mom's that I can sit and talk to as well). Why would we move?

I think until we find the answer to that question, my little red friends will be setting up shop.

Ward Prom

Ode to Google

We spent Friday evening at Joey's mom's house. Rooting around Joe's old bedroom, I came across his 4th grade journal. It is covered in teal, neon green and hot pink fabric that would only look appropriate on M.C. Hammer.

While reading through some of his entries, I began to see the makings of a computer nerd. One entry reads:

Dear Google,
Thanks for helping me with my homework. My teacher would have KILLED ME if I didn't hand it in. Usually math is a bore, but you made it fun. Thanks for everything!

from,
Joey

Other fascinating things about Joey, age 10:

Favorite color: Red fluorescent

Favorite food: Pizza

Favorite hobby: Rocks

Favorite magazine: Nintendo Power

Favorite song: Young M.C., Bust a Move

Things that bug me!: Girls who are snots

If I could change my name, I'd change it to: Google

Joey, age four, with Sister Jessica

A New Trick

Owen (as I am sure is the case with all children) is constantly surprising me with new tricks each day. One of the least impressive is throwing his pacifier at the wall to somehow signal that he is done with his nap. I then have to hang over the edge of the crib to reach behind it to snag the displaced binky. It is quite a sight to see a 25-year-old women balance on a 1" bar with her legs in the air. Not my favorite trick.

Owen's favorite trick of the moment is to fully unroll the toilet paper roll in under a minute. He then has two options: proceed to shred the unrolled paper, or cart the white mess throughout the house. He has become quite proficient; by the time you are aware of his destruction, the damage has been done.

His latest trick is as follows:
1. Place left foot in green circle of toy dinosaur.
2. Place right foot in orange circle.
3. Systematically climb higher, pulling your body up onto window ledge until your feet are as high as they can possibly go (as of right now it is the top of his dinosaur - I'm sure if we give it a week, he'll figure out how to get his whole body on the ledge).



Frightened? Yes. I am a little concerned that my 11-month old has discovered how to climb on a variety of objects and pieces of furniture in our house - particularly things that are close to our third-story window.

Owen's dad however, would disagree. This is simply a manifestation of his future skills a climber. Joey's mother assures me that he was climbing onto their roof by age two. What fun I have to look forward to! I guess Joey came by it honestly as well. It is in the Wilson boys' blood. Like grandfather, like father, like son.

Joey at 5-mile boulder in Little Cottonwood Canyon

Grandpa Ted (Poppy) in the Tetons

DUN

Members of Joey's family received this email yesterday (with the same heading as this post):

Everyone,

Finished my Master's Degree today. Please refer to me only as Master Joey now. Thank you.

-Joey

So for those of you considering calling Joey by something other than " Master Joey" consider yourself warned.