The Polar Express

Tonight we visited the Colorado Railroad Museum for a special Polar Express Train Ride event. Ben and I decided that since most of the focus of this holiday season would likely be on our baby girl, we wanted to spend some quality time with Isaac now, before she is here. Isaac has always loved trains, and he is now old enough to appreciate all the magic and wonder of the Christmas season, so this event seemed like a great way to spend some special time with our boy.

Leading up to the train ride, this week we started watching snippets of the movie The Polar Express, and we told Isaac that at the end of the week, we'd ride the train. It probably goes without saying that we was beyond excited. 

Isaac, dressed in his cozy pajamas, and brimming with excitement; he was barely able to hold still for a picture.

The museum entrance, all decked out for the special event. 

Waiting to board the train.

All aboard! Boarding the dining car for a story, hot chocolate and cookies.

The "Hot Chocolate" song.

Listening to a reading of the story.

Heading to board the Polar Express.

Here it comes!

The performance: the boy and the conductor meeting.

Isaac and Daddy watching more of the performance. 

The first gift of Christmas, given by Santa himself!

The elves, welcoming us to the North Pole.

Saying hello to Santa one more time before heading home. Cute story, while on Santa's lap, Isaac confided something to Santa that Ben and I couldn't hear, but by the look on his face, we could tell it was a very serious matter. On the drive home, I asked Isaac what he said to Santa, and he said he told Santa that we don't have a Christmas tree. This was clearly a troubling matter--no tree, nowhere for Santa to leave gifts. I assured Isaac that we would take care of the Christmas tree long before Santa would visit our house. Sweet innocence.

Riding the train was definitely the right way to treat Isaac to some special, festive time with Ben and me. He loved it, and because of that, we loved experiencing the thrill of the season with our boy. 

Visiting Santa

Isaac was so excited to visit with Santa this year. He requested a piggy bank and a rocket ship book for Christmas, and then proceeded to talk Santa's ear off. This cute old man was so shy, and it was darling to see the two of them interact. Santa gave Isaac a candy cane when they were finished, and Isaac beamed as he walked away, clutching his treat. All the other store goers smiled in Isaac's direction as we left the store. Making seasons bright indeed.

Thanksgiving

Early this week, I finished eight years at the University, working in the Active Research Lab. Hard to believe it's over. I've known since May, more or less, that I'd be leaving my position with the arrival of our second child. But sometimes all the preparation in the world can't fully prepare you for such a profound shift in your life. Right now it just feels like I'm home on vacation, but sooner or later I'm sure it will sink in that it's over. Then I know I'll feel a void, not having the same day-to-day interactions I have had for so long, not being on the medical campus or part of the community of researchers there. After all, I've worked for the University of Colorado for as long as I've lived in Colorado; the two feel inextricably linked, to me. The sense of home in Colorado for me means Ben and Isaac, mountains and trails, a home I love in Louisville, and working at the University, and it will take time for that to change.

It seems fitting that I wrapped things up during the week of Thanksgiving. I've had a lot of time over the past few days to reflect on how lucky I have been--how lucky I am. I've always felt very grateful for my position in the lab, privileged to work for such a successful female researcher with a great team of colleagues studying an important disease. I am indeed thankful for the experience gained and relationships made in those eight years. Now, it's time to shift my focus.

My family's life is changing in big ways. We are growing from a family of three to a family of four with the addition of our baby girl in about a month. I will be staying home with Isaac and baby full time, and Isaac has transitioned out of the school he's attended for 2.5 years and will soon start at a new part-time preschool. Ben will be the sole bread winner in our family, and both of our roles and identities will evolve some with these changes. A lot of thought (and worry) and planning went into these decisions, and now we are here, making the transition. I won't say the decisions were easy to make, but right now, on this holiday of thanksgiving, they feel just right, and I'm thankful for that.

On the morning of my last day of work, reality struck me as I readied myself. I felt sad to leave my work, my friends, my campus. I couldn't help but look back over my shoulder as I prepared to walk away. But then I stumbled upon an article in my Facebook feed, and it couldn't have been better timed. One quote in particular really hit home. It was through tears that I read these words and felt steadied, buoyed, again:

"It's time to mean a lot to a little rather than a little to a lot.

To fill my days with these small people, hold them close, keep them safe. To cultivate our corner of this earth. To be central, indispensable to a few rather than superficial acquaintance to many. To dig deep instead of spread myself thin."

~Dina Relles

It's time to spend my days with my littles, because babies don't keep. So here's to being thankful for all I have--past, present and future. And to a new adventure; perhaps our greatest adventure yet.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Tesla and Isaac

36 Weeks

36 weeks with Isaac, giving his baby sister some love. 

So very thankful for my family. I love, love, love them!

Cutting Mushrooms, Take 2

Now that he is equipped for safely helping in the kitchen, we gave it another try. Much better than last time!

Mastering the Hill

A while ago, Isaac took his first big spill biking down a hill on the trail near the train tracks. He scraped up his hands and knees, but bravely got back on his bike and continued to ride after Mama kissed all of his ouchies. Since then, whenever we go out for a ride, he asks to ride down the "big hill". And so we always head back to the hill and Isaac carefully walks down with his bike underneath him, not quite riding it. A healthy dose of fear of a repeat accident has made him extra cautious.

Today though, something came over him. Once again, he asked to ride down the hill, and we headed for the train tracks. I don't know exactly what changed--maybe he's more comfortable on his bike now--but Isaac decided to try riding down the hill again. And it was a great success!

I'm proud of him. Both for following his intuition and taking the time he needed before feeling ready to try again, and for facing (and conquering) his fear. 

He stopped for just long enough to flash a huge grin, and then he was off again.