Talking about Greer

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A year passes....

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Sat, 24 May 2008 10:58:00 +0000

Back again after a year of not saying anything about our boy. When Greer reads this, he'll probably wonder what was up. The usual, I'll say.

Early in the morning on the eve of Memorial Day weekend - after having fallen asleep early after bathing Greer. He crawled into our bed at midnight....just as I was waking from my 'nap'. No luck sleeping after that, as the boy likes to kick and squirm.

The last year has been a busy one for our boy. In the span of things, he has learned how to poop in the potty, has caught his first fish, held court with dinosaurs and learned how to better manipulate his parents. It's the natural course of things.

Today, he spent the day at the YMCA while Mom and Dad worked the fields. Back at home, he continued his impassioned inquires into the coming weekend - and when he would see his Papa and Baba. "When I go see Papa and Baba?", he says. Tomorrow. We'll go see them in Hood River with the camper.

Memorial Day weekend is here.

Turtle Man to the Rescue!

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Tue, 13 Mar 2007 18:37:00 +0000

Typical weekend afternoon at the house.

Alex upstairs taking a nap - while I entertain the Greermonster in the basement. On this Saturday, The Incredibles DVD was blasting the background for the umpteenth time....and Greer erupted from his viewing position and ran into his playroom - slamming the door behind him. Now usually, the door closing signals that he's preparing to poop, but there was more activity this time - and a great deal of animated conversation along with the occasional shriek. I continued to peck away at my computer, wondering if a diaper change was in my future - and whether it was mommy's turn or not.

Suddenly, the boy flung open the door and bounded out – stark naked – with the exception of some costume nylon cowboy chaps fluttering behind him. Coming to a stop in front of me, he announced that he was “Turtle Man” – and ran off up the stairs to present himself to Mom.

Suffice it to say, I followed up with a camera – and the event has been documented for posterity and the requisite amount of adolescent embarrassment.

Ants...

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Mon, 12 Mar 2007 20:07:00 +0000

So we're going to try this again....Greer's blog has been offline for over a year now, with most of his stories finding there way into my blog...which has also been in various states of hybernation.

Mr. Greer has grown like a weed (of course) and continues to suprise us with new things every day. As his personality starts to take shape, we see aspects of ourselves...

As the weather starts to warm up - the presence of ants (and the occasional fly) have driven Greer into a series of minor panics. Alex has the same feeling about the little beasties - and it seems to have grafted itself onto Greer. I have problems understanding this unless there is a cascading colony pouring out of the wall, but then again, I don't have a issue with bugs, either....except for deadly house spiders.

Of course, it could just be the notion of having something alien crawling inbetween you and your Hot Wheels, but the fear aspect - followed by much pointing at thin air - makes me wonder what he's seeing sometimes.

Occasionally, an actual live ant is the root of all the hubub....and depending on the urgency of the circumstance (and whether it's in conjuction with a diaper change), will determine the fate of Mr. Ant. Lately, I've been pretty coldhearted - and have taken to eliminating the threat in Greer's presence - to which he usually exclaims, "It got away!"

Yes...to ant heaven, son.

Halloween - Thanksgiving and more...

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Fri, 09 Dec 2005 23:18:00 +0000

Something about the end of the year....crazy.

Greer has been growing by leaps and bounds during the past two months. Since his accident, his collarbone has healed up nicely, and we're back to chasing him around.

Halloween was fairly low-key this year. Greer sported a mommy-crafted black spider costume that he wore to his friend Duncan's 3rd birthday party at the Oaks Park. Although his extra arms were a little much for him to wander around in, he made a fine showing....eating ice cream and attempting to wander out onto the roller rink. On Halloween proper...we decided to hang up the extra arms - and sent him to daycare dressed as a cat burglar. Keeping it simple was much easier...

Greer and I had some good one on one time early in November...Mom headed back to Maryland to visit Aunt Cameron and Uncle Seth - and so the two of us had a "guys only" week together. Somehow, we survived - although we did call Mom almost every night to check in.

On Thanksgiving, he spent some good time in Portland at Uncle Dave and Aunt Dianne's house. Marcia, Travis & Kira - Papa and Baba (Greg's folks) - Great-GrandPapa and Great GrandNana were also there to help with the turkey and all the holiday fixin's. After that celebration, we all traveled up to The Dalles to spend the weekend with the grandparents. Greer even got to see the Starlight parade through downtown - and spent some quality time with the family.

Broken bird

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Wed, 12 Oct 2005 18:48:00 +0000

The things you learn in 24 hours...

Turns out we were a little too optimistic about Greer's changing table accident. After Alex dropped him off, we receieved an afternoon call from daycare that Greer was moving slowly with some pain - not wholly suprising - but enough to send us to the emergency room to check things out.

A couple hours later we confirmed he had a broken collarbone on his left side.

The Doc said that there isn't much that can be done as far as stabilization is concerned....his toddler status precludes him from slings, so we just have to keep him away from certain activities - and take care in how we handle him.

He isn't exhibiting much in the way of pain or bruising, but it's still unnerving to know that he is broken...and we couldn't tell.

The big fall...

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Mon, 10 Oct 2005 21:06:00 +0000

Nothing like a little drama for your morning...

While getting ready for daycare this morning, Greer managed to pitch himself off his changing table and onto the carpet - a good three foot drop - to much howling and bewhilderment. He's come close to the big fall a few times, but this was the first time we didn't catch him. Suffice it to say, he was not amused.

After a close examination and about a half-hour of dual parent consoling, he appeared to be ok to go to daycare. He's bound to be tender and a little bruised this evening, but nothing was broken thankfully. He'll be a gimpy bird for a while thought.

I just hope he'll let us use that table in the future....or else we may have to resort to something a little closer to the ground.

Springwater bike adventure..

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Fri, 07 Oct 2005 21:31:00 +0000

My wonderful dad managed to score a used Burley bike trailer for Greer last month...and it's been sitting in our garage for the past couple of weeks, the victim of business and the usual nonsense.

Finally, on Sunday afternoon, we managed to hook the thing up to my Cannondale - and the three of us had an inagural bike ride together. For Alexis, it had been over 15 years since she'd ridden, so I was watching Greer in the back and Alex in the front....hoping that no one cracked up as we attempted part of the Springwater Corridor, near our house.

Aside from the usual scary tweekers lurking in the bushes along the trail (formerly a set of railroad tracks), the ride was an exhasutive success. I think Greer was more entranced with our bikes than his trailer....a point that was magnified whenever we stopped to let him out. He immediately would walk up to the bikes and tried to get on board with some assistance from Dad. His enthusiasm waned a little over half-way through the journey - after he bonked himself on a chain-link fence - and started to lose patience with the amount of time it was taking to get home.

Although he was definately done for the day, I think the trailer will be a hit for future outings. Just got to get back in the saddle....

Sauvie Island recess

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Mon, 26 Sep 2005 21:49:00 +0000

Greer got some first-hand exposure to the farm this past Sunday as the three of us (plus my folks and Papa) headed out to Sauvie Island for a little R&R. Grandma and Mom held his hands and swung him up and back as we walked from the parking lot to the pumpkin patch. He was immediately drawn in by the large John Deere tractor parked nearby, and attempted to climb aboard - an variation on his desire to drive all things with a steering wheel...

Oddly, amongst all the hubub - the farm animals took priority....even after we had crawled up the barn steps and seen them, he kept slipping my grasp and running back to the barn (three times in a row) - counting (sort-of) - as he ascended...

Three...Three...Fow...

He also refers to animals by the sounds they make - calling cat a "Maow" and a cow "Moo". I think one of his bedtime books is responsible for this....heh.

On our way home - and quite frequently - he has been singing "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" to himself - often getting through the first few bars before descending into random notes. Another favorite tune that's been surfacing is the Blue Danube Waltz. He'd been singing variations on it, so during a recent bath, I sang the opening phrase - which he punctuated with a "bee-bee" for the flute apex. You couldn't wipe my smile off in a million years...

Speaking of words...here's a current list of favorites...

Cookie - "kee-kee"
All Done - "ah done"
Mommy and Daddy
Papa and Baba

and undoubtedly, many more to come...

Rolling into Fall...

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Tue, 20 Sep 2005 19:26:00 +0000

Another month has passed and Greer has stepped over the boundry between wobbler and toddler at daycare. His vocabulary has evolved considerably in the past month - and the short sentences are rolling out (mostly while were away, it seems). Last Sunday, the three of us managed to escape for a little walk down to Harney Park where he ran with wild abandon and help me chase down a few errant rebounds on the basketball court. Good stuff.

He's also becoming more affectionate - accepting with some relish - the sandwich kisses from mom and dad before we leave in the morning. When we get home in the evenings - and he's still got the energy - he will come over and lay his head against one of us while we read to him. He's much the same with Pogue - giving her hugs and burying his face in her fur.

Much like his dad, I'm afraid.

August heat and other things...

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Mon, 15 Aug 2005 21:47:00 +0000

As the days get shorter, summer has been turning up the heat. It's been averaging between 80 and 100 degrees for the last couple weeks - and it's a challenge to keep Greer cool and entertained. We've been making plenty of visits to the backyard - keeping the plants watered and watching the sparrow fledglings get their wings. Still, often the coolest spot is inside with the fans, so that's often where we hide.

One exception to this was last weekend, where we ventured out to the Clark County Fair - north of Vancouver, WA. Our friends Dan and Lisa (and their daughter Kira) have been raising pigs for competition in the Fair, so....since Greer likes animals - it was a match. Despite being in the 90s, we had a good time and the boy got to check out all of his barnyard favorites, often pointing them out with an acknowledging "word" or cackle.

Of his recent exploits, Greer has become a proficient helper in cleaning up before bed - and helping with the dishes. He loves climbing up on a kitchen chair next to Mom and helping move the dishes into the sink. He also likes the taste of soap, but we're working to curb that. Another new thing is his enthusiasm for getting going in the morning. Say "go" or "school" to him after breakfast, and he's likely to help you drag his stuff to the door. It looks like he's really into the socialization aspect of his daycare....waving at his favorite teachers, and flirting with everyone else.

Cheeky monkey...

Another month flies by...

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Mon, 25 Jul 2005 22:17:00 +0000

Summer is always the quickest season. By the time you realize it's happening, much of it has past. Such has been Greer in the Summer.

He's been out to his first campground (Hood River), spent time with his grandparents, gone geocaching, watched softball games, seen a dog show, etc... It's been a busy but fun time for our little guy.

Every week brings a new suprise and greater insights into the little man he is becoming. As of last night, he is in full command of "Momma" and "Dada" and can answer simple questions like "Do you want to go outside?" with a nod or side-to-side movement of his head. At one point about two weeks ago, as I held him in my arms, he said "Wann goo ouschide...". Amazing. He hasn't said it since. Still, his ability to remember/identify colors and specific objects is breathtaking. Last night while we were looking at a color book, I asked him to "point to the color that Mamma is wearing". He correctly selected blue. I've quizzed him on different colors and objects - and he does really well....often trying to create a word to discribe the color. Usually, this word is "Gawck"....a derivation of "Dog and Car". Also, he also occasionally refers to a horse as "orss" or "urss".

And the list goes on.....

One thing that I should mention is his art. Like many toddlers, Greer loves art - and usually has a lot to say about. Last night, after we had picked up some of his art from daycare, we looked at it as a family. As soon as he saw his art, he ran up and sat on my lap - and preceeded to start a one-sided conversation, pointing a different parts of his scribblings and looking to me for confirmation. He also loves to deconstruct some of his offerings, especially if they involve stickers.
I really like a couple of his little projects, and plan to frame my favorite for everyone to enjoy.

Currently, I'm taking him in during the morning and Alex grabs him in the evening, so we're seeing how that works.

Father's Day

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Mon, 20 Jun 2005 22:23:00 +0000

Even though he's been feeling under the weather again, Greer was in good form for Father's Day. As we prepared for our BBQ dinner, Greer and Uncle Chris played out in the backyard - taking the garden hose and squirting water in the air.

A few days prior, Greer gave me his Daddy's Day gift, a card with his artwork - and a handprint magnet.

I'm such a lucky dad...

Truncated walks and cell-phone hijinks

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Mon, 06 Jun 2005 17:59:00 +0000

Alex and I took Greer out for his first journey down the Springwater Corridor trail near our place. We would have liked to extend the experience a little longer, but after about 30 minutes of riding the stroller, walking and sitting on our shoulders - his protests started to outweigh our desire to continue. We're hoping to acquire a little child trailer to attach to our bikes. Maybe that will be more appealing.

Also...

I got a ton of laughs from the boy last night while playing keep-away with the cell phone. Every time I would slip the musical phone out of his grasp, I would make a "WHOOP' noise - and he would giggle like it was the funniest thing he'd ever seen.

I dig those giggles. They can sure make your day.

Balloon love...

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Thu, 02 Jun 2005 23:11:00 +0000

After spending Memorial day afternoon with Uncle Chris (who stood in for Alex & I as we went to the Star Wars movie) - Greer came home with a "Happy Birthday" Tigger balloon. This balloon has become an element of constancy in Greer's home life since then. It is his new accessory - and he cries when it's out of reach.

He holds it when he plays.
He holds it when he eats.
He even has held it while taking a bath - and when I put him to bed.

While he manages to let go while sleeping, he always has it in hand when go to start his morning.

First act of Subversion...

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Sun, 22 May 2005 15:57:00 +0000

Last week, Alex and I attended an ice cream social at Greer's daycare. While walking and talking with parents and teachers, we learned that Greer pulled his first "subversive" act earlier in the day when he unlatched the door to his home room and set the toddlers free.

Opening doors is becoming a new facination for our little bear, so I'm not terribly suprised to learn this. In a strange way, I'm almost proud of his unconscious act of freeing his comrades.

Falling in love

noreply@blogger.com (alex) — Wed, 18 May 2005 17:16:00 +0000

It struck me as I was driving Greer home from the Y after work the other day, craning my arm back to hold his soft, little hand, that each day I am falling ever more deeply in love with my son...he is changing so quickly, his personality is developing and he is more and more an individual...I realize that all parents have this experience. I realize that each of us has been a miraculous wunderkind in our mama's eyes...but for the mama it feels new...the discovery phase, that endlessly exciting "getting to know you" period when each day is suprising, rewarding, delightful. Tiny babies are lovable because they're so cute...you can dress 'em, play with 'em, laugh, coo, coddle and cuddle (and of course, we are hardwired to love them--otherwise they might find themselves flying out of a window at 4:00 in the morning, tossed by a parent blind with sleeplessness), but all that squishy, adorable creature experiences are dichotomies: comfortable/uncomfortable, safe/unsafe, happy/unhappy. Greer is now participating and directing events in his life...I can watch him explore ever more complex feelings and express his ideas in unflaggingly creative ways. He's now a wee beastie I can "get". Watching, listening, feeling, I can get to know him as an individual in a way that caring for a teeney one (the larval stage, as one of my friends put it) precludes.

And he is amazed by the mundane. The world would be a better place if more of us could find wonder in a TriMet ride. (Not that I haven't ...I used to ride the 12 and 19... there were plenty of awe-inspiring sights, sounds and smells on that line.) Uncle Chris took him "out" on Saturday. Daddy and I did a shout out to Allah and boogied down all the way to the theatre to take in Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. We arrived home at 5:30, prepared to be sheepishly apologetic for being half an hour behind our time. But the boys weren't home...they rolled in at 7:30...Greer's little body still thrilling with excitement--Uncle Chris rather less thrilled, but happy. They had ridden the bus, the train, chased pigeon's in Pioneer Courthouse Square (I tried to focus on Greer's unencumbered joy, rather than the baby snatching scenarios running through my head at the thought of my son, unfettered, chasing the avian population of Portland). Greg and I had to laugh at Greer's genial chatter through his dinner--his day was far more spectacular than ours. The next day found him a little blue...it was raining and there was no opportunity even to thunder after the ducks in the Rhododendron Garden. Well, not everyday can be an adventure...that would be exhausting.

He Speaks - and pulls tricks!

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Thu, 12 May 2005 20:32:00 +0000

It just keeps getting more interesting...

While sitting at the dinner table last night, Greer start mumbling in his usual baby language - except some of the words were beginning to sound like English. On top of this, his daycare providers mentioned that he has said "more crackers" in context with a snack and as well as other words out of context.

To test this new wrinkle, Mom and I started playing the word game - repeating a word while pointing to the subject. In this case, a cartoon of Tigger.....to which he promptly repeated "Tigger".

That same evening, I sat down with a "barrel of monkeys" and helped him take the monkeys out and put them back in the blue barrel. It became a race to see how fast we could get the monkeys back in - and put the lid on. Ahhh....the lid. The one sidenote to this game is Greer's affection for taking the "lid" to the barrel and banging it repeatedly on the antique coffee table when the parents aren't looking.

So....as daddy was searching for the last monkey to put in the barrel, Greer had made off with the lid and started banging in on the table - howling with laughter as I voiced my displeasure.

Tricky little monkey...

Birthdays

noreply@blogger.com (alex) — Mon, 09 May 2005 19:20:00 +0000

My little mite was sick on Friday. I had basically just arrived at work, when I got the call from Tammy at the Y that Greer was running a high fever (102.8!) and had to go home. I dropped everything and ran. He got an appointment with the doctor the same day, and we came out with an armful of drugs...amoxicillan (remember the pink stuff?), an abuterol inhaler (poor Sir Wheeze-a-lot), ibuprofin, decongestant and cough suppressent. Dude is loaded for bear. By Saturday he was feeling more himself and actually did an admirable job at the Hamilton Clan annual birthday bash...for whatever reason, much of Greg's family seems to have their birthdays in May...we loaded up and arrived at Clyde's Prime Rib (nee the Prime Rib, in our past). Greer did his best. He fell in love with a red-headed waitress...at least he has good taste.

Staring at the Son

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Thu, 05 May 2005 18:13:00 +0000

Recently I found myself distractedly staring at photos of Greer on my desk at work. I think this is due in part to the last few months of growth, where he has been developing his personality.

My current favorite photo is one just taken last week during our visit to the beach. It's the typical Dad photo (me holding the camera out in front). He's sitting on my shoulders, and I'm looking at the camera - while he is looking away into the distance with a serious face.

To me, it feels like he is looking to the future...while resting in the present with his Dad. His face is a reflection of his name - a contraction of Gregor - which means "watchful one".

Back from the Beach

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Wed, 04 May 2005 23:32:00 +0000

Last weekend marked the renewal of a Hamilton tradition....the family beach trip. We loaded Greer in van and trundled east to Lincoln City, where my folks had rented a beach house for the weekend. Greer was solid during the trip, and had just started to fuss when we reached the coast. His grandparents were so glad to see him.

Once inside the cottege, the three of us managed nicely in a loft - where Greer nested in his playpen - when he wasn't toddling around or ascending/descending the carpeted stairs.

Despite the light rain, we had a couple good shots at the beach. Selitz Bay was in our backyard, so Greer was able to pad along in the wet sand, occasionally bending over to examine a shell or rock....he even managed to plant himself squarely in a the middle of a small puddle - which elicited a certain displeasure. Later, he rode on Mom's back as we walked along the main strip of beach in L.C. It was here that he played in the sand with grandma and got some quality beach time.

All in all - a great trip worth repeating...

Needy, Fussy, Dramatic

noreply@blogger.com (alex) — Wed, 27 Apr 2005 17:31:00 +0000

My poor son is a bit of a wreck lately. His expressions of grief and frustration are bold--their drama rivals a 19th century "Perils of Pauline" play. Greer's little face crumples, his lower lip juts out and he bows his head to his chest, all accompanied by a rib rattling wail. More and more he finds himself needing Mommy and Daddy time. After work is a particular season of discontent. The distracted parental antics of cooking and dish duty are cause for cranky complaint...he melts, he goes boneless, he clings. We sigh, we feel guilty, we cave. So...Greg and I have decided that when we come home we need to have an hour of dedicated "Greer" time...no adult chores...of course, this means dinner needs to be ready when we walk in the door, and since I do not have a house fairy, flitting through my kitchen creating dinner magic, I have spent some significant time trying to plan crockpot meals for morning or night before (after me boy-o succumbs to sleep) preparation. This has become even more necessary with my impending--intense--rehearsal schedule. I am--concerned. Greg and Greer will be fine...but will Mommy?

Radio Flyer

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Tue, 26 Apr 2005 20:32:00 +0000

Another of Greer's favorite toys right now is the shiny red Radio Flyer wagon that his Grandpa and Grandma picked up for him. When he's feeling like a pull, he will quietly climb into the wagon and sit - waiting to be noticed. Suffice it to say, he doesn't have to wait long...and he often brings his teddy bear as company on the ride.

Amazed Daily

noreply@blogger.com (alex) — Tue, 26 Apr 2005 18:19:00 +0000

So, in case those of you who come by and visit Greer's blog have been wondering if Mom ever weighed in, here I am. While I am not a techno-phobe, an online journal seemed to be a bit much, but my darling Greg has prevailed upon me and so I am experimenting with something new.

Anyway, Greer... You know I am absolutely stunned by how many words this kid actually knows--I cannot figure out exactly where he is learning them--must be the Y, but he is starting to get really entertaining. Better start watching what we say around him! It'll be like poor Henry wishing out loud to rid himself of a priest and winding up with Thomas Becket bleeding on the stairs! He can point out all sorts of pictures in books, when asked to find the cat or dog or frog. (That was one that shocked me!) He can even follow simple directions! He toddled off happily to find his Buzzy Bee when out of desperation to get him out of the kitchen, I suggested that he find the errant toy.

On Sunday, we went to the park to swing...he liked being out in the sprinkling rain. Greer was so bored at home that he yanked his hat off of the doorknob of his room, tried to put it on, pulled his jacket down, handed it to me and ran to the front door. Greer hardly needs to talk to make himself understood! Ah, motherhood.

Buzzy Bee!

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Mon, 25 Apr 2005 18:30:00 +0000

Among Greer's favorite toys is his Buzzy Bee - courtesy of his Aunt Cameron and Uncle Seth. Greer likes to tow his Buzzy Bee whereever he goes - and always takes it with him on trips.