around town

Junie and I were on the go all day yesterday. Here's the day in pictures, with a few words thrown in:

We didn't last long at the farmer's market because of the humidity, but June still had time to sit in the trees...

From there we headed to The Museum of Life and Science. Our friends Aaron and his mom, Mary, were there as well. Here they are getting lost in the clouds...

Junie spinning another exhibit...

and finally in the new soundSpace exhibit...

We then had lunch at Tyler's. Here's a gratuitous grilled cheese shot...

After a monster three hour nap, we took the bus from Duke's east campus over to the football stadium on west campus. Duke hosted James Madison, but it didn't qualify as June's first football game because we left well before kickoff (the game didn't start until 8:30pm due to thunder and lightning). Nevertheless, June enjoyed playing in the bleachers and watching the teams warm-up on the field...

We strolled back over to Duke Chapel and caught the return bus to east campus. These were her first bus rides and she loved them. The bus traveled the same route that we often run together, and she recognized the scenery. When we went through the "tunnel" (it's really just a very wide underpass), she raised her arms and screamed, just like she does in the jogging stroller. Nobody on the bus seemed to mind...

Duke hosts Northwestern next weekend for a gridiron battle royale. The game starts at 7pm, so I'm not sure if June will be in attendance. I'd rather her first game be in Green Bay, but Duke vs. Northwestern might have to do.

Cobs of Fun

I love firsts...it's just sweet to think about. First steps, first milkshakes, first glimpses of the ocean....such a broad horizon of possibility ahead, so many wonders to discover. And wonderful surprise: as parents, I've learned, we get to vicariously experience things for the first time again. And we get to think, man, milkshakes really are good (by the way, June agrees; when she clamps on to that milkshake straw, you practically need an army to pry her lips loose. My advice: don't share a shake with her; you'll never get as much as you want).

Here, we have first ear of corn. She ate a few rows and was done with it.

But hammed it up like it was her only favorite thing ever.

Other recent firsts, undocumented by photograph: first time floating in a swim ring without an adult holding on, first time sitting in a climbing tree (assisted), first taste of protein shake (Lloyd's unholy concoction of vanilla whey protein, milk, banana, frozen berries, and peanut butter. Nothing wrong with it in June's opinion).

Unavoidably, on the horizon are firsts that won't be so much fun or so sweet, but no less part of the whole gig. Things like first time being called a mean name, first time losing something especially cherished, first time really comprehending that life is truly and fundamentally unfair. I know we'll handle those when they come, but I remember the first weeks of June's life, when the thought that anyone could ever say anything mean to her just crushed me. Blame the backwash of postpartum hormones.

Speaking of hormones, I'm still pretty much a mess. Better than my worst, but far from the me I remember being just a few months ago. According to my OB things are going along just fine, so there's much consolation in that, plus the fact that there is a very clear endpoint to it all: no later than sometime next February. But my motivation is out the window with any energy I used to have and my formerly goatlike stomach, impervious to queasiness. So please forgive if you were getting impatient for more content. Thanks for checking in.

hoobie doobie

another book to consider....

Edwina, The Dinosaur Who Didn't Know She Was Extinct, by Mo Willems

To save myself from writing a lengthy review, I've turned to Wikipedia for a synopsis:

In the book, Edwina the dinosaur is well-loved by the people of her town due to her acts of kindness. However, a boy named Reginald Von Hoobie-Doobie tries to convince everyone that dinosaurs are supposed to be extinct. Eventually, Edwina appeases him with a fresh batch of cookies.

The story is cute, but hearing June say "Von Hoobie-Doobie" is possibly the cutest thing in the world.

vroomy vroom

Junie's obsession du jour: Matchbox Cars. Now that's my girl.

And yes, I recognize she's a dead ringer for me at the same age.