Lunch in the city

Gayle and the hammer decided to head into town and lunch with the ladies. Caden worked on impressing the gals with his calm cool demeanor, while the ladies tried to talk business.

Friendly Neighbor

Monday, when I returned home from work, Gayle told me all about a quick little adventure. In the early afternoon, she and Caden were playing 'watch mom make funny faces' when the dogs started barking. Sure the dogs bark all the time, but this was rather frantic and quite close to the house. She peeked out the window to make sure it wasn't an unexpected (human) visitor. She just caught the tail end of a snake slither around the corner of the house.

Not much goes by on the ranch without Gayle's documentation. Caden's sleep, how much we eat, animal changes, weather, fires, ranch improvements, weed growth and of course...critters. By the time G made it outside with the camera...he was gone.

Tuesday afternoon and we find Gayle and Caden furthering their studies. Today's exercise was screaming roll over. Place lil guy on his stomach for some tummy time and he'll scream, roll and relax. I guess he just likes to look up and see the world around him.

Just like Monday afternoon, the dogs kick into watchdog command and sound the alarm. This time G, had camera in hand. Crikey look at the size o that gal.

More Critters

Maybe it was the stories of the big snake that had me on edge. Perhaps it was the story the following night when Gayle found a three and a half foot racer snake on our doorstep. (he was too quick for the camera) Or maybe it was due to Gayle waking me in the middle of the night a couple nights back to tell me of the scorpion in our hallway. (he was small, though I have noticed I'm wearing my sandals more often) For whatever reason, I haven't been quite as calm lately.

When I was writing the above post about the snake, I decided I should probably figure out our new friend's length. Since he was slithering next to the front bricks it should be simple. So I count the bricks and head out front with a tape measure. As I'm stretching out the tape, counting bricks, I realize that damn snake was 5 ft long. Whew, I better double check my measurements. As I start over I hear a rustling in the rosemary. Now one must realize, our dogs spend hours a day chasing lizards in the rosemary. Works as a perfect cologne prior to dinner. At any rate, I peer over looking for the scurrying lizard. Crikey, it's a damn tortoise and she's huge. Must have wandered up from the creek.

I dart off to grab the camera, and find Gayle napping. "Gayle there's a damn turtle the size of a freaking bowling ball in our front rosemary!!!" Gayle peeks one eye open enough to see the excitement on my face..."I was wondering how long it would take you to notice that cement turtle I put out there." Damn. Kinda hit me all at once. I am an idiot.

Cousin Charles Harrison Lee

My brother Terry and his wife Sonia welcomed their son into the world, May 11 at 6:37pm. 8 pounds, 8 ounces and a whopping 21.5 inches. We're pleased to report that everyone is doing well.

Road Trip

Saturday was our first true road trip. A nice trip to sunny Riverside, complete with a short layover in Escondido. Few pleasures in life can compete with the family roadie. We were docked style points from the get go as we don't own a '72 Country Squire woody station wagon, yet we were determined to enjoy the ride.

We left the ranch a mere ten minutes behind schedule. Not bad for the first time pack and load. Little man went snoozemode as we made our way up I-15 for a stop Escondido. Enjoyed a quick visit with our friends Mike & Michelle and their extended family of children, dog, cat, kittens, granny, etc.

We then set a course for Riverside. It didn't take long at all. Maybe 30 minutes or so...and i was lost. I wasn't so much lost as I was simply nowhere near where I wanted to be. First I noticed we were about 10 miles east of target and traveling the wrong freeway, then a good 30 miles north, then about 5 miles east, followed by 3 miles west. At one point I put my pride on hold and pulled off the freeway, straight to a friendly donut shop. "Brother, where can I find I-215?" "It's the next exit, didn't you see the last three signs?" Great donut guy thinks I'm a jackass. At this point I gave up trying, got back on the freeway and drove 45mph in the middle lane with my blinker on.

So after a pleasant 2 hour tour of SoCal, we made our destination, enjoying a tremendous afternoon and dinner with the Newmans.

Coo-coo-roo-coo-coo

Thursday night and Caden was on the town. We again opted for the bustling metropolis of La Mesa, yet this time with a south of the border flair. We met friends for dinner at Marietta's and Caden had his first shot of Mezcal con gusano...with the worm. He screamed a bit, but took to it by the second shot. Actually, he slept the entire time. But it was his first Mexican fiesta, with the sweet smell of mole in the air and the sounds of Mariachi around us. In fact the mariachis had quite a soothing effect on him. I may have to learn a coo coo roo or two myself.

Visiting Hours

Well this week we had several make their way out to the ranch for a look-see visit. Our lil guy has a gift for playing possum the minute a new face arrives. So this week Caden was introduced to Robby and Todd.

Then along came Mary and Jason. I honestly don't think either of them actually saw an eye open.

A few days later Liza and her 2yr old pup Tannis came out for the afternoon. Our dogs, Sammy and Lizzie enjoyed the change of pace as they actually got to play with a stranger this time.

Goodbye Granny Lyons

Has it been a month already?!?! One month with Granny Lyons seems way too short. Despite my pleas to change her plans, she stuck to her itinerary.

Until this point in his young life, Caden has only known a ranch with his parents and a live-in Granny. We thought it best that he hear the news of her departure from the source herself. The news was a bit shocking at first, but Caden took the disappointment like a man.

Afternoon Visit

Teresa and Adrian come by the ranch on their way to Descanso. We had some snacks and played pass the peanut.

First Full Bath

Enough of the sponge bath, it's time to dunk the lil guy. Well more like splash Caden with some tepid agua. He took to it like the wicked witch of the west. Or as Granny Lyons says, he was screamin blue murder. It appears his state of happiness is directly proportional to the amount of clothes he happens to be wearing.

No sooner did we get him dry and into some fresh clothes and he was right back to Caden the Contented. He enjoys the flying Padre teddy bears...just click the play button.

First night out

We decided to take Granny Lee out for a belated birthday dinner. Lil Cademan's first restaurant dining experience. Caden the Contented was a perfect gentleman. He spent the majority of the evening in snooze mode. Granny enjoyed holding the lil tyke, Grandad loved his shrimp and in the end, he melted the heart of our server Karina.

The rainbow connection

So there I am, 4:30am, lil man is starting to chirp. It's been close to 4 hrs since last feed, G asleep beside me, time to kick into gear. Dash to the kitchen, prepare a bottle, back to pick up Caden before he starts to wail. Little man doesn't pass the sniff test, so we're off to the changing area. Plop him down, hit the rain forest peek-a-boo cribside soother. Dismantle blanket wrap and clothing. Remove diaper, one hand on the feet, the other wiping at will. Now the parent of any boy will understand the anxiety of this dance. Sure, one can buy a squirt lid, but let's be honest...a burping blanket will do just fine. Yet in my early morning haste, I simply dismantled and cleaned lil man.



Due to the recent procedure, I need to apply a spot of petroleum jelly to the front side of diaper, prior to lock down. Within the changing crib, I have diaper, no jelly, no squirt lid. Navigate the 12 feet to the burping blanket stash and turn back to the crib to cover up. I check for signs of release...body and crib appear dry. Squirting disaster avoided, I take time to properly apply jelly and begin diaper installation. Just as I'm checking my diaper install for potential leakage, it dawns on me. Why are my socks wet. A proud papa, standing in a pool o' piddle.

Adjusting to the overnight groove

I confess, I really had no idea what the night would bring with a newborn. Being an optimist, I refused to allow the countless "Congratulations, you won't have a good night's sleep for the next decade" bring me down. I figured I would react accordingly when the challenge presented itself.

Reminds me of the first time I went to Scotland. Gayle being the detailed planner and frugal Scot, she reserved a car several months in advance. By choosing manual v. auto transmission, we must have saved upwards of $12 on the eleven day trip. No sooner had she made the reservation, she launched her campaign of fear. "Mike, you won't believe how hard it is to drive over there. The roads are all single lane, people drive fast, it's confusing beyond your wildest dreams...and the entire time you're faced with the fear of forgetting which side of the road to drive on. Oh and I saved money if we drive a stick, so I hope you can handle shifting backwards."

The bond-like smooth exterior responded with "pffft, please." My inner self spent the next two months too fearful to ask if by shifting backwards she meant that the pedals were reversed as well. All I can remember is walking to our rental thinking...c'mon skinny pedal on the right, please let the gas be on the right.

I'm happy to report the clutch is universally left foot, and having a newborn is entirely too enjoyable to be considered challenging. Sure there're adjustments, but hell the guy is a hoot. 20 minutes tops and he's back to the crib or snugglin in with one of us.

Schmoozing Aunti Dar

Wee Caden had his first social visit today. Lady Darlene fancied a ride in the country and could nae resist the opportunity call. On his best behaviour, Caden wasted no time getting his charm on.

Sawin Zzzzz with the old man

A wise and experienced father recently shared a bit of wisdom. "One of the benefits of your newborn is the legal nap. With your son on your chest, no one will interrupt."