Autumn's away

We left her in Brampton with her grandparents for a couple of days. We did this for a couple of reasons, but the biggest one is that we want her to have a real, authentic grand parent experience. Both Rhona and I had grandparents that lived in the UK. That's just the way it was. To see them was a huge thing. Autumn has the luxury of weekly visits by Rhona's parents, and semi-regular visits by mine. We think that's important.

Still, we miss her. Last night, we inexplicably watched Monsters Inc because the cute little girl "Boo" reminded us of Autumn. Watching a cartoon monster play peek-a-boo with Boo made us miss her even more. But I know I appreciated the movie a little more.

Funny how things hit you differently. Here's a picture.

The American Idea

For its 150 anniversary, Atlantic Magazine asked people to contribute to the magazine their thoughts on the American Idea. In 300 words or less. I'm not sure what the American idea is, but after 5 years of living here, I'm thinking about what it isn't.

It isn't a team game. It isn't one idea that all strive for. It's actually the opposite of that. It's the American dream (no other country has that). But it's singular. The country doesn't have a dream. In the classic American Dream narrative, a person picks themselves up from their bootstraps and succeeds. This is a powerful notion, since the US broke from a country (England) that was all about class. Indeed, the way one speaks is a signal of where they are from, and consequently, the class and the level they will achieve (think of Henry Higgins).

This rugged individualism has created a country whereby it's simply understood that we're all in it alone. There isn't a feeling that we're in it together.

Think about education. About health care. About just about all of the social safety nets that exist in other country. Here, it's up to the individual to foot the bill. The problem is, of course, kids get thrown out with the policy. if a child is born to people in the poor section of town, they don't get health care and they don't get an education. For them, the American Idea isn't a good one.

autumn loves her dad

whether it is trying to put on his shoes or playing peek-a-boo with him while he is in the shower... there is no doubt that Autumn loves her dad. When 5.00pm approaches and we look out the window as his car approaches she actually starts squealing and howling like a monkey... thank god for dad.

Cry *cough* cry

When Autumn really gets going with the tears, she starts to cough. And man, does it sound bad.

Last night, at precisely 2:01 AM, we decided to let her cry it out. We've been tossing around this idea for months now. Some nights it doesn't come up, she sleeps through them. Other nights, she's up 2 or 3 times.

All the times when she cries, the impulse is to run to her and make things better. I know that for the rest of her life, when she's feeling bad, or needs help, we'll come running. That's what parents do. So not running to her feels counter to all the signals running through our bodies.

She would cry, then go quiet. For almost 5 minutes there would be quiet. Then, wailing. And coughing.

At around 2:30AM, we called it. She wanted a little milk, and her diaper was full. We changed the diaper, gave her a bottle, and went to sleep. From there, she slept until after 7:00Am. But, we are no better off than we were last night. Tonight could be another one of those nights. The option: give her a bottle right away, she goes back to sleep and so do you. Wait another 30 minutes, listen to her have a coughing fit, and give her a bottle. Or, perhaps, wait it out.

Any ideas?

the costs of no health care

40 million people in America are uninsured. Meaning, when 40 million people get sick, they seriously contemplate a doctor's visit.

The argument against universal health care, also known as Socialized medicine, is that the government isn't in the business of keeping people healthy. Indeed, get socialized medicine and watch the waiting times go up and services go down. That seems patently obvious since adding 40 million people to a service would , in some ways, cause strain on the service.

Now for a second think about all the money being spent to 'protect America' through the war in Iraq. (This isn't a post about if only we'd spend the money here, instead of there, so stay with me.)

That money is being spent on protecting us. One can argue rightly of wrongly, but that's the crux of the Argument.

Now go back to the thought in the opening paragraph. What if one of the 40 million uninsured is hit with a biological weapon? What about bird flu? They show off symptoms, but due to the costs, they hold out, hoping that Chicken Noodle and lots of water will beat it. All the while, they are transmitters.

My point: Can you make an argument that, in these times, universal health care is actually something that can protect us?

Autumn images

One year ago today

It's currently 55 degrees in Buffalo. It's actually warmer in St. Paul, where I am, but it's a niver day in buffalo today than one year ago today. Here are some pictures of that day, one year ago when 4 feet of snow fell on us.

Cell phones

I've been trying to opt out. I would rather not have a cell phone, period. Yes, we get used to being able to be contacted at any time. Traveling to St. Paul (a nice city), the cell phone came in handy. But then I read this:

The scientists who conducted the research say using a mobile for just an hour every working day during that period is enough to increase the risk -- and that the international standard used to protect users from the radiation emitted is "not safe" and "needs to be revised."

From here. I've never been sure about this technology. But I am sure of one thing, I think I'll keep autumn off the phone for a while.

good to see

Welcome back boys. My favorite part, "If you're still watching this to the end, thanks for sticking with us". Way to sell the game.

last leg of travel

I'm in the luggage check of the Minnesota airport, and I kid you not, but there's a cop walking around with a semi-automatic rifle. Like an uzi. Last time I saw an uzi was in Istanbul, Turkey.

An Uzi. In the airport. Oh, and the loud speaker dude let us know the terror threat level (it's orange). I honestly didn't know they were still offering threat levels.

We're not home anymore.

her two front teeth

Here's another picture of Autumn. This one struck me. It's one of the first pictures I can remember where you can see her two front teeth. The old chicklets are coming slow on the peanut. But coming they are. I'm calling this a first.

I miss them already

How cute are they? Honestly? I can't seem to make the picture be the right way, I'm giving up. I'm sitting in an airport in Chicago, waiting for a connecting flight. More later, I need to find a better seat.

This is hilarious

This is one of the funniest things I've read on the internet in a while. Careful, there are bad words, but it's hilarious.

Lucy and Autumn

I made some movies this weekend. It's been on the to do list. That's the reason for the prolific posting. Lucy parks near Autumn when Autumn is eating. Here's why. (Switched to YouTube for better quality)

For those clamoring for more movies

Where's Autumn

Notice how much she enjoys the "where's your belly button" thing. It's the best way to turn her attention away from mom leaving. And Where's Autumn is priceless.

She'll love this when she's 21

It's true, we really shouldn't do this. She has no control over what we put on her. So if Dad puts on tights, pulls them up over her little belly, and then takes a picture, he should get a good talking to. Parent's are weird.

What a week

This one will go down as a doozy. But we made it through. Autumn is still feeling a little bit woozy. She's not eating right, last night she didn't sleep right. However, she's bouncing back. And Rhona is bouncing back.

This is the kind of week that has you analyzing your support system a little. Ours was good. People came through when we needed them. It helps that granddad is retired. but he came when needed. And Pam came. It was good. And we're all good.

By the way, the Sabres are playing their home opener right now. It's hockey season.

top 2.7 million reasons to eat local meat

I started writing this on Tuesday morning -- the day from hell. It's now Wednesday night and Rhona is back home from the hospital. Things are okay. We're watching her, but we get to do it at home. Thanks for all your wishes. We don't know what was wrong. Which is scary. But she's better.

Here's the post I started Monday:

Rhona was sick yesterday. She had really bad stomach pangs. Plus she vomited all over the place.

Now, I'm not saying that she got e.coli from some of the 2.7 million pounds (pdf) of beef that was voluntarily recalled on the weekend because of e.coli infection. Not saying that at all.

But I am saying this: if you know where your beef comes from, you don't have to look at the date on the package to see if it fits in with the dates of the meat being recalled because it's infected with poo.

But if poo infection really was responsible for Rhona's illness, then we're gonna have to be more adamant.

the day from hell

It says something about a day that when your 15 month daughter, who has a fever of 103 vomits all over you, and herself, that it wasn't the stand out thing that happened that day.

First the good news. Autumn is okay. Her temp is back to 98. The doc thinks it's viral.

Rhona is still in the hospital. She will be kept in, one more night at least, for observation. They are being extra cautious. We'll keep you posted.

when it rains

So here's the day so far. Rhona has had a sore stomach since late Sunday night. On monday, I took her to the doctor, and they examined her. They found nothing. The pain though, didn't go away.

Cut to today. Autumn went to day-care like she does. Rhona had a follow-up appointment at 12:15PM. At 11:30AM, day-care calls because Autumn has a fever of 103. I pick up Autumn, Rhona goes the doctor.

Autumn and I spend the afternoon together as Rhona gets sent around town to specialists. Autumn throws up all over me, twice, but her fever breaks to 101.5. Still high, but a much less panicky high.

Ah, but the news gets better. The last specialist tells Rhona he wants her in for observation overnight. It sounds like it's nothing -- a doctor being overly cautious. But it still means a hospital stay, and those suck.

To recap: Autumn has a fever. Rhona has something, we don't know what (it could be her appendix, it could be her gall bladder, it could be a really bad salad or beef.)

It's sort of a freak-out. Thankfully, granddad is on his way. One day soon I will write how so often in my life, when I've needed help, my dad is there for me. Since I started it, I'll say my dad is my hero. And not just because he's dropping everything and coming to help. Because he's always dropped everything and come to help. And not just me. If you need him, and by 'you' I mean just about everyone he knows, he'll be there. I have no idea how he does it. But he does. My mom too.

Even when all this happens at once, I'm reminded I'm a lucky guy. We'll keep you posted.