Stories from day care

Now that Harmon has been at his new day care for four months, I think he’s finally getting comfortable. Sometimes, at the end of the day – depending on what toy he’s playing with – he’s not all that ready to run out the door. And, more importantly, he hasn’t cried at drop-off time in a while (I hope I didn’t just jinx it – damn). I think the teachers finally are getting comfortable with him, too, and this is evident by them sharing more stories lately. When I dropped him off last Thursday, his teacher stopped me to tell me a funny story. In addition to telling me what a good baby he is (which we can’t hear enough), she wanted to tell me about his behavior at lunch time – I immediately thought, please God, no tantrum stories. Anyway, he and the 11 other “grasshoppers” eat at mini tables and chairs, which I imagine can be a challenge (high chairs have that added benefit of keeping the kid trapped while you wrestle to put peas in his or her craw). While lots of the other kids tend to get up and run around during lunch, the teacher said that Harmon always stays seated until he is dismissed. Even if he’s done eating, he sits and waits patiently until he’s told he can go play. I thought this was the sweetest thing! Because he stays seated until dismissed, the other day one of the little girls in his class assumed he was either a) not done eating or b) wanted more to eat so she moved near him and started feeding him her yogurt. He kept leaning to the side to steal a bite and then straightening up and looking back at the teacher for his permission to move about – very funny.

Probably within the last month, several of the teachers have commented on his unbelievable language or how he sings so much more than the other kids his age OR just the simple fact that he is SO funny. While all this stuff feels so good to hear (much easier to digest than bad reports of hitting or biting), we just like to think he’s adjusting well to the new place and the teachers really are getting to know him well. All good things!

Balloonfest

On Saturday, we headed north to Howell for the 23rd annual Michigan Challenge Balloonfest. I had heard about this event a few years ago from a woman at work. Her Dad flew a Halloween-themed hot-air balloon (appropriately named "Boo!") in this event and the sight of 55 other very cool hot-air balloons in the sky seemed like a fun thing.

Since we've never attended this event, the only knowledge we were armed with was that balloons launched each night (Friday – Sunday) between 6-8 p.m. We got there around 3:30 p.m. and figured we would walk around (they had carnival rides, a mini art fair, etc.), maybe grab something to eat and then watch the balloon launch. Rookies! First of all, the balloons didn't launch until 7:30 p.m. so we had LOTS of time to kill. Second, even though the balloons didn't launch until 7:30 p.m., all the best viewing spots were taken by 7:30 a.m.! We did manage to find an awesome spot on a nearby soccer field to see all the balloons take off and pepper the sky but, now that we know how it works, we'll plan better for next year. And, as we found out later, there is an event at dusk called the "balloon glow." Evidently several of the balloons return to the launch field and light up as a part of a bigger musical, pyrotechnics thingie – cool!

By the way, Harmon loved the balloons and kept saying "more, more, more" as they kept taking off into the sky. He didn't call them balloons, though, like we thought he would. He actually said apple at one point (weirdo)! In addition to the balloons, he got to see a few helicopters (or, as he calls them, helpacas) and he LOVED them. One of them landed near where we were sitting (albeit beyond the trees) and he just wouldn't stop yelling HEL-PA-CA, HEL-PA-CA! And then, when it took off again, he went bananas!

As the night was winding down and he was getting tired, he sat with me face-to-face in the grass of this huge soccer field and we just talked. It was one of the quietest, sweetest moments we've had in a while. We talked about helicopters and a nearby bunny and the balloons and all kinds of things. I loved that he just sat there with me – so sweet.

It all made for a fun Saturday!

Harmon and the Waves

Last August, Kevin and I took Harmon to the U-M Wave Field. I've always thought it was cool and, after last year's visit, I made a mental note to go back once Harmon could walk. I wanted to see (him fall down a ton) how he navigated all those little waves. Well, we went back this past Friday night and had a great time! And, he handled the waves just fine – sliding down them on his butt like they were mini playground slides. We played hide and seek amidst the waves and Harmon pointed at everything in the sky (helicopters, airplanes, the moon). Harmon also picked me my first flower!

The time BH – before Harmon

Recently, we had a frustrating mall trip. We went because Harmon had to get yet another haircut, which is always an ordeal. Once we arrived, we realized we forgot Harmon's stoller (and had to use the mall version – yuck). So, with an unhappy toddler in an uncomfortable stroller the trip didn't go so well. These few frustrating hours got me thinking about all the things we used to do before Harmon entered our lives. Now, let’s be clear, I love Harmon more than anything else in this world. I would die a million times for that child! But, sometimes, I miss some of the things we USED to do. So, here is a list, in no particular order, of the top five things I miss doing BH:

1. Mall trips
Before Harmon was born, Kevin and I used to go to the mall all the time. We would go for a few minutes or a few hours, depending on the task at hand. I could look at clothes or perfume or purses or whatever for as long as I wanted. Once Harmon was born, this all ended. Now, every time we’re at the mall and I try to look at ANYTHING for ME, Harmon decides that it just can’t happen. All attention must be focused on him – we must be at BABY GAP, not GAP!

2. Dinner
Dinner used to be a fun time for me and Kevin. In fact, the entire time we lived in our apartment at Pendleton Park, we used our dining room table ONCE. Our typical routine was to gather our yummy food and plant ourselves in front of the TV for a long, long time! These days, after battling with Harmon to ingest JUST A FEW PEAS, we end up eating a truncated, cold dinner. And, to add to the inconvenience, we also have to perform lots of musical numbers to get through whatever meat item we’re attempting to feed to Harmon that night!

3. Baggage
God, I SO miss leaving the house without a 40-pound diaper bag, various toys, a sippy cup, a stroller and God only knows what else. What happened to the days of wallet, keys, sunglasses, gone???

4. Night baseball games
Kevin took me to the Indians-Tigers game on May 27. It was the first night baseball game we’ve been to since the 2005 All-Star Game. Even though the Tigers stunk up the place that night (and on ESPN Sunday Night Baseball, no less), it was so awesome to be at the ballpark at night. Actually, to me, there are few things in life as awesome as a gorgeous summer night under the lights at the old ballpark! I know this will change as Harmon gets older but, until then, I miss this so much!

5. Opening night of movies
We really wanted to see Knocked Up when it opened a couple of weeks ago and, in the past, we would have just up and went. But, that’s not how it works anymore. We’ll probably still see it, but at a matinee when it’s convenient for my parents to watch Harmon. Matinees are fine and actually Kevin and I have been able to see quite a few movies thanks to my Mom and Dad. But, I do miss heading to the theater on that opening Friday night!

Ah, parenthood!

Fearless on Father's Day

It still sounds a little strange when people say "Happy Father's Day" to me. It's hard to believe this is my second Father's Day with our son, Harmon. But, as I watch my little buddy grow from an infant to a little boy, I know that I am the luckiest Dad on the face of the Earth. He is such a handsome little man, and grows both in size and personality every day. He is very well-behaved and, as I found out today, very fearless.

Because it was hot today -- almost 90 degrees -- we took him to Jungle Java, an indoor play facility on the west side of Ann Arbor. We barely had time to take his shoes off before he was thundering up and down the ramps and slide. When we first got there, he was the only toddler and pretty much had run of the place. Harmon must have gone down the slide 50 times in the two hours we were there. He absolutely loved it, and save for the occasional glance or smile at us, really didn't need for us to be there. As more toddlers arrived, Harmon still journeyed up and down the ramps and down the slide. There was a little more traffic to deal with, but he was very patient, and allowed most of the new kids that had arrived to have their turns, too. Besides being very handsome and strong, he is also very polite and considerate of others.

While he was playing in the toddler area, I could not help but watch all of the kids playing in the much-larger jungle gym at the heart of the center. This contraption of mazes, nets, slides, pads, ramps and various other rooms must have been 100 feet long and more than 20 feet off the ground in some places. I just figured that Harmon was too small for it, but I went and asked the people in charge. They said, as long as he could crawl and keep up with the pace, he could go up in it. We really wanted to try, and less than a minute into the experience, I understood just how fearless our little 19-month-old has become.

Harmon was everywhere -- running, sliding, crawling, jumping and wearing his Daddy out! And, as much as I tried to play along and follow, he was always three steps ahead of me. There was even a small room in the gym that had a small basketball hoop and several balls. After helping Harmon throw down the first slam dunks of his young life, he wanted to take the balls with him on his journey. We finally made it to the top and all that was left was the huge, enclosed, twisting slide. I grabbed Harmon and down we went. He laughed all the way down, but I didn't want to get going full speed, in case there was a little boy or girl in the slide or at the bottom about to get an unwanted boot in the eye! We made it to the bottom -- albeit 20 feet short -- and Harmon crawled out and back to his Mama. I was sweating profusely, and as I write this, in dire need of an Advil or six. But, Harmon had a blast and even took a few more turns on the toddler slide before we left.

All is all, it was a perfect Father's Day. I had received some of my gifts earlier, including a new Nike sports watch, much-needed pair of new "chocolate shoes," socks and Nike shorts. Harmon got me some magnets for my office area at work, and Isabel gave me one of our favorite DVDs, "Tin Cup." I am very blessed to have such a wonderful family. For a little while today, I was a little kid again and able to see what Harmon sees. Both us us will sleep well tonight.

Hail to the Victors!

Ever since Harmon was born, I’ve been careful not to suffocate him with Michigan stuff. Maybe I figured there would be time later or maybe I decided to pace myself so as not to make him revolt against it one day (and go to some awful place like Notre Dame). He’s only had a couple of t-shirts and sweatshirts and a hat or two and the only sporting event we’ve taken him to so far is a Michigan baseball game.

So, with all this restraint, imagine my surprise when he started to sing along to the tune of “The Victors!" As many of you know, my cell phone ring tone is “The Victors” and my phone rings quite frequently (usually my parents or my sisters calling to check on Harmon’ latest shenanigans). Evidently, this has worn off on Harmon and he gets so excited with each call. We’re trying to get video of this so I can show it to him when he gets older. But, until then, I’ll just enjoy the fact that he has learned my alma mater’s fight song accidentally on purpose!

Historical no-no

In case you missed it, last night Justin Verlander pitched a no-hitter, the first no-hitter by a Tigers' pitcher since Jack Morris did in back on April 7, 1984 and the first no-hitter IN DETROIT (Morris' gem was at Comiskey Park against the White Sox) since Virgil Trucks did it against the Washington Senators on May 15, 1952.

A no-hitter in baseball is such a special thing, something you may never see. And, thanks to Kevin, I didn't miss it. Although I wasn't at the ballpark (I am SO jealous of all those people who were plus it's hard with a toddler to just get up and go, you know), I did get to catch it on TV. After our nightly walk, I turned the game on while I was getting Harmon ready for bed. We were up 4-0 and I knew Verlander was having a hell of a game (he struck out his 10th batter just as I started reading Harmon's his bedtime stories). Once Harmon was asleep, I came into the den and Kevin asked me if I was going to turn the game on in there. I told him no because a) it was on in the other room and b) I knew we needed to clean (Tuesday nights are cleaning nights at the Bergquist house). He then said, so matter-of-factly, "you know he's got a no-hitter going, right?" I must have not looked at the hits column when the game went to commercial and, after reading today's papers, I know the Tigers' radio and TV announcers were doing their best NOT to point it out and thus jinx it. At any rate, I tuned in for the last two innings and was lucky enough to witness history. When Magglio caught that final out, I got tingles up and down my spine (only baseball can do that)!

There was so much information and so many stories and photos to sift through this morning, it was so exciting. And, congrats to Verlander who, at 24, has done one of the things pitchers dream of their entire lives.

OK, some fun links about the no-no:

CBS SportsLine story

ESPN story

Detroit Free Press info

Detroit News info

Detroit Tigers web site

19 months old

I wish all my friends who had kids before me would have told me how much fun it is to have a toddler! Harmon is 19 months old today and he is a blast. Kevin says we need to take more video of him, not only because he doesn't slow down long enough for pictures anymore but, more importantly, because he is hilarious.

Lately, he's really noticed his belly button. He walks around pointing to it and insists on seeing everyone else's belly button. It's great fun for all involved when I send him on a search for Kevin's belly button and then Kevin does the same to me.

When not searching for belly buttons, he continues to have a language explosion. He knows so many words, it's just amazing! His favorites lately have been "toe," "shoe," "up," "more" and "outside." He says "outside" with a slight lisp so it comes out sounding like "outshide." It's very sweet! Also, we've noticed he says his "r" sounds like he's from Boston!

In addition to all the talking, he LOVES to sing. It's not out of the ordinary to hear him singing his ABCs while he's in his crib or playing with his toys. While he's singing this, he does the "LMNOP" really well and it's very cute how he says "W." While he may not get EVERY letter or word just right, he does get the syllables and the tunes perfectly. When I was rocking him to sleep last week, it was so amazing to hear him singing along with me to "Take Me Out to the Ballgame!"

It's not all letters at the Bergquist house, though! We've been working a ton with him on his numbers, 1-10. He gets through them pretty well, with the exception of "4." He likes to skip it and go straight to 5!

Since the weather has been so nice, we've been walking together every night. Unless we have errands to run at the nearby stores, we usually load Harmon up in his wagon (which, by the way, hauling him around is quite a workout). There are two parks in our neighborhood that we go to and he knows exactly where they are. Last week, we took a different route and were a few blocks from one of the parks and, as we started to turn back for home, he started to cry and call for the "swings." We were stunned he knew where he was so we ended up rewarding his memory with a ride on the swings!

OK, a few more things. I think he just might be working on some two-year molars because he is once again drooling like a St. Bernard and gnawing on everything in sight, including his arms. It's so weird to see him attached to his own forearm like an eel!

He's been very good lately with picking up his toys. If he wants to play with his Legos (or, as he calls them, his noo-noos), he has to put away his blocks. And, even when he does have a lot of his toys out, he's quite the organizer. He'll line up his blocks or make sure all his balls are together. Good to know I passed on the anal trait!

One of the funniest things he's started to do over the last few weeks is call out his roster of names. When he wakes up, he calls for "Dada." If Kevin doesn't respond, he calls for "Mama." If I don't get there soon enough, he starts with all the other members of the family – Nana, Erin, Papa, Stacey, Grandpa, Grandpa, Isabel. Also, at random times throughout the day, he'll do this little line-up. It's very funny!

We just love every minute with him! He is so fun and so smart and so sweet – we just can't get enough!

Harmon and Mommy

As usual, Kevin is so thoughtful. He put together this cool little ditty of photos of Harmon and me – from our very first picture together up through a picture taken just a few weeks ago. He did all the work. I just chose the music – Bruce Springsteen’s Growin’ Up!

And, thanks to my friend, Molly, for letting me know about this!

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Ain’t Got You

Last night, I had the coolest dream. I was back in college and my entire class decided to ditch and head to a cool, underground club-type place (very much like The Shelter in Eight Mile) where famous musicians would play small sets all the time. We all took turns making requests and the music was awesome! When it was my turn to choose which musician I wanted to hear, I went up to the front to choose some Bruce Springsteen and he happened to be standing right there, all ready to go, like he was waiting just for me. He looked almost exactly like he did on the cover of his Darkness on the Edge of Town album (less puffy hair, though) and he was so hot. He asked me my name and started asking all kinds of other things about me. And, the way he was looking at me was awesome – he was totally into me! So, he took the stage and sang Thunder Road, substituting my name for Mary in the first part of the song (the screen door slams, Aimee’s dress waves …). I thought I was going to die! After his set, he came and talked to me more and still just couldn’t get enough of me. I SO did not want to wake up.

Of course, Kevin rolled his eyes but he knows of my love for Bruce Springsteen. In fact, he feeds into it. He’s the one who bought me my iPod shuffle and loaded ONLY Bruce on it for me. I’ve been listening to him non-stop since Mother’s Day so it’s no wonder I was dreaming about him!

I know it’s SO cheesy but I had to share. Writing it down will help the dream live on forever!

Ding dong! The binky’s dead!

When Harmon was only an hour or so old, the nurse in the recovery room asked if it was OK for him to have a pacifier. Kevin and I were fine with it thus his love affair with his “binky” began. Although I don’t ever think he was an excessive binky user, I was more than a little nervous about weaning him off of it. Right after his first birthday, he really cut down on the binky usage (using it only at night and during naps) and I thought it might go “bye bye” early. But, in the middle of January, he got a bad case of bronchiolitis and really needed it. He still mainly used it to help him sleep but there also were a few times, here and there, when he specifically asked for it.

In my mind, I always had hoped to have him weaned by the time he was 18 months old. I figured if I let him go much longer with it, he would be five years old before he broke the habit! He must have read my mind because, in the last month, he has all but forgotten about his friend the binky. Although we gave it to him Saturday during the misery that was his haircut, he’s used it only one other time during the past month. So, as of Sunday, June 3, we’re calling it – the binky is dead!

Eerie (ha, ha) night in Cleveland

This weekend was a Cleveland-Detroit sports weekend (the Cavs defeated the Pistons to advance to the NBA Finals and the Indians and Tigers spilt a four-game series) and all the news got me thinking about a trip I took to Cleveland back in 1999.

I was working for Visteon Racing and traveled with a group of my co-workers to Cleveland for the Grand Prix of Cleveland. It was a fun weekend – we stayed at the Ritz-Carlton, Cleveland and spent way too much time at The Flats. My fun weekend ended once I went to bed on Saturday night. As I was falling asleep (during that weird time when you’re not quite asleep but you’re not quite awake either), someone entered my hotel room and began feeling around by the foot of my bed. At first, I thought maybe I was dreaming but, when I realized I wasn’t, I just laid there and remained as still as I could be. After what seemed like HOURS (and I’m sure it was only seconds), this person left the room. I then bolted up, CHAINED the door (if nothing else, I learned that night to ALWAYS chain the door) and sat there trying to figure out what the hell had just happened. My initial thought was that it was housekeeping maybe looking for something, like a maid looking for a lost earring. But then I thought, why would he/she have to enter my room in the middle of the night??? I also thought maybe there was some mix up at the front desk, my room was listed as vacant and someone else had a key to enter. But then, why would that person be monkeying around with my bed (not to mention, this type of thing is not supposed to happen at the RITZ)??? To this day, I have NO IDEA what happened that night but, every single time I think about it, I get the willies!