And All That Jazz

It turned out that yesterday was surprisingly full of good-byes. We knew that my grandparents were leaving early this morning to drive back to Florida, so when we went over there for brunch yesterday we knew that it would be difficult. We also invited Joel and Jenn down to brunch since we hadn’t seen them yet and they had yet to meet Ezra. As predicted, it was in fact sad to say good-bye to my grandparents, and they had a tough time saying good-bye to Ezra. It was incredibly special to have them here for a month, to share in time before Ezra was born, and to be there at the hospital as soon as he came to us. We sent along a bunch of pictures with them, but the good news is that we are thinking about flying there to visit with them and my Aunt and Uncle in October. 

We went up to Denver for our first Family Dinner since Ezra was born. For those that don’t know, there is a group of friends family that get together every week for a dinner (we rotate who has to cook and it’s location). This summer, we have decided to move the dinner time to Sunday evenings to coincide with Jazz in the Park – a summer tradition in City Park with free jazz and a few thousand people. We met up with Jennifer and Tori and enjoyed the very comfortable June evening. Ahna made some dinner (orzo goodness), Tori supplied us with some watermelon and margaritas, and Jennifer brought the most important part of the meal: cookies. We were able to make it up there and back in between feedings and while he was sleeping.

Following dinner, we had to say good-bye once again…this time to the Columbine House. Six years ago, Ahna, Tori, Mary, Jennifer and Erin moved into the house and set up community. Since then, Ahna and Erin have moved out, Sarah has moved in, and Gabe and Charlotte lived there for a while (by the way, this is the Family Dinner group). The house holds a lot of great memories (my favorite was learning to play craps) and lots of stories; but it was time to move on. All of the ladies that lived there are taking up residence in other parts of the city, so we all will still be in town. Returning the key to the house was closing a chapter of life. It’s so hard to think back and imagine that we all would be where we are six years later…

Seven Habits Of Highly Effective Communication

Stephen Covey, or no Stephen Covey…we have figured out the Seven Habits of Highly Effective Communication. Six of them will stay completely secret to the world, but we are going to reveal the most effective of them all: talk through the new baby instead of actually talking directly to your spouse.

We have found that we started something new all together: telling each other things without talking to each other. Confused? Here’s what I am talking about: “Mom, you should put the diaper bag over there.” or “Dad should turn off the lights so I can sleep.” You get the drift. It allows you to say things to each other in a way that you would never say things to each other. “Dad should do this,” or “Mom should do that,” or “Mom please help me with…”

Oddly enough we have recognized this pattern developing pretty quickly once we got home, but have been unsuccessful in completely breaking the habit. It’s all kind of funny, but it hasn’t been a problem to this point. Just wait for the first time it isn’t a positive statement. 

Our Brother, Jeff Dunn

As summer’s heat has been in full effect this past week with temperatures soaring into the mid-90’s almost everyday; we awoke to a cloudy, cool morning today. It’s a nice break from the oppressive heat, and a nice way to start a day of remembering. 

Jeff’s story is probably new or unfamiliar to most of you, and this certainly isn’t the place to dive into it full steam. But two years ago today, we had to say goodbye to Jeff as his heroic and courageous battle with Lou Gehrig’s Disease came to a peaceful end. We are going to take time today to think of everything that we loved about Jeff, everything that Jeff taught to us, and everything that we still need to learn. Cyrilla and Tanner continue to dig deep and push on, honoring Jeff in everything that they do. If only Jeff could see Tanner on his 5th birthday; what an amazing young man he has become and a great reflection of his father. Cyrilla inspires all of us in how she handles the path that life has presented to her, and reminds us of the love that we all have within. 

I’m not going to lie: today is a very tough day. As I write this, the tears are being suppressed by the keyboard; but smiles will come in a little while. The emotion is deep and still very raw. But the opportunity to be apart of Jeff’s life, and to see what happens when a family of firefighters and community band together to simply ‘do what is needed’; is something that will live with all of us every day. 

Here is a letter that Jeff wrote to the members of the fire department. While it was specifically written to firefighters, there are many lessons in it’s words that everyone needs to listen to.

June 29, 2005

Brothers and Sisters,

I would like to thank every single member of the fire department, and impress upon you how much your support has meant to me and my family. Without this support, the last year would have been incredibly difficult. But with everyone’s help, it has been easier than I ever expected. If you aren’t aware, approximately one year ago was my last shift, and last week I received my final paycheck. The ability to go this long between those events shows the incredible sacrifice made by everyone and I thank you for it. 

Please keep in mind that it’s not the fire trucks, fire gear, or buildings that matter…it’s the people; and when it counted most, the department and the town stood behind me and my family. I wish that everyone could take care of each other the way that you have taken care of me. Treat each other like family: if someone needs help, offer it. If someone needs criticism, be constructive. If someone wrongs you, tell them. If you make a mistake, admit it. If someone needs knowledge that you posses, teach them.  Most issues will take care of themselves if we incorporate this way of thinking.

“The true measure of a man is how he treats someone who can do him absolutely no good.” -Samuel Johnson (1709 – 1784)

Remember to pick your battles, choose your words, and when you have doubts or conflicts, keep in mind that you have your health; and despite what you are feeling at the moment, you do have the greatest job in the world.

I will see you around and everyone is welcome in my home. I am still the same person, I just talk a lot less.

Fraternally,
Jeff Dunn

We miss and love you Jeff. 

 

Our Most Avid Reader?

Quite possibly one of the people (MacKenzie) that would be considered at the top of the list of avid readers of the blog stopped by yesterday afternoon. MacKenzie, Maddy, Jodonnah, and Tim popped in for a visit and got the see Ezra in a slightly fussy state, but it was great to see them and to have them meet Ezra for the first time. Thanks for the visit!

The Friday Afternoon Post

It doesn’t sound as good as The Saturday Evening Post, especially after I wrote it…perhaps I will save that title for a future date. Yesterday evening we ventured out for an errand or two after dinner – a first for us (outside of ice cream) – and it went really well. According to Ezra, there isn’t any difference between trips in the morning or in the evening, but it was nice to know that we had the energy/motivation to get out.

Sleeping last night was arguably the best that we have had in a while, he fell asleep at 1030pm, fed at 1am, then basically slept until 630 this morning. We went to Kohl’s for a little shopping for ourselves, a nice respite from shopping for stuff that the cat would be too big for. And then this afternoon we had Tara, a postpartum doula, come to the house for some lactation and breastfeeding tips. It was very helpful, and assured us that we are mostly doing things correctly. 

Here are some ‘too cute not to post’ pictures from a bath yesterday, and from a little Mom-n-Me naptime just after lunch. 

New Domain Name

We are pleased to announce that we have an easier domain name to remember: www.ourlittlehippie.com 

Don’t worry, all that it does is redirect you to the WordPress site, so the bookmarks that you currently have will still work. For most of you, don’t change a thing. For those that haven’t bookmarked the page, visit it through memory, or are passing it along to someone new; use the new domain name. 

Smith Picture Dump

Kjerstin and Company sent us a CD today with a bunch of the pictures that they took while here visiting…including several events that you have already seen, but also a lot of stuff that you haven’t. Included are photos from a trip to the fire station where Johnathan, Isaac, and Nora got to try on my gear and climb through the truck. There are also pictures of the moment that we arrived home with Ezra as well as the cake that they had for him. They are all out of order (since that is how WordPress uploads them…or at least I can’t figure out how to do it differently) so please look around and enjoy. Thanks Kjerstin!

Blackjack!

Now, we aren’t gamblers (full disclosure: I have gone twice and actually had some fun) but we feel like we hit blackjack at the Vegas tables on a $100K bet….Ezra turned 21 days old this morning at 3:13 and we celebrated the exact time with some snoring. The last three weeks have gone by at lightspeed and at a snail’s pace, all at the same time. 

Yesterday was a little tougher for us since it appears that Ezra might be hitting a growth spurt: wanting to be fed every 1-2 hours and awake a lot. All of that awakeness led to a decent night for us, with two separate 3-4 hour stretches of sleep. The teacher that is going to be the long-term sub for Ahna this fall stopped by for a meeting of the minds and I think it was a little weird for Ahna to even think about school at this point; but it was good for the two of them to get on the same page. Later in the evening, we started out on a walk to help Ezra fall asleep and ended up driving for ice cream for us (remember the list from the other day?)….a good thunderstorm with lots of lightning cut our walk short. 

This morning we headed out to the library and Ahna and Ezra attended a La Leche League meeting while I read up on some photography. We were also treated to a wonderful lunch by my grandparents, who I think are going to leave in a couple of days. As I write this, we are watching the Euro 2008 semifinal between Russia and Spain (Spain leads 1-0 in the 64th minute) and planning on another errand this evening. The Social Security Administration treated Ezra to a 3-week gift by sending him is very first piece of mail!…his social security card. It is still strange to see his name in print or to write it down on a form. Here is a little picture dump at three weeks.

Product Review: Luna Lullaby Soothing Blanket

So there are no new pictures of Ezra. No new pictures of deer, oh wait. Nothing much to report from yesterday (it was fairly relaxed, did include a visit from our Hypnobirthing coach Nancy, and did include a good night’s sleep)…so in lieu of making up something just for the sake of a new post, I will make up something just for the sake of a new post. And because we really like these blankets. 

When Abby, Teva, and Micah gave us a package of three blankets for our baby shower – exclaiming that these are the best things ever – we were excited, but a little confused as to how blankets could somehow top ice cream as the best thing ever. Fast forward several months and I am here to tell you that these blankets have made their way up the ‘best thing ever’ rankings to just behind ice cream (don’t know if anything will ever eclipse a good cookies-n-cream double scoop). They are technically soothing blankets designed for swaddling, but we use them for nearly everything: car seat cover for walks, an emergency spit-up wiper, a swaddler, and a blanket. If you are telling yourself “that doesn’t sound like everything,” you have forgotten what it is like to live with a newborn. 

Back to the review: these make a great gift, especially for a summertime blanket/cover. You can order many different styles on-line and shipping actually doesn’t take all that long when it comes via ground. Simple enough. Here’s the link: Luna Lullaby Soothing Blankets

 

Oh, Deer!

We went down to my folk’s house last night for dinner (hooray for Grandma’s sloppy-joe!) and encountered this male mule deer on their property.