I know, I know...... it's been like 9 months since I last updated this blog.
Sorry.
So.... we moved to Portland - Sellwood, to be precise - right next to the Spokane bike boulevard, to be even more precise....
Nikki is finishing up the first week of her last rotation. 5 more weeks to go! She's already been offered a job, right here in Portland!
I've been working at the Gartrell Group, doing GIS project management and other geeky stuff. I ride my bike to work every day - a twelve-mile roundtrip (unless I have to run home to get the boys, then it's 24!).
Oh, and we got a bucketbike...
02 July 2010
16 November 2009
'you're STUPID!'
The boys had their 3 and 5-year-old check-ups last Thursday and are doing brilliantly (as we are all well aware!).
For the record, Liam weighed in at exactly 38 pounds and 42 inches tall. Camper was 30.25 pounds and 36.5 inches. Should we start making bets now? Will Camper be the bigger of the two? At what point will he catch up? When will he suddenly be 10 pounds heavier?
The clinic only had nasal flu vaccines, so I had to make a choice; seasonal or H1N1. I went with H1N1. We need to go back in a month for the seasonal vaccine.
Additionally, Liam got part two of his Hep-A vaccine. I've written about it before, and many of you have witnessed his reaction to large splinters - so imagine his reaction to the splinter - now multiply by like a gazillion.
I had to plead and cajole with him, and finally, we were engaged in wrestling match right there in the doctor's office. I was amazed at his strength. I ended up putting him in a big bear hug while the MA gave him the shot in his shoulder. He yelled, "you're stupid!" the moment the needle went in - to no one in particular, but he later told me that he did, in fact, direct that word at me.
Other than that one outburst, both boys behaved beyond expectations. The doctor even commented on how well-behaved they were for 3 and 5-year-old-boys. Holy shit. I'm the father of a 3-year-old and a 5-year-old.
For the record, Liam weighed in at exactly 38 pounds and 42 inches tall. Camper was 30.25 pounds and 36.5 inches. Should we start making bets now? Will Camper be the bigger of the two? At what point will he catch up? When will he suddenly be 10 pounds heavier?
The clinic only had nasal flu vaccines, so I had to make a choice; seasonal or H1N1. I went with H1N1. We need to go back in a month for the seasonal vaccine.
Additionally, Liam got part two of his Hep-A vaccine. I've written about it before, and many of you have witnessed his reaction to large splinters - so imagine his reaction to the splinter - now multiply by like a gazillion.
I had to plead and cajole with him, and finally, we were engaged in wrestling match right there in the doctor's office. I was amazed at his strength. I ended up putting him in a big bear hug while the MA gave him the shot in his shoulder. He yelled, "you're stupid!" the moment the needle went in - to no one in particular, but he later told me that he did, in fact, direct that word at me.
Other than that one outburst, both boys behaved beyond expectations. The doctor even commented on how well-behaved they were for 3 and 5-year-old-boys. Holy shit. I'm the father of a 3-year-old and a 5-year-old.
When did that happen?
04 November 2009
THREE!!
Yesterday was Camper's THIRD birthday.
It was three years ago today...
We had a pretty chill day. Camper and I went for a ride to the playground so that he could get in a birthday swing, then we had some people over.
A relaxed third birthday.
Some pictures of my boy:
- Campbell; week-by-week
- World, meet Benton Campbell McLeod
- Campbell, the complete collection
It was three years ago today...
We had a pretty chill day. Camper and I went for a ride to the playground so that he could get in a birthday swing, then we had some people over.
A relaxed third birthday.
Some pictures of my boy:
- Campbell; week-by-week
- World, meet Benton Campbell McLeod
- Campbell, the complete collection
31 October 2009
attack of the killer robots
After months of discussion, weeks of back-and-forth, days of planning and hours of blood, sweat and tears, I present Liam and Camper's Halloween 2009 costumes:
Robots!
They were the hit of our short spin around the block (after about five house, both boys wanted to go home - they wore the helmets for all of a block). People were stopping us to tell us how much they loved them.
It's amazing what you can do with some cardboard, aluminum foil and duct tape!
Photos:
Last year, two years ago,three years ago, and four years ago.
Robots!
They were the hit of our short spin around the block (after about five house, both boys wanted to go home - they wore the helmets for all of a block). People were stopping us to tell us how much they loved them.
It's amazing what you can do with some cardboard, aluminum foil and duct tape!
Photos:
Last year, two years ago,three years ago, and four years ago.
27 October 2009
under the moon and stars
I like to take pictures at night.
Sometimes I go months without taking pictures at night.
Last night I looked out, saw the moon and the wet roads, and told Nikki that I'd be back in a few hours.
Showers were moving through the area, but so were amazing clear patches of sky. I drove over to a hill in Beaverton that I once drove over and thought "this would be a cool place to take pictures..."
I'm going to have to get out more at night.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I have some more photos on my Facebook page.
Sometimes I go months without taking pictures at night.
Last night I looked out, saw the moon and the wet roads, and told Nikki that I'd be back in a few hours.
Showers were moving through the area, but so were amazing clear patches of sky. I drove over to a hill in Beaverton that I once drove over and thought "this would be a cool place to take pictures..."
I'm going to have to get out more at night.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I have some more photos on my Facebook page.
21 October 2009
Autumn is the dreamiest time of year
I do so love Autumn.
I miss fall in New England, but I have to say, fall in the Northwest is pretty dang nice.
We've been to a pumpkin patch and an apple orchard, rode our bikes through leaves and had to put our sweaters on for the first time this year.
I like Autumn.
Fall is also when everyone's birthdays happen. Nikki's was in September, Liam's was last week, my Mom's is today (Happy Birthday Mom, I love you!!), and Camper's is in a couple of weeks.
I like Autumn.
I just wish I could find a job...
I miss fall in New England, but I have to say, fall in the Northwest is pretty dang nice.
We've been to a pumpkin patch and an apple orchard, rode our bikes through leaves and had to put our sweaters on for the first time this year.
I like Autumn.
Fall is also when everyone's birthdays happen. Nikki's was in September, Liam's was last week, my Mom's is today (Happy Birthday Mom, I love you!!), and Camper's is in a couple of weeks.
I like Autumn.
I just wish I could find a job...
15 October 2009
OMSI members
We joined OMSI today.
Nikki's dad bought Liam and Camper (and me and Nikki) a family membership for their birthdays. We weren't going to get it until we came back from upstate-WA at the end of December, but Nikki's school just informed her that this rotation comes with housing; family not welcome...
So... the boys and I will be hanging tough in Hillsboro until Mommy gets home...
I've decided that as fulfilling as the stay-at-home-dad thing has been, we're broke... I need to get a job. Also, I think Camper really needs to be able to hang with other kids on a daily basis - and Liam needs to get into a pre-school program to be ready for next fall (kindergarten!!).
I've already started to look for a job. I'd like to get a job in Portland. My mother can come out to help me deal with the boys until I make enough money to a) move into PDX and b) locate a pre-school for the boys.
Nikki's dad bought Liam and Camper (and me and Nikki) a family membership for their birthdays. We weren't going to get it until we came back from upstate-WA at the end of December, but Nikki's school just informed her that this rotation comes with housing; family not welcome...
So... the boys and I will be hanging tough in Hillsboro until Mommy gets home...
I've decided that as fulfilling as the stay-at-home-dad thing has been, we're broke... I need to get a job. Also, I think Camper really needs to be able to hang with other kids on a daily basis - and Liam needs to get into a pre-school program to be ready for next fall (kindergarten!!).
I've already started to look for a job. I'd like to get a job in Portland. My mother can come out to help me deal with the boys until I make enough money to a) move into PDX and b) locate a pre-school for the boys.
10 October 2009
my big FIVE-year-old
Liam turned five today.
So Mommy and Daddy celebrated by bringing the family to the 2009 Fresh Hops Tastival.
Seriously.
We sampled about a half dozen delicious fresh hop beers, from really pale ales to hoppy IPAs. Yummy!
Then we went home, made pumpkin pie (Liam's choice) and had some people over for a little schin-dig.
So Mommy and Daddy celebrated by bringing the family to the 2009 Fresh Hops Tastival.
Seriously.
We sampled about a half dozen delicious fresh hop beers, from really pale ales to hoppy IPAs. Yummy!
Then we went home, made pumpkin pie (Liam's choice) and had some people over for a little schin-dig.
04 October 2009
Football schmootball
We spent the afternoon at the Alpenrose Dairy watching the kick-off to the 2009 Cross Crusade cyclocross series. We were there last year as well.
It was so Portland; coffee, bikes, dogs and kids.
Oh and tattoos. There were lots of tattoos.
And cowbells.
I love the scene - the energy and the vibe. It's why I love Portland so much. Thousands of people show up to cheer on a muddy bike race.
I read that it was the biggest cyclocross race in the U.S., with over 1500 racers (and probably 3000+ spectators).
It was so Portland; coffee, bikes, dogs and kids.
Oh and tattoos. There were lots of tattoos.
And cowbells.
I love the scene - the energy and the vibe. It's why I love Portland so much. Thousands of people show up to cheer on a muddy bike race.
I read that it was the biggest cyclocross race in the U.S., with over 1500 racers (and probably 3000+ spectators).
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