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What a great week. Last Sunday, Corbin and I traveled North to visit my sister and her family in Cleveland. We crammed a lot into 2 1/2 days but unfortunately I have no pictures (the camera didn't make it on the bus back home).

As always, the food was tres yummy at my sister's house - her husband made a lovely chicken dish for us on Sunday and on the last night we had a DQ Reese PB Cup b-day cake in celebration of Debra's b-day on Wednesday. There were several doubters - myself included - that ice cream and peanut butter would be a good combo - but we were disproved.

Other highlights:

• Aunt Jean got trounced bowling on the Wii.
• Aunt Jean also got trounced at glow-in-the-dark putt putt (but both she and Corbin loved it! - check out the pics on the website)
• Everyone visited the Painted Penguin (Joey = awesome Storm Trooper; Kate = very pretty kitty; Aunt Jean = three blue eggs, one with glitter!)

Look for pics from me at a later date once the camera wanders home. In the meantime, enjoy more pics of Corbin getting squeaky clean...

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'Night

Swing Into Spring

First Blooms of 2009

Once again our optimistic crocus bloomed early, despite Central Ohio's typical March lion-lamb-lion again weather. It has been wonderfully beautiful this week - in the mid-60s. We had a special treat when our dryer broke and I had an excuse to violate our home owners' association rules and hang clothes on a makeshift clothesline in the backyard. I've been smelling the sun in my towels and jamis all week!

We all - mommy, daddy, shelties and baby - took a walk to the local park (Corbin's finally big enough to sit up in the stroller!). Corbin had his first ride in a swing. Even though it was more like a rocking, wiggling event as the safety strap was questionable, he loved it. Check out the dinosaur socks!

Our Dogs Eat Organic Too

Yes, it's true. Our shelties have been munching on organic veggies for a few weeks now.

Do they have special dietary restrictions?
Are we treating our pets like human beings?
Have we taken the whole "green" thing a bit too far?
No....

Are our shelties big moochy scavengers? Yes!

The Shelties' New Meal Ticket

Corbin started on finger foods last week, after two months of increasing resistance to any food item pureed and arriving on a spoon. So far he has munched on green beans, bananas, avocado spread on toast, Cheerios, yams, squash, carrot bits and spiral wheat noodles.

Early on, we made a decision to feed Corbin organic food whenever possible. Now, Corbin's aim ain't that great - specifically his aim from hand to mouth. And if he doesn't like something on the first attempt, he shoves it down the high chair seat with an indignant look. And the downstream beneficiaries of all this mealtime chaos? One black-and-white sheltie and one little brown sheltie.

So...we now have the most eco-friendly canines on the block!

Other BIG news this week - Corbin is creeping! He has used the back-and-forth roll to get from point A to point B for the last month now. Last Saturday though, he was unable to abide the time that would take to get directly to his new horse barn block toy and made a beeline for it by wiggling on his belly. He still relies on his roll when he's not in a hurry, and crawling is a ways off I'm sure, but we were so excited! Sorry no actual pictures this week, but every time I turned the camera on...no movement! You know how that goes...

'Night

Change...Or Maybe Not

Lee's New Glasses

Lee recently got new glasses.

Lee's Old Glasses

You can tell the difference between Lee's old and new glasses, right? :) As it so happens, the Parkers are not eager fans of mixing things up. We like our predictable life and do not consider shifting out of that predictability easily. Another example: it took us five months to decide that Lee would leave his job to care for Corbin full-time while I worked.

While it was the best decision at the time (both our job benefits/pay were about equal, Lee is fabulous with Corbin, I am energized by taking on increasing responsibilities at work), the world shifted a bit for us in February. For details, refer to February 3rd's press release: Huntington Eliminates Incentives and note, it wasn't just the incentives that were eliminated.... So, we got a little nervous. It's challenging working for a midwestern bank right now - even a great one - especially when the last one you worked for doesn't exist anymore.

After much discussion and angst, we decided to tuck in and take a more conservative approach. So, Lee reached out to his former employer. We were very fortunate that he was able to return to his position two weeks ago.

I have also been very fortunate. I am able to continue in my role but with a shortened week so that I can spend Fridays with Corbin. Grammas W. and C. will watch our treasure the rest of the week. March is a bit unusual, as Gramma W. is deep in the heart of Florida and Gramma C. is deep in the heart of tax season. Fortunately, Maymee and Baba are helping bridge the childcare gap.

So, while it took us months and months to make a big strategic shift, we shifted back in the space of ten days. And it isn't really "back" (that would be too easy!) because starting in April, we will be two simultaneously-working parents. Up until now we have managed, between various work leaves and Lee's resignation, to have one of us home with Corbin almost continually for eight months. Our heads are still spinning a bit. But overall, we are very blessed, especially when so many are struggling in these anxious financial times.

So, for all of you who shared our excitement when Lee decided to stay home, send a happy thought his way as he starts his third week back on Monday - he misses our little mouse.

All our best to you - 'night