Christian's 7... and I'm old

Hey everyone!

We're gearing up for 4th of July week, and frankly, I'm blogging because I'm procrastinating on writing an article on fainting.

Of course, seeing as it's 1:43 a.m. -- a mere 10 hours from the time we're scheduled to leave for "up north" -- and I still have to finish the article AND pack, I really have no business blogging. But I can't help myself.

Our Big News This Week: Christian turned 7 years old today! Bowling, swimming, and Lego-building were on the agenda. I think he had a good day. He's getting so big. So independent. So grown up. It's terribly cliche to say, but where does the time go? What happened to my baby?!

I read this quote recently: "I always knew I'd get old someday, but I didn't think it would happen so fast." That's what's happening here. I still feel like I should be a fresh, new mom with toddlers running around and a diaper bag permanently hanging off my shoulder. But instead, everyone here can feed and wipe themselves. It wouldn't be so bad to hear Bergen yell, "Wipe my butt!" from the bathroom again (usually when I was on a work call). Or see Christian search longingly for "Bear" again, the stuffed animal he couldn't sleep without -- but now hasn't mentioned in nearly a year.

Sigh.

In other news: I'm on vacation from the Post-Bulletin next week, so no July 5 column. And I haven't posted the 6/28 dolumn (on laundry) yet, but that'll have to wait.

Also, sadly, we lost a dear friend yesterday. Dora, a neighbor when we lived on 16th Avenue, died unexpectedly. She had always been an inspiration to us: This woman walked 3 miles a day every day of the year, no matter what the weather. She loved to bake the boys cupcakes, and made Bergen homemade baby food when he was a babe. When we'd visit, she'd let the kids play with her collection of stuffed animals and explore her basement, and always sent them home with goodie bags full of fruit and Kit Kats. She was a funny, no-nonsense, tell-it-like it is woman. But she also liked to be hugged. She would've been 90 in November. (Here's a funny Dora story: When I asked her recently what she was going to do to celebrate the big 9-0, she deadpanned, "Get drunk." She might've been serious.)

Alrighty. I'm going to have to get up early to write and pack. It's becoming difficult to keep the eyes open! :), Jen