Monday's blog

We didn't snap any new photos this weekend, and took it kind of slow, which was nice. Thus, I will put up a rare post not about the kids. I jotted this note down at some point during one of my flights I was on for work, and figured I would go ahead and post it now.

For all too many people, their only experience with flying will be in those greyhound buses of the sky, packed in like cattle- enduring delays, cramped spaces, hustle and bustle, loud overwhelming moments of rushing from one spot to another contrasted by endless stretches of boredom confined to a seat. Even when you glance out the windows and see clouds stretching underneath into the horizon, or watch the sun set as you turn final for landing, you are still constrained to a 3x2 space of blurry, dirty window. However, in that one space of time, that one moment, you can almost taste what you should be seeing and feeling, but then it is gone.

I have been sadly absent from flying since I got my pilot’s license, but even with my limited time I have been shown a world that is far more peaceful, far more powerful and far more amazing than I would have ever imagined. There is a simple beauty to flying- beyond all the technology and weather reports, checklists, procedures and things to know, there is a simple, elegant beauty in seeing our world from a new perspective.

Pilot Officer Magee, who wrote High Flight, truly knew what it felt like. Much like commercial airline travel, I had always read this poem fast and furious, anxious to get to the end. I never took the time to see what was being painted in his words- now I do. I encourage you to read it and imagine, feel each line for all it is; don’t just rush to the end. I also encourage you to check out the following site, this producer has captured the essence of what it is to fly.

Flying Full Circle is a short 10 min film you can watch on line. There is also an intro sequence to One Six Right, a full length documentary about general aviation. I plan to watch it in its entirety very soon. It may be just me, but I hope somewhere in all this, the wonder filled kid in you can see out of your grown up eyes and bring back a sense of magic and amazement that may have been covered up by time.


Weekend update

This weekend we decided to try something that worked well for us last summer- the drive in. It was a great way to see movies without having to always find a baby sitter and little infant Amelia slept and snuggled the whole time through. So, being in an adventuresome mode, we wanted to try again this year with little infant Eliza and big sister Amelia.

Big Sister does not sleep as much as she did when brand new (duh)- so we will just say that the drive in as we established it this trip was a no go. We will try again, this time allowing some outside play time before the movie to get her good and tired, or by bringing more distracting toys to play with while in her seat...or by securing a sitter! While frustrating, I can't blame her all that much- she is a mover and a shaker and very curious, so it was asking a lot for a fully alert 18 month old to sit still. We left after the first movie and she was out cold within 2 miles of the drive-in, but several hours past her bedtime.

She got up the usual time next morning though, and played and played and was doing great, up in her high chair eating her sandwich. Then something that has never happened before- I stepped out to fire up the grill for our lunch and I walked back in to see this :-)
She has never fallen asleep in her chair that easy- I actually panicked for a second and thought she was having some sort of allergic reaction to the peanut butter- she was swimmy eyed and out of it. Then she dropped her head again and started snoring and I broke down laughing. We let her sleep while we ate and then she snuggled in for the rest of her nap on the couch.

Eliza was deep in thought over it all.

Saturday night, we tried again- this time heading downtown for Swinging on Main . We stumbled on this event two years ago and have made it down each year, it is a lot of fun! We were wary after the night before, but both kids did great. Amelia loves music and was dancing in her stroller, and then out dancing with Daddy and Mommy, waving at everyone who walked by and generally walking all over Triangle Park. This is a bit blurry, but I like it:
We wrapped up the night by playing in the fountain- Amelia is a water bug, so this was right up her alley.





Back on Track

Here we go again! We are back on track and once again attempting to commit to regular blog posts for all of our friends and family. With the arrival of our second little one, Ms. Eliza Jane, several of you have noted that this is the only place you can come to see updates and new photos. Only 3 weeks in to having two under age two, we have quickly found that we need to be even more extremely organized than we were before. As such, I am going to try and commit to a specific time each week to provide new pics and updates. Keep an eye out for posts on this, and perhaps a second blog, but for now, here are some updated photos for all to see.

Eliza Jane Kettenring: May 10, 2009, 7:14 AM, 7 lbs 12 oz, 21 in


Big Sister is a big help- she loves to kiss on her sister, and help burp her. If the pacifier falls out, you hear a big "Uh-Oh" and she tries to help get it back in. We have been very lucky in Amelia's attitude and behavior towards Eliza. She's got spunk and a lot of...personality...but she has been great towards her sister!


A good day at the park. Amelia got to swing and feed the ducks and romp around the playground. Little sis got to sleep...


A smile for mommy :-)



As always, big sister is a ham when the camera comes on...