The Times, They Are A-Changin'

Leave it to the expert marketing teams at Huggies to provide a reality check for the status of our home.

With our names on baby lists all over the place, we've been getting coupons and free samples of various baby products as long as Calvin has been alive. They track his development better than we do, sending the next size of diaper just as he's moving up, etc.

So we weren't surprised when we received a Pull-Up potty training diaper in the mail. We were surprised when a newborn diaper with umbilical cord care arrived with it!

Oh yes, indeed. The times are a-changin' 'round these parts.

Burying Grammy-Great

Grammy-Great's entire family was present for her funeral.

She would have loved it.

We had a private graveside burial before a family dinner to celebrate her life. We were each given a rose and the opportunity to share some thoughts about our dearly departed.

Needless to say, this was a touching time for everyone ... except perhaps for the two-year olds among us. Calvin and Ava expressed themselves by around the graveyard, enjoying the tombstones, benches, bushes, trees ... pretty much anything they found.

When we did return to the group, Calvin knew just what to do with his rose. He walked straight over to the vase by Grammy-Great's grave and added his rose to the rest. I followed suit, expressing tearful sentiment for both of us:

From "the cutest little kid ever" (what she always called Calvin). And "because you always spoke your mind".

Rest in peace, Grandma.

Another Train to Denver, Another Funeral

Another trip to Colorado meant another funeral. We'll have to make this trip sometime for another reason! This one was for Grammy Great, Eric's grandmother.

Without a good grasp on death (and without us encouraging growth in that area) for Calvin, this trip was mostly about riding the train.

Papa accompanied Calvin and me to Denver; I couldn't have done it without him!

It was an overnight trip both ways and we landed in Denver at 7 a.m. Cal slept quite well provided his bed lacked the railings and corners into which he usually smooshes himself.

Grammy and Uncle Ryan joined our party for the return trip. This time Cal explored all of his sleeping options, including the storage nets along the walls before settling into the lower bunk with me.

CHEESE!

By the way, here's a picture of Cal's chipped front teeth. And most of the rest of them.

I'd Rather Be Swimming

Calvin and I met Aunt Julie, Uncle Peter, Wil and Josh in Chicago for a quick overnight at Grammy and Papa's new place.

Still with me?

Actually, we christened the apartment with this visit, as the first overnight guests. After making the beds and gorging on deep dish pizza, the boys fell asleep and the adults had a quiet visit.

The next day promised a train ride to Denver, so we dressed comfortably as we left for breakfast: warm-up pants and a t-shirt. But when Calvin saw his swim suit, he wanted to wear it, too.

Now, as a rule, he's taking an interest in choosing his clothing -- and mine! And I'm generally happy oblige his leading, even if it means that we wear his "Henry" socks six days in a row. This particular get-up was a little unusual, but we were in the city and he's two, so why not.

So here you have it, kids: Calvin and his "I'd rather be swimming" outfit.

He wore it until we boarded the train mid-afternoon. While changing a diaper it just made more sense to leave it off.