Summer

Summer:

It’s the middle of August and this weekend is the weekend that Mom’s second cousins come up form NY to spend time in Gray. Its always a good time and you both are looking forward to their arrival.

This summer has been exceptional. Weather-wise, not so much. Just about ALL of June was filled with rain. No kidding, something like 21 days of rain, rain, rain. I left my wipers, “On” in my car for a few days in a row. It was a Looong month! As always, we made the best of things. We did manage to get to the beach a few times in June, but we spent a lot of time at the Dover Children’s Museum too. You both enjoy it there so much. I hadn’t been there, so I made my maiden voyage there in June. I was completely impressed. We only made it half way around that place and we spent a good 3 or 4 hours there one day!

July brought Lincoln and little more sun. Still rained a bit. We spent a lot of time with friends in June and July. JD, you spent time with Reagan, Evan, and Jacob and Adam spent lots of time with Marin, Aiden, and Lucy. Mom and I hung out with Chad and Ash, Chad and Stacey, and others quite a bit throughout these months too.

We had a delayed 4th of July party with real fireworks, many cookouts, and went to see Pondering Judd play a few times. JD and Adam, you guys went with Grandma and Grampa to the Cape for a weekend. You went on a Pirate Ship, swam in the pool, and had an excellent time. You both came home dressed as Pirates!

We spent some time in Massachusetts this summer too. A few weeks ago, Adam and JD came down with me so that we could give Mom and Linc some relaxing alone time. Little did we know, Linc would give mom a run for her money on this day! When we arrived down in Mass, we all went right over to Jimmy’s where we swam with a bunch of his brothers and sisters kids and Cauf and Riley were there for a while too. You both had blast. At night I went out with Dunph, Mikey, and Jim. I needed it! You guys went out to dinner with Grampie and Nana. They took you for ice cream at Friendly’s!

The next day we got up and went to the town park to play. Christo was playing in a baseball game. JD, you especially enjoyed watching him play 3rd base and hit. He came over in the middle of his game to say hello. We also spent time shooting hoops at the town courts. The same courts that I used to play on for hours and hours when I was growing up. Nana and Adam blew bubbles.

We also spent a few nights at the cabin in Gray with Grandie and PopPop. Last weekend you guys spent ALL of Friday on the sandbar at Little Sebago. I came up after work and PopPop picked me up on the boat to meet you. We cooked out on the sandbar before heading back to the cabin. The next day we ended up spending time at Sebago Lake. At one of my favorite lake beaches called Tassle Top (I call it Hasslehoff). It’s a beautiful beach, the water is always nice, and the sand is even comfortable.

One thing you guys have really enjoyed this summer has been eating our homegrown veggies. Mom and PopPop planted a nice garden this year that has provided us with lots of great tasting vegetables. JD, you could live on those snap peas.
Many nights this summer when you have said how hungry you are, we’ve said, “Go out to the garden and see what you can find.” It’s been good for everyone! Adam helped Mom pick onions and tomatoes the other night.

Liv, Dave, Meg and Greg came up for the day not too long ago too. We met at Long Sands and had a great day. Greg and I had a nice beer or two on the beach and the four of you got along great. You always get along so well, it’s a pleasure having you all together. It was fun to watch the four of you take off for the water together and build castles in the sand. Afterwards they came back to our house. We had some dinner and lit up some sparklers afterwards. It was their first time using sparklers, which made for a fun time for us all!

I guess when I look back over the last two months a few things stand out, other than the birth of your brother:

Beach – We’re at the beach all the time, I love it and so do you guys.
Your accepting of your brother – Both of you couldn’t be happier to have Linc as our new addition. You always ask about him, look out for him, and want to hold him. You have also not given Mom or I a hard time when we have to take time out to tend to him. It’s been easy and great.

Friends – Mine. My friends, and Mom’s too, have been SO supportive of us this summer. Offers of support with Linc were completely overwhelming, from both Maine and Mass. I don’t know how to say thanks for stuff like this, but I think people know. (Coolest gift to Linc: Chad M gave him a card deck of the 2009 Red Sox so he can look back on his birth year and see who was playing)

Rain – I don’t mind the rain, but so many days in a row sucked.

Adam – Ad, you’ve just seemed older this summer. Maybe its cuz we have a new “Youngest boy”, but I tend to think its more than that. I went to tuck you in the other night and I just looked at you for a minute. I can’t get over how big you are. You are also a smart, witty kid. And you’re so dang fun. (You have been telling me that you like the Yankees lately, just to see me get angry)

Buds – For the first time, JD and Ad, have really become buds. You guys go off and play together, help each other out, and ALWAYS without fail watch out for each other when the other gets in trouble with mom and dad or with others.
You two are going to be an interesting pair! You still fight like cats and dogs sometimes, but this camaraderie is a new facet to your relationship.

Gram and Grampie – They have dipped below the scale of being okay. Tough to watch if even from a far

Jogging - I remeber growing up my Dad said that is was a dream of his to go jogging with both Meg and I. Adam, JD and I go jogging together all the time. JD, you ride you bike and I push Ad in the stroller. The other night we all went in the POURING rain. You both had the best time! It was so much fun, we went for an extra long run!

Mom – She’s worked hard this summer for you guys. She’s trucked you off places almost everyday, while keeping you entertained and fed. One day you’ll appreciate this but it won’t be for a while. Some days she runs solely on fumes, but she continues to run..


Again, its only mid-August, summer isn’t over yet but it sure feels like its winding down. It’s been a good one. Thanks for sharing it with me.

Getting Old Ramble

Quick thought:

You know what’s weird about getting older? Everything.

About six or seven years ago I was working in Newton, MA for a staffing company. My job allowed me to be on the road a lot traveling all over Massachusetts. There was a span of about a year or two where I would go to Grammie and Grampie’s house in Westwood for lunch. They used to enjoy it so much and sometimes I would stay for a good 3 or 4 hours. We mostly just talked.

This is about the same time I played a lot of golf with Grampie. Maybe 15 times one summer/fall we would arrive VERY early at “His” golf course and play 18. Afterwards we had a couple brews and dogs at the little 19th Hole bar. We had some great conversations throughout the rounds we played. I know that Grampie confided some stuff in me that he hadn’t told anyone else. He has called those times we spent together, “Precious.” I agree.

During one of these times, I remember drifting off into (but not away from) our conversation and there was an overwhelming moment were it felt as if I was hanging out with a friend. This 80 year old man was someone that I could relate to and had things in common with. Someone that I could joke with and that I could trust. As I was processing this I was kind of hit by a wave of realization. Grampie was just like me but his body and mind were slowly changing. It’s hard for me to put into words.

I know for sure that as we get older, we get wiser. Not from reading tons of books (but I’m sure that helps) or watching educational programming, but simply because we’re taking more and more “Reps” each day. The more shit you do, whether its right or wrong, the more you’re going to learn. Lots of times you’ll hear people say, “If I only knew then what I know now.”

I’m 33 now and I can feel my body getting a little. I have stretch well before I work out and sometimes getting out of bed isn’t as easy as it used to be. I can’t believe my parents are 60. 60 always seemed old to me, but then again, so has 30. I guess my point is, as you grow up and get older, remember that the adult figures in your life aren’t much different than you. They were your age at one point to but their body and mind have changed a bit. They still have the capacity to feel things as you do, and probably have similar outlooks and interests. When I was a teenager I never really gave adults a chance to advise me on much and I should have. It took me a long time to realize that my parents and others were right about a lot of things. Not everything, but more than I ever thought I would realize.

Maybe you guys will be more conscious of this than I was as you get older. It can’t hurt to try and make sense of different perspectives even if you don’t agree. Its important to rationalize the thoughts of others in conjunction with your own to make informed decisions or hypothesis; don’t be afraid to listen.

Then and Now

Linc, you were born 27 days ago and it occurred to me that we don’t have much written down about when JD and Adam were born. Mom and I remember things differently, so this is my brief take on then and now:

JD:

You needed to be held a lot as a baby. Sometimes it was hard to soothe you when you were upset. Many nights during the first few months I would bring you up to your room around 7 ish and we would dance until you got very drowsy and then I placed you in your crib, still awake. You and I danced for hours sometimes, not just before bed, but at different times for different reasons. These times were and still are very special to me. You still ask for me to dance with you even though you’re seven years old. It makes me happy every time.

We were on-the-go a lot back then too. More so then we are now and we’re pretty busy now! We brought you everywhere with us. We spent a lot of time at Cauf’s or Jim’s or whoever’s and we would put you to bed everywhere we went if we were to be out late. You used to konk right out on a bed in the other room while we did our thing right next store! You were at Moosehead at two months old and slept through rock and roll and laughing and stuff too. You always adapted everywhere we went and now, at seven, you love to travel. You make the best of wherever we go, whatever we’re doing. You rarely complain about stuff like that.

You ate tons and tons as a little guy. You were never picky and you still aren’t. You will try anything. You’ve had salmon; steak, sushi, ect. If you can name it you’ve probably tried it. SO different from me when I was young. I never used to like to try anything.

You started crawling early, I don’t remember when but I remember people being surprised, and you started walking right around your first Bday. There were MANY times that you barfed on me and once you barfed all over my face…thanks.

You loved to read and still do. You and I would read before bed, your favorite book was, The Little Engine that Could. When we got to the lollipop pages, you always pretended to eat the pops. You also liked Good Night Moon. After we were done reading this book, you would ask me to go find the moon outside so that we could say, “Goodnight.”

You never needed much sleep but you slept through the night at 3 months. You still don’t sleep past 7/7:30 unless we let you stay up late the night prior. When we lived in Mass we had a playroom downstairs. You and I got up early together on the weekends and you got your milk and I got my coffee and we would spend the first few hours of the day down there. Sometimes I would watch movies and you would play with a toy, but mostly we played together. Once we set up a tent down there and left it up for months!

Now, you are as confident as I’ve ever seen a child. You think you can do anything and most of the time you can. I think about the skim board that Nan gave you when you were five. We used to bring that to the beach EVERY time we went. You would try and ride that thing 100 times a trip, no joke. You took some major falls of that board and every time you got right back on. I wasn’t sure how long it would take you to pick it up, but I knew you would. This year you’re riding 10/15 feet a clip, turning into and over waves. It’s awesome. You did it all by yourself. The ONE time I tried it with you I landed hard on my ass. I never had much coordination with my feet and I took that fall as an early sign that my best work at the beach should be done from my chair.

You’re a leader too. You’re confident in the way you speak and in the info you speak about. You have been selective with the friends you’ve chosen. They are all good kids that have similar interests.

You’re a bit of a perfectionist in some things, most things probably. You remember things for mom and I all the time. I hope you know that it’s okay NOT to be perfect all the time and that if you do you’re best it’s ALWAYS good enough. And, you don’t always have to do your best. Sometimes its okay to, “Mail it in” as long as you don’t slip off track.

Nicknames so far: Jade, J, Little Bear, Jimmy Joe, Bigsie,

Adam:

You were a good baby too! You were VERY easy to soothe. In fact sometimes you would just hang out on my lap without saying a word or making a fuss. You were independent from day one. You didn’t like to sleep through the night though. Sometimes you were up two or three time a night for the first 4 or 5 months. It took you until almost a year to sleep through the night. This has always been strange to me because you DO require a lot of sleep. When you were still napping sometimes Mom or I would put you down for a nap around 3:00 or 4:00 and you would wake up the next day. This happened a lot actually.

You still need your alone time at 3 years old. Sometimes you’ll disappear upstairs and play in your room by yourself. Both you and JD are very funny and have great senses of humor, but there I something very unique about yours. You say THE funniest things at appropriate times. It’s actually kind of fascinating. Like, the other night I was telling you something and I said, “Do you understand?” And you replied, “Eye, eye Captain!” So funny.

I used to dance with you when you were very little but as you got older you wiggled out of my arms and wanted to dance yourself. You dance every last chance you get. If you hear music in a show or a movie on TV, boom you’re up to dance. You love music just like your big brother does but in a different way. Luckily you guys both like the same type of music. I often wonder when this will change. You both have your own radios and cds in your room, so when that happens, you’re prepared.

You are very emotional but you hide it often. If JD is sad or happy or pissed off, he just comes right out and says what he’s feeling…all the time! You take a different approach. You surpress your feelings for a period of time, think about them and then come out and say something like, “Dad, you hurt my feelings when you did….” Other times you’ll feel sad and act happy for a while or preoccupy yourself until your feelings surface. My favorite picture (of all time) was taken a few weeks ago when Linc was born. You missed Mom and hadn’t seen her in a few days. We went to see her at the hospital and you were avoiding her, you were talking to her, but avoiding her. Then out of nowhere you jumped up on the bed and hugged her so tight. You didn’t cry, you just hugged her…because you genuinely missed the person that you spend most of your time with. I get teary every time I look at that picture.

You enjoy reading the books, “The Dancing Giraffe” and “A Trip to the Aquarium” and, “Going on a Bear Hunt”. These are all great books. You know all of the animals (or mammals or whatever) in the Aquarium book and you finish the end of the sentences in the Bear Hunt book as I read along.

You have the sweetest heart. There is nothing worse than hurting your feelings or if I accuse you of something that you didn’t do. I can tell right away if I am wrong in my assumption. You look at me and tell me that I’m wrong and you’re just about to burst into tears. I believe you because when I’m right, you run away or sometimes even put yourself in a time out.

You are a non-conformist. This is one of my favorite things about you. If you want to where a hat sideways or backwards, you do it, if you want to take weird pictures doing strange poses, you do. You march to your own drummer and it doesn’t take people long to figure this out. Like when you danced at your Uncle’s wedding with a shirt over your head in the middle of the circle for a good 10 minutes

Nicknames: Addie, Ad, Six, Addie Kins, My Kins

Lincoln:

Well bud, it’s only been about a month but so far, you’re pretty similar to JD as a baby. You need to be rocked and cuddled with at all times. Mom is nursing you, and sometimes your nurse for hour’s…hours! You were 6 lbs 14 ounces and were back home after three days in the hospital.

During the night you sleep so well. We feed you around 10:00 and you’re up around 3 and then back down for the night.

You’ve been to beach about 10 times already and you enjoy being out on our deck too. I noticed that when I hold you on the couch you tend to look out the windows at the trees, sun, ect. Mom brings you everywhere and your brothers adore you.

Both JD and Adam were away this past weekend (ahhhhh) with Grandma and Grandpa and you and I really got to start to get to know each other on Sat morning. We watched some Soprano’s reruns, Sportscenter, and I took you for a walk outback. When the boys got home they both asked how you were doing. They both enjoy holding you and soon will start to feed you a bottle. Last night Ad tried to feed you some popcorn. He won’t do that again.

I guess the rest is yet to be determined. It’s been fun to integrate you into our family and I can’t wait to see what the next years bring.

I don’t know exactly what has blessed me, but I’m blessed.

Lincoln Michael

Well, that’s that. Another Hart boy born and home at last. Last Thursday, July 1st Lincoln Michael was born in to the world and you both were right there for almost the whole thing!

Mom is such a trooper. She had been having contractions the night before and didn’t make me aware of it. I popped out of bed and went to the gym bright and early in the morning. Mom called me at some point during the morning to let me know that she was feeling contractions but she wasn’t sure if they were the real things.

I had a lunch meeting on this day with a perspective customer and I shut my phone off around 12:00. That’s right, I SHUT IT OFF! I don’t know what I was thinking! After about a two-hour meeting, I returned to the office to find about 10 calls from different people trying to track me down. I called Mom and we determined that these contractions probably warranted attention!

I came down to York and met with Mom in the birthing unit. She was definitely contracting but we still weren’t sure if they were going to perform the C-Section or somehow try to stop the contractions. I took you guys out for pizza so mom could relax for a bit. Soon after we sat down for Pizza, my phone rang. Mom said that they were going to deliver the baby in about an hour!! She set up a time for me to drop you guys with Jessie (your pre-school teacher and mom’s friend). We scoffed down our pizza quickly, I dropped you with Jesse, and I sped back to York Hospital. Just as they were wheeling out Mom to surgery, I arrived in the room and was able to go down with her. I almost missed it. What a whirlwind!

Mom is truly a great woman. She didn’t panic for a minute. She went through all the motions so systematically and never lost control. This was extraordinary to me. I don’t know another women who could have handled this day like Mom did. I don’t have the words to describe how I felt about her on this day. It’s been five days and still I can’t get over it.



Anyway, I put my scrubs on while the docs prepped mom and before I knew it, we were together in the surgery room. This birth was just as amazing as the other two, but different. We enjoyed this birth without worry. This is our third child, we actually kind of know what to expect now. With you JD, we just didn’t have a damn clue what we were doing and with Adam, it was scary and an extreme emergency. This was a great, “Last birth” for us. We enjoyed every minute. It was a perfect culmination of the previous nine months.

Mom spent three and a half days in the hospital with Linc and JD and Adam and I got to spend time together in between the hospital and home. Grandie was a great help too. She came down and took you guys on Thursday night and made us meals for the whole weekend. We couldn’t have made it though this time without her. The support we’ve received from family and friends has been more than overwhelming. We’ve received visits from tons of Maine/NH friends (mom had about 20 people in on Friday), calls from all over, and of course our family has been great as always. I was completely taken aback by all of the support, it was humbling. We’ve always had great friends but it seemed this time calls; texts, and emails came from all over. JD and Ad, you guys have had so much fun with your new brother. You’ve both taken time to hold him and talk to him. Adam, yesterday you were holding him while watching TV and he started to cry. I asked you if you wanted me to take him from you and you said, “No, I just told him I love him and gave him a kiss on his nose.” JD, you’ve held him for hours at a time at home and in the hospital. Last night while Mom and Linc were getting some rest and you were in bed, you wrote a note to Linc that said, “Dear Lincoln, I love you very much, Love, JD.”



Its funny, I was a little worried about the age difference between you all, but at first glance I’m thinking this might be a perfect age span. You both have such a good relationship with each other, that I’m thinking it will be easier to incorporate a new brother. At least I hope so. It’s only been five days since Linc has been born; I wonder how things will go when the newness wears off??

I had so much fun with you guys over the last few days. In fact, I think the last few days were some of the most fun days of my life. I’m pretty conscious of what that means, too. I wouldn’t say that without giving it some thought. We just had a great time. You guys came jogging with me every day, JD rides his bike and I push Ad in the stroller. Adam was reading a book and eating Cheez It’s the other day while riding! We built a jump for your bikes; I tried it with my bike too. We played ENDLESS basketball, baseball, and Frisbee, and we roasted marshmallows by the fire. Luckily we got some beautiful days of sun. It has rained for three weeks straight so the weather was even that much nicer than normal! JD, yesterday you said, “I know you’re supposed to be at work, but I have had so much fun with you at home.” Then you went on to name a bunch of the fun things we did together. Once again it was once of those times where the, “Right things” matter. I didn’t think about work for a minute my time was focused on my family.

We spent about three hours at the beach yesterday. Everyone said that we should all take it easy and stay home for the first few days/weeks but the weather has been so crummy lately, we couldn’t help but take advantage of it at the beach. It was a perfect beach day. Warm but not humid, good waves, and low tide when we arrived. You guys were in the water most of the time, but took some time out to play wiffle ball with me. Linc slept that whole time and Mom dipped her feet in the water for a while.

JD, you’re very good skimmer at this point. Adam you were diving in the water like it was nothing yesterday! You were in quite deep for someone your size and you were jumping into the big waves. You and I held hands and spent some time jumping over waves while you yelled, “Yeah dude,” and “Surf’s up dude.” You are quite a character, Ad. You come up with phrases and words that completely astound me. Everywhere we go, you get smiles from strangers or people will comment to Mom and I about you. I think it’s initially the long blond hard and big smile, but you are just full of life and love and resonates from you. I don’t know how else to describe it. You’re stubborn as a dam ox but you’re as sensitive as can be. An interesting combo. I admire how unique you are.

This is one of my favorite pictures. Ad, you're close with Mom. You are with her everyday, all day and you didn't know what to make of her not being at home for a few days. You came in the hospital room, walked around for a minute, and you were cleary uncomfortable with mom all tubed up and stuff. You are so stubborn that you told mom you didn't want a hug. Then you walked around a little more before jumping up on moms bed and into her arms. This was real emotion, no tears just love. You love your mom so much:




Last night I put you both to bed around 7:00, as you were both exhausted from our week. Mom and Linc went to bed around the same time as they were up quite a bit the night before. I wandered upstairs around 9:00 and everyone was still awake. It was so weird. I lay down with you both and then with Mom for a bit and Mom and I decided it might be a nice treat to get up and have a midnight snack (at 9:30). I went into Ad’s room first and asked him if he would like to come downstairs for cookies and milk. Ad, you popped out of bed pretty quick and said, “Can I go get JD?” Off you went and before we knew it everyone was down stairs watching the Red Sox (lose) and eating chocolate chip cookies and milk!

Late this night Mom and I talked about how special our family is. All of us are so happy to have Linc aboard for the ride. He couldn’t have asked for more caring, supportive, true brothers to guide him throughout his journey. Linc, when you read this know that you were loved from day one by all of us. I can’t wait to get to know you.

Stages

Howdy Boys,

I thought it would be a good idea to write to you guys today. I had one of those weekends that matter. It’s a Monday today, and early on Saturday I went down to Grammie and Grampies by myself to meet Nana, Donnie, Cathy and my cousins Dick, Don, and Kim. You both wanted badly to come with me but JD had a game and a birthday party and Mom is due to have Lincoln in three weeks so we elected that I would go alone.

We were meeting at G and G’s because it looks like their house finally sold. It’s been on the market for six months or so and for a while it seemed hopeless. Anyway, we went down to clean it out from top to bottom. Couches, chairs, pictures, dishes; everything.

It was interesting to me that this weekend brought no spouses or kids, just the original Weafer family. Brother, Sister and their kids. Its strange cuz this family is very close and everyone always shows up for stuff like this. I’m sure others didn’t come as there are many young kids, and people were thinking that it might be best to let the adults work alone. I thought it was almost, “Meant to be.” I’m sure all things happen for a reason and maybe this was just one of those things?

There are a lot of memories in Grampie’s house. We used to have every Christmas there growing up. Grammie put on a huge spread and Grampie entertained down in the playroom at the bar or in his chair. Meg and I spent every Tuesday and Thursday there for a few years growing up as Gram watched us while Mom and Dad worked. This was the place that the Weafer family gathered. My cousins and I were able to touch on some of these memories as we were busting our buts to get the house emptied in a day and a half. Cathy found the measuring cup that Gram used when baking, and we all got a chuckle (and a little teary) at how it was double the size of a normal cup and there were NO MORE measuring lines! We talked about the pink vs the blue bathrooms, the basketball hoop outback, and Grampie’s black and white TV at the dinner table.

As we were packing up, I was thinking about my Mom and Uncle. This is where they grew up. Their things, and their parent’s things were to be removed in just one day. One day? The last year (two years really) have been hard on everyone dealing with the failing of G and G but this unloading still seemed strange to me. Not in a bad way, but in one of those necessary, “Life stage” ways. I’m 33 now and I’m starting to become conscious of some of the stages.

Throughout this process there were tears and laughs as there always are when we all get together. There was also a remarkable sense of peace amongst us all. At least I thought there was. Mom and Don had their kids there to help them through the beginning of this tough stage of life. I know they are both appreciative of the help, but I wonder if they also know that this kind of means that they were successful in carrying out what their parents always wanted of/for them; A well put together, grounded, supportive, loving family. A family that will come from near and far on almost any occasion to help their parents and each other through difficult times, not cuz they have to, because they prefer to. I’m not sure what could be more important that instilling this lesson in your children.

We visited G and G in the assisted living place and it was sad. Simply, sad. They used to be vibrant, sociable, witty people. Now they aren’t. We spent a lot of time listening to unrealistic statements from Grammie; while Grampie sat there knowing none of the things she was saying would happen. Entertaining friends, driving to church, going for walks, those days are done and Grampie knew it. I wondered yesterday what is worse, knowing that those things that Gram mentioned aren’t realistic or still holding on to the dream that they are.

My cousins, Aunt, Uncle, and Mom worked very well together. We got everything done. That wasn’t the important thing this weekend, though. The important thing this weekend was the ever present sense of family camaraderie, support and teamwork. The type that only a family can provide. I have great friends and had similar experiences with them, but this is much different. I drove back home last night with the sense that I knew what was important again. Like that flame was rekindled or maybe just that the smoke cleared a bit. Once in a while (usually in crisis), for one reason or another, the important things in life are made so clear that you wonder how they ever got overshadowed by the everyday monotony.

The relationships we build and the people we love are important. Today, I’m remembering that we aren’t around for too long and so often we let the stupid shit get in the way of what is meaningful. We let many things go unsaid. I know I do. Sometimes it’s uncomfortable or may seem inappropriate to express the way we feel to the people we care about. It’s this way for me, anyway. I know people who are feuding with brothers or sisters, and parents that have children that don’t speak. For what, I wonder? Some hurtful words, or misconceived ideas? I hope our family doesn’t have to deal with this stuff as we go through life, and if we do I hope we have the foresight to overcome it.

I came home last night to both of you boys running to great me at the door as you always do. Both of you saying, “I missed you so much.” (It had only been one day but I missed you too). I could barely make myself a sandwich as you were both talking non-stop about your weekend, the birthday, the new games, JD got 4 hits in baseball, Adam helped mom outside, ect. I just watched and listened. This is the shit that matters. Not the poor economy, not completing projects at home or politics at work. It’s the relationships we build with the people we love. I hope that I can keep this in focus for a bit longer, before the lines get blurred again. There will be many times in your life as you grow up when the truly important stuff won’t seem important. In fact, I think for much of our lives its best if we take it for granted because when you stumble upon it, it will seem that much more important. When you have a job that sucks, or your girlfriend breaks your heart, maybe you strike out three times in a game, or as you get older you lose a job, I want you to remember that you’ll always have my love and support to help see you through, no matter what the circumstance.

Back at it

So, I’m back. I haven’t written in the blog in a LONG TIME, but I’m back now. I’m not sure why I took time off, one reason might be..Facebook. I started a page on FB in October and stopped writing on here the same month. FB will be obsolete by the time you guys start to read this, but right now it’s pretty popular.

SO, what’s happened in the last 7 months? The biggest news is that you guys are going to have a little brother. That’s right another Hart boy! Mom says she’s going to have the baby on June 30th, but I’m thinking we’re lucky if he comes around July 7th. I can’t believe there is going to be another one of you guys running around! You have both been very excited about his arrival. JD, you have been reading on the internet about the different stages that the baby is going through. You’ve asked tons and tons of question and talk about him daily. Adam, you’ve taken a unique approach to welcoming the baby (as to be expected). You claim to have a baby in your belly too! In fact, you’ve been using this excuse to “Get out” of chores as of late. For instance last night when I asked you to pick up your scooter and put it in the garage, you said, “Dad, I can’t lift anything, I have a baby in my belly.” Or at bedtime the other night when I said, “Ok, up to bed,” and you said, “I can’t go up the stairs, I have a baby in my belly.”



We had a great Christmas a while back. You both got the Wii from Santa and had a great time playing it throughout the winter. The winter, as to be expected in Maine, was long and cold. We spent a lot of time at the Works in the pool, making HUGE snow forts outside, and sitting by the fire in the dining room at home. We had fun sledding and making snowmen. Adam, you and I made your first snowman ever and JD is now an old pro. Adam also went down the BIG sledding hill all by himself for the first time, second time, third, ect! He had a so much fun going down the hill and was upset once when we told him that he couldn’t go over the same jump as the high school boys!

In March or April we went down to Florida for a week to celebrate Uncle Michaels wedding. He got married on a Saturday and we spent the whole week prior to the wedding staying at a hotel in Daytona Beach. It was an interesting week. You both got to hang out with the Waldenburgs. They are some of your favorite people and they take very good care of you when they see you. Mike asked me to be the best man in his wedding so I got to read a speech during the reception.

While we were in Florida we spent a day at Disney World. We went on many rides; Jungle Cruise, Pirates of the Carrabean, Swiss Family Robinson house, Grand Prix Racing and a few others. By about 3:00 on this day, JD was sitting on the ground and I was carrying Adam, as you were both exhausted from all of the walking.

By the time this trip was over we were all very happy to be home. We had a great time seeing Mike and Waldenburgs and we always have a good time with Grandie and Pop Pop but we were ready to be in our own beds (especially you, Ad).

Grammie and Grampie have been in an Assisted Living facility for a while now and things are going better with them. This is certainly where they belong. They are both failing at this point and can’t remember things, even sometimes hallucinating. It’s a lot of stress and work on Nana but she continues to plug through and take care of her parents.

Recently we went down to see Nana for Easter. It was a lot of fun as we got to spend time with Meg and her family. The four of you (cousins) get along great and entertain each other with no problem It was great to see Nana and Grampie B. We haven’t gone down as much lately, so the times that we do go down don’t seem to be enough for me. I find myself missing Millis lately.

Opening Day for baseball was two weeks ago! I can’t believe it’s already here! JD, you are playing Rookie Ball this year. Pitching machine and everything! It took a few practices for you (and others) to get used to the machine but you’re coming in on the ball nicely now. The machine is set on 55 mph, but I think it comes over the plate at around 45 mph. Still pretty quick for your age. I’m coaching for the third straight year.

I should also mention that you have grown so much since the beginning of school. You are reading everything in sight, shooting hoops on a ten-foot hoop, riding a mountain bike, and taking spelling tests. You and I do your homework every night after dinner. Sometimes homework is hard and other nights it’s a piece of cake. You are a fantastic reader and speller. You have NEVER gotten a spelling word wrong..ever. You’ve taken about 15 tests (once a week). You’re a fantastic boy. I admire and adore you. As Nana said to me last night, “You get things that other boys at your age don’t.”

Adam, you had your first soccer practice today! You are playing with other 3 and 4 year olds. I don’t think you stopped smiling all day long! It was very easy to tell that you have a big brother to play with at home. It took you no time to do the drills that were asked of you, but most importantly, you had so much fun. You are really coming into your own these days. You always add your two sense into conversation and you love to make people laugh. I had so much fun watching you this morning. It was well worth sneaking out of work to cheer you on!

This past Sunday was Mothers Day. The Wednesday prior, JD told me that one of his teachers suggested that he clean his room for his mom on her special day. I told him that sounded like a great idea, but I didn’t think much of it after this conversation. I got up early Sunday morning, before everyone else and made my way downstairs for a nice quiet cup of coffee. About 10 minutes into my cup, I started hearing loud noises from upstairs. I wasn’t sure what it was but I thought maybe Ad was moving something to peek out the windows so he could watch the birds (he does this most mornings). This noise persisted for about five more minutes so I went up to make sure no one was trapped under a dresser or something! I found JD in his room cleaning it from top to bottom. Organized all his toys and everything. JD, the first thing you said was, “I already cleaned the bathroom and I’m almost done with my room. Can you help me make my bed?” He then made his way to Ad’s room (who was up at this point) and suggested to Ad that he clean up his room before Mom woke up. Ad wasn’t overly interested in this idea so JD and I cleaned his room for him. JD, I was so impressed with you on this day, I don’t even know what to say still..
The day before I asked Mom what she would like for her Mothers day breakfast and she said, “French Toast.” The three of us made her French toast from a secret recipe, we also gave her coffee, a muffin, and JD picked fresh dandelions from the yard. We each gave Mom cards that read, “A few of my Favorite Things About Mom.” We listed a bunch of things that make Mom who she is. In the early afternoon we went ot Ogunquit to an Art exhibit and then we had Ben Jerry’s in the center of the Ogunquit shops. We ended the day at one of Mom’s favorite beaches, “Parsons.” It was low tide, so you guys went out to look for crabs and throw rocks while Mom and I relaxed. After you both were in bed for the night, Mom told me that this day was one of her favorite days ever.

I should mention one other thing. I have been feeling guilty about not providing you guys with some guidance with regard to religion. The more thought I give to it, the more confused I get. JD, you have been asking about God a lot lately and I give you a fairly generic answer. I tell you a little bit of what I was told as a kid. Do I really believe that there was a guy out there who parted the sea, walked on water, and healed the blind with just a touch? I have no idea. Adam and Eve vs. Evolution? That seems pretty straight forward, but again, I have no idea. I’ve been reading a little about Buddism, Spiral Dynamics, and the Evolution of Consciousness and much of this makes sense to me. I will continue to explore (although I’m not doing as much as I should) and keep you guys posted.

Soo, I’ll try and not let much time go by until my next post. I may not post quite as much as I did during my prior stint, but I’ll update it nonetheless. I’m also toying with making this private. I think it would be cool for you guys (soon to be three of you) to have a realistic view on what it is to be your Dad at 33 and so on. It would have been real interesting for me to have an account of what it was like for my Dad at my age. Fears, worries, proud moments, hardships, internal success, ect. I will continue to give you an account of what goes on though, so you have an idea of what it was like to raise three boys.