We headed out to Wasilla on Saturday for what is becoming an annual tradition -- the March for Babies on the Finally Pure team (a friend here in Anchorage owns the company). We were expecting to wake up to blizzard conditions but we barely received a dusting. However, as we made it closer to the valley we found the rumored snow and some very slick roads. Thanks to 4wd and careful driving we were soon happily walking along the track and visiting with friends. Henry ended up heading home with close to a dozen helium balloons that were worth their weight in gold as far as he was concerned. I don't know if he learned anything about hair and static electricity, but he did learn to laugh as the balloon mysteriously kept following him through the house.



It's probably a little more precise than reading tea leaves. When Hank's appetite is high and his sleep length increases, you can bet he's getting ready to sprout another 1/16 of an inch. After a 2.5 hour nap Becky decided that despite the allure of a quiet house, enough was enough. She opened his windows and made some noise, only to still watch him peacefully sawing logs. She snapped a few pictures for the heck of it before really rousting him. The guy needs his sleep.

It always happens this way each year. The Iditarod begins, we enjoy the race as it progresses over the next 7-9 days, and then upon its conclusion we quickly declare that we are ready for spring. The weather will remain very much winter for the next 4+ weeks, but the increasing daylight is undeniable. Aside from that, things are just plain quiet around here.

Henry heads to toddler time at the Spenard Rec Center on some days and then the library for story time on others. He wants to hear stories as often as possible, enjoys coloring more and more, loves grabbing his jacket to accompany Daddy to the mailbox and trashcan, and has been introduced to finger paints.



Sorry for the sluggish posting lately, but our little home is busy being quiet, healthy, and happy.

This year's Iditarod plans were much lower key -- fewer attendees and no tailgating. We did a quick assessment of our gear, confirmed that Lesley and co. were in, and decided that a strategic attack with minimal gear was possible. I would carry Henry in the backpack and Becky would handle a small backpack with Hank snacks. We'd get there early as usual in order to snag the free, close parking, enjoy the first 20 or so mushers, and then hit the road before everyone else started to leave -- no traffic either way.

And that's the way it went. It was in the high 20's, very sunny, and Henry loved it. Granted, Henry was more interested in the news helicopters zipping around the lake, but he had a wonderful time seeing the dogs. He shouted "Go! Go!" at the dogs as the teams mushed by, so mission accomplished. A pretty day, a happy boy, and I got to wear my bunny boots.



Iditarod pictures here.

Having spent many years in Chicago, I have a healthy distaste for large crowds. I deliberately avoided the Taste of Chicago and shied away from the lakefront path on summer weekends. Anchorage has a handful of large events, but none are on par with anything in Chicago, so we always head on down with a spring in our step. Fur Rendezvous is in full swing and will last another week, but we were only concerned with the snow sculptures, fireworks, and the model train exhibit. This added up to an hour or so on Saturday evening with a a plan to include the train exhibit as a warm up spot.

The snow sculptures are always impressive. In the past we have seen them at the end of the festival, which leaves them a bit worn down. This time most were brand new and a few were still being tinkered with. My favorite two are below. More pictures here.

Henry had a great time in the 23 degree snowing dusk -- he always has fun when they are many, many new things and people to look at. Mommy just brushed him off now and again and we kept cruising along.





I think this video best captures the charm of fireworks in winter Alaska (no fireworks in the summer -- too much daylight). It doesn't have the multiple "Boom!" and "Wow!" declarations Henry was giving before Becky clicked on the camera though. He gets camera shy it seems.

Location: Henry's Bedroom, 2nd Floor
Time: Before breakfast
Status: Trouble brewing

Last Thursday Becky embarked on a normal morning routine -- greet the arisen and babbling Hank, get a few things ready, and finally head downstairs to have some breakfast before traveling to the Spenard Rec Center. Thanks to the baby gates positioned on the 2nd floor along with the closed bathroom door, it's safe to let Henry run around in a closed space while Mom gets a few things together. He ran around with his usual morning joy and giddiness. When it came time to get dressed, Mom brought him into his room and closed the door -- it is always easier at this stage to keep him in one room. Henry was dressed and ready so Becky turned the doorknob to head downstairs. No luck.

It seems our growing boy clicked the lock on the doorknob a few minutes before Becky unwillingly pulled it shut. Yes, the lock is on the outside of the door.

Status: No cell phone. No land line. No food anywhere for Henry. tick-tock. tick-tock. Locked inside.

Henry was immediately placed in his crib where he quietly and seriously watched a very calm Mommy dig in the closet for a hanger with a malleable end. 15 minutes later the deadlatch was defeated and Henry rejoiced along with Mom.

Daddy soon received a call at work and made plans to stop by Home Depot on the way home.

Status: New doorknob sans lock.

As our Maui trip begins to drift into memory and becomes sadly replaced by day to day concerns, I'm attempting to find an image or moment that crystallizes the trip. I believe the picture of Henry in the bubbling, jetted tub holding a plastic cup is that image. He's relaxed, full of joy, and hoping this moment will never end. I agree.

Times change and activities shift, but you can always count on Henry being happy and wigglier by the day. His new discovery is the tie blanket from Aunt Kelly. He loves to sit underneath it and hide from us, only to have it lifted up quickly in a great reveal of static extended hair. We often wrap him into a fleece cocoon and announce that this package is ready for Coloma or Rensselear. He loves it all as he wiggles out over and over.



When it comes to anything Daddy is doing, he wants in. Case in point -- flossing. If I'm cleaning my teeth he will immediately grab the dangling piece and apply it to his teeth. This is always followed by his smile at finding a minty aftertaste -- it amazes him. Consequently, he's happy to sit still and allow his teeth to be flossed. He's happy, and his dentist is happy as well.