The Howe Family

I finally had the front tire on my double jogging stroller repaired. I was tugging the wagon around in the meantime- which was less than comfortable or efficient. (Also, my pregnancy waddle didn’t look so hot without something to hide behind.) So, my return-to-mobility celebration today was at Riverside Park. It is one of the gems of Fort Morgan. There is a giant playground, sand volleyball pits, basketball courts, inline skating/hockey rink, baseball fields, duck pond, horseshoe pits, walking trails, swimming pool, and an impressive disc golf course.

Our celebration featured a frog hunt on one of the nature trails that goes along side part of the Platte River. We didn’t find any frogs, but we found lots and lots of sticks. Boys are quite content with sticks, so I didn’t have any complaints. I am SO thrilled to have my stroller back.

**Phin’s one eyed photo was taken at his request. He wanted to have a “pirate face” picture.

There are about 3 questions that we are asked constantly about the baby. They are the universal acceptable-small-talk-for-expectant-parents questions:

1. When are you due?
2. What are you having?
3. What will you call him/her?

Here is our current list of names that we like, love, or think are funny. Leave a comment about your favorites or least favorites.

• Vivian or Vivienne
• Stella
• Eden
• Ava
• Lilly
• Rosemary
• Grace
• Ruby
• Mae
• Naomi
• Zion
• Adelaide
• Charlotte
• Phoebe
• Della or Idella
• Rosalind
• Harmony
• Gwendolyn or Gweneth
• Ada
• Norah
• Opal

(And yes, we did do a google search for “lunch lady names” and “nursing home names.” Shady Acres was popular.)

Today I accompanied Phin to the dentist. I tried to take him when he was two. No dentists would look at a child that young, unless it was necessary. Luckily, Phin has no rotting teeth. Every office in Fort Morgan consistently said, “Bring him when he turns three.”

Phin turned three. I called to schedule an appointment. The receptionist said, “he’s only three? Maybe you could bring him when he is three and a half.” I responded, “My insurance company and Phin’s pediatrician wanted him to go when he turned two. Can your dentist just look at his teeth?” She said we could come for a ‘Meet and Greet.’ Whatever.

Phin was terrified and wouldn’t get in the chair. Even with me sitting with him. The dentist picked him up and tried to open his mouth. It was comical, awkward, and scary. Finally, the dentist gave up in defeat and told me (direct quote), “Come back when he turns 5, unless you see something black.”

I wanted to get a little dental expertise if we were paying for the ‘visit.’ So, I asked the dentist the top three things he would tell every parent in the world to do with their children’s oral health. This is what he said:

1. No soda or artificial sugars. He mentioned that a kid with poor oral hygiene but a great diet (no junk), will have better oral health than a kid with amazing oral hygiene and a junk diet.
2. Establish a strong habit of teeth brushing. Make is associated with putting on shoes. e.g. “We always brush our teeth right before we put on our shoes.”
3. Teach the rhythm of teeth brushing to make it ‘muscle memory.’  Front of top teeth, bottoms top teeth, backs of top teeth. Front of lower teeth,  upper part of lower teeth, backs of lower teeth.

Here’s to happy, strong teeth- void of any “black stuff.” I hope I don’t see our dentist for another 2 years.

I finally have some great 3 year old shots from Phin. These were taken yesterday at the Rainbow Bridge in Fort Morgan. (Thanks for your help, Cathy!)

Phin is turning 3 tomorrow. I’m thrilled that he is in our family. I’m even more thrilled that he was my first teacher on how to be a mama. I have truly loved spending the past 3 years (and 9 months of gestation…) getting to know him. He is my spunky, kind, thoughtful, crazy, smart, spiritual, and inclusive burst of energy. His current interests (or obsessions) are:

• “Cookie” his stuffed Rabbit
• Reading, Reading, Reading
• Soccer, Baseball, Basketball, Golf, anything involving a ball. He typically makes ‘fusion sports’ and combines elements from different sports.
• Dinosaurs and Dragons
• Climbing everything in sight
• ‘Supervising’ Eli and making sure he isn’t making any ‘bad choices’
• His favorite dish is self-named, “tomato salad.” He asks me to cut up different veggies and tomatoes and drizzle on ‘dip’ (any salad dressing). I was too lazy to cut up lettuce yesterday and he quickly sent it back saying, “you forgot lettuce!” He is also in love with oranges and mangoes.
• His favorite song is, “I Love to See the Temple.” So much in fact, he calls it “his song.” If I try to sing it- he interrupts me and says, “You can’t sing that song. It’s my song.” When someone is sick or hurt at our house he announces that he will help them feel better by singing this song. It is SO sweet. Phin also likes a lot of Eric Herman songs.

Here’s to another year of Phin!