Our Modern Family

A New Father's Views on Adoption, Family & Relationships

Archive for the month “September, 2011”

23 Sep 2011

Mama Said Knock You Out!

The first time I noticed was on the shuttle from the airport back to our car during our recent trip to Virginia Beach.

The shuttle was packed, so Nolin and Jenn sat in the seat behind me. As we left the airport, Nolin started calling out Mama, Mama, Mama.

I began turning around to witness Jenn in all of her glory as Nolin was requesting more of her undivided attention. She eats these moments up like a giddy school girl, and it is always fun to watch Nolin steal her heart. As I was turning, I noticed strange looks from the passengers across from me. And then I noticed why…

As Nolin was calling out Mama, he was stretching his arms out…for me. Read more…

Posted in Uncategorized and tagged family, grandparents, mama | Leave a Comment

21 Sep 2011

Nolin Van Gogh

Disclaimer: No crayons were harmed or eaten during the creation of this drawing

I was on my way home from work Monday night and was talking to Jenn on the phone about her and Nolin’s day. She was recounting the events of the day and the fun they had, and then she informed me that Nolin had created his first drawing.

My heart sank a little and my curiosity was peaked all at the same time. I immediately pictured the upcoming weekend being occupied by re-painting the walls that Nolin had gotten artistic on.

Really? How did that go? Read more…

Posted in Uncategorized and tagged ambidextrous, developmental milestones, First Drawing, left-handed | Leave a Comment

14 Sep 2011

Let’s Get Ready To Rumble

In this corner weighing in at 21.5 pounds…Nolin “Rico Suave” O’Brien!

And in this corner weighing in 26 pounds Maggie “The Barberton Basher” Ufkes!

There is nothing like watching your child on a play date to give you a good laugh. Especially watching kids trying to figure each other out. They realize that there is another little person around, but not really sure what to make of them.

While we were back in Virginia Beach, Gordie and his daughter Maggie came over to go swimming at my parent’s house. Eventually we got both kids out of the pool and took them out behind my parent’s house so that they could run around in the grass (and we didn’t have to worry about pools, steps and other kid friendly fun).

Nolin and Maggie took off running in the grass together. They were like two best friends. Maggie being a few months older, apparently caught Nolin’s attention and he walked over to her and put his arms out for her. Maggie walked over cautiously (because she’s a lady) and Nolin started to give her a hug.

At this point all the adults began to comment at how sweet this was…and then with one quick move, Nolin took her down. Read more…

Posted in Uncategorized and tagged child's play, wrestling | Leave a Comment

11 Sep 2011

In Rememberance…

I was 24 years old as I sat early one morning on the couch in Reston, VA eating breakfast and watching the news. The breaking news headlines spoke about an explosion at the World Trade Center. As I was watched I remember thinking to myself that this must have been caused by some type of mechanical error. I hoped that everyone around would be alright but never imagined that the end results would be catastrophic.

Then the second plane hit.

Labor Day

We boarded yet another plane and prepared to head home to visit my family. Nolin seemed to already be enjoying his time at the airport, as he greeted everyone we passed. Once we were on the plane I tried my famous move where Jenn sits by the window, I sit in the aisle seat and we proudly display Nolin in the middle seat to ward off any would be travel companions.

Apparently I am not the first person to invent this trick, and the flight attendant knew what was up. I tried to bounce Nolin around, so that he would look like a handful and then the announcement came over the intercom, This is a completely full flight, so please make sure you leave room for passengers still getting on the plane.

Slightly defeated I slid over to the middle seat, but secretly hoped we would be afforded a little extra room on the flight. Then a lady nicely explained that she would sit by us because she has a 2-year-old and a 4-year-old, so she knew how rough flying can be. Well Nolin loves to fly so I was pretty sure she was in luck, but upon hearing the news of younger children, Jenn all of a sudden felt the need to come clean.

He typically doesn’t use a bottle, we just wanted to make the flight easy… Read more…

Posted in Uncategorized and tagged family, Family Vacation, Labor Day, Norfolk Tides, Virginia Beach | Leave a Comment