Wired News: Congress’ Top 10 Stem Cell Flubs
Wired News: Congress’ Top 10 Stem Cell Flubs
Abby misses us
Abby called on night 3 after having a good cry. She told me she had gotten sad earlier and had “pushed it down”, but wasn’t able to push it down any more. Apparently she had run across a picture of Doug and me and that was all it took to break her down. The poor thing said that we’d have to resort to the backup plan, with me meeting them in Yakima the next day to bring her home. I reminded her that she wouldn’t be able to go to the water park if she came home and gave her the night to think about it.
When I called the next morning, she had clearly moved on. Grandmama had slept with her, which was a great comfort, and she had the water park and her new snorkel gear to look forward to.
We didn’t hear anything from her last night, so I presume everything was reasonably smooth. She’s got just one more night before Wilson and I arrive to get her.
Wilson is keeping up with Abby’s instructions to not let us sleep. I think he woke me 3 times last night. I fear that Doug and I are doomed to poor sleep for many years to come.
Abby takes her first vacation sans parents
Abby’s absence has not only inspired me to write after such a long time, but it has also created the time to do so.
Abby left Friday morning with her grandparents. They stopped in Yakima for an overnight visit to Sarah, Greg, and Jack Paul. Abby was particularly excited about seeing Jack Paul (and kissing him!), visiting the Ice-Cream Fountain, and eating Cheerios in the TV room.
On Saturday morning the three of them set out for Clarkston. Abby is thrilled to be there. She’s rounded up all of her favorite toys and has the wading pool set up on the back patio to help her keep cool. She’s looking forward to going to see “Cars” at the theater today and a trip to the Aquatic Center tomorrow.
I think this separation is far harder on Doug and I than it is on her. Each time we’ve talked with her, she’s been chipper and mostly too busy to talk. I had worried that bedtime might be a hard time for her. I thought that when she slowed down and got quiet she’d start to really miss us. As it turns out, she’s not having any trouble at bedtime and is reportedly sleeping quite well. I, however, am having trouble at bedtime. It’s when I slow down and have some quiet time to think and that’s when it really sinks in that she’s not here.
Doug, too, is feeling her absence. I can’t count the number of times he’s said, with a cross look on his face, “It’s so quiet around here!”, and “The house just seems empty.”
Wilson hasn’t seemed too affected by the change, but he is behaving differently. He seems to be trying to fill in the void that Abby has left. Wilson is usually a great sleeper, while Abby will keep us up, and get us up repeatedly on any given night. In the 2 nights that Abby has been gone, Wilson has resisted napping and going to bed at night, and has woken us repeatedly. And today in the car, he kept a running commentary about what he could see out his window for the entire trip. It’s as if silence wasn’t an option.
We’re all glad Abby’s having such a great time, and we know it’s going to be a wonderful growing experience for her. Bt we’re also all looking forward to being reunited with her and having her fill the void that she’s left.
Photos and movies
Here are some photos and two short movies, I forgot my watergun and Cut, of Abby getting ready for her big trip.
Manisfam photos now on flickr
We’re experimenting with publishing our photos to flickr.com. Check out the first photo set at http://www.flickr.com/photos/manisfam/. You can leave a comment for any of the photos and we’re hoping that our friends and family will share their thoughts online. So give it a try and let us know how you like it.
