Caitlyn & Hannah

Life has been very full; Caitlyn is growing...smiling...cooing...Hannah is becoming more and more autonomous; she is embracing her second year of life with full force which has been a challenge for Meghan and I.

Meghan is learning to do the dance with two kids during the day while I'm at SMC; she's also working every other weekend at First Presbyterian Church of Berkeley in Children's Ministries.

Below are a couple of notes on Caitlyn and Hannah:

Caitlyn-
Loves Baby Einstein- especially the one that shows lots of wild animals. She holds her head up when we put her on her stomach and she also likes to roll over...both ways. She enjoys smiling and cooing. She likes taking baths. Caitlyn spends most of her time eating and sleeping.

Hannah-
Loves to say good morning to Caitlyn as soon as she wakes up in the morning. She likes to go to the park, the zoo. She really likes to read books; loves the movie Nemo and is a fan of Veggie Tales. She does not like to take naps so much anymore.

The four of us were at the dinner table the other night and we were eating artichokes; Hannah really LOVES artichoke hearts. She asks, "Dad, may I please have your heart?" I reply, "You already have my heart, Hannah." She looks down at her plate, perplexed. Meghan and I laugh out loud. "Can I have your other heart?" she asks. I laugh again and then I give it to her. She delights in devouring the artichoke heart.

Another night, Hannah's pacifier (aka: binky) was nowhere to be found. "Your binky went to heaven to be with Jesus," I say.

"OK," she says.

Phew, I think...we've prepared her for this moment.

I close the door after saying goodnight. The tears begin to flow from Hannah.

Dang, I think.

I go out to Meghan; she's found the binky. I go back to Hannah's room and enter the room, "Jesus sent your binky back...here it is...goodnight."

I close the door....sweet silence.

Sooner than later the binky really will go to heaven.

13.1

At 4:45am on Sunday, July 26th...I groggily awoke to the sound of my cell phone alarm clock

chiming; I quickly silenced it so that Meghan and Caitlyn would not wake up. I went to the bathroom and splashed water on my face. This helped me to wake up. I started thinking about the day. In a little over three hours I would be embarking on my 1st half marathon in San Francisco. I had the same feelings of anticipation that I had had in high school when I ran cross country and track races. My heart felt light and fluttery; my stomach rumbled.

I scrambled an egg and placed it in between two halves of a warm onion bagel with some shredded cheddar cheese. My friend Nate, who I had been training with used this as his morning meal before a race so I thought I'd try it out. Just the right combo of protein and carbs and most importantly: delicious! I devoured a banana and stretched until Nate picked me up at 5:30am. We were at the Embarcadero by about 6:00am; the sun was rising; it was a serene sight; today 20,000 people were running a marathon, a half marathon, or a 5K that day.

I was in awe of the natural beauty illuminating the bridges and buildings stretching and reaching for the sky. In my race alone, there were over 2,700 participants...and this was just a half

marathon, 13.1 miles in comparison to the 26.2 mile marathon.

Nate and I took in the sights for a few minutes; this is where we would finish. We then boarded one of several buses that were shuttling the 2nd half marathon participants to Golden Gate Park near Ocean Beach where the race would begin.

Approximately 50 portable toilets were lined up near the start line; approximately 100 people

were in line. Thankfully, the line moved quickly.

Nate and I ran a few laps around a pond nearthe start area, stretched, and then headed towards the start area. Nate and I had been

following Hal Higdon's Half Marathon Training Program. We followed the intermediate plan as closely as possible. Caitlyn was born a month before the race so there was a couple of days that I

missed. Nate moved, went on vacation, and got sick a week and a half before the ra

ce. He was understandably in low spirits on race day; I was amazed that recovering from the flu, Nate

was going to go ahead run the half marathon.

My goal was to run a 8:oo minute/mile pace which would have

me finish at 1:45 or less. There was a woman in my heat who would be running a 7:40 minute/mile pace; the pacers carry a sign for the entire race signifying their pace. I would be thrilled if I could stay with her. Nate and I wished one another luck, knowing that we wouldn't be

running together because of Nate's health. The race started at 8:15am; I was about 50 yards behind the pacer that I

wanted to be with. There were about 250 people between her and I; I started weaving through the crowd focused on the pacer's sign bobbing above the mass of heads beginning their 13.1 trek. It took me a mile to catch up to the pacer; I looked at my watch which showed me both my

elapsed time and my heart rate. Mile 1 took 7minutes and 15 seconds...a little nervous about how fast I had run the first mile, I decided to stay w/ the pacer. I stayed with her for about half a mile and realized that I had more energy; I slowly accelerated from the pacer; at mile two my watch read 14 minutes and 25 seconds. I was starting to breath and sweat; my heart rate was at 160 beats per minute. Every 3 miles there was a nutrition station that offered water, electrolyte fluids, and GU. I took water at every opportunity; I had GU in my back pocket along with two saltstick capsules. I took a GU every 45 minutes and a saltstick capsule ever 30 minutes. At mile 6, I realized that I was still running a low 7minute/mile pace; I felt good and I knew that the

next mile would be down hill; I picked up

the pace.

It was amazing to run with over

2,000 people; I was not racing against them; I was racing against myself. At mile 10, I started to get a side ache. Just 3 more miles, I thought. The side ache dissipated at mile 11. While there were so many people in the run, I did not talk to anyone until mile 12.

Throughout the course, every 2 miles there was a DJ, a band, or a solo instrumental act; this was very encouraging for me...it kept me going. At mile 12 there was an amazing salsa band. For the last mile I had been focused on a man up ahead of me who had a nice stride and a similar pace to me; I was trying to catch up with him. I was about 5 feet behind him when we came up to the salsa band; he

stopped and started dancing...I clipped him with my shoulder and kept going, smiling as I went. The man caught up to me and said, "Sorry, man." "No worries," I replied. "You gotta love it." "This view is beautiful; people pay millions to see this." he said as we approached the Bay Bridge near the finish. "Where do you live?" I asked curiously, thinking that he was from a distant land. "Berkeley, you?" he said. "Oakland," I chuckled. Because we were running such a fast pace the conversation didn't go much further than that. As we came to the last quarter mile, he encouraged me to go and I encouraged him to come with me. I heard Meghan scream out "GO RYAN!" He tiredly replied, "No, you got this..."

I accelerated. He finished just seconds behind me. I came across the line at 1 hour, 32 minutes, and 14 seconds, far better than I had hoped to do. My average pace per mile was 7:03. I was thrilled. My legs felt like rubber as I walked after having run so fast for over 90 minutes. I could fill the lactic acid building up in

my legs as I filed through the finish area, filling a bag with food...bananas, chips, and granola. Nate finished at in 1 hour, 58 minutes. He had run a 9:00 per mile pace; impressive for someone who had been sick for the past two weeks.

Hannah was so excited to see me. "HI! I saw you running dad!" she said. Meghan took pictures while Caitlyn was sound asleep strapped to Meghan's body. We hung out with Nate's family at the Embarcadero for a while and then Meghan, Hannah, Caitlyn, and I went Pier 39. We shared a clam chowder bread bowl and then toured the Aquarium By The Bay before heading home.

I slept well that night and registered for the Big Sur Half Marathon a few days later. I had run my first but not my last half marathon. My goal for the Big Sur Half Marathon is sub 1:30...e.g. 1:29:59 ;)

Peace...

BIG sister

The following includes snapshots via words of Hannah Victorya before and after the birth of little sister Caitlyn Camille...enjoy!

"Mommy...are you going to SQEEEEEEEEZE the baby out of your vagina? It's goin to hurt, huh?"

"Did mommy make a mess in the bathroom? Yeah, it kind of stinks." (Minutes after Caitlyn Camille was born.)

"I'm a BIG sister now!" (Gazing at Caitlyn Camille at the hospital.)

"Can I pet her? She's so pretty. Do you want to pet her?" (At the hospital.)

"Can I hold her?" (everyday)

"I'M A BIG SISTER NOW!"

"Ah...she's so ceautiful." (Hannah gazing at Caitlyn at home.)

"Can you strap me into the carseat?" (Caitlyn's infant carseat)

"I'm a little baby!"

"I'M A LITTLE BABY!"

"NO! My name is Caitlyn Camille; she is Hannah Victorya! ...No, I'm not Hannah Victorya!"

"Where's my sister?"

"Can I see her?"

"I want to give her a kiss goodnight."

Caitlyn Camille's arrival...

Caitlyn Camille Lamberton was born on Saturday, June 27th 2009 at about 10:53am. Why about? Read on...

Friday, June 26, 2009

The due date was Friday, June 26th. Meghan had a doctor's appointment at Kaiser Walnut Creek at 3:30pm; this was where we were planning to have Caitlyn. During the appointment, the mid-wife informed Meghan that she was 3cm dilated, however she was not in labor...the contractions were not consistent. Contractions had been happening off and on for the previous three weeks. The mid-wife asked Meghan if she wanted her membranes stripped which would

commence labor; Meghan frustrated said...no thanks...trusting that Caitlyn would come when she was ready. The mid-wife then said that they would induce (administer drug (pitocin) that would cause contractions) if Caitlyn didn't arrive within a week. This upset Meghan very much; she desired that Caitlyn come into the world without any help of drugs.

Meghan and Hannah picked me up from SMC at 5:00pm on Friday; she shared her frustrations with regard to the doctor's appt...I consoled her. Then Meghan walked around SMC to decompress while I kicked the soccer ball around with Hannah on the chapel lawn, showed her some classrooms, and showed her my office.

On our way home I suggested that we stop by Safeway and pick up some spicy dorritos; they're delicious and we'd both heard that spicy, delicious food sometimes leads to labor. Meghan, Hannah, and I ate sweet and spicy dorrito chips all the way home.

We got home and went through our regular evening routine...dinner...bath for Hannah...stories...and bed. Meg went to bed at 10:30pm and I was restless...so I read until 1am

and then went to sleep.

Saturday, June 27, 2009.

4AM...Meghan wakes up with a stronger than usual contraction...is able to breathe through it on her own...falls back asleep. About every 15 minutes until 7AM Meghan would have a contraction and then fall back asleep.

I was sound asleep between 1AM-7AM...When I awoke, I looked at Meghan and her eyes were wide open..."What are you doing?" I asked knowing that she's never awake this early. "I've been having contractions off and on since 4AM. "This is the day..." I said.

We were both really relaxed. Meghan labored for 20 hours with Hannah so we assumed that it would be at least 10 hours of labor before Caitlyn would arrive into the world...oh, we were so wrong.

When Meghan was in labor with Hannah...she ate very little during the 20 hours of labor...I made her eggs and toast 15 hours before Hannah was born...other than that she drank water and had a popsicle...we wanted to make sure that we didn't repeat this mistake. I was going to be

sure to make Meghan breakfast and our hospital bag was packed with GU packs and CLIF bars (which I use for cycling)

I made Meghan breakfast (3 scarmbled eggs, 2 pieces of toast, a peach, and orange juice) at about 7:30AM. The contractions were about 7 minutes a part by 8AM when Meghan was finishing up breakfast.

Meghan called here sister-in-law Kara to let her know that she was in labor and that it was time to come down. Meghan told Kara, "Take your time; it's going to be a long day." Kara was going to be the one in the hospital documenting via video, the birthing experience.

Meghan called her parents and told them to be on standby...they were going to come down and be with Hannah while we were in the hospital.

Meghan called the person who was to come and stay with Hannah while she was in labor; she left a voice message...she called the backups and left voice messages. No one was home!

While Meghan was making the above calls (which took 5min) I was doing laundry. Meghan insisted that some laundry be done. At about 9AM, one of the individual's called back and said

that she couldn't make because she had an appointment that was going to last for the next two hours. By this time, the contractions were approximately 5minutes apart. Meghan and I were both relatively calm...we had done this before...when we left for the hospital when in labor with Hannah the contractions had been 3minutes apart.

Hannah was awake, so we decided to get her up. Meghan and I both went into her room and told her: you're going to have a baby sister today.

Meghan went back into our bedroom to have contractions and I got Hannah breakfast. While Hannah was eating breakfast I went into the bedroom to encourage Meghan through the contractions. They were about 4minutes apart at this time. Meghan was starting to moan with

the intensity of the contractions.

Meghan tearfully told me, "I'm so afraid...afraid of the pain." I reminded her to remain in the present moment, to take it one step at a time...one contraction at a time...to focus on her breath rather than on her pain.

Neither she nor I realized that she was in transition...the stage of labor between first stage (intensifying contractions) and second stage (pushing stage). With Hannah's birth Meghan had said: "I can't do this anymore!" ...a tell tell sign of the transition stage.

Hannah, sitting in her high chair eating breakfast, heard her mom moaning and began to cry hysterically...she did not like that her mom was in pain. I consoled her and then Meghan consoled her.

The moaning from Meghan intensified and Hannah's crying followed suit. We need someone here

with Hannah NOW! I thought.

I was back and forth between talking/encouraging Meghan through contractions and trying to console and contain Hannah.

By this point I had stopped looking at the clock. I called our friend Jen (who was going to be in the hospital taking pictures during the birthing experience) in desperation...she answered...we need someone here with Hannah now so that I can get Meghan to the hospital I said.

Jen called her husband Nate and Nate sent our friend Jess who was helping them move. Jess, 20

minutes away, was on her way to our house.

Meghan screaming loudly in the bedroom...Hannah screaming loudly in her room. I told Meghan that Jess was on her way...and then I disappeared to console Hannah.

Hannah and I walked toward the screaming; Meghan was in the bathroom...my water broke! she screamed. Hannah was screaming...

OK...I said calmly...that means that you won't be able to be in the tub when we get to the hospital...internally I was panicking...With Hannah, Meghan's water had broke and minutes later Hannah was born.

Now, I was ready for all of us to get into the car and go to the hospital in Oakland.

Just as I was about to say, "It's time to go..." Meghan said..."I feel the head....call 911" I couldn't believe my ears..."CALL 911" she said again...I looked at Hannah...and then at Meghan..."CALL 911! Find a neighbor with a landline and GO!" she screamed. I took Hannah, still screaming, and

put her in the room and closed the door...her scream became louder...

Calling 911 via landline is much quicker than using the cell phone...

My heart and mind was racing...our upstairs neighbor Wade just

happened to come out of his apartment...do you have a landline? I asked...no, he said. I went to the next neighbor and pounded on the door for what seemed like eternity but was probably only 10 seconds...no answer.

Then, our apartment manager walked out of his apartment...do you have a landline? I asked. Yes...Please call 911...Meghan is having the baby right now. Shit, OK he said.

911 was dialed at 10:53AM.

I ran back to our apartment...and straight for the bathroom...Meghan was holding a wet and slippery Caitlyn in her arms...the placenta was still inside of Meghan. "I had a baby..." Meghan said tearfully. I rushed to the baby and Meghan...she was breathing...and crying. Meghan had only pushed twice and Caitlyn had arrived.

Where is the suction ball...I asked panicked...in the living room...I darted back and forth. I put the suction ball in her mouth...there was really no fluid in her mouth...she was breathing and whimpering...but I was panicked.

Meghan still had her pants wrapped around her ankles...I helped remove those completely so that she wouldn't trip.

Then Meghan said...the placenta is coming! and coming it was...I looked down and there it was. I caught it as it slowly slid out and I set it on the bathroom floor.

Meghan and I were both very nervous at this point...she had hemorrhaged with Hannah...I looked down...nothing else was coming out at the time...

I'll be right back...I ran to the apartment door and our apartment manager was at the door with his cell phone...the paramedic wants to talk to you...

OK...I said.

This is Ryan...yes...I'm the husband...no the cord is not wrapped around her neck...she's breathing and crying...my wife hemorrhaged with our first!

The paramedic reassured me and instructed me to get a towel to wipe the vernix off of Caitlyn and to wrap her up to keep her warm. She also instructed me to find a string to tie off the umbilical cord...OK...I thought...where am I going to find a string...Jesus, help! I thought...I ran into the living room and saw Hannah's lady bug container which is carried around by a red string...I ripped it off and ran back to the bathroom.

She told me that I needed to tie the string around the umbilical cord six inches from Caitlyn...I did as instructed...my hands shaking.

I heard sirens...thank God! they're here...I thought.

Minutes later 8-10 paramedics and firefighters walked into our small apartment.

They saw Meghan holding Caitlyn...they saw the placenta on the floor...they gave Caitlyn an APGAR of 9 (out of 10).

Congratulations...is one of the first things that they said.

Meghan and I were still in crisis mode; this wasn't supposed to happen here...we didn't think that she would come this fast.

Dad, would you like to cut the cord? they asked me.

OK...I said.

I sent two of the paramedics to comfort Hannah who was still in the room with the door shut. Hannah asked, "Do you want to see my big girl bed?" She gave them a tour of her room.

Everything was fine...Meghan did not hemorrhage. So many of the things that could have gone wrong did not. We were thankful; praising God that Caitlyn had arrived safely despite us not being at a hospital and having immediate medical assistance.

Jess arrived to watch Hannah as Meghan and Caitlyn were being loaded into the ambulance.

The paramedics took Meghan and Caitlyn in the ambulance without the sirens and I followed them in the car.

We went to Kaiser Oakland and stayed there for two days.

Looking back...there were a dozen things that I...we would have done differently.

Hind sight is 20/20.

Meghan and I were more emotionally than physically exhausted because of what happened in our apartment.

Caitlyn weighed in at 8 lbs. 11 oz. and was measured at 21.5 in. long.

I have been meditating on the following:

For you created me in my inmost being;

you knit me together in my mother's womb.

I praise you because I am fearfully and

wonderfully made;

your works are wonderful,

I know that full well.

My frame was not hidden from you

when I was made in the secret

place.

When I was woven together in the

depths of the earth,

your eyes saw my unformed body.

All the days ordained for me

were written in your book

before one of them came to be.

How precious to me are your

thoughts, O God!

How vast is the sum of them!

Were I to count them,

they would outnumber the grains of sand.

(Psalm 139:13-18)

last day of SPRING!

Daughter #2 is still hangin' out in her mama's womb...any day now...we keep saying.

This morning...I went for a 3 mi. run...the SF Half Marathon is just over a month away...and to celebrate Father's Day...Meghan prepared strawberry pancakes and scrambled eggs for breakfast! Mmm...mmm...delicious!

We're about to leave for the zoo! Hannah is very excited!

Maybe daughter #2 will arrive on the first day of summer?

-r

Any Day Anticipation...

We have a feeling that daughter #2 is going to arrive earlier than June 26th; only God knows though.

Meghan has been having contractions off and on since the weekend. She is tired and ready for the baby to be OUT!

Hannah is very excited for the baby's arrival...she loves the baby's name and repeats it over and over with joy!

The last few days Meghan and I have been watching home videos w/ Hannah of her when she was a newborn; she's quite intrigued and loves to watch 'little baby hannah victorya' Aside from the joy that watching these videos brings to all of us, Meghan and I are hoping that it helps Hannah with the transition.

Initially, Hannah thought, 'the baby is going to walk...' as soon as she is born. We've explained in detail what a newborn baby is like and have emphasized that the baby will stay with us in our own and that Hannah will help take care of the little baby.

Hannah is ecstatic; she is so expressive. She smiles, raises her eyebrows, and squeals with joy... "YEAHHHH!"

Any day anticipation...

Ciao. ~r

Wisdom from Hannah

So we're eating dinner last night and Hannah with eyebrows raised and eyes wide open emphatically says:

'Don't ever, ever, ever...put garlic in your nose!!!'

She did this about a month ago...she was crying and fussing...snaught was flying out of her nose. Meghan and I felt helpless...we thought we might have to take her to the hospital...eventually the snaught...we guess...washed the garlic down her throat.

As parents, we've decided that it's not a best practice to give small children small pieces of food that they can shove up their nose.

Thankfully, we can all laugh about it now!

The Long Ride...crazy or courageous?

A week ago I registered for the Tour de Sprout...a bike ride in the East Bay to raise funds for the Little Sprouts Preschool which is in East Oakland. I signed up for the 70 mile ride which included 4000 feet of climbing...was I crazy or courageous? You be the judge...

I have not really been on the bike for the past two months; I've been focusing on my running because I will be running the SF half

marathon at the end of July. If one wants to run a long way, one needs to prepare beforehand by running many miles; likewise with riding the bike. I made the false assumption that because I've been running, the riding wouldn't be a problem. Verdict: crazy.

I'm a real cyclist! On Friday night before the long ride...I shaved my harry legs. Why...you ask? I've seen lots of cyclists with shaved legs and always assumed that it was a fashion statement; a ploy to be more aerodynamic or something...I wouldn't consider it...but then I asked my cyclist friend Nate why he shaved his legs. He told me that he never shaved his legs until he crashed his bike. As his flesh was skipping along the paved road the hair on his legs would bunch up into balls and then RIP...chunks of flesh flew off of his body via his hairy legs.

I decided that since I was going on a really long ride...I'd better shave my legs. Most cyclists say that it's not a matter of 'if' but 'when' you crash...The 70 mile ride gave me incentive to get out the razor and shaving cream...which for the past 10 years I've only used on my face... and apply it to my legs...I like the smooth feeling. Verdict: Courageous.

I arrived at the starting point for the ride at 7:30am on Saturday...had full access to

sunscreen...only put it on my face, neck, and ears...8 hours later...my legs and arms were rosy red and tender...well done I'd say. Verdict: Crazy.

I rode with three friends. They hung with me when my legs were on fire as I climbed the infamous 'three bears' in the East Bay during miles 30-40. They invited me to bow out if I needed too, but I held strong and was able to finish the ride. The fastest I went during the ride: 45mph...the slowest: 5mph. Verdict: Courageous.

I'm not going to go on anymore long rides like that again until I'm more prepared; I'm going to focus on the half marathon training for now!

I'm proud that I was able to finish a 70 mile bike ride...the next long ride will definitely have to be a century!

Chao for now. ~R

Where is Jesus?

Last night, after reading stories to Hannah...I said, 'OK Hannah, time to pray...' I grabbed her foot (she likes this rather than me grabbing her hands) and began to pray, 'Dear Jesus...' She interrupted, 'Daddy, where is Jesus?' with the utmost curiosity in her voice. Hmmm, how do I respond to this question to my two year old daughter? My first answer was, 'Jesus is everywhere...' Hannah looked confused. 'Jesus is in heaven with his daddy.' Hannah responded, 'Where's heaven?' 'I do not know, where do you think heaven is?' She looked up to the ceiling, 'Up there.' Hmmm, I thought. I don't think that Meghan or I had prompted this beforehand. I explained to Hannah that 'Jesus is always present, he is here, but you can't see him.' She responded, 'He won't hurt me?' 'No, he won't...Jesus is very nice...he's fun to be with.' Hannah asked again, 'Where's Jesus?' I replied, 'He's in heaven with his daddy and he's in your heart and my heart.' I proceeded to list family and friends who Jesus was with that Hannah knew of.

This conversation with my two year old daugther forced me to slow down. The simplest questions are often the most profound. My heart has been heavy as I've reflected upon the ongoing violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Where is Jesus in the midst of this suffering? There is no simple answer. I believe that Jesus is suffering with those who are suffering; he is both enraged and mourning the violence.

More close to home...Oakland is a city that is ridden with violence. Where is Jesus? He is present, even in the midst of great pain and suffering...he is with the poor, the oppressed, the marginalized; he loves them with an unfathomable love...this I believe. More to come. ~R

Transition...

Meghan, Hannah, & I are preparing to welcome the new addition into our family. It is a girl! Meghan and I agreed upon a first/middle name when she was about seven months pregnant...when we shared the news with Hannah...she said 'NO...the baby is Julia.' While we don't think that Julia is a bad name, we were pretty firm with our decision. It took us a month to persuade Hannah that the name we had chosen was a good one. It's been only within the last couple of days that she has endorsed our decision. Through this, we've learned that it is important to consult all family members when making important decisions. It is important for us as parents to ask for our children's input; to hear them out, and validate their perspective...even if we're going to make a decision that is counter to their desires. We've encouraged Hannah to name her doll Julia...she has agreed. So ultimately there is a Julia in the family but the name of our second daughter is still to be announced. We will release the name on the day of the birth!

The due date is: June 26th but Meghan has a 'gut' feeling that the baby will arrive earlier. She's been pretty tired lately and her lower back has been throbbing; all normal things for late stage of the pregnancy. Our goal is to have a natural childbirth like we did with Hannah. We've been reading up on the Bradley Method, doing both physical and mental relaxation exercises together to prepare for the labor and delivery. I'm so proud of Meghan! She's doing so well.

She is in high gear of the nesting stage...organizing clothes, closets, and rooms...cleaning, cleaning, cleaning! I have been assisting her in organizing our apartment. Hannah and her little sister will share a room. I put Hannah's 'big girl' toddler bed together last weekend and raised the mattress for the crib.

I'm savoring each night of sleep and preparing my heart, mind, and body for the sleepless night that await.

The last couple of months I've been the one reading Hannah stories, saying prayers, and tucking her into bed. Before that, Meghan was putting her to bed due to Hannah's preference. The transition from Mom to Dad putting Hannah to bed was rough at first. I would say, "Dad is going to put you to bed." Hannah would respond with loud wales...'Noooooo, I waaaant mommmmy toooo put me to bedddd.' This happened for several nights. Then one night, as we were eating dinner together, I had an ingenious idea. I started explaining the night to Hannah: 'Dad is going to give you a bath, then I am going to help you brush your teeth, then I am going to read you stories, then you are going to give mom a hug, mom is going to go away, and then dad is going to put you to bed. For some reason, Hannah was satisfied with the explanation especially the 'mom is going to go away' part. What we did not tell Hannah was that mom was just going to go away to the living room to take a break after a long day. Hannah then began to ritually recite the night time routine over dinner: 'Dad is going to...'

At work, things have slowed down a bit. Students are gone for the summer and our office is gearing up for the next academic year. CILSA will be celebrating its 10th anniversary. I have the privilege of planning a Student Leadership & Social Justice Conference for the Fall that I'm really excited about. I finished my first year in the Graduate Counseling Program at SMC; I am really enjoying the program; I will take one course during this summer.

Until next time... ~R