June 15th through 17th, 2001

This was one of our most busy visits. We were constantly running to get to the next activity. The weekend started in Olympia Washington on Friday evening and we arrived in Harrisburg after 10 PM. Pictures will be posted here soon.

Traveling together is part of our visit and we make the most of it. Nora is really great in the car compared to other kids her age. My truck makes it especially easy because her car seat is right next to me; not in the back seat where we wouldn't be able to interact so well. While driving up and down the interstate, we duck behind an 18 wheeler and just cruise. We talk, play games, sing songs, clap our hands, listen to books on CD, dance, and carry on while driving the miles. When Nora has to go potty or needs a break, she says "Dad, I need a break". If we are more than 30 minutes from a rest stop (I know where all of them are now), we will stop in a town off the freeway and rest for about thirty minutes.

By the time this last weekend visit was over, we had traveled more than 480 miles together and I had traveled more than 900 miles! Ugh! But I'd do it all over again for the opportunity to be daddy. I'm sure I will do it over and over again....

Nora is talking a lot now. She says the cute things that most two to three year old children say, but there are moments when she says things that brings tears to my eyes. About a month ago, she started saying "Dad, I love you". To hear this is so wonderful for me. On Saturday morning after waking up, we decided to lay in the sun together before getting ready to go swimming. We talked a little about what we were going to do that day. As we were getting up, Nora looked at me, pointed her finger and said "You're a good daddy". I just melted said "Thank you. You're my good little girl", picked her up and squeezed and kissed her. She hasn't figured out yet how to use that to get what she wants and I don't know what I will do when she does because I already spoil her so much as it is! I'm kidding. If she had it her way, she would eat nothing but gummy worms and macaroni & cheese, run around everywhere without clothes on, sleep in my bed with me, color on the walls, and watch Pinocchio over and over again. I spoil her with attention because when she's here, it's 100 percent our time. Almost a "Daddy/Daughter Overdose".

Saturday morning was a trip to the Springfield Mall to wait until the pool opened. Ever since taking her swimming last April she has talked about swimming and even wants her bath water to be cold like the pool. From what I gather, she is taking or has taken swimming lessons in Aberdeen. That first swim trip made a huge impact. Once at the pool we played and played chasing one another through the water, dumping water on our heads, going underwater, and splashing. We went back and forth from the big pool to the little pool. Something interesting that she said toward the time we left was "You go into the big pool and leave me here in the little pool." It was then that I realized we had accomplished "Daddy/Daughter Overload". After telling her that I couldn't leave her alone because it is dangerous, she commenced again to pour a bucket of water over my head while laughing and squeeling.

After the pool, she had a nap on the way home and then another hour nap in the house. Then it was time to attend a potluck lunch/dinner for the Boutilier's (25th or 30th) wedding anniversary at Marie Keinlen's. By the time we arrived, the food was being put away and most people had left. That didn't stop us from eating and playing more out on the lawn. We made up croquet games with the loops, mallets, and balls. Marie even joined us for a game.

We got home after 8:30 PM, which is past bedtime. Earlier in the day, I had thought to ask my friend and coworker Gary Ludeke if he could fly us to Olympia on Sunday when the visit was over. We made tentative arrangements, but something came up for him and we were not able to fly in the airplane. Nora was excited to go on the airplane, but she took it well when I told her that we would not be flying. Eventually we will make the trip in the airplane.

Sunday morning is always church. After that we made Father's Day cards for Nora's grandpa's. They will be late, but that's what has to happen when sharing a child between parents. Of the big holidays each year, Nora will usually have two of each- one holiday with each of her families.

I've noticed a pattern in Nora's behavior after church, whether we are in Aberdeen or here in Harrisburg. Nora gets very "clingy" and wants to stay very close saying "carry me", "sit here with me", and "hold me". Sometimes I have to hold her while making lunch and picking up her toys around the house. Andy, my roommate, suggested that it's because she knows that after church is usually when our visits end. I always tell Nora what is happening and what will happen as the visits progress from one activity to the next. She does know when the visit will be ending and that she will go back to Aberdeen or I will be leaving. It's not easy on either of us when the visits end. But we have the memories of the time together and we hopefully have enough "Daddy/Daughter Overload" to carry us through until the next visit!

(This was written and posted June 19th 2001)