The State of the Union...

For all enquiring minds: yes we are still married. Fortunately hair does grow back and with a little tapering, a little mascara, one can hardly tell the carnage that occurred last week.

I must say that the increased readership of my blog, the number of comments and e-mails seemed like a bit of an undeserved reward. While I truly feel bad about wrecking Gordon’s hair, the attention I received has me pondering what royal screw-up I could broadcast next with similar results. But rest assured there will be no malice aforethought. I am perfectly capable of making unplanned mistakes on a regular basis.

As Gordon joked, his ordeal was actually a public service. It appears that quite a few spouses (mostly wives) cut their significant other’s hair. Many dread just the mistake I made and one couple has actually implemented precautionary measures. These steps, which bear repeating, are to have the cuttee oil the blades and affix the proper blade attachment. Then and only then does the cutter begin the haircut.

The State of the Family

Aside from battling colds which were no doubt picked up on our little get-away to the Wisconsin Dells, we’re doing well.

We took a trip after a great visit with the International Adoption Clinic. The Doctor was very impressed with Danny’s new found shyness. During the previous visit three months ago Danny was approaching all the doctors in the room and engaging them. This time as soon as the team entered the exam room Danny crawled into my lap and hugged me like a baby koala bear. He peered cautiously at the newcomers and never let go of me. Our doctor declared him a changed kid.

This change has only occurred recently. I’d say that over the last couple of months Danny has begun to relate to us as his family. He no longer seems to be shopping for a new family. Mind you this does not mean that he doesn’t engage others. He knows how to play the cute card and as long as someone keeps his or her distance Danny will flirt shamelessly. But when someone he doesn’t know approaches him he looks at them like they’re crazy and without taking his eyes off of them, he slowly backs up toward Gordon or my legs and hangs on tight.
We have gone almost nowhere during our first six months as a family. We’ve clung religiously to our routine. Finally during our visit to the clinic we were given the green light to stretch our wings.

So we got outta Dodge. We packed up and headed to the Great Wolf Lodge for some water fun and relaxation. We all had a blast. On our doctor’s recommendation we still adhered rigidly to our schedule and took along familiar food and books. I think this paid off. Danny was relaxed during our entire trip. I was worried that staying in a hotel and sleeping in a pack-n-play like he did in Guatemala might make him anxious. But he was just fine.

State of the State

Our part of the world is slowly thawing out. This past week the kids headed out in the puddles for some fresh air. We weren’t outside long as the water was freezing and the cold went right through our puddle boots. But spring is in the air – sort of anyway.