boo!

Kai turned into a screaming baby for Halloween — I think his diaper rash was irritating him today. It’s a pretty convincing costume change.

Kai has basically gone through every state of being today, joyous, fussy, sleepy, hungry and more to an extreme that I haven’t seen in quite a while.

Erin has decorated our house for the trick-or-treaters, and Kelly and Eric and coming over to hang out and hand out candy. I wonder what Kai will be next Halloween...

Interestingly enough, we just got notified that Special Beginnings birthing center is closing in December. The midwife practitioner is retiring after 22 years and closing the whole thing down. This comes right on the heels of the news that our insurance does not want to pay the birthing center for Kai’s birth.

In honor of Kai turning 3 months old, I posted a photo gallery of him and his brother Isaac together. See the two brothers together in the photo section. It’s way too cute. That’s right, it’s almost been three months. We can hardly believe it.

skip to my leu

For months now Harry P. Leu Gardens has been within walking distance of our home, and we’ve never been there to see what it’s all about. So today we loaded up Kai into his Snugli carrier and headed out to discover what lies just beyond our backyard. It was a perfect day for a brisk walk. As a bonus, they waive the 5 dollar admission fee on Mondays before noon — woohoo!

This place was simply amazing. They had plants and trees I’ve never even heard of, although Erin could identify most of them. Their rose garden smelled delicious and their tropical canopy forests were fascinating. We saw all kinds of birds, too, including a woodpecker pair and a red-shouldered hawk. Their was a majestic fig tree that was breathtaking, and the cycade district was beautiful. They have the largest southern live oak tree I’ve ever seen. Kai was an angel, just taking in all of the sights and smells and having a good time. He didn’t fuss at all, and gave me quite the workout. Walking around with him strapped to my chest for two and a half hours is no joke.

Today brought the news that my insurance is refusing to pay for Kai’s birthing fees, for some ridiculous reason. So we are now responsible for the balance of the fee, which is staggering to say the least. I am quite certain that all insurance is a racket and that the entire system is flawed and corrupt. I am determined to figure out how to circumvent the entire system. It’s such a load of crap, paying an anonymous organization for their supposed protection and backup in case something goes awry. It’s reminiscent of the mafia, the only difference is that insurance is legal.

So I’m off to work again. Luckily it’s been pretty fun the last couple nights and the money has been good. I’ll post up some Halloween photos of Kai tomorrow — keep your eyes peeled!

back to good

Some restaurants are best left unmentioned, and that is the case with today’s lunch with my parents. We had a nice time, but the food quality was unacceptable. Perhaps I’ve been spoiled by my time in Napa Valley — if it’s not a six-course meal with wine pairings then no way... just kidding, of course. My first meal after Napa was a Quizno’s sub in the Denver airport, and it was damn good.

Anyways, Kai is developing so rapidly it’s scary. The blue tint has left his eyes, leaving him a beautiful hazel hue. He holds his head up very well now, and his leg strength is improving. His hand-eye coordination is improving, and he is completely spoiled now. He will pretty much only fall asleep in Erin’s arms now — I no longer have any game with him. It’s quite inconvenient for Erin, but Kai pretty much refuses to fall asleep with anyone else. And trust me, he can outlast your patience. Must be nice.

We are rapidly approaching Kai’s three-month mark. It’s hard to believe how quickly this time has passed. Look for some new photos going up very soon...

in vino, veritas

Carved into the side of Alexander Mountain, high atop Alexander Valley in Sonoma County, I’m perched above Upper Barn and Black Cougar Ridge vineyard, drinking in the view and the amazing Stonestreet wines. I’m dining on the outdoor patio at ZD winery in Napa Valley, sipping wine with two generations of the deLeuze family eating more homemade paella than I probably should. I’m stradding the Napa/Sonoma county line in Knight’s Valley, atop Tom Eddy’s hilltop home overlooking Mt. St. Helena and nearly all of Napa Valley snacking on cheese and amazing wine. That was my amazing Napa Valley experience.

During my four days, I had hands-on and direct access to the wine experience that went far beyond the typical wine country tasting room experience. I helped load chardonnay grapes into the crusher at ZD. We shot the breeze with Elaine Honig at Honig winery. We ate pinot noir grapes off of the vine in Carneros. And so much more.

On the plane ride over, I sat next to a young woman and her 16-month old boy, Evan. He was so amazing — he knew sign language quite well and was a great test of my ability to read sign language. He was a strong kid, too, as I got to hold him during descent, while his mom was getting airsick. On the flight back, a cute little baby girl around 7 months old cried her little head off during the pressure changes. Before Kai, those experiences would have been excruciating, but I actually empathized with those parents this time around. I wondered how I would I handle the situation when Kai finally travels on a plane with us.

While my trip was amazing, I was definitely excited to see my family again. Kai has graduated to size 2 Pampers (send more!) and is starting to reach for nearby objects. He hasn’t quite got the coordination, but he’s definitely working hard at it.

I return to work tonight to spread the joy of wine to my teammates and guests. I’m looking forward to it.

P.S. Photos from my trip are posted here.

napa valley

My bags are packed and I’m ready to go. At least physically. I haven’t spent this much time away from my family since we became a family, so it’s a new experience for me. I know I’m going to miss them. I must admit that I feel a slight guilt for leaving them behind, and taking off for a week when our financial situation is still a bit rocky. But this is a great opportunity that may not come around again, so I’m taking advantage of it.

People keep asking me if I’m excited about going. While I am looking forward to the trip, I find that I can’t be completely excited because of the stress that I’m focusing on. I’m going to have to drop that really quickly. There is a huge real estate deal in the works that could go a long way towards smoothing out our finances for awhile. Let’s just hope it goes through this week while I’m in California.

I’m not taking my computer with me, so this site will not be updated until next weekend. Thank you all so much for your readership and support — without your emails and comments I wouldn’t update this site at all. Check back in a week for photos and blog updates. Until then, be happy and wish us lots of love.

art & baby festival

I’ve never been so sweaty just walking around. Toting Kai around in his new Snugli carrier at the Maitland Arts Festival today was sweaty fun. Isaac had a couple pieces on display in the student art exhibit, and Erin and I wanted to get out of the house and spend some time together before I leave for Napa Valley. There was some really great art on display, and we had a great time. It seems that outdoor art festivals are the place to be if you have a small child — there were a ton of them. After today though, it’s hard to imagine how we as a species ever survived without air conditioning.

Kai has developed a very small case of diaper rash, our first experience with it. He hasn’t complained or cried about it, and we’re being tackling the issue head on. If we find a miracle diaper rash cure, you’ll hear about it here. He is standing so well now. Erin thinks he’ll be walking by nine months. I find that possibility scary and amazing.

back in season

Now that appraisal class is over, I’m back at Seasons 52 to make some money while I build up my appraisal business. Tonight at the 52 was very busy — we made great money and had a good time. I think it was the universe’s way of congratulating me for my recent achievements.

I’ve taken more tests in the past four months than I have in the past 10 years. First the first level master sommelier course, then the Seasons 52 wine contest exam, and just recently the appraisal board course one. The tests are definitely harder than school.

My Napa Valley trip is coming up on Monday, so you won’t see any updates from me next week. I very nearly had to cancel my participation in the event. You see, between my appraisal course and the trip to Napa, I would have missed over two weeks of work, completely unpaid. Considering that I’m the only member of our household generating income, it just wasn’t workable or financially feasible. Upon hearing about our situation, my mom and dad have stepped up and are making sure that I can go on the Napa Valley trip. Their contribution will help us get through this lean time. So many many infinite thanks to my mom and dad — you’ve always been there for me and Erin, Isaac, Kai and myself all appreciate it.

We are still accepting additional sponsorships, though. :)

Yes it’s true — Kai can stand with a minimal amount of help balancing. He is a very strong baby, that is for sure. He makes so much noise nowadays. His newest sound is almost like a warning bark — he can be quite demanding. It seems that if he’s with her he’ll easily sleep three to four hours at a time, but by himself he’s up every hour or so. I told Erin that I thought it was sweet — he just can’t stand to be away from her and us for any longer. When he’s older he’ll probably never want to spend that much time with us. So we’ve chosen to enjoy his sleeping patterns and just let him be. I think everyone will be happier in the end.

Here’s a parenting tip that I’ve learned, and please pass it on: Every day is different. What works one day may not work the next. But it may work again a few days later. Or not.

earned appraisal

The eighth and last day of Appraisal Board Course One was marked by a 100-question final exam containing some of the weirdest math I’ve ever had the pleasure of doing. Being the first one to turn in the test was an interesting phenomenon — once I stood up, test packet in hand, there was no going back. I could feel the eyes of the 40 other students tracking my progress. As I handed my exam over to the instructor, the weight of the moment was immediately intensified and then relieved. It was over. The moment of truth. I waited in the lobby for my results, alone.

As Steve turned the corner, my exam in hand, I could just make out what could only be the score. 92. I had passed with flying colors. He shook my hand and wished me luck. While I was very confident in my abilities, this test was just hard enough to make me start to wonder.

Erin and I took Kai up to Thai Delight to celebrate — what a feast. Garlic pork chops, two different curries, sauteed napa cabbage with oyster mushrooms... it was dangerously close to gluttony. Kai was so sweet and my mom & dad got to see his progress. His eyes are starting to change color to a slight hazel tint. Although he can’t balance himself, he can stand on his own. He’s beginning to space out his feedings — sometimes up to four hours between meals. Erin is quite relieved, to say the least.

For now, I’m just glad that I don’t have to get up at 6am tomorrow for a 9.5 hour day of appraisal school. I’m looking forward to sleeping in, if Kai allows it...

water world

Last weekend, our kitchen sink backed up and caused quite a mess — it even backed up into our washing machine. Needless to say, it was quite a hassle. Dirty dishes swarmed over our kitchen counter. Dirty laundry declared mutiny and took over our utility room. Kai’s bathing routine went on sabbatical.

A couple days later, the plumber had snaked out the problematic drain pipes and all was well. We disinfected the sinks and washer, and Erin did all of the backed up dishes, washed and folded all the laundry, and bathed Kai, all while I was at school and work. She deserves a medal.

Apparently, all of this pent-up activity put quite a strain on the water heater. For the last three days we have not had hot water. The neighbors were beginning to wonder about the smell, and nearby flies were falling dead in mid-flight. The landlord and plumber came back today and granted us the miracle of hot water. My shower this evening was glorious. Even better, Kai joined me in the shower and we had a nice time. He absolutely loves being in water. Especially warm water.

Appraisal school is going quite well — there’s a shocking amount of knowledge to absorb. The test is on Monday, and the clock is ticking. Time to study...

appraised value

Yesterday marked the beginning of my 100-classroom hour appraisal board course, which I’ll complete on Monday the 16th. Out of the 192 hours which make up 8 days, 100 of them will be spent in a hotel conference room. As you can imagine, I may not have a lot of time this week for blog entries or photo shoots, but I’ll do what I can.

Upon my arrival home from my first day of appraisal school, Kai welcomed me by going throwing one of his trademark hissy fits and crying through our dinner. Once Erin and I went through our baby crying checklist (is he hungry, is his diaper dirty, etc.) I remembered a quote I keep nearby: “It’s much easier to ride the horse in the direction it’s going.” It’s said that crying is just another state of being for newborns, and that sometimes there isn’t anything wrong. With nothing to fix, I resolved to take what I got.

Which reminded me of the zen-like lesson of the first day of appraisal school. Today’s topic focused on the sometimes baffling Florida statutes concerning appraisals. The kit containing all of the lesson materials was titled, “That’s just the way it is” — a masterful statement designed to answer all of our possible questions about why the law says this or that. But it’s also the answer to a lot of life’s larger quandaries — I learned that lesson a while ago. Things are the way they are because that’s the way they are. Which reminds me of a powerful quote I keep near my computer:

“Perfection is a state in which things are the way they are, and are not the way they are not. As you can see, this universe is perfect.”

The lesson of the day applied not only to Florida appraisal laws, but to my relationship with my newborn son. Let the good times roll.

ode to joy

Today we took Kai to the grand opening of Harmoni, a new urban market in College Park. They had a very nice boutique grocery and wine selection, and their “artisan meals” were very good. It’s nice when a restaurant doesn’t hide their mediocre food by giving you enormous portions. Kai gives it two baby thumbs balled into a baby fist, up. He was an absolute angel and the favorite guest of the entire place, earning oohs and aahs from everyone within eyesight.

Afterwards we ventured over to the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey. This very well-hidden oasis rescues and rehabilitates all kinds of raptors, over 12,000 since 1979. One of the first birds we saw up close was a barn owl, and for some reason he did not like babies. He was visibly agitated. I thought I was going to have to kill a barn owl today, but the trainer calmed him down and we went off to admire the beautiful ospreys, red-shouldered hawks and bald eagles that live here. It was an amazing experience, one that we’ve been driving by for years and not taking the time to appreciate. Kai approves.

Today’s photo shoot was very fun. Kai took a huge dump and, just like dad, was feeling much better afterwards. He was very well-behaved today. Even his daily 5pm fussy bout was quick and relatively painless. He slept on me while Erin and I watched Adaptation tonight. He is a like a little portable space heater — I’m couldn’t believe how hot I got holding him for that long.

Anyways, Windsor & Alex are coming over tomorrow (Friday) with their nine-month old baby Mason — he’s a cute little pork chop of a boy. Should be quite fun! Check back for photos!

nine weeks, 224 ounces

Inconceivable. Kai laid on the baby scale, and the reading was clear. Here he was, nine weeks old, weighing in at a solid 14 pounds. It makes sense, seeing that he eats every two hours around the clock. It’s like a baby sumo diet.

I apparently forgot to mention that I did win the Seasons 52 wine contest, and will be going on an all-expenses paid wine tasting tour in Napa Valley in three weeks. Unfortunately, Erin and Kai cannot join me for this trip, but I have promised to take them out there as soon as possible.

Short update today, but lots more to come later. I posted a new photo gallery of Erin & Kai together. He’s growing like a weed, so stay tuned...

rollover minutes

Kai rolled over onto his stomach the other day. You would have thought he landed a triple lindy by the way Erin screamed. He didn’t do it again, but he got close. The effort definitely wore him out.

We went to dinner at HuHot yesterday, a chain Mongolian grill that just opened its first Orlando location a month ago. While the decor was spirited and the atmosphere lively, I thought the food left quite a bit to be desired. It’s one of those places where you put all your raw meats, veggies, noodles and sauce into bowls and the chefs cook it in front of your very eyes on their very large, 500-degree griddle. It’s quite fun, until you have to eat the stuff. The lemon sorbet for dessert was very good though. And Erin and I were appalled that their so-called ginger soda that the table-tent promoted was just Sprite with a splash of Coke and a couple slices of ginger. We know because our server told us so. Tacky.

Besides the food, the company was great and we all did have a good time. Kai fussed for a few minutes as he tends to do around dinner time, and then he took a short nap. When he gets wound up, which is easy to do, it can be quite hard to unwind him.

Erin and I went out on Friday night and grandma Marty baby-sat Kai. We ran into our friends Carter and Danielle and had a great time, drinking wine and laughing together. Everything was great until the next day, when I had to go to work... I haven’t had a hangover in a long time, and I don’t miss them.

Sorry for the long pause between blog posts. I was quite busy this week, between trying to help staff a huge Halloween event, work, and waiting for Kai to rollover again. We’ll try to catch it on video.