The Good: I managed to get the living room and dining room vacuumed before “the bad.”
The Bad: The vacuum cleaner starting making a sad, dying “wuuuuurble, wuuuurble” noise when I started on Poppy’s room.
The Ugly: There’s a mouse in the house. Which probably means there are mice in the house. I’m not sure yet what I’m going to do about that. I’d like to be humane about it, but I’d also like them not to come back in the apartment. It’s a quandary.
I’ve been thoroughly enjoying the monkey saga going on in our former hometown. And apparently, I’m not the only one who’s taken notice of this Very Exciting Story.
There’s an interesting article in Newsweek about the “new” generation of dads. The author — a member of said new generation — defines them, basically, as fathers who spend more hands-on time with their kids than the previous generation of dads spent with their offspring. The author spent nine months at home with his daughter, a time he calls, “the most rewarding time of my life — and a bonding experience I wouldn’t trade for anything.”
When I went to work after Poppy was born, Rockford was working on writing his thesis. While he didn’t really take any paternity leave, he was able to stay home with her during the day while I was at work. We were fortunate to have a trustworthy Mother’s Morning Out program at our church, too, so Rockford was able to go to the library a few times a week to work.
I’m a little sad for Pete that he isn’t going to get the same bonding experience with his dad that Poppy had. They used to watch “Magnum PI” and “The Rockford Files” together every day. Her taste in music is enough to reveal the impact that had on her. She loves lame ’70s soft rock, like Bread. She also loves Wilco, though, so I can’t complain too much. Except when she insists on listening to “Guitar Man” 17 times in a row. Then I can complain all I want. And I do.