mom's day off (and other thoughts...)

Today, Jonathan took Riley to see Grandma Berg and offered me a Mother's Day Off. What he really offered me was an Introvert's Day to Recharge, since I don't feel a need for a day off since I only see my son four hours each weekday. But I need a day here and there to not have to talk to anyone for hours at a time. If I slow down enough, I manage to get a bit of contemplation done as well.

9 a - The boys leave for Grandma's house and I go to Reading for breakfast at Aroma Cafe. I had an egg white omelet with spinach, feta & salsa with a side of fruit and tea.

10 a - Go play some nice guitars at the guitar store. Realize that it's probably not the best use of $1k since I don't have time to get proficient on it, but it was fun for 30 min.

10:3 a - Off to Nordstrom Rack, in search of bargains (that's bah-gins in Bostonspeak). The best deal was finding a $99 business suit so I can look oh-so-money at work. Got a burnt orange trench that I'll be wearing when the weather gets above 4o along with other varied and sundry items.

(Shopping confession: I hate the looking, only the acquiring. But when an opportunity like this arrives, I'll put up with shopping for hours in hopes of not having to do it again for a long time.)

2p - Enjoyed my favorite low-cal fast food sandwich, the Chargrilled Chicken Sandwich from Chick-Fil-A. Chased it down with a refreshing Diet Dr Pepper. Dessert was a piece of dark chocolate from Lindt. Fueled up and ready for the next thing...

2:3 p - SO DONE with shopping, but need to look for two items I couldn't find at the Rack, so I'm off to Macys, where I spend an unsuccessful 90 min and start to get grumpy. Time to quit.

4p - Head back home to Wakefield, stopping at Staples, Starbucks & Bear Rock Cafe where I finally settle down for a meal and some reading. I brought Tim Keller's latest book, The Prodigal God and fiinally had a chance for some contemplation. More on that below.

7p - Arrive back home and expect the boys back in the next hour. Grateful for a "recharge day" and looking forward to being social again tomorrow!

Things I'm thinking about

Ever since I had a child, I've found it very difficult to fix my mind on spiritual things. My mind is pulled in so many directions now that I have more to take care of. I know that this is normal for parents and that this too shall pass, but I've really missed being able to take my Bible, journal and a good read to the beach or coffeehouse and be able to spend hours contemplating spiritual things. It's challenging to focus for a 30 min sermon, even with the engaging pastors that we have at CTK.

I'm beginning to carve out time in the evening for this, if only 15-30 minutes. The Keller book is something that God's using to speak loudly to me about who He is, who I am and how these truths can transform the way I interact with others in my world.

You've heard us blog about Tim Keller and how much he's taught us over the years. He's one of those pastors who has a way of getting me to look at well-known passages of Scripture and gleaning new insights from them. His latest book looks at the parable of the Prodigal Son, which he renames the parable of the Two Lost Sons, as both sons represent different ways of being alienated from God.

The title of the book is an interesting one. When you look up the meaning of "Prodigal" in Merriam-Webster Online, it doesn't mean wayward or disobedient, but rather to be recklessly extravagant. Therefore, as we see the love of the father demonstrated toward his younger son, the term "prodigal" can be applied to him as well.

As you study the life of Jesus in the Gospels, it doesn't take long to see that he was more apt to attract the irreligious than the religious. The religious were often offended by him. When Jesus told this parable, he was answering a complaint by the religious leaders that he welcomed "sinners" and ate with them, which was a powerful sign of acceptance. By adding the bit at the end about the elder brother, he was showing them a picture of themselves.

While I can see many times of my life in which I have been the younger brother in this story, I find more and more that I'm really more like the elder one. How often have I felt entitled to blessings or get bitter when someone else gets the things that I want?

One of the ways in which I'm being freshly convicted through this story is in how I relate to a co-worker that has been rude to me for the better part of the past two years. There has been no arguments or fights to precipitate this; this person just doesn't make an effort to be friendly to me. My response is to avoid face to face contact as much as possible and when I do need to talk to them, to be as brief as possible. While I have made a conscience effort to be polite and keep a friendly tone, I don't make idle chit chat with them.

I feel like the elder brother looking down on the younger one, thinking that they should feel alienation for their bad behavior. And yet, God's lavish, extravagant love of rebels and rascals like us is something that I find myself very attracted to. I want to be able to love this person that way the father loved both of his "lost" sons, even after they had hurt and insulted him deeply. I'm beginning to pray about this for the first time, that the Lord would give me the courage to be loving, even if things don't change.

So that's something that I'm beginning to contemplate. I'd appreciate your prayers as I seek to be more like Jesus in this particular relationship.

I guess it goes without saying that I highly recommend the Keller book too!

Off to bed...it's been a long and wonderful day,

Shelby

perpetual motion

Shelby and Riley had a day alone together today while Daddy was off getting continuing ed credits. The time was well spent at a place with a name that fits our boy's energy level...Perpetual Motion.

Perpetual Motion is an indoor playground that is not only better than the other places we've been to, it's less expensive too! I'll let pictures and video tell the story here:

Turn the wheel














Slam Dunk!














Face first into the ball pit














Riley loves a good ball pit...and this one is great!














Face first...notice a pattern here?














Bike Riding Boy - We're getting him ready!



Riley loved the place (duh!) and didn't want to leave even though he was falling asleep in the swings toward the end.

His birthday party has already been booked...


Jonathan

president's day

Monday holidays are a bit different for the Berg household than for many. Shelby works at a corporation, which means she gets the day off. I, however, am a corporation (all by myself) which means that many times I do not. President's Day is one of those times.

This changes the normal Monday routine quite a bit. It means that Mama has the day to spend with her boy, which leads to all kinds of fun things. First, Shelby and Riley get to take swim lessons together. We've blogged about that in the past. This time around it also meant a trip to Grandma Betsy's house on Plum Island and a trip to Daddy's office.

For those who don't know the connection that Betsy has to us, she is a dear friend of mine from my previous church. She and I were involved in youth ministry together and became very close. Shelby and Betsy became friends (and roommates!) during the months prior to our wedding. Shelby would stay at Betsy's house on the weekends rather than traveling back down to Medford, and toward the end Shelby lived with Betsy so that she could escape a toxic roommate. They became very close during that time.

It stands to reason that Betsy would become a third Grandma to Riley. He's a very fortunate boy. So a portion of Monday morning and afternoon was spent visiting Betsy and her dog Jessie. Some pictures and video:

As always, our boy loves lights...














Such a mature boy














Riley enjoyed sharing Jessie's doggie bed














Riley gave Jessie a treat

And they played Fetch


Riley and Betsy reading about trucks














Betsy helped Riley do some gymnastics


Riley loves Betsy














A big kiss!














Next it was time to visit Daddy at work. It had been nearly a year since Riley had been at the office. Last time I could put him in the Pack-'n-Play with some toys and he'd be OK. It's a little different now... So Mama went off to shop for a bit and Riley got to hang out with Daddy and his patients. Being the extrovert he is, he and my patients all had a ball.

Riley loved the "Bob" hat...














And gave quite the performance














He helped Steve with his ice














Steve tried to show Riley the picture of his dog on the phone...














But Riley just wanted the phone














Never met a toy bin he didn't like














Shelby came back to the office to hang out a bit since our Newburyport neighbor Jodi was going to be in with her kids. Both Riley and Shelby got adjustments. Riley was a lot better with his than with Mama's...

Riley wasn't crazy about Mama getting adjusted














Jodi came in with her son Jason. Unfortunately her other son Ryan couldn't come because he was at home with a fever. Riley got to hang out with Jason though. Jason is a pretty cool kid. He gave Riley the Backyardagains DVD he loves so much. He told his mom that he wasn't going to use it any more and he thought Riley might like it. He was entirely correct...

Riley and Jason 'draw'














Jason helps Riley with his new puzzle (from Mama's shopping trip)














Making sure I do a good job adjusting Jodi














It was really fun having Riley in the office. He took to the place well and was actually quite easy to have around, even when I was working. This bodes well for any future time we find ourselves with a day where Shelby absolutely has to be in the office and we have no day care. I'd actually love to have him there all day.

It was a great day for all involved. Working on a holiday can make for a whole lot of fun!


Jonathan

valentine's day

For many years Valentine's Day was torture to me. It was a yearly reminder of things longed for that I didn't have. Although I still say a prayer for those who are single and lonely, the day has changed radically since Shelby came into my life. The years spent alone make the day that much more sweet.

Things are even more different now that we have Riley. His presence has brought me to a fuller, deeper love for my wife. Shelby is not just a companion and friend, she's Mama. And a wonderful Mama she is. Valentine's Day brings these things into a clearer focus for me. My wife and boy are truly a great joy to me.

Valentine's morning arrived and with it came cards, but also...chocolate! Riley got his first box of chocolate from Mama. Here he is getting his first sample:

Wow! this is cool!















After breakfast Mama took Riley off to an indoor playground in Woburn. Riley has never met a playground he hasn't loved:

Tug Boat Captain














Head first into the ball pit














Does he like it in there? You bet!














Elmo!














He never gets tired of slides



















Valentine's Day fun of the adult kind was had later on. Miss Laura came over to babysit so Mama and Daddy could have some alone time. First we took in an IMAX movie which had just been released. Under the Sea (in 3D) was great. Next up (ironically) was a great sushi dinner at one of our favorite places, Sake.

Food that looks like artwork
































Shelby looking beautiful














Me looking hungry














The food was great and the company better. We did show that we are no longer newlyweds however. Our date progressed from food and conversation...to a trip to Home Depot to look at kitchen sinks. Yes, we really did go to Home Depot on a Valentine's Day date.

The final stop of the evening was Barnes & Noble for some good coffee and...children's books. One of the things Shelby and I share aside from a rather intense love of our son is a love of seeing him reading books. We enjoyed perusing the shelves and came home with quite a haul for our reading boy:


Books, books books!














Daddy and Riley reading about trucks the next day



















It was a very good day. It's amazing to me how much joy can be had in simple things like looking at sinks or shopping for books for my boy. Sushi isn't bad either... It's not what I'm doing though, it's who I'm doing it with. I'm very grateful for the two people who are upstairs sleeping as I write this. They are a tremendous gift. Thank you Lord! They were worth the wait.

I love my wife and boy!


Jonathan

20 things for 20 months

Riley hit 20 months a couple of weeks back and we wanted to do a blog entry about what he's doing now. Using the "25 random things" idea as a starting point, here are 20 things about Riley for 20 months. This is going to be a long post...


1. Riley likes to read.
Riley has always liked books (we even read to him in the womb.) We read to him before bed at night and he can frequently be found sitting and reading or carrying a book to you to be read. Favorite books: Foodie Babies Wear Bibs, No No, Yes Yes, Good Night Moon, Good Night New York City.

Riley reads in his new chair









He also likes to just sit on the floor









2. He's a swimming boy!
He loves to swim and really enjoys going under water. He's been taking swimming lessons since November (thanks to two gifts from Grandma Betsy!) and all three of us have enjoyed it.

Riley and Mama splashing in the pool









Riley loves the platform he can stand on









Mama and boy at the end of the lesson









3. He loves outdoor activities.
Riley loves biking, hiking and kayaking. Today he went snowshoeing with Mama and Daddy (sort of, he was a passenger) when we had a warmer day (upper 30's to low 40's rather than teens.)

Riley and Daddy Bushwack on the golf course









Riley and Mama at Stone Tower









Video from Stone Tower


4. He knows what 'I love Grandma' means.
Here's a picture of him tapping his bib with his hand once we told him what it said. That's my Mom sitting on the right. We have a very affectionate boy.

Riley Loves Grandma









5. Riley loves playgrounds whatever the conditions.
Two weeks ago we went sledding / swinging / playing on the slide on a day with a 5 degree wind chill. Riley cried when we took him to the car.

The slide is always good









Those mittens got in the way of his steering









He loves to go to the Burlington Mall playground with Mama. She takes him there at least once a week so that he can get out of the house, run around and play with other kids.

Riley has always gotten along with the bigger kids










6. He likes to be tickled...most of the time.
If I ask him, "Do you want a tickle Riley?" he runs away (all the while giggling and looking to see that I'm following him) and then laughs like crazy when I catch him and tickle him. Funny thing though, if he's not in the mood you can tickle him and he doesn't react. At all.

7. He tells us when he has a poop and prefers a clean diaper.
He pats his butt and says, "Poo poo?" and walks over to the stairway. He'll also usually say, "Uh huh" if he has a poopy diaper and we ask him about it. Hopefully this means he'll be easier to potty train...

8. He is a good sleeper.
Most days he sleeps until about 7:30am. It used to be somewhere between 5 and 6am... Since Daddy is watching him most mornings it makes me a happy and more rested man.

9. Riley has not given Mama and Daddy any type of illness since last June.
Daddy gave him the flu last month and he has had a case of diarrhea this month though. Other than that it's been a much healthier last seven months, thankfully.


10. He doesn't talk much yet.
He says bye bye, uh oh, Mama, Dada, more, bath, ball, bike, poo poo, moon, uh huh! and snowman (among others.) He has said a bunch of words once and never said them again. He will not say any word if asked to, and rarely will respond if we ask him what something is. He'll probably be like my brother Tom, who after saying little or nothing suddenly at three years old said, "I want to go see the toys Mommy" just like he had been speaking for years. Riley is starting to make a little more of an effort though. And honestly, it has just seemed that speaking really hasn't been that important to him.

11. Riley is starting to mimic animal and other sounds.
He does neigh, baa, ruff ruff, snoring sounds, and car noises among other things. It's fun to watch him push a car around and reading books with animals in them has gotten more fun too.

12. Loves his "Fridge DJ" radio and dances to the songs.
The "Fridge DJ" sticks with magnets to the door of the refrigerator and has buttons that play different types of songs. "Classic hits" like Old MacDonald and the Alphabet Song. I doubt there is anywhere else that you'll hear Old MacDonald introduced followed by someone saying, "Let's get groovin'!" I love it.

13. He loves his parents, but is very attached to Mama.
If I'm holding him and Mama comes into the room he immediately leans and reaches out for her. He has taken to following Mama around and becoming upset if she leaves the room. He's also seen the bedroom empty as we have gone by it in the morning and said, "Mama?" in a very forlorn way. Fortunately he is not crying when Daddy takes him up to bed any more. A couple of weeks ago he started to cry when left in the nursery at church. He has done this with both of us. For the record, I don't blame him for preferring Mama, I'm kind of partial to her too.

Riley Loves Mama!










14. He likes bikes and points to them whenever he sees them and says, "Bike!"
I always encourage this and talk to him about how I look forward to riding with him. I run the screen saver (Webshots, I've got thousands of bike pictures loaded into it along with family pictures and lots of pictures of him) in the morning while he eats and we both comment on the pictures. He calls out "Bike" each time a bike picture comes up. It's a fun way for us to interact while he eats. I'm also looking down the road a few years and hoping to have a riding partner who will give me an excuse to ride as much as I used to...

15. Riley is a very social kid.
He's an extrovert, just like his Daddy. He interacts well with other kids at the Burlington Mall playground and gets on well with the kids of Mama and Daddy's friends. He loves his cousins. Some examples:

Riley and cousin Daniella









Riley and cousin Erica









CeCe shares chocolate chips with Riley









Riley shares a seat withZippy









CeCe, Zac, Riley and Zippy at Minado










16. Riley is starting to test the boundaries of "Yes" and "No."
He has gone after electric outlets (while I was saying, "Riley NO!" repetitively), loves to unroll the toilet paper (while I say, "Riley NO!" repetitively), he intentionally throws his sippy cups on the floor from his high chair, etc., etc. Discipline has been administered. The battle has been enjoined. Overall he's a really good boy though, and is very easy on us. We're grateful.

17. He is crazy for technology.
Riley loves cell phones, regular phones, Mama's Blackberry, the computer (especially the mouse), remote controls, the DVD player...anything that is electronic and especially things that light up or make some kind of noise. Most of the above do both. He's even gone after a stranger's Blackberry at the mall. I expect him to be teaching me things about our computer by about age four...

Our computer savvy boy









He loves DVD's, especially the Backyardagains










18. He gives open mouth kisses.
It's really sweet. Again, he's a very affectionate boy.

19. Riley can do a somersault.
He threw down one of these in his bedroom last weekend to my astonishment. We still don't know where he learned how to do this, but here's video:





20. He loves, loves, loves the Little People bus and airplane sets.
Definitely his favorite toys of late. He loves putting the people in and pressing the driver / pilot down to make music play. He also loves it when I pick up the airplane and make it 'fly' while making jet engine noises. Another favorite thing: pulling the side door off of the bus. Sometimes he comes into the dining room just carrying the door.

Riley loves his airplane!










It's hard to believe it's been 20 months. At the same time it seems like he's always been part of our lives. He's brought so much joy to Shelby and I. Out of all the names I've been called, my favorite is Daddy.

We love our 20 month old boy!


Jonathan