One Small Step For Bradley

After you've willingly exited an airplane flying at ten thousand feet, much of the rest of your day seems rather boring.

Such was my day, Monday, October 11th, 2010. After my dear friend, Josh Lozoff, took me to skydive as a gift for my impending fortieth birthday, I spent the rest of the afternoon fantasizing about doing it again, and again, and again.  Never before have I experienced the complete zen, whole mind-a-blank wonder that filled me from head to toe as I rocketed out of the Cessna aircraft and sped to earth at 170 feet per second. Once I stopped screaming, I realized how extremely happy I was. That the Earth was clearly getting nearer made my comfort even bigger. I am in the hand of God, a time-rift without decided conclusion. Do i live or die? What bliss to know these feelings at least once before I smash into the Earth.

But the 'chute did work. I did slowly and gracefully float like a little wind-drifted balloon, back to the ground.

Some have called this a rash, selfish act. I am a father and a husband. These are my life's work, and I take them very seriously. My rebuttal is simply this: we take risks daily. Getting in an automobile and joining faceless thousands upon our highways is more of a crap shoot than working with a professional skydiver. Climbing a cliff, relying on my knowledge and ability is much safer than choosing to enter traffic at any given time of day.  In addition, traffic, cars, and faceless drivers seem to detract from the sanctity of my daily life, not give solace, or provide me with an immediate experience with the miraculous. Perhaps I'm not looking close enough. I'm too busy driving.

In the thirty five seconds of free fall, I knew something akin to complete peace and spiritual understanding that has only increased my ability to be a present and loving partner and parent.  That, to me, is not only important, but in my life, absolutely necessary.

Plus, it was cool.

Five Happiness Eagerly Awaits New Arrival

A hummingbird's one hundred and sixty beats per minute, our newest family member's heart rate, as was officially checked at Chapel Hill's Birth Center, earlier this afternoon.

It's true, we're expecting the currently moniker-ed "Zigan the Zygote" sometime at the end of February, (the 28th.) Tallulah thinks it's a boy. Bradley thinks it's a boy. Felicity thinks girl.  I could be the proud father of two little girls. wow.

This is exciting for us, especially me, as I'm an only child. The idea of two babies running around is quite new and the challenge is wonderful!

So, that's all for now, but we'll keep you updated as we know more!

We Remain,

Five Happiness (we're firing a dog to maintain our numbers.)

Closer and Farther Apart

Summer has been hot. Very hot.  Last year at this time we visited Seattle for a wedding. It was a record breaking 100+ week.  No one has air conditioning.

This week, as was the week previous, and promises to be next week, we endure record breaking 100+ degree days.  So, I guess we're used to it. But this heat brings some serious challenges when it comes to entertaining a 20 month old...

Walks outside are impossible.  Stuck inside, we get creative with all four rooms of our four room house.  We visit the dogs in their air-conditioned garage. We go for rides in the truck (with the A/C!) and we rest.

Lu has always been a good sleeper, but now she will take it upon herself to find a spot in the middle of the floor, lay her head down on her blanket (affectionately dubbed, "Nightnight",) and say "rest." Then, five to ten seconds later, she's back up and running.  It is good to see she has gained some useful skills for adulthood this early.

On a more somber note, this week Felicity rushed back to Utah after her father, Boyd, was hospitalized for a serious brain hemorrhage.  He's not out of the woods yet, but things are looking very good for him.  All of us at Five Happiness ask you to keep him in your thoughts throughout his recovery.  Boyd is a strong hearted, athletic seventy-two. He's got plenty of things left to do. Teaching Tallulah to paint is only one of them.

In the interim, Daddy is parenting on his own, for the first time. I've cut my work days in half to spend more attention on my sweetie.  She only inquires after mommy in the mornings, and sometimes after naps. For the most part she is taking this change in stride.  Not much phases her, save low blood sugar, or fatigue.  We have started video chats in the afternoon with Felicity and her Mother, Marie, who jumps at every opportunity to see her darling granddaughter.  Who can blame her?

In hindsight we see clearly the strengthening effect calamity brings. Bonds are tempered and struggles endured for the better.  But while they last it is hard to look beyond obstacles to see the greater picture.  We see only the desperation of the moment. I am working very hard to keep Tallulah's environment as unchanged as possible, but even she knows something is off.  But I can see her mind grow with every new thing she encounters. Somehow, being farther apart from family will bring us closer.

Yours, as always,

Bradley and Tallulah

A Year of Firsts

Tallulah is now just over eighteen months old. Her life is full of new experiences. I find the same true in my life as well. I have never had an eighteen month old girl. It is wonderful.

Yesterday, for example, we ran around the pond in our backyard for what seemed hours. The sky began to bruise, a nice cooling breeze lifted it's head, and my daughter experienced a Summer rain for the first time.

She knows the ASL sign for "rain" and "wet", and immediately used them upon feeling the drops on her skin. When she saw the ripples on the pond surface, she signed "wet." All new for her and for me.

We purchased a small wooden bench/table for her to use in the house. It gets her up to counter height making her able to wash dishes, or, more accurately, splash water all over the floor.  Here are a couple pictures of our little maid and her new platform:

I love the look on her face that seems to offer mild disgust at the work presented her.  The caption might read: "Really? REALLY?"


We also made a trip to the North Carolina beach for Father's Day. Regular readers might recall last year's trip was cut short for me due to a dog emergency. But we made up for it this season.  A family friend owns a huge house on South Holden Island. My Uncle Buddy, his girlfriend Robin, my parents, Tallulah, Felice, and I all had a blast in the warm (really warm) waters of the Atlantic. 

Tallulah made her first ocean swim, without any prompting. She climbed out of her custom swimming pool in the sand, some hundred yards away from the waves, and marched towards the surf.  Fearless. After enjoying herself immensely, she waved her hands in front of her signing, "all done" and headed back to the safety of the shaded pool up the beach.  Quite an adventure.  I have never felt quite so proud.

We are thankful for all we have here at Five Happiness. My design business is starting to pick up. I'm working on a Tuscan style patio, complete with olive trees and a terracotta fountain.  I have a new drum set that closely matches the fantasy kit I've always dreamed of playing.

Felicity has negotiated a great position at work allowing her ample time with Tallulah, and keeping the best parts of her job, eschewing the worst. Nice.   And she's beginning to work with Arbonne, a Swiss-based company specializing in high end skin care and cosmetics.  She's excited. 

I leave you with a couple of images from our lovely hut. Both include cameos from what appears to be a Palestinian terrorist masquerading as our dog. No wonder he's such a pain in the ass.

From our hearts to yours,

Team Pants!!

Spring Has Sprung

Well, it has been a long time indeed. Much has transpired here in North Carolina at Five Happiness. We've missed you.

Tallulah is now almost fifteen months old. She turned one year old December twenty-first, and had her first birthday cake (carrot.) Life is incredible here. Spring is finally knocking down the door Winter boarded shut. The rains have been fierce, drenching the ground Seattle-style. But it's making for a verdant growing season.

Bradley is in school studying Landscape Design. He has been selected to represent his school in a nationwide competition in April. We'll be sure to give you an update once he's swept the awards. His sculpture is gaining noteriety in the Triangle area. He's received a paid commission and working on a custom stone wall. He is researching a design/sculpture business he'll likely start sometime this year.

Felicity is the happiest mother on the planet, because Tallulah is such a lovely, smart li'l thing. (see below)

We count our blessings daily, missing our friends, but keeping you all in our hearts. We endeavor to keep this blog more regularly updated, so stay tuned.

Much Love,

Bradley, Felicity, and Tallulah