Airplanes and Air Fresheners.

Apollo's Chariot

   Arguably one of mans greatest achievements is the ability to fly.  There is something sacred about harnessing the power and energy of gravity, wind, speed and atmosphere, to leave the solid ground that we stand on and take flight. As kids, my siblings and I were fortunate enough to have a dad that was a private pilot, and that owned his own airplanes. We grew up around airplanes, and even had the body of an old Cessna in our yard to play in as kids. My favorite time period in life, thus far, were the four years I spent skydiving. There is nothing that compares to the feeling of jumping out of an airplane with your closest friends, using your body to control your rate of decent, position, and attitude, in a choreographed ballet of sorts, in a sixty second free fall of 130 to 180 mph, only to break off and deploy your parachute, rapidly coming to a peaceful near stop, amongst the scattered white puffy clouds. The loud rush of wind in free fall is contrasted sharply by the serenity of a soft breeze and occasional flapping of nylon parachute fabric, while suspended under a canopy two thousand feet above the ground. For me, this was paradise...life at its absolute best. I have touched an unparalleled beauty that cannot be expressed in words nor pictures, but must be experienced to fully understand how full of life you feel, flying amongst the clouds, feeling the suns warmth and glory, while breathing in the smell of ozone and fresh air.

Apollo in a helicopter

 Apollo loves all things flying and moving. I cant say for sure whether he inherited the love of flight from me, but I love that we have this in common. I took Apollo to his third air show this past weekend. We live two and a half miles from Santa Rosa airport. I loaded up Apollo into his chariot, hooked it to my bike, and the two of us headed off to the air show. The only thing lacking was a bull whip for Apollo, to lash at my backside while he was yelling, "Faster dada! I want to go faster!" Let me just clarify that I was going plenty fast enough, however, Apollo felt that I should be able to keep up with the passing cars. Yes, I am still superman in his eyes.

  In the three and a half weeks since Orion has been home, I have become Apollo's favorite. Hooray for me! I think Mel and I were tied for the most part, but depending on the day, it would be one or the other. We have been very careful to make sure Apollo has received the same amount of attention, and made to feel just as special and important as the newborn, but there is no hiding the fact that Orion needs constant attention from his mom. Its not easy being the only one in the spot light for over three years, and suddenly you have to share it. The first thing out of Apollo's mouth in the morning, has been "Where's dada?". When I come home on my lunch hour, Apollo starts telling me, "You have to stay home dada. Don't go to work." This pleading is topped with some water works. It has carried over now to bed time; "You have to stay here now, dada. Don't go to work tomorrow". This definitely pulls at my heartstrings.  I am enjoying my new status as 'favorite', however, Melanie is annoyed by the whole thing and has vowed to buy back Apollo's affections with toys and treats. As if he is not spoiled enough. 

  Thanks to Dora (the Explorer), along with some reinforcement from Melanie, Apollo can count to five in spanish and is working his way up to 10. He knows no less than five colors in spanish along with 20 to 30 words and phrases. Thanks to his Yiayia, he knows 20 to 30 phrases in greek as well.

  My favorite Apollo-isms for the month are; "Anaconda squeeeeeze" as he gives you a random hug, and squeezes you tight, and "Let's pet baby brother!" Apparently Orion is on the same level to Apollo as his dog Remi.

Orion being entertained by Apollo

    Orion is on the 'Eat, sleep, and poop' plan, and often does all three at the same time! I think he goes through the same amount of diapers in a week that Apollo used in a month at this age. He will often go through three diapers in 10 to 30 minutes, a few times a day, not to mention his hourly diapers. I am nothing short of appalled by this. Knowing that I am putting my life in jeopardy by saying this, I am certain that Orion inherited this from his mom. It reminds me of the early days in my relationship with Melanie, when I would take her, with Ian and Aden on a road trip.

You cant make me smile!

 No sooner would I pull out of the rest stop, and merge back onto the interstate, than one of the three of them would have to use to the restroom again. I wouldn't even have a chance to turn off my turn indicator. That is how I feel now; no sooner will I start to put the first strap on the new diaper, than Orion starts to work on filling it up.  I will be looking for a night job just to pay for all the diapers, baby wipes, and air fresheners.

  Besides the plethora of diapers used by this little guy, I have to say that he is pretty easy compared to how Apollo was. Orion has been redeeming himself by trying on his smile the last few days. He mostly smiles at his mom, but I have managed to catch a few from him under my watch. 

  Orion was born four weeks ago this night. It feels like he has always been here now, yet, at the same time the excitement of having a newborn in the house has not worn off.

  With the exception of Apollo (and possibly one of our parrots), I think we are all adjusting just fine to having an infant in the house again. 

  As for me; I am basking in the glory of my new found status of 'Favorite Parent', and will seize upon every opportunity to gloat about it in front of Melanie.