Love Never Sleeps

6:00 AM.

The house is dark and quiet. The sun hasn't risen yet, and I've turned out all the lights after getting ready for work. The Queen is sound asleep in bed, and the cat has disappeared to wherever he goes to be alone.

I gather my things and head for the front door carrying my boots so that I don't make too much noise and inadvertently disturb my girls. I take a moment to put my boots by the door and detour into M&M's room to check on her. She is hot natured like me, and tends to migrate around the bed in an effort to escape blankets and other things that make her too warm.

With the light from my phone, I find a curly haired head rising to a sitting position in the bed followed by a drowsy "Daddy?". A small hand reaches to rub an eye as I kneel down next to her bed. Recognition seeps through the sleepy fog, and little legs unfold to carry her over to me with arms outstretched.

Slender arms with warm, smooth skin encircle my neck and left shoulder as she clings to me in a tight embrace. I hear a little voice whisper a contented "Daddy" next to my ear as a fuzzy head burrows into my shoulder and neck.

We stay there for a moment. Each of us enjoying the hugs we had stored up this week while I was away from home on business.

Then, a quiet request: "Up?"

My long arms adjust slightly to better hold her weight with her still clinging to me like she was never going to let go. Neither of us want to break the spell.

After a time though, I must go. I gently lay her back into bed whispering "Go night night. I love you, and I will see you at lunch." A kiss on the cheek, and I have to head to the door. Last I saw, she was snuggled back into the blanket with her dolls with her precious eyes closing.

Caution: Wet Floor

I thought I would take a moment to share a little slice of life moment from the weekend involving M&M. The Queen, M&M and I went out for breakfast at one of our favorite places that just happens to serve gluten free pancakes among other suitable breakfast items including killer omelletes. 

After gorging ourselves silly and waiting for the check, M&M took the opportunity to get out of her booster chair, toddle over to me across the booth bench seat at which time she proceeded to throw her arms around my neck and proclaim "You're my daddy." as clear as could be. 

Watch your step. The floor is wet from my heart just melting. For those keeping track of such things, she will be two in a couple fo weeks. 

Some People Have All The Luck

I had to attend a business meeting in St. Louis earlier this week. As part of the meeting, which was the final one before retirement for one of my business associates, there as a gift given by another business associate to the soon to be retiree in recognition of their long standing business relationship and friendship. 

This was the gift:

The pictures do not do it justice. It's an absolutely gorgeous gun; and I am, frankly, jealous. The recipient's only comment was "WOW. Just WOW." 

Lucky dog. Pardon me while I go take care of a drool problem. 

The Cutest Little Girl In The World (TM) Update

Well, I think it's time for me to retire the title of Cutest Baby in the World (TM) for M&M. As you will see in the photos to follow, she's getting so big, she's started potty training, she moved up to her big girl bed and so much more that she's just not a baby anymore (though she will always be my baby and little girl).

I do have to share one quick story with you. The Queen and M&M have made my days the last couple of days by trekking up to the dreary north away from Castle Erickson to where Daddy Hawk plies his trade for lunch with your humble scribe and other assorted activities. As we were sitting down for lunch today, I started to ask the blessing on the meal when  M&M lifted her bowed head up and gently reached for first my hand and then The Queen's hand before bowing her head back down. It was SOOO stinking cute. As far as we know, that is the first time she has done that. The Queen had taught her to bow her head during prayers, and we have both reached out for her hands during meal blessings. However, this was the first time she had done that on her own. It made me want to cry.

Love that little girl....

This was my ride in Houston last week when I was down there for a day trip to monitor jury selection in a trial. It's borderline cruel and unusual punishment to be given a convertible to drive on a warm, sunny day when you only have time to drive from the airport to the courthouse and back. To sum up my thoughts on the Camaro succinctly: it handles decently for its size, the V6 is adequate but not impressive, it's okay on creature comfort, and it's nearly impossible for someone my size to easily get in and out of that thing especially in a crowded downtown parking garage.

Candance should recognize M&M's accessories. For the last several weeks, M&M has shown no interest in them whatsoever. Then, out of the blue, she just HAD to take both of them on a walk to the park. Go figure.

I love the look on her face in this picture. The bear didn't stand a chance.

M&M napping in her big girl bed. The grey blob on the right side is Spanky McCloud curled up at the foot of the bed. Spanky has been on a mouse hunting tear since the great Mouse Hunt post. He has caught, killed and eaten/partially eaten three that we know of. He caught another last night that we managed to rescue (only for the mere fact that we did not want to be cleaning up mouse innards in the living room....AGAIN).
 

An early morning sunrise pic from the air southbound to Houston. In the past two weeks, I've been there three times. I'll be there three days next week unless the case involving the trial I am monitoring settles over the weekend. Did I mention that I am not fond of Houston even though I know it almost as well as my hometown? At least my Gold status with American Airlines is protected for another year.

A close up of M&M in her big girl bed. She was so ecstatic to be getting her big girl bed, she kept climbing in while were trying to put the sheets on it.

The Queen and M&M sharing a moment at the Fort Worth Botanical Gardens.

M&M snuggling with her favorite travel buddies. That girl has more stuffed animals than any child I know, and she loves them all.

You never know what you will find on the shelves at Home Depot. Good luck getting a price check though. She passed out in The Queen's arms while were there getting some things and hadn't bothered to bring a stroller with us. An HD associate had the idea of getting a cart and putting a bath mat in it as a makeshift portable crib. Worked like a charm.

Never Pass Up A Good Nap

Crazy Idea

One the way home from work this evening, I had one of those crazy ideas for a prank that might have been done already but which I've never seen myself. I think it would be fun to set up a desk and chairs in a high rise elevator. When the doors open for people to get on, you ask them odd things like "are you here for the porn auditions?" or "can I talk to you about Jesus?". Another tack would be to tell them they are late for their proctology exam. 

Perhaps I've been a bit too stressed lately. What do you think?

New Stuff in the Toy Box

There's a new gun review in Daddy Hawk's Toy Box if you are so inclined.