April 17, 2010

Animal Rescue

Last night we found a baby squirrel laying at the base of a tall pine tree in our front yard.  We had just gotten home from having the kids’ pictures taken when Dawson spotted the little thing on the grass.

“Mom!  I see a rat!  On the ground!  I think he’s dead!”

I immediately turned on my Mom Voice.

“DON’T touch it.  It might be full of germs.  Or rabies!”

When I got a closer look, this is what I saw:

Ugly, but cute at the same time.

“Dawson, that is not a rat.  That is a little baby squirrel.  He must have fallen out of the tree.”

It was very windy yesterday and I assumed one strong gust tossed the little thing to the ground.

“Oh, Mom, he’s dead!” Dawson began to cry.

My heart melted as I witnessed my son’s innocence and compassion toward this helpless little animal.

Then the wind blew and we saw the squirrel’s legs move.  His tail twitched.  His body curled slightly.

“HE’S ALIVE!” Dawson shouted.  His sadness was replaced with happiness, then he became distraught.  ”Mommy!  We have to save it!  We have to bring him in the house and warm him up and feed him and help him!”

I didn’t know what to do, but I was not about to nurse a squirrel back to health.  I mean, it’s a rodent.  Rodentia and I do NOT get along.  I’m terrified of the creepy, scurrying little things.  (When I was very young I found a dead mouse in the garage and it scared me silly.  Still have this phobia about it, all these years later.)

I tried to explain to Dawson why we could not bring the animal in the house.

“Call Daddy!  Daddy will save him!”

Doug was at a friend’s Trivia party and I called his cell phone and told him the news.  He assured me he’d be home soon to help me with this situation.

When Doug arrived he got on the computer and Googled “baby squirrel fell out of tree” and found a wildlife site that gave detailed directions on how to help the squirrel.  Next, he found a cardboard box, lined it with an old towel and tucked a heated water bottle underneath.  Using gloves and a paper towel he picked up the little squirrel and tucked him inside the box.  It was like a baby squirrel crib.  My husband was my hero.  I knew I couldn’t have done what he did. Little Dawson was so happy that his father rescued the squirrel.

The website said that the mama squirrel would most likely retrieve her baby as long as he hadn’t been severely injured.  Since we weren’t sure of his condition we didn’t know what to expect.  Doug told Dawson that all we could do was hope the squirrel would survive the cold night and that his mother would get him in the morning.

Dawson awoke at 7:45 and was eager to check on his little friend.  We went outside and looked in the box but didn’t see the baby squirrel.  I told Dawson that his mother probably retrieved him.

Ater the Doodlebug went back in the house, I moved the towel a little and saw that the baby squirrel was still tucked inside, but he had died.  I touched his leg with a twig.  No movement.  No breathing.  I cried. I knew I couldn’t tell Dawson the truth.  It would break his heart.

I feel very sad.  I don’t like that I’ve lied to a 5-year-old.  I know he’s old enough to understand the truth, but I do not want to upset him.  On the other hand, lessons on life and death could be learned.  But is Dawson ready for that?  I don’t know.

What would you do?

April 4, 2010

Easter Reflections

I cannot believe that it is April already. I feel as though Easter has crept up on me. When I was young the season of Lent seemed so long. Now I realize that time is moving quickly; too quickly for me to grasp.

My babies are growing up! Dawson will be six years old in five months. Owen is six months old in two weeks. Each day is so special to me. I savor every moment I can with my boys.

We spend our mornings cuddling in “the big bed” and we often read stories while lounging there in the middle of the day. Dawson is learning how to recognize words in books. Yesterday he read the word “fox” without any prompting and spelled it out. I am so proud of him.

Owen is developing his personality each day. He smiles often, and he has learned how to use his hands; he now grabs for anything in sight. He is also eating solids twice daily now. He’s one hungry baby, too! Rice cereal is his breakfast favorite, and then later in the day we alternate between vegetables and fruits. His favorite is an apple-banana-pear concoction that Gerber makes.

We spent Easter at my parents’ house. Dawson was so excited to participate in an egg hunt that Grandma and Grandpa the Easter Bunny had set up just for him.  He loved hunting for eggs all around the lawn and in the woods by Papa’s house.  My mother was having a lot of fun just watching Dawson’s excitement.  I loved taking photos of the adventure.

My favorite part was when Dawson was running around, searching for the multi-colored eggs.  He went to the front yard near the ditch and yelled, “Look!  I think I see a blue one!”  When he realized it was not an egg after all he said, “Aww, man!  It’s just a beer can!”  The whole family burst into laughter.  It was the funnies thing I’ve heard in awhile.  I get such a kick out of the things that Dawson says.

Owen was the center of attention when he wasn’t sharing the limelight with his big brother.  Uncle Nathan and Aunt Becky took turns holding the little man.  He was so cute when wearing his bunny ears, too.

The best part of Easter (aside from the delicious food) was celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ with family.  I have come to appreciate these moments more and more as time goes by.

Last Monday I celebrated the Passover Seder with friends and had a wonderful time reading from the Mishnah (and the children asking the four questions), drinking the four cups of wine (mine was pure grape juice since I’m still nursing), and eating matza.  I especially loved the Charoset.  I don’t remember ever eating anything similar.  The Charoset was made of chopped apples, nuts and cinnamon (from what I tasted, that is, I don’t know the official recipe).

Another interesting part of the meal was bitter herbs or Maror (horse radish) and greens (we had green onions, parsley and celery) dipped in salt water and then eaten.  The horse radish was rather strong, I could feel it in my nostrils, but delicious just the same.

While I was raised Catholic, and still practice the religion today, I truly appreciated the Jewish customs.  I realized that aside from the differences in customs, there are many connections between the two faiths.  I was grateful to be able to connect to the heritage in this ritual.

Now a week later, celebrating Easter with my family truly completed the circle.  After dinner at my parents’ we watched a documentary on the History Channel about Jesus and the suffering he endured by being crucified.  It’s difficult for me to put it into words, but I truly felt His presence these last few weeks.  I have come to understand so much, and still yearn for more knowledge on Catholicism as well as Judaism.  I’m eager to learn more.

(I still can’t believe it’s April! Where has the time gone?)

Happy Easter to you all!

March 24, 2010

Sunshine Days

I spent three days cleaning my house. It’s so great to have things in order. It only took five months. I’ve been attached to Owen (or he’s been attached to me) since he was born and some of my other responsibilities have been ignored. I think Spring fever has hit us hard. Even Dawson cleaned his room without being asked. That just made my day.

Speaking of Spring, temperatures a slowly creeping into the 60s and by next Wednesday we should have a beautiful 65 degree day. The best part is that Spring break starts Monday and I’m eager to get the kids outside to enjoy some sunshine.

While the weather was somewhat warm these last few days, I took the kids and Murphy on some walks to the park. Murphy was so happy to be on his leash and investigating the smells along the bike path behind our house. He must have peed on every tree from our back yard to the playground at Little Plover River Park.

While I was getting over a cold, Doug took Owen outside and they sat on the deck and watched Murphy chase squirrels and birds. Owen loves the sun. I noticed he was less fussy and went to bed half and hour earlier than usual. More sleep for Owen means more sleep for me. It’s a win-win.

I’ve also made an effort to spend more time with Dawson. Since Owen depends on me for everything, I’ve had to sacrifice my time with D. He’s been acting up to get my attention by running around the house and teasing the dog. I try to read more books to him at bedtime and to take him on “special errands” (to the post office or grocery store) with me. He likes the time, too, because he can talk to me about school and other things and I have a better time paying attention when Owen isn’t fussing or demanding my time.

We are so ready for school to be over so that we can spend our mornings at the park and hae picnics in the back yard. And of course, I’m looking forward to grilling season. I’m eager to have a grilled steak. It’s been a long winter.

What are you looking forward to these days?

February 28, 2010

Settling for Silver

We are depressed here in my hometown of Plover, Wisconsin.  Team USA’s hockey team lost the gold medal to Canada.  It sucks.  Big time.  Here in Plover it was more than just watching a hockey game.  Joe Pavelski, Plover native and former SPASH (my alma mater) hockey team member, was on the US team.

Joe is a San Jose Shark who was chosen earlier this year to play in Vancouver for the 2010 USA Hockey Olympic team.  Our city was immersed in hockey, hockey, hockey for the last few weeks.  You can imagine the sadness we are feeling right now.  The boys played well and a silver medal is still pretty darned awesome.

It’s pretty solemn over here.  Team USA, you did well…