Days Going By

One of the difficult tensions within the PhD process has been the time I've lost on my thesis. I've never regretted the choice to stay home with Los Chicos, even as I've known it has extended my program. I've watched some friends that I've entered my PhD program finish while I continue working away. But we don't regret the choices we've made. As a good friend of mine once said, "The days are long but the years are short."

Lately, I've really felt that reality from both sides. I have a keen awareness of the brief nature of this season in life, even as my own research necessarily goes longer than I'd necessarily like. And yet, over this past month I've had a number of moments--brief episodes through my days--where I'm reminded of the truly important priorities in my life. First as a father, and then (secondarily) as a scholar.

Duncan has begun the process of dropping his afternoon nap, which means we've come into some fun Daddy and Duncan time together while Ewan sleeps. This past Monday, Duncan took his snack (a bowl of oranges) outside with his Mouse and decided to eat in the sunshine.

 

 To call it precious would be too minor. It was one of those parenting moments where everything seems to align. It was wonderful outside, a rare enough occurrence in Aberdeen, and he was just soaking up the sun and eating his oranges.

Then, quite randomly and totally on his own, Duncan picked up mouse.....

 

And kissed him.

This continued for the next five to ten minutes. Duncan eating his oranges, and randomly kissing Mouse as he did. 

Somewhere around the 3rd or 4th kiss, I quickly got up and grabbed the camera, and (luckily) Duncan didn't seem distracted as I took my pictures.

And so, I just kind of watched and took it in--as a parent you get those moments from time to time. Moments so precious you're terrified to do something to break the spell, and--miraculously--nothing does. And I watched him, knowing I wouldn't have a moment like this for a very long time, perhaps ever again. But here, today, I was able to be with him as he ate his oranges and kissed Mouse in the bright sunshine.

It reminded me of how blessed I am to be home these days, to enjoy being with Duncan and Ewan, sharing their growth and being part of their lives in such an intimate way. Yeah, it's going to take me longer to finish my thesis, and lately I've begun to really feel the pressure to finish. And yet.....and yet....I just can't make myself feel bad about being with my boys as we share life's little moments together. 

Which I thought I'd share with you too. 

 We have lots of fun together in the morning as Ewan takes his nap--but not for much longer! Ewan's going to (probably) drop that nap within the next two or three weeks

This is one of my fave pics. Ewan just woke up from his morning nap and Duncan held him on our couch. Duncan and Ewan are so precious with one another.

It's so fun watching Ewan grow into his own person, with his own sense of humor. As tough as it will be to have Duncan go off to nursery, I am looking forward to some more one-on-one time with Ewan too.

 Duncan is growing up so quickly! He begins nursery (preschool) in January and we're already getting excited for him to be with the "big boys" in school.

Trina recently came back from an airshow that featured the Red Arrows (the RAF's equivalent to the Blue Angels), and she came back with a poster for Duncan. Which, he promptly hung up next to his bed. Here, Duncan is being a "Red Arrow Guy" (note the jacket, helmet, and backpack) and "flying" in the rocking chair.  

Thank you all so much for all of your love and support. We love and miss you!