Ahhhh, Reflection

Each night, I get the pleasure of helping Amelia go to bed. This normally includes about a twenty minute fist fight followed by about a 30 minute back scratching fest. Tonight, Amelia took abnormally long to fall asleep. As I leaned next to her in bed, developing repeat stress syndrome from scratching for so long, I began to get more and more frustrated with her. I get a very limited amount of time and it was bothering me that I was stuck in her bed. Then, I had one of those moments where you realize how lucky you are to be exactly where you are at that moment. It occurred to me how soon it will be that Amelia doesn't want me to tuck her in and how badly I'll miss scratching her little back. So, instead of stewing, I decided to snuggle. I slid over next to Amelia and wrapped her in my arms. I marveled at how tiny my "big" girl still is.  Just as I was starting to fall asleep myself, Amelia reached back and patted me softly on my arm. I'm not sure you could measure how content I felt in that moment....and then Amelia ripped a 5 second fart on my leg and said "tooooooot". Awesome.

Low Maintenance

To say Amelia had a laid back Sunday would be an understatement...she didn't leave the house one time. She didn't put her shoes on at all.  In fact, she walked around in nothing but her Dora panties for 90% of the day....Now, that's how you relax.

Open

Everett is one of those people who is very open with his feelings. If he is tired, you'll know it. If he is hungry, you'll know it. If he doesn't care for you, you'll know it....and apparently, if he loves you, you'll know it....

A big, fat, slobbery kiss for Dad

Going Going Gone

We've been working very hard with Everett on all the mid level baby things - rolling over, sitting up, eating solids, etc. Each time he masters a skill for us it is slightly bittersweet. On one hand, you are so proud of his development. On the other hand, you realize your little baby will soon be a big baby and shortly after that, a toddler. It was hard to believe how fast it went by with Amelia and I still find myself blown away when I catch glimpses of how big she has become. However, it is different this time. With her, we always knew I wanted more kids. With Everett, this may be our last ride. So, each time he sits up or rolls across the room, not only are we saying hello to a new phase of life, but we may be permanently saying goodbye to an old one.  I guess that means we need to enjoy it all the more fully.

Flattering

Amelia said she was going to draw a "Randall"....and then drew this....I'm flattered by the likeness.

Fortune

Considering my post from this morning, I thought it was fairly well timed to get this fortune cookie tonight with dinner...

Ouch

"I have not failed. I just found 10,000 ways that did not work." - Thomas Edison

"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts" - Winston Churchill

"I can accept failure. Everyone fails at something.  But I can't accept not trying." - Michael Jordan

"Well, that sucks" - Me

July 31, 2012
Dear Randall,
Over the past four months, we have posted dozens and dozens of excerpts from reader comments regarding the highest scoring scripts in the competition on the Nicholl Facebook page. If you have seen the excerpts you have a feeling for the quality of the scripts entered in this year’s Nicholl Fellowships competition. With scores now tallied for all 7,197 entries, we have to inform too many writers of scripts featuring intriguing stories, engaging characters and exceptional craft that they have not advanced into the next round. Regrettably, your submission was not one of the 368 entries selected as a Quarterfinalist in the 2012 Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting.