May 5, 2011 - Streaking with Five Guys

The Old School, "We're Going Streaking" quotes officially end tonight...it was a nice streak while it lasted.  On to today's title...

In case it's not intuitive, streaking with Five Guys through the night with your dog tagging along is a terrible idea.  I guess that requires further explanation.  My usual run time is right around 7pm as Susan puts Noah to sleep and before we eat dinner. I had a setback in tonight's schedule though, as Baxter the Dog was out of food and we had nothing in the house to eat ourselves.  So, rather than going for a run at the usual time, I went out to get Baxter and us something to eat.  On the drive to Petco, it became apparent that there wasn't much gas in the tank - so I pulled in to fill up and the Five Guys Burgers across the street seemed like a good idea...at the time.  Five Guys is delicious in moderation, but terrible right before you go for a run.  Proud to report that Baxter and I plowed through the run again tonight, though we didn't break any land-speed records and I'm still waiting for the cramp in my side to loosen up.  I'm in pain, but I'm feeling good.  As soon as I walked into the house, Susan took the leash from my hands and took Baxter for a walk.  Both streaks remain healthily in tact. 

A very exciting report from Noah tonight.  I came home, kissed Noah and Susan hello and then ran upstairs to change out of my suit and into my "play" clothes (we always used to call them my Dad's play clothes when he did the same routine, I'll try to carry on that tradition).  When I came down, Susan had Noah in his high chair and ready to eat dinner (peas mixed with rice tonight - sounds yummy).  Sitting there in his chair, he voluntarily raised his right fist (the weak side) and put it in his mouth!  Susan and I were so excited and started clapping and cheering "Yeah Noah!"....well, he loves it when you do this.  So, he was getting more excited and I decided to threw my arms up in the air, doing a modified "wave" while still cheering "Yeah Noah!".  He has been starting to imitate us more and more these days, and wouldn't you know it, he put both arms up above his head.  Well, his right arm was about even with his head, but close enough.  While this doesn't sound like much, to us it was monumental...I had to hold back a few tears as I kept throwing my arms up and he kept imitating!  After a minute or so, I had to scoop him up and hold him close...he truly is an amazing little boy. 

These days the world turns a little slower for me, the days are a little longer, I notice things that I haven't in the past and the little things are now the big things.  Things with Noah are going to be hard for all of us, but I feel myself changing - and I like to think it's for the better.  I mean, 7 months ago, I would have never dreamed of going streaking at night with Baxter the Dog and Five Guys...