Also, a picture.

Portland Headlight
Originally uploaded by shalberg.

This is the Portland Headlight. A while back, Mike posted a winter picture of it taken by one of the doctors he worked with. This one was taken at sunrise while I was there, and here is a picture of me standing at its base. It looks cold, doesn't it? Well, it was colder than it looks. I love the perspective of it. And though we didn't get to see a sunrise that day, I saw a beautiful one from the window of the plane while flying from Green Bay to Chicago. There are also a few more pictures on our flickr page, nothing too exciting, but a good way to use up a few minutes.

Home!

Mike is home!

Claire was very excited all morning long (which amounted to about an hour, since his flight got in so early). She would run around the house shouting "See my daddy now! So happy!". At the airport a woman asked Claire who she was waiting for and Claire said, "Me waiting for Daddy" in a very mature way, and then jumped up and down clapping and laughing, much to the delight of everyone within earshot. Finally, we could see Mike and Claire sprinted across the concourse to get to him. And if that wasn't enough, he had a present for her! And me too! We are such lucky girls.

On the way home we all were so involved with talking and laughing that I missed two exits I was suppose to take. I think Mike is as glad to be home as we are to have him home.

Now Mike is trying to catch up on some sleep while Claire is trying to play hide'n'seek with him. Things seem like they are back to normal already. It sure didn't take long.

Moment of Truth

Mike and I were trying to find the apartment of a friend in Philadelphia at 2am, after driving for 6 hours. After much looking, we got to what we thought was the right area, and let me tell you, this was one bad area to be in, especially while lost at 2am. After much circling and not finding the exact address, we parked in a dingy alley and had this conversation:

Me: What are you doing? Why are you parking?

Mike: Well, I'm going to go look and see if I can find it.

Me: What? You mean you are going to walk around and look for it, like, on foot?

Mike: Yeah.

Me: You are NOT leaving me alone in this car.

Mike: Then come with me.

Me: There is no way I am getting out of this car.

Mike: (angry now) Well what do you want to do then?

Me: Drive around and find it, with the car doors locked. Because if this apartment is within walking distance, we are finding a hotel. In a different neighborhood.

In the end, we realized we were in the wrong area. We found the right place, and let me tell you, ten blocks can make a HUGE difference. What an adventure.

Sesame Street Live

Sesame Street Live
Originally uploaded by shalberg.

We took Claire to see Sesame Street Live today. She really loved it, and even got a new toy. The kids sitting in the row in front of us probably spent as much time watching Claire play with it as they did watching the show. And after Claire went down for her nap, I got to play with it a bit myself.

the green hat

the green hat
Originally uploaded by shalberg.

I was very happy to find this hat today. I wore it all the time when I was about Claire's age.

If the picture of me cleaning out my toes looks familiar, maybe its because of this. I've heard there are toe-cleaners and non-toe-cleaners in this world. I think it might be a genetic thing.

Maine Lighthouse - Postcard Quality

The Portland Head Light is a light house in South Portland that was commissioned by George Washington, featured on the 18 cent stamp, and is flat out beautiful. The ocean waves crash onto the rocky shore and barges are often seen in the distance. This will definitely be a featured stop when Sheela comes to town in less than one week! Here are some pictures from Dr. Bowe who is an attending ED doctor and Wisconsin alumni. He is the lighthouse for students rotating through the Emergency Department who would have a hard time finding there way around here without him (I know, the symbolism is deep).

More Oz.

We have watched this move at least once a day since Claire first saw it on TV, thanks to Grandma picking up the DVD. And Claire loves to wear her 'princess clothes' when she watches. Here is a Wizard of Oz collage.

First Snow

'Oh wow, look at that!'
Originally uploaded by shalberg.

Claire and I were both surprised to look out the window and find snow this morning. We had to go out and play in it right away.

snow!
Originally uploaded by shalberg.

She's here.

helmets
Originally uploaded by shalberg.

Evidence there is a 2-year old in the house.

No see me.

A few days ago, Claire was smashing her cereal into the counter and making a big mess. She does this a lot, and I am always telling her to not play with her food. This time, she didn't know I was watching her, and when she realized I was, she put her hand up in my face, continued to smash cereal, and said "No see me, mama."

hopscotch

hopscotch
Originally uploaded by shalberg.

Sunset in Maine

Here are some of my recent pictures of the ocean/bay. I also went to a concert in Kennebunkport (Barbara Bush did not attend). The artist was Jon Nolan. He is featured on the "Greetings from area code 207" Cd which has 22 local artists. There is "wicked" local talent around here.

Ruby Slippers

ruby slippers
Originally uploaded by shalberg.

Claire saw The Wizard of Oz for the first time last night. I was very surprised she wasn't scared. She would only say"Run faster guys!" or "Uh-oh, witch coming" during the parts I thought would have been scary for her. My mom loves The Wizard of Oz. And I think she loves the fact that Claire enjoyed the movie so much even more. Needless to say, Claire now has a pair of her own ruby slippers, which she hasn't taken off since finding them.

what a look

what a look
Originally uploaded by shalberg.

Rotten Trees

Well, we sure haven't been up to much lately. Not a whole lot to write about at all. So I think I am going to get to sleep. Claire is feeling pretty yucky with a cold, and I can hear her moving around on the baby monitor. I fear an early morning.

But first, we are suppose to be having some wicked (Mike said that all the cool kids in Maine use the word 'wicked') winds tonight and tomorrow. I thought this wind advisory was funny...

"IN ADDITION...SOME WEAKER TREE BRANCHES WILL BE KNOCKED TO THE GROUND...AND IT IS EVEN POSSIBLE THAT AN OLD ROTTEN TREE WILL BE PUSHED OVER."

The Island

I went for a run today at an island just north of Portland. I didn't take my camera on the run, but I did get some pics on the way. It was perfectly timed so that I looked into the beautiful sunset for half of the run and then as I got back to my car it was dark and two barges were coming in with their lights on. Sheela loves barges, I can't wait to show her around these great sites!

Girls like guys with skilz

This afternoon the sun turned to cold rain, but I got some pics before it got bad. I did learn a new skill - rolling laudry so it won't wrinkle when I travel. Next I am going to learn to juggle while on a unicycle.

Also, here is a picture from Pete. Crazy story: Pete is an MCW student who is here in Maine doing a Cardiology rotation. We talked to each other just days before leaving on our trips not realizing that we were both destined for the same location! Here he is sweetly helping his wife with a Physics/Statistics class. Wow! Talk about a true test of marriage!

More Maine Pics

I took a run tonight. Planned on 3 miles and ended up with a 5 mile run. Just beautiful. I will have to retrace my path with a camera ("the cove").

The Maine Event

Here are some great pictures from Maine. I will definitely post more.

through the bars

through the bars
Originally uploaded by shalberg.

Claire looks like her mother?

Claire looks like her mother.
Originally uploaded by shalberg.

People are always telling me that Claire looks so much like me.

I just don't see it.

One more post tonight...

claire
Originally uploaded by shalberg.

A picture of Claire.

Any iPod owners?

Put this on your Christmas wish list.

Its too bad they don't make one for Mike's Creative mp3 player, then he could wish he had one too!

Cable TV

Okay, am I the only one who watches the Home Shopping Channels for fun? Not that I get to often, we don't have cable at home, but I love to listen to people talk! up! a product! like its the best thing ever!! -- the uglier or more useless the product, the more I enjoy it. For example, right now, one channel is featuring 'Fairy Dolls'. The artist is on camera with a spokesman talking about how wonderful these Fairy Dolls (which remind me very much of porcelain dolls with wings) are and why everyone should have at least few of them.

Man: "And the skirt...its just magnificent. It is so full."

Woman: "Yes, it is actually four layers"

Man: "Four layers! My goodness. What quality. You know, I haven't mentioned this yet, but my favorite thing about this beautiful doll is right here. This silky satin ribbon attached right to the doll. Imagine hanging this doll from a chandelier. From the ceiling in a little girl's room, or any room for that matter. From a doorknob. Or, imagine this, hanging in a sunroom. How beautiful would that be?"

Woman: "Yes, this would really be the focal point anywhere in the house." (she's got that right)

Man: "Not to change the subject, but when I hold this doll...it... it takes me back to my childhood. Once in a while you come across something that can bring you right back to your childhood. That is what this Fairy Doll will do, and there is nothing wrong with that!"

Then they both laugh knowingly.

I love this stuff. Its great. Why would anyone watch anything else when you can watch the home shopping channel and see what you can't live without?