A New One, and One from the Vault

Things are winding down here stateside as Reid and I prepare to reunite the family in Egypt, with K coming from her undisclosed Asian location to join us in the wilds of old Cairo.

Reid and I hit the Trader Joes for some plane food (better than regular raisins? Oraganic raisins!) and then went over to Target to gather a few last minute supplies. I also picked up some cute books for the little boy.

Last time we went on the plane, we used one of the suitcases that technically qualifies as a carryon, but is obnoxious when other people carry it on, because it's so big. Yeah, that was us. We're going to be doing that again, I fear, if only to store all the things this father will need to entertain Reid on the epic length flight (10 hours nonstop).

Under all discernible international rules of engagement, Reid should sleep much of the trip. We leave in the evening and it will be 5 in the morning "in his head" when we get to Cairo. It seems clear that I'm in a fantasy world if I think he'll sleep, but hey, a dad can dream, right?

Anyhow, at night after Reid goes to bed, I creep around the house like a cat burglar, packing our belongings because packing while he's awake is really just a non-effective activity. "Reid, put this in the suitcase. Reid. Put this in the suitcase. Reid, put down daddy's tie. Reid, don't put that shoe in your mouth, though I guess it's okay because it's never been on your foot. Reid. Put this in the suitcase. Don't throw it. Don't. Reid." Et cetera.

So I stealth pack, which keeps the boy from inhibiting my work too much and keeps the dog from freaking out, certain that what she sees as Reid's long campaign to undermine her position in the family is finally coming to pass, but out of guilt, we're going to let her keep the house. So funny.

Here's a photo from the vault. This one is Reid, crossing the Thames river in a stroller, attempting to snatch the camera out of my hand. It was taken on Reid's first birthday or thereabouts, July 2004 in London. See how much the shape of his face has changed? He was just learning to walk then and was I think a little stockier than he is now, frankly, though about four inches shorter. So many changes in such a short time. (The London pic is full size, but that new one up top can be clicked bigger. It isn't a great shot, but our time at home was shortened by the aforementioned trips to Trader Joes and Target. Sorry.)