PIECE by Mila Spangler

Mila improvises with toy piano and microphone with KP3 processing, collaborating with her daddy. So glad to be back home.

Summer Road Trip 2009

Traveling with an infant is not the easiest thing in the world- such I remembered from Mila's first months when we struggled with the drive from Cape Coral to Gainesville, Florida. This summer, with Drew entering his third month, we were looking for a challenge. Marie had a job-related conference on utilities regulation that would be lasting 2 weeks at Michigan State University. Just prior to that was the Schneider family reunion, of Marie's mother's side, in the area around Mount Pleasant, Michigan. In the days leading up to that, Marie's immediate family (Mom, Dad, brothers Brian and Tommy, with Tommy's family of five) were renting a house in the North Woods, near Mancelona (in the northwestern region of the glove). Following the family reunions and 2-week conference in Michigan, we also had an opportunity to visit our dear friends Paul and Garrett, with their newborn daughter Noura Hart, in Lexington, Kentucky- not chosen for its proximity to our initially-planned driving route. We were also fortunate to visit dear friends at the beginning of our journey- catching international musicians of mystery, Dana and Mike (newly engaged!), just before they left for their next year in Amsterdam.

In the middle of this epic journey was my initiation into all-day caregiving to both of my children while Marie attended her conference. While this was a challenging first immersion into my new role, it was a beautiful one which brought me closer to my kids- a fitting place to have my 33rd birthday. I'm glad that my own parents were able to drive out to Michigan from Iowa to see us in our new life as a family of four. Now comes the next stage as we return home and Marie phases back to a regular work schedule- the end of maternity leave. OK, I'm ready.

Camping in Double Quartet Family Style

Cunningham Falls State Park, MD.
Camping with Ben, Rachel, Silas, and Margaret Dalby. 7/16/09

My Kid Is So Cool

Mila's week in coolness:

Saturday- made friends with a couple of Trinidadian kids at Baltimore's Caribbean Carnival (very small compared with the ones I experienced in Boston, but still great) in Druid Hill Park. No other white kids to be seen along the parade route, but of course Mila didn't care- especially when she was given a Trini flag to wave. Brought back memories of my experiences as the only non-Islander participating in the Jouvert Morning celebrations at Carnival in Boston, when I played with the Jah Jah Drummers. Mila loved the costumes and huge DJ soundsystems on semitrailers going by.

Sunday- Went swimming/wading at Prettyboy Reservoir up near the Penn border. Definitely no other toddlers around. Overheard a swimming college kid say to his girlfriend, "I wish my dad took me places like this when I was little." Very beautiful dip in the woods.

Tuesday- Toddler birthday party for Mila's friend Sage. Book exchange!

Wednesday- Going camping at Catoctin Mountain Park with the Dalby family. Our first time camping as a family of 4! Hope the tent works out alright for all of us.

Friday- Artscape festival for the next 3 days, happening right down the block from our apartment. Exciting weekend, including a Mobtown Modern-organized happening for 111 bicycles, "Eine Brise"!

Drew Smiles!

Late June Family Chill Time

The close proximity of our wedding anniversary, Father's Day, and Marie's birthday, in combination with maternity leave, put us in a mood for outdoor excursions in late June. The obligatory vacation video here brings together Drew's first closeup, as the new star of the Spangler family, with a few shots from recent trips to Rehoboth Beach and Rocks State Park. Music by DJ Dubble8: "Anniversary".

First 4 weeks of a relationship