5 years gone.

Frederic Foy Odom

December 14, 1966 - May 29, 2004

Beloved brother and friend, you are missed.

When you're cool, the sun shines all the time. . .

Grandparents

Fuffy (Doss' Paternal Great Grandmother)

Papa Kenny (Doss' Paternal Great Grandfather)

Great Grandpa Magill

Gigi (Magill)

PaPa (Magill)

Poppa (Odom)

Dinks (Odom)

Doss is lucky is so many ways.  One way that becomes more and more important as we watch him grow, and as Ben and I remember how we were raised--are his amazing grandparents.

Ben and I both grew up in small towns, where our families are still, to this day, active members of the communities.  Ben's family has owned the newspaper in Weatherford OK for years now (first his grandfather, and now his uncle).  And his father started what is a thriving insurance and real estate firm, and has influenced economic development in the town.  His other grandfather owned a pharmacy in town, and great grandparents owned one of the most prominent motels on old Route 66--where Elvis once stayed!

My mom was a school teacher for over 30 years, one teacher in a long line of teachers in our family.  My grandmother was also a public school teacher, and then ran a pre-school in town until she was 80.  When I graduated high school, it was the 110th year that someone in my family had been either a student, teacher, or administrator in the Baird ISD.  My great-grandfather was County Commissioner, my uncle owned a grocery store in town, and is now the County Judge-- and now my parents both work in the Court House.  My Dad is the Justice of the Peace, and my Mom works in the County Clerks office (though she needs to be utilizing her creativity more than in that office!).

The point is, we grew up in towns where we had roots.  We were shaped not only by our immediate families, but by our extended families and by families who were a part of lives from birth.  As Doss grows, we begin to realize how lucky we were.  We miss it.  And although we know that being where we are is a good thing, certainly for the time being, and that all of us are exposed to wonderful things here in Dallas. . . the energy of a big city, the diversity, the exposure to all kinds of architecture, art and humanity.  We are taking it in.  Trying to love it and live it. . . but we certainly have a great love and respect for the way we were raised and honestly, wonder if some return. . . even slightly, to a different pace,  and somewhat simpler way of life, around family would be nice. .. we'll see.  

What is clear is that Doss is loved.  And his grandparents, among other wonderful family, will have a huge and positive influence on his upbringing.  Whether near or far--what a lucky boy.  Above are photos of Doss with all his grandparents, plus his nearest great-grandparent's.  His Great Grandmother (my Dad's Mother) lives in South Dakota, so we have yet to see them together, but maybe soon.  His Mimi Pris (Ben's paternal grandmother) and my Baba and Grandaddy (my maternal grandparents) and Tom Odom (my paternal grandfather) are all, no doubt, looking down on him. . . quite proud I'm sure.

Bed time, blue pj's and Ben and Doss

how do you know?

I had Doss at the work daycare one day last week.  Coco was gone and I could not miss work because we were shooting our Fall lookbook and Friday was my Men's shoot.   Anyway, luckily the daycare has a great back-up care option for JCP home office associates, so I was able to take Doss with me and drop him off there.  

It was a little hard on him that morning, or so I heard.  I figured he would be a bit out of sorts, with a brand new environment and new people and all.  The ladies were so nice and kept telling me that he was doing good when I would call to check in.  Finally, though, I went down to see him and they confessed that he had had a rough morning and was crying quite alot.  I don't blame him, it is hard to get thrust into a new environment on a random day without a bit of an adjustment period.   I could tell as at 1:30PM when I went down, his little eyes were still red.  But he had calmed down and was playing good on the floor.  And when I took him back that afternoon, he went right to the ladies and was happy as could be when I picked him up at the end of the day.

I think it is was fun to have him so close during the day, although, it is probably good he is not there everyday, because I would want to go visit him ALL the time.  When I did go down to visit last Friday, I took him over to the photo studio to meet all my friends and colleagues.  Below are the images we took together on the set.  Heather, the fabulous photog, just shot some off the cuff pics and these are just a few.   He was still in a pretty intense mood and you can totally see it here.  I love how serious he looks. . . 

off to a rough start as usual!

seriously.  love his intense face here.

what a good boy!  it was so fun!

Speaking of fun--I'm still wondering--how do you know when to take the risks to do what you want to do. . . WHEN?  HOW?  I'm so confused about this still, especially now that Doss is here.  When is it right?  How much risk should we take?  Ben is a bit confused too, although he has started to take steps towards his dream.  Not his musical dream, although his music review and upcoming music review podcast help him to keep that an integral part of his professional and creative life.  And for his "realistic" dream (meaning something he truly thinks he wants to do that will result in a job that will support us and will fulfill him) he is working towards that too.  So it is nice that he has started on this path.  But, with the beginning of yet another season, spring happy spring, I again realize I still feel a bit isolated from the world outside.

I realize I'm a very lucky person.  We have a great life.  We have a fun little house.  We don't really want for anything, except an occasional trip abroad or an amazing piece of artwork or furniture. .. which I truly think will come, we don't need anything.  We have a good life.  We are just right on the cusp.  We know and see what it is like to have a bit more freedom. . .more control over your day and your future.  And because we don't have to work to feed our family or to just pay our rent, it allows us to realize that we want and are capable of having and achieving more.

I'm feeling more and more optimistic about making this wish a reality.  I just have the questions.  How do you know? When do you know? What to do?  

So on we go.  Hanging on, and pushing ourselves. . . hoping to feel and see the seasons change through our work sometime. . . sometime soon.

One, two, three, FOUR months old

Doss grinning the best grin at 4 months old--what a face!  Now for a little trip down memory lane. . . 

one month old and a precious handful that we were just getting to know in between the crying.

two months old and we are more comfortable with our messy life--just in time for me to go back to work. . . not fun or easy to do, but we survived.

getting our feet on the ground with our schedule--the evening spells intensified for a bit, but the in-between became longer and much sweeter!

we've come a long way, baby!  Doss is definitely vocal and seems VERY aware of his environment, but with his big eyes, squeaks, coos and grins, he is happy, healthy and ultra cool to us.

Doss Squeaking

Make a Smilebox slideshow