CRIB NOTES: Much to be thankful for as holidays near

<!--Paul Lane--><table width="234" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" background="http://static.cnhi.zope.net/flashpromo/niagaragazette/images/byline_234x60.jpg" height="60"><tr><td><div align="center"><font size="3" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">By Paul Lane</font><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><br /></font><font size="1" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><a href="mailto:lanep@gnnewspaper.com">lanep@gnnewspaper.com<br /></a></font><font size="1" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><a href="http://www.niagara-gazette.com/blogs">Click for Blog</a></font></div></td></tr></table>

Having children involves a lot of give and take. Thankfully, for every bit of taking they do, they give a whole lot more.

In that spirit, here are just some of the things about my family that I’m thankful for as we enter the holidays.

• That “I think I was just hit by a truck” grogginess that I wake up with every morning dissipates with nothing more than a cheery “Hi, Daddy!” from Penny. Any lingering fatigue is subsequently wiped out by Rigby’s “I can’t believe you’re here!” smile when he sees me from in between the wooden bars on his crib.

• Rigby sits up, reaches out for me and calls “Dada” — and he’s not even pooped every time he does it.

• Penny’s methods of showing her love might be a bit aggressive at times (if you consider attempted ear lobe theft to be aggressive, at least), but she’s formed a bond with her baby brother that is unbreakable.

• There often isn’t any need for me to eat a partially chewed waffle piece or drink from a sippy cup, but Penny’s quickly exhibited good sharing habits.

• It might get her in trouble at some point in life, but Penny’s imagination is as inspiring as it is humorous. She’ll often conjure up itineraries for the following morning and create visitors who stopped by the previous day.

• Seeing just how much of you rubs off on your children is fascinating (and scary any time you catch yourself about to slip out of “role model” mode). Penny loves tie dye, shopping and visiting like Mommy, and she inherited her mother’s warm heart. Rigby talks about as much as I do, and his hairline approximates mine (fortunately for him, his hair is on the way in).

• Having Penny and Rigby makes me want to improve as a person every day, the same way they progress daily at everything they do.

• There’s actually someone who laughs at my jokes. I don’t even mind if it’s because Penny and Rigby just like my goofy faces.

• I now appreciate and understand why my dad used to take my brother and me to sporting events he couldn’t have cared less about, and why my mom always managed to find $5 for me to use at the movies. And I find myself wanting to do the same sort of thing.

• Our kids are just so darn cute. No matter what time I come home or how many hours I worked, Penny’s greeting of “I missed you! I thought about you!” makes everything OK. And Rigby’s just plain happy to see everybody, plying giant kisses on all comers.

• If there’s any tastier dish than Penny’s Play Kitchen Stovetop Surprise, I have yet to consume it. Same goes for the “drink” in her mystery cup, which somehow changes from water to milk to juice to pop in between sips.

• Ever mindful of cleanliness, Penny will wipe her mouth and hands in between each bite of food she takes. Even if she does so on the couch, at least the intent is there.

• Just as Penny’s beginning to really appreciate the holidays, we get to go through Rigby’s first Thanksgiving/Christmas/New Year’s Day. Penny’s seen some of the Christmas specials, but she can now process what she watches better and empathize with the characters. Exciting things are afoot at the Lane house.

• Those two little balls of energy filled a hole in my soul. I didn’t even know I had a hole that needed plugging.

Contact Paul Laneat 693-1000, ext. 116,or paul.lane@gnnewspaper.com.