Ever wonder what it would be like to be a bird?

Yes of course – covered with feathers – and able to soar like an eagle through the clouds without a care in the world.

Before I met Cris – I was an eagle.

You betcha. I flew anywhere I wanted, did anything I wanted without a care in the world. 

I didn’t have to report in to anyone. I ate when I felt like it and sat around in my skivvies without having to wonder if anyone is looking in from any other apartment.

Ah yes – the carefree days of a bachelor.

Well – let me tell you what it was really like.

I spent more days alone – just me, myself and I – then with company from the opposite sex.

Work was a chore and there seemed no real purpose in getting up every morning.

Why?

Just to do the same old thing over and over again?

Sure I could fly with all the rest of the eagles but in truth they were as miserable as I was.

It is not all that much fun being an eagle. Except that is when you are flying high with a companion all your own.

Cris and I have soared off into the skies and never looked back.

Everything seemed just fine.

Wings? Check!

Working beak? Check!

Then suddenly – without warning – Cris laid two non-identical eggs and out hatched Nicholas and Antoinette.

Who knew?

It’s been two years on now and Cris and I – logistical experts – still find time to fly together – albeit shot hop flights to the supermarket, doctor’s office(s) or if lucky, an occasional movie.

Our eaglets have grown-up fast. They no longer chirp but speak an occasional understandable word or two. In reverse, we two have mastered the understanding of two key utterances. The first is “milka” which doubles for anything liquid, generally water and sometimes a glass of milk.

The second is the dreaded “wa wa” meaning anything animated from the House of Mouse.

I hope Walt Disney is rotting in his grave.

Ok ok, maybe that was a bit harsh, but when the twin eaglets are bored, which is about all the time, they will scream, cry and rant for “wa wa” and of course, to contain just some of our sanity, we two older eagles will comply.

If for nothing than to get them both to shut up.

Geez… these birdies can chirp.

And of course if you are any type of a frequent reader of this site, you will know that Cris has also laid another egg; very soon to hatch is Baby Jeffrey Jr. or Baby JJ for short.

He will arrive by stork no later than this coming September 9 (that’s today as you read this entry).

And to prepare for this blessed day, the dutiful eagle that she is, Cris has been busy nesting as I hover over, giving advice and unneeded inspection.

For you see as a Mama Eagle, Cris has no equal.

The bassinet was purchased for a measly five worms – sorry I mean dollars – along with an unending supply of clothes, cloths, wipes and newborn diapers that will last at least the initial two weeks.

Nesting comes easy for Mama Cris and she took to it like a bird in a bath pond.

HA.

So now, we wait.

For this eagle with all of the varied purchases completed, that I can lay back and think of this time as a “mini vacation”.

NOT.

I still have to wash, dress, feed, clean, entertain, feed, wash, put to sleep, feed, wash, dress, feed again and then put to best two miniature eagles in training.

Every.

Single.

Day.

There is no rest and no respite from this never-ending routine.

Coming into this mix will be the screams and palpitations of a newborn chick who knows nothing yet of the house rules of Casa Ruffolo – in which the head eagle (that’s me) is supposed to be allowed eight hours of uninterrupted, joyful, restful and above all else, silent and dream filled sleep.

Like that will happen.

So we welcome with open wings the arrival of Baby JJ to Casa Ruffolo.

May his time with us be long, quiet and silent.

And may he come along with us to soar among the clouds.