The heat of the summer has arrived, though today we're finally getting a good soaking from tropical storm Barry. Our garden grows quickly; we harvested our first peas and cucumbers the other day, and I'm expecting the tomatoes to kick in any moment now...
Ranier seems to be slowly mellowing out, though he is still reliably fussy in the evening (exhibiting, as one friend put it, his "5-o'clock colic"). Fortunately, the warm evenings make for pleasant walks, which is currently the only truly reliable way to calm Ranier down. Megan and I can't take the walks together like we used to with Dahrius since someone has to watch after Dahrius at home, but I have had some company from visitors and otherwise just enjoy the fireflies which are in great abundance this time of year. Ranier's fussiness seems to have no negative impact on his weight gain! I'm almost afraid to weigh him. I'm willing to bet he's already topping 15 pounds.
Part of the reason why things have been so hectic relates to the fact that I have been interviewing for a job. The interview process had me fly to Boston, NY, as well as San Francisco, in addition to an interview here in NC. Fortunately, the end result of all that travel was that they offered me the job, and I accepted! I will post separately with more details, but the most important elements are: I will be the Executive Director of the new CCLearn division of Creative Commons. This division will focus broadly on all matters related to maximizing the usefulness and use of open educational resources (OER), at all grade levels, all over the world. It is an extraordinary opportunity for me. The job also happens to be located in San Francisco, so we are in fact, at long last, moving back West. Our plan is to move in August, so all of a sudden there is quite a lot to before we go.
Megan, fortunately, has worked things out with her postdoctoral adviser so that she can work part-time for much of next year from the Bay Area, during which time she can focus on the boys and build connections as she considers her next move. We are very hopeful that she will be able to find something wonderful to do.... there are so many opportunities in the area that it seems likely.
Dahrius has definitely become a bit more reticent to give out love and favors, especially when he realizes that the attention is divided between himself and Ranier. But he doesn't seem to have any obvious feelings of jealousy per se, and in general, he's handled this transition to a four-member family with aplomb. His language skills continue to astonish us. He is now making up stories, and he and I will play a game where we add on to the story, though he tends to want to turn over all story-creation duties to me after a round or two. We are realizing that we should schedule more playdates with friends on the weekends because we can't keep up with him, let alone with Ranier in tow.
OK, on to some updated pics...
Josh and Joanna (Jojo) paid us a visit for Memorial Day weekend. We had a great time hiking...
... and playing in the pool, among other things.
For those of you wanting more than a still image, check out this video!
Dahrius is proving to be a "very useful big brother".
Here are Jojo and Ranier in a quieter moment.
More pics from Maman's visit to be posted tomorrow!-Ahrash
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