Hi all,
Many, many apologies that it has taken so long to post an update. Our time is seriously crunched, and usually by the time we get done with the work we need to do, it's too late to contemplate the blog. We're actually expecting things to calm down a lot once we get this move over with!
In any case, we need to go all the way back to early July here.... the big news (and still the big news, really) is that Dahrius is now mostly using the toilet. We are still working on night-time wetness, but he has otherwise basically figured it out. This happened over the weekend in mid-July when we "ran out" of diapers. Somehow the prospect of having no diapers at all convinced Dahrius that it was time, and by the time Nana arrived early Monday morning, he was basically converted. Amazing!
We also enjoyed a morning at the annual Eno River Festival. It would have been nice to hear more music, but it was a fun time regardless.
Nana was here for more than a week, which was fantastic. Ahrash traveled for some of that week to California, so her help was extra-appreciated. The weekend she was here, we also got to enjoy the company of Josh and Jojo, who drove down from DC. With so much help, we were able to get a substantial fraction of the house packed. We also gave Josh and Jojo most of our potted plants and other assorted items.... as Josh said later, the removal of these things from the house makes the whole pending move seem much more real.
Ranier and Dahrius are both doing really well. It's tough carrying Ranier all the time since he's so heavy, but he has now decided that he doesn't like the stroller (and he really doesn't like the car seat), so carry him we must. He's now super-smiley and gurgles and talks a lot. If we can just get past his terror of falling (and staying) asleep, we'll be golden. Dahrius continues to amaze with his verbal skills and all-around wonderful personality. He's gotten bossier, but it hasn't led to tantrums or any of the other potentially worrisome things, so we're actually glad to see that he's losing some of his earlier passivity.
It is now August (!!!!), which means that we are leaving NC for good in two weeks. That is totally nuts.
OK, on to pics.
We pass by Zema's house frequently, especially to and from the farmer's market. Here, she was a ballerina. That didn't seem to stop Dahrius from having her running, climbing, and jumping wherever they could.
Dahrius is modeling his new button-down shirt. He's holding a carved-wood model airplane we got for him at the Eno River Festival.
Here is Dahrius practicing holding his baby (a teddy here) in a sling.... while leaping off of the couch. I think we'll have him practice with the teddy some more.
Mmmm. Locopops.
They have this giant Earth ball at the Eno River Festival. There was an educational angle here, but Dahrius (and soon many other small kids) were mostly interested in rolling it all around and trying not to get crushed.
Ranier wanted to push the Earth ball too, but the closest he came was to try and swallow his fist.
A calm moment with Ranier.... quick, grab the camera!
Of course, Ranier is the sweetest thing in the world when he is asleep or cooing at you. These first few months are really an emotional workout!
Another big event was Grace's 4th bday party, held at the Little Gym. Non-stop, running, jumping, falling, laughing... a good time was had by all. This device is a big air-filled trampoline-type thing where you can bounce your way from one end to the other. The trick was keeping all of the kids going in the same direction.
Streamers were a big hit.
We held a parachute over all of the kids, and also under them (lifting them up). Dahrius is still sorting out what exactly is expected of him in these situations.... he'll get under the parachute but then he isn't sure how he's supposed to feel about it. In any case, he usually joins in anyway and has a lot of fun.
They played hide-n-seek at one point, and he and Grace snuggled into this cushioned hole. He gets lots of snuggle practice at home too....
We'll miss his friends at KIN.
-Ahrash
Dahrius was able to have fun at some parties in our last week. Here, he is splashing in a pool with Peter at Alex's 4th birthday party.
There was also a party at school on the last day. The popsicles were a hit.
A hug from Elena, Dahrius' teacher for the past year.
And stories from Rochelle. We will all miss Elena, Rochelle, and everyone at KIN!
On our last night in Durham, the house was almost completely empty, except for what we were taking on the plane with us. Our friends, Kendall and Mike, kindly brought over pizza and joined us for a picnic on the floor.
Looking at the view from the house in Berkeley.
The view itself.
