I don’t know how this tiny baby…
… turned into this car-loving, curly-head.
Gavin turned five last week, and although his actual birthday day was full of boring stuff like a meeting with his speech-language pathologist and the autism specialist, the after-party totally rocked!
There were cars. (The red Lightning McQueen is from a supermarket in Utah from our last trip out to see my mom a couple years ago. The green dude is Chick Hicks, whom Gavin has been asking for relentlessly for weeks. Daddy gets the credit for finding the same type of awesome toy.)
There were brownies. (“My brown chocolate! My five!”)
And there were more cars. Nana scored the vintage Hot Wheels City at a yard sale a while back. This little driver is certainly going to keep this town hoppin’.
Gavin had so much fun on his big day. It was fun for us to watch him move from one thing to another, too. So often he has trouble with transitions, too many people, and too much activity, but he did great and got through the entire afternoon with nary a tear. I’m very proud of this big boy.
Love you Gav.
This dream of mine
That’s how long it has been since I last wrote. Shameful, isn’t it? So much has transpired in our lives since then.
Baby Clara is growing, healthy, and as happy as can be. My only complaint is that she still doesn’t sleep through the night all the time, but she’s such an agreeable baby otherwise, I can almost forgive her for that.
Gavin turns five tomorrow. It’s hard for me to believe. He is starting to read and loves letters and numbers. A few weeks ago he was diagnosed with autism, so we have a lot to learn so that we can help him learn to cope with this big intense world.
Olga is enjoying every minute of life. She’s in Girl Scouts, and gymnastics, and soon her art classes start up again. She is vivacious and cheerful, and befriends everyone she meets.
Erik started college a couple weeks ago, thanks to the Montgomery GI bill. He’s taking a heavy load, and has to commute to school three days a week. I’ve never seen him work so hard. He’s thinking about getting his teaching credentials, but right now he’s just enjoying his classes.
As for me, I’m pooped. I just got off deadline, so I’m going to try to cool my jets for a few days and catch up on some sleep (baby willing). My sewing machines all went to the shop for a tune up and repairs, so I hope to be back in business soon. I’m hoping to get my garage (aka studio) straightened up a bit. Maybe I’ll even get my little etsy shop back online in the next few weeks.
I’ve missed writing. I’ll be back again.
This dream of mine
This morning, early, as the light spilled in and the coffee dwindled, I sat with Erik and Clara at the counter and knit. I love these moments of silence, fleeting as they are in this house. Today I add another notch to my life, and as I look around myself I see so much evidence of dreams fulfilled and passions followed.
I really am so glad I’m here.
***
This dream of mine
Clara Lynn joined our family on June 10th and brought the sunshine with her. She is such an easy going baby. We’re all doing well and adjusting to our new routine.
This dream of mine
Erik is home.
Deadline is over.
Our moving truck arrived.
Olga won first place in the Kindergarten category at her school’s art show.
The baby turned.
* * *
Life is still rocketing ahead, but it’s all good.
This dream of mine
I really don’t know where the years have gone. Happy birthday, Beautiful.
This dream of mine
February really hasn’t gone according to plan. Shortly after my last post, Gavin came down with a cold. Then I got it. Then I got it really bad. Then I ended up in the hospital for four days with bad Pneumonia. I’m alive, thanks to some very heavy-duty antibiotics and the excellent care I received in the Intensive Care Unit at Sutter Coast Hospital in Crescent City, California. I got home Friday, but I feel like I have a way to go before I’m back to my old self. Erik took some emergency leave and flew home Thursday. It has been wonderful to have him home; he is such a wonderful cook and he has taken over all of the household duties, so I can pretty much lay around and eat bon-bons and hack and cough to my heart’s content. Which is good, because about all I can do is lay around and hack and cough.
I’m looking forward to regaining a bit of energy. There are definite signs of spring in the air; the daffodils are in bloom, and the fruit trees are starting to bud out. I want to be out in the dirt.
*Edited to add* I forgot to mention that the baby is fine. He/she shows no sign of distress.
This dream of mine
I’m 21 weeks pregnant today. Still feeling really good, although bending to tie shoes or pick things up is starting to get awkward. The kitchen sink is getting farther away, too.
This dream of mine
Dango, pregnancy