While changing Christopher's diaper today, I was singing "Twinkle, twinkle, little star." Just as the song ended, he got a huge smile on his face, clapped his little hands together and said, "Yay, Mama!"
Be still my heart. I need to sing to that kid more often.
So, it's been a while since I last updated. I must say that though our holidays were delightfully relaxed (aside from a major insulation installation project which remains 75% completed), it seems that even the most relaxed of holidays still leave a person in a very vulnerable state when the reality of Normal reappears after New Year's. That is to say - last Monday caught us off guard and this past week was a looooong one.
Christopher and I made some killer wheat germ banana bread, started up with our Wiggleworms class again, had a few playdates, and took a very brisk walk one morning to the grocery store in about 8 degree weather. Don't worry about Christopher, he has a sleeping bag-like insert plus a parka plus hat/mittens/blanket and a "weather shield" which makes him look like the Boy in the Bubble. He fell asleep in his pod of coziness and I kept warm by moving quickly. It was actually very nice and a few flurries fell on us just before we got home.
Mike is teaching two courses this quarter and attending numerous dinners for departmental visitors, the president of the university (la dee da!), and recruiting weekends.
Winter is a busy time for Mike's work calendar, so we try to stay equally busy at home. As one of my friends said yesterday, "It's Cat in the Hat weather." Truly. If you don't get out at least once a day - no matter the destination or weather! - you start to feel a little goofy.
Animals are front and center on the Christopher agenda. Most importantly: the sounds they make and the places they live (Big Red Barn is a current favorite). To encourage further exploration of the wonderous farm animal kingdom, I found an awesome recording of Ella Fitzgerald singing Old MacDonald, and Santa's gift of a wooden farm animal puzzle is completed many, many times each day. A winter visit to Wagner Farm is in order for this week... if it doesn't snow too much!
Stay warm and Happy New Year to you all!
