Today, Something Magical Happened
February 1, 2023
Today, something magical happened. River and Elles were playing together for the first time. I always fantasize about the days when they will be bffs. I imagine them running around together in an imaginary future yard, gossiping about teachers at school, discussing music Bud and I have never heard of, meeting up at a cafe between their two apartments and saying things like, “Can you believe what Mom and Dad did this time? What were they thinking?” For some reason, the idea of River and Eleanor’s future relationship is even more special than their future relationship with me and Bud. Maybe it’s because it’s the longest relationship they’ll have. God willing, they’ll have each other long after Bud and I are gone. So, when I turned around from the stove where I was stirring soup for dinner and saw River kneel down and start pushing down the animals on Eleanor’s Hide and Peak Pop Up toy while she pushed them back up again, both looking at each other and giggling, it made me tear up a little bit. Of course, their relationship will change, grow, and strengthen over time. I know they’ll have their disagreements, their arguments. Even though they’ll be brought up in the same home, they’re going to be two different people. But I know they’ll be two people who love each other, support each other, laugh together, and cry together for many, many years to come.
Table for 2 (extra napkins!)
February 3, 2023
Today for the first time, Elles had lunch with her big brother. River’s was certainly more appetizing- ravioli, sweet potato, black berries, apples, and milk, but she’s not ready for that kind of sophistication yet. River asked what Eleanor was eating, and I told him that she’s eating baby oatmeal. I asked him if he wanted a bite, and he said, “No, want actual oatmeal. Oatmeal with blueberries, like Daddy eats.”
Even though Eleanor’s lunch looked like bland mush, she could not have been happier or prouder to be sitting and eating at the big table with her big brother. And she couldn’t have looked cuter doing it.
River is the Cutest Sous-Chef!
February 4, 2023
River and Daddy Finger Painting
February 4
River loves Star Wars
February 5, 2023
River loves Star Wars. He often says he is “going to the dark side of the force,” like it’s where Darth Vader lives and he’s going for a friendly visit. He thinks Darth Vader is the hero. He knows the names of even the most obscure Star Wars characters, like Figrin Dan, one of the Cantina musicians. He has at least ten Star Wars books, including two visual reference guides he spends endless time pouring over. It all started with a one of these big reference guides Bud had from the 90s. River loved to look at and hear about mall the colorful characters. One day, Bud showed River a short clip from one of the original movies. River was thrilled to see his favorite characters in action. And it progressed from there.
Today, while changing his diaper, River was being difficult and squirmy. I said, “River, I’m not going to fight you.” I don’t think I’ve ever used this phrase before, so I don’t know where it came from. But he responded, very excitedly, “Mommy, fight me! With a light saber!” I just laughed and continued changing his diaper. He became confused that I wasn’t taking him seriously and insisted, “Mommy, please get light saber. Fight with light saber.” Maybe we’ve let him watch too much Star Wars.
Eleanor’s First Big Girl Bath all by Herself
February 11, 2023
Valentine’s Day is for dressing up pretty and making sweet treats.
February 14, 2023
Elles has chosen her Valentine and, whether he likes it or not, it’s River.
February 14, 2023
All this week, River, when he wakes up in the morning, when he finishes a meal, when he gets out of the bath, has announced, “Want to play with Ellesy!” Playing with Ellesy entails Eleanor sitting on a blanket on the floor while River surrounds her with all of his toys and all of her toys. Luckily, this is Eleanor’s favorite game, too.
February 17, 2023
A Visit to Nana and Pop Pop in Eastham
February 19, 2023
Like father, like son.
Craft Time!
February 21, 2023
Feb. 20 and Feb. 22, 2023
This week, we had two of the best date days! We did all of our favorite things- walking, exploring, eating yummy food, and taking photos. And as an added bonus, my Dad and Odile met us for lunch one of the days!
River: “Want to make Ellesy a hat, Mommy!”
February 23, 2023
Eleanor Makes a Friend
February 25, 2023
SNOW DAY!
February 28, 2023
