So starting in August: Nicholas got to spend time with both sets of grandparents – on subsequent weekends. Auntie Pat came with us to Madison to see Grandma & Grandpa D. We toured the barn, walked (stomped?) across the back yard with Grandma, and then proceeded to tell Grandpa how to cook dinner!
The following weekend, we went to the Avon area to visit with Grandma & Grandpa W. Lots of investigating in the yard, checking out water glasses, and then we went on a long walk, without camera :( , around a pond.
We then visited to friends who have a yard, a kiddie pool, and a sprinkler. Good thing, since it was the hottest day of the summer! Thanks Michelle and John!
In September, I went back to work 3 days a week, and Nicholas began to spend those days with another little boy his age, and to share his nanny. That has worked out very well – both boys play well together, and the nanny is a terrific source of suggestions and information. Adjusting to this made for a fairly quiet month, but we did find time to help on clean-up day at our favorite playground, get in a trip to the zoo, and start figuring out what sports we like!
October was all about red – the boots from cousin Eileen’s Paddington Bear, which actually fit on little boys, and the Red Sox – that fabulous home-town team.
November was an adventure. We took Nicholas to Florida to visit Grandma & Grandpa W, and for his first plane ride since the odyssey home in May. He handled it very well, except when he couldn’t understand why he could get up and walk at some times, and not at others. While there, he learned to play “monster” with Grandpa and Grandma gave him a few piano lessons.
Then we introduced him to the pleasures of the beach. At first, the sounds and movement of the ocean really frightened him (especially when that giant bathtub swallowed his Daddy), but we found a tidal pool on an inlet – much more his cup of tea.
And we also got to spend time with his girlfriend from Delphin House, Morgan, who now lives in Miami. We had a fun day catching up with her and her parents.
And now we’re getting ready for what we hope will be a low-key Christmas. We’re only doing the minimum of decorating. We won’t have a tree in our house, as new things are still to be approached with extreme caution, but we will decorate, and will spend Christmas day at Aunt Pat’s, with most of my sided of the family…more updates on that later.
For now, here’s the Holiday Picture of the boy:
