Last Halloween we dressed up Raf as a pumpkin and a dinosaur. We didn't brave trick or treating but we had fun dressing up a helpless little baby in very sweet outfits. We only have a couple of years to do this, before Raf gets it into his mind that he wants to dress up as a policeman, or some such non-animal character. This year Raf as a little cow. We began the day - Raf in his outfit - doing a Pumpkin 10k. We's agreed to take it in turns pushing the stroller but, sadly, after 3 miles Rich took completely over as I thought I might have a heart attack keeping up AND pushing! It was pretty chilly and windy but it was great to be out there, and our friend Noah and his little girl Rosa were also running, with his wife Stacey and new 3 week old son cheering on the sidelines. We finished in about 49 minutes, which we were happy with. Noah and Rosa were just in front of us.
We darted home, had lunch, made something for dinner to take to our friends and then we went back out again to spend the afternoon and evening with Noah and Stacey and some of their friends. They live in a really nice neighbourhood and it was perfect for Raf's first trick or treating. In fact, it was MY first time trick or treating.
Raf is INCREDIBLY shy when he's out of his comfort zone and around other people he doesn't know too well. The two little girls there - almost 2 years old - were so feisty and spirited and in contrast the boys Raf and Henry (19 months) were much more cautious and reserved. It's such a different Raf, though, as he barely says or utters a word. Still, I think he had a good time, and I do think it's good for him to interact with other little ones.
Cora, Rosa, Nico (the little bundle dressed as a banana), Henry, Rafi
Raf's first trick or treat.
I should add here that he's not actually sucking on the candy.. it had its wrapper on! I did take it away, though, and he was not happy one bit about it.
I have to admit that working full-time and doing a majority of the childcare ourselves is tough going sometimes. Rich has reduced his hours slightly, but he's also under a lot of pressure at work and doing graduate studies, so life is extremely busy. This past two weeks we've been interviewing for a new Dean at school and this entails even more meetings - all of them fairly early on in the day. This just put us over the edge in terms of things we had to get done, and so it was a very busy and stressful couple of weeks. On Wednesday, driving home late from work, knowing that Raf was being taken care of by another nanny, I found myself crying because it felt - and feels - so overwhelming sometimes. And when I walked in the door Raf tottered over in my direction and then I realized he was coming over to see the cat who had walked in with me..!! This did not help!
The little Poppet is growing up too fast. Much too fast! And he's much too busy to come and kiss his mama when he has laps to run, cats and dogs to torment, blocs to throw around the room, and so forth. One of the best things about co-sleeping is that I get to hug him all night :)
But even with all the busyness it was a week filled with lovely parts, too.
Week highlights....
On Monday I returned home -late - to find Raf asleep in his highchair. Mid-meal he slowly nodded off (which Jess caught on camera and texted to me). Rich, Jess and I were standing around waiting for him to wake up when, suddenly, he roused and started eating as though nothing had happened. it was very sweet.
On Tuesday we enjoyed magnificent weather. After work I took Raf out for a run in his stroller... just me and him. What a treat to wear shorts and t-shirt on a late October, late afternoon run.
On Wednesday I enjoyed an extra snuggle with Raf after a long, long day at work.
On Thursday, another beautiful, beautiful late afternoon in Maine, and whilst it gets dark so early we managed to fit in a 30 minute family bike ride wearing shorts and t-shirt.
On Friday... well, it was the end of the week and that in and of itself was a very good thing. I did pop to Whole Foods on the way home and I picked up a LOT of Daiya vegan cheese which Raf just loves. I mean... all he says when he's in his high chair is 'chee chee'.
Today we went for a walk this afternoon and Raf enjoyed a really nice 15 minutes running up and down a little grassy slope. He would walk up - falling down many times - and then run down the hill. He was giggling the entire time.
Tomorrow we're hoping to run a local 10k with Raf in the Chariot, and then we're off to some friends for some Halloween fun!
I am trying to ignore the 50 midterms I have to mark, and also the conference paper I need to write by next week.. gah.
Last night Raf was wandering around the living room bumping into things, and I realized that we could no longer put off the inevitable first haircut. With his fringe covering his eyes and his locks tumbling down his back, it seemed like the time had come. I was actually feeling a bit guilty that we hadn't done it before. So this morning I googled 'children haircuts' in Portland and came across a place that specializes in kids' cuts. I almost burst into tears when I realized we'd definitely be taking him in for his first cut...
Rich and I were both feeling nervous about the prospect - not just because we'd miss his lovely hair, but because Raf is very shy in public and can get overwhelmed quite easily. But it couldn't have gone better. You just turn up to the place and wait your turn.. since we had a long wait ahead of us we ran some chores and came back a bit earlier so that Raf could get used to the place. While we waited a little boy came in with his mum and another woman. This evidently wasn't his first time and he was not enjoying himself AT ALL. He screamed and screamed and screamed, and they basically had to hold him down (his mum held him) so the stylist could cut his hair. This did not fill us with confidence..
But Raf's turn came and after a nervous start he settled in - with the aid of bubbles - and say there like a good little boy while the stylist cut his hair. She didn't cut too much off, thank goodness, and now he looks like he has a little bob!
Before...
The hairdresser (I forgot to ask her name!) was very good with Raf. We put him in the chair initially and he didn't like it one bit, but then the stylist brought out some bubbles and he was transfixed. This was quite a surprise as he burst into tears last time we showed him bubbles!
First snip... mama almost cried!
Pursing those lips... an expression he likes to do a lot.
I have a broken ipod... I am lost without it because I listen to audible books during my commute and it is the 'peaceful' time I enjoy on my own. This evening Raf and Rich, who'd gone out to leave me with my grading, returned home with an Ipod Touch. Since our Flip has broken this is perfect as it also allows for some really good videoing. Here's Raf clapping before bedtime! It's currently his favourite thing... clapping followed by kissing as he wanders around the house.
October 14th - our 16 year-together anniversary, and our 8 year wedding anniversary. A morning run with the boys and then lunch at a pub.
And also two new baby boys arrived! Our dear friend Ash welcomed her little boy Carter into the world. a sweet, sweet little one who weighed just an ounce more than Raf (7 pounds 4) and the same 19 inches in length.
And little Quinn, the new son of our friend Meghann.
What a wonderful, celebratory day.
Yet we were all still thinking of Otis, the sweet little boy who should be a month old already. So much happiness brings this great sorrow into sharper relief, somehow.
Weekends are going by much too quickly these days. I'm sitting here wondering how it can already be Sunday evening? Alas, it is, and whilst I have tomorrow off I have so many papers to grade. One of the reasons I have so many to grade is because I didn't do much work this weekend as I'd planned. Of course I am regretting that a bit now, but the weekend was busy and fun.
Yesterday we began our day with a family run. We were all tired and it was breezy and cold out but the run turned into a really fun time, and though after 8 miles Rich and I were frozen stiff (somewhat literally), it was a good way to start the weekend. Jess, our sitter, came over at lunchtime so Rich and I could catch up on some work. We went to a pub(!) to grab some lunch and a quiet table to do some marking, but, in retrospect, going to a pub to grade was probably not my brightest idea. Did i mention already that I have a lot of work still to do?
That afternoon we collected Raf and went to visit little Nico, the new baby, in the hospital where Raf was born. He is adorable, and I have to confess that it made me quite envious.
This morning we took the pups for a long overdue trip to the dog park. it was Raf's first time. We'd been reluctant to take him before now because other dogs might like to jump all over him, but Rich put Raf in the ergo on his back and I stood protectively around him and all was good. Raf got a real kick watching the puppies run around with the other dogs!
As the day warmed up and the sun came out we decided to head out on a family bike ride to a local state sanctuary which takes in animals who have been abused. I think it's a state sanctuary... and it homes mostly horses. These poor animals.. they come in close to death and this place really nurses them back to health. We saw some before and after pictures. it's incredibly sad. But there are also many cats there and a little pig - and Raf got to see many of them. He was especially taken by the kitties. They let us in the room where they sleep and play and he was so gentle and sweet with them. We picked up a pumpkin at the sanctuary..
We made a lovely apple crumble when we got home from our long ride
