Ali was reading a Berenstain Bears book to Ouest today and on one of the pages there was a drawing of just the two kids and Papa bear at the doctor’s office. Ouest asked, “Where is Mama?”
Ali answered, “Mmmm, I don’t know where Mama is.”
Ouest thought for a second and announced, “Mama’s taking the picture.”
I love how much her mind is working these days. She says little things like that that surprise us every day. And she’s working extra hard on her speaking now too. She’ll be in the middle of a sentence, stop, think think think, and finally come up with the right word to finish it off. You can just see the achievement in her eyes when you tell her what a good job she is doing.
Then this afternoon something miraculous happened. We were at a restaurant with music playing, which meant Lowe was up and dancing. The boy has got the beat in him. Then we said, “Ouest, you should go dance with Lowe.” And I’ll be damned if she didn’t go over and grab his hands and dance with him. They spun around and Lowe was about the happiest child on the face of the earth in that moment.
Then while we were walking home Lowe suddenly turned and walked straight up to Ouest with his hand outstretched, and once again she grabbed it, and they walked hand in hand down the sidewalk.
Blown away was the only way to describe how Ali and I felt. We both were thinking, “Oh my god, it really is going to get easier. What they say is true. These two will be friends one day, and play together, and entertain each other. And life will be amazing because we will have time to go pee by ourselves.”
No, of course we didn’t have a camera with us to capture these firsts. We do however have a totally random assortment of pictures from the day.
7 Comments on “It’s Getting Easier”
I have 4 kids. The middle children (1.5 years apart) fought like you wouldn’t believe when they were small. Once, Ethan (older) and Alex(andra) were sitting next to each other in their respective car seats. All was peaceful which was odd. I happen to glance back at them and see Ethan seemingly realize his sister is next to him and smack her in the face. Out of the blue. That was the end of the peace for that car ride…
It gets easier and harder in different ways, but with an 18, 16, 13 adn 11yo I’d have the say that the exhausting years are winding down as they hit 3 or so and interactions can (depending on the kids) become much easier. But the exhaustion of teh baby years definitely declines as they become more independent (and, of course, you become wistful for it). Enjoy! I know you are!
Careful, Pat, it’s a set-up. I’ve got a boy and a girl (11 and 8 respectively); one minute they’re best friends, and the next they’re mortal enemies!
Your photo reminds me of all the gringo boats in the marinas around the PV area. Are they mostly just snowbirds who fly down and live aboard during the winter? Do they ever go anywhere or just daysail the area? How much are these marinas charging for longterm slip fees.
I am enjoying your odyssey very much – Rick
My younger brother and I are four years apart. What Rich says is true. During our childhood we went back and forth between love and hate, sometimes in the same day or hour. But I will say after college and as adults, we couldn’t love each other more. Your sibling is the only one who has lived through it all with you, has the same memories, and that bond is AMAZING. In my early 50s now, I love my “little” brother almost more than life itself!
awesome story. VERY touching, and glad to know that she is lovin up on her brother a bit more. Miss you guys, hope all is well. BTW my personal PAN AM trip plans are progressing, albeit slowly. Hope to be seeing you within a year.
Sweet Will, can’t wait to see you again. Down south this time.