7000 Days

We pulled our feet out of the dirt and dragged the roots behind us as we headed to Portland to socialize for the first time in ages. Almost can’t believe that none of us are coughing or wheezing for 4 or 5 whole days now.

Our first stop was to see Lena, Kyle, Lila and Lainey. But sadly, in the excitement of forming whole sentences, I completely forgot to pull out the camera.

But I made up for it when we got to Tricia & Seb’s. Here we see Gus and Elizabeth having a finger eating contest (life’s pretty harsh before you’re allowed to eat sugar.)

Here we have the beautiful family (Elizabeth has only just recently passed the cats in weight)

And then to top off the day, Isis and Ilysa stopped by the orchard to stay the night. (Love the pink shoes -and the red ones, for that matter)

About the same time I was in Hood River, working at the cafe on a report about the Energy Efficiency industry.

About the same time that Amanda and Leigh were moving the last bits into their new home in Portland.

About the same time I was getting a ticket for parking too far away from the curb.

About the same time Dad was painting the new bee hives white.

Our friend Victor gave Gus this cool Uke. At first he just wanted us to play it for him all the time -with the occasional interruption to bang on the back like a drum. But lately he’s been strumming it himself, usually in this laid back ‘I’m too hip to sit up’ kind of way.

Ok, we have questions. Lately, Gus has been clearly testing the concept of no. For example, he’ll head for the garbage can, hear the no and speed up in order to open and grab something out before I can get there.  I tell him no, calmly, firmly, looking him in the eyes. He reaches up again, watching for a reaction. I repeat. And usually he eventually moves on. But more and more often, he throws a tantrum. I usually distract him and move to another topic or location -but I’m wondering a) is this normal? I mean, we’ve heard of the terrible twos but this is 13 months! and b) are there any other tricks or things we should be doing? Our parenting books are so general and don’t have any solid advice.

(pretending he’s not actually a monster)

Gus was in hog heaven today. When he got back from his morning stroller nap, Grantie Lani and Grousin Tom had stopped by to take us all to lunch in Hood River. (She made me take the picture of me and Gus because she says there aren’t enough up here.)

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After lunch we dropped by the coffee shop for a bit of a stroll. Here we have Tom and Charles chatting, followed by Aunt Lani’s untouched coffee, followed by the reason why.

And finally, we wrapped up the day with an early spring walk in the orchard. Complete with a rainbow (which we were trying to capture in the last picture.)

A great day. Let me put it this way – Gus took over an hour to go to sleep tonight because he wouldn’t stop giggling to himself in his bed.