Circles

 What magic to be here in December, 2011.  Aeli turns ONE on Sunday.  All I can do is shake my head and sort of sigh and laugh.  And marvel.

Note the bags beneath his eyes.  You can't possibly nap while STOCKINGS are hanging up! No!  It's far too exciting!

 We went to visit a fellow '08 TFA-er who recently had a 5-pound baby boy.  Aeli saw him, got quiet and big-eyed, pointed and said "Gee-ga!"  (His word for "kitty cat.")
Yesterday I asked him what a dog says.  He made his mouth into a pouty "o" and said in his gruffest voice, "Oooo oooo!"
F-in crazy, man.

Last year Aeli fit in my stocking.  Now he walks and has a few meaningful syllables in his lexicon and usually comes when you call him.  What a difference a year makes.

We're leaving for Washington state tomorrow.  (SOOOO excited- although anxious about the two plane rides).  I anticipate the visit bringing me some clarity.  In all the should-we-stay-or-should-we-go conversations we've been having this year, I most often just feel tired.  And we're always interrupted by the babe getting into something or harassing the cat or using the abridged works of Edgar Allen Poe as a brace as he works out a serious diaper situation.  TMI, sorry.  But I'm about being real.)  It will be so nice to have family and friends around to help watch and entertain Aeli while we actually can take a few deep breaths and think and talk and bounce ideas around.

 Our friend/neighbor/former roommate Keith will move back to the NE while we are gone.  It feels significant.

The times they are a-changin.