To give mom some extra rest time, Des and dad set out for a morning adventure. After a stop at Harold’s Koffee House for some brunch to-go, it was further north to Dodge Park. Not even a first bite of donut could tear Des away from the berry and granola pancake.
Lots of pointing, from airplanes and boats to ducks and water.
Oh, and Desmond has a surprise!
RAAWWRR!!!! Means I’m the big brother in dinosaur
Early Saturday morning shenanigans. With that much energy, everything is entertaining
On the big kid swings with mom
Des stepping into the lake for the good splashes
Des patiently waiting his turn for a sip of the mom’s shake
Des conquers his fear of the playground bridge
What’s a good way to end busy day at work? A trip to the park before dinner
The good weather continues, reminding everyone how enjoyable is it to be outside in the evenings. At Memorial Park, Des runs towards the ball diamond, but then quickly jogs back to the family. Perhaps he realized it wasn’t a giant sandbox mirage?
Playground for all ages
Stories and bedtime bear
Just the boys in the morning, so we sent out on a search for some ducks. Without much luck at either of two lakes, we made our way over to the playground at Big Lake near dad’s old house in Council Bluffs
Slides and rocks?! Super duper fun
What’s a trip to Big Lake without a stop for a (veggie) burger and oreo super shake at Christy Creme?
After nap time, it was the perfect 70° February afternoon to walk around Heartland of America Park.
And there were ducks!
It was also just breezy enough for some decent kite flying
A quick look across the river before walking over to the old market for dinner
Des’ first piggyback ride
After dinner at Trini’s, we walked over to see the horse-drawn carriages
Time for a bath after a long day. Des now prefers laying down in the tub up to, and past, when all the water has drained. “Towel? No thanks, just going to chill here for a bit longer.”
desmond, i’ve been meditating all day on what it feels like for you to turn one. as my mind wanders, there’s just a distilled stream of moments and dynamics.
this morning a year ago, i walked out to the car to quickly change shirts (we’d been at the hospital for a few days) before your mother went into labor. in the dark, there was both quiet peace and the intensity of hundreds or thousands of birds squawking away in the trees. after you were born, and the room settled to darkness again as your mother slept, it was just you and me. there was both elated peace of holding you and the first learning of how to soothe your cries.
in the years to come, we’ll be soft, we’ll be loud, we’ll be:
“i carry your heart with me(i carry it in my heart)i am never without it(anywhere i go you go, my dear;and whatever is done by only me is your doing,my darling)” –e.e. cummings
One year ago today, this joyful, curious, active, determined creature came bursting into our lives. If it’s possible, we love him more & more every day.
Just the four of us in Elmwood park for a picnic and birthday cupcake.
The trip to New York started out a bit groggy. Des did not sleep very well the night before and had not yet had a nap when dad picked him up at daycare for lunch. Result: the first instance of Des eating while sleeping. Bags were quickly loaded though and it was off to the airport.
Des really seemed to enjoy looking out the window with dad during takeoff and inflight.
After several delays to an already long layover in Chicago, the connecting flight was finally in the air. Des was a champ with all the travel, with each leg coinciding with nap time or bed time. He didn’t even flinch during the rough landing into LaGuardia.
Our friend Katie graciously picked us up at the airport and we were soon off to their new house in Huntington Station. Des slept as the rest of us stayed up late and caught up.
The next morning we took a leisurely stroll to a neighborhood bakery for the first of many bagels on our trip. Later in the afternoon, we drove up with some of Katie & Stephen’s friends to Northport.
Des decides that “head first” is the new preferred technique for slides.
All smiles for his Sunday morning bagel
Des and dad getting some fresh air in the front yard
It was humbling to see Katie’s theatrical training allow her to whiz through Dr. Seuss’ tounge-tying Fox in Sox with nary a stumble. Mom and dad are still practicing.
Later in the afternoon everyone hiked up to Jayne’s Hill, the tallest point on Long Island. The poem Paumanok by Walt Whitman is inscribed on a boulder marking the peak. Des napped in his carrier with his hat shading him a la Indiana Jones.
A pit stop at the park on the way back to the house for Adelaide to run off some energy
Back in January or February, Des really didn’t like getting into his carseat. Of many random songs dad sung to soothe him, Day-O somehow struck a calming chord. One of the daily rituals has now been singing Day-O while leaving the house in the morning. Dad pulled it out for bedtime tonight, featuring Katie:
The next morning we were up early and joining Katie on her commute into the city. Des was fascinated with the Long Island Rail Road. At Atlantic Terminal, we transferred to the subway for Brooklyn, Katie continued on into Manhattan.
