Bits of Brooklyn

Nine Month Update

Neil had his 9 month appointment yesterday and he is just as happy and healthy as can be at 17 lbs 12oz and 26.5". His pediatrician remarked on how close he his to walking (even though he won't crawl a lick!)...and mama thinks she can wait a few more months for that milestone, thank you very much!

Neil has learned to clap his hand recently and is pulling up to standing and even cruising around on the furniture. In the evenings we have been sitting out on the front porch and chatting with passers by. N just loves dogs, so the neighbors' new puppy Boomer is a real hit. Every time he gets close Neil giggles and squeals in utter delight. It really is nice to be able to come home and plop outside on a blanket in the backyard rather than sit in the living room. Other Neil stuff: a touch of shyness around strangers, still waking up at night, eating solids about twice a day (pickles, olives, yogurt, hummus and bread are recent favorites), saying a lot of DA DA, passing off objects and taking them with him when he stands, bouncing (always), rolling around, rapidly outgrowing clothes...

I've been in the garden finally...it seems like this winter has been very long. The snap peas are sown, as are the first succession of lettuce, spinach and radishes. I'm am totally over paying for lettuce, so I'm hoping it does well this year. I also planted a lot of Swiss chard and some nasturtiums and a Clematis vine that I'm hoping will climb up the big telephone pole/clothes line post in the back. My potatoes and onions will arrive in the mail soon!

Today we're heading down to NJ to spend some time with the family before enjoying a much needed date to see a show at Brooklyn Bowl. I'm hoping Neil doesn't put up much of a fuss while we're getting our ya yas out. I'm ready for a little adultishness!!

Transitions

Things have really picked up around here lately. Colin has seen some changes in his work, and April is crazy for environmentalists in general. The weather has been less than awesome save for a few days of warmth. We saw a heavy snow a few weeks back and even yesterday we were faced with freezing rain. It dripped and half solidified on the magnolia branches and I was forced to remember the devastating late frost of last year...the one that killed our magnolia blossoms and most of New York's apple harvest with one swift cold bite. It's been a long winter here and I am welcoming any and all change, slow and sure as it is. The gardens are still mostly water logged, but I do have lettuce and spinach planted, and the catnip and chives are showing up to the game. Colin's grandpa gave me some plants that I hastily threw in the ground late last fall, and they are coming back up as well. The ground is warming, the frogs are peeping, and I can see the light. This morning I took an hour long riding lesson from one of Neil's caregivers. It included grooming and tacking up and a total reacquaintance with the saddle. On top of a very expensive and fancy Dutch warmblood named Ace. We walked and trotted and snuggled and lounged, but mostly we worked on transitions. Planting heels, closing hands, staying grounded and remaining focused to facilitate and absorb change.

It was the perfect metaphor to meet this April's needs.