Week of August 21, 2002

This week was our 14th wedding anniversary, and so we snuck off for lunch to have a romantic tete a tete. A real restaurant, both of us actually paying attention to one another and not hurriedly trying to eat while the other person had child duty. There was wine, and crème brulee, and peaceful quiet.It was wonderful to have a reminder of what life was once like, when we had the time and energy to nurture one another. Our lunch had the power of a vacation because time for the two of us in the middle of the day is a rare, rare thing.

Owen took a few steps early in the week. He's still tentative, and practicing his balance more than his efforts to move forward, but it felt like a very big deal. After his initial burst, he went back to more balancing while standing, and crawling when he actually wanted to get somewhere. His teething continues non stop, with one finger jammed toward the top but no teeth in site. Perhaps he's working on his molars?

We spend more time moving, now, when we go out for breakfast. Owen's good for about 20 minutes before his impatience overcomes him. We've been sitting outside since he started to get restless so quickly, and added squealing to his morning routine. We get our iced coffee and iced chai to go, so after we've gotten a bagel into him, or perhaps some muffin, we're off doing our walking circuit. He continues to wake up at 4:30 or 5, so we're usually out of the house by 6:15 or 6:30, so we're now able to fit in a walk before and a walk afterward.

I never thought I would get to know an area so well. I feel like we know the center of Amherst now, very, very well (better even than when we lived there.) We've been avidly following the construction in town, and are able to notice the changes that come each day. They must have engaged the building contracts before the money ran out, because Amherst seems to be re-doing the curbs and putting in cross-walks all through the central intersection.

We've been enjoying the Farmer's Market on Saturdays. Owen is a lover of tomatoes and berries, and it's been nice to frequent some local farmers. One Saturday had Owen covered in blackberries, and more recently we've been munching on raspberries as we leave. This is the time of year you wait all year for, when produce is about to burst from the seams. I miss the harvest and the good weather (minus the oppressive heat) already.

I also am feeling sad to be giving up my Wednesdays off with Owen. As hard it can be trying to be your best for a little person without a break, it was nice having time just the two of us. He's becoming such a unique person, and I enjoyed the time we have to hang out together. Even if a good part of our days have been spent on the move, hiding from the heat, or in the car trying to get him to nap, I enjoyed having him to myself. It's hard to believe that my maternity leave was coming to an end, this time a year ago. I feel like parenthood is all so new, and yet we've had Owen forever. Vivian tells me that she feels no regret about losing each stage of her child, because the next is always so exciting and full of depth. I can see that you can't regret a child's infancy, because then you couldn't see the person you love at the moment.

 

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