Week of November 20, 2002
A little boy who goes to Owen's daycare was already there one morning before we arrived. Owen greeted Alan with delight, and went over to try to wrestle with him. He also tried to sit on Alan, the way that he does sometimes with our cats, or with us at home. We'd never seen the two of them together, and although Diane had mentioned that Owen liked Alan very much, we'd never imagined what it was like when he played with a child. Books always talk about "parallel" play, and to me this meant that "kids playing together" meant that the kids did their own thing next to each other (sort of like two kids playing with a toy garage, but on different levels). This was complete interaction.
Owen was relaxed and beaming with Alan in a way that I see him only at home. I confess, I was a bit jealous to see his expression. I know this is just the first of many times that others will be important to Owen, and I want him to find happiness with other people. But geez, he's venturing from the nest already? I was worried that Alan could have been a bit stressed by all the attention Owen was giving him, but he seemed to be okay with it. Alan stayed put when he could easily have moved out of reach if he were in any way unhappy. Alan is older than Owen, and larger, so I think this is a free choice. Our cat Noah does this too - the other two cats are quick to find a place where Owen can't get to them, but Noah stays nearby when he could easily extricate himself. It was interesting that Owen wanted physical contact, and we could see him being playful but also assertive.
We've had a good week, although the weather has been quite rainy. We've had to alter our morning routine substantially, and I feel like I'm going into Rao's withdrawal. Owen is less inclined to sit still, and walking around outside (or strolling) is harder when it's cold or icy or wet outside. It's been a rotten November that way, and we've been reluctant to give up our mornings routines. We bit the bullet and investigated the local Mall as a place for early morning romping. It's a bit creepy, in the early hours when it's partly dark and filled only with a few senior citizens intent on making their laps, and a cleaning person or two. It's a rare chance, though, for Owen to run around without our having to worry about streets and slippery patches and all the other hazards that come outdoors. We don't have to say no or ever retrieve him, we only follow. So we suck up the creepiness and enjoy his smiles. Thank goodness they're adding Christmas lights, so it won't look quite so dim and eerie.
I know this is just the first of many alterations we'll be making to accommodate Owen's changes and the approach of winter. I don't know how parents of toddlers manage in the off seasons, it would be so nice to be able to walk around outside and to use the parks. What is the secret to venting all their toddler energy? Owen happily does laps around the apartment, but it's not the same as romping in wide open spaces. Is this how parents end up resorting to television? Or will we bite the bullet and send him out into the cold whenever it's above 20 degrees?
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