4 posts tagged “friends”

Today is a day I've been dreaming about for at least 5 years. Our tenants moved out leaving us in full possession of our entire 100+ year old house and it's three stories. I've been dreaming about the space, not so much their leaving. They were amazing, considerate and responsible tenants. When I moved into the house their daughter was 5 months old. Their kitchen was below the room that was my bedroom at the time. I remember sitting on the floor of my bedroom and listening to her happy baby giggles. You know, the belly laugh kind of giggles that are so contagious and can make you smile, even on your worst days. Later I listened as she started talking and would exclaim: "Oh NO!" over and over again when prompted. I've remembered those times fondly as Will has gone through the belly laughing stage and when, on groundhog day he learned to say: Oh NO!" with his hands to his cheeks. Now their daughter is a beautiful 7 year old. She started 1st grade this year, and it's hard to believe how much time has gone by. She is willowy and all smiles with pale, blond hair reaching well down to her thighs. Her blue eyes sparkle when she tells me about school and her summer reading.

Will and Zoe discovered each other as play mates one snowy day this past January. Ironically, it was the same day that we reluctantly asked Zoe's parents to plan to move out by the end of June. Zoe was making snow balls for a snow man, and Will thought it was fun to knock down the snow man and eat the snow. So she started making snow balls for him to eat instead. Through the remainder of the winter he talked about Zoe whenever he would eat snow.

When we come in our front door he points to their door and asks if Zoe is home. When we see a black SUV he points and says: "Zoe's car." I've wonder how long it will take for him to get used to the concept that that door now leads to a new part of our house, rather than Zoe's house.

This evening we walked the few blocks to Baskin Robbins for an after-dinner treat. We invited Zoe to come along. Will held her hand and walked the whole way. I brought the stroller because he's never walked that far before - but he was so enamored at holding her hand that the walk was no challenge for him. By the time we got back Zoe's parents had finished their last cleaning and were ready to give us the keys and drive away. It was a bittersweet moment for us because sadly, though we never quite got to the point where we would call them friends, we'll miss having them as tenants. And I'll miss seeing Zoe and Will play together making stone soup and playing tag around the yard.

After we waved as they drove down the street we eagerly ran inside to inspect the first floor of our house. New space with big plans for more room in which to entertain and live life as a family. I told Will that this is 'Will's house' now. Later up on the second and third floor which has always been the cramped space called 'Will's house', he pointed down to the floor and said: "Will's house down there." I guess it didn't take as long as I expected for him to get used to the concept that that space is no longer Zoe's house.

We haven't quite caught our breath. Will's first birthday party was spectacular. We are so grateful for the dear friends and family who came to celebrate with us in our backyard. On the hottest day of the year, thus far, the sticky conditions didn't seem to deter anyone's enthusiasm for barbecue chicken and scalloped potatoes. The babies splashed in the kiddie pool and adults lounged in the shade, thankful for a late afternoon breeze. They all had a front row seat as Will had his first taste of cake and icing. He had the whole bow tie to himself - yellow cake with chocolate chips and blue butter cream frosting with blue sprinkles. He seemed a bit unsure at first, and touched it, then gingerly raised his finger to his mouth. I think the sweetness made him pucker his face. Encouraged by daddy he planted his face squarely in the middle of the cake and took in a huge mouthful. Eventually he seemed to enjoy squishing the texture of cake and icing through his fingers more than the taste itself. After cake and a bath, presents and bubbles he was still on the go two hours after his bedtime. He walked around the yard holding the hands of his Grandpa, then climbed the many stairs to his attic bedroom himself, because he's a big boy now.

Many thanks to dear Katrina for helping me with the cake, and to our moms who helped with party preparations in more ways that I could think to name. At 11 am when our kitchen air conditioner refused to run and the temperature outside climbed past 90, I called my mom in a panic asking her to come take all the chicken for the party home to her fridge. The icing was melting on the cake as soon as we got it out of the tube. We ended up icing the cake bit-by-bit so we could refrigerate it between sections. It made for more of a hectic day then I had hoped. I'm glad we started out our day in our normal, special way. French toast and syrup with steaming hot Pike Place roast for me and a sippy cup for Will. At least there was a bit of peace in the day.

Will likes his puppy. Libby tolerates her boy.I was doubtful that this relationship would blossom at all. She's part chow (don't tell our home owners insurance company) and so she can get a little moody at times. She's been my baby for 5 years. I rescued her from a shelter in Jersey City. The Statue of Liberty was visible from the front door of the Assisi shelter so as I gave her freedom from the metal cage, I named her Liberty. We call her Libby, Libs, Doofus, Bert...She's been a great and loyal dog. She prefers to hike with us over romping with dogs at the dog park. That's just fine with us because hiking is a regularly scheduled part of our weeks. Adding in doggy park time would make things more tight.

When Will first came home I asked Sean to gate the stairs at night so Libby couldn't come up and reach Will in hiscradle in the middle of the night. I just didn't trust her and tormented myself with visions of her snatching him out of the cradle by the scruff of his neck and shaking him as I had seen her do to groundhogs. Yes, my imagination is that out-of-control sometimes. As time advanced, sheshowed herself a loyal protector and remained at my side always. She'd sleep on the floor by the couch as I napped and fed Will and played with him, and she would wine to be let into his room when I'd rock him at night. When he stayed with my parents for a night she pushed open the door to the room where he slept and laid by the crib all night long. When we'd come home from errands she'd want to sniff him in his carrier, and when she would come in from a walk she had to go up to his room to make sure he was still in the cradle where she left him.

Once he became more mobile she became more wary. Poor Libby was constantly having to readjust her sleeping position to stay out of the way of our little, unsteady bulldozer. He would lumber up to her and grab fists full of her hair, tugging and yanking out clumps of fluff. He's finally learning to pet with an open palm. She's relaxing and letting him show his affection. He regularly bestows great big hugs and nuzzles his face in her chest. We draw the line at letting him climb over her because of her arthritic hips. When he wakes up in the morning if she is

there he smiles and points to her. He hasn't yet learned to say anything but tick-tok and E-YEH for "amen" - but I wonder if her name will be one of his early words.

Libby doesn't seem to mind that Will is intent on sampling her food and splashing in her water bowl. Will doesn't seem to notice that this is the offense for which he is most frequently told no. Maybe Libby considers her foraging under his high chair a fair trade. She's really excitable around older, hyper children. So I'm not completely at ease yet. But she's exceeded expectation in the dog-versus-boy realm, so there may be hope for a lasting relationship yet.

Buddies in the Grass

Watch out. Here comes trouble! Before we know it these guys will be tearing around together at church, causing a ruckus and having a ball. Will's pal is 2 months older, and lots bigger. It's fun to see him smile and interact. He seemed very interested in Will yesterday, but Will isn't there yet. He was oblivious to all but the lights and mamma's boob. Look at how Will's pal is hamming it up. I'm sure Will will learn that in good time - with all the pictures we take on a daily basis. By the chinese calender it's the year of the pig, but by my observations it seems to be the year of the baby. Eleven new babies have been born in my circle of friends, family and coworkers in the last year. I just love the thought of these two little boys growing and playing together.