February and March

It's been a long while since I posted on the blog. So, here is our longest post ever. This past month, Oliver and I visited Mimi in Charlotte and Jon Ray took Solomon to Portland to visit friends. Three of our friends from New York live in Portland: Matt, Jenna and Ron (and Matt and Jenna's girls Sage and Scout). Two of our friends from Bloomington live in Portland: Austin and Gemma (with her family of five). And our friend Justin who has worked with Jon Ray landscaping for the past two years just moved to Portland. Solomon was a fantastic traveler and enjoyed being with Baba and new friends. He got off the plane and said, "Plane goes bump, Solomon says, 'Touchdown'".

Sage, Solomon, Scout

After a long day at the park.

Matt with Sage and Scout

Evening music session with Jenna, Jon Ray, Ross and Ron.

Solomon and Jon Ray meet up with Austin for a hike.

Now we're all back together again, welcoming the beginning signs of Spring.

Solomon continues to grow and talk and explore. We went to the park yesterday for the first time since November. Solomon was delighted to realize that he could climb up the ladder by himself and climb across the jungle gym ladder bridge. He is often heard saying things like, "Solomon did it...all my himself". He's using pronouns now, although not always correctly. Two days ago he asked to listen to "Peter, Paul and Mary...record with heart on it". We listened to it, singing "If I Had a Hammer" together. Solomon just started singing along with songs. Before, he only sang by himself. Then, when the record was over, he pointed to the guitar we have hanging on our wall and said, "Solomon get guitar down...play guitar and sing...like Peter, Paul and Mary". Charlie, I'm pretty sure he is your grandson!

The snow is slowly melting in our backyard.

Solomon rediscovers the playground.

He realizes he's big enough to climb the ladders.

Solomon loves going to visit the train station in downtown Glenwood Springs.


Solomon helps Baba put in a door to our bathroom. He knows which tools he can and cannot touch. He knows the names of Baba's tools. He knows that when Baba uses loud tools, everyone uses hearing protection.

Here are some of the many expressions Oliver is now giving us. When he is happy, he's VERY happy. He reacts to his name, watches everyone in the room, grabs his feet, grabs toys and puts them in his mouth and makes lots of funny noises. He giggles when we tickle him and when we lift him in the air to play airplane.

Our friend Kevin is a professional photographer and took these pics of me and the boys in February. We tried to get some with Jon Ray too, but it was meltdown time and both boys were ready for naps. Here are some of my favorites.