This might just set the record for the latest weekly update. You understand, things are rushed... work, work, work, pack up, wait a minute... I forgot...., run back up to the apartment only to realize that you did have the novel that you're reading that you won't have a moment to pick up while you're on "vacation", drive fast, drive into a traffic jam, drive into Chicago, in rush hour, wait. Wait. Wait. Wait. Remember that patience is a virtue that you weren't born with and haven't worked on yet. Pause. See a musical and love it. Realize that it's still a bit awkward to see sex scenes while sitting next to your father. While swear words are now okay, the word "sensual" is not an adjective I'd like to hear.
Go. Run back to the car. Drive slow. Drive into a traffic jam, in rush hour, wait. Wait. Wait. Wait. Remember why it is that you travel at the boy's bedtime so we escape the whole "I'm tired of being in my carseat" wail that he masters when he wants to be mobile. Shush him to sleep. Drive. Drive faster, drive into Michigan late. Get the boy to bed. Rest. Rest for two hours until the boy wants to nurse again. Rest.
Relax.
I've said it before and I'll say it again - Liam learns so much on vacation. My Dad came in Tuesday night so we could all drive in together (another witness to the madness), and for the first time Liam stood without holding on to anything. Not once, but three times.
By the time we got into Grand Rapids, we were exhausted. Even though it's only a six hour drive, it wipes us out. We woke up and Liam had taught himself how to play hopscotch! No, not really. We spent the whole day at the pool and had a blast splashing in the pool. His wrinkly toes made a delicious snack when he was done.
John was sure to take advantage of the extra hands. He played golf with his Dad for the first time in something like fifteen years. He wasn't exactly Tiger Woods, but he had a lot of fun.
Friday I took photos with Dylan...
and saw Cosette.
By Saturday, Liam had figured out how to play Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata blindfolded.
Not really.
But he was more vocal than he has ever been. He started saying Mama and Dad with a bit more intention. And for the first time he can find things, like where's the ... ball, Dad, Mom, fish, cow, etc. When you ask him, he thinks about it and turns his head around the room to scan where the ball, Dad, Mom, fish, or cow is.
On Saturday we went to our family's cottage. It's on a small lake so the water is warm and baby friendly. Grandpa Shotwell (GranDaddio) took him out in it, and I'm not sure if Liam was too keen on this experience...
...but he's been going through a separation anxiety phase lately.
He actually took his nap while we were at the cottage (knock on wood, we're getting better!), and we were able to spend almost the whole day relaxing. John and I even went tubing. Which is, by the way, the best workout I have had in years. Made me realize the best way to exercise is by focusing on something else, like how to not face plant on the water going fifty miles an hour.
That night John stayed home with Liam and I went out like a real grown up. Audrey, Greg, and I saw the Time Traveler's Wife were I cried like a little girl. (The first time I read the book was a month after Liam was born and I inhaled it. I quickly learned that postpartum hormones, sleep deprivation, and a heartfelt novel about love, pregnancy, miscarriages, child rearing, and death is a bit too much to handle. It took me about a day to recover from the sobbing.) Then we went out for drinks. We stayed up until 2am and actually closed the bar. It was so nice to catch up and talk about everything in our lives. I miss them so much.
Sunday we woke up and saw our friends Megan, Steve, and their son Patterson.
It's so crazy that have kids. John and Steve used to spend most of their time talking about music together and record shopping. Now they spend most of their time talking about music and the fine details of their son's development. It's adorable and wild all the same.
We came home to the Powers' house and relaxed for a minute before packing up and saying goodbye. Liam, the mobile boy, fought this tooth and nail.
We hugged Grandma and Grandpa and then...
Repeat. Pack up, wait a minute... I forgot..., run back to the house because you forgot just about everything, check under the bed, around the coffeetable, where is that damn pacifier? Oh yes, in the toy basket. Hugs all around, drive, drive slow through construction, drive slow on one lane, drive into Chicago and wonder how it is that it always seems like rush hour, get into a toll oasis, and pause.
Liam, who is still awake, is happy. And as we wait in the car for John to get some things, Liam is watching a group of people walk by the car. A few moments after they pass, he is still watching them. Slowly, slowly, he raises his hand and waves. I wanted to call the presses. You could see him working so hard to figure it out. He waved for a few minutes and then stopped, satisfied with his move.
We got back into the car, and got home with little trouble after that. But you understand, things are rushed when you get home. Laundry, dishes, bills, emails, grocery shopping, and lastly, blogging. Which is why, my dear friends, blogging happens on Tuesday this time. Week gone wild.
Now, relax. Breathe. Forget folding that pile of laundry and read Clifford the Big Red Dog again. Wave back and forth with the boy and feel grateful that I have the time to play and life is quiet. Most of the time.
Much love, more next week.
