17 months

Another month has come and gone...and it was another busy one with a lot of travel and activity.  I'm glad to get back into the swing of things here at home, though I'm not a fan of Dexter's long days away from home.  I'm working on finding things for us to do to fill our days. . .Story Hour at the local library, MOPS (Mothers of PreSchoolers) once a month at a nearby church, and, I hope, an activity class at a local gym once a week, and lots of walks to the park.  That should fill things up nicely.  Do you have things you do with your kids?

Our happy guy is now 17 months.  This month he. . .

. . .got two more teeth! I think two more might be coming in.  We have a grand total of four. 

. . .seems to be transitioning from two naps a day to one long afternoon nap. I thought I was sad about this, but a 2 or 2 1/2 hour nap in the afternoon I can live with.

. . .spent a lot of time outside, and a lot of that time eating dirt!

 {happy}

 {studying}

 {thinking}

 {sportin' new shoes}

 {digging in the dirt. all.the.time}

 {eating said dirt}

I love these next two pictures so much.  We give him frozen berries every afternoon because he loves them, he can work on his pincher grip, and it gives me FIVE MINUTES PEACE! Oh, and they're healthy.

 perplexed?

small vampire

I took him to the doctor today, the first time since he was 11 months and we were still in Kenya!  It took me an HOUR to find the office which was less than 3 miles away (perhaps I shouldn't admit this?), and then we waited almost three to see the doc!  He's measured in at 30 1/2 inches, and weighs 22 pounds.  This is pretty low for each -10th and 20th percentiles, I think.  Because he's so short the doc has recommended he see an endocrinologist.  This makes me a little sad, but I'm sure it will be okay.  Still, should you think of it, say a prayer that it is nothing serious. Perhaps he's just slow to get started growing?  Also, since he speaks NO discernible words yet, she wants him to have early intervention to help with speech.  Someone would come to our house, which is awesome, but part of me wants to wait a couple more months just to see if he'll take off. Perhaps the mix of English & Swahili is slowing him down?

And I leave you with this sweet picture.  Kyalo LOVES the phone.  He turns everything into a phone (his spoon, his toys, a stick). I often find him sitting on the floor "talking" on the phone...lots of noises and laughter, it is so sweet.  This picture is extra special because he's actually talking to Grandma & Grandpa on Sunday afternoon here.  I am a little worried, though, that he's only 17 months and we're already having to tell him, "get off the phone!"

he's got it all figured out

and yes, he's wearing overalls without a shirt.

visit with Olatundes

A couple of months ago my friend Shiny, in the UAE, mentioned that the chaplain of Oasis would be moving to the US for seminary this summer.  Turns out, he would be moving to Gordon-Conwell, a seminary that is FOUR MILES from my parents' house.  And, it turns out, he and his family would be arriving in the beginning of August while Dexter and I were still vacationing.

Naturally, a visit was a must.

Since the family had only been in the US about a week, and had no car, Dexter and I loaded them up in my dad's van and our trusty Civic to give them a tour of the area. The North Shore of Boston is truly beautiful, especially along the coast.  We always like a chance to show it off a bit.  Plus, there's lots of history, too.  We made a couple of stops along the way. . .at Gordon, at a beach in Manchester, and a park in Gloucester. 

 Olatundes

Isaac (holding Kyalo), Adeola, Covenant, Peace & Praise

Isaac & Adeola

Handsome couple!

The beautiful Gloucester Harbor

I'd say that they moved to a pretty great place, but very different from the UAE and their home country of Nigeria.  Covenant is a senior now at the high school I went to! 

After the tour they came back to Essex for burgers and corn on the cob - perfect summer fare!  It was wonderful to see them, hear a little bit about Oasis, and to get them connected to my family.  My mom's already taken them shopping.  Since Isaac is in a program that could be up to six years, I know we'll see them many more times.

wedding weekend: wedding!

Now, we get to the good stuff.

The wedding was at 5 PM, which turned out to be a perfect time because there was rain earlier in the day, and it wasn't too terribly hot.  Jess was, of course, beautiful.  She was remarkably relaxed and at ease during the day.  I remember feeling a bit of stress on my wedding day. This way is much better.

 David and Tim, the minister

 David's parents, Jenny & Alan

 David's niece, Jessica (seriously, how cute is she?)

David's sister, Tracey

Mr

Lots of pictures of Jess and her father, Craig.  Before they walked down the isle they were both teary and needed to take some time to collect themselves.  So sweet!

Mr & Mrs Webb!!

The whole family!  Jess & David with (to the left) Brooke & David and Brady, Emma, Cami, and (to the right) Craig and Margot (I love that Jess & Margot are holding hands!) and Alyson and Albert

Dear friends, from Essex, were there. .

 Davd (oh yes, another one!) & Linda Carlson, My dad, Paul & Karen Rogati, Dexter, Dick Cairns

Nancy Cicero & Beth and Dick Cairns

I'm wishing I got more photos of the guests, but I think at this point, I needed to put the camera down.  Plus, there was all that flat bread to be eating.

Jess' roommate from Taylor, Alison, and her husband, Chris and 11-month old son, Walker came, too.  Kyalo enjoyed playing (picking up rocks next to...) Walker, and I enjoyed talking to another new(ish) mom.  Plus, her husband is in a medical residency in Baltimore, so she gets the school thing, too.  Too bad they're in Baltimore and not Newark . . .

new friends

impromptu first dance

Saturday was the one year wedding anniversary for her sister Alyson, so there was a surprise cake for them, and a bit of dancing.  

And just like that (more or less) the wedding was over. . .finished off with a fire in the fire pit and roasting marshmallows for the few of us left standing.  I think Jess was really pleased with how everything turned out.  

Now we're all back to our normal lives.  I prefer the magical one, myself. . .

wedding weekend: decor

When your almost sister gets married at your house, you tend to take a lot of pictures. 226, to be precise.  Trying to narrow down a few for this blog seemed virtually impossible, so I decided to break it down into two posts: decor and people. 

The catering/decorating was done by Chive, a local establishment that prides itself on being sustainable, organic, 0% waste, etc etc.  They really made my parents' house -- already a beautiful setting -- into something magical and stunning.  And the food from local farms/places mostly around the north shore was spectacular.  They had this vegetable cheese flat bread that I'm pretty sure changed my life.  And then a Creme Brulee bar for dessert?! I'm in heaven.  Hello Salted Almond Caramel Creme Brulee, can you be in my life forever?

Anyway. . .enough chit-chat, on to the pictures (in no particular order).

 Can you believe this is my parents' driveway? I'm telling you - the place became magical!

 I love that Jess & David contributed to Gentle Bells, as a thank you to my parents for them hosting the wedding.

 "May the Mind of Christ, My Savior"

a hymn sung at Craig & Margot's wedding, as well as Brooke & David's, Alyson and Albert had it read at their wedding last year, and Jess finished it off by having it sung in hers.

 I wish I were eating all of this again right now.

I'd take two more of these, please

 There was a bit of rain - but not too much.

Showers of blessings for their wedding and marriage!

Jess was prepared with umbrellas for folks

Now that you have a good sense of the setting and decorations, I'm sure you can hardly wait to see the bride and groom. Well, never fear, they're up next!