Covid-19 Pandemic Update

While I haven't written about the pandemic recently, it isn't because it has gotten better.  We are all now vaccinated but still have to distance, wear masks, and worry about the implications of our decisions.  You may notice that Christmas photos include maskless gatherings -- this did not happen without everyone being fully vaccinated, lots of deliberating, and, oftentimes, masks coming on and off throughout the gatherings.  

Nothing is especially taxing; it is merely the compounded inconvenience of most things (e.g., planning grocery shopping when others aren't around; entertaining the kids without organized sports/activities or even just indoor venues; planning and re-planning work events around COVID rates; etc.). We are worn out from thinking, worrying, working, parenting, and life in general. I'm grateful for Joshua and the kids taking this so seriously.  But I'm also concerned about the long-term effects of this vigilance, trepidation, and distance from our community.  Each new variant adds a new round of underlying fear and a certain sense of moderate dread.  Maybe it is because we haven't had COVID that we are more scared of it.  

As we approach the two-year mark, I thought it was important to remember that this was challenging in the slow marathon sort of way.  Nothing terrible but also not regular life either.  

Merry Christmas

 

Happy 10th birthday, James!

Dear James, we are so grateful for your full-on enthusiasm for everything that we had to originally strong-arm you into doing.  That may sound like a backhanded comment but it is said with oodle and oodles of love along with a big smile.  It is just the way you are: still our 360 kid who is fully cold or burning hot to every idea. We still often refer to this trait in you as "Little Bubbers," your nickname from when you were a baby.  While you are initially hesitant to do something new, go anywhere, or eat something, it is difficult to find something you do not like.  In the end, you often say, "This was the best day/trip/meal/visit/event," which makes the struggle to engage you worth the effort.  You are fully in the moment and that is what makes you a terrific and authentic kid.

You love friends and family -- giving tight, full-body hugs when greeting those we haven't seen in a while --, anything athletic (especially football in the yard, long bike rides on the trail, climbing at the gym, soccer at recess, and hiking), anything related to video games (Ace Force on your Kindle, MineCraft Dungeons on the PlayStation), and listening to books on tape (Wings of Fire).  You are always moving, singing, or making sound effects and can often be found petting the cat.  You continue to have great singing pitch, an impressive ear for languages, and are skilled with the violin, which you often play like a guitar.  

I love that I can still swoop you up in my arms and swing you around while you hold onto my waist with your strong legs.  Although (and I don't know that you realize this yet), at the rate that you are growing, I don't think that I will be able to do this much longer.  I imagine you will still be a snuggly person throughout your life.  

Alma remains your best friend, first confidant, and partner in all things silly.  While this year has created some distance (physically, since you don't go to the same school so you miss out on that extended time together before and after school; emotionally, as Alma is transitioning into a young lady), you two are still close -- connecting via email, chatting through dinner, and spending loads of time together on the weekends.  The two of you can still sit at the dining room table for hours, chatting, laughing, and sharing a snack or hot cocoa.  

The pandemic has not been easy on you, causing you some additional anxiety (especially about being around crowds), making you miss the Dragon Gym martial arts program, and canceling school events like concerts, plays, and overnight class trips.  Sometimes you lament how your childhood is being affected but then always express an understanding that so many people have struggled in much more significant ways.  In the coming years, I look forward to traveling with you (Scotland is at the top of your list, due to the country report you recently completed), finding new adventures and activities to explore (bikecamping?), and attempting to fill in some of the gaps that were caused by the pandemic.

Dad, Alma, and I love you so much and are so pleased that you are part of our family.  

Christmas Eve Delights

 

James's Birthday Party

 

Happy birthday, Mom!

 

Happy Birthday, Alma!

 

Waiting for Alma

Here's a message I wrote to a friend on this day 12 years ago...

I'm feeling SUPER, thanks for asking! I oscillate between thinking that we will have a Turkey Day babe and realizing that I'll probably go past my due date like most first-time mothers.

I'll be happy with whatever happens. Although this waiting is driving me a little crazy. It's like knowing there is going to be an awesome party and it will change my life ... but someone forgot to tell me when the party is going to happen. So I'm sitting around in my fancy dress, with my hair just so and my feet in somewhat uncomfortable heels, just waiting. The expectation is thrilling!

Raising Alma these last 12 years has been such a joy.  I feel that she raised us into parents. I continue to learn so much from her -- about being humble, looking out for one's community, seeing situations in a different light, and finding joy, adventure, and humor in situations.  I love that one of her most common phrases is still "It's okay."  

A funny example of how Alma sees things differently from me: The other day, she told me that she feels bad for the bus driver, who has to say "you're welcome" to all the students as they get off the bus.  This fact made me laugh because I bet the bus driver loves that every child says "thank you" while exiting the bus.  But Alma felt so much compassion for the driver, who she felt must be bored of doing that every day.  Another example is Alma's love (or disdain?) for the fact that I've totally become "a mom" and now cannot remember (or worse -- mispronounces) the names of pop stars, makes corny jokes, and does a variety of embarrassing or cringe-worthy actions each day.  

While she is headed into her teenage years (I know, not yet officially), I hope she continues to hold onto the independent, free-thinking, and loving core that we know to be her center.

The above photo is from November 2009 at the South Philly High School where Simon played fetch every day while we were pregnant with Alma.  The below photo from November 2011 when we were waiting for James.  I have such special memories of that time with Alma, who was (and still is) my special buddy, always up for an adventure.  

Bright Yard

 

Missing Our Funny Pup

The house feels very lonely without Simon always keeping track of us.  He's always been close by and every space he used to occupy is still filled with his energy.  I'm finding it difficult to work from home -- every time I sit down to type at the computer, I'm accustomed to his head finding a way onto my lap and his void makes my eyes tear.

I'm so grateful for all the happy memories of Simon that buoy my spirits ... along with the silly videos and all the photos.  I miss his soft head and feel that I will always remember how it felt to pet him.

Halloween

 Zombie Pigman (Minecraft), Mara (Progressive commercials), and a Skeleton friend

Happy birthday, Joshua!

 

It is always such a delight to celebrate our favorite guy.  We love you so very much -- today and always.