408. Colds

William and Andrew have a cold, Diana seems to have come down with something too. She started it. I'm sure I'll be getting it too, and then we're going to be in trouble.

The boys are OK though. William whispers to me, and then when I say, "are you telling me a secret?" he says, "Secret" in a whisper.

Andrew has graduated from drunken sailor walking, to tipsy sailor.

Sunday we went to the doctor, it's the first time I've seen their second doctor. He seemed a little brusk to me, but Diana said not more than the lesser of the two he used to see. The strep culture was negative, they have something viral, which I think means it's just a cold.

Cliff met us at the park, and we hung out some. He came over, and we played some chess while the boys were sleeping, 10 minute games. Then we watched Open Water, which is a scary movie. I took William to the park later, for the second time. He played some where he says, "come on," and I follow him around. He met a cute little girl, and they played a little. Then we went to the field, the ball park and grass. He played with the water fountain and got a little wet. He played with the rocks.

William dances to the TV sometimes. He really likes the Backyardigans. It's a lovely weekend with the boys, I missed being away from them, and it's hard to enjoy them when I'm tired during the work week. They've been a little clingy with their colds.

407. Back home

William and Andrew (the three guys, Natasia and Robyn) and Diana and Aida all went on a long bus ride to the Bronx Zoo today. They got there late, so they didn't do a whole lot, but they got to see baboon, monkey, Ibex and an ostrich.

Yesterday was the aquarium. William liked the jelly fish and clownfish and Andrew was scared of the shark.

It was so wonderful to see my boys when I got back from Aryaloka. I had a wonderful retreat, but really wanted to be reunited with my boys. They seem to have grown. William is talking more, Andrew is walking better. Andrew was not as ecstatic, I don't think he's as attached to me as yet. Happy 10 months to Andrew, and happy birthday to Diana. We went over to Diana's sister Virginia's house Sunday to celebrate, and a wonderful time was had by all.

406. Going Away

There has been so much going on. Work is so intense. That I am going away for a week, family has been intense. And the spiritual life has been intense too. So I've let the blog slide for the first time in a long time. I want to write once before I go away. I'm going to miss William and Andrew and Diana, so much, while I am on my retreat. Diana think it's crazy to go away, but it helps me to love them all, to be the best me possible for them.

Andrew is so cute, he howls till I pick him up, when I come home. William and I have a special connection as well. William is using more and more words, it's hard to keep track of. He's repeating words. I just love it when I lay on the floor and they climb all over me, I love swinging William around. Andrew does not yet feel comfortable with that. William is going on the swings more and more, which he avoided. I fear Andrew will have some of the vestibular sensory integration issues as William. I try to be mindful of when he's uncomfortable, and not push him into an uncomfortable mode.

I love William, Andrew, and Diana.

405. Eleven children

I'm writing this entry for the 3rd time, because on Aida's computer and another the pop up blocker blocked my spell check and I lost the text. So I'll just quickly say that there were 11 children over at "Camp Miller" as Diana likes to say, over in New Jersey. William said "bridge" when he saw it in a book, which made me proud, and then he later fell asleep with out a bottle.