The New Year

We arrived back from North Carolina just last evening in the midst of 14 inches of the fluffiest white stuff you ever seen gracefully sparkling in the light of our headlights. It of course started just north of Binghamton (hour 10.5 into our12 hour journey home.) Welcome home to the land of the demented, because you have to be to deal with 10 degrees and 14 inches, snowplows and shovels, thick sweaters and thicker socks.

We went down on the 26th to North Carolina to spend a few days with Babcia and Aunt Cindy who was in from Colorado. Sophia was so excited to see her - she relished every moment she had with her Aunt Cindy. I was impressed that even though the distance is so far, and so much time has passed since we last saw Aunt Cindy, Sophia was nothing short of enthralled with her. I realize now that Sophia has a certain magic, something I was not aware of until this trip, and I am so happy for her - she will always be able to find love in her life, because she loves so unconditionally and without pretense. I am surprised it took me this long to recognize, since she received this gift from my father. He had a way about him that he was just extra special to all of us in our family. I think it was his nephew who said it best at his memorial service in Georgia, my father had a way of "making you feel like you were his favorite". Sophia has been blessed with this same grace in her life, and I realize now that she will make countless people happy in her life, and will, in turn, receive many blessings from this.

The weather was not as warm as we would have liked in NC, nor was it as sunny as we anticipated. But we were able to get out for a few family walks and a trip or two to the school playground. We also had a nice trip to the Aurora Fossil Museum where the kids dug in the dirt looking for fossils and had the opportunity to see a real dinosaur egg. Another day we went to the Washington NC Estuariam which was a lovely museum where they discuss the unique features to the waterways in the area because of its merging point of salt and fresh waters. The kids loved the museums - were interested in the material presented even - Zach and Sophia sat through a 15 minute movie on the areas environment. A trip to the mall was less than we had hoped for, but got us out of the house on a cold and gray day.

The kids received a load of toys and goodies. Grandma and family were so generous, as usual. Big hits included the Legos sets we received from Aunt G and Uncle R and the many Christmas singing/music playing plush toys we received.

The drive back from NC was fairly uneventful and I have to say - we have two of the best mini-passengers there are. I am not sure if it is because of the DVD system and the 50 videos we brought, or the appropriate snacks packed, but the kids do great! I feel so lucky that they can withstand the 12 hour journey and do so with minimal effects.

We spent the day home bound today, playing with toys we haven't seen in awhile. While watching Zach play - I felt something I haven't felt in awhile - I get the feeling that Zach is progressing in some way right now. I have nothing to pin this feeling on that is tangible or that I can explain. Perhaps it is wishful thinking that he is making progress, or desperation. Whatever it is, I feel like he is morphing a bit right now in his development - as if it is unseen, for now, and will display itself at some later time. I am so excited to see what will transpire.

I know some may think that the New Year just has me feeling hopeful, and with good reason since I am not able to point to any emerging skills in particular. But I trust this feeling, something is emerging in my little boy and I will be so excited to share it all with you one day.