William communicates

Oh, it is quiet. William left yesterday with his parents Helen and Ben. The 'Nashvillers' had a looooong drive home with heavy rain in the dark at the end. But all seemed to have gone well. William is a good traveler just like his mother was as a baby.

It was wonderful having the young family visit. We had a lot of fun together. We also learned Williams 'language'.

Walking to his highchair and standing there means "I am hungry".

 This means "Doors need to be closed".

 This means "I need a diaper change" (downstairs on Omi's bed).

 This means "I really would like to climb the stairs. May I please".

"And why is my Mommy on the other side of the gate?"

 "I am bored and need to go exploring".

"May be play with the toys from my box ... or play peek-a-boo with grandpa behind the fireplace".

And this means "I really would love to play with all of these!" There was no doubt, William liked the lighted trees very much. His eyes sparkled when we stepped on the switches.














Now we put the breakables again on the lower shelves ... with mixed feelings. We both went to our gyms yesterday and today and I have caught up with the church bookkeeping. What is next? Probably writing a list so I don't forget to do something and can check things done off.

Christmas will be here very soon.

It's official!

William has been walking for quite a while ... but always holding on to at least just one finger from somebody.

Yup, with one finger from Grandpa even walking around on the uneven grass in our back yard is fun.

On Tuesday, a rainy day, Helen and Omi took William to story hour at the library. 










That was a lot of fun. You can see videos here
and   here.















But when we were home in the afternoon, William decided that he could walk just like the other toddlers he had seen at story hour ... and let go of others' fingers. It was exciting!!!
Ben happened to make this video just at the right time!

And he is on the go ever since! On Wednesday he went to the playground with his Mommy, Grandpa and Auntie Sarah (who took these photos).

That day Omi was busy at the CrossRidge (subdivision) bazaar selling things for charity. On the right are the church ladies.

Ta da !!!  My stall: Chrismons and Over-the-door-card-displayers and some other things. Nothing much seemed to happen , but when I counted at home I was surprised. It was worth-while for the Virginia Food Bank.

But it is the most fun in the mornings, when I hear the little feet coming down the stairs and in front of the bedroom door. Helen brings him to us and if there is time, he will cuddle up with James and me for a little while (while Helen makes his breakfast). He loves the German down bedding.

Sarah and Wade invited us another evening for dinner. Wade's Aunt Carolyn knew that William would be visiting this week and had dropped off some toys for him to play with at their house, which I think was so very nice of her. They had a lot of fun with these when her son was really small. One was a Hanukkah set which a Jewish friend had given her. William really liked the music it played. Click here    Unfortunately I missed videoing William's best 'dancing' movements.

William also learned to say the name of Sarah's cat. Click here.
Edy wasn't so sure about all this and stayed away.

Toddler-proofing!

Highest priority on the to-do-list: making the stairs safe for William before he arrives.

So we google and go shopping. After visiting several shops we buy two gates ... but after taking them home find out that they would not work. So we bring them back and do more shopping. Finally we find the ones which will work. James gets to work.

 At least we don't have to cook. Sarah and Wade invite us for dinner. This time I do not forget to take photos of their finally finished remodeling.

 The new sun-room or morning-room is splendid. Such a happy place.

Edy greets us as always in her calm way.

After a little dancing around, Schatzi has calmed down too. Sweet dog.

And what is cooking on the 'green egg' this time?

Lamb chops! So good! And since S&W are leaving next day for Thanksgiving at Wade's parents, we get to take the leftovers home. Yeah!

Sarah had asked whether I could take a family photo for their Christmas card of them. Well, Schatzi is ready sitting there like a lady.

 Getting everybody ready is a different story.

 Jimmy, sit here!

 Will a treat help?

 Jimmy is sitting. Now Schatzi decides to reposition.

 This is funny.

 Ups, now Edy has enough of this.

 Shall we start all over?

 Well?

 Oh, what the heck!












And after taking 62 photos with the camera set to continuous picture taking, the first one is actually the best.

 Or this one?

Thanksgiving weather is so nice. We planted this camellia in the front about a year ago. It is full of buds and a few blossoms are already open. So lovely.

Continuing with the 5-minute-job ... 

We found a great solution ... wanting it to be very safe but minimal drilling of holes.

Yup! This will do.

If you want to see what William thinks about it a few days later, click here.

Friday evening we treated ourselves to see the opera Hansel and Gretel at the Carpenter Theater, Richmond VA. We enjoyed it very much. Memories of seeing the same opera 36 years ago at the Lincoln Center in NYC.

Saturday November 26 ... our civil wedding anniversary.
1975 in City Hall Manhattan. It had been a Wednesday then.

We decided to celebrate a little and went out for lunch. Good food in a favorite Italian place.

Aah, lovely seafood for Christa.

 Got a little messy.












At 1:30 in the night the Nashvillers arrived. Quite a drive for Helen and Ben with William but as always he was a very good traveler.

He had grown again so much. A big boy who likes to try the spoon himself.

Sunday evening everybody is together and James has cooked the Thanksgiving turkey.

Taking it easy and enjoying the conversations.

Plenty of leftovers too.