Visits

First, a discaimer: I owe so many people emails and updates that it *almost* keeps me up at night. My goal for this week is to set up the wireless connection at my parents' so that I can start using my own computer again. Photos will be uploaded then, too. I haven't had much success getting everything hooked up to date, and it's sort of disturbing how much activity will be put on hold until then. So for now, a small update.

Our weekend away was wonderful but exhausting. I think Teo and I will be happy to avoid planes for a bit, and to get a chance to establish some sort of schedule. The poor baby was tossed around from time zone to time zone, person to person, and bed to bed. He held up remarkably well, and I was so happy everyone got a chance to meet him. I especially loved seeing my sister and brother-in-law with him; they are going to be great parents.

After the wedding, I spent two days at L's house. It was a perfect visit and I wish it could have lasted longer. I realized at some point that L and I have been friends for almost 20 years, and that is both wonderful and terrifying. Twenty years! Feels like the blink of an eye. We hung out with L's dogs (two sweet and gentle Siberian huskies) and her hilarious boyfriend, eating good food and giggling. We also got to spend the afternoon with her parents, who have known me since I was a little girl. The whole visit was low-key and filled with positive energy. We also discovered Teo's love of drums -- I don't think anything else has ever fascinated him for so long.

Our return flights were exhausting as Mateo cried during both landings. I think his ears might have been bothering him. We made it, though, and then managed to pick up the dog from the kennel just in time. Then we drove to the house, ate dinner, and collapsed for a 12-hour night.

We have already been back for two full days and I am already surprised at how quickly time flies around here. Getting both boys -- Mateo and our dog, Rocky -- out for four daily walks is an enormous task in and of itself. Otherwise I have just been doing some basic things like going to the grocery and so forth. I might become dreadfully bored before my parents' return in just over a week, but for now it is sort of nice to have some down time.

My other daily activity is packing up Teo and driving to my grandmother's "assisted living" center for a visit. Grandma is losing her memory and is pretty confused much of the time, and she is clearly still reeling from the death of her husband of 68 years. Understandably, of course. Dementia is an interesting demon. Grandma spoke to me of the dancing she used to do (and teach) when she was in her 20's in Minneapolis with crystal clear precision, yet she struggles to remember how old Mateo is and asks me several times each visit. Yesterday, I mentioned that this is my first Halloween home in eight years, and she grew deeply concerned about the trick-or-treaters who would stop by her house in Duluth. I told her we would talk to the neighbor about putting a bowl of candy out for them, but she was really worried and repeatedly brought it up. It's strange how important some details are to her.

Last week, my parents and I had gone to Family NIght at the home, which basically consisted of a bunch of women in wheelchairs sitting around listening to a DJ playing tame, familiar hits. There was a sort of emcee running the party who semi-danced with the seated residents, and I was super impressed by the enthusiasm of two of the more "with it" residents who were excitedly waving their pom poms through the air. It was a strange party indeed, but Teo proved to be a superstar by singing along, much to everyone's delight.

When we stopped by yesterday, there was an a capella men's quartet performing in the parlor, so we sat downstairs for awhile and listened. Teo stood, wrapt in attention, and he occasionally joimed in (slightly off-key) the singing. It was a hoot, and I don't think I have seen grandma laugh so hard in years. All of the residents in the home like to say hello to him, and there are two or three who seem especially enamored with him. Grandma sometimes pipes in, "And I'm his great grandma!"

He's portable entertainment.