At the zoo

After five weeks in Beantown

Here are some photos:





Maybe I'm imagining things, but it seems like the pace of life just keeps picking up for the Korsons. After one month all together in our new home, the unpacking is still not complete and we have much organizing, etc. ahead of us.

However, we have had fun. We've taken two quick trips up to New Hampshire (where we hiked and visited a farm); entertained Grandma Mary and Grandpa Tom; visited the Museum of Fine Arts and the zoo; and attended a couple Baby music/storytime classes at our local library.

I've recently organized a childcare co-op for about 15 neighborhood families who, like me, could use a break occasionally, but can't afford to pay for it. So far, we've just had a few playdates to get to know each other, but Anika and I will be swapping a few hours of entertainment with some new friends next week. Creating this group has also had the benefit of enabling me to meet and socialize with other new parents in the neighborhood. I honestly feel like I've had more social engagements these past few weeks than I've had in a long time, which is odd considering we're so new to this place. So, in sum: we're very happy here, just very, very tired.

Tomorrow I'm going to become a member at a local gym that seems inexpensive and provides childcare. After having exercised only a handful of times during the past year, I'm looking forward to working out a couple times per week. Although Anika doesn't love me leaving her, she's increasingly interested in playing and loves to be around other kids. Plus, this gym shares a building with a toddler art/movement place AND a children's music school. I think we're going to begin taking advantage of some art classes here once the weather begins to cool.

Also, I know it sounds insane, but I just signed Anika up for a free "Countdown to Kindergarten" program at an elementary school down the street from us. Beginning tomorrow we'll be going to a 1.5 hour pre-school program once a week for one to three year olds. The class will be run by an early childhood educator, and is intended to provide kids with developmentally appropriate activities, help prepare kids (and parents) for school, and to help parents access social services. It seems like it could be a nice thing to be apart of, even if Anika seems (to me) too young to go thorough the whole pre-school routine.

And as for Anika's development, we continue to be amazed. She now has about 45-50 signs and is saying around 15 words. This morning over breakfast she kept signing "monkey", and after I told her (twice) that her monkey was still sleeping in bed with kitty, she signed "monkey" then "kitty" then "bed". Impressive for thirteen months, nay? She also does adorable things like sign "grandma/pa" when I turn on my computer because she wants to skype with them.

She's toddling rapidly and playing with a passion. She's become very interested in imitating us and donning accessories. There's apparently no greater thrill than waddling about our condo carrying her red Elmo handbag, talking on the phone and wearing a hat. Shoes are also totally awesome, as is feeding and passing the phone to her stuffed animals.

In other news, Andrew is surviving residency, though it is challenging. He is entering his third week without a day off, and has been largely working odd hours in the Emergency Department lately. While the nature of the ED means somewhat reduced hours, it hasn't been particularly restful since Anika doesn't care how late Dada was up. Nevertheless, we are survivors: we plan to visit New York next weekend, if only for a day or two.