Simon helped Fred and I ring in the New Year with style. We spend New Year's Eve at my Peace Corps Veteran and good friend Carla's house. She had invited a handful of families and everyone came with at least one, but more like two, children. It was the type of wonderful melee and noisy joy that would have made childless-Fred-and-Kendra cringe. But Simon's parents loved it and dove into the scrum with vigor. There was Wii dancing, spaghetti bolonaise throwing, statues-playing, truck races, ball-throwing and kava drinking all mixed up with occaisonal firework displays. It was a sight to be seen. Simon conked out at about 8pm but woke up raring and ready to go at 9. He danced the New Year in with all of us as evidenced by his prominent place in the dance circle below:
Simon Breaks It Down
The early days of 2012 have been filled with sun, friends and much thought by Fred and I. We came home from our USA/France trip wondering just how long we would stay in Vanuatu. We haven't stopped talking about it since. The dilemma is that while we want to be closers to our friends and family, we have some pretty good friends here, stable employment, a great house and fabulous care for Simon. Not to mention the kava. In short, life is pretty darn good right here. We're busy hatching contingency plans, though, but at this point it looks like at least two more years here. AusAID, my place of work, will reimburse any studies I undertake related to my current job and I'm EXTREMELY interested in taking advantage of this opportunity before Fred and I start getting clucky for another baby.
Simon and Ellie love Sesame Street
Having Simon in our lives has pushed Fred and I to try new activities and get out of the house on the weekends (which is doubly hard now that we have a kick-ass internet connection!). The newest restaurant crze here is the Wahoo Bar which is located about a 30 minute drive outside of town. The newly paved road around the island has opened up tourism and development opportunities on the northern side of the island ... and provided us with a sunny afternoon of good food and entertainment as we watched Simon walk his "baby."
Simon pushed his stroller
Simon and Moma eat fish and chips at the Wahoo
The weather lately has been very strange, alternately sweaty-hot and get-the-blanket-out-chilly. During one of the hot days, we gave Simon his first ice cream bar. Needless to say, he has a tendency for dairy-love coming from both sides of his family.
Do I have some ice-cream on my chin?
Simon has been developing in leaps and bounds... literally. He knows how to jump now and isn't afraid to launch himself unaided into a swimming pool. (This can be heart-stopping if you aren't paying close attention.) He's also become aware of "boo-boos" that he both gets and gives. He still has a bit of biting problem, but this seems to be limited to me and when he's tired. He can use a fork and a spoon, make lots of different animal noises and name most body parts. He's obsessed with my breasts right now in a way that he never was when he was breast-feeding. Is this where men's obsession with mammaries begins?! We're trying to teach him words for bodily functions in preparation for potty-training. Today, he said pee-pee and then did it (in his diaper). Great start! He loves to give kisses full on the mouth and growls when he gives you a bear hug. Did I tell you that we love him to bits?!
Simon - 18 Months
Isn't it amazing how, once you have a kid, every (at least nearly every) update you share becomes about them? I don't think I've posted a non-Sofia-related update to Facebook since she was born.
So happy life is grand for the three of you... and we will welcome you with wide-open arms whenever you decide to make your way back stateside.
Happy New Year and much love to the three of you!
Posted by: Marissa | January 21, 2012 at 10:08 AM
Such a handsome baby.... great to see that you are all doing well!
Posted by: emily | January 20, 2012 at 06:14 AM
Glad for the update and new pictures of Simon. His growth is obvious in the pictures. 18 months is such a great age...everything is new and exciting in a toddler's life. Love that boy!
Posted by: MomGates | January 20, 2012 at 02:48 AM
I have been checking daily... Glad to see an update and what a fun New Year's Eve! I am enjoying your blog- keep it coming. Your family is lovely and Simon will make a great big brother... someday!
Posted by: Amy Jo | January 19, 2012 at 08:32 PM