19 months

in two days, henry will be 19 months. he climbs the stairs at the park all by himself. swings his leg up, one by one, until he's all the way to the top. he scurries around in wiggly circles once he's safely landed, king of the jungle (gym). then, as if magnetized by the potential energy radiating from the gaping opening, he saunters over to the slide and sits himself down. with little hesitation, he scoots to the edge and smiles wide the whole way down. no one to catch him. no care in the world.

he wakes up bursting with agenda items.
"a poo poo" (a new diaper would be great.)
"gaut!" (i'd like my blanket, mother dear.)
"mama?!" (is mama somewhere? i'd like her in sight at all times.)
"a bu bye." (let's bounce.)

life doesn't seem so busy these days, somehow. we've taken on a new rhythm, i think. it's soothing the way the days beat on in a steady sort of way. nothing too radical, always safe and cool.

we've be talking incessantly about moving lately. sometimes, moving to the next town over seems like the solution to any problems in the world. other days, nothing will do except a uhaul back home to a cute little house in short driving distance from the people we'll always be looking for here. the truth is, the distance seems much wider when scary things are happening in our family's lives, and being here makes us both feel incredibly helpless and sad.

but we're learning, day by day, where to find the best parks in virginia and the best coffee. we've found a pizza place that will never be this (our first date!), but will do for now. and our friends here are turning into some of the best we could ask for. this place, and our little family as we wait it out here, are all going to be alright.