Had a great trip to Seattle…except for the weather! It was cold, rainy and windy almost the entire time I was there. I think there were one or two mornings when we saw the sun, but those days were still very windy. It did feel good to get off the plane in Burbank and feel the warm air and see the clear blue skies and sun.

I absolutely LOVED getting to spend time with Robin. At age 2 yrs and 8 mos, he is now a little boy and is extremely happy and very smart. He counts into the teens on his own (and understands the concept of counting objects), and last night was able to count to 100 with me saying one number and him saying the number that would follow. He is also able to recite the entire alphabet and knows all the sounds that each letter makes. He can spell his name and simple words–star, dog, cat, etc. He’s beginning to understand that words on a page in a book are how Kevin is able to read the books to him. His drawing skills are amazing as he draws complex objects and understands tracing using objects as stencils. He is speaking in sentences and repeats anything and everything that anyone says–meaning you have to be careful what you say within hearing distance of him! He also has his own keyboard and mouse and is able to use both extremely well.

While we were out shopping on Saturday, Soula bought him his own plastic wall clock which was the hit of the trip as far as Robin was concerned. Every night he has to sleep with his clock next to him in bed. There was a picture hanger in his room and he wanted the clock hung on it. Only problem was that the hanger was very high up and he couldn’t reach it, so someone else had to hang it. And then he wanted it back down again. Needless to say, that got old real quickly. So Kevin put a hook lower down where he could reach it. When he left his room, the clock was up on the high hook. I took him up to his room and said “Robin, where’s your clock?” He looked up high, then looked down on the lower hook, then looked up high again, then down low. He got a big grin on his face and said “Yeah!” Now he can take the clock down and rehang it himself and is totally thrilled.

I can’t believe how much Robin changes each time I see him. I probably wouldn’t notice this as much if I lived closer, but only getting to see him 2-3 times a year means he’s a completely different child each time. I certainly do appreciate seeing him far more than I think I would if I saw him more often. Nonetheless, I do wish Kevin and Soula lived closer so I could see both of them and Robin more often.

And now it’s back to my regular life. Nate and Hayes are thrilled to have me back and have been smothering me ever since I walked in the door, rubbing and purring and demanding that I pet them. It is nice to be missed! I’m heading off to my bedroom to unpack and get everything back in place so that I can get up tomorrow and get ready for work once again. While the futon at Kevin’s was comfortable, it will be nice to sleep in my own bed once again…and I’m sure the cats will be happy to snuggle in bed with me once again.