October 2012

The Days of Pumpkins and Roses in Their Cheeks

The beautiful autumn days of the Piedmont are now transcendent in their warmth and color. Why does the weather help? Sometimes it just does.

Reagan has by now had two early intervention assessments that herald her progress meeting and going beyond the target norms for her age. Plus she totally enchants the evaluators. Our expectations are high and we are very hopeful.

Her well-baby checkups have gone, well…very well. She has steadily gained weight and grown longer and is in the 75th percentile. We like to joke that Reagan definitely does not cotton to missing a meal. No way.

When this three-month old moppet wakes up, she is all smiles, every single time. Whether it’s a 12-hour night of sleeping (yes!) or a short nap, she beams at the person who has come to fetch her (generally one of six star performers, with a few talented understudies on tap.) We feel relieved that a therapist friend has assured us that attachment theory says many loving caregivers are fine; it’s when they’re there and then disappear that there is a potential problem.

At month’s end, John and Larkin definitely regard Halloween with a bit of puzzlement, and Reagan is wide-eyed. Strange goings-on to the first-timer’s eyes. But pumpkin carving: now that’s something to dig into. There is a carving tableau on the back deck with two beautifully-scary fat orange faces taking shape.

Plus, everyone’s pretty thrilled that the first tastes of roasted pumpkin seeds are a big hit. Our toddlers’ good nutritional choices are always a pick-me-up to the grownups. Mommy and daddy had carefully set that approach.

Then, surprise, surprise, little Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Andy make an appearance at the family pig pickin’ Halloween party in Raleigh. But the red wigs are absolutely not in place, regarded not with mere suspicion, but outright disdain. Yes, still our fashionistas, both of them.

– Maureen O’Brien