The Zoo and a Backbone

Wyatt and I visited the Charles Paddock Zoo this morning and enjoyed a sunny day observing interesting animals. I've been getting to know Wyatt in some new ways lately. I don't know if it's him becoming more of himself or if it's me paying more attention, but either way, it's made it a lot of fun to be with him.
This was our first trip to the zoo without a stroller. We held hands walking through the front gate and made our way to the large cage housing a tiger. He held my hand tightly and walked forward gingerly. He paused, observed for quite awhile, and then wanted to walk to another area. As we got closer to the loud birds, he squeezed my hand, and walked very close to my thigh, trying to hide his head behind my leg. When we finally got up close to the birds, he watched, mouth agape, and stood still.
Wyatt is a cautious boy who soaks in the world around him before diving in to participate in it. My natural tendency is to jump in head first and, on a good day, ask questions later. This has it's perks but also some downsides that show up in the form of lack of follow through and impatience. I have a lot to learn from him and the time he takes to observe and learn.
In other news, Wyatt is recovering from a bad case of RSV and a double ear infection. He ran a 102-103 fever for seven days and had little to no appetite the entire time. Yesterday he leaned over on the couch to reach for a book and I saw the outline of his little backbone peeking out from below his shirt. I don't think we've seen his backbone since he was about four months old and on the skinny side. If only I could contract an appetite-inhibiting illness...

Daydreaming

Stapps 2010

Garett and I made a list of things that are important to both of us as we enter a new decade.

- Less TV

- More bike riding and exercise

- Serve people more

- Read through the Bible together

- More socializing for Wyatt

- Get more involved at FPC

- Design and implement yard

- In relationships - Know and be known; Love well

- Go camping

May 2010 be a year full of hope, gratitude, and possibility.

Sixteen Favorite Things from Baja

1. Outdoor shower next to spectacular cactus. 2. Enjoying the perfectly empty beach.3. Reading many books and magazines (from Sue Monk Kidd's When the Heart Waits to US Weekly).4. A modern home nestled into the desert landscape.5. The local taco stand open only Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday nights with amazing shrimp and fish tacos. Perfect with a Pacifico.
6. Garett's green salsa with delicious tomatillos and new kinds of peppers.
7. Ceviche made with fish caught by Garett from his kayak the day before.8. Sitting perched over the Sea of Cortez on the patio at Hotel Punta Pescadero (two miles south of the house we rented).9. Very kind people, even a couple who gave us their number and email address and offered to watch Wyatt (when we bring him next time) for an evening.
10. Swimming in the ocean, feeling the swell of the waves and the lingering salt on my lips.
11. Long talks with my love. Dreaming together and being reminded of why we married each other. Jotting down some family values for 2010 - kind of like goals only a bit more flexible.12. Seeing the most crazy spider ever (wish I had a picture).
13. Intensely missing Wyatt for the first time - a good feeling.
14. Watching Season Two of the TV show 24. Jack Bauer is my new TV hero.
15. Unusually good eggs and avocados. Probably the best ever.
16. Knowing Wyatt was loved and cared for by his grandparents in our absence.