End of an era

The last picture we would ever take in Kelton Ave.  Thanks for all the love and memories.

Dear Naomi,

I haven't posted in quite some time.  Why?  Just so much change going on.  What I haven't mentioned at all on the blog yet is that our little family has made a huge, huge milestone come true.  We just bought our very first home.  I'll share so much more of that as the days come, and just know that getting there wasn't easy.  What I can share with you is that I am so proud of our family for making this dream come true.  It took a lot of time and patience and effort, but in the end, we found ourselves a place we can call home.  A place where we will watch you spend your childhood.  We want so much for you to have something that we didn't have, and that's a home for you to grow up in that is all ours.  We even have the backyard with a nice big tree for you.  There is so much more to share, but that's not what this post is about.  This post is about saying goodbye to days that I know will be the best days in my life.  That's not saying that we don't have better days to come, I just mean that I will never forget our days on Kelton Ave, in our little cozy apartment, where I watched you live your first year and a half of life.  Where I watched you take your first bite of food.  Where I watched you take your first steps.  Where I watched you laugh for the first time and say your first words.  Where I watched your Mom flourish as a mother.  Where we created visions and memories that can sometimes bring me to tears with how beautiful they are.  I had no idea how hard it would be to say goodbye to that place... the neighborhood, the neighbors, the park, and of course our morning strolls - a precious time that I will always cherish.  They say that people can't remember days from before they were 2 years of age.  Well I'll make you a promise Naomi - I will sit with you one day and share with you all of these wonderful memories from you first year.  You will see just what an amazing life we all shared there together and the roots of love we have established for our little family.  I look so forward to that day.  And even though my tone may sound sad, I am also inspired and happy to see the direction our family has chosen. I am excited for new memories, and new stories.  Most of all, I am so very thankful for all of the fortune and health that we have.  Words can never say enough for how lucky we are.    

Her last moments in the room she grew up in.  She was helping Papa clean up.

Here are pictures I took on our last morning stroll in Westwood park.  It was a routine that just somehow shaped into a tradition that so many of our friends and family loved to see our daily posts of pictures.  Thank you Naomi for every single morning stroll that we had.

Love, 

Papa

18 Months!

So as evidence that life has been busy the past few months, I haven't been able to publish many posts these days.  It's definitely not from a lack of happening.  If anything, too much is going on!  And in the midst of so many life changing decisions that our little family is currently experiencing, our little Naomi is all of a sudden turning 18 months today!  I mean, this girl was literally getting comfortable with taking steps just a minute ago,  now she is practically walking the dogs herself.  It's bitter sweet watching her grow up so fast.  And as she continues to discover her own voice and strength, it's such a rewarding and comforting feeling to know that every time she shares happiness or frustration, she is potentially sharing something with the two people she trusts most for the very first time.  That's such a magical thing to me.  Each and every time that she want's to explore a fallen leaf, or pile of rocks, such simple things, I remind myself to witness this not through my eyes, but through hers.  What a world she must see.  I could never explain just how much I love her.  Happy 18 months in this world little Naomi.  

love, 

Papa

a couple of firsts

​That's right!  Baby Naomi experienced her first bike ride and her first swim.  These are two things I have been anxiously awaiting, and now that they are done and checked off the list of firsts, I can tell you that they were every bit the magic that I thought they would be.  Naomi handled the bike as if she was ready to drive it herself and her first dip in the pool was met with curiosity and waves to the other children swimming as she entered the pool with me for her first drift in the warm water.  Grandpa Tolik and Grandma Alla were in town to witness the first swim, and Grandpa definitely was eager to join in on the festivities.  We all enjoyed turns with Naomi in the pool as she trustingly let us gently sway her from side to side as we paced the length of the pool.  You could sense her body fall into a slow calm once she understood that this big thing of water was a good and fun thing, and something she can look forward to.  Man, what a feeling it was to carry her in.  I can only imagine what it will be like to take her into the ocean for the first time.  As for the biking, let's just say that she was in perfect form and rode like a champ.  Looking forward to getting out there again with her soon.  Maybe it's time to get that beach cruiser that Mama has been wanting for so long.