In 2008 I learned that laundry and dishes keep coming.
January 2008 I was pregnant with Carly and busy watching 18 month old Diederick. Finally Deeder’s baby jabber sounds were beginning to evolve into actual words–I was strongly trying to encourage this but had no idea that it would take him a whole year to actually speak in a consistent legible form.
February 2008 We were snowed in and trying to make the best of it, going outside even at freezing temps just for the air and to take day after day of snow pictures. I started to worry about falling down as pregnant girls are apt to do on ice. Thankfully, aside from a scraped up Diederick face and a case of cabin fever we got through that month unharmed.
March 2008 The first robin of the year graced our yard! I hopped out of the house faster than I thought I previously thought possible to catch a picture of him. The photo turned out to be little more than a blur, but all the same he was there and I was thrilled. Robins mean Spring and are an obvious sign that Winter’s forever feeling will end.
April 2008 We met the neighbor Carol and her dog Luca. They became good friends and their yard was within no time one of our favorite hang outs. After arriving in Washington we sent them a postcard telling them how much we missed our daily visits.
May 2008 Darren turned 40, and a couple weeks later I gave birth to his daughter. We named her Carly Annalise Taryn. Her brother Diederick attended the delivery, and seven months later I still believe that his being there made it all more bearable. The joy in bringing new life into the world is amazing beyond words and I’ll remember every bit of that day forever.
June 2008 My husband and son flew to Washington and stayed with my family there for one week. I had a special time to bond with my new baby and the chance to realize how incredibly strong the attachment I have to my two-year-old really is.
July 2008 Diederick Dale turned two years old. That month Darren returned to work after a two and a half week off break. I experienced exhaustion and often found myself overly emotional. Deeder shows signs of jealousy and requires constant supervision around his sister.
August 2008 We make the final decision to move our family to Washington from Vermont, a 3,052 mile journey. For some crazy reason we choose to do it ourselves; buy a storage trailer and prep Darren’s 15 year old truck to pull it across the country. Darren gives notice at his work and we begin packing up our house with a departure date set for the first week of September.
September 2008 The journey proves to be challenging, an emotional and spiritual pilgrimage as the truck at times looked like it wanted to go into retirement. Darren’s best friend and long time faithful companion, Heidi Dog, visits the farm where she spent many a happy day for the last time and is buried there. Darren and I celebrate our 3rd anniversary.
October 2008 After making it to WA in time for my sisters wedding we begin settling in with my mom and dad’s place, our temporary home until we buy/rent our own home. Deeder challenges rules, and struggles a little with being a part of a bigger household. Darren begins his new job at the local hospital.
December 2008 Diederick has found his place and I begin to wonder what he will do without his aunties and uncle around. What will he have to look forward to without having them come home at the end of their school day? Carly too is settling in, although to my disappointment, is not sleeping through the night or taking long naps leaving me with little sleep myself.
Darren continues to enjoy his work.