Adventures in Growing

The hardest part of being a parent in Haiti is not getting to share my son with family and friends on a regular basis. So tonight I’d like to get you up to speed on the many talents and quirks of a little boy named Solomon who has his mom and dad wrapped around his pinky toe.


Solomon is not only walking, he is as close to running as a speed-toddle can get. He has discovered the game of Chase or “I’m gonna GET ya!” and toddles away as fast as his short legs can carry him, squealing with delight and ducking behind mommy’s legs (or daddy’s if mom is in hot pursuit). He now cruises all over the apartment; he’s MUCH to big for his kiddie cart now. He's following us from room to room, opening cupboards and closets, empting them of their contents, sometimes crawling inside. He likes to walk outside on the back porch and watch the children play below, hollering out to them for their attention (which they gladly give).

He is also starting to climb… can maneuver his baby toes onto the lip of the first layer of tile along the balcony, holding himself up with his arms to peer over the edge. Once he learns to scale walls we will be absolutely forced to move before he takes his first flying lesson.

He is starting to master rolling over and scooting on his belly off the bed or the couch, and is QUITE pleased with himself when he does it sans help. Mr. Independent.

He’s learning how to throw. And how to share.

He still loves to give applause.

He is “SO BIG” when he raises his hands above his head.

When feeling silly, he scrunches up his nose in a “what stinks?” expression, audibly breathing in and out through his nostrils and pouching out his lips. It makes Patrick and I laugh out loud no matter what we are doing.

He says “Dada” now with meaning, and maybe “mama” or was it “baba” without quite as much comprehension. But trust me, he has his way of communicating.

He is still shy with strangers, but always remembers a friend he’s made.

Things Solomon DOESN’T like: Sitting down to eat (or SLOWING down to eat), a plastic toy whale (he’s placed a random fear in this happy little plastic creature and will walk in a wide circle around it in order to cross the room). Goodbye’s. Brushing his hair. Waking up in a dark room. Teething (1st tooth nearly here! Just 19 more to go--sigh--).

Things Solomon Likes: Shredded cheese and apple sauce. The landlord’s German Shepard, Wa-Wa. Standing at the balcony and watching the activity of the street below, yelling out at trucks rumbling by. Finding things hidden—like mom’s coffee or the basket of seashells. Playing the drums. Dancing (head-bob). Sprawling out on his belly on the floor and following ants with his chubby fingers. Touching things like our hair or wa-wa’s fur, or goats, donkey’s, horses, ants…. Car trips and watching life pass by his window. Feeding himself. The smell of the new lotion we bought (he tries to lick it off his face and fingers). His stuffed animals and his blue blanket. Splashing in water. Reading books.

Ways to make Solomon Laugh (aside from the infamous cup-sucked-to-the-face trick): Surprise him. Make his stuffed animals dance and sing and talk to him. Endless kisses. Turning him upside down over your shoulder like a bag of potatoes. Tickling him on his feet, on his back or on his chest. Chase him. Dad doing the “Fonz.” (I’m working on capturing a video for your viewing delight).

We know we have a feisty one on our hands. Recently we’ve been practicing the word “NO” as he nurtures a love for electrical cords and pulling things off walls. After giving him a warning no, he stops, looks at me as if considering the situation… then proceeds with the “no”-inciting task with eyes glued to me in joyful anticipation, then running into my arms giggling as if to say “JUST KIDDING” or “GETTING INTO TROUBLE IS SO FUN!” Oh boy.

As much as I love watching my baby go go go go, my favorite moments are when he finally slows down, sleepily seeking the arms of his mom or dad. The moment his body relaxes in our arms and sleep overtakes him is absolutely delicious. I also love the few minutes right after he wakes from a nap when he is still sleepy enough to want to cuddle, tucking his head into my neck and putting his hand around my shoulder. Soon he'll be off and running, but for those few precious minutes, I’m in heaven.

He seems to be picking up new tricks, new sweet skills before our eyes. His baby days seem to be dissolving the faster he walks and the stronger he gets. I don’t dare blink for missing something. So from time to time, allow me to indulge myself in sharing his growth with you. Because Solomon is just a fun kid to know. And an amazing child to love. Ok, time to wave "bye-bye!"