Spring!! And Spring Break!!!

We pulled it off-- Winter is on its way out. The days are slowly warming, the sun seems a bit braver, and the entire town is cheering up. I had no concept of Winter before i moved out here, and now i see why people cherish and dread it in equal measures. It's beautiful, dreary, bitterly cold, and isolating. It really takes a toll on your spirit, especially when there is a 10 month old baby and higher education vying for your time. But we made it. One step closer.

Soren's has been as chipper as ever. Even more so, perhaps, since he's learning how to get around on his own. His crawling has progressed to slight forward locomotion, though he still prefers to just roll around sideways until he gets to his destination. He loves playing Lisa's bongos (above) and is experimenting with the idea of being a modern composer. We've played some beautiful duets (below), but only when he is inspired.

Feast your ears on this Improvisation For Two Pianists, 2009. He's been listening to a lot of Shostakovich lately.

He's also been to a few art galleries and now has his own fan club. UC has two galleries that Soren has been to, and the moment he walks in the room (being carried by me), he is like a disco ball. He's the life of the entire event, and makes a good impression on everyone. I think that he has seen more art, before the age of 1, than i had seen before i was 15. He's off to a good start.

Here, my buddy Erin was showing him off in his tiger jacket. She is expecting a daughter soon, so Soren may have another potential friend. We will probably wait until he's at least 2 before we start exploring our planned marriage options. We'll be taking applications at that point.

As always, he's just a happy guy. Even though our life is really crazy, we couldn't have asked for a better addition. He's a great family member, and great person in general.

Lisa was outside a Sears in Kentucky months back, sitting on a bench outside with Soren. An elderly gentleman struck up a conversation, observed our boy, smiled, and pronounced, "He's going to have a good life."

We sure think so.

Winter update: Just let it be over, please.

There is little that's fun about Winters in Cincinnati. The trees get naked and sad, the snow is dirty and piled, the wind whips hard and bitter, and the sun falls fast. It's March. We probably have another month before it starts to warm up a bit. We get stuck inside and grow restless. We've been occupied with school, conferences, work, and forced outings. Now we just hope for sun. Thanks, Winter. Good times. See you later. No really, we insist.

The smallest member of the Dexfield family is pretty happy, though. Sure, he's a little restless too, but he's eating different foods, rolling around like a snake, and (gasp!) trying to crawl! I thought he was going to go straight to walking, since he likes to walk around with me if i hold his arms. He's the happiest, healthiest, and best dressed person in the household.

Some mornings, he drives us crazy. But the same afternoon, he'll get really cuddly and sweet. Lisa keeps pointing out that it's Nature's way of making us love these completely dependent, sometimes obnoxious creatures that can't even communicate with us-- make them cute, disproportionate, and full of joy. That'll keep 'em around.

We sure love him. He's probably the best part about this season.

It's THIS cold out. Actually, this was a warm day. You know how you can tell? Because we're smiling.

Lucky us! He likes avocado. Sort of.

Can you believe it? You can almost hear him grunt with effort.

Somehow, he always poses for these.

See?

Soren is curious to try ice cream on a random sunny day. Don't call CPS- we don't usually let him. I love how cautious he looks.

He spends a lot of time in the Krohn Plant Conservatory. Guarenteed warm, 365 days a year.

This is the one i'll show to his romantic interest who seems a little too obsessed with herself.

He always gets ONE rosy cheek.