Toddler personae

Joy


Attitude

In Portland, The Sun Also Rises (eventually!)

We took our morning adventure to the zoo, as did an enormous number of other sun-starved families. The crowds, however, did not take away from having a fun morning--we had a great time! In Portland, there is an unquestionable excitement that overtakes the city when the sun starts to make it's appearance after the long, rainy winter. There are few places that can compare with these kind of beautiful days. Everyone gets outside and reorientates themselves with why they love this city, and an anticipation for more sunny days begins to overtake the general mentality. This time of year, even native Portlanders begin to experience limited patience for what can be long stretches of rain-filled days. It is really not unlike polar bears emerging from caves and long hibernations to squint at the brightness of the sun, breathe in the fresh air, and begin a new journey. After not one, but three beautiful days this week, it will be difficult once the rain inevitably returns.

But today, even the animals at the zoo were taking advantage of the opportunity to bask in the wonderful warmth of the sun. Lately, Franny has been acutely focused on zebras, so it was a treat for not just one, but two, to make an appearance; as well as the usual favorites of hippos, bats, monkeys, and elephants. Not only were most of the animals were out, but they were active and interesting to see. It seemed as if even they were impacted by the beautiful day.

Giraffes, zebras, hippos--Franny's favorites


The sea lions put on an impressive show


Two more happy animals... I mean, kids

The subtlety of "almost three"

I have felt guilty over the recent amount of blogging I have done on Cole as compared to Franny. Lately, his rapid development has been enthralling and impressive, changing continuously by the day. However, Franny's development, although visibly more subtle, is no less amazing to witness. To me, using the term special--or even very special--seems inadequate terminology. She has an incredibly vibrant, loving, joyful, and empathetic nature. She makes me very proud of the person she is choosing to become. Her personality has tremendous depth for a person just shy of three years old. And, while she is not reaching those dramatic, initial milestones in rapid succession, what she is achieving has a meaning and implication that is overwhelming to contemplate. Nearly three years ago, Franny arrived into our family and changed our lives. When I think of who she is now at "almost three", I can't help but wonder who she will be a year from now, as well as five, ten, and twenty years from now. And then I think of how blessed I am to be a part of her incredible lifetime journey.

Tough girl

Today, Franny's temperature ranged from 99 to 101.8 degrees. But who could tell? Despite a constant battle to keep her on the couch with books or at least sitting with play-dough or puzzles, Franny was not to be contained and remained her active self playing with Cole and running up and down the hall ("to get a one more book"--she thinks she has me fooled). I don't know how she does it! Toughness (or stubbornness) aside, I definitely hope she wakes up tomorrow at a healthy 98.6!