Today was a much better day

[theatokos]

Thanks to those who pitched in about Bennett's horrid night. I think it must have been gas, because today he was fine. Just tired and recovering. No signs of fever, so I am ruling out an ear ache. He's been eating solids regularly and had eaten some brown rice yesterday. Perhaps he was having a hard time digesting it.

Bennett had three solid naps today AND went down at 7.30. Seriously, I should throw a parade. He's still down three hours later. I think the key to good sleeping is making sure he gets more stimulation and excitement in his day. Adam stayed home today since he's working on Sunday, and he suggested we all go for a walk around Lake Merritt. A great idea!

We hopped the bus on our street that takes us with in a block of the lake. We snooped in a magic shop and then had sushi for lunch. Bennett sat in a booster seat scooted up to the table. I was skeptical since he loathes high chairs, but this worked! He fed himself sticky rice from a plate, making an enormous, delightful mess.

Next we walked around the lake commenting on the architecture and me fiddling every 5 feet with B's sun hat. Adam wore him in the still-too-big backpack carrier that he picked up at a swapmeet last weekend. Bennett didn't seem to mind. He took 3 naps in it! We stopped at park and met a friend who needed a break from her law firm. Then we went and looked at birds at this bird park on the edge of the lake. We saw mostly sea gulls and pigeons, but lots of ducks and geese and two Black Crowned Night Herons, which are larger than you might think. We also saw this amazing pelican-like bird, but I can't find it online anywhere.

We stopped in at the brand new cathedral for the Catholic Diocese of Oakland, The Cathedral of Christ the Light. This place is spectacular. It seems to me to capture the history of Catholicism in a single building. The spare, cold stone reminds me of the earliest, simplest churches, pre-romanesque style cathedrals. The wood added warmth and some how reminded me of the Celtic influence of nature based Christianity. The side chapels, also spare, have original paintings of the holy family, that look to me like late-medieval in their rich colors. The shape of the building is in the shape of the fish, but strikes me as a mandorla, the curves almond shape that often surrounds Mary and sometimes Jesus. The mausoleum downstairs is also breathtaking. The whole thing is incredibly modern and quite thrilling, frankly. Except for the crucifixes. I can't stand those.

The last excitement of the day was taking B to the children's play ground near the lake. He went in the swings for the first time ever and loved it!

Lastly, I was able to help a friend tonight. It feels good to offer tangible help, rather than just sympathize. I am tired and plan to crawl into bed with my sleeping boy.

Comments

[msmidge.livejournal.com]

That sounds lovely!

Not to harp on ear infections, but I don't think Sam usually gets a fever when he has an ear infection. I didn't even know that was typically a symptom of one!

So jealous of your herons. I used to see some amazing herons when I lived on the beach near Cape Cod; I miss that, though I don't miss living there overall.

[ewigweibliche.livejournal.com]

If Bennett has had ear infections then I guess they've been mild and he's just worked them out on his own. He's pulled his ears twice, but both times I was told that unless he seems sick in other ways that it's also a teething symptom. I dunno.

[msmidge.livejournal.com]

Yeah, Sam used to swipe at his ears a lot but he didn't have ear infections. The main sign of his ear infections is waking up at night crying every couple of hours.

[keypike.livejournal.com]

What a lovely day.

[ewigweibliche.livejournal.com]

It was amazing. Why don't I do that on my own?? Sheesh.

[readthisandweep.livejournal.com]

So glad you managed such a lovely day. It's always scary when our little ones fall ill, so good for Bennett! :)