1096 Days

Three years ago today Andres was born. Three years. I've told people before that it feels like he has been with us for as long as I can remember, but the truth is that 1096 days isn't really that long.

Example: he is experiencing his first World Cup right now. I can't fathom that he wasn't even a glimmer this time four years ago. I recall many of those games like they were played yesterday. How was it that he wasn't there for that?

1096 individual days. Bottles, sippy cups, now big-boy (glass) cups. Small diapers, now big diapers (in every way possible). Immobile, crawling, toddling, now running and jumping. Crying, talking, now negotiating. Each day feels like it both lasts forever and is gone in a second, and all of these days put together add up to 3 years.

We celebrated his 3rd birthday--or 1096th day--by taking the train into Porter Square (aka "The City") for some pizza and ice cream. This was Andres' first time on a train! He had a fabulous time. He waved at the conductors (they even waved back), sat patiently while we passed Waltham, Waverly, and Belmont stations, and disembarked like a pro when we got into Cambridge.



We took a little walk down Mass Ave looking for a pizza place. We even stopped into the Porter Square City Sports for a moment, and the birthday boy's eye (and foot) fell upon a miniature soccer ball that he played with throughout the store. I was lucky enough to have my City Sports gift card on me so we walked away with a brand new Brazilian-colored Size 2(?) soccer ball that will, surely, be kicked into my TV at some point. Andres does love it though...he is snuggled up next to it (and monkey) tonight.

Eventually we found a pizza place and everybody had dinner. The pizza was too hot for Andres for a little while so, rather than eating, he wanted to kick his new ball around for a bit. He finally ate.

He still had a lot of energy, so he was able to walk back to Porter Square under his own power. The giant 1970s, red, lobster-style wind sculpture made an impression on him:



By this point Celia had conked out completely in the Bjorn, her face pressing against my chest in what was seemingly a very uncomfortable position for her. And for me too--it was warm out, and she's getting heavy! We had a little while before our return trip to Waltham, so we grabbed some ice cream. The people at the Porter Square Emack and Bolio's were kind enough to give Andres a free kiddie cup (regular price: $9) of chocolate ice cream in honor of his big day. Then it was time to eat.



Few things say "good times!" more than a chocolate goatee, right?

Finally it was time to head home. We headed downstairs to the platform, Andres looked for Thomas (and Percy, and James, and Oliver, etc), and then we all hopped on the train again.



Happy birthday, big boy!