oh Canada

Dennis left the U.S.A. today for the first time since he's been born. Technically, he was in Canada while in utero when we were touring Niagara Falls, but today he saw a little bit of British Columbia. A very little bit of British Columbia. Ok, to be honest, he saw IKEA. And some cows and farmland, and much of the town of Langley, some distant mountains, a big bridge, and the duty free store. We weren't in Canada very long, just went to get Gran some decor items for her place in Washington. I don't know what Dennis thought of Canada. He said "Canada" and he looked around a good bit, but he had a meltdown in IKEA and another meltdown at the duty free shop, and then he slept for the rest of his visit. Perfectly understandable when he had 4 bad poopy diapers on top of the kind of diaper rash that bleeds--I would melt down, too.

Dennis played with his cousins very sweetly today, taking toys over to them and offering them to them. He's very good at sharing. He wasn't so nice to his 'cousin' Willow (the cat). He was gleefully excited to see TWO cats at Caedmon's and Mirella's place. He kept saying "cat" and then went over to them. Inky, the intelligent one, knew to get out of his reach. Willow stayed put and took a few beating attacks, meowing pitifully but not running away and (thankfully) not attacking back. He was petting Willow, but petting for Dennis is mostly equivalent to vigorous slapping. We have large dogs at home. They can take it. Cats won't. Our cat does, but she's really a dog in a cat suit. Poor Willow. Dennis was really rough on him. And he had no clue that he was hurting the cat, he was just excited and wanted to pet him. This wouldn't have been so awful if he hadn't then gone over to Caedmon to pet his hair, but he was considerably more gentle by then, and I scooped him up before tears were shed. And Willow went to have some cave time in a room with no babies in it.

Dennis loved his cousins' toys and books and shoes. He played so much that he didn't want to stop to eat. He had a few bites of pancake for breakfast, which is a shame because the pancakes were incredible and if he weren't so ready to play, he would have really enjoyed savoring them. I would have liked to savor them a little more myself, actually, rather than rushing through breakfast so that I could keep a watch on Dennis. It worked, though. I don't think anyone made anyone else cry. Pretty good for 3 kids that young (2 & 1/2, 11 months, and 14 months).

Washington is beautiful! I can't wait to get out and see more of it. I know Dennis will like seeing the huge trees and pretty flowers and incredible ferns everywhere. And I can't describe how great it is that the high temp tomorrow will not top 55 degrees. It might rain some, but who cares? Tomorrow back home it will be 95 degrees and sunny and HOT!

I am also happy to report that we have luggage. They did not deliver it, as promised, and instead I had to make a trip to the Bellingham airport to get it, but we have it now, and Dennis is resting comfortably knowing he has a good diaper supply and clothes and pajamas that fit a little better (though I can't wait to see him in the ones from Caedmon when he grows into them).

Looking forward to more adventure tomorrow!