Nature vs. Nurture

It's strange to think Rob and I are responsible for both nature AND nurture when it comes to Kian. Either way, he's a product of us. I got stuck thinking about this topic, because yesterday I got complimented a few times that "I've done a great job with Kian." Well, I had a really hard time accepting that statement. I didn't want to take credit for who Kian has become... and will continue to become. But of course, I do have a lot to do with it.

Well, the kiddo is crying for some attention. He's having a hard time putting himself to sleep at the moment. I actually think he is too tired. Time to help... and continue thinking what part of this is me creating this reaction and what part is it just him needing cuddling due to his personality?

Naptime

We're trying this new thing... letting Kian put himself to sleep. We sit in his room in the rocking chair, and he does whatever it takes until he falls asleep. He babbles, throws everything in the crib out (including the pacifier), and rolls around A LOT. He definitely tries to get our attention, and he giggles and smiles if he catches us looking at him. It's very cute, but sometimes it can take up to an hour. Fortunately, I've learned to make this productive time: read a book, upload pictures, etc. The goal is to get to the point where we can leave him by himself to put himself to sleep. I think we're getting closer.

Right now, I finished uploading some pics from July, mainly of our trip to Minneapolis for Beth and Joe's wedding. Luckily, we were able to see lots of Matt and Mariah who we stayed with. And yes, we're a little behind schedule in posting pictures. Only one more set to go though! Now if we can only find the camera charger from the move, we can start taking more. :)

Come as you are

We now live in a neighborhood. People are dropping by with promises of getting their phone numbers to us, and we even got a bag of apples. It's really nice, and it's made me feel comfortable very quickly. It's helped me not miss Capitol Hill as much as I had anticipated. Most of the neighbors own their properties, so I've realized that everyone is just a lot more invested in each other. One person said they were so happy to have a nice young couple with a baby, as "having a rental property next to you is always a risk." I guess a crappy owner next to you would be a lot more worse though.

In our few weeks here, however, I've realized how much I've missed the neighborhood feeling. Strangely, it's made me think about friendships too. In the past, you kind of had to accept your neighbors and the people around you, and they were your friends. There weren't cars and quick methods of transportation to give you much other options. You accepted your friends' flaws/quirks, and you appreciated the good in them. Now, it seems the same way that we seek perfect mates, we also seek perfect friends. I'm wondering if having choices has contributed to society's feeling more and more lonely. Is it better to be able to have friends with similar interests (but whom you can lose should things change) or is it better for everyone to accept others as they are? Of course, there are limitations to whom you would actually befriend as a neighbor.

After my study abroad experience, I became very close to people who are VERY different from me. The frat boys, the born again Christians, the future nun, and the future diplomat... we all became friends and are still in contact, even though it didn't seem possible at first. We were simply in a situation where we were with each other far more than we ever would have by choice, and in the end, we were almost all friends. That experience, along with the concept of fair weather friends, etc. made me think that perhaps friendships are much more ephemeral in the modern day context. It seems lifelong friends are much rarer these days... people are certainly always surprised by how close I am to most of my high school friends.
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Just added one more set of pictures - enjoy!

Pumpkin Party

We're slowly getting settled into our place. Our friend Phil came over and helped Rob put our tv console together, and it looks great! The move has been insanely stressful, primarily because of bad movers and crazy former landlords. Unpacking with Kian is very difficult, but we're slowly getting there. It's slowly beginning to feel like home... which is also very weird, as we moved into our friend's Jesse and Jessica's place.

Well, we're off to our friends' annual pumpkin party, but we thought we'd let you know that two new albums of pictures are up too.

Happy October!