Second Semester

Second semester, out of seven, is almost over, and despite being a tough one for Andrew (frequent tests, late classes, dog walking obligations, etc.) it's been a great one. Recently I realized something about first semester (or rather, the first period of time living on this island) -- you don't know squat! I really underestimated how much more knowledgeable I'd feel returning to the island, and how much better that would make me feel about living here. I came back here knowing what to expect in terms of keeping myself busy, getting things accomplished and taking time to relax and really enjoy where I'm living.

I have been keeping busy teaching yoga at the school gym three days a week, which has the added bonus of getting me in really good shape. I have met a lot of great people in the process, like professor's spouses, more student's spouses and the other regular gym-goers. I've also enrolled Beau in the daycare program at the Ross Preperatory School a few days a week, which gives me time to do all of the things that Beau doesn't find so fun -- cleaning my place, food shopping and laundry. Beau LOVES his school, and especially his one teacher, a.k.a., his Black Mommy. :) I have also made a lot more plans for myself with the other mothers and their kids, and the other VIPs (student/professor spouse group). Even if it's just to hang out by a pool or go to a local beach, activities like this make my life here so much richer.

I knew I liked St. Kitts, but this semester I have really started to love it here. Of course, anything that is worth loving can be worthy of hating at times, and I still get frustrated by the limited selection at the grocery store and the over-priced goods. But I really feel a bond with the island and even the people -- the cool, aloof until you break the ice Kittitians -- which makes me feel like I'm on the "right" track in life.

Here are some recent photos showing our life down here:

This was taken on Beau's 1st birthday -- June 7th. We went to school in the morning to celebrate with all of the kids. Then we had a nice lunch with Daddy-o.

I made my first attempt at baking homemade cupcakes for Beau's class to celebrate his birthday. That night, after dinner, we let Beau feed one to himself. Apparently it's a tradition to let your 1 year old feed himself dessert. This tradition was definitely worth trying! Obviously I'm too much of a neat freak to let him do this clothed. I think I already had the bath filling when we took this picture!

Beau had an incredibly unique experience of meeting a leatherback sea turtle that had just hatched. The students and other residents here make a big effort to preserve these endangered animals by monitering the eggs and protecting them from birds and other predators the day they are born by releasing them at night to crawl into the water. They are beautiful creatures, and without knowing exactly what was happening, I think Beau understood what a rare experience this was!

As you can see, Beau is still loving the water! When we go to the beach, he crawls head-first towards the waves!

In June we went to Beaumont Park, the horse racing track in St. Kitts. Beau loved seeing the horses race by. He can't say many words yet, but he "neighs" just like a horse surprisingly well!

And our biggest update is that Beau has learned how to walk!! Since second semester began, Beau has been practicing his walking skills with the little walker that his Aunt Stacey gave him in the picture below. We would bring him out to walk by the "Seawall," which is a little lounge area in front of the ocean that borders our community, every day. He was getting really good at it. On July 1st, one day before Andrew's birthday, I noticed that Beau was standing in place without holding onto anything. When Andrew got home from class, I said, "look at Beau's new trick!" Andrew, being the genius that he is, pointed out that if he could stand on his own, maybe he could walk on his own. So we tried sitting a few feet apart and sending Beau back and forth between us. Lo and behold, he did it!!

On July10th, at our friend's pool party, Beau stood himself up on his own, and began walking. We have decided that July 10, 2010 is the official day that Beau became a bipedal. Congratulations, Beau!