Dmitry loves his older brother.

It’s stomach sickness time in Dmitry’s household again. But as my regular readers know, Dmitry has a stomach carved of granite and usually makes it through just fine.

Not so, his big brother.

After a day of feeling awful, throwing up, stuck on the toilet and draining fluids from both ends, Nikolai had just about had enough. He could keep down some ice chips, nothing else. 

Dmitry’s heart went out to him though. He came and rubbed his back. Gently. 

He may not talk to us and he may do everything a little weird, but he has compassion. I’ve seen it before.

We didn’t have to ditch Dmitry this time! Family fair fun had by all. (pics!)

I fight sometimes with the guilt of not including Dmitry in “family time”, because there are just some things he can’t do. Movies. Long periods of sitting or standing still. Very long car rides.

But not the fair! He was a very happy boy, rode on many rides, stayed seated and buckled, and basically went through the entire day in a haze of happiness… except when we had to sit still for a bird show. Then he and Mom went for some food, to keep him moving and therefore happy.

I am really starting to notice that his listening and obedience, though previously nonexistent, have begun to materialize. No he will not follow directions, or sit still and wait for you, but he occasionally can perceive what it is he’s “supposed to do” like get buckled/strapped in, or wait patiently for the ride to stop so he can get on, or not stray too far. He used to be a runner, but now he’s more of a roamer: if you don’t watch him he can get away from you, but he doesn’t just bolt, and seems to want to hang out nearby. This sounds like something small, but it’s crucial when bringing him to public places like fairs.

Okay, better sit down buddy…

BUT THE MIDDLE THING, IT SPINS!

Big smiles for this one!

Even let big brother hold him on the rides. He was in flappiness heaven, eyes full of wonder on every ride.

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All in all it was a GREAT trip! Not only was Dmitry wide-eyed in wonder and fun, but we were very happy we brought him to experience his delight. At no time did we regret having him with us or lament the difficulty he was giving us. It was just great family fun time.

Not One of the Boys

Since Nikolai and Ivan were born close together, they have always been “the boys” to us. They were only 13 months apart and grew up largely together at about the same time. Ivan was old enough to cry and beg “GO BACK!” when Nikolai was first dropped off at school. Ivan only had to wait a year before he “got” to start doing homework too (is it just me or is assigning toddlers homework a little overboard?)