papa?

I haven't noticed too much of a difference in Lilly with Leighton being gone, except her heightened level of independence. She does love to Skype with him, and will say "papa?" when she sees the phone or computer, especially the computer, when she'd like to see and Skype with him.

But this afternoon, before we headed out for our errands, we were having a little snack (a latte: Lilly likes the foam..., some banana and grapes), it cleared up a little outside, and I said: look, how nice! But this confused Lilly; maybe I had the same voice as when I tell her, look, papa is home. So she looked out through the porch door where we'll see Leighton return home on his bike, park it in the garage, and then come to the house. She lifted the sheers aside and asked "papa?" with anticipation in her voice. When I said no, not now, but tomorrow, her lip started shivering, she looked as if she'd cry. I explained, first we need to eat dinner, then sleep, and then papa will be here (that's not entirely true, since he returns later in the day, but I was trying to make the concept of time somewhat more tangible). She looked out again, pointed, "papa?" lip still trembling. It was so heartbreaking!

I started wondering then if maybe her wiredness has also been a result of less groundedness at home now, what with Leighton gone. That it feels different to her, unntakstilstand. Which allows for some wacko behavior. Who knows. Maybe it is also just being sick and overtired.

Leighton's flight is schedule to arrive tomorrow, Thursday, at 3:32 p.m. Which should bring us all home around 5 p.m. for dinner (I'm making Mexican, Leighton's favorite, I think).

Update: due to snow in Oslo, Leighton's flight was delayed and he's been rerouted, won't come home till very late this evening. Hopefully he can spend the night at his uncle Blake & Rick in Bloomington and then we'll come get him tomorrow (Friday) morning.