One thing I love about Ohioans is how we have just as bad of winters as Boston –  tons of snow;  chill factors that would freeze your bum off and grey skies that have folks making their own sun lamps for maintaining sanity levels – and yet, every year, Ohioans talk about how they can’t believe snow is on its way.  Like a barista surprised at the idea of a regular ordering her morning latte.

The only thing that surprises me about Ohio is how Ohioans are surprised by the first snowfall.  Other things I am not surprised at but surprised that other people are surprised by:

1) How OSU lost one game that it should have won.  “There’s always one,” Nick reminds me every pre-season.

2) How Kasich beat Strickland in a tight governor race. “There’s a reason why we’re called a swing state.”

3) How it was near 80 degrees a week and a half ago and tomorrow it will be snowing.  “It’s Ohio.  It snows in April.”

4) How the local news features animal pet stories as headliners. “Is this our NEWS?!” Nick always complains.

In other surprising news, Isaiah has jumped leaps and bounds in his development.  I should call him Curious George because DON’T YOU KNOW? EVERYTHING IS FASCINATING WHEN YOU SEE IT FOR THE FIRST TIME!  He can’t talk yet, but his eyes tell me everything.  “LOOK!   FLASHLIGHT!  OVER THERE – A PLANT!  MOM, DID YOU SEE THIS? A COUPON!”

He looks so genuinely surprised at every new detail life introduces him, too.  It kinda makes me feel like an old fart.  As if 31 years is too many times around the block already.  I try to be excited with him, but there isn’t much energy left in my bank when he holds up the 17th gold leaf of the day and marvels at the seemingly endless supply of acorns to try and stuff in his mouth when we’re outside raking leaves.

But Isaiah himself surprises me everyday with his big bigger biggest smile that keeps growing wider and wider.  You’d think I would have learned by now that he’s just a great, well-behaved kid, but everytime we’re in a new situation and he sits perfectly quiet on my lap, never interrupting, I am surprised by his respectful demeanor.  How can a 10 month old know to be so quiet during mass?  To not reach out and tug on trick-or-treaters?  To stop 1 ft before the fireplace?  To not touch the radiators or pull down the drapes?  How does he know to keep himself amused when I am on the phone instead of screaming into the mouthpiece?

I am surprised by Isaiah.  Infinitely and deeply surprised.