family of four
"One must still have chaos in oneself to be able to give birth to a dancing star." Nietzsche
May 26, 2008
May 18, 2008
A flower
Welcome to the world, JonesGirl!!
May 15, 2008
the non-word edition
May 11, 2008
there are foxes living out back
May 06, 2008
Dandelions and ice cream
We went over to the arboretum again this afternoon. It's hands-down a much better place to walk than, say, the mall. The mall is sort of the cliche place where a pregnant woman who is desperate to have her baby goes to walk and walk. Since I go to the mall maybe once a year, if that, you can see how much appeal that has for me.
When we go over to the arboretum, it seems that one special thing strikes me every time, whether it be birthday daffodils, exhilirating flowering trees, or fiddle-headed ferns. I never know what it's going to be until I get there. Today it was dandelions. Last week, my mom showed Ellis how to Pick a Dandelion and Give to Your Mom. We walked along, and he picked a puffy dandelion for me. I showed him how to blow the puff (sorry, arboretum). Before I knew it we were plopped in the grass blowing puffs and sniffing buttercups. It was magical in the way only a kid can make an pesky weed be.
Before we went over to the arboretum, I was in a majorly crabby mood. I didn't sleep well last night. I'm cumbersome, tired, and huge. blah, blah. I know it sounds cheesy, but being there in the quiet with the green and the trees and the scent of honeysuckle in the air was incredibly soothing. Yes, it really is that idyllic there. Communing with nature is in my roots, and it comforts me in a deep primordial way. I hope I can give my kids a similarly satisfying experience, of pointing out all the details that my parents showed us, to show the pleasure we take in watching the ordering of the seasons, first the bulbs, then the trees, trillium, lilacs...
Ellis noticed the pollen strands littering the sidewalk underneath the oak trees. I showed him a branch with a few strands still attached, and we watched them blow down in the breeze.
We stopped by the little cabin that sits next to a gurgling brook. I sat on the bench and Ellis threw bits of leaves into the stream. I saw a woman painting with her easel set up on the bridge. I thought that if I could paint, I would want to capture the way the sunlight glimmered through the young maple leaves.
I enjoyed this afternoon with E. We have so few remaining, just the two of us. He probably won't remember his life before his brother, but I will.
April 30, 2008
More Spring at the Arboretum
In a few short weeks, spring has exploded upon the inhabitants of the local arboretum.
My favorites this time were the fiddle heads on the ferns.
And the two crazies who kept me company.
April 29, 2008
School Fun of late
We've been having a lot of spring fun at school lately.
Almost two weeks ago, the early childhood center had their spring fling, which included presentations by all the classes. Ellis's class (the youngest) did a little play/presentation of The Very Hungry Caterpillar, which they've been studying this unit. E and his best buddy A and Cute Little Girl were the "narrators" with some help from the power point on the big screen behind them. The other kids took turns showing big posters of fruit. E and A were especially cute. They were like a standup comedy routine, totally playing off of eachother and interacting with the powerpoint. They had everybody cracking up! I wanted to make a little movie of it with my clips...there's still time. My boy's first play!!
After the presentation, the kids played outside for a bit in the warm spring sun, and then we had a little pizza lunch in the kids' classroom. E was such a little host to me, I was really touched. He went up and got a plate from the teacher who was serving and chose his little pieces of fruits and veggies (he doesn't like pizza). When the teacher instructed him to go sit down at the table, he said NO, picked up another plate and signed Mommy, and made sure I had exactly what he had and then we sat down together. It was so sweet. *melt*
Saturday was Community Day at PSD, which basically translates for our family into Inflatable Paradise. Ellis went down these slides for about two hours straight. As soon as his feet touched the ground he was saying/signing "MORE", and off to stand in line again.
The Grand Finale for the class's unit on The Very Hungry Caterpillar was a trip to the Academy of Natural Science. One of the perks of being a stay-at-home-mom: getting to go with my kid on his first field trip! And let me tell you, there's nothing cuter than a little school bus full of car seats. So how does a field trip of 2-3 year olds work? One adult per child. There were a couple of other moms/grandmas and some extra staff, and I was impressed with how smoothly everything went.
We had some time to look at the exhibits, which the kids loved.
Then it was our turn for the Butterfly Exhibit, which is a room like a greenhouse, humid and full of plants. Butterflies and moths were flying freely everywhere and sitting on the plant life. It was really cool. I think everyone was entranced from the littlest kids to all the adults.
March 30, 2008
32 Weeks
March 21, 2008
Bath Fun and NEW CAMERA
So we made our final decision today and bought our new camera. I looked at the Canon SLR and SI series, but they were both too much camera for me. I really, truly wanted super compact. And I found myself gravitating back to the A series. Our old camera was an A95. Today we got the A720IS (image stabilization). Really, it was either that or the A570, the differences were minimal. But the 720s were on sale at Target and we wanted to have the camera by the weekend, so we paid a little extra for the 720. Chris had ordered the 570 at the beginning of the week, but got on email saying they were out of stock. So we ended up with the 720.
The first thing we did when we got home was get Ellis to bed. And the first thing I did was get out my camera for the first step in the process: the Bath. We have found a new way to make baths appealing and exciting again to E, who had declared a bath hiatus (though he wasn't getting one; he just wished he was and proclaimed so loudly). Bubbles!! The Bath Giving Parent blows bubbles and E catches them, and since he's all wet and soapy he can catch quite a few. Today he was aiming the Squirty Penguin at them, too.
I took a bunch of pics with the flash. haven't figured out the manual settings yet. But I'm pretty excited. And this A model is so much more compact and lighter than the old one. Responds waaaaay faster. And the construction is more solid. There were some construction flaws that exacerbated the quick demise of the old one (mainly loose seams) that are all one piece on this one. So hopefully we are well on our way to Second Child Photo Plentitude. He shall not be left in pictoral abyss.
March 06, 2008
E and M
We had fun enjoying some warmer temps the other day. I played with my friend's camera and got some cute shots of Ellis and Maddie. He's about 10mos older than she is, and the age difference is starting to close a bit. It's fun to see!
Also, notice his car shirt? Yea, basically E's two favorite articles of clothing are anything with cars on it and fun socks. The other day he insisted on wearing a pair of my socks (infinitely funner than the white sport socks I was offering). And it's pretty much a Major Tragedy to take off a car festooned shirt or pajama if another such car sporting item is not offered in its place. Yea, I'm thinking some stencils are in order to make part of his wardrobe acceptable items. haha.
He also seems to favor the color green. I can get him to wear a shirt that has green on it if it doesn't have a car.
February 22, 2008
The Snowy Day
We played outside for a solid two hours.
And built a snow Daddy and a snow horse.
And enjoyed some drinking hot chocolate and watching a little monkey when we came back in.
January 18, 2008
Child Labor or Water Wonderland?
He actually was a help, too!
January 17, 2008
It's snowing!
It was snowing all evening. I think it's stopped now. It snowed my whole way home from speech therapy at CHOP; it took twice as long to get home. But it was really pretty, since most of my drive was through Fairmount Park.
January 03, 2008
baby makes nice pillow
December 26, 2007
Day 25
And so (a tad late) I end the December Photo Project.
December 24, 2007
Day 24
Merry Christmas Eve!!!!
Wishing you Unsurpassable Peace.
Day 23
Hanging out with my sister on Saturday night. Watching movies. Eating turkey tacos.
December 21, 2007
Day 21
More Christmastime in the City. More no snow. It's raining today. Boring.
Happy Solstice!! I like the solstices both in the summer and winter. It seems so magical--the longest day and the shortest day...
December 20, 2007
Day 20
E had speech therapy at CHOP this afternoon. Going a little out of our way, we stopped off at Reading Terminal Market for a few treats. FIL circled around the block, and I ran in. Philly would look more Christmas-y if we had FUN SNOW! But as it was, it is still feeling festive around here.
Day 19
So I kept sewing. I'm happy with my little project. (Soon to be revealed after gifts are given.)
My saintly sister has been here all week. She played with E for HOURS while I sewed. Cleaned the kitchen. Made dinner last night and tonight. Made cookies and banana bread. I think I'll keep her.
December 18, 2007
Day 18
I've been sewing a bit today. It's sort of a nebulous project. I think I'll quit. It could get really cool and big or just fizzle out. I've had a nagging cold for over a week, and I'm just wiped out.
December 17, 2007
Day 17
Even Darth Vader manages to get into the Christmas spirit. Too bad he can see out of only one eye hole at a time.
December 16, 2007
Day 16
We want snow!!!!
Enough of this boring rain!!! If it were just 10 degrees cooler, we could have fun snow. There's enough precipitation in the forecast to have a white Christmas. But, no. 10 degrees separating us from dreary and damp, and fun weather! We have snowpants to use. Snowmen to build with Mommy! We want FUN SNOW!!!!
December 15, 2007
Day 15
It's the little things.
Day 14
Making dough ornaments, part 3. Hang on tree.
December 13, 2007
Day 13
The sugar and caffeine to get me through this dreary day, and my nice pregnant uterus.
December 11, 2007
Day 11
We are all patiently waiting to put up the tree, hang our ornaments, and take some cool pictures already.
December 10, 2007
Day 10
Picking out the tree on a perfect snowy evening.
Day 9
Unzombify me, please.
December 08, 2007
Day 8
For the record, he caught on immediately to the Snowball Throwing concept.
December 07, 2007
Day 7
Making Dough Ornaments, Part 2. Apply paint and glitter glue. Squeeze really hard to get the glitter glue out.
(I know the pic is a little blurry, but E's face was so funny)
December 06, 2007
Day 6
Pennsylvania countryside en passant.
Promise I'll get some cooler photos around here when I find my cord to download them from the cam.
December 05, 2007
Day 5
Yesterday at my mom's we made salt dough Christmas ornaments.* It's part of the Quest for Unbreakable Ornaments meets Crafting with Toddlers. It was fun to see how much Ellis has matured. He can roll the dough so well now and sort even managed cutting out a few. Today I stocked up on glitter glue from ACMoore. This weekend we will paint and beglitter our baked stars and birds.
*BTW, this recipe that I linked to worked out great! 1/2c. salt, 1. c flour, 1/2 c. water. Mix, knead. Roll on floured surface, bake on ungreased sheets for 2 hours on 250F. Couldn't have asked for better!
December 04, 2007
Day 1-4
The December Photo Project is underway. I'm a little late getting going, but I have funeral amnesty. So today I'm kicking off and catching up. Check out the Flickr pool.
Ice in Iowa
Cousins! (all 28 except for 2, plus a cousin-in-law and 2 great-grands)
Road trip
Spray-painting pinecones
November 10, 2007
Gone Pro!
Yay! I've finally gone Flickr Pro!!! Which means the pics over my 200 quota for display as a plebian member are now visible again. Here's E just over 2 years ago. Can you believe it?!
November 02, 2007
Ready for Goldilocks
August 14, 2007
The Simpsons meet The Fam
July 18, 2007
Sign "airplane"
May 28, 2007
Memorial Day '07
Because I was a dork and forgot my camera, I'm still all my pics.
We went out to Lancaster today for Memorial Day/Graduation Party. Our friends Jason and Amanda came with Ellis's best girlfriend Maddie. My mom had an awesome pool ready for the kiddies.
We ate super yummy food outside. My favorite great-aunt and uncle came, too.
All five of us kids were there, WITH our spouses, and 2 grandbabies. A rare moment.
May 09, 2007
Fun with Photo Booth
March 31, 2007
Help, I woke up somewhere in the Middle East!
IM000661
Originally uploaded by lingofamily.
MY NIECE! Isn't she cute?
Isn't that an awesome mural my sister painted in her room. (It's Noah's ark in case you're not up with your biblical imagery).
March 22, 2007
Ellis sits with his bus
Thought I'd share a couple of pics from our recent trip to Louisiana
My friend Erica took this pic. My camera is acting weird. I love that double decker bus we found at the thrift.
Here we are in front of our old apartment where C and i lived for 4 years (upper right--man, I miss that porch). No repairs have been done since Katrina. The water was about half-way up the first story. Frankly, that house had serious structural issues before, I'm not sure if it's even worth fixing up. But it was home, had character, a great view, and a lot of memories. Ellis lived there for the first 8 months of his in utero life, because, yea, I moved 1200 miles while 8 months pregnant.
March 05, 2007
Wide Open Spaces
Throughout my life, I've sought wide open spaces. Spaces to feel the wind, think, pray, cry, rejoice. Something about the freedom of the air can clear a tortured mind and invigorate an enthused soul. Pivotal moments in my life have been processed through a wide open space.
These are some of my favorite wide open spaces in the past. I haven't found a new one yet since our move over a year and a half ago.
(Caveat: I've lifted all the pics off of Flickr. I didn't take any of them. It was fun looking for them.)
February 12, 2007
so fast
Is this child HUGE or what? Who's this big boy and what happened to my baby?
January 17, 2007
Slacker mom or crazy kid?
I'm going to die young, folks. That's all there is to it.
January 09, 2007
little boy BIG bell
My friend Stina is visiting. We're having a great time. It's her first time to Philly, so we were sure to get in cheesesteaks, pretzels, and the Liberty Bell. Hey, it's not every day you get to pay homage to a national relic.
January 03, 2007
Some Christmas highlights
December 22, 2006
December 22
A friend from church is a goldsmith...nay, an Incredible Craftsman and Artist. I've never seen jewelry in real life like the stuff he's created. He's an incredibly gifted person, but begs total incomprehension to things electronic. Chris has done some computer work for him and enjoys being his unofficial "tech guy".
So anyway, last week, our friend came over here to drop something off briefly, and hands us a little velvet bag. I open it and find this beautiful silver ornament he made! It has a place of honor on our tree. I love ornaments that will make me think of the people that have touched our lives.
***
I'm back from Virginia. Tired. But, I'm going to go put on some Cmas music and make cookies!! Woohoo!!
December 19, 2006
December 19
December 17 & 18
Brought to you by the Uncooperate Christmas Photo Shoot.
One can never have too much glittler glue.
December 16, 2006
December Photo Project--catching up
I married into a family that thinks that Christmas trees should be themed. To me a Christmas tree is the representation of all the hodge-podge that is the its family. Besides, I find it incredibly limiting to have a themed tree. I want to be able to purchase a beautiful ornament or make some cute ones without the stress of sticking to The Theme. Chris's theme before I took over his life (heh, heh) was a nautical tree. Some of the ornaments are really beautiful, and I love having them on the tree...next to my snowflakes, angels, Ellis's first Christmas, and stupid ornaments that I made when I was a kid that I just can't seem to part with.
Ellis is a great help. Seriously, what did we do before him!?
Two words: CHA.OS! But great things are happening, my friends, great things.
December 12, 2006
December 12
Yay! I made a garland! It's starting to look more festive around here. And starting to smell more pine-y. Double yay!!
I also did a major haul at A.C. Moore today which means Let the Crafting Begin! Homemade is the theme for this year's C'mas gifts. It's going to be fun, too. It's also somewhat of a dance maneuvering around Toddler Who Must Be Involved. I keep telling myself in a year or so we can really start channeling this for our benefit. In the meantime, I throw him little things to lend the illusion that he is involved. Well, it's not really illusion, because he's right there in my face: involved! whether I like it or not.
December 11, 2006
December 11
This garlic head started sprouting in my fridge. Now I'm kind of curious to see what happens.
December 9 & 10
I love this season for Panettone and cappucino!
snowman jammies
Sorry...I fallen a little bit behind on the December Photo Project. I've been a bit under the weather this weekend. I had pink eye (!?!?!)...not my kid but ME. Who gets pink eye? anyway. It was short-lived but have been battling weird sore throat since.
December 08, 2006
December 8
Couldn't resist this picture of Philip the Fair at the art museum a couple of weeks ago. See his Golden Fleece pendant?!
___
We had friends over to watch Rear Window this evening. I think it's easily risen to the top as my favorite Hitchcock. The music was so interesting...I need to watch it again.
December 07, 2006
December 7
I learned how to make yo-yo's! I was always wondered what to call those things. I had a pillow once from the wave of my great-grandmother's things with a yo-yo flowers on it. Wonder what happened to it, because I really liked it.
December 06, 2006
December 6
December Photo Project
December 05, 2006
December 5
December Photo Project
December 04, 2006
December 4
What we do to get by...
*december photo project*
December 03, 2006
December 3
Part of the December Photo Project
December 02, 2006
December 2
This was taken at our trip to the Philadelphia Art Museum last week. We took a break on the third floor. On the other side of the window is a big Christmas tree overlooking Ben Franklin Pkway with Center City beyond. What is reflected in the window is Athena with her bow and arrow on the other side of the room.
*This entry brought to you by the December Photo Project*
December 01, 2006
December 1
This was actually taken a couple of weeks ago, but it was a night much like this one. Balmy, unseasonably warm, rainy, windy, ushering in a cold front. I was standing at our local train station watching the light in the puddles and train tracks glisten.
___
I decided to participate in Rebecca's December Photo Project. Participants still welcome.
A picture a day until Dec. 25. I will try to avoid harvesting the archives every time. :-)
November 24, 2006
Thanksgiving 2006
Here are a few of my favorite pics.
Linnea doing the eerily jolly Norman Rockwell pose.
Aunt Torture. They still manage to steal kisses from my brother after 27 years.
Our little family
November 06, 2006
Walk at Pennypack Park
This afternoon was one of those days when you have to get out and enjoy the fresh air. Since Chris was working there was no thesis work to be done. My friend and I went to the local incarnation of Fairmount Park with our kids. Her Maddie is 8 mos, and she's a social baby like Ellis. They were Thrilled to be together. They kept giggling at each other. It was so cute. Then Ellis tried to climb all over her stroller.
The peak of Fall's colors is over. But the pathway was lined with copper beaches whose remaining leaves created an amber canopy around is.
November 04, 2006
Christmas shoes!
We had another baby shower for a church friend this afternoon. Her baby is due in early December, and she doesn't know if it's a boy or girl. I know these are blue, but I thought they could go either way. And I couldn't resist the Christmas-y-ness!
I'm working on my own bootie pattern. But it's hard to figure out how to work out the kinks. Since these were for a gift, they are largley based on Heather Bailey's Bitty Bootie pattern. Even though it's more work, I prefer to line my booties, even though the pattern doesn't necessarily call for it. And I don't like how the toes turn up in her pattern. Hmmm. Maybe I'm just being too picky.
Anyway, I was pleased with how they turned out. Now it's back to thesisizing. (a few more details are on Flickr)
October 31, 2006
Happy Halloween!
October 24, 2006
Fall Walk
October 22, 2006
Cute!
dress vintage fabrics, size 86/18 months
Originally uploaded by kinchimama.
Found these adorable dresses on Flickr. This woman is a genius! I love where she finds her fabric. Recycled tablecloths, pillowcases. Definitely worth a quick peak at her work.
October 20, 2006
My friends make art
Rebecca's picture that I've arbitrarily called "Leap off of Haymound" and Katie's beautiful portrait of her daughter Eden have given such delight this morning as I sit with my computer accompanied by the dreariness outside and the march of black and white words across the screen.
Found this pic on Flickr
October 11, 2006
Some art
To the responders to the art meme:
The top 5 are Twirly, Lynn, Alli, Jo, and Em. If I'm nice and feel like taking more pictures, which is likely since it's pretty fall out, I might take one for katiek, Dawn, and AmandaK, too.
The first picture is for Jo.
It is entitled, "Kafka."
The next one is for Lynn. I was experimenting with long exposure and fingure-spelling your name in ASL. It's not as dramatic as I had hoped it would be. And the background is kind of unattractive, but the shelf in the boy's room offered the best height and light to place the camera.
"Your Name"
The last one, for now!, is for Em, who reads my blog. It features two substances close to my heart, coffee and advil. I thought you'd appreciate the Ikea mug. ;-)
"Come and Have a Cuppa"
I'll be back with more!!!
October 08, 2006
E!
Thanks, twirly!
August 04, 2006
playing outside
July 31, 2006
Ellis timeline archived
July 21, 2006
Playing with Daddy
Playing with Daddy
Originally uploaded by Diberjones.
Aren't you just LOVING the orange living room!!!???
June 23, 2006
it could be a meme
I wanted to put up a picture of baby Ellis in honor of his birthday, and now found the CD the baby pics are stored on. In light of the pic that Sarah put up (sorry I missed A's), I think I will post a pic of Ellis and me...no matter how crappy I look. He is 6 days old. Here's to sweet babies and happy mamas.
June 15, 2006
Recent goings on
On the train to CHOP for hearing test
Picnic on Penn's campus after another CHOP appt (campus next door to hospital)
Love these gates:
waving at passersby
June 05, 2006
My beautiful sister
All hail the conquering graduate!
I'm very proud of my sister who just graduated from high school. She's worked hard, while plagued with minor health issues and frustrating social circumstances. And she's done well, reaping the benefits of her diligence!
She's going to Covenant in the fall and is very excited about it. I'm happy for her, and I hope she has great time as I did.
May 30, 2006
Freedom
Another thing that I got today in addition to the new baby pool is new camera batteries!! Yay!! So here are a few pictures that are now freed off of my camera.
Happy 11 months! (first birthday coming up on June 15, circle your calendars for the Birthday Bash)
Helping mom
Helping dad
Found a new place to snuggle
May 01, 2006
Pictures
Walking on the levee in New Orleans
More pics on Flickr
March 13, 2006
Ellis outside on a warm spring afternoon
March 07, 2006
helping Mommy
March 03, 2006
Homer and Ellis
February 15, 2006
Happy 8 Months!
February 12, 2006
Still snowing!
Actually I think it just now stopped. Over snowing for a solid 24 hours, we have about 2 feet of snow dumped on us. It's a lot of snow, and it's cold. Chris is having all the fun outside, because it is perfect snowfort weather. I'm inside with Ellis, who is probably a little young yet to fully appreciate it.
The sad part about having a snow day on a Sunday is that we're missing church. The pastor called around last night around 9 pm cancelling at least morning service, but from the looks of it, I doubt we'll be able to have evening service either. I hate not being able to go to church. It makes the week all funky.
UPDATE: We did have evening service. Yay!! It was so wonderful to come together for worship.
February 09, 2006
two half naps do not equal a whole nap
So while I sit here at the computer, Ellis is rolling and scooching across the floor and having fun in the exersaucer, which is easily becoming the best six bucks I ever spent.
January 21, 2006
Happy 7 Months!
Ellis turned seven months last Sunday. Time is flying by!! It seems like yesterday he was just seven weeks.
He is starting to get mobile. Life as we knew it is changing fast. He scooches across the floor. Doesn't quite crawl yet, but he can get some serious distance fast, if he wants to. For instance, last night we went to dinner at some friend's house to welcome their new kitten, and Ellis and the kitten (Homer) were very curious about eachother. I've never seen Ellis so intent on using all his mobility powers to get to something. It was hilarious!
In fact, he's just gotten more intent about life in general. He watches our hands and faces intently when we talk and sign to him. He eats intently. He watches his Signing Time DVD intently. He jumps intently. He's started to make this sort of "big boy" noise that's a very intent kind of sound.
Over the past months, he's also gotten more giggly. He especially thinks getting undressed is hilarious (and conversely, getting dressed is unhilarious). He's ticklish underneath his arms and laughs when I make funny faces at him. He lights up in a big grin when he looks in the mirror. In fact, recently I caught him trying to talk to the other baby in the mirror that's in his exersaucer tray.
He loves to eat paper. Chris has a few sheets of paper just for him to crinkle when we're studying and don't want him to eat our paper. (Watch movie!)
He like to eat board books. Sometimes I sit in front of the mirror and read the ABC books, pointing to the letter and signing it. He looks at my hand, the book, my face in the mirror.
He plays peekaboo. We tried to play it with him, and he never got it, but then one day, he figured it out. He pulls the blanket over his face and then pulls it away. Over and over and over. It's keeps us all laughing.
Now, if only we could get sleeping down better. Naps are going better. He sleeps for longer than half hour. That is very nice. But he still wakes up every 3 hours at night. And lately has been really awake at 3 am and at 6 am. Not fun. No, beer didn't help. (just kidding!)
January 19, 2006
More fun from Stina
Diber's Wedding
Originally uploaded by coolauntstina.
Stina is posting all this fun pics on Flickr from college, and since we were in the same social circles (same hall, same major, and in general, good buds), I'm part of a lot of them. It's so wild and fun to remember all that. Yes, Stina, it is a Joycam.
Here's a pic from my wedding. I'm the one in white. Stina is the one in black. I'm not going to incriminate the other member (and if you see her, say hi for me!)
January 17, 2006
Me and Lou (oh yea, and I suppose Ty, too)
Party with the Prof
Originally uploaded by coolauntstina.
Thanks, Stina, for posting these fun pics. Ahh...glorious history major days.
January 11, 2006
Ellis watches his DVD
Ellis recently discovered the joy of watching the tube. I can plop him in the exersaucer, turn it on, and have 20 glorious minutes. At least it's educational! The only thing I have to put on for him are these brilliant DVDs teaching kids sign language: Signing Time. They're lowkey, have cute fun little songs, and lots of visual reinforcement of the words. Each volume focuses on a different set of vocabulary. Each time a word is introduced the two main kids sign it, an adult signs it, there's pictures of it (like "apple"), lots of other kids sign it, and they display the written word, too. I love it! We've borrowed vols 2 and 3 from the Early Intervention lady, but I've already ordered vols 1 and 2 for Ellis from Amazon.
It's very easy to learn the signs, because there's so much repetition, so we're picking up the words, too. It makes me feel good that I string a whole bunch of words together to form a concept. I will say that the only thing that really bugs me about ASL is the lack of nuance in verbs. Subjunctive? Gerunds? Future perfect? The only thing left for me to do there is to spell out the word. Hmmm. Right now we're sort of viewing sign language as a starting point, anyway, so we'll see.
At almost 7 months, Ellis is a bit young to sign back yet, but he definitely is clued into the fact that we're doing something important with our hands. He watches keenly, shifting his gaze from hand to hand to our face. I can't wait 'til he starts to try, too.
January 06, 2006
A snapshot just for you
There. Isn't your day better already?
January 03, 2006
some holiday pics
What did you eat for your Christmas Eve dinner?
At least Ellis liked the wrapping paper. Pretty much the sum total of his excitement was eating paper and bows.
He managed to give the bear a hug before eating it.
couple more pics on Flickr
December 20, 2005
Our old apartment in New Orleans. Pictures.
My friend in Baton Rouge went down to New Orleans last weekend. She took a bunch of pictures of our old apartment. As I thought, our second story apartment was safe from flooding, though not broken windows. It also looks like no one moved in after us. And my rosemary is still growing in the window box.
December 15, 2005
thursday's challenge
I haven't given up on Tuesday yet. We'll see.
this week's theme: shopping
Aaaah. I love Amazon, my computer, and messy desk. (ok, I don't love the mess, but we have an understanding with eachother)
December 08, 2005
funny boy
thursday challenge
theme for the day: orange
taken with a really slow shutter speed while the snow drifted down outside
December 06, 2005
a challenge
Taking a page from katiek, I'm looking for a photo challenge. I thought I'd try out a few (starting with self portrait tuesday via katiek) for a few weeks and decide which one I like.
So december's theme: reflective surfaces.
(You know, it's pretty much impossible to take a pic of yourself in a Christmas ball without the camera showing, too.)
November 29, 2005
Thanksgiving pics
Ellis hanging out. Everybody loved him, and I'll wager he loved the attention.
My sister-in-law set up her C'mas tree over the weekend, so we got a headstart with Christmas pictures. Don't worry: Ellis didn't eat the lights, but he was pretty fascinated by them.
more pics on Flickr
I'm getting my Flickr account more organized. I'd like to use it more. I put the badge up on the side bar for easy clicking, but the flash badge still messes up my template for some reason.
November 18, 2005
Happy 5 Months!
Ellis turned five months last Tuesday!
We had his five month check-up and shots this morning, and he weighed 15"6'! More than a pound's gain since last appointment. Cereal is going well, but I'm still keeping it pretty low-key; just a teaspoon at night. And nursing is going better for me physically.
We've had a lot firsts this month: first academic conference, first airpline ride, first trip to the beach, first cereal, first wedding, first time to Niagra Falls, first time meeting two of his great-grandmothers.
Ellis continues to be a happy kid, but is developing some interesting personality traits (which are a lot like his dad's). He focuses intently on a toy trying to master it: grabbing it and putting it in his mouth. Sometimes he screams at it if it doesn't do what he wants it to. In fact, screaming is a new favorite pasttime. Not so much screaming as in crying, rather screaming as in wow, my voice can do cool stuff. We're happy he's vocalizing so much, but how do you tell a deaf kid to use his inside voice?
Our goal for this month is to get the hang of this sleeping thing. I think he wiggles himself awake every time he shifts into a new phase of his sleep cycle, so he's waking up almost every two hours, but he doesn't need to eat.
We've been enjoying our fall walks. I started putting him in the back carrier, he was getting so heavy for the Bjorn. I like this carrier, a lot, and feel like I can go longer in it. This week it got COLD! Brrr.
November 03, 2005
on a jetplane...for the first time
October 18, 2005
just see for yourself
Check out the belly and foot on Lynn's blog. amazing.
Happy 4 Months!
Ellis turned four months last Saturday!
It's going by faster and faster. I can barely keep up. I can hardly remember this last month. He seemed like he jumped from 3 to 4 months overnight. How different when the first month seemed forever.
Ellis is more and more a joy every day.
He's definitely taking in more of the world around. In addition to his WinniethePooh mobile, which he still loves, he's getting into other toys around him. He likes his little baby gym thing and will squeal at those toys and will lay there and stare at others. He has no problem getting up on his forearms and lunging and wiggling around.
He likes to eat his hands. He doesn't reach, grab, and pick up something yet, but if you put something in his hands, he'll grasp it and put it in his mouth. This is especially cute when he happens to be holding a blankie. It looks like he's cuddling it (but he's secretly trying to eat it).
He's showing his personality more and more everyday. He's for the most part really easy going. He likes to be around people and will let anyone at church hold him (and he really gets passed around). Easy-going doesn't necessarily mean laid-back, though. He's constantly actively involved with his world, at this point usually through intent watching. He doesn't miss a thing. He likes a changing scenery. He's adding more sounds to his vocabulary. Zerberts are a favorite. (Watch zerbert movie! It's kind of poor quality, but it's worth it for the sound. 34 secs. 204 kb)
(When I put the hat on him one chilly morning, Chris called him "Big E Pooh from the Hundred Acre Hood"...) One he does not like is to ride in his carseat. If he can either be calm enough to enjoy watching the trees go by or to fall asleep, then it's ok. Otherwise, I've gotten really good at reaching behind me while driving (and shifting!) and sticking the pacifier back in, sometimes holding it in. I think part of the problem is that he can't see anyone, and since he can't hear anyone either, well, maybe he misses us. He's a good traveler, but prefers to be where he can take the most in visually, thus he likes the Bjorn better than the stroller.
He's getting stronger and bigger everyday. If he's reclining, he lifts his head, straining to get more upright. But the more upright he is, the more he slouches forward by eating his hands. He also really enjoys jumping in our laps.
October 10, 2005
Study hard!
Ellis wants to get a head start with this learning thing. As he falls asleep over his books, though, maybe he's picking up some bad habits from mom and dad.
In the spirit of joining the bandwagon, I'm also testing out using Flickr. Still not sure how I feel about it. Though I like you can create blog entries from it. I also can't figure out why the Flickr badge won't stay in "side", rather it pops up down on the bottom.
October 07, 2005
more peer group
We've had a baby boom at church this summer. The fourth boy born is now about a month and a half, followed by two girls (they're too little to come out and play yet). Some of you might recognize Charlie's and Josh's moms from Covenant.
The big kids banished outside to play on a warm Indian summer afternoon.
(ack! sorry about the poor quality! I guess I went overboard on trying to make this small, low res)
October 06, 2005
Future Scots?
Yesterday we went to hang out with Ellis's peer group. These three boys were all born within a month of eachother.
more to come...
September 29, 2005
first picnic
Last Saturday we went to New Jersey to hang out with some friends who were up here in exile. They are supposed to return to their French Quarter apartment in New Orleans today. Hoping all goes well for them. They took us to a lovely park along the Delaware River, a former lookout point protecting the river during the War for Independence. On the other side of the river, we could see I-95 heading towards the airport over to the left, and towards Philadelphia, who skyline we could just see on the right. It was a lovely, cool day. We grilled hamburgers, and Ellis ate his fingers. I noted to myself that Canada geese flew overhead, not pelicans.
September 25, 2005
Happy 3 months! (a little late)
Ellis turned 3 months last Ides, since I'm not writing anything down anywhere else, I just wanted to jot a few things down for myself, so that I don't forget.
Ellis has definitely gotten more interactive this month. It's so much fun! He's also keenly aware of the world around him, and he's strong.
* One of the things he enjoys is pushing off with legs while on our lap. We hold him and he stands on our legs, enjoying the view.
* Hands down his favorite thing in the world is his Winnie-the-Pooh mobile that hangs over the changing table attachment of the pack'n'play, which is his bed. No matter what mood he is in (except for frantically hungry), he'll almost always have a smile for his buddies, Pooh, Piglet, and Eeyore. He grins at them and coos and babbles at them. (watch the movie!)
* This month he's found his found his voice. His favorite sounds are "coo", "goo", "agoo", "ooo", "gee", "uhgee", "oooh", "ih", etc. (I hope this is a good sign for later speech development.)
* He rolled over from his tummy to his back.
* He likes to suck his right thumb.
* He sleeps through the night.
* With daddy going back to school, we've found sort of a routine. He has a long nap in the morning, during which I'm at the computer frantically trying to work. There's a shorter version of this after lunch. We try to take a daily walk in the park next to Chris's school before we pick him up. Ellis is okay in the stroller but prefers to face out ing the bjorn so that he can look out and see everything.
* He looks and looks and looks. He stares at patterns, the ceiling fan, leaves on trees, your face (his favorite), his toys. He's taking it all in. He likes to sit on our laps watching everything.
* Since he likes his mobile so much, I wish I had gotten one of those baby gym things where the toys hang down. I just wanted to minimize Stuff, but there's nothing like seeing what makes your kid excited to make you want to give it to him. I mentioned how I wished I had found one while standing around the church nursery. One mother mentioned having recently seen their's forgotten behind the couch, now long after her youngest has used it. She pulled it out and gave it to me. Yay! Ellis does like it, but not as much as his mobile. I think he'll like it more as he gets used to it.
* He's officially in 3-6 months size. I'm glad that he's to size so far, and I hope it sticks, because I've acquired a few things for the future. His pajamas went into the wash fitting him and came out of the wash not fitting him. They didn't shrink. He is growing so fast! It's hard to think that this wiggly 12+ lb boy was a tiny little 6 lb baby all curled up in my arms such a short time ago.
September 13, 2005
adding to the gallery
of sweet sleeping, thumb-sucking boys.
September 11, 2005
all smiles
August 29, 2005
stats and the boy
Ellis had his two month check up today. (Okay, so maybe it was more like almost 11 weeks checkup, but who's counting?) He's my big boy weighing in at 11lbs, 11oz, 23 inches. I don't what percentile that is, but it seems to be fairly average, which is pretty good for somebody who was born four weeks early. He got two shots. I hate it when he gets shots, but he was very brave. It's really nice, because we can walk over to the pediatrician's office. She has an office in her home, which is just a couple of blocks away.
Ellis is getting really fun and interactive. He smiles at us and stares into our faces, cooing and gurgling. He lights up when he sees his toys and laughs at them. Sometimes we put them in the line of flail, so maybe soon he'll get some degree of hand-eye coordination. In the past couple of days, he's taken to finding his thumb--it's this process of sucking on his fist, circling around the fingers until finally he lands on his thumb, which he seems to find the most calming thing to suck on. I'm enjoying the fact that he's learning how to settle himself. It's so fun to watch him grow!
I'm making little movies of him on our digital camera, and pasting them together in iMovie. Problem is that I can't seem to get them into an mpeg file...only avi, which they're recorded in, or quicktime's mov. Any ideas? I've got to get the movie over onto Chris's computer with the dvd burner. Hmmm. Yea, they're not the best quality movies in the world, but they're decent, and we'd like to preserve them somehow.
August 15, 2005
Happy Two Months!
Today Ellis is two months old!
Right now he is sleeping on his little blanket that sits by my desk so that he's near me as I work.
This month he's graduated from newborn to baby, filling out with all the cute baby chubbiness. I just want to pinch his little cheeks! He fit into the 0-3 month clothes finally. It's because he's such a good eater. What a piggy! When I give him a bath, I have no make sure I get into all his fat crevices to weed out lurking lint.
This month he's also made his presence known in the world in a much more compelling way. His cries have gone from the newborn squeak to a full-blown wail. The problem is, he is still so cute when he cries that his mommy and daddy just laugh. Poverino! 
He has always been a wiggler, but now his wiggles mean something! He even wiggles in his sleep. Sometimes he wiggles completely off his nap blanket. As he wiggles across the floor it almost looks like he's crawling. He's a strong kid, that's for sure. He has no problem lifting his head up off the floor or my chest if I'm holding him. He lifts himself up on his arms and looks around.
Because he's getting bigger, he's also sleeping a bit longer, waking up every 4-5 hours. One night he even slept for 7 hours, which made Mom very happy. Way to go, Ellis!
He makes hilarious faces, too. Whether he's in play mode, sleepy mode, or fuss mode, he always has us cracking up. Sometimes he adds sound effects to his faces. When he wakes up, he stretches his arms way up and grunts and groans just like daddy does. And if he thinks Mom and Dad are just way too silly, he scowls at us.
This is the month we found out that Ellis has hearing loss. So we'll see what God has in store for him.
Ellis is the best!! We just love him to bits!!
August 13, 2005
you goin' somewhere?
August 08, 2005
uuhh...
...Mom, shouldn't you be working on your dissertation?
August 04, 2005
happily fed
August 02, 2005
Family times
It's nice being close to family again. My mom can just call up and ask if we'll come for supper on Saturday, and because an hour drive separates us, instead of a twenty-one hour drive, we can say 'yes! we'll come!'. The occasion this past Saturday was one final dinner together before my sister and her husband move to Pittsburgh. We were all together except for my one brother who just moved to Iowa.
(trying to get Dad to pose nicely)
We grilled steaks, eating in the cool breeze of the back yard. Peach pie and pictures followed in the waning light. And the cigar smokers were serenaded by the hymn singers as their lusty song streamed through the open windows.
July 29, 2005
Friday evening
Well, it's been a busy week, but much better than last week...
On the sleeping front:
I was at my end last week, too long with too little sleep. We had been cosleeping for the first two weeks, but I was gradually getting him into the PacknPlay. We went back to cosleeping, and life is so much better. He went from sleeping 2 hours to 4-5 hours with only slight stirring in the middle of that in one night. I haven't really figured out to nurse effectively in bed. Sometimes he gets it, other times not. But sleeping is better, so I'm not complaining. You can't blame him. When his natural tendency is to curl up, lying him on his back isn't the most comfy.
On the social front:
My dad grows plants for a living, as everyone in his family has since my grear-great-grandfather opened a green house in Baltimore. He had a trade show nearby, so we went to ooh and aaah at his display of perennials and to show off Ellis to distant relatives and close friends at their respective booths.
And yesterday. I applied the skills of my trade and served as judge for a little composition contest among the piano students of a woman at church.
I also got a hair cut. I feel more grown-up.
On the work front:
I'm having to reconceive of Me as Student. It's all changed. More later.
My dancing star is getting bigger:
July 25, 2005
Accio Pacifier!
After listening to his mom and dad read Harry Potter all week, Ellis attempts to summon his pacifier by nonverbal spell. Little does he know that HP is actually pretend, and he is soon thwarted. After which, he resorts to more common means of pacifier summoning. First, looking cute. Second, crying. The latter makes effectual his desire.
July 16, 2005
belly archive
I kind of didn't get a chance to finish. Archiving the belly pics. Glad not to be hauling around that load anymore.
July 11, 2005
Ellis au musee
This weekend my good college friend Joanna and her husband Tim came to visit from Pittsburgh. It's so great to be near enough to my friends again that weekend visits are a possibility. We decided to go to the Rodin Museum here in Philly. Six years ago, Joanna and I went to the Rodin Museum in Paris, and it was easily one of our favorites there. This was also Ellis's first trip to an art museum. Hopefully many more will follow as we attempt to culturate him.
We saw some things that we had seen in Paris, as well, including The Thinker, The Gates of Hell, and The Burghers of Calais. I love The Gates of Hell because of all the detail. Apparently rodin was really into Dante when he was working on them. I tried to pick out the different parts of Inferno on there, but all I could really make out was a mass of moving, writhing figures. It is so dynamic.
The Burghers of Calais is fascinating, too. It was based on an event from the Hundred Years War. The English king laid siege to Calais. He agreed to free the city if six of its most prominent citizens would give themselves up. These six were all set to be hanged. (Rodin captures such a wide range of emotion on each of their faces.) But the English queen hearing of their noble sacrifice intervened, and they were spared. Other pieces I liked were his many sculptures of hands and I came across this small one of mother and child, which struck me with its particularly intimate pose.
Ellis, what did you think of the museum?
In other Ellis news:
He had his 4 wk (wh. he'll actually be on Wed) appointment today, and he weighed in at 7'14"!! Woohoo! Almost 2 lbs in 2 weeks.
He's also legal now, too, with a birth certificate and social sec. card.
AND as of yesterday, he now has a belly button!!
Way to go Ellis!!
June 28, 2005
coming around
Things are looking up a bit here in Ellis world. I think we're starting to get the hang of things. Ellis is eating better (if he wouldn't fall asleep on the job...and, let me tell you, once he's asleep he is unwakeable! not even cold washcloths!!). He had his 2 week checkup this morning, and he's back up to birth weight plus a half an ounce. Still a tiny kid, but I think his face is chubbier.
I'm feeling a bit better. Wed-Fri last week was pretty rough, but by Sat I had perked up a bit. Ellis and I spent the afternoon lounging over at a friend's house, which was nice. On Sunday Ellis went to church for the first time. He slept through everything. And yesterday we went to Border's and Starbucks for his daddy's birthday. My head is starting to wake up a little, and I'm thinking about the papers I want to work on
He is such a good little baby. He rarely fusses, except when he's getting hungry. He'll even lie their quietly while i sponge bathe him, looking around with his bright eyes. I've noticed that he's starting to respond to me in particular, or maybe i just smell like dinner.
We're just having a great time with this little guy.
June 24, 2005
His Cuteness, I presume
Not much to write about. Life just revolves around sleeping and the boob, both going about as can be expected at this point, which doesn't feel great, but gotta press on. One thing long hours in the rocking chair affords me is plenty of opportunity to get to know the camera as an Ellis-capturing device. I think I like flash off the best. He's wearing newborn size onesies. I love how the way they droop all over him makes him look like a little hustler or something.
June 22, 2005
Happy One Week
June 20, 2005
Ellis revealed
June 06, 2005
Goodbye, NOLA!
May 26, 2005
a game for you
While you're waiting for me to actually post something, here is a game for you to play. Name all the vegetables on my plate (Mom2 can't play, because I was talking to her about them over the phone). Brought to you courtesy of a fab Canon A97:
May 09, 2005
pictures and whatnot
Anyway. So things are starting to get done. On Saturday we cleaned out our stuff from our friend's garage. They had been letting us store some stuff there. Since both they and we are moving, it seemed to be a good time to sort and clean. A lot of stuff goes to Goodwill, a lot of stuff goes to the dump, and a few manageable bins are left. Even with the help of a couple CurlyHeaded girls, it took us several hours. And afterwards I realized how little I can actually do in this whole packing up thing. I had difficulty really bending over sorting through boxes. I couldn't lift or move much stuff. I think I will be the Sorter. And I was surprised at how exhausting the whole procedure was. Chris did about 5 times as much as I did on Saturday, and I'm the one crashed out on the bed barely moving.
We spent most of yesterday with the Hamiltons. Trying to spend as much time with them as possible before we each go our separate ways. (they are moving, too) Playing with their CurlyHeads, snuggling with their baby, and yummy food and pleasant conversation.
Okay. It's about time for another picture. So we are at 30 weeks. It is I, the Sorter. Sportin' my way expensive shorts that I didn't get on sale from Old Navy and the desperate need for a decent haircut. I can tell by the slight adjustments in his movements that Elvis is getting bigger. I'm also getting bigger in more places than the belly. But the butt and thighs need to get bigger to support the belly, right? Hopefully, nursing will relieve that little issue.
March 20, 2005
From the 5 yr Old
We also received a nice card and toy from the Curly-Headed Girls. The picture is of Chris and me and the new baby. I just love it!
(I'm also having fun with my new scanner and image-editing software that Chris acquired for me.)
For a Limited Time Only!!
Quick! One week left!! Get your "Lent Special" from the local Wing Zone!
March 16, 2005
The Official Baby Shower
As I said before, the church ladies threw me a shower last Saturday. It was a really nice time, and I was really touched by how many (for our group) were able to make it.
It was held at the Hamilton's house, and another lady helped in the hosting. Between them, there were 6 little girls, age 6 and under, who were getting a lesson in hosting, as well, which made the morning very entertaining, too.
The girls first helped by adding their own touch to the cake. Yellow marshmallow peeps seemed entirely appropriate and coordinated--though they didn't last as part of the decor for very long.
We had a nice time eating and chatting. After I was escorted to my official rocking chair by one of the little girls, another volunteered to make my plate, which had like one peanut, one carrot, one cookie, etc. carefully arranged on the plate. So hilarious!
Then the little girls wanted to pass me my gifts, so they each took turns, passing and hovering over the unwrapping process. The youngest age 2 handed me a little bag with a small Pooh toy in it, and hardly containing her excitement, whipped out the tissue paper on top, crying "Pooh Bear in there!" as she handed me the bag. I was laughing so hard.
We got a lot of nice stuff for Elvis, too. The gift of the day really was fleecy, soft blankets. Definitely stocked up in that category. We got some fun toys (really fun, we kept playing with them), a couple of cute outfits (everything really is super cute), bath-time paraphenalia, and a bouncy seat, with a promised PacknPlay to come. Our Box o' Baby (taking the place of a nursery until we move) is nearly filled; we'll have to start another one soon. I hoping to work on clothing the child at a sale this coming Saturday, so that should be fun. In some ways it's a little surreal. When I had a wedding shower, I was getting stuff I would use anyway. But the baby stuff...that is completely different.
So we had our official Baby Shower. It was a wonderful, special time to celebrate with the church ladies.
Here's Lookin' at you, kid.
It's a busy week at our house.
We have some friends visiting and staying with us for a few days. They'll be moving to New Orleans this summer and are using their Spring Break to come here and go apartment hunting. In celebration of their upcoming move, we had a "crawfish boil" at our house last night.
Now crawfish isn't really a thing I understood before moving to Louisiana. In fact, I still don't really understand it. I do know that it's crawfish season now and will be for the next couple of months. And I know that unless I'm a die-hard Louisiana native (which I'm not), I should buy the crawfish already boiled, because I don't possess a giant vat in my backyard in which to boil them (also useful for frying turkey at Thanksgiving). Anything that requires large yard cooking equipment (except for a basic grill) I'm just not going to tackle.
Last night actually was the first time I myself have attempted to host crawfish in my own home. I've been to a couple of crawfish boils, but it's just a daunting experience for this non-Louisianian. I made some inquiries from natives about where a good place to acquire the little guys would be, and I must say I'm quite pleased with their recommendation, Schaefer and Rusich Seafood off of Lake Ave in Metairie. The crawfish were so tasty, and the seasoning was perfect. I called them up to place my order. Not knowing really anything about serving crawfish, I asked how many pounds they would suggest for feeding four people. They suggested 15-20 pounds, and since we're all novices, I opted for 15. Ezra, our friend, volunteered to go pick them up, and came home with a big bag of 15 pounds of boiled crawfish. Adventure time!
Eating crawfish is messy business. We coated the table with paper bags, and I served only finger food (veggies, corn on the cob, garlic bread) so that we wouldn't have to deal with utensils. And for several hours we ripped heads and dismantled tails with our one Cajun music CD playing in the background for added ambience. All the meat is in the tail, and if any of us really knew what we were doing, the motion of ripping head off and obtaining the meat from the tail would be nothing, but we are all inexperienced and spent the evening carefully picking apart the tail trying to get at the meat in some semblance of chunks. It's a great time. A lot of fun! I'll have to admit, that when I first envisioned our "crawfish boil" I pictured it out on our porch on a warm spring evening. However it's been quite cold, rainy, and dreary, so we ended up having a cozy picnic indoors.
March 13, 2005
The Concert we didn't go to
Our life has been full of adventure lately.
First of all, Chris installed OSX on my Mac and is setting up our home network to be wireless, which is all fun and exciting for him, since he loves tinkering with all this computer stuff. (The funniest thing about having a wireless access point, though, is that we still use a dial-up modem...until alternatives get drastically cheaper we will be for a long time.) I just like a machine that works. I'm a user. I do like OSX, though. The advantage for me is that it's unix based, and thus I'm much more compatible with his Linux machine, and there's a lot of open-source software that is now available to me. My favorite is the Gimp...the best open-source image-editing software. There is nothing I can do in Adobe Photoshop that I can't do in the Gimp. And the Gimp is free.
Second. I had a baby shower with the church ladies yesterday. It was a very nice time. I'll write more later when Erica sends me all the pics she took; she took some good ones, and I didn't get a chance to take any.
Third. We got free tickets to the House of Blues tonight. We'd never heard of the band, but thought, 'hey, who cares, it's a concert at the house of blues!". Well, after evening service we were all excited, drove down to the Quarter, found parking, and made our way over enjoying the warm spring evening breeze.
Getting in line we noticed something. Here we are dressed in church clothes...hip, but still church clothes...and everybody else in line is punk kids. Then security started coming through checking IDs. When the guy got to me, he noticed that I was pregnant, and escorted to the front of the line and got us connected with another security person with the explanation "expectant mother." Though it was fun to be given such treatment, it did cross our minds to wonder why it was necessary to receive such treatment. As we're standing outside the door, we realize that the restaurant is separate, and peering through a door painted with red flames and plastered with "no moshing" warnings we saw the music venue. Then, of course, it didn't occur to me that there would be two hours of cover bands before the real one started. As the reality of the situation added up--punk kid audience, careful treatment, the possibility of difficult access to a bathroom, and hours and hours of loud music we were unsure of--a cozy place on a bar stool started sounding like a better alternative.
So as not to make the evening a total waste, we ordered drinks (Perrier is my new pregnancy fave) and chips, walked around the Quarter catching tunes coming out of bars, and came home at a respectable hour. We now know that the House of Blues, New Orleans institution that it is, is not the jazz club joint we thought it was and to check out bands before we go see them. I just looked up the band we are missing--they are not jazz funk as we had hoped, rather heavy metal. We also know that we are hopelessly nerdy.
(Pics: top--having fun with the Gimp on the pic of Chris I took while waiting outside House of Blues; bottom--the Quarter at night from the parking garage.)
February 08, 2005
Happy Mardi Gras '05!!! (pics!!)
Though parades have been happening daily for over a week, we've been too tired and busy to really go. So we held off until today, the Big Day, with super parades and super floats. And it was SUPER FUN!!!! Jack and Erica came down from Baton Rouge, and we went to the big parade that tops it all off, Rex. (We couldn't get up early enough for Zulu.)
When they arrived, we started off the morning with yummy refreshments of coffee and King Cake (decorated with the Mardi Gras colors of purple, green, and gold).
The parade started down at the end of the street. So we packed our little backpack/chair that we got free from the bank from opening an account, loaded our cameras with film, and set off, arriving just as the parade was starting.
Mardi Gras parades are interactive. The crowd jumps up and down and yells, and the people on the floats throw beads, cups, toys, etc. The throws always bear the particular Krewe's mark. So a lot of the stuff had Krewe Rex all over it and little crowns in the strands of beads we caught.
The floats at this parade are very elaborate and beautiful. Everybody in the parade (except for the highschool and military bands) wears masks à la the original Carnaval parades in Venice.
The first location we picked was not so good. People weren't throwing us stuff, and bands weren't playing, just in their "march" cycle, so we walked a bit further down the parade route. At one point, when we were at the intersection of Napolean and Freret, we turned around a saw a random group of people in costume marching down the street (second liners?). The kids were wearing these spectacular costumes and jiving to the drum beat of someone in their group. They made their way down the street, crossed a small gap in the big parade, and continued their little dance down the street.
Here's me and my loot thus far.
Chris mostly sat back and enjoyed the parade. At one point, he lifted me up on his shoulders to see if I could get some cool stuff. I did get some cool pictures at my great vantage point, though, I should've been more elaborately dressed in a costume or funny hat if I really wanted to get some good throws. (By the way, just in case you're wondering. According to nola.com, showing skin to get beads is passe and dressing up crazy is so in. )
Every float was really spectacular.
After Rex, the Elks and local businesses have a truck parade. Less elaborate floats (though still pretty decent), lots of fun throws, and a more local feel. It's great fun for kids, so we hiked over to the end of the Hamilton's street where they stood getting a stroller load of stuff. People threw lots of toys and beads to them, because they're so cute.
Here's me helping a somewhat overstimulated 2 yr old Blair wave her arms for some beads (though she's obviously not doing too bad).
Erica and her loot.
Abby having a good time and waiting for the next float.
Everybody having a good time.
It was great fun, but after over two hours of parading, we were tired. We walked back with the Hamiltons the two blocks to their house and stopped off for drinks and a little rest. Then we continued walking back to our house. (I love the fact that we had a whole morning of Mardi Gras without even having to think about driving anywhere). Erica and I fixed a Fabulous Taco Feast. And the soporific effect of full bellies and parade legs sent us collapsing to the couch. Upon brief recovery we watched "What's Up, Doc?", a comedy involving a musicologist. ;-)
Happy Mardi Gras!!!!!
February 07, 2005
Ecco Belli!
Okay, the appointment is made.
On February 23 we'll get to find out if Elvis is a boy or a girl!! I can't WAIT!!! I'm so excited about this little marker in the pregnancy. I honestly have no idea or "premonitions" or anything. Some people feel strongly that they can just 'sense' what it is. Not me. If anything, sometimes I get into the groove of thinking he's a boy, because we keep calling him Elvis. So what do you think?
Vote now: boy or girl?
(Just leave a comment, since I'm not as skilled as some people and can make a little php thing in which you can lobby a vote.)
We had another appointment this morning. It's nice to have these every 3 week reality checks. Sometimes I start to freak out a little bit, like "What if I'm not really pregnant!?" (still. can you believe it?) Or start to worry that something is wrong. Or start to worry that what if it's really twins, and they just haven't been able to pick up on that yet (yea, right). But every 3 weeks I get a nice little reminder that everything is as normal as it could possibly be. The doctor didn't have to search for the heartbeat; there Elvis was right where she put the microphone down.
Anyway. Here are pics of my 17 week belly last week. Starting to get something to show for it. (Sorry. can't resist the opportunity to make a face.)
January 25, 2005
Say cheese!
When my brother and sister were here for Christmas, we spent one cold afternoon at the park taking some pictures...hopefully, there are some Sam can use for senior-picturing.
Here are a few of my favorites. A few cute ones of Luisa, too. Oh yea, Happy Birthday, Sam!!!
Sam does a great impression of "Singing in the Rain!"
Waiting for the streetcar.
Riding down St. Charles Ave.
By the river.
December 29, 2004
Some Christmas pics
On to happier things. Sadly, I forgot to take pictures of people over Christmas!!! (Actually, I did take one, but it turned out all blurry.) But we did go to the park where I took Sam's senior pictures on my Pentax, and I snapped a few cute ones of Lu, too. So when I get those developed and if they have turned out well, I'll scan a couple in. One thing we want to get before the advent of Elvis is a nicer digital camera.
Okay. So first off is the result of my adventure in soldering. A finicky iron and lack of knowledge ended up in a ornament that looks more suited for a tree in Who-ville, but hey, I'm going to be proud of it.
Then to prove that it snowed. I caught some on my sleeve, since I couldn't really get an effective picture of the snow falling.
December 04, 2004
Elvis lives!
November 20, 2004
For Rent: The Ongoing Saga
This morning we have been driving around some neighborhoods looking for "For Rent" signs. It's been a fun way to see some of the details of the city. From whole houses leaning at 50 degree angle (I kid you not!) to the exciting colors one finds only the South.
I present to you the winner of today's drive: The Bright Pink!
(It was brighter in real life. The picture doesn't do it justice. By the way, it's not for rent.)
October 12, 2004
Some garden pics
Voila! The Garden--clean and tidy ready for fall/winter fare.
This is the little wall I built for the end. I don't know how sturdy is, but for the time being I am a little teensy bit proud of it.
And just to prove that I'm still getting a lot of peppers!
September 08, 2004
pictures
Like I said, I finally got the last of my Europe pics developed...the pictures I took on my Pentax. Using the handy-dandy scanner at the library I can share these higher quality photos. So I'll just share of few of my favorites
This first one is inside the main cathedral in Trier...I think it's technically a basilica. And it's the seat of the local archbishop. So it's a pretty huge deal. A lot of Rococo features around the building (and the town!), though I'm not quite sure that comes out in the picture. Trier is also one of those towns that's been around since the Roman Empire, so the cathedral is an interesting amalgam of development throughout the Middle Ages.
This next one is of my brother (on the far right) and his two friends who were also visiting at the same time I was. They were really nice and friendly, and I had a great time with all of them. They're standing outside some palace in Trier. It was a freezing cold day in July (!), so our next stop was coffee.
June 30, 2004
siblings
I haven't been up in Pennsylvania for awhile. It was fun to hang out with my siblings again. It was the first time all five of us have been together since the Christmas Chris and i got engaged three and a half years ago. This picture was taken right as Nick and I were leaving on Monday, so Mary isn't in it as she was on her honeymoon. We're all laughing because I'm trying to reach behind Sam to pinch Nick to make him smile, because he was being a pooper about the picture.
Nick lives in Germany working for the Air Force. I'm planning on visiting him while I'm over there. Sam and Luisa are still in highschool, starting their senior and junior years respectively. It was kind of a crazy weekend, so we didn't really hang out much, just us, but it felt more natural...the running in and out of the house, the delicate maneuvering of vying for the shower while there's still hot water, Sam's voice always about 10 times louder than everyone else's. Anyway...it was fun.
June 29, 2004
wild wedding weekend
For pictures, click here. More later. Very tired.
June 08, 2004
in honor of today
Aww, schucks, the man can't come home for lunch. Oh well. I'm still having a BLT, because it's yummy, and I'm hungry. So i'll put up my current fave picture of Chris standing on the porch. The view is from the garden, and you get a pretty good idea of living in New Orleans. The typical ironwork and quirky architecture. The porch used to be pulling away from the house (also typically New Orleans), but last fall they jacked it and anchored it to the house, which is why I can have a garden in the ground this year, because they pulled out the shrubs to do this work.
June 05, 2004
Party!
Phwew! I have a headache!! This afternoon we spent about 3 hours playing at our friend's house celebrating Chara Grace's 5th birthday. It was wild! We bounced for a long time in the bouncy castle crammed into their backyard. Oh yes! All of us...even Chris. This was way fun, because I've never jumped in a bouncy castle before. And we ate lots of bday cake. And Their mom was feeling generous while shopping for bday apparatus and bought noisemakers, wh. were a big hit with the kids and a big hit on all our ears. This pic is probably the best of the day. It's actually Abby, the bday girl's sister. She was chasing one of the little kids around with a noise maker and having a ball. Overall a good time was had by all.
June 02, 2004
"second harvest" or "the call of the tomato"
In eager anticipation the first of the tomatoes ripened.
The glaring sun of each day sending the first ones into deepening red.
Slowly their progress is monitored.
Perhaps this will be the day of harvest.
Just a day more, waiting for the orange speck to deepen.
A distant roll of thunder awakens my lazy slumber.
Absence of light pouring through the blinds.
The dull glow of day.
Pounding of raindrops.
An unceremonious harvest, snatching them from their cradle.
The fanfare turned into a slink.
Sitting on the table, the jolly tomatoes watch the raindrops chase each other down the window pane.
***
Dear friends, I am not a poet, nor the son daughter of a poet. I don't think I have the creative juices to continue to write poems (loosely associated with the genre as they are) about every single vegetable I pick from my garden. I think you do get the point, though, that I very much enjoy the little lot of soil that produces yummy things for me to eat. So, though I know my readers are sitting with bated breath for "The Pepper that Peter Piper Picked", I think I will restrict my poems to my vegetables for special occasions from now on, and not for every time I pick one. :)
May 27, 2004
"first harvest" or "the 'jappy' jalapeno"
A little jalapeno seed grew into a plant. Jauntily perched upon a stem that was not scant was the first little pepper! O raise the happy chant! |
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| One day the girl came skipping by, and what do you think did she spy, but the 'jappy' jalapeno begging to be picked, so she bent down and plucked it from its sturdy stick. |
Joyfully she grasped the treasure that she bore, and took it home, the first offering, from the garden galore. Carefully she chopped it up for some homemade salsa. It's really, really yummy. Do you think you'd want some? |  |
And so ends the tale of the 'jappy' jalapeno, Who found a paradise of glee lying next to a tomato. | |
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****** Stay tuned for the debut of the Trumpeting Tomato! | |
May 01, 2004
the garden
| We have the aerial view looking down from the porch. The big ones on the left are the tomato plants. In the back are the two cucumber plants. And there's 4 bell pepper and one jalapeno pepper on the right. With dots of yellow marigold plants. |
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 | And the view from the sidewalk by the street. |
| And fruits of labor soon to be harvested. I counted 9 green tomatoes today on three plants. Woohoo! |
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April 25, 2004
my little friends
Last night Chris and I went over to babysit our pastor's kids. The three little girls have been some of my best friends here in NOLA. When I arrived at the door last night, they could barely constrain themselves as they bestowed on me gifts of their creations...pictures of many layers of markers and a decorated milk jug (?). Their parents are from the UK, thus the funny accents the kids have developed keep us entertained for hours. Often on Sunday evenings we pizzer with them. Chara Grace, the oldest, especially likes Holives. She also enjoyed tortillers on my birthday. What can I say? They're my pals.
April 24, 2004
a room with a view
When my friend Grace White visited me in January, she helped me make kitchen curtains. She never got to see the final product. So posting these is partly for her benefit. The kitchen window is also one my favorite prospects in the house. We have the convergence of the little porch to another apartment attached to this house, the house next door, the house behind the house next door, and the mulberry tree in between all. The windows have a lot of character, too. The glass is age, some panes have cracks the landlard doesn't deem worthy to fix, and the screens have fallen off ages ago. Outside the righthand window, I have my little herb garden, which I consult regularly in my various culinary exploits. Right now the oregano is reigning supreme.
 | On the left we have the ties that Grace cleverly made when we realized we didn't have quite enough fabric to go the whole way up and down. The ties gave us a couple more inches of leeway. It was my idea to use the different colors of fabric remnants I had. We were both feeling extremely clever at the moment. |
| The final product. As the morning sun comes streaming through. It's no wonder this is my favorite window in the apartment. It's so jolly in the morning. |  |
 | The bead ties I made to bring it all together colorwise. Also a moment in which I felt very creative and very clever. As I'm not feeling either of those at this particular moment. I'm reveling in the past experience |
April 23, 2004
"new" camera!!!!!!
| Wooohoooo!!!!! My dear friend has unloaded the old camera, and for me it is new. I'm now digi-fied!!!! I'm VERY excited. I'm sure you'll be seeing more from me. :) |
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| I hope I'll have better shots, but for now, I'm just getting used to the machine. Above is our miracle amaryllis. Two years ago I bought one amaryllis bulb, it has since divided (what you see above) and survived numerous bouts of neglect. And for the past couple of years since, it has produced beautiful deep red bulbs. So I present Amaryllis on the Porch | |
February 05, 2004
Heil Musicology!
New York Times, Feb. 4, 2004: photo, p. B9
