Every Time a Bell Rings

I keep having to remind myself that Christmas is every year.

Two years

"Nora \n(o)-ra\, pronounced NOR-ah. It is of English origin. Short for Eleanora (Greek), meaning 'light'."

"...but light is more elusive than we like to remember. When the ancients observed the winter solstice, it was with thousands of years of fear that, once gone, the light might not come back. It might not, this time, return to warm the earth or grow the seeds or prod the harvests upon which they depended for life. The great ancient monuments—Stonehenge in England, or New Grange, even older, in Ireland—were built to function in the midst of wet, cold, black winter, when darkness was its deepest, its longest, its cruelest. Then the light was tenuous. Then even the days were gray. The monuments were built to catch the first gleam of light after the longest night in the year. When the days were darkest, then the light came. But you couldn’t be sure it would. You had to be patient, be hopeful, be strong. It was the return of light that you were celebrating. It was the return of the light that gave reason for hope in another year." - Joan Chittister

Happy birthday to our Solstice kid. Our light and our joy. We are so grateful for you and can't wait to see you illuminate the world.

22 Months Today (the 22nd); Two More Months Until TWO YEARS

Nora. We like her. She's all good stuff with a dash of sea salt in the form of yelped frustration when she can't quite do something she wants (like get her zipper zipped or have the iPod). This morning, nearly every sentence spoken ended with "I think." She's a fiend for dancing. She's mastering the somersault. She melted us into proud puddles with her care of a pulltoy when we were at the thrift store: "Come here, you sweet bean."

There is so much more. But right now I'm just taking this moment in the middle of it all (and there is so much "all" right now, because someone's mother believes that the way to go about things is to open a show, move into a new apartment and knit a Halloween costume all in the same two weeks) to reflect on one clear reason Fall is my favorite season:

The boss called. She's not happy.

Life's gotta be tough for a baby in middle management.
In 1986.

Sometimes a girl just needs to lie in the grass

Today, we made an accidental trip to the park. This is what happened:


















And then this:


















And then finally this:


















Other things happened that were similarly adorable and then we went home.

The end.

In case you were wondering if there were any recent photos of Nora we forgot to pull off our camera

Yes.

[Public link to a Facebook photo album. You should be able to view it without being a FB member, but let me know if you can't]

Hair. Teeth.

More Dancing

This is my best attempt so far...but of course she figured out what was going on when she turned around to ask "Mama dance, too?"

This kid likes to dance. In fact, when we were attempting to leave David and Jen's wedding--when every one else was out cutting a rug--Nora pulled away from the door and ran to the dance floor exclaiming "Nooooo! Shimmy, shimmy, shimmy!"

And here's why:



Technically, I should have gotten permission from "Awesome" to publish unreleased material, but...there you go.

"This is the pillow. This is the pillow."

That's the mid-nap sentence I heard via the baby monitor yesterday. Nora was sitting up and identifying the objects in our bedroom, beginning with those closest to her (she was having a nap in the MamaPapa Bed). "This is the pillow. This is the book. That is the necklace. Mama, turn the fan off." That sort of thing.

Luckily, she went back to sleep fairly easily. That time. She's sleeping again right now, but who knows when she'll wake up and what she'll be saying. She's been waking up more than usual these days due to sleep talking. It's a little surprising her brain hasn't exploded what with all the pronouns, verbs, adjectives and hanging gerunds firing up new synapses. I mean, IT BLOWS OUR MINDS.

(It's okay if I say something particularly stupid if I use capslock, right?)

I've been trying to video some of her accomplishments, but she blocks every attempt by turning her direct attention to the camera. Every time. Until I figure out how to set up the tripod far enough in advance that she stops noticing the camera you'll have to bear with these still shots:

Who eats yogurt with a spoon?

Hardly incognito.

Shortly after this photo, Nora immersed herself in Shilshole Bay. Looking down at an open-eyed, underwater mermaid freaked out this mother, but when I picked her up, her first words were "back in the water."

Just today, plotting at the Volunteer Park wading pool.

...and awake. Today's waking words? "Mama. Mama? I want to go see Mama." Why am I typing instead of going in the bedroom? Because Basil went in. I know, because she just said "Need a ladybug necklace. Papa, get it puhhhleeeeeeease."

When is a door not a door?*

Does that title have anything to do with this post? Who can say?

The following video was taken by David Nixon in the back of our building (during a lovely impromptu barbecue with the newlyweds) for Vital 5's Arbitrary Art Grant in Dance...which is why Nora's styling moves are accompanied by gunfire.



Hurry! Get your entry in by midnight tonight!

*When it's ajar.

Independence

I really think that Nora represents Paul Revere in this photo:

Why must my camera phone have such poor quality?

This photo followed a fantastic summer day of a morning trip to Volunteer Park and an afternoon trip to Golden Gardens. The first included a wading pool and a little picnic; the latter included complete submersion in Shilshole Bay and a Surprise Dinner Picnic (tm?) with Yuki, Mimi and Philip. Not a bad way to prepare for impending fireworks...especially when said fireworks are way past someone's bedtime.

May you all have the freedom to wear one holiday's accoutrement on another.

Sun-Ripened

It's been a lovely weekend: dinner dates, farewell parties, film projects, softball games, wading pools and more. The best part of the more? Berry picking!

My paternal grandmother had a giant, no, GIANT garden that included raspberry bushes and grape vines. I have many fond memories of shoving handfuls of berries into my mouth and consuming grapes unripe and ripe. The unripe grapes were power pills that my cousins and I deemed the source of our superhero power: one must suffer to return to full strength. Raspberries were their own pain-free delight and continue to be so today:

Our generous organic gardening downstairs neighbors mentioned that the raspberries were ripe and needed all-hands attention. We were happy to oblige. Nothing like picking berries in your own backyard...

...especially when you can pop 'em right in your mouth. That's a milestone everyone should achieve, whether in babyhood or adulthood. We picked more after arriving home tonight because they are delicious. Nora is well on her way to understanding the difference between ripe and unripe (or snack and power-recharge).

I cannot wait to arrange a berry-picking outing with other small fry we know (and their parents). Plunk, plunk, plunk!

And now, Nora reads! (Until she notices the camera, that is.)

You want some more photos?

Of course you do! Click on the image below to view the entire album.

Nora at the playground

Many thanks to David for snapping these shots and to the lovely Jen for taking such good care of Nora during this obviously grueling photo shoot.

With regard to my recent job loss and subsequent job search, a friend (a couple of friends, actually) suggested I go into the business of creating cute babies for a living. While the logistical and biological feasibility of this practice would be dubious at best (dare I say "illegitimate"?), not to mention what it would do to my relationship with my wife, not to mention again the violation of the laws of man and nature...

... it sure is nice having a happy kid.

...and "bless you" when you sneeze

We're raising a polite kid. At least, so far. She says "please" and "thank you" and is working on "you're welcome" (though that concept is a little trickier).

And she's always ready to do this:

We love our rooftop deck. And the sweater Uncle Ian knitted.

Plus, she can say taco, tortilla, burrito, taquito, salsa and enchilada.

Yes: we are also raising our kid.

Uh-oh

Someday, I will have to say no to this:














I mean, in theory. Everyone knows I won't have the heart actually go through with it...

Nora and Oueffi Do What Must Be Done

Nora's new thing

She pulls a pair of Gillian's underpants over her head and wears them like a shawl.
We call her...

Underpanzer.

Yes, it is ridiculous and cute.

No, there will be no pictures.

The one with the waggley tail

Perhaps someday this little pup will be as loved and well-worn as Uncle Ian's "goggie."

It's not like she isn't photogenic

And it's not like we don't like taking pictures of our own daughter or that we don't take a bunch that just sit on our memory card and get forgotten amidst the runaroundcrazytime of raising such an awesome and energetic kid, so don't you even think that.
Wait, what were we talking about?

Well okay we know there are some people who read this blog who couldn't give a flying red Roman Scuba tank about facts and figures and feelings, especially as they pertain to Nora's parents (yours trulies). You just want the good stuff. The pictures. Outta the way, Ma and Pa Chatterboxes!

Well fine, here's a whole new album (click on the photo):

Kid in the Hall

Knock yourself out.

SPOILER: They're all photos of Nora in our hallway. How's that for a theme? Hopefully, like a fresh raw steak to salivating hounds, this will hold for a while the rabid image-hungry subset of the NSJ fan club.

Now, as for facts and figures, here are a few for the less sensationalist and superficial among you following along at home:

• One-year immunizations - She's all caught up and looking good. No adverse reactions and she does markedly better with needles than her father does. Dr. Christina continues to be a rock star.
  
  
• Food - Eating everything now except peanut butter, strawberries and shellfish. Gotta hold off until the Big 0-2 for that stuff. She's into (cow's) milk more and more, which is a good sign and a bit of a relief for Gillian, obviousleeeeeee.
  
  
• Teeth - She has them. Boy howdy, does she ever. And these days I bet she really wishes she didn't. No, we haven't tried the scotch-on-the-gums trick yet and no, we have not yet ruled that option out. Stop judging. I can feel you judging. Stop it.
  
  
• Words to date: hat, daddie (doggie), cat, birdie, appshaw (applesauce), apane (airplane), adoo (avocado), no, basch (bus), push, cheese, keys, trees (those three are the same "tees" sound, depending on what's in front of her), ready, off, on, in, out, more, help, up (which also means "down", or "release me at once!"), baby, bye, mama, papa, Ouffi (Sophie, her BFF), Yuki (her other BFF) reshh (rice), adda (other, usually in reference to shoes or gloves), dooshh (shoe), luff (glove), dglashhisssh (glasses), yeah, yuck, dirty, guy, bee, button, tractor, door, laundry, leggie (BabyLegs^tm baby leg warmers), wall, hot, poop, peepee, bubbles, eye, head, toes (which she also refers to as "piggies"), knee, elbow, wash, ice, nose, aalbatto (almond butter), happy, honey, apple, pear, banana (almost), milk, water, hang on, oh no, uh-oh, owie, Nona (her own name) and zebra. Plus, a variety of animal sounds including those of a dog, cat, horse, cow, bird, lion, owl, duck, bee, monkey, sheep and elephant. I know MBAs with less extensive vocabularies.
  
  
• Cuts n' scrapes - She does indeed know the word "hot", which also means she's learning more about "owies" and how much they suck. The most frequent owie locations recently (besides her gums) have been fingers and back-of-head, which is not uncommon for active Toddling Americans. We are trying not to lose our minds over the minor injuries, even though our hearts secretly shatter with each serious wipeout. And she is a pretty durable kid. She only cries when she has actually hurt or surprised herself. Otherwise, she's kind of the Timex of the toddler world [see also licking, takes a and ticking, keeps on]. Still, learning is hard. Must learn harder.

And so forth.
More pics and videos (from Nora and Gillian's recent trip to sunny San Diego!) coming... soon... ish...
We promise will try really hard will do what we can!

Recital #1

It's really about the notes she doesn't play, you know...?

What We've Been Doing (instead of posting)

I missed it

Today we got a new president and unlike the rest of our fair city's True Blues, I spent the inauguration in transit - away from TV and radio. Didn't hear a word of it.
The saving grace was that I was with Nora. We strolled along in silence through the foggy morning, the streets uncharacteristically empty and disappearing into grey within a few blocks.
While I was fretting about not getting to be part of the celebration, she was happily chirping about dogs and hats and shoes. Things could have been worse, and at least we have YouTube.

Happy New President, baby girl. I hope you never have to endure another 8 years like the ones we just had. I hope your history is taught very well. I hope you grow up with an appetite for justice and understanding instead of just a bad taste in your mouth. I hope this president (and those that follow him) inspires you with his success as well as his failures - as opposed to making you wince every time you hear his voice.
This is a very big day and it's another ordinary day. You live in a country great enough that good things like this, while painfully rare of late, surprise us less than we think. We know how to deal with good news. We know that goodness never goes stale, never goes out of style. We never stop recognizing goodness, no matter how old and cynical and cautious we get.
Here's to expecting the best from now on. To falling down 7 times and getting up 8. To shining a light on fear and owning up to our mistakes.
This is your president, Nora. I hope and pray that he keeps you safe and that respect, hope and dignity are qualities you come to expect from your country and your world.

And he's getting a dog!