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.