Someday, hopefully soon, I will be able to accompany my posts with actual pictures.
Neither Nate, nor I knew children's songs when Ruby was born. We usually sang her U2 or Counting Crows. There really aren't finger games or hand motions that go along well with All I Want Is You or Mr. Jones-- and in the end, most kids really respond to the kind of interaction found in songs like Itsy Bitsy Spider.
Earlier this year, I signed Ruby up for an English speaking music class with her favorite little friend. It has been fantastic! Once a week we walk a couple of blocks to her instructor's apartment to join about 10 other children and their mothers in singing and playing instruments. Ruby loves it!! She asks regularly to sing many of the songs and has all the hand motions memorized.
Without the pacifier, bedtime has started to require a replacement ritual, whereas before we could just place her in bed, stick her pacifier in her mouth, shut off the lights and close the door-- we have now been forced to discover a new way to help her calm herself before bed. We now sing all her favorites: Mr. Sun, the Wheels on the Bus, "Gong, Gong and Kinkle, Kinkle Star" as she calls them. Last night, she decided that Elmo needed to learn the songs. She took her Elmo and had him move to all the motions of the songs. We fell a little more in love with her. She went to bed quietly singing "Row, row, row your boat" with Elmo and seemed to have long forgotten the need for her pacifier.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
My New Obsession
www.blurb.com
This site has free downloadable software that can take your blog and turn it into a bookstore quality book. It goes a step beyond the photo books offered through iPhoto and Snapfish. I think this will help me achieve some of my New Year's Resolution's quite easily. All you bloggers out there should consider doing something similar on a yearly basis, since in theory our blogs are a bit of our personal history (formerly known as Books of Remembrance), who knew so many of us were actually enjoying that stuff these days!
This site has free downloadable software that can take your blog and turn it into a bookstore quality book. It goes a step beyond the photo books offered through iPhoto and Snapfish. I think this will help me achieve some of my New Year's Resolution's quite easily. All you bloggers out there should consider doing something similar on a yearly basis, since in theory our blogs are a bit of our personal history (formerly known as Books of Remembrance), who knew so many of us were actually enjoying that stuff these days!
Monday, January 21, 2008
Paris with Kids
I am always compiling lists of helpful reading materials for people planning a trip to the City of Lights. Ruby was sent a great Christmas gift this year from our friends Dan and Laura. While she is a bit young to really enjoy it, Nate and I loved this quick read and heartily recommend it to everyone.
The Invention of Hugo Cabaret, by Brian Selznik, is a book about dreams. Hugo is a young clock keeper in a large Parisian train station. Check it out at your local library, though the waiting list might be long. It recently won the Caldecott award for best illustrated youth literature.
Cinema-philes will love references to movies by Rene Clair and others, as well as rumors that Martin Scorcese is slated to direct the movie adaptation of this book.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Bye Bye Paci
Ruby and her pacifier have a long history. She got her first hit off the hospital nurse after just a few hours of life. There are few pictures of her without, and those that exist--well you can be certain we pulled the plug just moments before snapping the memory (and then it was quickly returned to its proper place).
But, after an entire day of our toddler keeping us on our toes in search of the ever present addiction, we decided it was time to go cold turkey in giving the thing up. We did love the pacifier. It calmed her down, made her laugh, and sometimes even made us laugh. For example, since we can remember, se has insisted that the little handle be pressed up against her nose, creating the appearance of a bulls ring through her nostrils. Sometimes she would wander through the house calling "Paci, paci" until she found it hidden behind the crib or under a blanket.
Yesterday, the cute factor was obviously long gone. On our way out the door for a brief road trip to Belgium, we checked for the pacifier, which was no where to be found. Ruby pretended to help, but in the end she had actually hidden it. Then in the car she threw it when she was mad, lost it in the mound of toys. The fit that followed forced Nate to pull over to find it. It was tossed again. That was the moment that sealed her fate. We drove home without finding it. We went to bed that evening, eventually, with out it. We even made it through church, without it. Here is to 24 hours with out the Paci. It was a good friend, but we hope it doesn't come back to visit.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Top Ten: New Year's Resolutions
That’s right, I am putting my personal goals out there for the world to see, judge, and criticize. But, you never know, that may be exactly what I need to see these through to 2009.
10. Write. I have always enjoyed writing just to get thoughts out of my mind, which always seems to be reeling. I am not so much the “creative writer” who aspires to penning the great American novel of the 21st century, but I would like my name to appear with the likes of Christopher Hitchens (you gotta love him, even when you hate him). His social and political commentary, infuriating and often right on target, is precisely the kind of professional standard to which I aspire.
9. Continue to Read Literature and Daily News. Although another baby threatens to disrupt my perfectly scheduled two hour addiction (aka, Ruby’s nap time) of “checking the headlines” or reading the latest recommended novel, I would hate to see myself fall into the bottomless pit, already crowded as it is, of the uninformed, apathetic masses we call the American public.
8. Actively Seek Opportunities to Serve. The people I respect and admire the most always seem to have their plates full, but are nonetheless always available to do the most needful things. I feel those who know how to serve are more capable of keeping their lives in the proper perspective.
7. Always Dye My Hair Before the Gray Streak Returns! Embarrassingly enough, this only happens about 20% of the time. Right now, I have about a half-inch growth. Can we all say, House-Marm together please?
6. Organize, organize, organize!! Clean, clean, clean!! My bedroom doesn’t look much different then it did when I was in high school or college. The bed is made just before I climb into it. I hate putting on a top sheet. I don’t always load the dishwasher before I go to bed. I often have five loads of laundry to do in one day just to catch up. Don’t even talk to me about the chaos that is my hair and make-up supplies on the bathroom vanity. Some boxes from our move are still unopened in Ruby’s bedroom. A few frames are resting against the wall where I have intended for them to be placed for 18 months. I would like to turn into the "naturally" organized person everyone secretly hates and openly aspires to become.
5. Finish Ruby’s Baby Book. This needs to happen before number 2 arrives in April. I don’t want to put this off until her 18th birthday!
4.Complete a Marathon. This is the one I hate to admit to openly. It has been on my New Year’s Resolutions lists since I can remember and I have never once come close to preparing for it. I can’t imagine the mental and physical empowerment that would come with knowing you had the diligence, patience, and stamina necessary to prepare for and complete a 26-mile run.
3. Make One Meal Each Week From the Julia Child’s Cookbook, “ Master the Art of French Cooking” I claim constantly to dislike cooking, but this really just isn’t true. I didn’t like it as a kid because it was a chore, something you were banished to do while the rest of the family watched a re-run of Little House on the Prairie. In college I hated it because the kitchen was never clean and there were always too many women telling you how you should do it differently. I would just like to be able to really enjoy the time I spend in the process of cooking, something French cooking is designed to provide.
2. Write Down One Experience With Ruby Every Day. It will be nice to give to her far, far down the road.
1. Take More Pictures. We just don’t take enough of all the great family memories we are making. It is especially sad since we do some incredibly unordinary things.
10. Write. I have always enjoyed writing just to get thoughts out of my mind, which always seems to be reeling. I am not so much the “creative writer” who aspires to penning the great American novel of the 21st century, but I would like my name to appear with the likes of Christopher Hitchens (you gotta love him, even when you hate him). His social and political commentary, infuriating and often right on target, is precisely the kind of professional standard to which I aspire.
9. Continue to Read Literature and Daily News. Although another baby threatens to disrupt my perfectly scheduled two hour addiction (aka, Ruby’s nap time) of “checking the headlines” or reading the latest recommended novel, I would hate to see myself fall into the bottomless pit, already crowded as it is, of the uninformed, apathetic masses we call the American public.
8. Actively Seek Opportunities to Serve. The people I respect and admire the most always seem to have their plates full, but are nonetheless always available to do the most needful things. I feel those who know how to serve are more capable of keeping their lives in the proper perspective.
7. Always Dye My Hair Before the Gray Streak Returns! Embarrassingly enough, this only happens about 20% of the time. Right now, I have about a half-inch growth. Can we all say, House-Marm together please?
6. Organize, organize, organize!! Clean, clean, clean!! My bedroom doesn’t look much different then it did when I was in high school or college. The bed is made just before I climb into it. I hate putting on a top sheet. I don’t always load the dishwasher before I go to bed. I often have five loads of laundry to do in one day just to catch up. Don’t even talk to me about the chaos that is my hair and make-up supplies on the bathroom vanity. Some boxes from our move are still unopened in Ruby’s bedroom. A few frames are resting against the wall where I have intended for them to be placed for 18 months. I would like to turn into the "naturally" organized person everyone secretly hates and openly aspires to become.
5. Finish Ruby’s Baby Book. This needs to happen before number 2 arrives in April. I don’t want to put this off until her 18th birthday!
4.Complete a Marathon. This is the one I hate to admit to openly. It has been on my New Year’s Resolutions lists since I can remember and I have never once come close to preparing for it. I can’t imagine the mental and physical empowerment that would come with knowing you had the diligence, patience, and stamina necessary to prepare for and complete a 26-mile run.
3. Make One Meal Each Week From the Julia Child’s Cookbook, “ Master the Art of French Cooking” I claim constantly to dislike cooking, but this really just isn’t true. I didn’t like it as a kid because it was a chore, something you were banished to do while the rest of the family watched a re-run of Little House on the Prairie. In college I hated it because the kitchen was never clean and there were always too many women telling you how you should do it differently. I would just like to be able to really enjoy the time I spend in the process of cooking, something French cooking is designed to provide.
2. Write Down One Experience With Ruby Every Day. It will be nice to give to her far, far down the road.
1. Take More Pictures. We just don’t take enough of all the great family memories we are making. It is especially sad since we do some incredibly unordinary things.
Thursday, January 03, 2008
You Say You Want a Revolution
You say you want a revolution
Well, you know
We all want to change the world.-- The Beatles
Since I can think about nothing else today, which shouldn't be a suprise since I haven't thought about much else since last February when the madness really began, I thought I would go out on a limb in sharing my read of the current political landscape, as well as my predictions for tonight's caucus results. Drum roll please!
1.Americans want real change, not just a new President. GWB’s ratings are not only low because of him though he is the easiest target for much of the blame. Anyone connected with the current government will pay a price for that relationship, not just Republicans. We are ultimately a revolutionary people. A change in political parties controlling the Executive branch does not satisfy our historical spirit for rebellion and change. The American Revolution itself was a unique and radical event that produced deep changes and had a profound impact on world affairs. I believe each generation of Americans produce their own revolutions with similar results. The current political atmosphere is suggesting now is the time.
Despite pundits focus on the democrats having the upper-hand in this election cycle, the Republicans have no one running that is heavily connected to a government legacy. A Clinton victory in Iowa will lead to a Republican win in the fall regardless of the Republican on the ticket because the general electorate will see her, not only as the liberal caricature that anti-Clintonians love to paint her as, but more importantly as the candidate least likely to revolutionize the current State of the Union. Since 1980 a Bush or Clinton has appeared on the national ticket, Senator Clinton in the White House will be seen as a continuation of the governments we have had over the last 30 years.
2.The “revolutionary” feel will drive unprecedented numbers to the caucuses in Iowa, regardless of weather, voting history and Independent status.
Based on some of these thoughts, trends in the polls over the last several months, and naturally a bit of my heart, I predict:
The democratic caucuses will place Senator Barack Obama in first place, the candidate of change (see revolution), John Edwards in second, and Senator Clinton in third. The results will be close, but not the dead heat many pundits are expecting.
Romney will barely squeak out a win in the Republican caucuses, over a second place Huckabee, but the story that will dominate media coverage of the Republican caucuses with be Senator John McCains stunning thrid place finish.
Well, you know
We all want to change the world.-- The Beatles
Since I can think about nothing else today, which shouldn't be a suprise since I haven't thought about much else since last February when the madness really began, I thought I would go out on a limb in sharing my read of the current political landscape, as well as my predictions for tonight's caucus results. Drum roll please!
1.Americans want real change, not just a new President. GWB’s ratings are not only low because of him though he is the easiest target for much of the blame. Anyone connected with the current government will pay a price for that relationship, not just Republicans. We are ultimately a revolutionary people. A change in political parties controlling the Executive branch does not satisfy our historical spirit for rebellion and change. The American Revolution itself was a unique and radical event that produced deep changes and had a profound impact on world affairs. I believe each generation of Americans produce their own revolutions with similar results. The current political atmosphere is suggesting now is the time.
Despite pundits focus on the democrats having the upper-hand in this election cycle, the Republicans have no one running that is heavily connected to a government legacy. A Clinton victory in Iowa will lead to a Republican win in the fall regardless of the Republican on the ticket because the general electorate will see her, not only as the liberal caricature that anti-Clintonians love to paint her as, but more importantly as the candidate least likely to revolutionize the current State of the Union. Since 1980 a Bush or Clinton has appeared on the national ticket, Senator Clinton in the White House will be seen as a continuation of the governments we have had over the last 30 years.
2.The “revolutionary” feel will drive unprecedented numbers to the caucuses in Iowa, regardless of weather, voting history and Independent status.
Based on some of these thoughts, trends in the polls over the last several months, and naturally a bit of my heart, I predict:
The democratic caucuses will place Senator Barack Obama in first place, the candidate of change (see revolution), John Edwards in second, and Senator Clinton in third. The results will be close, but not the dead heat many pundits are expecting.
Romney will barely squeak out a win in the Republican caucuses, over a second place Huckabee, but the story that will dominate media coverage of the Republican caucuses with be Senator John McCains stunning thrid place finish.
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