Credible or not, I share the following photos of Oli shaving his head with our new clippers this weekend:
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Shear Madness
Wish I could take credit for that lovely pun of a post title, but I stole it from the title of an interactive whodunit play that takes place in a salon. I know, my credibility diminishes with each sentence…
Credible or not, I share the following photos of Oli shaving his head with our new clippers this weekend:
Credible or not, I share the following photos of Oli shaving his head with our new clippers this weekend:
Monday, February 18, 2008
Happy birthday, kid
Was in England for a while, originally for Lily's big second birthday, and later, we stayed on for fun. We kind of missed blogging about Lily's birthday (Feb 2 - Same as Jay and my dead family cat Asha) due to these travels and the camera battery dying before we could upload photo evidence of its celebration, but now, we make up for it.
Photos include Lily sliding down the stairs on a crib/cot mattress with cousins Hannah and Dylan, the party itself, the cat cake Yaya Lisa (as Lily now calls her) made, and general good times. Oli says a video is coming.
Watching some old videos last month (remember all those head-bashing falls that used to entertain you sick people???), it struck me that Lily is really no longer a baby and will never be a baby again. We made it through all those things that made us crazy (but not quite as crazy as a two-year-old makes us) and all of the sudden, she's a kid bossing us around ('Mommy, play!' - 'Daddy, make a tower!' - 'Melk, melk, melk!'). Actually, what we really made it through was figuring out what kinds of parents we are and would like to be, what is worth freaking out about and what isn't, how to accept advice and also to trust that we know Lily well enough to ignore advice at other times, and overall, that we're good parents, so there!
You better thank us for all this later, Lily. Happy birthday.
Photos include Lily sliding down the stairs on a crib/cot mattress with cousins Hannah and Dylan, the party itself, the cat cake Yaya Lisa (as Lily now calls her) made, and general good times. Oli says a video is coming.
Watching some old videos last month (remember all those head-bashing falls that used to entertain you sick people???), it struck me that Lily is really no longer a baby and will never be a baby again. We made it through all those things that made us crazy (but not quite as crazy as a two-year-old makes us) and all of the sudden, she's a kid bossing us around ('Mommy, play!' - 'Daddy, make a tower!' - 'Melk, melk, melk!'). Actually, what we really made it through was figuring out what kinds of parents we are and would like to be, what is worth freaking out about and what isn't, how to accept advice and also to trust that we know Lily well enough to ignore advice at other times, and overall, that we're good parents, so there!
You better thank us for all this later, Lily. Happy birthday.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Lily's new room
Kevin Rooney has left us for Madrid for a few days to stay with his friend Natalia and her family in a town outside the city, and then will be off to India for a few months on the last leg of his year-long travels.
With his depature, a room opened up and Lily moved into her big-girl bed. You will note that it is on the floor, which works out quite well. Why buy a bed frame just so you will then have to buy a guard rail? With the move to the new room, sleep patterns have greatly improved. There was only one major wake-up the first night and after being reassured that mom and dad loved her and being told how Bozwell Bear used to sleep in mom's bed when she was a kid, she gave a look that said, 'Ah, so you haven't put me in here because you hate me,' and fell deep asleep until 9am (!!!). No trouble napping yesterday, no trouble going to bed last night and we all got to sleep through the night for the first time in a loooong time.
Other features of the room: Thomas the Tank Engine and friends posters; a tent that doubles as a home for babies, baby beds, and a small kitchen set; a small guitar left by K Roon, and a cool chair given to Lily by friends Antony and Marta. In the tent photos, Lily is throwing a minor tantrum because she wants to hold the camera. I love the feet kicking in the last one.
With his depature, a room opened up and Lily moved into her big-girl bed. You will note that it is on the floor, which works out quite well. Why buy a bed frame just so you will then have to buy a guard rail? With the move to the new room, sleep patterns have greatly improved. There was only one major wake-up the first night and after being reassured that mom and dad loved her and being told how Bozwell Bear used to sleep in mom's bed when she was a kid, she gave a look that said, 'Ah, so you haven't put me in here because you hate me,' and fell deep asleep until 9am (!!!). No trouble napping yesterday, no trouble going to bed last night and we all got to sleep through the night for the first time in a loooong time.
Other features of the room: Thomas the Tank Engine and friends posters; a tent that doubles as a home for babies, baby beds, and a small kitchen set; a small guitar left by K Roon, and a cool chair given to Lily by friends Antony and Marta. In the tent photos, Lily is throwing a minor tantrum because she wants to hold the camera. I love the feet kicking in the last one.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Floating
Back from England. Getting back into the groove here in Barcelona. Feeling a bit out of touch with reality....
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Lily has entered the infamous terrible twos. Tantrums. Not sleeping well. Having tantrums while not sleeping well. We assume some of this has to do with the amount of travel we've done and that our home probably doesn't feel like our home....it sure doesn't for me yet. Perhaps when we have more of a life here, it will be easier for her to be settled.
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On the other hand, she's a lot of fun now in her big kidness. She talks quite a bit and comes up with funny things she likes to say to be silly. For example, she said 'Superman' the other day and I was surprised because I didn't know she knew him. So I repeated 'Superman?!' She replied, 'Superfly!' giggling like a maniac, and after I giggled and repeated her funny word, she proceeded to shout out 'Superfly' from time to time throughout the day just so we could both have a laugh.
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Have learned that old lady living in flat that butts up to ours is C-R-A-Z-Y....threatening to call the police because Lily cries in the night....banging on our walls when Lily cries......We don't ever really hear other people, so we didn't really know she could hear Lily, and it's not like Lily has never cried before now. Working on trying to be diplomatic......but really just want to say 'que te cagues...,' buy some damn earplugs like a normal human being. Now every time Lily cries I'm even more stressed because I know psycho is listening and waiting.
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Need to get a non-parent life here. Thinking about taking a business Spanish course but not sure if it's worth the expense. Perhaps should just apply to some jobs and if my work Spanish isn't good enough, take a course at that point. All of this looking up information and going to talk to people requires time, though......
---
Lily has entered the infamous terrible twos. Tantrums. Not sleeping well. Having tantrums while not sleeping well. We assume some of this has to do with the amount of travel we've done and that our home probably doesn't feel like our home....it sure doesn't for me yet. Perhaps when we have more of a life here, it will be easier for her to be settled.
---
On the other hand, she's a lot of fun now in her big kidness. She talks quite a bit and comes up with funny things she likes to say to be silly. For example, she said 'Superman' the other day and I was surprised because I didn't know she knew him. So I repeated 'Superman?!' She replied, 'Superfly!' giggling like a maniac, and after I giggled and repeated her funny word, she proceeded to shout out 'Superfly' from time to time throughout the day just so we could both have a laugh.
---
Have learned that old lady living in flat that butts up to ours is C-R-A-Z-Y....threatening to call the police because Lily cries in the night....banging on our walls when Lily cries......We don't ever really hear other people, so we didn't really know she could hear Lily, and it's not like Lily has never cried before now. Working on trying to be diplomatic......but really just want to say 'que te cagues...,' buy some damn earplugs like a normal human being. Now every time Lily cries I'm even more stressed because I know psycho is listening and waiting.
---
Need to get a non-parent life here. Thinking about taking a business Spanish course but not sure if it's worth the expense. Perhaps should just apply to some jobs and if my work Spanish isn't good enough, take a course at that point. All of this looking up information and going to talk to people requires time, though......
Thursday, February 07, 2008
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
I'm in England
And so is Lily.
Very quickly before Lily wakes up from her nap:
We were here for a long weekend to celebrate Lil's birthday with English family and friends. It was fun and at the end we were exhausted after three weeks in the US for Christmas, two whirlwind weeks back in BCN, and a weekend here. So Lily and I decided to stay on for another week and a half while I'm still unemployed and recover!
While Ray and Lisa have been at work, we've plodded through the English countryside in Lily's new Wellingtons and rain coat (thanks Nana Lisa!), gotten over our fear of crossing the road in this country, hiked over to the next town to buy thank-you notes and hot chocolate and all-over revived ourselves!
Now we're ready for lots of visiting:
* Friend Mal and baby Aldous at the London Zoo tomorrow
* Me sans Lily to see Megan and Marty and some DJ on Friday
* The McAndrews and little Delia on Tuesday
* As well as a visit here at home from cousin Hannah over the weekend while her parents continue to get used to new bundle Baby Sam
Lily's just woken up, so more later!
Very quickly before Lily wakes up from her nap:
We were here for a long weekend to celebrate Lil's birthday with English family and friends. It was fun and at the end we were exhausted after three weeks in the US for Christmas, two whirlwind weeks back in BCN, and a weekend here. So Lily and I decided to stay on for another week and a half while I'm still unemployed and recover!
While Ray and Lisa have been at work, we've plodded through the English countryside in Lily's new Wellingtons and rain coat (thanks Nana Lisa!), gotten over our fear of crossing the road in this country, hiked over to the next town to buy thank-you notes and hot chocolate and all-over revived ourselves!
Now we're ready for lots of visiting:
* Friend Mal and baby Aldous at the London Zoo tomorrow
* Me sans Lily to see Megan and Marty and some DJ on Friday
* The McAndrews and little Delia on Tuesday
* As well as a visit here at home from cousin Hannah over the weekend while her parents continue to get used to new bundle Baby Sam
Lily's just woken up, so more later!
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Monday, January 28, 2008
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
Amendment
I just found these photos on Oli's computer in a temporary folder where I had put them, meaning to blog them.
Oli's parents came to visit us in November and we took the scenic cable car from Barceloneta beach to Mont Juic.
PS - There was a fire in the city on this day and we got an aerial view of it before walking past it later in the day.
Oli's parents came to visit us in November and we took the scenic cable car from Barceloneta beach to Mont Juic.
PS - There was a fire in the city on this day and we got an aerial view of it before walking past it later in the day.
Thursday, January 03, 2008
Predictions
Some of our blurry New Year's photos, taken just as the camera battery was dying, offer a glimpse of years to come:
Kevin wins the 2020 elections to become the first president with hair cancer:
Canoodling with dubious environmental and bank lobbyists causes whispers on Capitol Hill.
I can't think of any amusing predictions about this photo, but I welcome yours.
Kevin wins the 2020 elections to become the first president with hair cancer:
Canoodling with dubious environmental and bank lobbyists causes whispers on Capitol Hill.
I can't think of any amusing predictions about this photo, but I welcome yours.
I just wish you'd asked first
I feel Colin’s recent post. The cold tummy feeling is also creeping up in me as we part ways with our Chicago friends again. As I wrote in some of my Christmas cards this year, in the last few years, late November has brought a certain building excitement as I know the time to reunite will soon be upon us. I think that we have moved on to a new stage in our friendships in which we can take comfort in the knowledge that despite distance and diverging interests, our good old friends are out there thinking about us as much as we think about them at happy and sad times, that we can and will all come together from time to time to discuss life’s joys and challenges and to dance, dance as if we were…dancers.
Check out the nice New Year’s photos on Colin’s blog.
Cold tummy feelings aside, I just know they’re going to find a cure for hair cancer in 2008.
Happy New Year. Let’s take it on with moxie.
Check out the nice New Year’s photos on Colin’s blog.
Cold tummy feelings aside, I just know they’re going to find a cure for hair cancer in 2008.
Happy New Year. Let’s take it on with moxie.
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Who's watching the watcher
I just wanted to clarify that the "Art of the YouTube resonse video" post below was erroneously posted by Oliver under my name. I would almost certainly never write, "Who's watching the watcher?" Almost.
~
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kid quotes
Home for the holidays and hanging out with my niece (4) and nephew (6), the following interesting phrases have come up:
While eating ice cream -
Marisa: "Ow, that nut just hurt the special part of my mouth."
Jacob: "Oh yeah. You mean by where the spitmaker is."
After spending 15 minutes outside re-wiring the Christmas lights on his own, crying due to coooold hands -
Jacob: "I had to stick my hands in the snow to touch the power strip."
And the best ever, while riding to school with his mom at 8:30 in the morning -
Jacob: "So Mom, did you know that people were trying to kill Jesus?"
Chomsky would love this stuff.
While eating ice cream -
Marisa: "Ow, that nut just hurt the special part of my mouth."
Jacob: "Oh yeah. You mean by where the spitmaker is."
After spending 15 minutes outside re-wiring the Christmas lights on his own, crying due to coooold hands -
Jacob: "I had to stick my hands in the snow to touch the power strip."
And the best ever, while riding to school with his mom at 8:30 in the morning -
Jacob: "So Mom, did you know that people were trying to kill Jesus?"
Chomsky would love this stuff.
Monday, December 10, 2007
Settling in?
So perchance we are finally settling in. We made a trip to the Encants outdoor market that's open on the weekends in search of a few items to warm up our emptyish apartment. We found a nice blue wooden chair for Lily there. Later at IKEA, we found a mismatched table and red chair to go with the initial find, a felt mobile of bunnies and sheep, and a rug with roads and castles on it. So, all-in-all, Lil has had a pretty cool learning area added to her now-much-cooler play area. In the street the next night, we found a cool worn blue wooden table which is playing the role of end table for the time being.
The little table and chairs have helped focus Lily's oft bountiful energy such that we can actually get her to sit and talk ABCs and animals for 10 minutes or so at a time. She has also taken a great interest in writing in the last weeks. Grasping her fat crayons like pencils, placing her elbows firmly on the table and hunching over her paper so that her nose is only an inch from it, she spends long periods making wispy strings of pretend cursive. She also reads nonsense stories to us in a garbled Lily language, running her finger over the words on the pages of books or backs of DVD boxes. And finally, she loves listening to nursery rhymes, and I quite enjoy watching her drag the big nursery rhyme book from the coffee table to our bedroom at bedtime.
The little table and chairs have helped focus Lily's oft bountiful energy such that we can actually get her to sit and talk ABCs and animals for 10 minutes or so at a time. She has also taken a great interest in writing in the last weeks. Grasping her fat crayons like pencils, placing her elbows firmly on the table and hunching over her paper so that her nose is only an inch from it, she spends long periods making wispy strings of pretend cursive. She also reads nonsense stories to us in a garbled Lily language, running her finger over the words on the pages of books or backs of DVD boxes. And finally, she loves listening to nursery rhymes, and I quite enjoy watching her drag the big nursery rhyme book from the coffee table to our bedroom at bedtime.
Friday, December 07, 2007
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
Poor Elmer
Today Lily was doing really well with her diaper off, running over to the potty a few times during the morning to do pees.
Later I went to make a cup of tea, leaving her playing in the family room. After a minute, she started shouting and crying, so I went to go see what was wrong. I was completely shocked to find Lily had shat on her toy elephant, I think by accident. This however, was not the source of her stress. The shit on her hand was.
It will be a while before I recover from the sight of that turd on poor Elmer the Elephant’s hind wheel, and I don’t know if Elmer will ever be the same.
Later I went to make a cup of tea, leaving her playing in the family room. After a minute, she started shouting and crying, so I went to go see what was wrong. I was completely shocked to find Lily had shat on her toy elephant, I think by accident. This however, was not the source of her stress. The shit on her hand was.
It will be a while before I recover from the sight of that turd on poor Elmer the Elephant’s hind wheel, and I don’t know if Elmer will ever be the same.
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
Art of the YouTube response video
Watch our friend Dave's Art of a Bike Messenger video, filmed on the streets of Chicago:
And our response video of Lily watching his video:
I would like this post to initiate a discussion of the implications of this revolutionary type of response video and leave you wondering: Who's watching the watcher?
And our response video of Lily watching his video:
I would like this post to initiate a discussion of the implications of this revolutionary type of response video and leave you wondering: Who's watching the watcher?
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