Lock in Key(s)

Olivia gave rapt attention to her piano performance, which she dedicated to a special member – well, the only member – of her audience: my mom’s childhood doll from Sweden. Grandma Randi was trusting enough to allow her granddaughter to play with the precious memento. Olivia, in return, took great care of the doll, treating her to a near-bench spot for the concert.

‘Tis the Season

Holiday cheer is in the air. The Thanksgiving-Christmas-New Year’s block is a wonderful time of the year (some would say – or sing – the most wonderful), providing us with enough distractions from the bitter cold that accompanies it. We got a jump on Christmas decorations this year, with Olivia showing her little brother how we festoon our fake fir. (She also has her own smaller version, her Mini-Tree, if you will, that she weighed down with abounding adornments.)

We kicked off the holiday season with a feast with fine friends, complete with turkey three ways: bird (prepared by Julie), ersatz bird (Tofurkey from Trader Joe’s – thanks to Liz for picking one up), and ersatz Tofurkey (seasoned and stuffed tofu loaf assembled by Beni Crocker). And as you can see, even the baby is susceptible to the tryptophan-induced food coma.

See You Never, Alligator

Olivia: "Where do alligators live?"

Beni: "Not here. Mostly in the South. Like in Georgia and Florida."

Olivia: "But I was in Florida and I didn’t see any. Where do they live in Florida?"

Beni: "They live in the swamps. Why are you worried about them?"

Olivia: "Because they eat humans."

Chinese New Year

Ni Hao, Adri-an: Olivia’s buddy embarks on another year of her life today. To celebrate the occasion, Adrian and twenty of her friends rang in her new year on Saturday with a birthday party at a local foundation that runs Chinese cultural programs and supports families who have adopted children from China.

Stand-Up Guy

Reed told me that crawling “is soooo two weeks ago” now that he’s evolved from all-fours locomotion to the early form of bipedalism.

Bed Bath & We Yawn

(But not necessarily in that order.)

Most nights at our home begin with the bathing ritual, which involves our kids sharing time in the tub because it conserves water and our sanity. Then it’s bedtime, with Beni attending to Reed’s need to nurse before his dozing off in the crib in his room, while Olivia and I read a handful of books in her bedroom before she turns in for the night. The rest of the night involves us parents doing our best to keep from inadvertently passing out as we attempt to make it through a television show, some reading material, or a conversation.

And so goes the cycle of a parent of young children – the enterprise is utterly exhausting, yet you persevere because you trust that the glimmer you espy in your kids’ eyes foretells a bright future that you helped shape in numerous and meaningful ways.

Truth Seeker

Olivia: "Is Santa real?"

Beni: "He’s magic."

Olivia: "But is he reeee-al? Is he non-fiction?"

Taking a Moment to Reflect

Reed discovered the full-length mirror in our bathroom, where he got up a close-up look at someone whom we enjoy staring and holding at close range.

Signature Moment

Beni: "Olivia, do you have your signature on the back of your library card?"

Olivia: "No, just my name. A signature is when your name is all smushed together."

The Best Medicine

Lens, a Hand

A TMZ-style takedown: Reed took exception to my taking this shot of him by taking a shot at me. (Note: the videographer and his camera were unharmed in this exchange.)

Coming After the Papa-razzi from chris k on Vimeo.

Friday Night Lights

A High School Musical dance class would have been the perfect program for Olivia just half a year ago, but as the seasons have changed, so have her tastes. She did, however, recall some of those feelings of old tonight as she danced and sang along to HSM tunes with 20-some other youngsters on the top floor of the children’s museum.

(High School) Musical Chairs from chris k on Vimeo.

All Bottled Up

Reed is becoming increasingly dexterous – but not, might I add, dextrose, which is corn syrup, although he has an especially sweet temperament… – and so now he can hold up his bottles to feed himself when the milk’s about out. The next milestone? My money is on an off-the-ground crawl. He’s been working on the position of his posterior all week, often freezing for several seconds in the downward-facing dog yoga position. It’s too cute for words – I’ll try to snap a picture and post it soon.

The Wees on the Bus

Mayah took the wheel as Reed went along for the ride during their afternoon drive around our living room.