No Foolin'…

…Reed Elian was born today at 4:56 a.m. He weighed in at 8 pounds, 12 ounces, and is about 20 inches tall. Baby and his amazing mother are doing well. Please stay posted – more pictures to follow in the days to come.

Of Witch I Speak

Housework has never been a forte of ours. I’m happy as long as I don’t espy FEMA trucks in the driveway; Beni tolerates a state of the house that’s perpetually between clean and dirty. Recently, we’ve amped up our efforts to beautify our property in anticipation of the arrival of our newest family member.

Moving boxes were finally being attended to, pictures hung, and floors swept. Olivia found the device I used to sweep the floor – I believe it’s called a “broom” – and a hat from the Halloween bin to create the stereotypical depiction of a witch. (As you can see, the bubbles don’t stray too far from the bubbling cauldron.)

Gift of Gabriella

Ever since we gave Olivia a doll of Gabriella (of High School Musical fame) as a bribe encouragement for sleeping alone in her bedroom, she’s insisted on having her nearby whenever she naps or lies down for the night. As you may be able to see, Gabriella’s not the only one who accompanies our daughter to sleep, although she is the only that gets a coveted spot in the left hand.

Sister Act

Here is Olivia with Lucy, another one of her "sisters": they are both about to be big sisters to baby brothers (their mothers’ due dates are in early April), are in the same class in preschool, attend the UU, and most convincingly perhaps, share in a love for Qdoba.

Death Befuddles Us

The backstory to the following exchange: Beni and I had just returned from the memorial service for the wife of my favorite professor from grad school. We did our best to explain to Olivia the purpose and details of such a remembrance. She, in turn, had some questions.

Olivia: "After you die, are you sleeping?"

Me (pausing): "Uh huh."

Beni: "You sleep forever and ever once you die."

Olivia: "Did her kids say goodbye to her?"

Me (again, pausing): "Yes."

Olivia: "Did they give a hug and a kiss?"

Us (tearing up): "Yes."

Olivia (pausing, then blurting): "I’m thirsty."

Thrice (on Ice) Is Nice

We talk out of both sides of our mouths: Beni and I pulled Olivia out of her first preschool in part because they bribed the children with candy, but when it comes to trying to get Olivia to sleep by herself in her room, we’ve incentivized the entire operation. Three nights in a row got her an item of her choice from the dollar bins at Target, a week straight earned her Troy and Gabriella dolls, and three weeks meant that she and her dad would attend a show that brings together storylines from all three High School Musical movies. (And to add to the awesome factor, it’s all done on ice.)

Olivia spent a fair amount of the show trying to convince me to buy her some overpriced merchandise, often while repeatedly disparaging the ice show’s casting director for selecting a skater who is far too tall to play Troy. But all in all, she (and I, admittedly) enjoyed the production, especially when some kind ushers offered to move us to seats with a better view at the start of the second half.

Eagle Eyed

Olivia, when spotting a giant patriotic inflatable at a car dealership:

"Look! That bird is made of America."

Clover and Out

Here’s our leprechaun wishing everyone a happy St. Patrick’s Day:

Pursuit of Sappiness

Olivia and I made like Canadians today by tapping a maple tree for its delicious sap. (A note to our northern neighbors: I’m doing that American thing of poking fun at Canadians for comedic effect. It’s a cheap laugh, I know. I’m well aware that some of you aren’t into making your own maple syrup – probably because you’re too busy playing hockey.) The two of us participated in an outdoor education class that was held at a nearby nature center. Not only did we learn how to extract the sap from the tree, but also of how the collected sap ultimately becomes syrup.

Here’s a delicious tidbit (droplet?) of information from our lesson: over 40 gallons of sap are needed to make 1 gallon of maple syrup.

The Office

Before there was a Michael Scott, Dwight Schrute, Jim Halpert, and Pam Beasley – not to mention a bunch of us obnoxious types who can’t help but mention how the American version of “The Office,” while entertaining, doesn’t hold a candle to the original British version – there was the brilliant Ricky Gervais, who created and starred in the funniest television show ever made. I was hooked from scene one of the first episode:



I told Beni that a documentary about her home office had potential for laughs. (Who wouldn’t crack up at the sight of a pregnant woman working out of a room in her basement, communicating with her co-workers primarily via fax, and shuffling her slippered feet upstairs for a snack every hour to combat pregnancy-related nausea?) Well, the comedy gold mine just got richer now that Olivia’s created an office space in the closet of her mom’s office.

On the Up and Up

"To go belly up" is an idiomatic expression – the group went belly up due to a lack of funds – as is to "button up" – we buttoned up the house for winter – but until now, there’s been nothing for belly button up. Allow me to introduce…

belly button up, Informal. a child eagerly anticipating the arrival of her sibling.

Doll House

Today marks hina-matsuri – the Japanese Doll Festival – which is also know as Girls’ Day. It’s a celebration for Japanese girls, when hina dolls are displayed around the house to wish for health and happiness. Family members purchase a set of dolls when a girl is born.

Olivia got hers from her great grandparent in Japan. I know they made it in the move to the new house – if only we can find the box they were transferred in. And so whether we’re able to put them up today or not, we wish our dearest daughter wellness and joy.