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.

Monkey Around

Further evidence of climate primate change: the monkey suit proved irresistible for Reed’s parents – we selected it for him over the costume options of banana and pumpkin – and for his sister, as she mugged for this shot with him on our front lawn before their candy-seeking expedition around the neighborhood. The cold night kept the monkey from being out of his cage for too long, but the police officer stayed out on her beat long enough to nab a bucketful of sweets.

Of curious note: I’ve read that Halloween is also celebrated in Canada and the British Isles, but my sense is that the pageantry of our Halloween is distinctly American. And so as I accompanied Olivia and her friends around for trick-or-treating, I couldn’t help but feel coursing throughout my body a surge in national pride, akin in strength to the surge of sugar racing through our daughter’s veins after she’s consumed a third mini candy bar in as many minutes.

My country, 'tis of thee,
Sweet land of liberty,
Of thee I sing…

Law and Gourd-er

Officer Olivia patrolled the downtown streets on the eve of the Eve of Allhallows with her pumpkin partner in tow tote.