Out Come the Lights

Out Come the Lights, originally uploaded by apkoski.

This week we celebrated Thanksgiving, Adelaide's one-half birthday, and decorating the tree (well, the reliable Dr. Seuss palm plant). We are far from able to child proof all our decor, tree lights included. Is it okay if she sucks on the cord between the lights, but not the lights?

The baby got really excited when we plugged them in -- but the camera wouldn't focus. We got these:

Now we just have to fit in finding and mailing gifts, writing the Christmas letter, making our favorite treats, and have some fun in the mean time.

Happy December 1!

-A

Happy .5

Happy one-half Birthday today, baby Adelaide! Learning about Elvish name translations via the Chicken, I found out her name (the derivative, Adele) is Arwen (like of Middle Earth). Despite the JRR Tolken reference, Paul & I love the name!! Maybe we can sneak it in as a nickname somehow.

Miss A's special day was capped off with a enjoyable afternoon. Adelaide tasted Avocado and decided Bananas are still tops, just behind mamas milk. Then we took a walk to Woodstock Village, satisfied our future late night popcorn needs with a 1 pound bag of kernels from Safeway, and then visited the grand opening of Plue, "a neighborhood children's store."


















I had arranged to sell some of my sewn goods through them so it was fun to see them on display (top shelf). Adelaide was impressed to silence by all the people and colorful sights in the store.



















-A

Musical Girl

Adelaide likes to play! (nuff said. My space bar is malfunctioning. Perhaps because there'ssome spit up in there...)

Whoa!

Appropriately, originally uploaded by apkoski.

Adelaide has been working on her sitting skills, and much to her chagrin, is not always successful. The key is balance, as it is with everything. If you eat spaghetti with bechamel sauce one day, work out a little harder and eat a bit less the next. If you're having a really busy week, you should inject a couple extra intentional breaks into it. If you lean back and lose your balance, throw your arms and legs out to keep from tipping over. You get the idea. Homeostasis.

Why is it then, that everything tends to happen in great big chunks of stuff?

"Ok, after 4 years of the same haircut, change it to ttttthis one, nnnnow. I found it in a magazine about an hour ago."

"Why, yes, a 5 pm interview fits into my schedule."

"Oh, my tire's flat? Of course I can change it myself! Rain & the screaming baby in the back seat just make it more of a fun challenge."

"Sure I can sew all that for you in 2 weeks. What, do you think I sleep?"

Piled on top of the normal stuff:

"Oh, that's just a little (8") puddle of spit-up (at the Post Office counter). I can tell it's making you uncomfortable so I'll clean it up before I pay you."

"I know you want a kiss Paul, but between the cat's daily facials and Adeaide's chin sucking, I don't think I can fit you in."

"Yeah, what is for dinner?"

We are back to normal again.
-A

Rice; no Roni

Adelaide received her first "solid" meal, rice cereal, this weekend! At the same time, her vocalization skills have improved immensely. Coincidence? I think not.
Yes folks (particularly fellow airline passengers on our upcoming Christmas flight), she now squeals, screeches, and screams. It began on Saturday... the same day we fed her rice cereal for the first time. Who knows what verbiage she'll possess by December. Apparently rice cereal is like Wheaties - or sugar - for babies.



EEEEEeeeeeeee!

-A

Signs that the world is beginning and ending.

Simultaneously.

I mean, you know how after you do something really big like run a big race or go on a big shopping spree or a super-fun vacation, and then afterward for a couple days you're like all, "Blah, man. The election's over, & now I feel all blah." Maybe I had too much hard cider? Or maybe I've been talking to too many nanny applicants, like this one who emailed yesterday.

HI


I'VE GOT 10+ YEARS EXP. WITH 6MO.-12 YEARS OLD----I'M A RETURNING PSU STUDENT GRADUATING NEXT YEAR
I HAVE GREAT VOLUNTEER EXP. UNDER MY BELT WITH ELEM SCHOOLS AND AFTER SCHOOL PROG (ELMONICA AND PETER BOSCO B4 IT WAS TORN DOWN) I HAVE ALSO VOLUNTEERED WITH HOMELESS AND DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED INDIVIDUALS...THE LAST BABY I TOOK CARE OF WAS 7MO. OVER THE SUMMER BUT THE FAMILY MOVED BACK TO NORFOLK VA.

I HAVE MY OWN TRANSPORTATION SERVICE (I DON'T DRIVE DUE TO VISION) WITH 24HR NOTICE

I HAVE SOLID REFS. I'VE ALSO HAD CBC DONE LAST YEAR BECUZ OF VOLUNTEERING

RATES: 1-2 DAYS A WEEK $10 HR
3-5 DAYS A WEEK $40 A DAY (AVERAGES APROX $6.67 FOR 6HRS.)

CASH ONLY DUE TO SCHOOL FUNDING
THANKS NO EXCEPTIONS

ONLY CALL IF SERIOUS 503 XXX XXXX

Are YOU Serious!? I don't even know where to begin.

-A

Happy November!

Here we are. We're here! We are busy but well...

Birth Ed. class reunion brunch last Sunday



Making fall pants.



















Celebrating Halloween!