Making Music

Luke goes to music class every Thursday night. Its lots of fun. He holds maracas, jingle bells, music sticks, and sometimes bangs on a drum (with a little assistance from mom or dad). Tonight we had a very special guest, TATA GAME TO MUSIC CLASS!

New & Used

Used
The unwelcome jolt of my old morning alarm: beeeeep beeeeeep beeeeeep.
How quickly my arm swung around to silence it.
The inventor of the snooze button was a genius.
Seven more minutes…like a handful of chocolate without the calories.

New
The welcome sound of my new alarm: cooing, raspberry blowing, laughter.
This morning I let my alarm go off for twenty minutes.
It was the sweetest sound. I didn’t mind it going off early at 5:30am.
The inventor of the baby monitor was a genius.
It’s better than chocolate. Even at 5:30am.

Belly Dancing

A little afternoon amusement

Recovering Evangelical Democrat

Hi, my name is Camille and I am a recovering evangelical democrat.

Yes, it is true. I am both a democrat and an evangelical Christian. No, that is not an oxymoron. I was encouraged to come out of the closet by this article in Sunday’s Washington Post Outlook section. Faris saw the article first and said, “Hey, Camille, this sounds like you!” (It's Tuesday afternoon and I'm just now finishing the Sunday paper...)

Being an evangelical Christian democrat is like leading a double life. Upon learning that I worked for democrats on Capitol Hill, a man in my church told me he didn’t think it was possible to be a Christian and a democrat. (Note: he later apologized in a very kind and humble manner.) And during my working outside the home days, colleagues were surprised I went to church every Sunday. I have many a non-Christian or non-evangelical friend who had such bad experiences with people who call themselves evangelical Christians but really, from my vantage point, seem to be political Christians, not evangelical Christians.

My faith is not political. I don’t think Jesus was a political figure. My politics are not my faith. Seems like a good balance to me.

Baby Invention Idea # 37194

Changing Table/Baby Bidet. Picture your modern changing table seamlessly morphing into a baby bidet for polite hose downs. It would come in handy on the days when baby wipes mind as well be tissue paper, your on outfit number lostcountaftersixanditisonlyelevenam and you run out of burp cloths!

I ♥ Masterpiece Theater

Last night was the conclusion of Pride and Prejudice, part of Masterpiece Theater’s The Complete Jane Austen. I’ve seen it many times and I think I’ve never enjoyed it more. I confess I’ve been thinking about it all morning, as if Lizzie and Mr. Darcy were my good friends. If you have not seen the PBS adaptation of Pride and Prejudice it is available on DVD so snap to it!
Masterpiece Theater will resume The Complete Jane Austen series on March 23rd with Emma. Happy watching!

Solid Pea

Today was our first venture in the world of solid foods and it went smashingly. I was prepared for the worst: active resistance from my troop. Not so, not so at all. With joy little Luke opened wide and tried to hold the spoon. Luke’s personal chef, me, made organic sweet peas. I’m proud to report that there was only minor spitting back out (I like to think it is because it tasted so good).
As I think about Luke entering the world of solid food I realize he doesn’t know the wonderful things that await him. What fun it will be to be a part of this journey. I wonder if they make organic Nutella.

Wrestlemania

Luke the Duke vs. Snape the Snake
It’s cold and icy outside so staying inside and warm was the order of the day. For exercise, Luke wrestled Snape the Snake a few times. I had ring side seats and nabbed great shots of the match. Luke the Duke won this round; the two others were a draw. Rumors are whirling that a cage match is forthcoming, check your local pay-per view.

Peacock

pea·cock: [pee-kok] noun, plural -cocks, (especially collectively) -cock. verb

noun. the male of the peafowl distinguished by its long, erectile, greenish, iridescent tail coverts that are brilliantly marked with ocellated spots and that can be spread in a fan.
verb (used without object). to make a vainglorious display; strut like a peacock.

A tuft of hair has inspired Faris to remark on several occasions that Luke resembles a peacock. The accused tuft of hair has of late enjoyed brilliantly displaying itself. In fact, it is now difficult to talk said tuft down from a “vainglorious” display. It seems this is its new preferred position.

Sweet Walk

It’s a crisp sunny day in our neck of the woods. We went for a walk on the North Beach boardwalk, which we had almost entirely to ourselves today. We made a pit stop at a local bake shop, Sweet Sue’s. I had a delicious dark chocolate mocha and Luke enjoyed being cooed over, always smiling for the admiring ladies.
It is nice to have a charming local shop to patron like Sweet Sue’s. It reminds me of city living—having a favorite place on a particular block!

Chicken Cheers!

Luke made me think about everything differently. I’ve been thinking more strategically about what I bring in to the house. Everything from diapers to food. (Yes, Luke’s bum is in an organic diaper) This is my first entirely organic meal, every element was organic! We had roasted chicken and vegetables with lemon, garlic, and thyme (a super easy barefoot contessa recipe). I look around my kitchen now and see a lot of organic staples and wonder how long I can keep it up. Luke will start eating in the next few weeks and I’m going to try and feed him all organic for at least the first three years. I wonder if I’ll be able to keep it up or if I’ll cave under the pressure of general life businesses and the convenience of a close grocery store.

Reading with Lindy

Thanks for reading with me, Lindy.

Duck, Duck, um, Duck

A large flock of ducks has claimed a spot on the Chesapeake Bay outside our building. Luke and I always venture out to the balcony to visit them. I probably enjoy watching them more than he does but I’m sure one day soon our ducks will be enchanting to the little man.

Confidential to Gibson

Hi, Valentine

Cribs

There is jubilation in our house today! Luke’s crib’s maiden voyage is tonight!! Yes, Luke is about four and a half months old. And yes, his crib is finally ready for flight. Joy!! One of our packages today was the organic crib mattress which completes the crib assembly adventure. I’ve been slow getting his nursery ready, bad mommy.
Wondering what the poor child has been sleeping in? His bassinet until Sunday night. Sunday morning Luke rolled over and so we moved him to the Pack and Play.

Consideration: Why didn’t anybody tell me what a pain making up the crib would be? Have YOU tried getting on a crib sheet while trying to keep the crib skirt in place? All while navigating the four walls of a crib. Am I going to have to remove the crib bumper each and every time?

A Different Wednesday Morning

Wednesday mornings Luke and I usually make our way to the mother’s bible study at our church, Capitol Hill Baptist. But since yesterday brought rain and sleet which turned to sheets of ice overnight, we went to visit Tata (Faris’ mother) for the morning. We had a great time and a delicious lunch, thanks Tata! So much fun that Luke is out for his afternoon nap. Oh, the peace of the afternoon nap! I should start on my afternoon chores and projects STAT...the UPS man brought us three large packages today! (more on the packages later!!)

Primary Instincts

It is primary day in Maryland. My primary vote has never been so powerful. Iowa and New Hampshire usually decide for me. What a meaningful walk to the North Beach Volunteer Fire House on this cold and overcast Tuesday. Luke had to endure a morning chat about the electoral process, the gift of voting in a free nation, and what it means to be a good citizen.