Top 10 2012 Albums
My Top Ten Favorite Flicks of 2012: Best acting performance I’ve maybe ever seen (Joaquin Phoenix in ‘The Master’), the most I’ve cried during a film in a long time (the Impossible), seeing a childhood daydream played out on a big screen, massive scale (the Avengers) and my favorite form of animation masterfully played out with a wonderful score (Paranorman). Great year, lousy Oscars.
February 2013- Aquarium
This was your second time at the Long Beach Aquarium. The first time you were only about 4 months old though and I just carried you around in the Ergo while I caught up with my good friend Brie and finally met her son Gunnar who was born around the same time as you.
This time, we met up with some good friends, Kasey and her sister Jenny, and Dylan and Jenny’s girls. (It was so good to sort of catch up with old friends although the term ‘catch up’ doesn’t hold the meaning as it did pre-parenthood.) And, this time, you wanted to see everything and you really wanted to get inside that glass…
and then you wanted to get inside that pool of sharks… you wanted to touch everything, climb on everything, see everything. You make life so interesting in the best possible way. I love seeing the world through your eyes.
It was a fun (and hectic day). Of course you and I ended the trip by spending about 45 minutes frantically looking for where I parked the CRV, on 4 different levels, with you in the umbrella stroller. Will I never learn? You were a PERFECT child and I could kiss you a million times for being so happy the entire time we buzzed back in the elevator and took another round in the car lot.
It was worth it though. And in these days when we are not making it to church very often, it’s always good to have a humbling, remind me I am in need of God, moment, right?
Love you,
Mom
September 2012
Elliot,
You just fell in love with books. I watched it happen. One night you crawled around the bed, babbling and basically ignoring me while I read little board books to you and the next night, you sat in my lap, quiet and still, fascinated by each page. Tonight, I read 5 board books to you and you were still so involved that I started over and read them all again. You’re pretty rad.
Love,
Mom
July 2012 - Meeting up with Uncle John and the Fam
Elliot,
You got to spend a fun day at the beach with your Uncle John, Aunt Julie, Molly and Josh.
January 2013
I like to think of myself as a romantic, but ask anyone and they will tell you I am a realist and a cynic. I finally believe that you are saying Mom and Dada. Sure you have been saying these words for months now but it was not especially clear that they meant anything specific to you. You babble incessantly and these are just some of the many sounds you have been making throughout the day since you were 9 or 10 months old.
But yesterday you looked right at me and said “Mom.” I’m surprised I can type this without crying- you make my heart full of love.
So, I can finally admit you are saying some words for real now…
1. Dad, Dada
2. Mom, mama
3. Charlie
January 9, 2013 Mix-Tape: David Bowie
i’m gonna go out on a limb and say that david bowie is the greatest male vocalist of all time. over sam cooke, frank sinatra, john lennon, etc. i’d defend it to you, but if you have to ask, then you’ll never know.
here is his new single along with a bunch of folks covering him:
1. David Bowie: Where are We Now? http://youtu.be/h6YdcqFcOl4
2. The Horrors: Suffragette City http://youtu.be/y3pQrIMMmtQ
3. Beck: Diamond Dogs http://youtu.be/YUdP-bUzSp8
4. Bauhaus: Ziggy Stardust http://youtu.be/tTyePL5JvVI
5. Exitmusic: Space Oddity http://youtu.be/_2T4FOpidrc
6. Warpaint: Ashes to Ashes http://youtu.be/EuspAu4FxuU
7. Nirvana: The Man Who Sold The World http://youtu.be/fregObNcHC8
8. Arcade Fire: Five Years http://youtu.be/MVphNbXaLKU
9. the Wallflowers: Heroes http://youtu.be/1g2VdB4YpzQ
10.NIN: Im Afraid of Americans http://youtu.be/7GkJHbghxkg
11. Seu Jorge: Life on Mars http://youtu.be/w6l8zrsf4LY
12. David Bowie: Magic Dance http://youtu.be/ZvyNOg4jSRg
Elliot,
You are officially 11 months old. I feel ridiculous about how big of a deal this is to me. Every single month it’s a surprise how much you grow and learn and change. I’m also pretty shocked your dad and I continue to get out of bed every morning, severely sleep deprived, just so you can make us laugh… and so we can clean up the million messes that you make and then put your pajamas on and read to you at night, every.single.day.
Which somehow is a horrible shock to you every time you have to get dressed or undressed. You are horrified and exasperated as if it’s the first time. I foresee dealing with your stubborn-ness in my future.
What makes this all worth it is watching you go down the slide. You have no fear. While this will probably mean we will end up in the ER, me bawling my eyes out, and you leaving with a cast or stitches etc. in the future, right now it means you squeal with delight each time you go down the slide.
Here are some other things your dad and I are pretty over the moon about right now…
-you point at everything and think it’s hilarious when I point at you and say “Elliot”
-you’ve taken a wabbly step several times
-you were saying mamamamma and dadadada over and over and over for a long time, but now it’s no no no no no all day long (but never when your Uncles Max or Casey are around)
-you love to hand things to someone and then get them back
-you freaking LOVE Charlie. You think he’s the greatest. Your dad and I could work on our love for him… our patience is not so great for that dog these days
-you and Charlie play every night. He cracks you up. He chases you, licks your face, runs from you. He’s your best friend.
-Hank loves to say “Elliot” and it’s adorable how much he loves to hug you. Jack Gloyd also loves you and we already have plans for him to babysit as soon as his parents will give him the okay, and he’s big enough to do things like open doors and serve baby food and want money- it’s going to be awhile.
-you fake laugh. You’re already starting to show signs of my people pleasing personality. Your fake laugh rules though.
-You recently got your first real cold. Sneezing, coughing, adorable gremlin raspy voice. Even though I HATE it when you’re sick, I love it when you wrap your arms around my neck and snuggle in.
This has been an exhausting month, but watching you grow up is worth it.
Love you,
Mom
