the gnomes were lonely in summer

A while back I got Luciya a plastic swing, which we hung from the large branch of our apple tree in the back yard. Child loved it.

Then, one day a few weeks ago, we came home from a quick afternoon trip. And the whole branch had fallen down. There was no warning - no creaking in the boughs, no crazy raccoon family gnawing away for days... John had actually swung like a monkey from this branch to make sure Luciya's little swing would hold.

And then it was gone.

So, naturally, we looked to the wisdom of the ancients to help us in our next step. I believe it was Confucius who said, "When life gives you fallen tree branches, make little gnome fortresses."

So, we did.

nah, i already saw that one

Ton-Ton: "Hey honey, do you want me to record 200-pound Tumor?"

eLLe - 15 months

Dear Luciya,

Hello, sweet muffin.


Yes, that's a little tear under your left eye; just moments earlier you had opened your dresser drawer onto your face and it really hurt! But, true to your resilient and tenacious nature, the upset lasted all of 36 seconds. And I do it admit it's so nice to be your mama. To give you immediate comfort. There, there.

Case in point - here you are 10 seconds later:


Naked time! Woo-hoo!! Time to pull all the clothes out of the dresser! Yes!

It's been especially lovely lately since you've been the world's biggest snuggle bunny. You cuddle and hug and nuzzle and sigh and sometimes we just stand there for minutes with your warm soft head under my cheek, swaying. You cuddle with your "dada," too. Lately you're his biggest fan. In the past 2 weeks you've said your first two sentences, in fact - both regarding your Dada: "Hi Dada" and "Dada ba-ba" (bye-bye). You've calmed a bit, and the shriek fests are less common and of shorter duration. You understand more and can communicate with more confidence, and I think this helps alot.


Your new favorite word - and thing - is "hat." You point to mine when I wear one to teach and you reach for yours when we head out into the sunshine. "Aa," you say. That's "hat." "Aa." You can put yours on and take it off. You love it.

It really is amazing to watch your little mind grasp and understand different things. The other day I had left the door to the garage open and I said, "Luciya, can you please go shut the door?" and you walked right over and pushed it closed. You're brilliant.

Today your daddy said to me, "You know it's not normal for 15-month-olds to sleep from 6:30 pm to 8:00 am - straight - and then take a 2 hour nap each day." And yes, I do realize this. And yes, it rocks. You are a WONDERFUL sleeper. You are a good eater, an active player, and well-loved. Of course you sleep well. It's so funny to think that just a few short months ago I was sobbing right along with you, as you refused to go down in your crib (well, I guess "funny" isn't necessarily the right word, since it certainly wasn't funny at the time).


Last weekend your daddy and I left you for the first time ever. It was hard! As soon as we sat down on the plane in Boise I thought of you, and I burst into tears. But naturally you were a wonderful little girl for your tutu all weekend, even though you got a terrible diaper rash - the worst you've ever had - and it made you scream in pain when you passed a particularly acidic poop. But that's all cleared up now. We can smile again.


Summertime is our new favorite thing. It's warm - oh so warm. We take bike rides and play in the parks and splash and splash in the water. You run through the grass and turn your face to the sun. Yeah, you bask. Basker.

I love you, Luciya!

Love,
Mama

far and away

It's quiet.

Mila is at my dad's house, Luciya's tucked in at my mom's and Harley the albino polar ferret dog is in a kennel a couple miles away. The house feels empty and lonely.

John and I leave early tomorrow morning for San Francisco. Technically, it's a business trip to meet with investor clients of the property management company we're in the process of buying. But I think we may be able to throw in a little pleasure while we're there.

This will be the first time we are leaving Luciya, and the first trip we've taken, just the two of us, in over a year and a half. We'll be gone through Sunday night! This will be our first trip to the city since John proposed there in Dolores Park on October 21, 2006. Awwww.....

We do love the city and are excited to have some good food, some sightseeing, and some quiet. I think. I miss little Luciya already! But she's in the very best of hands. And so is Mila (thanks, Mom and Dad!) As for ol' pinkeye weasel pup, I'm sure she'll be okay, too.

Everyone's going to be fine, right?!

Right.

words that feel good in my mouth

Luciya's favorite word lately is "dada," even if (or especially if) her Dada isn't anywhere near. I guess it's just a word that feels good in her mouth.

I have some of those, too:

My favorite words to say:

* Elixir
* Bliss
* Cornucopia
* Cake

What are your favorite words?