Santa 2009

On Christmas eve we arrived at Macy's at 9:00 a.m. to see Santa. Anneke had a great time except for the 60 seconds we tried to get a good Santa picture. What you see below is the result. We think it is a pretty good Santa picture.



For those of you keeping track, you can compare this to the picture from last year.

Busy Busy

OMG. I cannot believe how much we crammed into Anneke's first week. What were we thinking? This makes me think I must stay pathologically busy. Seriously. It makes me tired just reading this.

Earth's crammed with heaven

My poor husband. He was worried about me when he read the last post. Sorry, Dave. Thanks to you it doesn't take long for me to look around and see all the Good Stuff.

"We are saying thank you and waving, dark though it is"

Here is our new Nativity scene, purchased in Mexico. I love it. It's a perfect souvenir of a perfect vacation. This photo is out-of-focus because I didn't want to dig out the flash or tripod. I arranged it on the mantlepiece and took a step back and was struck by how hopefully, and expectantly, the little figures are gazing on baby Jesus. For the first time I reflected on people's desire for a messiah, a savior. The older I get the more I understand it. During Advent these past few years I find myself reflecting on darkness; I read the paper every day, and...I don't even want to go into it. Bad Stuff has been happening in spades. More than usual? Probably not--I'm not sure, but it's been in my awareness more than usual. Such is the price of parenthood.

And I look at this scene of these grownups: a couple of teen parents, three monarchs, and some shepherds, all crowded around this poor, newborn baby. Here they are bringing heavy, hopeful hearts to this little being who just needs to eat, sleep, and get to know his mom and dad. Forget theology and what you personally believe: what does it say about humanity that this story is so important to us? Right now, to me, it points to a yearning for hope and salvation amidst terrible darkness. Right now I look at this motley group and think, yeah, I'm right there with you.

and here is my Advent wreath. I was very amused at my very-lapsed Catholic friend who reflexively recoiled when I told him I was using all white candles because I couldn't find the elegant royal blue candles I usually use. Said friend was like, but what about the purple and pink candles? Said friend's wife was like, "did you look at Michael's?!" No. I finally decided four wrong-colored candles is better than nothing. But I had not even thought of Michael's and now feel compelled to make a trip. Because that's what Christmas is all about, right?

Akumal Vacation Pics

Caroline may have other pictures that she might choose to publish, but here is what I choose from the three billion pictures that came back on our flash cards.

Upon our arrival, we discover we have fast internet, and for the fun of it we try Skyping with Caroline's parents. Pretty fun, but still a silly thing to do on vacation.



Anneke loved putting on goggles:



She loved eating...


...and the beach


...and "steps:"



We had to feed the crocodiles...



We swam in cenotes:


We had a successful quest for cochinita pibil (notice the pig head on the left)


And we saw the Mexican revolution parade:



We did not let Anneke drive the car:

But we did let her ride a horse:

Sometimes we had a hard time

But most of the time we loved it.

Vacation, so far

Greetings from Mexico! I'll post photos when we get home, but will share some highlights in the meantime:

1. snorkeling right outside our door. I saw two turtles this morning, and Dave keeps finding this squid hangout on the edge of the reef.
   
2. what must be God's own swimming hole, Cenote Azul, near where we're staying. Clear water and hundreds of big and little fish. We were there among several Mexican families, all enjoying a cool swim on a beautiful day.
   
3. Arriving in Tulum pueblo just in time for the Revolution Day parade.
4. Akumal pueblo, where all of the Mexicans live and travel across the road to work in the hotels and condos of Akumal playa (yes, I find this disconcerting). It's run-down and not much to look at, but we've had wonderful food there and experienced nothing but hospitality thanks to our little cultural ambassador.
   
5. Were Anneke to weigh in, she would say, "ocean!" "pool!" "beach!" and "hamaca!" (hammock!). I completely agree.
   

It is hard to vacation with a picky eater

Filmed today in Tulum, Mexico.

The video is a bit long because it is hard to edit when away from home. You can skip the rest after you get the idea or get bored.

Things you should know about Anneke

Inspired by our friends the Wagners 5, I'd like to share a few things about Anneke Grace.

When she's ready for me to get up in the morning she goes around to my nightstand and gets my glasses for me.

She is speaking in phrases now. Two of her favorites are, "Zoe naughty" and "Cucu shy."

She is over the moon about the moon. She and her dad gaze at it every night before bed.

She reads her books aloud, in the same cadence I read them to her.

She loves her boots and just learned to put them on herself.

Last night I lay on the couch while she walked circles around the coffee table. Every other trip she stopped to give me a kiss.

She loves to dance to Lady Gaga.

She loves to take her diaper off.

She has been talking about her flu shot daily since she got it.

The other day she walked past a stranger and said, "excuse me."

Typically when she sees a stranger she hugs my legs and says, "shy."

She loves church. We were about to leave the other day, but instead she walked into the sanctuary, so we stayed for the first part of the second service.

I think she has more of her dad's temperament. When I see her observing and studying her environment I feel like I know where she gets it.

She loves numbers. She loves to see the floors change when we ride in an elevator.

She has a baby doll that she stores in the kitchen cupboard.

She and Daddy have all kinds of breakfast, bathtime, and bedtime rituals I am only dimly aware of. I love feeling like there are some ways Daddy knows her a little bit better than I do.

ER

Anneke had her first trip to the ER this morning. 105 degree temp at 8:00 in the morning Saturday, and the advice nurse says go to the ER. So off we went.

A quick change from pajamas to hospital gown and as you see we have cel phone picture moment.



Turns out Anneke had a UTI. A big bottle of grape flavor anti-biotics is supposed to do the trick.

Anneke's Friend

Back when the OLPC foundation came out with their first computers, I signed up for the get one/give one program, thinking it would be a great learning toy for my children. I finally got sick of Anneke trying to play with our computers when we were using them, so dug out the OLPC and set it up for her on her desk. Her favorite app is the recording app where she can see herself on the monitor. She calls the computer "Anneke."

Identifying the computer as herself may not be sad, but it was very sad when we realized she had started playing ball with her new friend.



As you can see, the computer is horrible at playing ball and never returns any of the balls so playfully thrown at it. OLPC should try to work this feature into their next revison.

Happy Halloween!