qibaby

Self Portrait

2007-05-24T22:26:00.001-07:00

minnie's new bff

2007-05-24T22:12:00.004-07:00

hanging out at minnie's house...

together

2007-05-21T21:45:00.000-07:00

I can't believe I'm posting this...and NO, this does not count as MATCHING outfits...but seriously, we're pretty adorable, yes?

our little girl....

2007-05-19T19:30:00.000-07:00

man, they grow up fast!

A Day In The Life Of Elmo....

2007-03-21T22:23:00.000-07:00

ELMO INVITED TO BREAKFAST...

ELMO GETS AROUND...

ELMO MAKES A FRIEND....

ELMO'S CLOSE-UP

ELMO TAKES A BIKE RIDE

ELMO & TAEYA DANCING (wearing Grandma's shoes)

ELMO TAKES A DIVE...

Getting Back To You

2007-02-03T00:52:00.000-08:00

You know how when a friend calls and leaves a message and it's a really busy week and you just don't have the chance to get back to them? And then the next week is really busy too and although you think of them a lot, you just can't find the time to pick up the phone. And then by week three, you feel like you've been rude and now you have to apologize and that's difficult and time consuming in itself....anyway, you get the point. That's how I feel about this blog. But I'm here now and maybe next time, I'll even post some photos.

For the moment, we're all surviving. I am in rehearsals for my play, which is fabulous but....we're at the point where we rehearse 8 hours and then perform for an audience at nights (previews). All of this means that Steve is doing a fabulous job playing "mom" except that Taeya clearly takes after her parents and is insanely stubborn about bedtime. Meaning that she waits until I get home (at midnight) to go to bed with me.

The interesting thing about this play is that one of the central themes is a father who dies of cancer. It's...um...hard to go there every day but also probably helpful. Although in the last few days, I find that the realization that Earl is dead hits me like I'm being punched in the stomach and I sit there winded and trying to figure out how to recover. I still find it hard to believe and I can't believe that I can't pick up the phone and talk to him. In the last scene of the play, the father has died and comes back to talk to his son - to have the conversation with him that he could never have in life. I still can't watch it. I guess it will get easier.

On a more positive note, Taeya is a wonder to behold for us. She has mastered the alphabet and totally delights in picking out letters from books and signs she sees. She's also counting to 10 (over and over and over again!) and has started talking in sentences. How weird to have her say, "I want to touch that". Or "No broccoli, more pasta please". [Although I'm sure no one but Steve and I understand her. We've become experts in toddlerese.] All of a sudden, we're living with a human being who has very clear opinions on what we do. Never mind the whole parroting thing...she now says "wow" and "cool" a lot. Apparently, I should upgrade my vocabulary.

But nothing is better than the way she runs across a room and flings herself onto my body and holds me as tightly as she possibly can, and then she whispers in my ear "Mama, Mama, Mama, I love you." They never told me it could be this good.

Anyway, I do have many pictures to upload and post and lots more to say but it's 1:30 in the morning so 'till next time....

Merry Christmas To The Great White North....

2006-12-25T09:13:00.000-08:00

I have no pictures to post because my camera is temporarily on haitus (it's a holiday thing). It is sunny, warm and we are off to enjoy a seafood luau in La Jolla to celebrate our non-Christmas Christmas. Then we may take a walk on the beach :-) We have been very busy lounging for the last week and intend on doing more in the week to follow. The snow kids and the city kids are all arriving next week to do their own lounging and hopefully by that point I'll have convinced my camera to go back to work. I hope this day is filled with laughter, love and family for everyone. Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night....

Grief

2006-12-03T06:58:00.000-08:00

He passed away on November 29th at 7:34pm. In his final moments, he found peace. He was the greatest father I could have asked for and he will be deeply missed.

His death was a remarkable experience and I hope I can write about it one day. Right now I am so profoundly sad that I don't know what to do with myself. I am so filled up with sadness and grieving that I think perhaps I'll try to pass some around at the funeral....stand at the door and hand out little gift bags of grief for all the attendees to take with them so that I don't have to carry the world's grief inside my heart.

We are in Calgary now (at yet another hotel) and the funeral is tomorrow. Then we are finally coming home......

Shadow

2006-11-27T10:19:00.000-08:00

I finally have a brief moment to say hello.

We're in Canada with my parents. We are here to hold their hands as my step-dad passes. It is hard...for him, for my mom, for all of us. I didn't know that dying could be so laborious. I can see that he's ready to go but his body isn't there yet. I wish I had something incredibly insightful or uplifting to say but the truth of this is that it is all so real and painful. There is nothing I can do to lift this up into something it's not.

A few years ago, he gave each of us this poem:

"A little while and I will be gone from among you, whither I cannot tell. From nowhere we came, into nowhere we go. What is Life? It is a flash of a firefly in the night, it is a breath of a buffalo in the winter-time, it is as the little shadow that runs across the grass and loses itself in the sunset.” (Crowfoot, Chief of the Blackfoot Nation).

I am so grateful for every moment that I have had with him.

Aloha-Hee (or however you say goodbye in Hawaiian)

2006-11-17T23:32:00.000-08:00

Actually, I tried to look up goodbye in Hawaiian and apparently it doesn't exist. Not surprising because how could anyone want to leave?

We are now feeling very sentimental about our last night in Hawaii. It's been quite the trip and hard to believe we're leaving. In the last couple of days (as Taeya's been feeling better and we've been getting some sleep), we've taken to swaggering our way around the resort and proclaiming loudly to anyone who will listen, especially the latest wave of tourists (the shame of being surrounded by tourists in our home...oh, sorry, I've also become quite delusional), that we have in fact been here for THREE entire weeks.

We are going home, albeit briefly - actually more a clothes exchange than anything else. And then we are off to Canada on Monday to give my Mom a big hug. We've rented a place up there and I'm not sure how long we'll be there for. We'll see how things go. So our jet set life continues (it looked better in the magazine).....

But we are grateful that we can go where we need to go when we need to go there. So with gratitude in our heart we will plunge forward into this next flurry of plane rides and time zone changes. Wish us luck!

Groundhog Day

2006-11-15T00:38:00.000-08:00

You know that movie with Bill Murray where he is forced to repeat Groundhog Day over and over again....well, that's us except instead of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, we're in Hawaii (an infinitely more pleasant scenario). And fortunately for us, we've very quickly accepted the wonderousness of our situation and that the fates (Taeya's eardrums) have stuck us here for yet another four days. Taeya's first antibiotic didn't work and so, after visiting with the doctor this morning (and having her proclaim that yes, in fact, Taeya's moderate ear infection is now a doozy of an ear infection full of nasty and agressive bugs), she is on a new antibiotic and we have postponed flying until Saturday. The poor thing is so uncomfortable but she's being so good about it. Unfortunately, this also involves lots of middle of the night moaning which then evolves into playing (because moaning gets dull after awhile). So, Steve and I are exhausted but trying to embrace and enjoy the sameness of our days here in paradise. And, because we have a sick babe, sameness is the jeu de la jour. Same staff (Helloooooo Mrs......how are youuuuu today?), same breakfast buffet (scream FISHIES at the fish tank when you first walk in and cry when taken away from them to go to your table, throw food across the room, yell at the top of your lungs that you see a bird 10 feet away, throw some more food, yell that you are finished eating and demand that someone takes you to the ocean to play...and that's just me), same pool, same nap, same lunch, more pool, more nap, dinner and then a short sleep before the midnight rumba commences. Repeat, rinse and start over at 6:30 am.

But, as I said, we have accepted and begun to enjoy this additional holiday that we're on. The weather is always the same (beautiful), the hotel is always the same (beautiful), and if it was not for the haggerdness that comes with being parents, we would look as shiny and bright as all the other honeymooners (who Steve keeps badgering to have children and then informs them that they will never look beautiful or sleep again).

In the spirit of our Groundhog Day-type evolution, we even made friends with a family yesterday and they invited us over for dinner. They are from San Jose and have a very cute 10-month old boy named Brady. We had a fabulous bbq with them and the night ended with Taeya and Brady kissing (on the mouth! Steve fainted then searched blindly for his shotgun). Wedding announcements to follow....Sadly, they left today so we are friendless again but now have hope and are scoping out this latest group of newbies.

I have many pictures to upload (Steve and Taeya in the pool in the morning, Steve and Taeya in the pool in the afternoon, rinse, repeat) but I'm too tired tonight so I'll try to do it tomorrow. I'm off to put on my dancing shoes and climb into bed.

Trapped In Paradise

2006-11-11T22:38:00.000-08:00

Well, we said goodbye to the family and sent them on their merry way to the airport and then packed our bags to move to another room.....Taeya has an ear infection and we have been grounded here until it clears up. Trapped - well, there are worse places to be and I certainly have no reason to complain (even with a whiny girl monkey wrapped around me most of the day) and so we are definitely making the most of it....

But, as I said, trapped. We feel like we're stuck in the black hole of vacationland and can't get out. For six weeks now, we've been living out of suitcases and with family (which of course is wonderful but...). We miss our home, what we can remember of it, and we miss having things to do in the course of a day. Responsible things like paying bills and meetings and grocery shopping. I feel guilty as hell writing this because isn't this what most people dream of? but we're done. Anyway, all that being said, it is still beautiful here and Taeya is being a trouper with her ear infection (which unfortunately seems to get worse by the passing hour). So, we'll be here for a few more days and I'll continue to post pictures from Fantasy Island (de plane, de plane.....ok, I am now officially an old person)

Drag Racing Up The Kona Coast

2006-11-09T12:23:00.000-08:00

Bubbe won.....

Yesterday was Sheila's 60th Birthday Party Festival Celebration and it was fabulous. We had a hawaiian party at our villa so those of us with babies didn't have to deal with the stress of being in a restaurant.

Taeya is completely enamored by her cousin, frantically signing "baby" over and over and over and over again every time she lays eyes on her. It's crazy to think that soon we won't notice any age difference at all but for the moment, Sofia is definitely the baby to Taeya's burgeoning toddlerhood.

As wonderful as Hawaii is, it's hard to keep my head and heart here. Instead I find myself wandering up to Canada and trying not to worry - which means I worry and then chastise myself for worrying. I also think a lot about my friend who is about to have her baby. I am so excited for her and this new life that's arriving. It's such a balance - life. I try to find as much gratitude in the exiting as the entering...gratitude because I want to focus on how grateful I am to have been blessed with this person in my life. But it's hard to remember any of it in the face of such consuming sadness.

Hmmm...I'm supposed to be uplifting and distracting so, the good news is that my daughter is an accessorizing princess: (although I'm the one carrying the bag so maybe I'm the princess?)

Also, my husband has been so great and wonderful and supportive and I just felt it needed to be said.

Oh, and last but not least, the wheelchair ramp that the Four Seasons built for us (in a day!)

Anyway, I'll try to post once more before we leave. Aloha ~

Aloha!

2006-11-04T12:18:00.000-08:00

I am finally (I think) connected and able to post pictures...but, as I was writing this same sentence a minute ago, my connection dropped and safari shut me down and I lost everything so we'll see what happens. Anyway, Aloha! It's gorgeous here but soupy humid which makes being outside gross unless you're submerged up to your neck in water. Thank god for air conditioning. Halloween was a blast! Happy belated Halloween :-) Taeya and Sofia went trick-or-treating with the big kids around the hotel (from beach bar to beach bar) and everyone cooed appropriately.

....hmmm, well my connection dropped again and I'm now trying this two days later. Since then, we've had great pool time and family time.

Unfortunately, Sheila fell and shattered her knee cap and fractured her wrist and now needs surgery. So, we're all worried about her and just really focused on taking care of her. (I only have xrays to show you but really do you want to see them?...although they are impressive.) Fortunately she is feeling ok and we're still enjoying spending lots of time together. The hotel spent the day building her a wheel chair ramp (seriously! It's very impressive) and we're looking forward to taking her out for a spin tomorrow :-)

Queen Of The Procrastinators...

2006-10-28T22:44:00.000-07:00

I have so much to write but haven't had any time to do so....so here I sit, again, trying to pack to leave tomorrow on another two-week journey and instead of doing the eight million things on my list, I decide that now is the perfect moment to blog. I procrastinate purely to perfect the art of procrastination. So, yes, I am the Queen.

The quick and dirty of the last few weeks: went to Canada, visited with family, celebrated birthdays (Taeya's first, my grandma's 92nd! very cool...), came home to paint fumes and color extravaganza on the wall which we love!, couldn't handle the fumes so checked into local chi-chi (is that how you spell that?) hotel which happened to coincide with anniversary so was moderately romantic (what with the jet lag and the one year old wedged in between us), came home in time to frantically hang pictures and clean up so we could host a baby naming/1st birthday party for my daughter, managed to get it all done in time and it was really beautiful and perfect and worth all the stress, and now Taeya and I have managed to come down with a minor cold, my step-dad is sick...really sick, found another type of cancer in his liver and is now in the hospital with an infection sick....can't wrap my head around it sick, and here I sit packing. I'll be taking the laptop to Hawaii and have finally figured out how to upload photos so stay tuned, there will be endless pictures of Taeya with a lei....

Happy Birthday Lee!

2006-10-11T08:52:00.000-07:00

Very cool birthday trip!

Malamute Motel

I'm so glad you're all having a great time and we can't wait to see you for New Year's :-)

Busier Than A One-Legged Man In A Butt-Kickin' Contest

2006-10-03T21:26:00.000-07:00

...well, that's what I told my sister anyway. She wanted to make sure I was still alive as I hadn't shown up here in awhile. Seriously, my head is spinning around furiously and steam is, in fact, coming out of my ears. And, the odd thing is, I'm not even completely sure why I'm so busy. I know it has something to do with the fact that I have two auditions in a week (after not working for, oh, a year and a half - the creaking you hear is the rust in my acting ability), we're about to go to Canada for two weeks and we're having our entire house painted while we're away which has proven to be the catalyst for some desperately needed spring (fall) cleaning, and, of course, four days after we return we're having a small party for fifty or so of our dearest friends. Although I think this frantic pace has more to do with the fact that Taeya is not sleeping and subsequently either am I so I'm living on some weird 24-hour schedule in which I'm lucky to get four hours of sleep and the rest of the time I'm hopped up on one (or two) pots of coffee and an inordinate amount of chocolate. I am the picture of perfect health and sanity.

The acting thing is proving to be surprising. I figured things had probably changed, what with having a baby and all the subsequent evolving that has occurred. I didn't know if I would have anything to offer or even be remotely interested. I've discovered that I do and I am. I actually think I'm more flexible and interesting now as an actor than I was before. Also, I know my heart expanded eight million fold when Taeya was born and that seems to have seeped into my work. I think one of the reasons that I'm probably more interesting is because, underneath all of this work, I am torn emotionally and physically by the idea of acting while trying to be a full-time mom....can I call this creative tension?? How do I make these two things work together? I have no answers. At the moment I've decided to be a spectator in my life and I'm curious to see how it's all going to unfold.

The reality, tonight, is that I should be doing everything and anything but writing this. My to-do list is way too long. But I needed to breathe so here I am taking deep breaths and hoping that the packing fairy will arrive around midnight. I'd better get to sleep before she gets here or she might decide that she's not needed.

Dating Again

2006-09-16T19:46:00.000-07:00

We went out on a "date" on Wednesday while Bubbe & Granddad babysat. Sushi then played at the beach. It felt a bit like putting on a pair of jeans from high school. They were very familiar but a little tight. Which is not to say that we didn't have a lot of fun. We had a great time but we're both aware that we are not now who we were then. It takes a little getting used to. But we're happy and stronger now then we have ever been. We've created a family together which blows my mind every day. It is my greatest accomplishment and the thing I am most proud of. Not just Taeya but that I created my family with such an amazing man.

I love the "strongman" shadow!

The Multitasker

2006-09-16T19:17:00.000-07:00

A Girl's Gotta Do What A Girl's Gotta Do

2006-09-16T12:27:00.000-07:00

My girl likes to accessorize. It started with a pair of sunglasses I bought her...

...and now she is all about hats. It helps that she can sign for a hat but the combination has resulted in, what appears to be, her first fetish. Hats are to be worn at all times: while playing, while eating, while getting ready for bed. So far I've convinced her that she doesn't need to sleep in her hat or bathe in her hat but, between you and I, I think this obsession is only going to grow.

On top of everything else, the kid wants teeth...

2006-09-15T22:57:00.000-07:00

Teething sucks. I would love to be writing more often but I can't because teething sucks and it has consumed my life. I have eight million pictures to upload but I can't because...yep, you got it...teething sucks. Apparently my daughter has inherited my pain tolerance which means she is miserable and not sleeping and I hope she never has to give birth (those who have not yet given birth...just ignore me, it's not that bad). Anyway, I am off to prepare myself for my no-sleep marathon and hopefully by tomorrow Taeya will have gained a tooth and I will have regained my sanity.

What Goes Around....

2006-09-12T08:26:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, Steve, Taeya & I went to UTC (shopping mall in La Jolla) to run some errands. Taeya was desperately needing a nap and I was holding her in my arms doing the native sway (hmmm....still sounds very unPC. I was going to say Indian dance or tribal jig but didn't want to offend anyone). Anyway, I'm swaying and chewing gum and she sticks her pinky in my mouth and I inadvertently chomp down on her pinky finger. She starts howling and crying these big, hot tears and looks at me with such hurt and bewilderment. I immediately sit down and start to nurse her. As soon as she latches on, she bites down as hard as she possibly can then pulls off and looks at me. She hasn't bitten me since but then either have I so I guess we're even.

Little Drummer Girl

2006-09-10T20:23:00.000-07:00

Wow, time flies! In the week since we got back from L.A., she is almost walking, almost talking and has joined a local drum circle.

How do they change so quickly?! She has also learned fifteen more signs (sign language). Now she can not only tell me what she wants but she has also figured out how to tell me if something hurts (in this case, gums...she just cut her fourth tooth...may it be the last for a while!). Some mother told me that after they cut the first one or two teeth, it doesn't bother them any more. This woman is obviously genetically linked to the same woman who told me that childbirth doesn't hurt.

Steve was off in Vegas with cousin Parker this weekend and he missed out on all our adventures. Saturday, Taeya and I went to a birthday party in the park. Hosted by a lovely woman that Steve and I stalked out at our local drugstore. Yes, I said stalked. Several weeks ago, Steve went into our local Longs drugstore while I sat in the car with a sleeping Taeya. He ran into a woman there who has a little boy Taeya's age who is already walking! He comes back to the car to tell me about this woman and her amazing little boy who started walking at 81/2 months (OMG...poor woman). To my utter shock and horror, the first words out of my mouth were "Does she live in the area? Does she seem nice? Did you get her phone number?" (DID YOU GET HER PHONE NUMBER? Did I really just ask my husband that?) Steve then says "Yeah, she seems really nice. I think you would like her. Maybe she's still here."
I Am Canadian. I should have sat back in my seat, gufawed and said "Don't be silly! Now turn on NPR." Instead I shouted "Let's go!" and we sped through the parking lot hoping to find her before she left. We pull up next to her as she is exiting the parking lot (on foot) and I roll down my window and beg her to be my friend*. She says sure and invites my to join her playgroup and subsequently invites me to her son's first birthday party. Who says I'm not an American (or desperate).
* okay so I'm simplifying a bit but after explaining our move down from L.A. etc. etc. she did give me her email address and we emailed back and forth for a bit and she's actually a really lovely woman with a wonderful family and group of friends. I never knew stalking could be so rewarding :-)

Saturday evening, Bubbe came to spend the night and to help with Taeya. I was in the process of making dinner for us while she and Taeya played together in the family room. Taeya did something absolutely brilliant and I, of course, went in to admire the genius that is my daughter. The three of us were having a fabulous time hanging out on the rug playing with toys and talking when all of a sudden out of the corner of my eye I saw something red...and flickering. I had completely forgotten about the toast that I was making for Taeya in the toaster oven and now we had a problem. We had moved waaaaay past the point of oops burnt toast and we were now dealing with flames licking the cupboard doors. Fortunately Bubbe grabbed the flour then the baking soda and managed to put the fire out. Who needs Vegas?

I've Already Applied For The Patent....

2006-09-10T19:53:00.000-07:00

There is nothing quite as refreshing as a prune popsicle on a hot summer day!

L.A. or bust

2006-09-04T10:13:00.000-07:00

Well, we made it to L.A. and back - Taeya and I lugging our sorry, sniviling, snot-filled, mucus-y selves behind Steve as he got our 'cottage' in order. It was great to be back in L.A. and we are very excited about our little home up there. We have filled it with furniture (which, because it's so small, didn't take much) and it's ready to go. We're going to head back up in a couple of weeks.

Taeya is working diligently on standing, sign language and developing a relationship with this cute little girl in the mirror that she discovered (and has the most animated conversations with!)

I also discovered her sitting up in her crib the other night, still asleep, slapping away at her leg furiously while saying da over and over again (the sign for dog). Those little wheels forever furiously churning...

Bubbe & Grandad came over yesterday to visit and play in our park...everyone's inner child deserves some swing time :-) Fortunately, theirs is fully developed!

I, however, am currently undergoing a crisis of self-identity and am contemplating converting to the way of the Amish (but only if I look good in the uniform)...or is that the flying nun? My mother would be so proud!

Although, I am currently experiencing a now-what moment. Not surprisingly (although I'm somewhat surprised!), your perspective changes when you have children and all the things that were exceptionally important the day before you gave birth, don't look the same is this new, sleep deprived, way too bright light of new motherhood. Am I really asking myself what I want to do when I grow up? No, I guess not - more, how do I do all this now that I'm grown up and it can't just be all about me all the time.

yo, mama!

2006-09-04T10:10:00.000-07:00

Exactly

2006-08-25T14:21:00.000-07:00

I will not die an unlived life.
I will not live in fear
of falling or catching fire.
I choose to inhabit my days,
to allow my living to open me,
to make me less afraid,
more accessible,
to loosen my heart
until it becomes a wing,
a torch, a promise.
I choose to risk my significance,
to live so that which came to me as seed
goes to the next as blossom,
and that which came to me as blossom,
goes on as fruit.
- Dawna Markova

My Little Petri Dish

2006-08-25T13:48:00.000-07:00

Well, maybe I can hold onto my M-O-T-Y award for another day (although I know that there will be something else tomorrow...). Turns out she doesn't have a sunburn, just a weird rather benign fever-induced rash. These little people are fascinating ongoing science experiments! She is finally sleeping and I am going to try to do the same. (I think the moty awards are overrated anyway)

Mother Of The Year

2006-08-24T21:00:00.000-07:00

Taeya has finally succumbed to her first real cold - temp 102, snotty nose, nasty cough - the whole deal. I'm not sure who's more shocked, her or us. She is also cutting one tooth with two more on the way. And, even though I slathered on spf 50 today when we went in the pool (before I knew she was sick), she got her first sunburn so there goes my mother-of-the-year award. She is such a trooper - cries out in pain but then will let me settle her down and comfort her. Basically, she's ok as long as we're touching. It doesn't have to be much...she settled for holding my hand while she watched the Wiggles (I was frantically stuffing my face with my other hand because I hadn't had any time to eat!)

She is now all doped up and sleeping. She wakes herself coughing every hour or so and then I nurse her right back to sleep. I am so glad I'm still nursing - she gets comfort, sleep aid and hydrated all at the same time (like a gatorade-ambien cocktail...hmmm, sounds good!)

Wannabe Hippie

2006-08-22T22:00:00.000-07:00

Living in Encinitas, especially since having Taeya, I'm beginning to realize that I am in fact an organic-living wannabe hippie vegetarian who secretly wishes that she drove a hybrid, wore patchouli and could take one step backwards from that ribeye. The reality is that I could feed a family of 10 with the gas I'm using for our SUV and if I don't eat red meat several times a week, I'm practically violent (never mind that patchouli has always reminded me of b.o.). Clearly, fantasy and reality are never going to meet. I'll have to settle for attachment parenting and spending too much money on produce at the local organic grocery store. And I'll think about trading in a pair of my blahniks for berkenstocks...well, flip flops.

2006-08-21T00:17:00.000-07:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ISABELLA CHRISTINE ASPINWALL :-)

A Little Incentive...

2006-08-20T23:45:00.000-07:00

Taeya is a competitive girl! Today, our friends came over with their son Tanner who is 4 months older than Taeya and walking. As soon as she saw him, she immediately tried to stand up on her own and spent a very frustrated 10 minutes crawling right up to him and trying to stand up right in his face. He, being a compassionate toddler, decided to start crawling instead and after that they became fast friends and headed straight for the pool!

Ducks And Things

2006-08-20T09:09:00.000-07:00

We had an amazing day at the Wild Animal Park yesterday. Taeya was in love with all things bird...so we complied (much to my chagrin - there is nothing more terrifying than a bird - didn't anyone else see that movie?!?).

She also discovered the joy of gloming onto daddy's head and holding on for dear life. She screamed with laughter as we tried to pry her claws off his face. So, of course, we repeated this ad nauseum for the next half hour - anything to entertain her :-)

Other things of note recently....we asked Uncle Parker to be Taeya's godfather and he happily agreed as they are madly in love with one another. So now hopefully she'll go to him for advice on sex, drugs and how much she hates her parents instead of relying on the oh so sound advice of her peers (that's our naive dream anyway; we file it under Things For Taeya When She Hates Us)

Taeya also just got her red walking radio flyer wagon (I'm not sure why I'm supporting this wanting-to-walk habit of hers but whatever). Mostly, she loves to get in and be pulled around the house by mom, dad, or especially, Sam. Maybe we'll sign them both up for dog sledding!