"buh" is for balloon

I finally realize how it is that parents can distinguish their children's first words even if they sound like nonsensical babbles to the rest of us. Previously I believed it to be some secret language spoken by babies and understood only by their auditorily gifted parents. Now I see the way it really works. Newly verbal child points or stares at an object and repeats a specific sound. When asked what that object is, future linguist repeats the exact same sound. In our case, it also didn't hurt to have 5 dozen birthday balloons in the house to cause me to consider that the repeated "buh! buh! buh!" could be something more than just normal verbal experimentation. No, he was only saying "buh" when referring to the balloon. Hey, I'm adaptable. Can I count that as a new word?

Everyday Sam is actively learning this challenging language we call English. With the exception of balloon, he's mastered several other more recognizable words including clock, sock, cup, pa, plant and bye. "Clock" in particular is repeated ad nauseam, even in the opinion of his adoring mother. Does he want to teach me the fine points of time management? Does he want to convey his preference for fine Swiss movement? Whatever the case, there sure is some importance he's attaching to the clock. I guess that will remain a mystery until he's got some more words.

A year ago today

Sweet baby Sam,
One year ago tonight I held you in my arms for the first time. You were a little wide eyed monkey, fragile and soft against my skin. Every breath was a new experience for you. Today I looked at you while you played on the living room floor thinking about how far you've come. Now meeting new people, saying new words and taking assisted steps are your new experiences. I pray that in twenty years you'll be experiencing other firsts like traveling the world and falling in love. It's a wonderful life you have ahead of you; thank you for sharing your first year beside me. Watching you come into yourself will continue to be your Mama's greatest reward.

Happy Birthday, my love.

*Photos* from Sam's 12th month and his 1st birthday party

Christmas cards come unglued

I have a new level of respect for professional photographers. As an amateur, I figured my lack of experience and technical prowess could be overcome by shooting an enormous number of shots. (Not kidding, the iPhoto count for November photos was 836). Thankfully, my subject was, at times a handful, at others an angel, but ALWAYS entertaining.

It was hard to find the one photo that was worthy of our 2005 Christmas card. And the one we did select might make some wonder whether Christmas stocking hats in Arizona were recently redesigned to be red and blue.



oh well.. here are some of the photos that didn't make the cut for anything other than this pictorial of one wild boy and his unwieldy hat.



photo captions top to bottom:
1) "Nah, nah... my eyes are closed and you can't see me!"
2) "Clap hands, clap hands! Maybe if I signal we've come to the end, she'll get that camera out of my face."




3)"You behind the camera! Go get me a snack! And take this babushka off me!"




4) "Look ma, can't you just take Barry the Bear's picture? Nobody will be able to tell it's not me."






5) "Take me inside, this stinks!"

For Amore & Pop

There's no vocabulary
For love within a family, love that's lived in
But not looked at, love within the light of which
All else is seen, the love within which
All other love finds speech.
This love is silent.

- T S Eliot

Be well tomorrow. You are in my prayers.