Backing up my Laptop

So, Nick asked me to back everything up on my laptop to update our operating system, and I happened upon a picture we generated while pregnant with Nola, as we were dying to know what our genes would look like when scrambled up into one little package.



Poor Nick... I had to use a pubescent photo of him, because ever since he could grow facial hair, he's had it, and the software program that generates the images of your offspring wouldn't recognize a face with a beard. Boy, were we relieved when Nola was born without a little jewfro.

What We're Thankful for

What a year! We didn't even know little Miss Nola was on the way this time last year, and now she's four months old! What a wonderful blessing she has been in our lives. If you're reading this blog, it means that you are also a wonderful blessing in our lives. Happy Thanksgiving!

Karaoke

Nick and I purchased a karaoke set a couple of years back, and despite our dedication to using this thing, we have yet to become great singers. In fact, one of my favorite parts of our little karaoke sessions is to sit back and listen to Nick approach unknown English words with the same amount of zeal that he would approach a reading of "The Big Lebowski" script.

In the first clip, Nick is singing, "Get Back," while Nola is trying to gnaw her way out of the Bjorn like a trapped wolf would gnaw at its paw. Too bad those teeth are still working their way to the surface.

In the second clip, you can see that Nola has resigned herself to live as a captive in this crazy karaoke singing household, in which the dog has been stuck for a while as well. Hopefully, Nola won't pick up Rocky's aggression-relieving tendencies.

Things to Do While Avoiding the Flu

Sigh.

I'm starting to feel a little claustrophobic with flu season now in full swing. I look at everyone on our daily walk around the neighborhood as if they were Typhoid Mary, and just wanted to spray their potentially Swine Flu laden germs all over my baby. I know it's incredibly unhealthy, but I don't know exactly what to do until she can be vaccinated.

The injectable vaccine is now available in Ventura County, but I'm not about to wait in line for three hours with hundreds of people teeming with God knows what sorts of illnesses. Besides, Nola can't get it for another three months, and she's the one I'm worried about. I am going crazy, and looking at things going in people's lives through the window of my computer screen, and wondering how you all are going on with your daily routines. I need to figure out some way to get a life without getting the flu.

Poor Nola has to put up with a lot of stir-crazy entertainment courtesy of her agoraphobic mother. I've included a video of the beginning of a "Three Little Pigs" puppet show that goes awry when Nola starts gnawing on one of the pigs. Don't worry, I sanitized it before the skit began.

Nola Babbling

Nola is starting to love the sound of her own voice, which does make our little video camera a great purchase, but doesn't mean that mommy will necessarily take the greatest videos. I do apologize for the bouncy camera work, but wanted to try to make eye contact with Nola while trying to catch the coos on tape.

I need an Artistic Director or something, but I guess that would mean that I would have to bleach the house after they helped out with the video, as I am a Swine Flu FREAK. I guess that's another blog entry for another day. Anyhow, happy germ-free viewing!

Nola Sits up... kind of

So, we just love our pediatrician, Dr. White, who not only told us that "Tummy Time" (which our little baby just hates) is a yuppy invention and not necessary, but also generously informed us that our [then] two-month old had the neck strength of a four-month old. I've been dropping that tidbit into just about every conversation I've had lately, so I thought I might as well post it on the blog.

Anyhow, Nola does like to be in a seated position (I suppose, she can see the TV better while seated) so we've been doing these little sit ups, of sorts, and I thought I'd share. The second video clip is another attempt at showing off her advanced neck strength: She's hobbling about in a bouncy-threshold-chair-thingy -- and not complaining (at least not on the clip I've uploaded.) Enjoy!

Camping In

Nick is trying to introduce the notion of camp outs to Nola while she is young and impressionable... or at least before she becomes high maintenance, like her mommy.

Here's a little video of Nick and Nola hanging out in the nursery in a makeshift tent. Nola is thoroughly delighted that a big person has joined her in her playtime.