Z: Zone of Proximal Development

I've heard people say before that babies are sponges, and it turns out it's true. Sam has been watching and listening all this time, and now he just throws things out at us as if he's known how to do them all along. Crawling? No problem. Eating finger foods? Done. Saying goodnight to Nana? Sure. "Nigh, nigh." Signing "gorilla" when we read Good Night, Gorilla? Of course. 

The only thing Sam can't figure out is why his parents look so surprised all the time. 

Y: Yawn

Prepare yourselves for a thrilling blog post, folks. 

Y a w n. That's how I feel. Like one big yawn.

But we successfully moved across town and now live in a new house! Tomorrow we begin the great unpack.

For now, let's all get some rest. 

X: Sign at the X

Given the current housing situation, is it still funny for a closing executive to say over and over, "You're signing your life away!"?

W: Worn Out

The packing has really done me in, folks. I'm plum worn out. 

V: Volition

U: Under One Roof

I mentioned that we're moving, right? Did I also mention that we're buying Dave's parents' house? Well, we are. It's perfect for us, and we're super excited about it. It has the combination of location, yard, and overall space that we've been searching for. And it's a good thing for the space because Nana and Grandpa don't move into their new house until November. Sam is thrilled about this situation because he adores Nana and Grandpa. And also because he just might be able to convince them to give him a few of those electronic gadgets that Mama and Dada have been keeping out of his reach. 

T: Tool

S: Sign

R: Record

61 posts on this blog in 2011! That's the highest number since 2006. I can't really speak to the quality of those 61 posts, but this feels like a small accomplishment.

Q: Quaker

When I Googled "words that start with q" (not an uncommon approach here at Slapdash), I found the word Quaker and was reminded of the year in college when I worked childcare for the weekly Quaker meetings. I liked their pacifist philosophy and thought I should become a Quaker. I never did that though. And now I am reminded of a boy named Luke who spent those Quaker mornings with me. His dad and two brothers would pick me up each Sunday and drive me over to the Quaker meetings. They were all quality people, but I enjoyed Luke most of all. He was four then and insisted on wearing a bow tie to the meetings. Also, Luke once saw a dog outside the car window and yelled, "Run, Lassie, run!" Yes, that boy was funny. He's twenty now. And this is my post for Q.

P: Piano Series

O: Oma

This is Oma reading to the kids at Cassie Care. Greysen (on the floor) is her grandson, but they all call her Oma because she's a grandma to all. Cassie has been in town visiting us so Oma has been taking care of Greysen and Bennett (in the red shirt). Let's just say that Oma is exhausted now. Thanks, Oma! 

N: Nail

I did this to my nail over a month ago. Will it ever go away?

M: Moving

It's official. We're moving. It took a miracle, but we managed to sell our house. And we have just nine days to pack everything before the moving truck arrives. I'm not very good with change, so this all has me in quite a tizzy.

L: Language

I'm amazed by how much Sam is learning these days. He says "Dada" when Dave walks in the door, waves bye-bye, signs for milk when he's hungry, and says he is "all done" when he wants to get out of his high chair. And if I prompt him heavily for an entire day, he might say what sounds remotely like "Mama."

K: Kraft

From the NY Times

I've been thinking about K for a good chunk of the day, but the ideas have not been flowing. At dinner, Dave suggested that I write about the great debate about whether Kraft mac n' cheese is better than Emily's mac n' cheese. 

"Emily's?" Cassie and I asked. 

"Barbara's," Dave answered. 

"Do you mean Annie's?" Cassie followed. 

"Yes, Annie's," Dave answered. "Write about the great debate about Kraft and Annie's." 

"Uh, huh," I said. "What's there to say about that well-known debate?" 

"Obviously, that Annie's is subtle and smooth while Kraft is bold and grainy." 

"OK, yes," I replied. "That could do." 

J: Jump Your Jiggles Out

One unexpected Joy of motherhood is being able to put my middle school swing choir experience to good use. Almost daily, Sam and I Jump our Jiggles, stomp our sillies, and clap our crazies out. Alternately, we might put Tiny Tim, the turtle, in the bath to see if he can swim. (He can. He just swallows a lot of bubbles in the process.) Or, I demonstrate to Sam in song and dance that I would like to be his Personal Penguin (this is my personal favorite).

Another unexpected Joy has been learning that, should my Ph.D. not work out, I might have a career writing and performing children's songs. So far, my song list includes:

He's a Bear (and Bears are Fierce)
Sam Quinn, Where'd You Get That Chin?
Air It Out Now
If You Just Burp (You Will Feel Much Better)
I Once Knew Boy Named Samuel Quinnagin

And there's no telling when another song will pop up! Dave sings great backup, and if we ever go on the road, we're going to call ourselves Hoot Hoot and the Moose.

I: It's Time

I'm going back to work!  And I'm thrilled about it.  It took 7 months to feel like Sam might be okay without me -- or that I might be okay without Sam.  I've been lucky to get to spend this time with him; I have loved every minute.  But now I'm looking forward to some Independent time and to finishing this degree.  It's time.  As LH would say, I'm going in.  Cover me.

H: Hat

Nana Peck has this awesome Handmade Hat that she likes to put on Sam when we're at her house. Apparently Sam's uncle Mookie, now 24, used to wear it. I'm not sure why, but Nana calls Sam Spanky every time she puts it on him. 

I tried to get a better picture than this one, but that boy won't sit still for one second.  Oh, Spanky!

G: Generations

Sam met his Great Grandma Betty this summer. He was taken with her instantly. You can probably see why.