Ok, You've Waited Long Enough

Here's a shot of Ezra's best hair day yet. This shows off his little chompers too.

As shown from the back.

The boys sat down at the table for some Cheerios today.

Here's a video of Ezra's favorite part of the present that Nikkie gave him for Christmas:

P.S. He's still got the backdoor funk.

A Note About Transportation

Aside from the poopy baby, life offers some insights.

As some of you may know, I sold my car in order to buy a motorcycle while I lived in Latin America. I sold the motorcycle so as to have a little nest egg for my son. Meaning, we don't have transportation, of the individual variety anyhow.

I would like to tell you about life without a car. It is much less expensive, for starters. Also, it is lonelier. We take the bus, and every morning see a few regulars, a few newbies, and the same great chuckling bus driver. We don't know much about each other, only that we have to get up before the sun, and that he's always late on Fridays. I don't know why. Seems improper to ask.

When you sneeze usually someone says bless you. Also, about 90% of the time there is someone thrilled to see Ezra, and Ezra is equally thrilled to receive the attention.

It's sometimes like a gospel choir in the back, people hollering out truths and opinions. This morning a young couple got on with an infant without a coat or hat. You heard the women in the back murmuring loudly about that.

Sure, the unexpected wheel chair can make you late, and sometimes the smell is horrific (especially when it rains), but overall it feels like community. I can't zip around town and get everything done. To get to one location is usually all we can take. But I like how that slows down life. Some limitations comfort me like that.

The one thing that bothers me about the bus to no end: The front seats are for elderly, or people with disabilities. I see young, spry folk there all the time! And the little old lady with the cane gets on and they don't move their butts. It drives me nuts. It's hard for me not to lecture them sometimes.

Oh, and if there's anyone out there who reads my blog who doesn't like the the Latino population (that would be weird if you were my reader), I will say that they are the best at giving up their seats for ladies, young or old.

You'll find me on the 72.

Sick Baby

I apologize for no posts lately.
Ezra is sick. Teething has gotten the best of him.
It's the tiniest tooth, on the left side of his two front ones, that is causing all the trouble.
He has: not been sleeping, been having super severe diarrhea (every 1-2 hours, change his clothes and the sheets type blow outs), and not eating. I'm sorry, it's gross, and I certainly wouldn't want anyone talking about me like this, but you gotten know what I'm dealing with here. I usually use cloth diapers but this week, I went for the paper, throw that crap away variety.
I stayed home with him on Monday, and at least he is in relatively good spirits. We spent a lot of time snuggling and reading good books sent by the Maryland Raks (did I ever say thanks so much??).
He loves books, especially the touchy feely kind.

We'll take some pictures soon, I promise. Pray for the little one's butt, please.

Seattle!

We took the train up to Seattle this weekend and had a grand time in the sunshine. We visited Melly, a great friend I met while teaching in Copan. We hadn't seen each other in a year, since I left 7 months pregnant! It was wonderful to see her, as well as some other friends. Here's a little sample of what we did.

Here is Melissa with World Famous Cupcakes?! On the left we have lavender, on the right salted caramel. They were delicious, however, I found it strange that the flavor differences were only in the frosting. I would have liked the cakey part to have been more interesting. P.S. The lavender frosting did not taste like lavender. Check out the shop here.

Ezra has no qualms about the cakey part.

Tiny, chocolate fingers.

Mouth not big enough.

Same old story, takes off and leaves me with the clean up.

I offered to Windex, they said they're used to it.

Back at Melly's house with Rachel, who had lived with Melly in Copan. She and boyfriend Trevor came up from Eugene.

Boyfriend Trevor, reading to Bunsy.

Pike's Place Market huge doughnut! This thing was at least 6 inches across. No, I did not buy one for Ezra. We did however have the best spanokopita ever.

We also scored some free crab leg sample. Ezra liked guming the shell. They told us after we were done we could just throw the shell on the floor. Finally I thought! Ezra can throw it on the floor, he loves to do that! He held on to that thing ALL morning.

On the train home, in the sun, with some glistening snot. We recommend this trip.
Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day!

Pictures and Video Folks

Today we went to the park across the street from our house. It was a little damp out but that didn't stop us. Ezra wore his waterproof pants and not so waterproof mittens and found some delicious wood chips to chomp on.

He also found a map of the U.S.A. and headed immediately across Nevada towards California, I assume to find his Aunt and Uncle.

He got a distracted by this crack.

But finally found Santa Barbara, and sat right on top of it.

Here he harrasses the cat.

Good News

Hello Everyone!
It's Saturday night and Ezra's asleep and I don't have any homework! If only I were wearing slippers so that my toes weren't chilly it would truly be perfect. Well, if we're talking perfect how about someone rubbing my shoulders too. And I'd have a perfectly sweetened cup of Chai. And my pimple would be gone.

On to the news! I am happy to report that I am now working as an intern at a local Montessori school. As you may or may not know, since returning from Latin America where I taught second grade I have been leaning towards a career in teaching, more specifically in a Montessori school. To be a certified Montessori teacher you need to take a course that is a little on the expensive side. So I thought to do an internship first, to see if I like it, would be very helpful, and sure enough they can use me too!

So the school is near my house and also near to Lleny's house, who watches Ezra for me. She is the sweetest lady from Mexico who calls Ezra Papi. Now when he doesn't respond to his name I say Papi, and sometimes it works. Hey, it's better than Tumpky Wumpky.

The school is for children ages 6 months to six, and I work with children age 3-6. The head teacher is Joy, and then Giselle is the assistant who speaks only Spanish in the classroom (she is from Panama and is gorgeous). So I guess I am kind of a second assistant. Basically what is different about the Montessori setting is that the kids direct all of their own learning. There are activities all around the room, ranging in subject from math, botany, geography, art, letters, and language. The kids can choose any activity ("work") and do it for as long as they want, then put it back and get something else. They are so good at directing themselves it is amazing! Joy, Giselee and I are there to help if they have a question and to help them stay on task. I really like it because there is no dictating what they are to do. That was one thing I did not like about teaching, having to tell everybody what to do, where to sit, etc.

I also like that we all take our shoes off, it makes it very comfortable and cozy. I spend a lot of time reading books to the children. They love to be read to and always have tons of questions and remarks. I am eager to learn more, as I have thus far only been there two days.

The students are so sweet, smart and adorable. There's one little boy in particular who stole me heart. He is always smiling the biggest smile his face could ever smile. You can't help smiling around him.

The adjustments to our schedule are slight. Instead of waking up at 8 we wake up at 6, which is taking some time to get used to. Ezra spends one more hour with Lleny, which is working out fine. I am there until 1130, pick up Ezra and head home for lunch and a nap, and then we have the whole afternoon together. It is a swell schedule.

Speaking of Ezra, he is doing very well. His crawling is getting faster everyday, and he is also pulling himself up to stand. Today he even took a few steps while holding on to a toy. We went to a friend's first birthday party and he walks so I think Ezra was just trying to keep up with the Joneses. He is also very in to pointing at things. The other day I showed him a picture of a bunch of things and asked him where the dog was and he pointed right at the dog! Thanks for the book, Grandpa! He's so smart. The other thing he's really into isn't as fun. He likes to fill his mouth with food a then blow it all out, flapping his lips. It's pretty funny when he does it, but we really must stop laughing at him because I'm sure he thinks it's a good and funny thing to do when he sees us react like that.

I promise I'll post some pictures soon! Although did you check out my bro-in-law's picture collection from Christmas? There's some cuties! Check it out here.

Concern...

I am very concerned about this bill that is passing. It originally sounded great, ensuring that children's toys would be lead free. Now it turns out it might just mean that only big toy companies will be able to foot the bill for the testing, meaning all the little toy companies will go out of business. Read about it here.

Christmas Rats

First things first, we arrived home from Minnesota this afternoon and Ezra got to open his gift from me for Christmas. I had forgotten to give it to him before we left. The gift from me is the little red piano on the right. On the left you see Spiderman, and this amazing gift was given to Ezra from Britney, a friend of ours who is one of Ezra's favorite people. Here he enjoys his gifts in the bathroom after a long tubby (bath).

I love it! We had a wonderful Christmas, presents aside. We got to spend time with my mom, who is SO good with Ezra: she got him to take a nap AND fall asleep at night without fuss. Whoa. I can't do that. Courtesy of her talents at baby whispering I got to go to see Benjamin Button (pretty good) and go out on New Year's.
My friend Jayme (the talented photographer who took the shot of me in the headline of this blog) took me to a dance party in an art gallery/ware house that was pretty off the hook. I had a good time, danced some, had a coupla cocktails, you know. The only thing I didn't like was that the theme of the party was Sexy and everyone was wearing super fancy clothes and high shoes (well, the women were). The men were in tuxes and ties and vests and everyone looked so grand. I love to get dressed up and look grand BUT I didn't bring any fancy stuff so I felt a little drab in my dirty jeans and galoshes. Some guy who looked kinda homeless asked me to dance. Hmm.
Anyway I had a good time and stayed up too late and was pretty out of it after our 4 hour flight. I think I'll wait til next New Year's to go out again. Pish posh, I prefer to sleep.

Previous to the dance party we visited my Grandma Bunny. I call Ezra Bunny often so this was a little confusing. I think she found it flattering. We had a little get together of Ottmans, and here's a shot of all in attendance:

We have Josh, his wife Nicole, their daughter Emily, (Great) Grandma Bunny, Ali, her main squeeze, Jeff, Raia, Mumsy, Chelsea, Ezra, Uncle Roger, and Aunt Beckie (parents of Josh and Ali). It was a full house! Photographer: Debbie (Bunny's daughter).

Here are the Bunnies together:

Before Grandma Bunny's house we were up at Paradise Lost Lake visiting my Pops and bro, Nate (Grandpa and Uncle to Ez). Grandpa got Ezra a book about dogs that he loves (I think his first word may be dog, stay tuned). He also got him a ball that rolls around by itself and says things like "Roll me!" I'm a little creeped out by it, but Ezra seems to like it. Uncle Nate got Ez a rubber snake, "...so Ezra won't be afraid of snakes!" A brilliant present, he chewed on it a lot today during the flight. Just what my purse was missing, fake serpents. Ezra had a great time clawing at Nate's face and darting for the stereo to adjust all the knobs. So far crawling stage is a little exhausting.

Here's a picture of Grandpa and Ezra reading the new dog book, Ezra holds the other present from Nate, a rubber turtle:

Of all the presents Ezra received all he really wants is to suck on my nose:

Auntie Raia and Uncle Jeff carted us across the state twice! Not only this but they also gave Ezra lots of kisses and a super handy seat that attaches to the table, called the Phil & Ted Metoo seat that is super handy. Tonight we went over to Kristine's house for dinner and I just brought it along, threw it in the bicycle basket, and we were so set. I like it too because with a high chair Ezra seems so separated from the table, whereas with this seat he is more a part of the action. They also got him so really groovy bendable utensils.

I said it wasn't about the presents but I can't help report: I got a gorgeous red cardigan from Raia and Jeff, a super nifty camera from my Dad, a lovely sparkly shawl from my mom as well as a rain coat (this is the first time I have owned a rain coat and galoshes living in Portland), and Nate picked out some flashy gold and black earrings for me. What a splendor! The greatest part for sure was being with family, eating great food, and having so many loving arms to hold Ezra.

I am happy to report that the snow is gone here. I am unhappy to report that it is raining raining raining. Yes, I will be making great use of my rain coat. It is nice to be home, this afternoon we went over to Kristine's and saw some friends. She has these Christmas rats that I think are hilarious and I wanted to get a picture with them so I got my chance today:



They kind of look like sharks, we were remarking. Well, happy new year to everyone, let 2009 be a year a patience, kindness, understanding, and no more monkeys in the white house.