Author Archives: Vale

Lucy’s First Words

24 Nov 2010

Officially, I heard Lucy say “Mama” to me a couple of months ago. She was looking at me as I walked into her room. “Mama!” So I suppose that counts as her first word. Then she pretty much forgot how to say it. For a good long while. Now she says it again, although lots of times she says “Dada”, to which Oscar howls, “No! That’s Mama!”.

However, all of that is not nearly as interesting as her first Words – the collection she has so far.

My favorite was two days ago. I walked in to get her up from her morning nap and she said, in her most normal speaking voice, “Hi Baby!”. Ugh. so cute. She says “Baby” really well. She calls her doll “baby”, and pictures or photos of babies too. She loves her doll baby!

Without a doubt, she knows Georgia by name. We have many witnesses. So that is really cute, because Georgia is her best friend and playmate. Georgia is a 6 month old French Bulldog who lives next door. I swear if it got any sweeter we’d all be choking on sugar cubes.

Lucy can also say “Dada”, and let it be Known that the love for Daddy is strong. Daddy’s Little Girl is not an abstract idea around here. Her love for “Dada” is a force to be reckoned with.

It may sound funny, but Lucy has a name for her blankie: “Mimi”. She made it up. She loves it. We’re going with it.

“Doggie” has been said on more than a few occasions. Since it’s so early, talking wise, I can’t get her to say it on request. But it’s in there. The weird thing is that we don’t call Booker doggie so I don’t know where she is getting it.

There are a few other words floating around. They’re on the periphery, and I’m not sure when they’ll be cemented. In no particular order:
“Up” (as in pick me up)
“Num” (food)
“De” when she sees herself in the mirror, or it could mean “that”.
“Nigh” for Night Night
“shhhhh” when she picks up a toy airplane and files it.
She also has the breathing sound that refers to Booker and Hoot, which is a little girl version of panting, and she’ll happily do that on request.

Though she can’t say it, she knows exactly what I mean when I tell her to sit down.
click to enlarge

November Gems

21 Nov 2010

Oscar has successfully grown a plant from a seed.
The kindergartners did them together (apparently Dillon’s didn’t grow – Oscar has mentioned it 3 times).
Anyways he loves his plant and is very proud. I haven’t a clue what kind of plant it is. The seed was bean shaped and humongous to start with. I figure they picked something akin to a weed so that it would be easy to grow.

We have enjoyed a nice Indian summer this year. The weather report said rain was coming, though, so yesterday I went out and raked the leaves. The garden is pretty much abandoned, but raking falls under the category of mandatory minimum upkeep (a.k.a. You gotta at least do this or you suck.).
Magically, there were some little blooms quietly doing their thing back there. Like the name of the salad at NOPA, Little Gems.
As I write this post tonight, we’re having thunder and lightning. My heart goes out to all these sweet little gems, freezing. At least they can enjoy immortality on Oscar & Lucy’s blog. Hello Winter.

Lucy’s one year checkup with Dr. Ernster

18 Nov 2010

Lucy is 22 pounds, 10 ounces (that’s 75th % for those of you following along). She is 30 inches tall, also 75th %. She received Dr. Ernster’s favorite and highest complement to her health: “Lucy is just Thriving.”
She got 4 shots, covering everything from mmr to flu to the kitchen sink.

And we talked about New Orleans pretty much the whole visit.

Extra Special Second Cup Today

18 Nov 2010

I usually have my morning coffee as soon as I can after I wake up.
On school mornings, that coffee is necessary, reliable and not very memorable.
When I get back from dropping O. at school, I usually have time to appreciate a second cup. Don’t tell anyone that I microwave it. (One day I’ll get a really great espresso machine – till then…)

This morning I opened the fridge to a surprise present from Sweet Kiera!
A chill is in the November air, the light is streaming through my southern exposure, and I am delaying my computer tasks in the quiet bliss of Lucy’s nap time.


hmmm. still just primer on my door.


hmmm. need to wash those windows.


hmmm. coconut and lemon. mmmmm.