avablog

Leah went to change ECP’s diaper first thing this morning* and was confronted with a problem upon fastening him back up. Well, it was a problem for Leah, at least. For the boy’s part, he surely would’ve been happy to lie there on his back all day, “Little Em Em” standing at attention in all [...]

[Read more →]

When I look at your adorable child, all I can think about is how much more adorable my children are. I understand it’s mostly just a physiological mechanism that defends me from facing the reality that my children may well, in fact, not be more adorable than your adorable child. So it’s not you. It’s [...]

[Read more →]

Ava, You made my day today. Really, you made my life — again — but that’s what you always do.

[Read more →]

Does it ever go away? That passing feeling that the incredible little person standing in front of you couldn’t possibly have arisen out of your life? I get it a lot with Ava, and it’s not even so much upon hearing some particularly bright or funny thing she’s said. Mostly it’s just seeing her. The [...]

[Read more →]

[Read more →]

from de- + sperare to hope*: Photo: 2010 Eduardo Muñoz Ordoqui * For those of you who — like my wife — are wondering why this is here, please refer to the comments on this post.

[Read more →]

Sometimes, when I’m contemplating a blog post (which, honest, occurs much more frequently than the posting here suggests), I wonder if I dare delve as deeply into cliche as I have a mind to. I quietly debate the merits of cliche. And as you long-time readers know, I almost never pull myself out of this [...]

[Read more →]

I have an inkling that it would be a lot easier to explain the birds and the bees to Ava right now than to do it when she’s 11. Or 13. I’m guessing that when she’s older, there’ll be the danger that she can get up from our talk, walk out the door, and put [...]

[Read more →]

“Interesting” story today in the WSJ about the consequences of broad spectrum antibiotic use. My favorite bit? I’m so glad you asked.

[Read more →]

I miss all the good stuff. This morning, Ava came into our room when she got up so she could get some snuggles with Baby Brudder (she HAS to learn to say her th sounds someday). I got up to use the restroom, and while I was down the hall, I could hear L’s breathless [...]

[Read more →]

“Three windbells cool the humid summertime; Clashing their shrilly sweet metallic chime.” –A Chime of Windbells This season always reminds me of falling in love with my husband. When we were first dating, we would take his dog, Maggie, for long walks through the dark, tree-lined streets–and down to the river–on warm summer nights. The [...]

[Read more →]

I chatted briefly the other day at school pickup with the mother of one of Ava’s classmates. Turns out she had a friend who reads this blog (or maybe the other one). The mother had been describing Leah to her friend when she mentioned Ava’s name, and the acquaintance suddenly realized exactly who was being [...]

[Read more →]

So this was a weird day. Emmett came home from the hospital, which was great and new and exciting. But two other events transpired today that got me thinking about the interconnectedness of the universe.

[Read more →]

Ava and I were sitting together on the porch yesterday, watching the rain and listening to birds while she munched on a popsicle (no, Firefox, I’m not going to capitalize “popsicle.” Grab a kleenex to wipe your tears).

[Read more →]

Alien hand syndrome masturbation “Don’t knock masturbation — it’s sex with someone I love.” –W. Allen ca. 1977

[Read more →]

Perineal massage: Si o no?

[Read more →]

To circumcise or not? A thought I’d not had on the matter before today, from this article: But once you and your penis are fully baked, the advantage of a foreskin is not clear. Some scientists speculate that it protected the prehistoric penis as it swung, naked, through thick forests and over tall grasses; and [...]

[Read more →]

Sometimes I need to remind myself that this blog isn’t all about me. Or Leah. So I’ll try to put together a unicorn chaser here. Thanks to all those who commented on yesterday’s incendiary post; it’s always interesting to find the limits of acceptable public disclosure.

[Read more →]

Sometimes that little ol’ wife of mine sure does crack me up. Like today. She got a really nice glider rocker in excellent condition FOR FREE from friends of mine. She wanted it for the nursery, but only on the condition that she could get it reupholstered to match the wall color and the brown [...]

[Read more →]

Leah and I went to the mall at noon to run some errands. Still spring break here, and the mall was mobbed with kids, mostly teens, some with their parents. Have you had occasion to take notice of teenagers recently? I superimposed Ava’s face on every girl who walked by, leaning evermore heavily on my [...]

[Read more →]