Step away from the baby
December 18, 2009
Filed under children, family, language, motherhood
Tags: babies, crazy, kids, names, stars' baby names
Has anyone else read the eight different kinds of crazy (to use TKW’s phrase) that is this article on stars’ baby names? Being a baby name trend afficionada (I know, NERD ALERT!), I had to spend some time with the prescription-drug induced whack-jobs that are parents in L.A.
Having gone on on record before as being against the psychosis of idiotic child naming practices, this was a treat. On one hand, I have to laud the inventiveness of these Hollywood starlets. It’s a breath of fresh California air NOT to hear twenty-nine variations of Kayla or Madison, Jacob or Aidan (Aiden? Eiden? Ayden? Eyden??!!). I praise them for not adding to the hoarde of Isabellas and Olivias that will descend upon future classrooms.
However….what kind of jiggy juice was Nicole Richie jugging when she decided that avian life was suitable inspiration for her child? Sparrow Midnight is going to have issues. Elementary school kids can be hella-mean. “Sparrow” is going to spend quite a few recesses stuffed in the janitor’s closet, methinks.
And can someone tell Anne Heche to lay off the peyote? I’m quick to chalk up her unhappy choice of “Atlas Tupper” to her long history of cuckoo, but her first child, bravely named Homer Laffoon, makes me officially question her sanity. Seriously, Anne? Were you going for dork or just wandering into psychotica-land for “laffs”?
The cream of the proverbial (and artistically deranged) crop has got to be Jamie Oliver, of Naked Chef fame. I can tell you, he can work a mean puff pastry shepherd’s pie, but the poor deranged thing needs guidance on child-naming. Baby girl Petal Blossom Rainbow joined the crew this year at Rainbow Brite headquarters: sisters Daisy Boo and Poppy Honey will play in the strawberry patch together, I’m sure. And isn’t a petal part of a blossom? Stick to the kitchen, Jamie honey. Wait- “Jamie Honey”…hmmmm…..
And now, a word from our sponsors…
December 8, 2009
Filed under children, family, motherhood
Tags: cute baby pictures, kids, photos, pics, pictures
We interrupt the usual potluck of rants, theological musings, and wacky (mis)adventures in academia to post some pics. Cause we need a dose of cuteness around here. Shameless. I know, I know…
Princess and panda in leaves
Yes, Virginia, those ARE Halloween costumes. Mommy’s been busy…
Lovin him some raisins!
Good lovin from Big sis
More
November 9, 2009 
If you have a few minutes, please peruse Katie’s blog over at The Journey. She’s just your average 20-year-old who moves to Africa and adopts 14 children. On her own.
I read things like this and I wonder how much more I could do, how much more we are all capable of. As R and I wade through adoption and foster care information, I think of Katie, mother to fourteen, and I wonder how much more we can do as partners. Frequently we see families with many kids, or with special needs, or with extraordinary circumstances, and our first thought is always: “How do they do it?” Sometimes, my teaching, my two kids, and a husband who’d lose his head if it weren’t attached are all I can handle. I remember when I was sick sick sick with my second child, face to the ground, unable to stay on my feet, gasping into the dirt: “No more. I can’t do this any more.”
And yet somehow, something intensely human inside of us moves aside when faced with extraordinary circumstances. We do what is in front of us. We do what must be done and we, and those around us, are a little bit better.
A tiny bit.
More.
#3
November 5, 2009
Filed under children, family, motherhood, pregnancy
Tags: babies, children, kids, motherhood, pregnancy
I promise I remember the days of hyperemesis, when my body cried out for nutrition but always heaved it back up in a matter of minutes, halfway digested. Salad was the worst: those green, crunchy leaves would wreak havoc on my esophagus. I remember the ligament pain, the waddling, the stretching, the lack of sleep.
But somehow, I’m still thinking about you.
I’m thinking about those short, pixellated moments directly after birth with you sobbing on my chest, and me heaving in exhaustion. Feeling in real time what I’ve been feeling for the months before within my belly.
Yes, I still want another head to wash in the bath at night, baby curls encrusted with the day’s leavings. I want to rock with another sweaty head on my shoulder in the wee hours, to calm the fears of another sleepless one. Most often I think of my favorites: swaddling, nursing, and the burbles: you know- that gelatinous sound you’d make, trying to talk to me.
I am still thinking of you. Imagining who you’d be, what path you’d take. What disaster you’d be in my life, what sweetness, what exhaustion.
And I think: there are not enough reasons not. And so many for.
And I think: I hope you come soon.
Because I was loved
October 12, 2009
Filed under children, christianity, ecumenism, faith, family, immigration, intercultural, language, mission, mixed marriage, motherhood
Tags: adoption, children, Ethiopia, family, kids, orphan, together for adoption
