New Terrain

It's hard to believe we've only had Miriam for a little over a week. So far she's a happy, laid back baby. Meanwhile Reuben's been on the rocky path from single child to brotherhood. If anybody wants to give me some tips on how they introduced a new baby or how it's possible to keep two children alive under the same roof, I'm all ears. Send me an email. It's taken some adjusting but Reuben is doing pretty well. We've been grateful Aaron's been able to spend some good quality time with Reuben which has helped ease the transition. He's a great dad.

Miriam is doing a great job being a newborn. She sleeps and eats like a champ. When she is awake she's incredibly alert. It's fun to watch her study her world with her bright eyes. I swear she already smiles at me. Here are a few recent pics.

As for me, I've got one crazy bad case of poison ivy. I accidently kneeled against a leaf while playing at the park two weeks ago. I got a small reaction about the size of dollar coin. After I gave birth the reaction exploded. The skin puckered an angry pimply red and Huge blisters erupted across my shin, then up my thigh. Everything started seeping fluid. It's ugly, so ugly I'm not going to take a picture but if you google poison ivy, the nastiest image that pops up will be what my leg looks like. Really. I think I'm going to scar. And sadly it's made me unable to take anything but cold showers. Brrr. At least it's summer so cold showers aren't as miserable as they could be.

Other than that I'm feeling better and stronger every day. I can't wait to start taking daily walks with Reuben again. And ride my bike. And do yoga. And play basketball. And soccer. And volleyball. And Run. Woo-hoo! Only five weeks to go!

Meet Miriam!

Miriam Jane Cummings was born at 8:07 pm on Friday July 23. She weighed 7 lbs 5 oz and was 20.5 inches long. She has her daddy's feet and her Mama's birthday.

Happy Birthday

Looks like today is the day. We're heading to the hospital.

Lost Bragging Rights

Tomorrow is my birthday. I expected I would have had my baby by now. I kind of hoped I would because then I would have had the bragging rights of having Reuben at the age of 25 and Baby 2 at the age of 26. But it's looking like it's not to be, though I'm having some pretty strong contractions. But that's been happening for the last three weeks.

Still I don't mind the extra time. It's easier to take care of a baby inside me than out. And I was able to wrap up two major work projects earlier this week which was absolutely miraculous and has me feeling eerily ...free! I LOVE finishing work projects. I love being paid.

I'd kind of like to make a Charleston coconut cake to celebrate but I'm debating wether it's worth firing up the oven in the middle of the night. It's too hot during the day.

Rainbow Reward

The moment Reuben and I stepped outside to take our evening walk it started to rain, no, pour. But I didn't hear thunder so we went anyway, ignoring the concerned stares from the folks passing by in their cars. I know those people wonder why I subject my child to crazy weather, but really Reuben is a lot happier outside no matter how atrocious the conditions. If I had turned around and kept him inside he would have spent the rest of the evening standing at the door and reminding me we should be "Outside! Outside!"

Along with being cooler, it's pretty fun to take a walk in the rain. In about ten minutes the rain lifted and we had the park to ourselves and this gigantic rainbow appeared in the sky. I convinced Reuben to take a break from digging up rocks (his current favorite playground activity - who cares about the equipment?) to notice the giant apparition. He seemed mildly impressed. He stopped digging for about twenty seconds. You can see some of his favorite rock finds and the rainbow in the picture below.

Summertime and the livin is easy

There's not much better than a cold ice cream on a hot summer day. Today Reuben and I walked to our awesome local convenience store which sells soft serve ice cream. While we were in the shop a guy came in, bought a scratch off lotto ticket, and won $500. To celebrate he bought our cone for us, gave each of the clerks a $25 tip and explained how to pick the winning numbers. After he left the clerks told me the guy is a regular and he wins ALL the time, at least once a week. Seems like a good guy to know.

So who are the people in your neighborhood?

Uncanny Resemblance

Reuben just received a Toy Story book from his Oma Rosalie. When I showed it to him he examined it closely, furrowed his eyebrows in concentration then pointed to Buzz and declared definitively "Dada." I laughed which made him look up and frown to show this was a serious matter and repeated "Dada" "Dada" pointing to Buzz each time. I said, "Ok, fine, there's Dada." He then studied Woody intently, looked up at me, back at Woody and pointing to him said "Mama." He then began to repeat over and over "Mama" "Mama." He proceeded to pick us out on each page.

So there's a peak at how Reuben perceives of his parents. Aaron's a confident, strong chinned, super hero, spaceman and I am a lanky, sharp nosed, slightly twitchy cowboy....? Still, I like that he thinks I'm the tall one.

Ain't Nothin Like the Real Thing

Thanks to the summer heat I vowed to leave the oven off til September. But I started to have a hankering for some REAL baked goods. You can't go to the grocery store and buy a loaf of bread to satisfy that sort of craving. Real bread or cookies or brownies or muffins or anything else amazing that Kari makes, the homemade kind, is a totally different animal. You can only get it 3 ways

1. Make it yourself.

2. Leach it off friends or family

3. Find an incredible bakery

Which is why I was thrilled to discover the amazing Spring Mill Bread Company just a few miles from our house. They've made me and Reuben very happy.

My Dream House

After being pent up the last couple of weeks and expecting a fair amount of confinement in the near future, Reuben Aaron and I took a trip to the Smithsonian yesterday.

Reuben had fun playing with the blocks and parking garage at the build museum.

I fell in love with the Solar Decathalon project put on by the US Department of Energy.

The U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon challenges 20 collegiate teams to design, build, and operate solar-powered houses that are cost-effective, energy-efficient, and attractive. The winner of the competition is the team that best blends affordability, consumer appeal, and design excellence with optimal energy production and maximum efficiency.

Each of the 20 houses is my dream home. I really loved the idea of a bio-wall where plants are used to soak up the excess energy of direct sun in the summer then die off in time for winter. Brilliant.

I also loved the National Gallery German Master Drawings from the Wolfgang Ratjen Collection 1560-1900. You can see a slide show here. Isn't this a pretty watercolor? It's "The Artist's Wife Reading in Bed" by Leopold von Kalckreuth.

The pen and ink washes blew me away. I can't wait to give it a try.

In-house

I read this David Thorne piece today and it made me laugh so hard I was crying and then I had contractions for the next two hours but it was worth it. If you want to know what working in-house as a graphic designer is like, here you go:

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 9.15am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Poster

Hi
I opened the screen door yesterday and my cat got out and has been missing since then so I was wondering if you are not to busy you could make a poster for me. It has to be A4 and I will photocopy it and put it around my suburb this afternoon.

This is the only photo of her I have she answers to the name Missy and is black and white and about 8 months old. missing on Harper street and my phone number.
Thanks Shan.


From:David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 9.26am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Poster

Dear Shannon,
That is shocking news.
Although I have two clients expecting completed work this afternoon, I will, of course, drop everything and do whatever it takes to facilitate the speedy return of Missy.
Regards, David.

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 9.37am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Poster

yeah ok thanks. I know you dont like cats but I am really worried about mine. I have to leave at 1pm today.

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.17am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Poster

Dear Shannon,
I never said I don't like cats. Attached poster as requested.
Regards, David.




From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.24am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster

yeah thats not what I was looking for at all. it looks like a movie and how come the photo of Missy is so small?

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.28am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster

Dear Shannon,
It's a design thing. The cat is lost in the negative space.
Regards, David.

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.33am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster

Thats just stupid. Can you do it properly please? I am extremely emotional over this and was up all night in tears. you seem to think it is funny. Can you make the photo bigger please and fix the text and do it in colour please. Thanks.

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.46am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster

Dear Shannon,
Having worked with designers for a few years now, I would have assumed you understood, despite our vague suggestions otherwise, we do not welcome constructive criticism. I don't come downstairs and tell you how to send text messages, log onto Facebook and look out of the window. I have amended and attached the poster as per your instructions.
Regards, David.





From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.59am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster

This is worse than the other one. can you make it so it shows the whole photo of Missy and delete the stupid text that says missing missy off it? I just want it to say Lost.

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.14am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster





From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.21am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster

yeah can you do the poster or not? I just want a photo and the word lost and the telephone number and when and where she was lost and her name. Not like a movie poster or anything stupid. I have to leave early today. If it was your cat I would help you. Thanks.

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.32am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Awww

Dear Shannon,
I don't have a cat. I once agreed to look after a friend's cat for a week but after he dropped it off at my apartment and explained the concept of kitty litter. I have attached the amended version of your poster as per your detailed instructions.
Regards, David.





From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.47am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Awww

Thats not my cat. where did you get that picture from? That cat is orange. I gave you a photo of my cat.

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.58am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Awww

I know, but that one is cute. As Missy has quite possibly met any one of several violent ends, it is possible you might get a better cat out of this. If anybody calls and says "I haven't seen your orange cat but I did find a black and white one with its hind legs run over by a car, do you want it?" you can politely decline and save yourself a costly veterinarian bill.
Regards, David.

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.07pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Awww

Please just use the photo I gave you.

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.22pm
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww





From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.34pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww

I didnt say there was a reward. I dont have $2000 dollars. What did you even put that there for? Apart from that it is perfect can you please remove the reward bit. Thanks Shan.

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.42pm
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww





From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.51pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww

Can you just please take the reward bit off altogether? I have to leave in ten minutes and I still have to make photocopies of it.


From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.56pm
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww





From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 1.03pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww

Fine. That will have to do.