LIttle Boy Blue

The first moment I saw Reuben I immediately noticed his eyes. They were the deepest, darkest, most penetrating eyes I had ever seen and they were staring right at me. I was absolutely sure they were pitch black. On closer inspection I realized they were the deepest blue I have every seen. I was taking pictures while he was playing on the ground and when he tired out I snapped this second picture that I think gives you a good view of what his eyes look like.

Hard at Work

I set up Reuben's crib right next to my work station in the office. He's less than an arm length away. So while I do my work he can hang out in the crib. Here are some pictures of how he spends his work time. First he looks at his book.

Then he looks at his beads.

Then he stares at his best friend the wind chime. I got Reuben's first two smiles and the wind chime got the third. He really loves it. We hung it close enough that when he flails his arms - something he does when he's excited- he can knock into it. Hearing it usually makes him more excited so he'll flail and hit it again. It's pretty fun to watch. I have a video of it that I'll try to post a little later.

Cheeks

Despite the cold, Reuben has ventured out. It was a bit of a tight fit, but we managed to get his cheeks into his sweater. We braved the weather and enjoyed a walk with Aunt Marie despite an unexpected parade of bagpiping Scotts men that blocked our route and fired off several round from their cannons. Reuben slept right through it. So there are benefits to living right next to the airport AND the fire station.

A Map of the Would Be Intruder

Here's a link to the Civil War Preservation Trust's site.

Battle For The Wilderness

Walmart is trying to build a Super Center at the edge of the historic battlefield of The Battle of the Wilderness. According the the National Park Service over 11,000 Americans lost their lives on the site. It makes me sad to think so little reverence is being paid to such a significant place. The county of Orange has some POOR planning since they zoned the area directly outside of the park as commercial. The Civil War Preservation Trust is doing its best to try to protect the land. If you want to help or learn more you can go to www.civilwar.org

Book Lust

The New York Times just put out its 100 Notable Books of 2008 . There's also a slide show of the Best illustrated books of 2008. Check it out.
I'm drooling over the selection. I think I might read Home by Marilyn Robinson next. I really enjoyed Gilead. It's one of the most beautifully written stories I have ever read. Definitely in my top ten. And Jillian Tamaki, one of my favorite illustrators, got her book Skim on the best illustrated list. Very cool.

Hi-Ho

On Monday I started back to work. I think I'm insane and if I wasn't before I shortly will be.