Yes, it’s been a while since my last post (don’t say I didn’t warn you). And yes, there’s much to report about that stretch, including a rundown of our trip to England, the baby’s foray into potty-training, and additional attacks on The New York Times Motherlode blog (read the comments).
But for now, I leave you [...]

Curiosity is L’s new approach to life, which means that just about every outing these days is a field trip.
Yesterday, for instance, an ordinary errand-run to the local Safeway turned into a date with the “robot” at the self check-out counter. L watched in amazement as the computer told us precisely what to do, then [...]

After a slow start to the holiday season, Christmas 2010 is in full effect at our house, and little L is reveling in every minute of it.
She requests carols four or five times a day (“Jingle Bells” and “Frosty” are her favorites, though she also likes “Santa Baby”). She plays with the stockings every [...]

For those of you who aren’t opposed to television time for the kiddies, a friend of mine told me recently about a great holiday gift: A DVD with a fun new approach to get kids reading.
The DVD, dubbed “Mr. 7 Yea!” features kindergarten teacher Marc Sevigny reading two popular children’s books in an engaging style. [...]

Everything came up Bryophyta (that’s “moss,” for those of you who aren’t familiar with your scientific classifications) yesterday on a walk with L around the neighborhood.
Initially, the idea was to get out of the house. It had rained for most of Thanksgiving weekend here in Sonoma County, and an afternoon break in the weather provided [...]

Following L’s obsession with the word, “Zamboni,” which she learned during a trip to the local ice rink last week, Powergirl and I have been anticipating eagerly the moment when our daughter graduates to the next level of self-expression.
Considering the developments of this afternoon, I’d say a celebration is in order today.
For the first time [...]

Since the day L was born, I’ve envisioned myself as a “cool” Dad, the kind of guy who’d escort his kid(s) to a Taylor Swift concert and allow the purchase of the same silly-but-trendy stuff that all the other kids are wearing (those new Silly Bandz bracelets, for instance).
Especially on the subject of language, because [...]

It’s too bad every month doesn’t have a Halloween. If that were the case, I honestly think my daughter might spontaneously combust. She is that excited about what’s coming on Oct. 31.
I suppose we could have predicted it. I mean, the kid loves animals, and with bats and witches and spiders and ghosts there certainly [...]

Just a few days shy of her 16-month birthday, L’s vocabulary continues to grow at breakneck speed. Today, for instance, while out at our favorite restaurant, she looked up at a wreath on the wall and said, “Wreath.” How the kid learned that one, I have no clue.
Interestingly, though, one of the problems she’s having [...]

At this point in her young life, L’s vocabulary is growing exponentially every day. Among the highlights of today: Llama, crow and (most amazingly, considering I love whales) beluga.
Powergirl and I would love to take credit for all of these new words; I’d love to state in this public forum that I’ve read all the [...]