New Tricks

Mia discovers not only how to bend and reach her toes, but to eat them as well.

Help of the Helpless

My friend Cristi gave me a great c.d. for Christmas this year, called "Sabbath Morning." I love it because it is so soothing and peaceful and meaningful. It is performed by the Jennie Phillips Choir, which Cristi is a part of. My favorite track is #10, Abide With Me. This is a great hymn anyways but with the arrangement, her voice AND the powerful extra verse she wrote at the end, its just that much cooler. I bring this up because I'm learning that like me, Mia has a thirst for music. In fact she loves it. One day a few months ago, I was driving and she started crying. . . a lot. In an effort to calm her, I turned on track #10, Abide With Me. She quickly stopped crying.

Time and time again, this has happened. I'd say 9 times out of 10, she hears the song and literally STOPS crying. It is amazing. Alfonso and I just look at each other in bewilderment each time. I don't know exactly what it is that she loves so much. It could be the resonating violin solo, it could be the gentle voices, I think it might be the song's message. These words alone are touching; "Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me."

I just need to tell my friend Cristi, thank you for the music, and you need to know that you have made a strong impact on this little baby. Know that there is a mom, not too far away, who plays your song daily, and a baby who adores it.

Here are some pictures from our recent trip to California. The earphones on her little head are playing her favorite song. You can see the effect it has:

Leg Godt

It's Danish for "play well" and for 5 days in sunny Cali, that's exactly what we did. We went to Legoland and it was extraordinary! The rides were great, the exhibits were BREATHTAKING, and the experience was our kid's dream come true. So, we have literally hundreds of pictures, all fascinating. All fun. But due to the super-needy-saddness of a teething 4-month-old whose name I won't mention, I'll be sharing only a handful. Perhaps it's for the best.
(Mia on the airplane. She was SO GOOD! Never underestimate the power of good music and a lollipop.)