I have just posted some new pictures of Chaya and some new pictures of Emuna on their respective websites.

Labels: Chaya, Emuna, Family

I just saw Chaya sneaking back into her bedroom after posting on her blog. I can't blame her too much for being up so late. She got to meet Buford and Tiny Scarecrow from the Biscuit Brothers today, and she was very excited. Read her post for all the details.

Labels: Chaya

Chaya has been growing up very quickly, and it is amazing to see how her mind works and how she sees the world. On Shabbat she sat in her seat and clapped her hands while we sang and she used her little siddur during the service while we davened. During the Torah service she stood along with us and as soon as she heard the Shema she covered her eyes (like we do when we say the bedtime Shema) and said it along with us. Of course, from her it comes out sounding like "Maaaa.... Maaaaa...", etc.

I had the greatest experience the other day when I called Lindsey from work. Chaya heard Lindsey talking to me and started saying "Abba? Abba?". Lindsey gave her the phone so that she could talk to me. Now, in the past when Chaya was given a phone with a live person on the other end she just held it up to her ear for a few seconds and then gave it back with a weird look on her face. This time, I started asking her my little routine questions: "What's my name? What's your name? How old are you?", which we have been practicing for a few weeks. As soon as she heard the first question she caught on and started responding back to me! I talked to my daughter on the phone for the first time! Of course, you older parents may be saying, "Yeah, well, before long you'll be trying to disconnect that thing from her ear", but I won't let you ruin my little euphoric moment.

Of course, all of this is Chaya trying to copy her Abba and Imah. She will see me leaning on the wall talking to Lindsey and come up right next to me and try to copy my exact stance. She even prayed along with Lindsey the other night during the blessing over the Shabbat candles, complete with eyes covered and "yei dei"s and everything. It is very cute to see her trying so hard to emulate us. It is also humbling and cautioning. May we live up to the challenge of being holy examples for her to follow.

Labels: Chaya

I'm on a roll! I finally had the time to put together another photo album of Chaya and post it on her website. This album contains pictures taken since her last birthday, and I plan to add more as we approach her next birthday in October. If you like a specific photo and want to make a copy or even get it printed at a photo lab, you can download the real, large image just by clicking on the medium-sized one on the photo's page. If you have any questions or would like the whole set in an easier-to-download way, just let me know. Don't forget to look at her other photos too!

Labels: Chaya

For anyone interested, my daughter Chaya updated her blog last night. She posted some pictures from our trip to the HypnoBirthing reunion on Sunday. She also had me help her create a list of the words/signs in her vocabulary, which is growing every day. Be sure to check it out!

Labels: Chaya

I have just completed a complete renovation of Chaya's website, including a new look and layout, better organization of content, new videos (with copies that are actually small enough to download with a dial-up modem), and lots of pictures. Take a look and let me know what you think about it!

Labels: Chaya

I have uploaded two new movies to Chaya's website:

• Helping with the Dishes [7.9MB], a movie from September 11, 2005 (10¾ months old), in which our heroine gets an early start on her chores.
• Helping with the Laundry [7.6MB], a movie from September 12, 2005 (10¾ months old), in which our heroine bravely fights off the evil washing machine and saves the helpless diapers from certain destruction.

Enjoy!

Labels: Chaya

I just updated the gallery on Chaya's website and added a new movie of her. Take a look if you are so inclined.

Labels: Chaya

Chaya's first tooth has broken through! She has been teething for a few months (well, drooling and chomping on stuff, to be exact), but the last few days she has been fussy and chewing on stuff more than usual. Lindsey felt two bumps on her lower gums in the front on Friday, and on Saturday the first of the two cut through. It is kind of weird to feel the little sharp spot in her mouth, and I am going to be more careful from now on about letting her chew on my fingers!

Labels: Chaya

Lindsey and I are going to enter Chaya in some baby magazine photo contests, and we need your help. The following three photos are finalists in our choices for the first contest. You can click on the photos to see them full-size. Please post in the comments section which photo you think is the best of the bunch.

Number 1

Number 2

Number 3

Labels: Chaya

We caught her! We have been putting socks on Chaya’s hands to keep her from sucking on her fingers, but she has figured out that toes taste just as good...

Labels: Chaya

Labels: Chaya

My brother linked to another great article. It's not surprising that he finds this stuff more quickly than I do. I have a kid... ;)

Paul Graham writes about the issue of high school students and their approach to life in general and learning in particular. I think Paul has inadvertently developed insights into school that John Taylor Gatto and John Holt propose in their teachings about the way children learn.

Lindsey and I have had an ongoing discussion about how we plan to "school" our children, and I think Graham has summed up the general approach we will take quite well (though I am sure he did not intend to): “The important thing is to get out there and do stuff. Instead of waiting to be taught, go out and learn.... And you don't have to wait to start. In fact, you don't have to wait to be an adult. There's no switch inside you that magically flips when you turn a certain age or graduate from some institution. You start being an adult when you decide to take responsibility for your life. You can do that at any age.”

Now, to take those words to heart myself...

Labels: Chaya, Personal