Spooktacular Abbie

This was a great Halloween! Abbie dressed up as a white tiger, and looked so absolutely adorable, tail and all.

In the morning, we went to her Mainly Music class, Halloween Edition. She had fun, even though she was a little tired from getting up early in the morning. She was mesmerized by a little girl dressed up like a chicken: this girl had a very fuzzy, bright yellow suit, and Abigail went to investigate it up close and personal. It was so funny, because she kept on running her hand up and down the furry costume, ever so gently, and chuckling. Then she'd leave, and after a little while go back for more. It made me laugh. I think it definitely passed inspection.

In the afternoon, we had set up a fun Halloween get-together with our playgroup in Clifton, at 3 pm. But, as it turns out, Miss Abigail was exhausted, and slept until 4 pm. I went ahead and met with my friends, while Christopher waited for her to wake up, and then brought her over to the Clifton playground. I had a great time with the girls, and watching the kids play and interact with one another. They were all soooo cute in their costumes, and the weather was absolutely gorgeous. Clifton turned out to be a great venue, perfect for the occasion! I was so excited! It was charming, cozy, colorful, and perfect, just perfect, for Halloween. Could not have asked for a better and more characteristic place!!!

Finally, Abigail joined the celebration, a little late, but with a big grin on her face, and threw her arms around me as soon as she saw me. I had missed her! She played about the playground, rolled in the leaves, interacted with her friend Cameron as they always do, other kids as well, and altogether had a BLAST. She was so happy! By the time we headed home, it was around 6:30, and the Trick or Treaters were all out on the streets, the entire little town was lively with noises, laughters, lights, scary monsters, witches, little pumpkins, and everything anyone could possibly imagine. We didn't want to leave!!! Abbie was absorbed by everything and watching everything, taking it all in.

Yup. Another of her father's genes has been passed along: she's definitely a Halloween Girl.

Quarterback Abbie

Today was an important day in Abigail's life. Her daddy took her to the park, where there is a practice field for local football teams, and she decidedly expressed interest in trying out for a (any) team. As a matter of fact, she didn't limit herself to ask her daddy if she could: she just went ahead and showed her bravery at tackling and blocking. She ran, picked up fights with block-dummies (they ARE the opposing team, duh!), and tried to make it to the goal line on several occasions, unabated. For being the offspring of completely football-uninterested parents, Abigail showed not only prowess and great ability at the game, but also an incredible understanding of how it works. Regardless of the fact that she didn't have a ball. What do you expect, she's only 14 months old, give me a break!

Definition of Football Widow: someone wisely said - "During football season, throngs of men thrive on nachos and “brewskis” and intentionally ignore their best interests -- their wives." I wonder if I will become a football widow, too... except I still will have the husband, but the child will be on the field, fighting the good fight.

In the spirit of the game (yeah, right?) and to show her my support, I decided that I should get acquainted with the sport itself and proper terminology. So I did a little research. This is what I understood about it so far.

Football Game -- A physical challenge, played by two opposing groups that strive to look as if they’ve tripled their upper body bulk. This effect is achieved through the use of props, though the use of steroids has also been proven effective for proper bodily inflation. Players have shriveled little legs (but only because their shoulders look SO big), and small little heads (again, a quirky effect of the shoulder enhancement). They use those legs to run about a big green field throwing themselves at each other, seemingly under the spell of an inflated piece of pigskin which possesses the key to eternal salvation, or perhaps the answer to all human queries.

Game Day -- The day you know you'll have the house all to yourself, except, of course, the big screen TV room.

Fourth and One -- A period of seconds preceding either an eruptive scream of jubilation (like YES! or WE WON! or something along victorious lines) or a dangerous time for anyone or anything within kicking radious.



After learning so much about this sport, I am unsure about Abbie's marked interest in it... Really. 

I think Abigail is under the impression that she will succeed at her new enterprise, and who am I to stand between her and her dreams... But, I have to admit: I was hoping for soccer.

Love Grows (and nobody knows like me)

There is a song I love, which evokes thoughts of Abigail in me, it did even before she was born: Love Grows, by Edison Lighthouse. I like how happy and funny it is, and how sweet, too. So for the past few days I have worked on a little project I've had in mind for a while - a video of Abbie for Abbie: something that she can watch when she is older and smile at.

Luck has it that Love Grows' lyrics are not too far fetched from reality nor from the feelings I have for my daughter. I only had to make a few... "adjustments" here and there! Beware: I'm a pathological perfectionist, and while the video is not quite like I wanted it to be, I decided that the quirky errors of timing and technique make it unequivocally more me. I'm leaving it like it is: a playful way to express myself.

In Loving Memory

"The music is my heart I bore, long after it was heard no more."
William Wordsworth

Once again, without warning, we have to say goodbye. Once again, we treasure the memories we have, and cry for the memories we won't be able to make together. This is for Scott. You left too soon, you left too much behind.

Our hearts go out to your family, your loving wife and your young kids. And they go out to you, for all the life you didn't get to live.

We will miss you.

Scott Winland
October 6, 1963 - October 9, 2008



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This year just won't quit.

I'm so tired of this. I promised myself I would not let it all seep through my writings on this post, but boy am I feeling tired.

Last night I couldn't sleep. After receiving the news about Scott, I just couldn't quiet my mind. I kept on thinking of him, of his family, and of how horrible it all is. I feel angry. I kept thinking of all the friends I have been blessed with knowing and cursed with loosing.

My friend Giovanni.
My friend Laura.
My friend Jim.
My friend Claudio.
My friend Carol.
My friend James.
My friend Abdul.

I remember them all, so vividly, and love them still. I miss them all. I miss knowing they are here. I miss talking to them, I miss them, I cannot believe...

I have been counting my blessings, I am so grateful for them. I don't know that I deserve all that I have been given. Actually, let me rephrase that: I know I don't. But lately, I feel defeated, picking up the pieces and making them fit again has been hard, for me.

I have one prayer, burrowed deep in my heart: Please spare Abbie from knowing the pain of such losses. It's hard to make sense of a young life that is no more. Please spare Abbie this pain. May her life be filled with wonderful memories, with loved ones, with friends, with warmth and joy, and so much hope.

Driving Miss Abbie

Abigail is learning to drive. She parked her dad's car in our parking spot the other day. I am amazed at her newfound ability, and at how quickly she is picking it up. Another step toward total autonomy and independence, I guess. Can't stop these kids, nowadays, they are so much more advanced than we were at their age...

[Here she is resetting the odometer]

[... Ensuring the left blinkers are working...]

[... and of course the right blinkers too, she'll need those]

[... Checking the side mirrors...]

[... And ready to go!]

Stay out of the roads, everyone, Abbie's coming!

Hard hat Abbie

Abbie has a new passion: manhole covers.

Every time I take her out for a walk, she will stop and examine, up-close and personal, each and every manhole cover in her path. I really don't get it. But Abigail will automatically pilot to every manhole, stand on it, stomp on it, touch it (I always carry a disinfecting hand-spray!), trace the letters on it, talk to it (or herself, I am not sure), laugh at it and be entertained for the longest time. If there are two manholes close to each other, she will go from one to the other and back to the first one, and so on. I grow cobwebs while I wait for her to be done with her examinations.

I am taking pictures of Abbie and her manholes, I want to have a spread of all of them for the blog. Right now, I only have a couple of shots, but more will be forthcoming!




Here is a video of excerpts of today's 15 minutes/60 feet "walk" :~)