Operation Sweet Potato

I think she likes the sweet potatoes. That or she axe-murdered The Great Pumpkin.


Operation Stuff the Child with Solids is going into full force today due to the failure of Operation Create a Budget That Can Withstand Five Cans of Formula Per Month. We will introduce new foods in order of frugality. What is the cheapest vegetable known to man?

Also, I'm back to work. A little. The time budget needs some help too. A nice firm deadline will do wonders, I'm sure. For those of you who are new around here, I am a freelance editor, so I work at home, and not very hard (just kidding, blog-stalking clients. Hey, aren't you reading this at work?).

I do still intend to blog about our Ethiopia trip. It's just . . . hard to find the words to start, and I can't explain why. As much as I want to share it, I think part of me wants to just keep it for myself because it's so inexpressible and I know you won't fully understand. I know some of you know what I mean. Still, stories are for telling, so I will.

After the work. Always the work!

Happy August

Know what I did yesterday? I mean, besides refuse to take my malaria pill and wax poetic about it.

I took down my Easter decorations.

Because August seemed like a good time for that. Although I considered holding out for a direct swap to Christmas.

Refills

Today I took my last malaria pill, signifying that we have been home from Ethiopia for one month.

Actually, to be honest, I haven’t taken it yet, only looked at it, because to do so makes me a little sad. Going to Africa was a dream I held for many years—maybe my whole life—and my feeling when the plane landed was We did it. We’re in Africa. Along with the half-joking thought I can die now. (I had the same "check it off the list of things to do before I die" feeling to a lesser degree at my first U2 concert. I hope to go back there too.)

I can’t believe that my time in Africa is gone.

I refuse believe I have no refills left.

Reality Check . . . Make That "Remittance"

A couple nights ago I finally faced the stack of medical bills and insurance "explanations" we've received since we left for Ethiopia.

I can't imagine why I would have been avoiding it.

It was literally two inches thick.

Anna helped me sort it all out.

Then we did this.

The Good Life

I'm sorry I have been absent from this blog for so long. We have been busy living the good life.

On August 2 my parents and my brother and sister-in-law arrived from Michigan and Colorado to visit Anna and, I suppose, us. To say my mom was a little bit excited to meet her first grandchild would be one of the greatest understatements in the history of grandchildren. Family activities included adoring Anna, taking pictures of Anna, grilling food, giving Anna toys, taking pictures of Anna, trips to Safeway, taking pictures of Anna, trips to the beach, making Anna laugh, and, oh yes, taking pictures of Anna.

Saturday we did drive down the coast to do the tourist thing. Anna chose a popular chowder restaurant for her first PDD (Public Display of Defecation). This is now known as "getting Mo'ed" or a child who has "Mo'ed out." Apologies to those would-have-been (had I not made them ill) diners I passed by during our hasty, inelegant evacuation. Since they had to see it, why shouldn't you? (Go on, zoom in. I dare you.) (Why are you mad at me, Anna? Your sick grandma's the one who took the picture.)


Other than that little episode, Anna was a great traveler, tourist, and restaurant patron. Sadly, my brother and sister-in-law could only stay until Monday, but Mom and Dad were here through Sunday. Here are some photos of other activities we enjoyed:

• dressing up silly, pretty, and sporty

• trying new foods

• wave and whale watching

• making interesting size comparisons (during volcanic mouth activity)

• training up a child in the way she should go so that when we are preparing our thrilling 4th-quarter comeback she will not depart from it

• learning to fly