We haven’t been sleeping very well over here as Shepherd has either night terrors, or a mean growth spurt going on.  He wakes three to four times a night and just jabbers away, shrieks, bats around.  We have to bolt up and tear in there because he and Ruby share a room — so her sleep hasn’t been too restful either.  One or two nights we have succombed to having her sleep in the guest room on another floor, but for the most part, a couple of pets on the back and some soothing tunes will help the little one back to sleep.

I was already up this morning and in the bathroom when Ruby came padding in in her footie pajamas, still half asleep.  She usually crawls in bed with Shaun and me, having awakened before everyone else.  She yawned and yammered, “Why are you up already this early?”  I said “Well, your brother was up a lot of the night and I just couldn’t get back to sleep.”

Complete with a scratch to her rear end, Archie Bunker style, Ruby cocked her hip, leaned into the cabinet, and sighed, “You’re tellin’ me.”

Pretenders, I Go To Sleep

I know, I know!  I’ve missed you too.

I am doing well.  Taking it slow.  Glad 2008 is behind me.

A lot of you got the photo below, but in case you didn’t — please accept our smiles and an ardent wish for a serene and hopeful new year.  Much love from us to you, and more from me soon!

Bachman Turner Overdrive, You Ain’t Seen Nothin’ Yet

A quick hello and a thank you to the universe for Shaun’s 37 years (today!) on this earth.

I can’t say enough about this man. His kindness, his humor, his endless patience with me. He’s a beaut.

Happy Birthday, HT. I love you.

Joni Mitchell, A Case of You

My friend Christina talks about positive parenting and the beauty of saying yes to your child, whenever you reasonably can.

When I got home, I admit that I just wanted the cuddles to last and the mood to be light and I wanted to say yes, yes and yes again. Thankfully, both kids were amazing and patient and just glad to have me home. Beautiful.

The following quote says it better than I could…

“Yes, we can loll here for six more chapters, before — yes,
waffles, yes you can stay naked all day or until you think
you need clothes, yes to butter on the video popcorn today
and me beside you for not just the scary parts, then yes
to a rain-walk, yes, even to the culvert rushing water and
the long way home, yes to candles with dinner, yes to no
lettuce, yes, I’ll save the opera and switch to jazz, yes –
a bath bead? — take two. and yes I will sing the song, yes,
just this once, three times.” — Ellen Dore Watson

I looked at this photo every day I was away…it was taken on Mother’s Day just before I headed off on my…retreat. Can you imagine saying no to these two?

Patsy Cline, The Eyes Of A Child

I’m not even going to keep apologizing that I don’t write more often here. I don’t write more often here! Wish I did! Bless you!

Events of note? The political demonstration in my front yard was interesting.

I share a wall with Ben Bernanke, the Chief of the Federal Reserve. Might not have mentioned that, ever, except for that these couple hundred people already knew it, and then we were on the news. My mother called, exclaiming, “Wow, so that’s what it’s like to live in the big city,” having just watched the 11 o’clock report. So, there you have it. I’m fairly sure my little blog won’t garner it any more attention. You can probably read about what these folks wanted/need if you google around enough.

It was all very orderly and American actually. The buses arrived, they shouted and bullhorned and waved their signs, they gathered up their stuff and they left.

All that said, the event birthed another Ruby gem, when she asked “Who are all these bad people?” We explained that they weren’t bad people, they were just passionate about their message for “Mr. Ben,” and they wanted to communicate with him. Her very simple question?

“Why don’t they just call him on the phone? I was playing out there.”

Eagles, Life’s Been Good

Dear Internets,

Look what happened when I was asleep (see masthead)!

On Easter, I woke up and I had kids.

What happened to those babies? Shepherd will be one year old this month, and I will be one hundred and four.

Would you like a story?

How about some squash?

Come by anytime!

Love, Amy

Fairport Convention, Who Knows Where The Time Goes?

I love this time of year…cherry time. However, why is it that the two weeks a year that tart pie cherries are available had to be….now? I’m trying to pack a house, people! And, sneak some sleep past the newborn! Alas, we had to buy a million cherries to pit and freeze today, or we would have been without cherry cobbler/pie/syrup/ice cream all year. And we can’t have that. Here, in all its sticky goodness, is the project we found ourselves elbow deep in today:

This was only half the cherries — we got six flats to split between three people. One of the three, my sister, was conveniently out of the country at cherry time. Many guilt trips to be delivered upon her return, as she enjoys freshly pitted (read: slaved over) cherries from her freezer.

Our friend Dennis employed the sad little cherry pitter we bought. Next year, we’re considering this one, and even more cherries!

Tom, who picked the cherries up, enjoyed many a mouthful of these before he even delivered them to our house. Though they’re better smothered with cobbler batter and baked for an hour, a handful right out of the crate isn’t bad.

Bagged up and ready to freeze. We had a cobbler in the oven before the first box was even done!

Very “Witches of Eastwick,” no? I couldn’t resist.

Nor could I resist using lyrics from…

UB40, Cherry Oh Baby

Do I have a blog or what?

I know. I know.

I really have missed blogging, and vow to get back to it. Pronto. As soon as I get some sleep. And, let’s see. Get Shepherd settled into daycare. Help Ruby with her transition from private preschool to public pre-kindergarten. Move into our new house.

You’ve all been very patient with me these past weeks. I appreciate the encouraging emails about the first month or so of a new baby’s presence, and about the fact that you miss my musings. I really will not wait for all those things to happen to start updating Fannfare again. I can’t believe how much time got away from me since my last entry on Ruby’s birthday.

We have lots of news here at Chez Fanning. The biggest item is that we are indeed moving, to a house about six blocks away. We have been looking, sort of casually, for a new place since we got back from Colorado. The house we ended up buying popped onto our radar on a Thursday afternoon, and we went to the Open House and made an offer on it that Sunday. We are so happy to stay on the Hill. Have I mentioned we love our neighborhood?

Following are some pics of just why we love it here.

Happy 4th of July dear readers! We spent the morning hoofin’ it down the main drag in a fairly respectable Independence Day parade! Our Nation’s Capitol also boasts a pretty impressive fireworks display this evening — the jury is still out as to whether or not we will brave that.

Hope you are enjoying time with your families, good food and drink, and (y)our freedom.

More on Fannfare soon, I promise!

Eddie from Ohio, Fifth of July

Dear Ruby,

Three years ago today you were very kind to me and came into this world with limited physical fanfare. You joined Shaun and me in our little house and immediately made us a family. I can’t believe it’s been three calendar years since that day. At moments it seems like I have always known you, and at others I think “Who are you?” and can’t believe you’ve been here all this time. I learn a little bit more about you each day, and each day you teach me a little more about myself.

Your father and I have learned that we are not the most patient people. Every night we coach each other about a missed opportunity to praise you, or a strong word flung around in a weak moment, or a split second when we pulled you too hard or moved you along too quickly. We try not to be in a hurry, to enjoy every minute with you, but some days the world works against us.

This weekend, at your birthday party, adults and kids alike were taken in by your spirit. It rained like gangbusters, but that didn’t stop you from welcoming every one, throwing your wet little body into their arms, and thanking them for making you feel special. You shared your cake (although you did “assign” pieces), you shared your toys, you shared your enthusiasm for life. I know a lot of us grown-ups need to be reminded of ours sometimes.

You are an amazing creature — and not because of anything we have done. That’s another lesson we have learned as new-ish parents — that you have your own marvelous design, your own personality, your own plans. We are here simply to guide you, to help you learn about choices, to love you and discover your world alongside you.

And, while you are three years old (what a big girl!), we have to remember that you are only three years old. You speak as if you were a contract negotiator for a union — with the same vocabulary as some of the brightest grown-ups I know, and with a will and determination that sometimes threatens to melt the skin off of my face. I have never before discussed the actual benefits of a lollipop (to one’s day, to one’s mood, to one’s health!) with such fervor, or had to talk someone out of going to the store naked just because it feels good. I do have to admit though, your world is an inviting one — all of us leaping around naked eating lollipops sounds just fine to me. Throw in John Malkovich, a decent Barolo, and a pack of smokes and you’ve got a perfect weekend, I say!

I know that with all your “feistiness” (so that’s teacher-speak for “she can be a real pain in the a**”), that you love your Dad and me with equal devotion, and I am so thankful for that. You are our koan, our reminder of what’s important. You bring so much light to our lives, so much depth.

Happy Birthday, Ruby. I love you.

Momma

Tanita Tikaram, Good Tradition

This photo melts me, this moment in time.

If you are local to the DC area and would like photos like this of you and your brood, call this guy, Jose Rodriguez. He’s reasonably priced, so nice, and great with the camera!

(Note: With all the baby stuff and the tired stuff and the detox stuff, I skipped over a very important day — our fifth anniversary — and all the people who helped make it special. Remind me to tell you about it, and about the bling on my neck in the photo above. I love me some huz-bands. And some sis-tahs.)

Shawn Mullins, Everything