Gabriella is learning manners. We try to get her to cover her mouth when she coughs or to say 'Excuse me,' when she burps or farts. The cute part about this is that whenever she hears someone burp or fart she has to point it out and then cracks up. Sometimes she'll even say 'Excuse me,' in response to the other person's burp/fart.
She also has been practicing putting her napkin on her lap when she eats. Today she noticed that I didn't have a napkin at all. She picked up her napkin, ripped it in half, and put it on my lap for me.
"Thank you Gabriella!"
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Early Christmas Gift
A few days before Christmas, Gabriella came down with an ear infection. She wasn't sleeping well at night and complaining, "Ear hurt, Mommy kiss it." One night I brought her into bed with Stew and I. It seemed like I was in for another long night.
I tucked her in between Stew and myself and I slowly began to drift off to sleep. I woke to the feel of Gabriella pressing her lips against my cheek and the sound of, "mmmawwwhh." (That kissing sound.) I was touched- how cute! She gave Mommy a kiss!
"Thank you Gabriella!"
I shut my eyes and began drifting back to sleep. I was awakened again, but this time it was to the feel of hot breath on my cheek. I opened my eyes and saw her staring at me, a few inches away.
She then whispered, "I love you too, Mommy."
My heart melted, I got tears in my eyes, and I gave her a big hug and kiss. It was the perfect Christmas gift.
I tucked her in between Stew and myself and I slowly began to drift off to sleep. I woke to the feel of Gabriella pressing her lips against my cheek and the sound of, "mmmawwwhh." (That kissing sound.) I was touched- how cute! She gave Mommy a kiss!
"Thank you Gabriella!"
I shut my eyes and began drifting back to sleep. I was awakened again, but this time it was to the feel of hot breath on my cheek. I opened my eyes and saw her staring at me, a few inches away.
She then whispered, "I love you too, Mommy."
My heart melted, I got tears in my eyes, and I gave her a big hug and kiss. It was the perfect Christmas gift.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Holidays 2008
December 27, 2008
Age 22 months
My camera finally stopped working about a week ago. Fortunately, I received a new camera as Christmas present! I've been wanting a digital slr camera for a long long time, and am thrilled to finally have one. Here are some of my first pics with the camera:
Gabriella hamming it up.
Lighting the menorah candles with Daddy.
Gabriella's first Christmas ornament (from last year.)
Gabriella's second Christmas ornament (from this current year.) I chose this one to represent her new fear of S.C. (can't even say his name.) Somehow, she likes this ornament, however. On Christmas morning Stew and I went into her crib and said, "Guess who came last night???" (Thinking she'd say, Santa!" of course...) Nope, with wild eyes she exclaimed, "GRANDMA!!!"
Her first Christmas disappointment.
Age 22 months
My camera finally stopped working about a week ago. Fortunately, I received a new camera as Christmas present! I've been wanting a digital slr camera for a long long time, and am thrilled to finally have one. Here are some of my first pics with the camera:
Gabriella hamming it up.
Lighting the menorah candles with Daddy.
Gabriella's first Christmas ornament (from last year.)
Gabriella's second Christmas ornament (from this current year.) I chose this one to represent her new fear of S.C. (can't even say his name.) Somehow, she likes this ornament, however. On Christmas morning Stew and I went into her crib and said, "Guess who came last night???" (Thinking she'd say, Santa!" of course...) Nope, with wild eyes she exclaimed, "GRANDMA!!!"
Her first Christmas disappointment.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Meatball
December 14, 2008
Age 22 months
The other day Gabriella tried to hand me a meatball. 'Hmm..,' I thought, 'We don't eat meat...' It didn't take long before I realized that it wasn't a meatball. "GO SHOW DADDY GABRIELLA!" (the first thing I thought to say that would get her a smidge further away from me in that second.)
Stew asked me not to tell anyone, lest Gabriella become known as, "The Loewy kid who plays with poop."
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Updates
November 13, 2008
I'm very behind on posting on the blog. I'll give just a few of the recent Gabriella observations:
---When we ask her a question, she now responds with "ummm..." before answering. As though she's really thinking it over.
---I went to the department store to buy her a new pair of shoes. I found a cute pair and asked her to sit down so that we could try them on.
"No Mommy! Those ones!" - pointing to a pair of hot pink sparkly shoes.
Oh boy.
We compromised on a pair of hot pink, non-sparkly shoes.
On that same trip, she found a pair of reindeer pajamas that she really wanted. She wanted them now and she wanted them on.
Oh boy.
--- When asked to smile, she now throws her head back and gives the most forced and awkward smile ever. It's pretty cute.
Gabriella in a natural pose. Unaware that I'm snapping a picture:
Oops. Now she sees the camera. Better smile for the shot!
And one more head tilt the other way to finish it off:
She's really putting a lot of effort into these poses, as evidenced by the veins sticking out on her neck.
She even manages to strike a pose in family pictures:
I'm very behind on posting on the blog. I'll give just a few of the recent Gabriella observations:
---When we ask her a question, she now responds with "ummm..." before answering. As though she's really thinking it over.
---I went to the department store to buy her a new pair of shoes. I found a cute pair and asked her to sit down so that we could try them on.
"No Mommy! Those ones!" - pointing to a pair of hot pink sparkly shoes.
Oh boy.
We compromised on a pair of hot pink, non-sparkly shoes.
On that same trip, she found a pair of reindeer pajamas that she really wanted. She wanted them now and she wanted them on.
Oh boy.
--- When asked to smile, she now throws her head back and gives the most forced and awkward smile ever. It's pretty cute.
Gabriella in a natural pose. Unaware that I'm snapping a picture:
Oops. Now she sees the camera. Better smile for the shot!
And one more head tilt the other way to finish it off:
She's really putting a lot of effort into these poses, as evidenced by the veins sticking out on her neck.
She even manages to strike a pose in family pictures:
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Friday, September 26, 2008
September 25, 2008
Gabriella used the potty!
We have had this potty seat for several weeks now. She absolutely loves it. She has to go in the bathroom and sit on it all the time. Usually she just plays with the toilet paper and eventually (~5 seconds later, ~5 minutes later) announces, "ALL DONE!" and hops off.
Gabriella also likes to announce when she is going "pee," or "poop." (Although this "poop" one is over utilized, as it also refers to passing gas.) Yesterday, for the first time, she said "PEE" - agreed to go to the bathroom and sit on the potty - and then peed.
Her very first pee in the toilet. Insert image of little tears welling up in my eyes and images of a diaperless world for me.
Big girl! As an aside, she looked very surprised and then very happy. Mom, Dad, and Grandma came down to sing her praises. It was like a potty parade.
Gabriella used the potty!
We have had this potty seat for several weeks now. She absolutely loves it. She has to go in the bathroom and sit on it all the time. Usually she just plays with the toilet paper and eventually (~5 seconds later, ~5 minutes later) announces, "ALL DONE!" and hops off.
Gabriella also likes to announce when she is going "pee," or "poop." (Although this "poop" one is over utilized, as it also refers to passing gas.) Yesterday, for the first time, she said "PEE" - agreed to go to the bathroom and sit on the potty - and then peed.
Her very first pee in the toilet. Insert image of little tears welling up in my eyes and images of a diaperless world for me.
Big girl! As an aside, she looked very surprised and then very happy. Mom, Dad, and Grandma came down to sing her praises. It was like a potty parade.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Missing Dad
One year ago (already) we were on our "vacation" (my work trip, Stew's vacation) to Palo Alto, CA! Currently, I am in San Antonio, Tx for another work trip. This time, Stew stayed home - Gabriella (or GOBBY as her daycare friends call her) and Grandma are joining.
In memory of last year's trip, here are a couple of pictures. We miss you Stew!
In memory of last year's trip, here are a couple of pictures. We miss you Stew!
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Smattering of Cuteness
September 13, 2008
Age 18.5 months
Gabriella wanted her chalk from the table. I told her that she could have "one." I handed it to her and she looked up at me, extended her hand and said, "Two!!" Oh boy.
She dropped something the other day. She looked back at me and said, "I get it Mommy," and hopped off the couch to pick the object up.
Stew has stayed home with her for the past four days because of her chicken pox. Now, whenever she is going to do something (go to bed, go "potty", etc) she wants both Mommy and Daddy. She'll put down whatever toy she's holding so that she can extend the other hand - Daddy has to hold one and Mommy the other. Is this an only child or what? Super cute!
She sorta forgot the word, "suit." So now she says, "Baby Soup" and "Mommy Soup."
We were celebrating something tonight, so we ordered my favorite pizza and curried nachos from a local joint. Gabriella went crazy. Pointing and trying to jump up and down, "Pizza! Pizza! Pizza!" She recognized it from the box! Umm... do we order pizza that frequently? I had no idea that she recognized it! And, of course, she was super disappointed to see that it was a fancy deal, not just a plain cheese pizza. It's like she's a little kid already!
Age 18.5 months
Gabriella wanted her chalk from the table. I told her that she could have "one." I handed it to her and she looked up at me, extended her hand and said, "Two!!" Oh boy.
She dropped something the other day. She looked back at me and said, "I get it Mommy," and hopped off the couch to pick the object up.
Stew has stayed home with her for the past four days because of her chicken pox. Now, whenever she is going to do something (go to bed, go "potty", etc) she wants both Mommy and Daddy. She'll put down whatever toy she's holding so that she can extend the other hand - Daddy has to hold one and Mommy the other. Is this an only child or what? Super cute!
She sorta forgot the word, "suit." So now she says, "Baby Soup" and "Mommy Soup."
We were celebrating something tonight, so we ordered my favorite pizza and curried nachos from a local joint. Gabriella went crazy. Pointing and trying to jump up and down, "Pizza! Pizza! Pizza!" She recognized it from the box! Umm... do we order pizza that frequently? I had no idea that she recognized it! And, of course, she was super disappointed to see that it was a fancy deal, not just a plain cheese pizza. It's like she's a little kid already!
Monday, September 8, 2008
Top 5
September 7, 2008
Stew has been in Florida (for the Jets/Dolphins game) since Thursday. Several hours after he left, Gabriella was given the diagnosis of Chicken Pox. Needless to say, I've had my hands full over the past 4 days, with Gabriella's itchy rash, the two hyper golden retrievers, and the three demanding cats. On the upside, I've certainly learned a few things in Stew's absence:
1. When I think that Gabriella's sock collection is dwindling - it is. If I want proof, all I have to do is go into the backyard and glance at Ellis' stools. When I was on poop duty today (usually Stew does this) I found a colorful collection of torn up cotton socks mixed in with the poopy goodness.
2. Our dogs eat more, much more than dog food and socks. Refer to #1.
3. Stew usually takes Gabriella in the mornings, so that I can get an extra hour or so of sleep. I've learned that I'm missing out on a lot of cute Gabriella moments by sleeping in. She is in such a great mood in the morning. If I sleep in 1 hour every single day for the rest of her toddler/preschool years, that's exactly 1254 hours of cuteness that I am sleeping through.
4. Dirty dishes accumulate much faster than I previously realized.
5. Gabriella really knows a lot of words - I can't keep up with her! I had a sandwich for lunch a couple of hours ago. She opened her mouth to take a bite and then said, "sandwich."
My thoughts at the time = "Hey that's MY sandwich little lady!" and then, "Did you just say, 'sandwich??'"
Stew has been in Florida (for the Jets/Dolphins game) since Thursday. Several hours after he left, Gabriella was given the diagnosis of Chicken Pox. Needless to say, I've had my hands full over the past 4 days, with Gabriella's itchy rash, the two hyper golden retrievers, and the three demanding cats. On the upside, I've certainly learned a few things in Stew's absence:
1. When I think that Gabriella's sock collection is dwindling - it is. If I want proof, all I have to do is go into the backyard and glance at Ellis' stools. When I was on poop duty today (usually Stew does this) I found a colorful collection of torn up cotton socks mixed in with the poopy goodness.
2. Our dogs eat more, much more than dog food and socks. Refer to #1.
3. Stew usually takes Gabriella in the mornings, so that I can get an extra hour or so of sleep. I've learned that I'm missing out on a lot of cute Gabriella moments by sleeping in. She is in such a great mood in the morning. If I sleep in 1 hour every single day for the rest of her toddler/preschool years, that's exactly 1254 hours of cuteness that I am sleeping through.
4. Dirty dishes accumulate much faster than I previously realized.
5. Gabriella really knows a lot of words - I can't keep up with her! I had a sandwich for lunch a couple of hours ago. She opened her mouth to take a bite and then said, "sandwich."
My thoughts at the time = "Hey that's MY sandwich little lady!" and then, "Did you just say, 'sandwich??'"
Friday, September 5, 2008
September 5, 2008
Age 18.5 months
Gabriella went in for her 18 month check up yesterday. She was diagnosed with Chicken Pox. Apparently it presents atypically after the child has received the vaccine, that's why I didn't know! Poor baby. Off from work for a few days...
Otherwise, she was healthy - measuring in the 90th for height and 40th for weight.
Age 18.5 months
Gabriella went in for her 18 month check up yesterday. She was diagnosed with Chicken Pox. Apparently it presents atypically after the child has received the vaccine, that's why I didn't know! Poor baby. Off from work for a few days...
Otherwise, she was healthy - measuring in the 90th for height and 40th for weight.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Baby Suit
August 31, 2008
Age 18 months, 1 week
I told Gabriella that we had to put her bathing suit on in order to go out to the pool.
She ran into the bedroom and pointed to the drawer that holds the bathing suit. Then she screamed, "BABY SUIT!"
I changed her into her bathing suit. I then changed out of my work clothes and into shorts. After analyzing the scene, she looked up at me and pointed, "MOMMY SUIT!"
Age 18 months, 1 week
I told Gabriella that we had to put her bathing suit on in order to go out to the pool.
She ran into the bedroom and pointed to the drawer that holds the bathing suit. Then she screamed, "BABY SUIT!"
I changed her into her bathing suit. I then changed out of my work clothes and into shorts. After analyzing the scene, she looked up at me and pointed, "MOMMY SUIT!"
Capturing photos isn't as easy as it once was... This is the only time I put her in this adorable white dress (thanks to Aunt Diane in Seattle.) I wanted to document it and quickly take it off before it got dirty.
She wasn't having it.
Mom, I'm taking my doll and moving out!
Or moving in.
Or moving.
Which way do these stairs take me? That's the way I'm going.
Must keep moving.
She wasn't having it.
Mom, I'm taking my doll and moving out!
Or moving in.
Or moving.
Which way do these stairs take me? That's the way I'm going.
Must keep moving.
First Trip to the Dentist
Age 18 months
Gabriella's first trip to the dentist went smoothly... until they started the examination. She then SCREAMED for the rest of the exam (5 minutes max - they can really work quickly when there are only 12 teeth and a loud banshee yelling in the office.)
This was PRE-exam. I think she's beginning to catch on that something 'not as fun as the pool' is about to happen.
Gabriella's first trip to the dentist went smoothly... until they started the examination. She then SCREAMED for the rest of the exam (5 minutes max - they can really work quickly when there are only 12 teeth and a loud banshee yelling in the office.)
This was PRE-exam. I think she's beginning to catch on that something 'not as fun as the pool' is about to happen.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
OCD-free, for now
August 19, 2008
Age, Just about 18 months!
So I haven't mentioned this, but lately Gabriella has been spanking herself on the bottom every time she passes gas or burps. (?) I wasn't quite sure what to make of this. She never misses. There is always a spank following one of these two bodily functions. In the back of my mind, I had a small (very small) concern about early signs of OCD. :)
A few minutes ago I burped. Gabriella cracked up and then walked over to me and patted my back. She was burping me! She must have learned this from daycare, as she's really into "helping" burp and rock the younger babies. So I actually believe that her "self-spanking" is really her way of burping herself.
What a little cutie.
Age, Just about 18 months!
So I haven't mentioned this, but lately Gabriella has been spanking herself on the bottom every time she passes gas or burps. (?) I wasn't quite sure what to make of this. She never misses. There is always a spank following one of these two bodily functions. In the back of my mind, I had a small (very small) concern about early signs of OCD. :)
A few minutes ago I burped. Gabriella cracked up and then walked over to me and patted my back. She was burping me! She must have learned this from daycare, as she's really into "helping" burp and rock the younger babies. So I actually believe that her "self-spanking" is really her way of burping herself.
What a little cutie.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Olympic Hopeful
August 18, 2008
I do have a dream that Gabriella is going to be some rock star swimmer. We do swim lessons and I get her into some type of pool whenever I can. She has embraced the water.
We're starting small here, but I see gold, silver, or bronze in her future.
I do have a dream that Gabriella is going to be some rock star swimmer. We do swim lessons and I get her into some type of pool whenever I can. She has embraced the water.
We're starting small here, but I see gold, silver, or bronze in her future.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
17 months, going on 17 years
August 10, 2008
Today is the first day I really saw Gabriella's growing independence. Stew bought her some juice boxes, as a treat, the other day. I gave her one on the kitchen floor this afternoon and, of course, she loved it. (Who wouldn't love a box of basically sugar water!) At one point she yelled, "HELP," because she pulled the straw out and couldn't get it back in the box. I came over and showed her how to do it. Then I sat next to her, just to watch her fiddle with it a bit. After a few seconds, she turned to me, waved her hand, and said, "Bye! Bye! Bye!" (AKA = 'Get lost.')
Well okay then.
Today is the first day I really saw Gabriella's growing independence. Stew bought her some juice boxes, as a treat, the other day. I gave her one on the kitchen floor this afternoon and, of course, she loved it. (Who wouldn't love a box of basically sugar water!) At one point she yelled, "HELP," because she pulled the straw out and couldn't get it back in the box. I came over and showed her how to do it. Then I sat next to her, just to watch her fiddle with it a bit. After a few seconds, she turned to me, waved her hand, and said, "Bye! Bye! Bye!" (AKA = 'Get lost.')
Well okay then.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Continued
August 9, 2008, Part II
Gabriella wanted me to read her the "Cookie" book again. She handed me the book and said, "Read it."
Again, what a little smartie pants. Move over Walt Whitman.
Gabriella wanted me to read her the "Cookie" book again. She handed me the book and said, "Read it."
Again, what a little smartie pants. Move over Walt Whitman.
Who Stole the Cookie from the Cookie Jar?
August 9, 2008
Gabriella loves this book! This morning, while we were reading it, she pointed to the empty glass of milk in the picture and said, "Milk gone."
Little smartie pants.
Gabriella loves this book! This morning, while we were reading it, she pointed to the empty glass of milk in the picture and said, "Milk gone."
Little smartie pants.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
July 2008
Gabriella was given this new kitchen toy as a hand-me-down gift. I brought it upstairs this past week, along with some of the plastic food and utensils that go along with it. She LOVED it! I finally broke out the camera and took a (very grainy and poor grade) video clip of her playing with it. She's winding down here and getting pretty tired... but I chose this clip because of something that happens towards the end. She drops a small toy on her foot and starts crying. Check out what happens next.
I love the way she turns to me, like I'm some nut job, when I ask her to kiss her own foot!
Then she does it.
And she feels better.
Gabriella was given this new kitchen toy as a hand-me-down gift. I brought it upstairs this past week, along with some of the plastic food and utensils that go along with it. She LOVED it! I finally broke out the camera and took a (very grainy and poor grade) video clip of her playing with it. She's winding down here and getting pretty tired... but I chose this clip because of something that happens towards the end. She drops a small toy on her foot and starts crying. Check out what happens next.
I love the way she turns to me, like I'm some nut job, when I ask her to kiss her own foot!
Then she does it.
And she feels better.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Quirks
July 23, 2008
Age 17 months
Happy 17 month birthday Gabriella!
She's developing some quirks in her old age. We broke out her art easel the other day. She loves it (as evidenced by the picture!) However, she'll only use it after pushing her little wagon over to it and sitting down. Apparently she needs to get into her "creative space."
Age 17 months
Happy 17 month birthday Gabriella!
She's developing some quirks in her old age. We broke out her art easel the other day. She loves it (as evidenced by the picture!) However, she'll only use it after pushing her little wagon over to it and sitting down. Apparently she needs to get into her "creative space."
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Sweet -n- Sour
July 22, 2008
When I took off Gabriella's shoes after daycare today, I gave her feet the usual kiss. This time I also decided to take a big sniff....ahh.... they smelled like a cross between sweat and graham crackers. I thought they smelled delicious.
When I took off Gabriella's shoes after daycare today, I gave her feet the usual kiss. This time I also decided to take a big sniff....ahh.... they smelled like a cross between sweat and graham crackers. I thought they smelled delicious.
Umm....delicious
July 22, 2008
Age 17 months
This is how I know that Gabriella is more like Stew than myself. She informed us of her new favorite meal tonight - raw tofu and frozen peas. Insert image of me gagging myself. I'm not a big pea fan, and tofu has to be cooked and hidden in other food for me to enjoy. Gabriella packed it away though...imagine a mouth full of food and her signing "more." It was pretty cute.
Age 17 months
This is how I know that Gabriella is more like Stew than myself. She informed us of her new favorite meal tonight - raw tofu and frozen peas. Insert image of me gagging myself. I'm not a big pea fan, and tofu has to be cooked and hidden in other food for me to enjoy. Gabriella packed it away though...imagine a mouth full of food and her signing "more." It was pretty cute.
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Cousin Katelyn
July 11, 2008
She's growing up way too fast!
"Not touching you... not touching you..." Remember that game? It's starting here.
She's growing up way too fast!
"Not touching you... not touching you..." Remember that game? It's starting here.
"More Mulberries Please"
"MORE!" And what better way to wash down the mulberries? Dirty pool water, of course!
Good Wedding Times
July 12, 2008
Our good friend got married on the 12th. We had a fabulous time in New Hampshire at the wedding...it was also fun to see two good people get married. They just fit!
Gabriella tried corn on the cob for the first time (it was a hit..)
Our good friend got married on the 12th. We had a fabulous time in New Hampshire at the wedding...it was also fun to see two good people get married. They just fit!
Gabriella tried corn on the cob for the first time (it was a hit..)
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Vocabulary
July 4, 2008
Gabriella really knows a lot of words. I can't even count them anymore because I hear a couple new words each day! I wanted to document how cute she sounds saying a few of the the more common ones....
Gabriella really knows a lot of words. I can't even count them anymore because I hear a couple new words each day! I wanted to document how cute she sounds saying a few of the the more common ones....
Friday, June 27, 2008
Three Generations Under the Mulberry Tree
June 27, 2008
Oh, Michelle, that is sooo sweet! Nice post, a story about the tree. Just for an added knowledge. I grew up with a mulberry tree in our yard in Futog and have also fond memories about the tree. In the early spring, when the leaves were still young, we would collect the leaves and feed them to silk-worms that my father would raise. Then later on in the summer we used to collect the mulberries, ferment them in a barrel and make "slivovitz" out of them. Our job was climbing the tree, shaking the branches and then sweeping the yard every day to collect the fallen berries. After whatever was left on the ground the pigs would eat. The tree was also our (the children's) lookout point to see what was going on outside our yard. We would climb to the top and spend hours watching the horizon. When the firehouse bells would ring we would get to the top of the tree to see where the fire was and than tell the curious neighbors the location. Then the tree served as practice for our Tarzan skills. We would climb to the top and than slide down on the outside branches, holding on and bending the branches all the way down. And finally, the mulberry tree was the place I would "run away" to from home. One day, I had a fight with my mom and I decided to run away. My brother and I got up the tree and my mother just said, "Wait 'till your father gets home!" Well, my brother and I unhitched a door and with ropes pulled the door up the tree and tied it to the top branches. Then we got some blankets and bedding and made ourselves comfortable. Soon our father came home, and just looked up the tree, pointed his finger up and said, "Down," and down we came to get our spankings and the order to put the door back in place. The tree lived many, many years, and grew bigger and bigger, fed many pigs, provided many liters (gallons) of slivovitz and finally, when the "slivovitz" production stopped, it was cut down because the mulberries became a slimy mess in the yard, on the roof and the gutter. Actually, the fermentation process did not stop, it was going on in the yard, on the roof and the gutters and when the pigs would eat these fermented berries they, too, got a little "buzz."
--Email from my Mom
Oh, Michelle, that is sooo sweet! Nice post, a story about the tree. Just for an added knowledge. I grew up with a mulberry tree in our yard in Futog and have also fond memories about the tree. In the early spring, when the leaves were still young, we would collect the leaves and feed them to silk-worms that my father would raise. Then later on in the summer we used to collect the mulberries, ferment them in a barrel and make "slivovitz" out of them. Our job was climbing the tree, shaking the branches and then sweeping the yard every day to collect the fallen berries. After whatever was left on the ground the pigs would eat. The tree was also our (the children's) lookout point to see what was going on outside our yard. We would climb to the top and spend hours watching the horizon. When the firehouse bells would ring we would get to the top of the tree to see where the fire was and than tell the curious neighbors the location. Then the tree served as practice for our Tarzan skills. We would climb to the top and than slide down on the outside branches, holding on and bending the branches all the way down. And finally, the mulberry tree was the place I would "run away" to from home. One day, I had a fight with my mom and I decided to run away. My brother and I got up the tree and my mother just said, "Wait 'till your father gets home!" Well, my brother and I unhitched a door and with ropes pulled the door up the tree and tied it to the top branches. Then we got some blankets and bedding and made ourselves comfortable. Soon our father came home, and just looked up the tree, pointed his finger up and said, "Down," and down we came to get our spankings and the order to put the door back in place. The tree lived many, many years, and grew bigger and bigger, fed many pigs, provided many liters (gallons) of slivovitz and finally, when the "slivovitz" production stopped, it was cut down because the mulberries became a slimy mess in the yard, on the roof and the gutter. Actually, the fermentation process did not stop, it was going on in the yard, on the roof and the gutters and when the pigs would eat these fermented berries they, too, got a little "buzz."
--Email from my Mom
Thursday, June 26, 2008
June 26, 2008
We love our Mulberry tree. We almost lost this tree in the crazy October storm a couple of years ago. The trunk was split and the branches drooped to the ground. Our Mulberry tree takes up the right half of these pictures. You can see how it was totally bent in half:
We love our Mulberry tree. We almost lost this tree in the crazy October storm a couple of years ago. The trunk was split and the branches drooped to the ground. Our Mulberry tree takes up the right half of these pictures. You can see how it was totally bent in half:
Thanks to my Mom:
and her ability to give it some TLC (some serious pruning,) the Mulberry tree is now thriving again. Of all the things that were damaged in that storm, Stew and I found ourselves having the biggest emotional reaction to the tree. Every year the tree would bear fruit and feed the robins that made our yard their home. Also, every night while Stew played fetch with Abraham, Ellis would lay on the driveway, eating the Mulberries that dropped to the ground. The tree holds a lot of happy little memories. We are so thankful that it has remained alive and healthy.
This past week, the Mulberries have ripened. In usual form, we find Ellis snacking on the fruit as his brother gets a good evening of exercise. I introduced Gabriella to the delights of the Mulberry tree tonight. At first she winced and spit the fruit out. Ellis, our overweight and dependably hungry Golden Retriever, snatched up her discarded berry. I continued to offer her the berries and after a few times of spitting them out and Ellis wolfing them down, she discovered that they actually taste pretty good. It wasn't long before she pointed to the tree and yelled, "More!"
It made my heart melt. By the time we came in for the evening, she was a dirty purple mess. She was also the newest Loewy to adore the Mulberry tree.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Appreciation
June 25, 2008
Up until 1.5 weeks ago I considered our crib to be the most expensive decorative item in the nursery. Sometimes we used it to put to-be-folded laundry in it, but it was almost never used for sleeping.
Last week, when we returned from Orlando, we took advantage of the transition and decided to put her to bed in her crib. For the first time ever, she didn't go berzerk - maybe a few brief sqeaks, but that was it. And wouldn't you know, she slept throughout the night!
Now, a week and a half later, she is going to bed easily (squeak-free) around 6pm, and sleeping until 6am! I don't even know what to do with all that free time! Stew and I were talking about how it feels like the "old days" again - quality husband time, each of us rested in the morning, etc. The downside? Well, we get home around 5 or 5:30pm, and we have time for her dinner, bath, and pretty much straight to bed. :(
We miss her!
Nonetheless, the value of Gabriella's crib has quadrupled. We're actually getting our money's worth out of it. I'm also thankful for the time I get to spend alone with Stew again.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)