There are really no words to describe this video. All I know is, Titus has never before responded so ecstatically to any object (or person for that matter). It’s kind of amazing. And kinda freaky.
Go to video (Note: best viewed with sound turned up)
Little Baby King of All Wild Things
April 12th, 2010OK, here you go
March 3rd, 2010
One of those just-woke-up smiles. 5 months old.
I really wanna catch the one he gives me when he’s tickled and gregarious. Because it’s like being handed a basketful of puppies. It’s like hot sunshine being poured over your head. Or like maple syrup on homemade buttermilk pancakes. A hundred different similes wouldn’t do it justice. My sweet Titus.
While pregnant, discussing what to name this boy, I told Scott that I couldn’t imagine whispering sweet nothings to someone named Titus. I could very well imagine exclaiming in cross, menacing tones, “Titus Kesler!” to a boy who had just done something to get himself into trouble, but “My darling Titus?” Not so much.
But then I met him. And it’s as easy as pie to whisper “Sweet Titus,” to this one. Yes, he’ll grow up to be a strong, stalwart man. But for now he’s my sweet, happy, adorable little baby boy. And I want to eat his cheeks.
New camera
February 19th, 2010
Hello, snow
February 18th, 2010Remember when it snowed in Birmingham? Really snowed? Like, all day long snowed? That was fun. Best of all, it snowed again, two days later. The second snowfall melted as soon as the light of day touched it, but it was all the more magical because it was a surprise and because it happened at night. There’s something otherworldly about an evening snowfall (cue The Cure’s Disintegration album). I was driving home, and all of the sudden out of nowhere these giant snowflakes start swooping out of the sky, heavy and thick. My street was silent and cold and dark. The snow swirled and sparkled in the light of the streetlight. I stood there for a while, looking up and catching snowflakes on my tongue. It was beautiful.
Waits, of course, was thrilled. Here he is hurling a snowball at Scott.
See more photos here.
Tough skulls
January 25th, 2010The people have requested MORE TITUS PHOTOS, so I’m trying to appease. I mean, come on, he’s the second kid, how many photos do you need? You see one baby, you’ve seen them all. And how much time do you think I have on my hands these days, anyway?
Here are my boys. Have I told you how much I love my boys? I love them sooooo much! (said in my best Ed McDunnough voice) I was kinda worried for Titus, that I had used up all of my love on Waits; I mean, how can my heart be given over like this, all over again? I need not have worried. It’s hard to explain, but somehow, having Titus around makes me love BOTH boys even more.
Last week, Waits accidentally kicked Titus in the head. Three or four times, and hard. Waits was wearing shoes, and hit Titus right in the soft spot at close range. The pediatrician sent us to Children’s ER — our 2nd emergency room visit for a head injury in less than 3 years. So, at the ripe old age of 4 months, Titus underwent his first CT. Screaming bloody hell.
Poor little guy is totally fine. I should have advised the doctors: if he’s anything Waits, he has a remarkably resilient skull. Turns out, he’s also about to get his first tooth. Now I’m gonna pull a mommy moment here and weepily exclaim: They grow so fast!
Titus seems to be more laid-back than Waits in some ways. He doesn’t mind being bathed or changed, and he will actually take a bottle from someone else besides Mama. (All of which blows my mind — I’m like, really? I can change your diaper without having to wrestle you? He actually giggles when I change his clothes. Amazing!) He happily resists all scheduling, and doesn’t really see the point of sleeping through the night. He has been perfectly healthy, with not even a diaper rash or the slightest bit of reflux to complain about. At the same time, he’s louder than Waits was at this age (the ecstatic growling! the enraged screaming!), and he’s bigger, too. I’m wondering if we have a little Rooster on our hands.
Friends with blogs
December 21st, 2009
Four Walls Down
There are certain among us who inevitably wind up at most social gatherings standing in the corner, clutching beers to chests, and pontificating about musical trivia. Some of us also happen to be damn good writers. I think you know where I’m going with this. I know, it’d be way cooler if we just got into fistfights or picked our boogers and posted the videos online, but instead we’re going to bore you with outrageous claims and exquisite prose. Because the world needs to hear exactly why Cracker is still relevant, why Van Hagar deserves some credit, and why we should listen to Ryan Adams in spite of his persona.
Thought For Food
Back in Asheville, I worked at a renowned ceramics supply store and art school. About three or four times a year, the community would gather for a potluck to celebrate whatever season it happened to be. The biggest of these was centered on Winter Solstice / Christmas / Whatever-You-Celebrate-At-Year’s-End. And for me, the word “potluck” was forever transformed into something glorious. Dude, potters can cook. The spread would always be magnificent, with only the best culinary efforts on display — not a single serving of neon-green, marshmallow-bedecked ambrosia or chicken casserole to be found. Best of all, us vegetarians didn’t have to push the food around on our plates and pretend to eat (can you imagine a world where folks don’t put meat in everything?). People, it’s what potlucks in heaven are going to be like. It made me realize that the quality of the food offered at a meal really does make a difference — good food brings people together in a way that lackluster food can’t ever hope to. No matter how well meant or spiritually inclined.
If you too have a fondness for food par excellence, you should read my friend Katy’s blog. Thing about Katy is, she loves food. Of course, she prefers it fresh, in season, local and organic if possible. And she enjoys figuring out the best way to prepare anything. She also happens to be a pretty good writer. An irresistible combination in my book. Even if you only have the slightest interest in good food, Katy’s blog will both entertain and inform you, plus! she also occasionally gives away fun kitchen gadgets like milk frothers. Here’s to good eating.
Odelay
December 7th, 2009Hello, interwebs! I’m baaaaack.
Look who arrived while I was away:
Internet, meet Maxwell Titus; Titus, meet your rabid fans. Titus will be three months old this week. He is one of the happiest babies I’ve ever known, but he only shows me his happy face. If you met him on the street, he’d give you a Very Serious Look, more like this:
We spent Thanksgiving in Charleston, SC, and Titus maintained his serious face for pretty much everyone except for Grandmom. He beamed at Grandmom. Smart kid.
He also did a lot of this:
Waits, on the other hand, did not sleep much at all.
(last three photos by my brother Toby)
Proceed and be bold!
August 9th, 2009Sitting in the doctor’s office the other day, I read about Amos Kennedy in Thicket Magazine. I love his work! I have a poorly cultivated but rampant affection for the art of letters and typography and I’m a sucker for letterpress designs. I also really like his tone.
From the “Buy Posters” page of his website:
Printing is what we do. You send the text and a check, and go home and pray. We do not know what will happen until we are at the press. The design of your poster is determined in real time. Sometimes we produce beautiful posters and at other times we produce BEAUTIFUL posters.
Love it.
Totally unrelated: I cannot wait to see this movie. Nor this one. Two of my favorite stories, ever. So exciting.
Ah, friends. Pregnancy sucks my brain. I have quite a few posts in the works — on the art of wabi-sabi, on missing my dad, on how much I dislike pregnancy, and on a music blog that a few friends are starting (and about which I’m pretty excited) — but for now all I got is this: pointing at random things and grunting, “Me like!”
State of the Waits
May 14th, 2009
An eerie resemblance:
(Left) One of our favorite photos of Waits.
(Right) Tom Waits album cover art.
One evening last week, after Scott got home from work, Waits started turning somersaults on the bed. We’ve never taught him how to somersault. He just stood up and hurled himself head-over-heels onto the bed. “Hurled” in the true sense of the word — pitched his body into the air, a fast arc of flying limbs. He didn’t need any coaxing or encouragement; he didn’t start off slow and easy, crouched low to the ground. No, he just took off jumping headfirst at the bed — fearless, reckless, with great abandon. Repeatedly.
Later, Scott and I watched Quantum of Solace and there went Daniel Craig as James Bond hurling himself through the air, crashing his boat headlong into another boat to make the bad guys stop, and I thought, there goes Waits. Indomitable.
Waits is at my favorite age yet, and being pregnant I haven’t had the energy to document it, so I’m trying my best to just soak it up and take it in, so that I can remember. The way his mind works: fascinating and fresh and wonderful. His sense of humor, his belly laughs. His endless commentary on whatever wondrous thing lies before us, whether it be a snail on the front steps, or how the water pipes travel in and out of the wall. His infectious enthusiasm. His unpredictability. I feel like every day with him is a sweet golden gift, teaching me to be more observant, patient, open; to go more slowly. He tries my patience a hundred times a day, but he also opens my eyes to the deep wonder of the world. I feel so lucky to be his mom.
Cinco de Mayo
May 5th, 2009
What a fun day that was! Happy anniversary, my love.
