More Extreme Cuteness

Aron caught this picture today. I'm stunned that she is so cute. I'm also stunned that it seems like just months ago that Eliot was the little topsy turvey kid we had sitting on this rubber mat that theoretically would cushion an oversized head if it were to fall onto it. That also seems like it was years ago at our big huge house in Duluth.

Eliot gave Naomi a sip of water out of his cup today. He is an incredibly generous and caring big brother. We're going to give Naomi her first 'solid' food (watered down rice cereal) in a few weeks. I imagine he is going to have a really good time with that.

Star Struck

Click on the title - you can read about Marcia Cross' wedding (she plays Marie Van de Camp on Desperate Housewives) and our friend who preached at our wedding Eva Kopp then and now Eva Cavaleri did their wedding and is mentioned in US Weekly. We're all famous:) Yes I'm a goober, I know.

From Convention

This picture came via email from Robert who was at our table group - number 32 at convention. Naomi was with Louise from Hawaii. Those eyes are something else. Naomi and Eliot are upstairs right now in the same bedroom trying to go to sleep. Before I left they were both giggling. I hope to listen to Bishop Frank Griswald tonight on Fresh Air with Terry Gross in a half hour - we'll see if they're asleep by then.

Sweet, Sweet Brother

Eliot and Naomi are enjoying each other the last few days. Eliot has been asking to have Naomi sit on his lap and next to him all the time. He even sat with his arm around her on the couch today. He gave her a flower to smell today and let her chew on his finger (poor baby is teething like a wild, drooling animal) and offered her something to drink. She seems really interested in and amused by him. I told Eliot today that in a year Naomi will be really fun and be able to play with him and walk and stuff. He looked at me as if I was crazy - kind of like he was thinking 'goodness mom, she is fun now you big ol' goober.'

Another Beautiful Picture

She is so adorable. I'm blown away everyday. Naomi and Eliot are having a great time lately. I won't wish their childhoods away. I won't wish their childhoods away. Oh my gosh its going to be so fun when they can really play together and Naomi can actually eat the food Eliot offers her. I won't wish their childhoods away. I won't wish their childhoods away.

What Can I Say About This One

I got about five really stunning pictures of Naomi one morning at convention and here is one of them. Can you believe how beautiful she is?

Eliot seems really happy to have her around. He keeps asking to hold her on his lap and he keeps offering her drinks and pieces of food. They actually made each other laugh the other day.
I preview to the future.

I thought we'd have a period of Eliot being really mad at me or acting out or something and it hasn't happened yet. And Naomi has just moved right back into her pre-convention routine. Life is good. Now if only I could make sense of General Convention.

The Naomi Resolution

Despite an incredibly intense day of still responding to the Windsor Report we managed to get some legislation passed. Part of that legislation was the resolution asking for child care from birth to age twelve at the next General Convention and all conventions in the future. The resolution passed unanimously from what I can tell. The committee spoke about the resolution and talked about how they named it the Naomi resolution. People all day were talking about the "Naomi resolution" when we walked by. Although it was shadowed by so many other things today I'm really glad to see that Naomi's presence has made a positive effect on the future experience of infants and parents alike at General Convention.

ps - right now she is laying on the bed laughing and talking - I think she is beyond tired and although I feel sad for her its pretty incredibly cute.

Long. Confusing. Intense. 2nd to Last Day

It was a long day - yesterday technically - I'm still awake after mid-night which in many ways makes me an odd General Convention attendee. We voted down the resolution I spoke against on Monday - yeah! Things are brewing - I can't tell what. Tomorrow will tell. In the mean time I'm struggling with how I feel about the Anglican Communion and I'm crystal clear that I won't sign on for a moratorium on same sex blessings or consecrations of LGBT folks.

Naomi was a trooper once again. We had three legislative sessions. She spent most of the day in the House of Deputies and slept in the Bishop's suite with Marilyn the Bishop's wife during the final session. She is famous around her now. Its pretty wild.

We get to come home and see Eliot and daddy soon. Yeah! I got teary eyed during a prayer today because I was looking at the pictures I have of the kids on the table in front of me. It will be good to see Eliot. We chatted on the phone this morning and he counted to five sort of and said egg.

Heres to My Family

Aron, Eliot and Naomi thank you so much for the sacrifices you've made to let me be here at convention. Naomi you slept on my overly-hot shoulder off and on today so I could take you with me onto a podium and speak out for the full inclusion of all people and especially gay and lesbian people. Eliot thanks for living without your mama for all of ten days and parts of two other days. I miss you sweet kid and can hardly wait to see what you're up to. Aron thanks for taking on two full time jobs during the World Cup so I could be here and thanks being so good natured about it and putting up with my ranting on the phone when I woke you up last night. I love you and appreciate your support.

Naomi Sleeps Through History Making

I took this self photo right after it was announced that we officially have a female Presiding Bishop. In order to push the button on the camera it was easier to hold it upside down and as I started to edit it this morning I realized its kind of appropriate. The world was turned upside down yesterday and today we get to see what falls out of its pockets when we shake it. I was feeling last night like its kind of a bummer in a way that Naomi won't know what it is to fight for leadership. It felt last night like its kind of a metaphore that she slept through this huge thing. I realized I love that it might get boring to her when I talk about glass ceilings and other relics of my time. I wondered if she'd start to take this new world for granted. Then I realized that I hope she does. I hope she expects to really have choices in the world. I hope she expects to really take on the responsibility of having those choices and ensuring that everyone around her does too.

I think its my job and our job now to sweep up the glass of that old ceiling so the next generations don't start up the ladder with cuts in the heels of their feet. Its our job to pick up that glass and make something good of it. Its our job to break the rest of the glass ceilings that stand in the way of people of color and people of all classes. Maybe next generations will stop being worried about that darn ladder, sit together at the table and care for one another.

More News From Home

Eliot spent Saturday and Sunday night at Gramma and Grampa's house. I hear they had a goof fun time including a bath after sweating and sun screen and the sand box. Gosh that is a fun kid.

Everything Changed Today

Today on Naomi's 5 month birthday the Episcopal Church elected the very first female primate in Anglican Church History. We were there! I'm stunned that now - something I never really imagined could happen (I so didn't imagine it that I stepped out for the afternoon and had RC our alternate at the table) - my children will not have a concept of a world in which a woman can't be a leader. Right now everything seems possible to me. We can include gay people fully in the church. We can grow and prosper and more and more people will become Episcopalian and proud of it. We can put our energy on the Millennium Development Goals. My kids won't know a world where women aren't Presiding Bishops - and women aren't talked about as potential Presidential candidates. In their world women do these wild things.

I've been kicking myself all day for not being there and not getting to actually put my name on the paper that says I think its a good thing to have a Presiding Bishop. It was a last second decision to not be on the floor and instead in the alternates section (and really out walking around in the exhibit hall with Rosa Lee) and in some way I think this is a message to me to be patient and have hope and stick with things. I just thought we'd elect some guy who would be no big deal and decided doing something else would be a lot more fun.

Here on Naomi's five month birthday the whole world changed. Everything changed.

Top Ten Things Heard from 'Behind the Stroller'

10. Does that deputy have credentials? (you have to have credentials to get on the legislative floor of the House of Deputies)

9. I think we'll have to have a special order for Naomi to be on the floor (technicallly the President of the House of Deputies needs to create a special order to let anyone on the floor other than deputies - even for the pages that run messages back and forth for us - I noticed they diddn't do a special order for the camera and micrphone people tho).

8. This must be the youngest deputy.

7. He is so cute (heard only on the day Naomi wore a white dress with lace on it and on the day she wore a shirt with puffed sleeves and pink flowers hmmm...).

6. Oh she/he is so well behaved.

5. Can Naomi sit at our table today?

4. How old is the baby?

3. What a beautiful baby.

2. You're brave to do this.

And number one - only because I think its so goofy.

1. Is this her first General Convention? (they only happen every three years - even Eliot wasn't born during the last one). 

Getting To Know Naomi

This time with Naomi is so precious to me. We're busy and out and about a lot and I actually get to focus on her a lot more - or at least it feels that way. She has a playful and light spirit all of her own and I'm so impressed with her. She is patient and open to people and curious and stunningly beautiful. I have a picture of both kids (and two pictures of just Eliot too) at my table on the convention floor and when I used to look at the picture of both kids I'd often find myself paying more attention to Eliot in the picture. I noticed today that has changed. I look at both of them now. That sounds more trite than it is - its a cool shift - I feel very bonded with little Naomi and her cool as could be self.

More Pictures from Home

Vicki sent a whole bunch of wonderful pictures of Eliot tonight. They have a sand box and sand out at Gramma and Grampa's house now. It looks like Eliot even played in bare feet in the sandbox. Thanks for the pictures Vicki- its so nice to have them.

I've been getting great stories from people at home. I guess Eliot and Isadora had a giggle attack at snack time the other day and Eliot asked to wear Vicki's watch for a while. Eliot even helped Aron sleep for a while the other day while we were on the phone.

I sort of understand how people can go to work - when I'm busy during the day and focused on legislation and Naomi I'm able to not focus on Eliot - its nice to trust and know that he is doing so well. And it will be nice to be back home getting to go on his daily wonderful adventures.

I Love This Picture and I Love This Kid

Only Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and part of Thursday until I get to see him again. I shouldn't have worded it that way.

Oh My Gosh I Adore this Child

I'm missing Eliot right now. I just found an audio file on my computer with Naomi cooing and Eliot and I counting and roaring like a lion and saying hi and outside and slide and other fun things. Goodness. It made me realize how constant my interactions are with him and how precious.

Playing at the Park

Note the shoes and socks in this picture. Eliot has two extremely cute pairs of sandals at home. He refuses to wear them. If we put them on his feet he cries and cries and cries with tears and drool and the whole deal. Pretty funny.

Wide Angle Eliot

Click on the title to see some fun pictures Laurie took of Eliot today on a wide angle lense she rented. I think they're really fun - and make Eliot look a little bit like a duck:)

I've been Touched By Greatness

I think Bishop V. Gene Robinson wouldn't like to hear me say this and still I have to say how super insanely excited I am. I testified this morning about the resolution calling for child care at General Convention and it turns out Bishop Robinson is the chair of the committee. So I got testify and speak to him and the other members of the committee of course. I'm sure he said more than this to me but I can quote him saying "nice prop!" to me about Naomi. It was funny. He is a funny and humble man who is smart and wise. He pointed out that if the Church can spend all of this money on General Convention there is no reason there shouldn't be money that can be spent to allow parents to be deputies and feel confident that their children are being well cared for. This all feels real to me in a way now. I testified. I talked to Gene Robinson. I'll probably get to see this resolution on the floor of the House of Deputies. Wow! If nothing else I do changes anything - I think this will. And get this - the woman who filed the resolution to have child care at convention doesn't even have children of her own! She just saw me and I assume other parents around and thought something should be done about it. Pretty cool if you ask me.

Finally! Pictures From Home

Oh my goodness I love these guys so much. I can hardly stand how wonderful that is. 

I Think That is Eliot's First Corn on the Cob Right off the Cob

 

Goodness Is he 2 or 200 Years Old

 

The Speaking of Faith Spirituality and Parenting Piece is Up

Click on the link and scroll down - you'll see a picture of all of us and hear the interview with me. So I'm not really ON Speaking of Faith I guess - I'm on the web site. Oh well - its still cool.

Phone Calls from Home

Aron and Eliot called me the other day to leave a message. Eliot said what a lion says and he said hi and mama and he counted to ten with Aron and said train (toot toot) and said bye bye. I have two pictures of Eliot and one of both kids sitting at my space at our table on the legislative floor. Its nice to get to see his cute face while I'm there. Right now I feel far away from him. The day before we left I had some music playing and he wanted me to pick him up so we danced for a while. I can imagine what it felt like to hold onto him and dance around the house. It will be good to be home and being away isn't the heart wrenching thing I thought it might be - just mostly a dull ache and happiness that I'm here doing something important.

I've been getting updates about his adventures from Vicki and Nancy and Aron of course. I wonder how he'll be different when we get home. He is already, it seems, pronouncing words better.

Sleep Beautiful Sleep

Naomi slept from 2 pm yesterday until 9 am this morning - with a few wake up breaks for eating, crying, going to our deputation chat session to sleep on Karen's bed, pooping all over the bathroom and taking a bath. She is such a trooper. Aron gives her baths at home and I tried this morning. I have to admit I think she came out of our little tiny sink dirtier than she was when she went in. I found some weird 'crunchies' under her chin a half our after the bath. Now she has diaper rash.

I slept for a while yesterday afternoon and was woken by a horrible night mare and then realized I was hungry and wasn't sure what time of day it was and what meal I was supposed to eat. I think I'm picking up on a bit more anxiety than I realized. I've had three horrible scary dreams where people are trying to hurt and attack either me or the kids or all three of us and in one the world was coming to an end by being covered in some bizarre thick foam.

I also had an amazing dream last night where I was in a woman's house and it was falling to pieces - it looked completely abandoned with a broken down ridge along the roof which seemed to be about to fall in. It was right by the sea and she turned out to be an amazing author from the fifteenth century or something like that and she was still alive and had been this amazing pioneer for women. She was beautiful with gorgeous grey hair and beautiful flowing old lady clothes and she was just fantastic.

Coverage of Our Deputation in Columbus

General Convention Gets Gooey

Just yesterday afternoon I was feeling so together about General Convention. Despite the toothpick fiasco I had managed to only get a tiny bit of spit up on the awesome wardrobe Nancy lent me (thanks Nan!) and Naomi and I had been getting along and getting around quite well. Since I wrote the last blog tho we've had a few interesting times.

Right after I finished the blog I managed to spill a full glass of Coke on the floor (in the pitch black room of course) I didn't know it was falling until I heard it hit the floor and then felt it hit my head and shoulder and leg. The glass somehow fell down and then all of the Coke bounced up. Twenty minutes after it happened I found a drop of Coke on the side of my forehead - mmmm.

Then last night at our committee meeting Naomi was screaming and I went into the hall and a very nice man who I sort of know offered to take Naomi so I could return to the meeting. He returned a few minutes later without her and informed me that she was doing fine. I sat there for a few minutes feeling weird that he'd returned without her but I couldn't hear her crying. Then I heard her start to cry again and realized I don't know him well enough to think he knows anyone that I know well so I (despite being hugely embarrassed) packed up the stroller and walked out only to find Naomi in the arms of someone I don't know at all. She said, "oh good, here you are, I thought her daddy had abandoned her." Goodness! Just when I think I'm being too protective - I realize I'm not.

This morning Naomi's diaper managed to leak all over the first pants I've worn here that weren't black. I was sitting on the legislative floor wondering why I could smell baby diaper even tho Naomi was off with Terry. It took me an hour to realize there was a nice 'puddle' of poo on my pants about the size of Rhode Island.

More Heart Breaking Cuteness

If you look really hard at this picture you'll see Eliot and his baby spending some time together. I was working in the kitchen on Saturday and heard Eliot climbing around on the dining room chairs and thought he was trying to get on the table so I went in ready to be annoyed and pull him off and found this. Eliot put his baby in the chair and was climbing up to eat with it in the chair I usually sit in when we eat. I set them up with the plates and cups. After I caught the picture Eliot asked for something to drink so I filled his cup and the baby's cup up with water. He drank his water and then climbed down and gave the baby some water out of his/her (we're still not sure) cup.

Adorable Outfit from Terry

Naomi is wearing her fantastic outfit Terry Roberts gave her when she was born - just especially for General Convention. Its Terry's birthday today -- Happy Birthday Terry!! She looks so cute. So fashionable. So put together. Is she really my daughter??

Right now she is sleeping on the hotel bed all swaddled up in her cuteness. I'm sitting in a pitch black room eating room serve and just poked myself in the mouth with a tooth pick the size of a flag pole. I'm so glad it didn't go up my nose.

Bok Bok

I got a fun report this evening from Gramma who Eliot spent the day with (thank you Gramma). He met his first rooster and some of Gramma and Grampa's new neighbor's and he thought he saw a spider at their house but it was a hair clip. He even walked all the way up the hill by himself. It sounds like he had a great day and didn't miss me or daddy even in the slightest. Its so funny to say (and not funny at all) that I love it when he doesn't even care if I leave and it was great (even tho I cried a bit) the he just didn't care at all when we left. Some people have told me I'll pay for this one when I get home. I just hope he doesn't pay at all.

Naomi Takes on Convention

What a day for Naomi - she just finally fell asleep at 10:30 pm (9:30 pm at home). She had a short nap on the plane and two short naps today and that is all. Poor baby. She was an incredible trooper today - smiles and fun on the plane and she was passed all over and was a joy - until she kind of hit the wall off on and for the past two hours and who can blame her. She got to see Terry Roberts today and she got to meet Kesha (Eliot's God Mommy) and Howard (Eliot's God Mommy's Daddy) and Susan Russell. I can't believe we're here and that we left Eliot at home. Its all surreal!

Eliot and His Baby

Eliot and his baby have been hanging out a lot lately. They sat in his stroller in the back yard enjoying a piece of cheese the other day. Goodness I'm going to miss him while I'm away. I hope he doesn't miss me. I hope the ten days without Naomi and I fly by for him and he just has a great time hanging out with daddy and watching soccer and eating a lot of meat.

We're Going to Be on the Radio

Speaking of Faith - the awesome Public Radio show - invertiewed me (sort of - I sent in my reflections about spirituality and parenting and they called and had me say what I'd written over the phone which was very fun) and I'm going to be on the radio.

The show will air around the US on public radio on and after June 15th. Check your local listings! This picture taken by our friend Joe Bjordal will be on the web site too.

The World Cup

I caught this picture a few days ago. Aron, Naomi and Eliot were checking out one of the seemingly endless web sites dedicated to all things World Cup. It started this morning. Eliot and Aron watched the Spanish channel and saw the first goal of the World Cup - which I think was pretty cool because it was made by a German (and Germany is hosting this World Cup).

Eliot seemed somewhat intererested in the game - at least he was excited to see the soccer ball flying around.

He also seemed more intereted in taking care of his baby who spent some time riding in Naomi's swing (which Eliot managed to figure out on his own). He also walked around rocking his arms back and forth (the sign for baby) and saying baby, baby, baby (bee bee, bee bee, bee bee). 

Even Nudists Need Accessorizing

Eliot has spent a good deal of time playing in the water in only his diaper or less lately. He loves, loves, loves to be outside and its great fun. Last week I was pulling the dead flowers off our wonderful pansys and Eliot decided to 'help' by ripping several nice new flowers off the plant. In order to distract him I put one behind my ear. He wanted one too so I put one behind his ear (I tried to get a picture of this but instead managed to get a picture of the two of us in which you couldn't see our flowers not once but four times - yes I really need to cut my hair!).

After both of our flowers fell out from behind our ears Eliot went up the pansys and pulled two petals off a flower and accessorized as you can see here - I suppose if you can't get the flower behind your ear what's the harm in wearing it in your ear.

+ note to the curious blog watcher - although it looks like Eliot is picking his butt he isn't, he really isn't - its impossible to pick your butt while wearing a diaper.

Shirt From Aunt Laurie

Laurie got this shirt for Eliot in El Salvador. He wore it to church on Sunday. Can you believe how fun he is - just look at that kid! He is talking a lot lately and stringing words together two at a time - or sometimes a word and a sign. He is so energetic and loves to be outside lately. I'm really going to miss him while I'm away. 

Over She Goes??

I caught this picture of Naomi yesterday. She is super close to rolling over (if only I'd put her on the floor enough to give her a chance to figure it out). We have a picture very similar to this one of Eliot somewhere that Betsy took and now Betsy is here when Naomi is this age. Life is a circle man. 

What a Joy

I don't even know how to talk about what a joy Naomi is lately. She is so social that she gets distracted when people talk while she is nursing. I don't know how she is going to eat while we're at General Convention. She is social, social, social. Yesterday at church (while she was wearing that adorable dress) her Gramma Vicki was holding her and she was looking over toward Eliot, Auntie Laurie and I and smiling like a wild woman. She is happy, talkative and as you can see absolutly adorable. A joy. A joy. A joy. 

Eliot's First Job

We told Eliot he'd have to cover a good part of his college tuition so he went out and got his first acting gig. As you can see he is a method actor. Aron is so proud!

Eliot's First Inch Worm

We found an inch worm outside on Eliot's blanket today and, as usual, Aron caught this wonderful picture. Eliot didn't really understand the concept of not pinching the inch worm which I guess is understandable since he walked two blocks yesterday with a very crawly, creepy, beetle-y bug pinched between his fingers while also pushing his bunny in the stroller and it didn't seem to mind in the slightest.

Do Inch Worms Swim?

Eliot dunked the inch worm in this bowl of water serveral times. I remember doing this with ants as a kid. Isthis form of organism classification (my nice mommy word for insect brutality) genetic? 

Lining Things Up Version 2.0

Eliot loves to line his cars and trucks up and I caught him last week taking that to a whole new level. He (as you can see) lined up all of the dining room chairs then he tried sitting on each chair. I've been holding onto this picture because I feel like I've had a lack of profound observations lately and this one felt like it had potential (which is probably does) I just seem to be having a dry spell of sorts. 

Hangin' With His Babies

His Babies

Eliot has loved his baby doll and his bunnies for a long time now. Today he has been particularly into them. Just now he asked to watch a video so I seized on the opportunity to clean the kitchen (which I'm not doing at all because this was just too priceless). I came around the corner and found him hanging with his babies. Earlier today he was burping his blue bunny and his bunny went to sleep on the kitchen counter. He made sure I knew the bunny was sleeping. He is such a sweet daddy.

Dismissed as Coincidence??

Yesterday Eliot noticed his toy bus in a picture in a magazine and got extremely excited. He dropped the two racket ball balls he'd been dropping at the same time and watching bounce all over the room and grabbed his bus. He sat and compared the stop sign on the bus with the stop sign in the picture and the blue band of pictures on the edge and the lights. It was amazing. That's not the point of this post tho.

After being all excited about the bus he said he wanted to go outside. There is a school bus parked within sight of our dining room windows on most days and I kept telling him he could see the bus out the window (it was another hot day and I didn't really want to go outside). He insisted and insisted (bus, door, outside, door, bus, bus) until finally I opened the front door and moments later a bus drove by.