Archive for June, 2010
Two-nager
24
Jun
I have seen the future and it sits on the couch ignoring me for some sort of technological device. Who knows what the kids will be interested in in “the future” but this iPod gives us a glimpse of what they will look like when they are paying attention to it instead of doing their homework or whatever.
Two-nager from Brad Topliff on Vimeo.
5 months old and all is well
22
Jun
I have to say 5 months old seems like a pretty good place to be. Hazel just reached it and she seems as content as a baby can be. She has learned to communicate by smiling and shrieking like the one of the finalists for the next American Banshee (which only happens when we have failed to feed her fast enough. Oops!). She has “nearly” mastered giggling and is in absolutely no danger of rolling over anytime soon. And why should she even try? Peas, carrots, sweet potatoes and all manner of organic fruits and roots are lovingly pureed, lovingly packaged and then lovingly shipped to us via the internet (brought to you by Al Gore) where they are gently spooned into her toothless grin. She follows each bite with one of her fists to see how many times Mommy can try to futilely block them to avoid an even bigger feeding disaster. (“Hazel’s messy!” declares Grace). Bottles are plentiful. There is no shortage of cuddling arms to hold a baby that wants to be held around here. Mommy, Daddy, Gigi, Grammie, Nana, even Grace and Lincoln can’t stop hugging and kissing (or licking) that little fuzzy head.
Life is good…arm-shaking and leg-kicking good!
We love you Hazy! Happy 5th Monthiversary!
100 0180 from Brad Topliff on Vimeo.
My Date
16
Jun
It has been a little too long since I posted something, so hopefully I can build some momentum with this one. This series of pictures was just too cute not to post. Last week, Jenn has to go to what Grace came to know as “Lost Begus” for work, leaving me with both girls, at least for the first night. I juggled as well as I could and managed to get them both bathed and in bed with their jammies on the right way around…barely.
The second night left just me and Gracie, as Grammie asked for–and got–her first (of many [crossing fingers]) overnights with our littlest Banshee. I picked her up at school and whisked her off for a magical date that consisted of a whirlwind tour of San Mateo’s Caltrain station (where we saw THREE trains go by) and nearby Jeffrey’s restaurant. Jeffrey’s is a diner-ish place that is the perfect spot for a 2-year-old to enjoy hearty chicken sandwich and a glass of milk…oh and they have beer for daddy. We toasted to Hazy and Lincoln and Mommy coming home soon.
Three Short Films about Two Short People
06
Jun
In the tradition of Three Men and a Baby, My Two Dads and the Exorcist, our first film shows (if you look really closely) sheer terror masked by fatherly pride. It takes several viewings to recognize that the smallest one, Hazel, is quietly controlling everything with her mind.
Daddy’s Girls from Brad Topliff on Vimeo.
In Theater 2, we feature “Big Shoes”, the struggle of one small girl, against all odds, to make it to the kitchen wearing clownishly large shoes and facing the distractions of shiny objects along the way. It’s the feel good movie of the day.
Filling Mommy’s shoes from Brad Topliff on Vimeo.
Finally, in Theater 3, there is a rare screening of Look Who’s Talking 5: What the Hell is She Saying?!?. A less daring filmmaker might have found that 30 seconds was enough, but this wild ride though unintelligible syllables stretches good taste and the stamina of the audience all the way to the 3 minute breaking point.
Chatty from Brad Topliff on Vimeo.