Best Wedding Evar

It took a little longer than expected, but we're finally home from California. Our flight from Atlanta took off about 2 hours late, after a day of very bad weather in the East. So we arrived home last night at 1:30am, only to discover that the garage had blown a fuse and the door wouldn't open. Joy! But by 2am, all were abed (Iain was all, "oh, my crib....zzzzz."), and all was well.

As for Megan's wedding, all I can say is: you know that moment at every event where you think, "Is it time to go home now?" Megan's wedding was a party at which you thought, "It's a shame I don't live near all these people so I could see them all the time." and "What, time to go?" and "Maybe one more dance." and "I have to say goodbye to at least half the people here - I only met them yesterday, but I wouldn't want to leave without saying goodbye."

I guess I can say more. How about: yum! On Friday night, Ricky's family threw a Mehndi ceremony/Sangeet (party). Megan had her hands henna'd, and many other ladies got theirs done, too. I had a beautiful design henna'd on my right foot, since I can't feed Iain if my hands have to be kept flat and carefully protected.

The Sangeet included drumming, singing, dancing (!!), and food. There was tea with savory and sweet cookies, plus drinks (anyone for a 2 liter bottle of Johnny Walker Black? And that was just one choice. I went to fetch Charles a drink and came back with both a full glass and a friend who was all - "is that enough scotch?" he brought the bottle, in case Charles wanted more.). Then there was dinner, with six or so choices. Meat stews, vegetarian stews, Nan, rice, crunchy vegetables for contrast, yoghurt sauce to cool things off, etc. etc.

We all danced (ok, Charles watched Iain while I danced), talked, ate, drank, laughed, and applauded the kids when they entertained us. By the time we left, we knew at least 20 people, any one of whom I would have taken home with me at a moment's notice.

On Saturday, Megan married twice. Once at the Sikh Center, with singing, drumming, prayers, the most fabulous scarlet and blue tunic/pants/veil with jewels and makeup to match, and lots of congratulations. Then, later, at the All Saints' Episcopalian Church, with organ music, a bouquet, and a lovely white dress.

But the theme here is: yum! Did I mention the vegetarian lunch after the Sikh ceremony? Yum. Let's make that double yum. Then, after the Episcopalian ceremony, the reception had chicken skewers, chilled shrimp, spanikopita, egg rolls, and a gorgeous platter of fruit. For dinner we ate wild rice with carrots and broccoli and either salmon (me) or chicken (Charles). Yum, yum, yum.

Personally, I think the highlight of the reception was the dancing. Megan's mom danced with Iain and me (to disco!), while Megan's dad danced so enthusiastically I thought he was going to knock over the head table. Ricky's family led the dancing both at the Sangeet and at the reception, and they really know how to throw down.

The one dance we avoided was the Who's Been Married Longest? dance. Charles and I pretended Iain desperately needed some parenting. It was a moment, though, that gave Megan a chance to demonstrate why she's the perfect friend: she and Ricky got up to join the dancers, and as she passed I just looked at her. She said, "You don't have to dance." It was like ESP. And then, when Marco tried to make us go, I could invoke The Bride, which is powerful magic.

The reception lasted until about 11, I think, but we had to turn into pumpkins just after 9. Iain was drooping, I was dropping (we got up at 5 to decorate the room! 5am is very, very wrong!), and Charles was trying to wrangle us both. When we left, Megan was dancing and smiling, and everyone was having a great time.

I think they should renew their vows next year. And maybe the year after that.

Spa morning

Nothing but the best for the first class traveler.
Charles
Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile

There's nothing like sleep after a long trip

Iain, like the rest of us, loves sacking out in the hotel after a long day of travel.
Charles
Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile

Suck It, Whigs!

For those of you who are keeping track from last summer, we are now the first and second hit on Google when you enter "suck it whigs" as your search terms.

No lie.

I'm so proud.

We're Totally Flunking Parenting

So...while Iain worked off some of his energy in the gym (GET that monkey! Get it!! Oooh...you grab that MONKEY!!!), Charles and I reviewed the developmental milestones for 0-2 and 2-4 months.

Iain's doing fine.

We, on the other hand, are failing to "stimulate" him in all the required ways.

In Tummy Time, we get a D. Some tummy time, but not enough. In our defense, he hates tummy time. Hates it, hates it, hates it. As in: screams bloody murder every time. But today, in the 25 seconds of tummy time I insisted on, he pushed himself up on his forearms. So that's something.

In Reading, we get an F. Grannypants reads to him, but Charles and I have been totally deficient in that area. So tonight I read Alexander and the Terrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. With editorial remarks, of course.

For example, at one point, Alexander introduces the concept of "moving to Australia" as though that is running away to the ends of the earth. However, we pointed out to Iain that moving to Oz is actually a very intelligent choice, since it's a Great Country!

Also, Alexander complains that his brothers get toys in their cereal, whereas he gets nothing. This scenario does not apply to Iain for 3 reasons:
1. We do not eat cereal in this house.
2. Iain has no brothers.
3. Breakfast does not, and should not, come with toys. It's a meal, not a circus.

As you can see, while we haven't read to Iain up until now, we're beginning an intensive program where we will not only read, but "unpack" each text. We will examine its assumptions, challenge its themes, and explore its theoretical foundations.

This week, Alexander. Next week: Derrida.

Old Tricks, New Tricks

Last Week's Trick: Pooping in my pants and squishing it around so it got all up places you wouldn't think it could go.

This Week's Trick: Pooping in my pants and getting it up *out* of the diaper, onto my clothing. Fun!

Last Week's Trick: Throwing up a little in my mouth.

This Week's Trick: Throwing up a little while Mommy is kissing me. In other words...

See how I'm growing as a person?

People, Peeeeple

Obviously (based on the comment by Bart on the previous post), folks are forgetting their committee assignments.

Did we, or did we not, assign various people to Committees Relating to Iain's Education? We did.

So, gentlemen, since you are both on Iain's Musical and Cultural Education Committee, you should be suggesting Glastonbury acts for the Young One to consume.

Slacking. And he's only 10.5 weeks old. It's just sad.