Hope on the Radio

Yesterday was the inauguration of President Obama, and all day I was in a good mood. It’s strange to be in the middle of history, to know that this day will be written about and referenced and spoken of, and to go about your day with that knowledge.

As we Gambells of LA don’t have a television set, Felix and I listened to the ceremony on KCRW (fantastic public radio station here). I know I’m a bleeding heart liberal, but I didn’t realize how much it would affect me. I cried leading up to the ceremony and hearing how excited everyone was, how many people were braving the bitter cold to be there. I cried during the pledge (even with the switched wording blooper). I cried during the President’s speech. To hear him speak, eloquently, intelligently, is such a joy. It’s been so long since I’ve heard a politician, any politician, use language so well, and I thank God, Allah, and Buddha that the country elected this man. Finally a leader who I want to follow. Finally a person who seems to understand the magnitude of the tasks before him. Finally a kindred soul and independent spirit in the white house.

I was thinking about all of this as I was listening and feeding Felix his breakfast (bananas and strawberries and yogurt). There’s a good chance that Obama will be the first President that Felix will remember. Thank goodness he won’t remember any of the George W era. A while ago, my Mum was recalling how on the election night of Reagan over Mondale I had a homework assignment to do. We had to fill in the colors of each of the states. Of course most of my map was colored in red, going to Reagan, and Mum said how depressing it was for her. I don’t remember her being depressed at all, but I do remember coloring in all those GOP states, and feeling sorry for Mondale. That was one of my very first political memories, and definitely my first memory of an election, and I wish it could have been a bit different, a bit more inspiring. I hope that Felix can grow up feeling positive about this country, and inspired by its leaders. I hope he can grow up respecting and looking up to the President. I’m feeling that way now, more patriotic, more optimistic, and it’s a wonderful change.

Felix, the Hornblower and Felix Makes a Point

Along with a spatula, something that Felix gets a great deal of pleasure out of is his kazoo;



And, at risk of turning the blog into an episode of 'Children Do the Funniest Things' here we see Felix as we attempt to capture him in his post-meal chatting phase, showing that he is not our performing monkey;

A Fine Balance

Well, as the New Year saunters in, some things seem to remain constant, like the gorgeous LA weather, and Felix’s dislike for squash. However, some things are changing all the time…Felix is now cruising around furniture and will be walking in no time, and Jamie is back to work on CSI. Felix and I miss him terribly, but count our blessings that he has such a good job right now.

We continue to have mostly good days and a few bad days here and there. A couple of nights ago Felix decided not to sleep, and, since he has been sleeping pretty well recently, this hit me hard. I’m not used to being up all night any more, so I really struggled the next day. Motherhood is still so challenging at times; sometimes I don’t know how anyone gets through it. But then Felix starts laughing at the specks of dust in the sunlight, or just gives me a big hug, and it all becomes wonderful.

I’m not one for New Year’s resolutions, but my quest for balance in life continues….balance of time with Felix and some for myself (hahahahhaaaaaaaaa!!!), balance of living simply and frugally and also enjoying and splurging on some things (yes, I still go to Whole Foods every once in awhile…my guilty pleasure!). I’m also trying to find the balance between seeing and feeling the pain and darkness in the world (I listen to a lot of NPR and sometimes the news is so stark and sad I almost can’t deal with it) and also seeing and celebrating the goodness, the generosity, the strength and the sweetness that is in all of us and out there in the world.

Happy New Year every body, and lots of love and balance to you!

Amy

Happy New Year, one and all!

Felix enjoys his current favourite toy, an empty coffee tin

As the New Year is born into the world, Felix is quietly nursing with Amy after a good nights sleep, still toothless, but ready to tackle 2009!

2008 was quite a year, however it seems that with all the changes and shifts of that year, 2009 looks to be just as busy. Felix is currently changing at a rate of knots - in the last week alone he has started to pull himself up into standing, talk in different voices, bounce while kneeling - he also continues to master the kazoo!

Felix sports a knitwear number from Grandma Gambell, with daddy

He's an impressively curious little guy, and has incredible eyesight (spotting the smallest thing, he will go for it and try to manipulate what ever it is, studying it intensely) and an inbuilt sixth sense that just knows when a room that he shouldn't be in is open (where he will at once crawl at full pace towards that open portal).

Yesterday I assembled a book shelf with his assistance, him mainly picking through the pieces of wood, and trying to eat the tools, or hide under half assembled pieces, but ultimately he was more interested in the box that the flat pack furniture came in than the actual construction. However, now he has a new book shelf to attack, and another place that he can remove the books from and place them about him on the floor.

Felix stretches his legs, and begins the pull up to standing, with a little help from his high chair

Happy New Year, everyone!

The Jewel

Jamie, Felix and I got back last night from a really fun weekend down in La Jolla.  My Grandpa Hank lives there, and the small and beautiful surf town does its name justice ("the jewel").  It was Felix's first Christmas this year, the first time meeting his Great Grandpa, and the first time he saw the ocean, so he had quite the experience.  For all the excitement and strange places and noises, he did surprisingly well.  Even managed to sleep a fair amount!

We met up with our Uncle Jeff, and our Atlanta family at a Mexican restaurant on Friday night, and had so many family members at the table (I think the count was around 18) that it was difficult to hear the person next to you. It was very fun and raucous.

The five families sit down

On Saturday we opened some presents (MORE presents!) and took a nice walk along the beach.  We saw all the La Jolla sights: the seal beach, the pelican cliff, and the wedding party complete with a shivering bride in white, smiling and happy, but probably freezing!

Posing by the ocean

However, the best moments during the weekend for me were just hanging out at Grandpa's place.  I loved watching Felix play with his cousins (the Big Boys), chatting and catching up with family, listening to Patrick and Dad play guitar and Molly sing lullabyes, realizing Felix had fallen asleep while Jamie was holding and rocking him, and seeing Grandpa show Finn his matchstick magic trick, which still impresses me!

 

4th generation ears!

Now we're back home, still settling into our new apartment, and enjoying Jamie's time off of work.  Hope everyone had wonderful holidays and is healthy and well.  Love to you all!

Amy

A Video Test

Felix gets the Amy induced giggles...

Post Dinner Felix Says 'Hello"!

As taken by Grandma Molly: