Hello Dory!

Will there ever be a time I'm not marveling at the change in her? Dory's growth seems to be moving at warp speed these days. I realize I owe the blog (and especially her Grandma Cindy and Granny the Great!) some updates on the girl.

She's ready for kindergarten. Or that's how it feels. The changes in even the last month are astonishing. At the moment, sitting is our big preoccupation. She seems seconds away from sitting up on her own. Not, mind you, lifting herself to a sitting position, though everyday she lifts her head and feet, working those belly muscles and doing one fine Boat Pose, for anyone who speaks Yoga-ease out there. However, if you prop her into a sitting position she can maintain it for several seconds before doing a graceful swan dive forward that causes both parents to lunge torwards with hands outstretched (any day now we're going to knock heads like the most absurd Three Stooges episode). Usually she catches herself with her hands, but we put her in soft places. Just to be cautious.

However cautious we might be, Danger does seem to be her second name. OK, maybe not Danger. How about Curious? Curious Dory. She watches everything. All the time. No more sleeping in the Moby or the baby backpack for this girl (except, at this very moment, when she does have her little head resting against my chest and she's sound asleep- if nothing else, if nothing else, this is payment in full for parenting, moments like these). If we're at a store, around the house, at a grandparent's, she's watching, looking, noticing... Oh, and trying to put it in her mouth.

The mouth. Who knew what an exciting place that was for a baby? Well, every parent who's come before me. And now I've joined that ever-watchful group. Because anything she comes near- toys, teething rings, books, car keys, etc.- her mouth pulls open and her head goes towards it, like there's an invisible force pulling her forward and she cannot not do it.  The Force for babies.   We ate out last night and the urgency with which she pulled herself to the table suggested if I would just let her at it, she'd have that whole thing between those baby gums.

Speaking of gums, no teeth yet. But we're close. Much like we're so close to her sitting unassisted, I think we're so close (as measured in baby time- could be minutes, could be weeks) from her cutting her first teeth. This is (as you can imagine) not her favorite thing. Some days are chewier than others, but really she copes well. And if I would just give her the remote and my cell phone to chomp, she'd be set.

And, as always, she's a big part of history. Here are a couple shots of her on the day of the Inauguration.


Dory and Daddy that night- check out the beard, Texas family!


Dory and her Obama-Mama, moments before he was sworn in.

Obama says Yes We Can and I believe him. Dory says Yes We Can... Put That in Our Mouths and I believe her too.

Dorothy

It's taken a little time to get back to post. Dory and I are home from Missouri.

Dorothy, our little Dorothy's great-grandmother, passed away Tuesday, the sixth. I don't know what to say about that. She was eighty-eight when she passed, and, though the last few days were painful, most of that eighty-eight years was of great health, vitality, and spirit. In fact, if there were one word I would use about my grandmother, my Mammar as all us grandchildren called her, it would be spirit. She had a remarkable attitude, lively and kind, generous and loving. All of that is true, but it feels so flat on the page. I don't know how to evoke her spirit here.

I know, we named Dory after a great woman. I know, in the last few weeks, I've never been more pleased that our daughter carries on the name of my strong, bright, passionate grandmother. But it still feels flat. I would like to write about her, to honor her in some way, but at the moment, it still feels too new and too hard.

For now, here is a picture of her namesake, a picture I think Mammar would have loved.

Updates

Just a quick post to let everyone know, Dory and I might be gone from the blog longer than usual. We're in Missouri, with family. My grandmother, Dorothy the First, is not well. Dorothy the Second, my mother (Mama P) and I are staying with my aunt and uncle to do what we can to take care of her. So there might not be any Dory tidings for a few more days. But she's well and happy and doing remarkably well for a baby who spent eleven hours in the car yesterday. Until we can bring you cheerier tidings, I'll leave you with Dory playing Santa a few days before Christmas. Happy New Year.