The Talking Tree

It has been a while since my last post, but I have been too busy chasing a fully walking baby to do much writing! The girl is walking so well now and as a result, needs some new shoes. She has been wearing the soft, baby Roby shoes, which are great for learning to walk. However, these shoes are not moisture proof at all, and Em is ready to walk (and practically run) outside. Given that we are in a constant state of slushy and/or frozenness in KY these days, we need some real shoes! I have to warn you that this post is anti-climatic, but it is a memory nonetheless so I feel compelled to document.

Yesterday, I was sooooo excited to take Emmy to the Howard Curry shoe store to buy her first pair of real shoes. This is the store where my first shoes were purchased, though it recently relocated. For all locals, you know that the highlight of the Howard Curry experience is the talking tree (that always knew your name, just like Cheers), which I had been informed had made the move to the new store. So we go to Howard Curry's yesterday, ready to lay down $45 for a pair of baby shoes that Em will wear for 2 months (can anyone spell "highway robbery?"). We come in and the new store is quite nice; it is brightly colored and kid friendly. Nothing at all like the drab, 70's version of the old store, which I must say I still prefer, but there was the blessed talking tree just as promised! Em had a ball running around, while I looked for the perfect shoe. Now I must admit that my girl has some petite feet, but would you believe they had only one pair of baby girl shoes in her size??? They were cute and fit her well. Little navy t-straps, but I was kind of hoping for something more casual and in the brown/pink range. We may go back, but we left without making a purchase. Worst part of all- they did not have the talking tree say goodbye to Emmy!!! Perhaps you have to actually buy something to obtain a farewell from the tree? I should have at least bought her some socks so she could get a shout out. Well, we will be back. For now, we're off to Stride Rite to find some tiny shoes for the tiny princess!

Emerson, Pearl Jam & Nirvana

As I have mentioned before, we are serious Sirious satellite radio jammers in our house. Em seems to love music as much as we do. G and I thought we were majoring in music with a minor in slacking in college, which is why we collectively saw a half-million concerts but took 80 years to graduate. I hope Em doesn't love music quite that much, but actually... on second thought I think I do. As long as she eventually leads a productive life, that is.

Our music listening has been making me feel a little old of late. Em and I had an awesome, leisurely breakfast and morning together because today was a snow day for the local school district. This means our daycare is on a delay, therefore, Mommy is on a delay to stay home with our homegirl. So we took our time eating breakfast, turned the music up and jammed out. Good times all around! I love these moments, and I remember them when I am super tired and the runaround business that is life leaves me exhausted. Ah, so sweet! Then the Pearl Jam tune Santa Cruz came on. I love this song but seriously how old are we that Eddie Vedder is now waxing poetic about having kids and remembering being 17??? Even sadder that I can totally relate. Are we officially middle-aged? Who cares. Too tired to get wrapped up in the "I'm so old" self-pity party. I laughed out loud this morning when I remembered that the theme song for my senior prom was Pearl Jam's Alive. Isn't that funny? Good song but what about that song says prom? Maybe we should have picked Jeremy instead. At least it has a school oriented theme.

Another old-school music moment happened on Friday. G and I were looking through some old cd's (remember those? precursor to mp-3 files? round, shiny...), and we found Nirvana's Nevermind. Em got to rock it out to some grunge-masters who never grew old, well at least Kurt Cobain didn't. She seemed to like it for a while, though after a few songs she began to take on this surly, semi-depressed attitude and when she asked for a flannel shirt and some dirty sneakers we thought we better turn it off.

Well, we finished off our morning by jamming out to the Replacements. Em seemed to dig this, too. All in all, I think she has pretty good taste in music, but I'm reserving judgment until she is in high school.

Walkerson, the Gym Rat

Big week in Woosleyville! Ms. Em is a walker- woo hoo!!! Just call her Walkerson. Walkie-talkie. Walker, Texas Ranger. Whatever, the girl can walk! All weekend long she was walking quite well, but she still insisted upon holding onto one of my fingers. On Monday, I guess no one at daycare was touring her around all day, so she decided to walk. I picked her up on Monday afternoon and she just walked on over to me like, "Hey Mom! What's the big fuss? Walking? Of course, I can walk... been doin' it for years!" I reminded her that this was not actually possible since she is not quite one year old, but she continued to argue with me and assure me that she could practically run. That girl sure has an argumentative nature! Not sure where she got that... couldn't be from her attorney father or her generally disagreeable mother. Well, the point of this whole mini-drama is that the girl can walk. She has been walking, at-will, ever since. She isn't traveling any far distance, but can take as many as 10 steps at a time. Funny how fast it happens. Now, let's see if she ever talks in any intelligible language!

Another major event occurred last night. Ms. Em made her first trip to Rupp Arena, and the girl seemed to love it! Of course, she comes from a long line of gym rats in this family. Just ask her Aunt Polly what her favorite meal is and she is likely to tell ya it's a hot dog/popcorn combo from Memorial Gym. I don't know who started the whole gym rat tradition, but I'd guess it came from the Cox boys (Uncle Johnny, All American and his bro, Uncle Cokie- both players!). I know my mom loved watching Cokie play amongst others. I learned to love the sights, smells (yes, oddly enough!) and sounds of a basketball gymnasium by spending years of my life watching my brother in action. I may have complained on occasion, but I loved it! Em seems to love basketball, too. She really could not take her eyes off of the court, but she also seemed to enjoy the band. Great memories! Thanks to G's wonderful colleague for the great seats!