GPoD: 09.30.2005

Why is Graham upset? Today was his mommy's first day back at work--a half-day, mind you, but this little guy still had to wake up a strange man in his room: daddy. He was not pleased. Where are you, mommy?

GPoD: 09.29.2005

Here's Graham, watching the clouds go by.

GPoD: 09.27.2005

The bliss of an afternoon nap.

The GrahamCam: Depth Perception

Here's some video of Graham messing about in his bouncer. He has only recently discovered that those things hanging in front of his face are apparently physical objects occupying the same space-time continuum as he himself--put there, in fact, for his amusement. I expect it won't be long before he figures out that there are other things to do with these toys than hit them and yell at them. But in the meantime, we're quite pleased with his progress.

GPoD: 09.25.2005

Here's Graham in his pj's. What on earth is daddy doing?

Today our new Dean of Chapel, the Rev. Dr. Samuel Wells, was installed at Duke Chapel. The entire service (about two hours!) can be viewed in streaming video by clicking on the window to the left (the sermon begins at around 53:00 min., and is well worth listening to). The chapel choir gave a stirring performance, anchored by cousin Pete, and this was followed by a barbeque lunch on the lawn--real North Carolina 'que, nonetheless.
Graham, unfortunately, was not on his wonted Sunday-best behavior. His mother and father took turns furtively scuttling him out of the service in his crankier moments (some of which are quite distinctly audible on the webcast). The 'que did little to placate him, either. How much one misses at this age.

The GrahamCam: 09.24.2005

Here is some footage of our little Grahambino messing around on his changing table shortly after waking up. You've got it all here: funny fish face, giggles, crying, rooting--all in a little more than a minute's worth of film. Never a dull moment around here...

GPoD: 09.21.2005

Here's Graham contemplating his bouncer-hangy-toy-things. It seems like only yesterday he wasn't even aware of them... Actually, it was.

The Graham-a-Phone: Should I Be Mad?

Here's a clip of Graham's post-feeding chatter while sitting in his bouncer looking out on the back yard. He can't quite decide what sort of mood he's in here . . . mad about being put back in his bouncer or fascinated with the squirrels on the bird feeder?

GPoD: 09.18.2005

We're calling this a proto-giggle. Of course, there's no audio to back up the claim, but this came in response to tickling and was definitely more than a mere grin. We're well on our way to laughter, folks...

More Creepy Critters

Here's a large insect (a walking stick, is it?) looking for a way into our house. If I hadn't had a tape measure near at hand, I wouldn't have believed how big this thing was. Sarah's shriek of horror made the sighting something of an event--almost as dramatic as the time we saw a firefly caught in a web spun across this same window. Sadly, his distress signal went out too late, and all we could do was put him--and his eight-legged bane--out of his misery.

GPoD: 09.15.2005

Here is Graham lifting his head up to flash the folks back home a grin. He'll be sitting up on his own in no time...

GPoD: 09.13.2005

Here's one more picture of Graham with his Grandma and Grandpa, who left reluctantly for Minnesota this morning. No, he's not picking his nose . . . it's just an itch.

Here's Graham, the life of the party, posing for a photo with the Steinmetzes, who came over this afternoon for birthday cake. Prof. Steinmetz remarked that Graham's posture resembled that of his father during seminar.

The Graham-a-Phone

Here is some audio of Graham in one of his more talkative moods. He's just finished filling a diaper, and he's trying to explain to his mum and dad that it would be nice if he were to be changed soon.

Over the Hill

I'm thirty tomorrow--no spring chicken anymore. Nevertheless, I continue to remain calm and take my multivitamin supplement.

GPoD: 09.10.2005

Here's a shot of Graham responding with a good-natured chuckle to his Grandpa's entertaining wit.

The GrahamCam: A Frolic on the Floor

Here is some footage of Graham messing around on the floor in front of the window in the Duluth room. Watching the clouds go by after napping half the day away--life is rough when you're a baby...

Grandma and Grandpa Fink giving Graham a spot of milk.

GPoD: 09.07.2005

Graham reaches warp speed.

The GrahamCam: Paradise Regained

The remains of Graham's umbilical cord came off yesterday, so into the tub he finally went last night. Judging by his reaction in the film here, he seems to enjoy the recovery of his aquatic existence.

GPoD: 09.05.2005

Alright, now before you call DCFS, let me assure you that this is not a shriek of bewildered agony in response to scalding hot water--on the contrary, Graham seems to take an inordinate delight in have his head run under the tap.

GPoD: 09.04.2005

A little nap after lunch

Pajamas on and ready for bed . . . but who's sleepy? 

The GrahamCam: The Strange Expressions of a Sleeping Baby

Here is a clip of Graham fast asleep in his carseat. The dear knows what the little guy is dreaming of, but we got quite a kick out of his little grins and grimaces. But then, we get a kick out of just about everything he does....

What Luther Got Wrong

Here is a link to a recent article by my very own Doktorvater, David Steinmetz, on the growing appreciation among Protestants for the theology and ethics of Thomas Aquinas. Just in case any of you ever wonder things like, "What in the world do historians of theology really think about?"

GPoD: 09.03.2005

Graham and his mummy getting ready to go for a walk.

Colic: It's Not a Pretty Thing

Colic: no one really knows what it is, but you know it if you've got it on your hands. Or, as pictured here, on your shirt. We took Graham in for his third visit to the pediatrician yesterday, and although all the vitals are tip-top--he's gained almost two pounds in the last three weeks!--the doctor predicted that we were in for a good two or three months more of fussiness from Sir Poops-a-Lot. The fun never stops. If he weren't so very cute, it might actually get irritating...

This has nothing to do with the baby, of course--unless we should find him bound unconscious in his crib one morning--but it's so creepy I couldn't resist. Tolkien describes Shelob as "the last child of Ungolient to trouble the unhappy world." It appears as though one more of her brood has escaped the Third Age of Middle-Earth and spun her foul nets across our driveway. Where's did one leave one's elven blade?