GPoD: 11.29.2005

Graham makes a new friend.

GPod: 11.28.2005

Here's Graham making a new discovery with his dear Auntie Em. Who is that handsome fellow?

Slim for Him?

Here is a charming review from Books & Culture by our very own Grant Wacker on a new book about the evangelical dieting culture. It's an interesting read if you're worried about a possible link between your expanding waistline and the health of your soul.

GPod: 11.27.2005

Who knew getting one's toenails trimmed could be such fun?

GPod: 11.26.2005

Hey, everyone--it's Harvest Fun Graham!

Graham's First Thanksgiving

Gathering 'round the board at the Childs' house.
Baby Graham is the center of attention. As well he should be.
Quite pleased with the entertainment.
Three boys named Graham. For all the latest photos from Graham's first Thanksgiving, click here.

GPoD: 11.22.2005

Rest well, little Graham.

Over the River and Through the Mountains

Here is where we'll be spending our Thanksgiving holiday. My wife's sister's fiance's parents have invited us to their place in Knoxville, and we have decided to brave the possibility of six hours in a car with l'enfant terrible. Each way. Actually, this is more a recognition of Graham's increasing maturity. Besides, we bought him a new car toy for the trip.

Test Your Knowledge of Graham's Family Tree

Here's a little guessing game for all you Graham afficianados out there. We all recognize the little cherub on the right; who is the babe at left?
a. Grandma Fink
b. Grandpa Slinger
c. Daddy Dearest
d. Graham himself, retro style

GPoD: 11.21.2005

Aw, cut it out, dad. No one wants to see my big milk gut.

The GrahamCam: Fun with the Bouncer

Here's Graham trying to figure out his bouncer. He bounces a few times, which seems to please him, but then he forgets why he's there. Mommy has to provide some laughs before he remembers to kick his legs.

The View from Above

I discovered a website this morning that shows satellite imagery of any address in the country. Here's an aerial view of our house, taken in 2002. Of course, we've done quite a bit with the place since then...

Which illustrates the risks one runs in playing Superman too shortly after dinner. At least he hadn't been eating tacos.

RetroPod: Three Months Ago Today

My, how you've grown, little one.

Underwhelmed: On God and the Tsunami

I just finished reading David Bentley Hart's new book on the so-called "problem of evil," The Doors of the Sea: Where was God in the Tsunami? Hart has quickly become one of my favorite younger theologians since I discovered him in the pages of First Things not long ago. He combines erudition and panache in searing critique of the decadence of Western culture. This book was rather disappointing, however. He frames the issues brilliantly, but in the end his argument seems to be little more than a rehash of the freewill defense, with a bit of name-calling against "Calvinists" thrown in for good measure. He really doesn't say anything he didn't say in his FT piece, "Tsunami and Theodicy" back in March, which is disappointing, as a book-length treatment ought to provide more than superficial engagement with other points of view. For Hart in much better form, read him explain why there really is no "culture war" going on right now in "Freedom and Decency."

Huan yin

For those of you who don't read Mandarin (transliterated into English, of course), that means "Welcome." Big Brother logged our first visitor to the website from China today. It appears as though our little fellow is garnering an international following. Singapore, too. The world is your oyster, my son.

GPoD: 11.19.2005

Graham at play with Sissy Zebra.

GPoD: 11.18.2005

So what am I supposed to do with this thing?

GPoD: 11.17.2005

A tantrum, as you can see.

GPoD: 11.16.2005

I need a hug.

GPoD: 11.14.2005

Bedtime? You never said anything about bedtime!

GPoD: 11.13.2005

Here's Graham getting a horsey ride from his mommy.

The GrahamCam: Hymenopteraphobia?

Hymenopteraphobia is the fear of bees. Graham's father has a particularly advanced case of this malady, and we're watching closely to see whether it has been passed down to our little munchkin. Here he is in his bouncer playing with his red bee hangy-toy. He can't quite decide whether this creature is his friend or his mortal enemy. Kill it son, kill it.

Kiss Me, I'm Irish . . . I Guess

Your Inner European is Irish!

Sprited and boisterous! You drink everyone under the table.

Who's Your Inner European?

This little quiz has been going around in my blog circles the last few days, so I post it here for your enjoyment. Apparently, my "inner European" is Irish. I'm "spirited and boisterous"--fair enough. More importantly, however, I "drink everyone under the table." Who wrote this quiz--Jesse Ventura?

I'm happy to be an honorary Paddy, however: Cue the music! (mutatis mutandis)

He is an Irishman!
For he himself has said it,
And it's greatly to his credit,
That he is an Irishman!

For he might have been a Roosian,
A French, or Turk, or Proosian,
Or perhaps Itali-an!

But in spite of all temptations
To belong to other nations,
He remains an Irishman!
He remains an Irishman!

By the way, HMS Pinafore is coming to town this spring.

An Evening with the Weinards

Chad, Ashley, and Jack were over for dinner this evening, and Graham and Jack had a marvelous time getting reacquainted. In the top photo we see Jack showing Graham his new Heisman pose. The middle shot shows the two Cracker Kids reacting with mild alarm to all these flashes going off around them. And at the bottom we see Jack showing Graham how to eat his own foot. Thanks, Jack.

Ideas for Christmas

Some of you have been asking about ideas for Christmas shopping this year. (You know who you are.) Although socks and neckties are always appreciated, there's a volume up for auction on eBay that would really make the perfect gift: a 1493 edition of Thomas Aquinas' Summa Theologiae. That's right--these volumes were printed but one year after Columbus sailed the ocean blue. Now, I'm sure you can imagine that there aren't a lot of copies of this edition just lying around. Which is why the current price of $2,142.00 is really a bargain. Of course, there are seven days left on the auction, so I understand if the price might move up out of a would-be benefactor's comfort level. But just think of the grace and dignity these volumes would add to my bookshelf--not to mention that delightful mustiness that always emmanates from old books. If anyone were to get these books for me for Christmas, I would show my gratitude by permanently posting a picture of the generous soul on the right-hand column of this very blog. And I'd even add a golden halo to the photo.

GPoD: 11.11.2005

Here are a couple of pictures from Tummy Time.

GPoD: 11.10.2005

Here is a picture of Graham playing with daddy this morning. Blowing spit bubbles is his newest trick, and he's more talkative than ever. BONUS AUDIO! Click on Graham's mug for a sample of this morning's chatter.

GPoD: 11.09.2005

Today's GPoD finds our hungry little guy trying to eat his Atomic Rubber Ducky. Could this be the onset of teething? Jack Weinard, five weeks Graham's senior, already has two teeth in plain view.

GPoD: 11.08.2005

Today's GPoD is a flashback to last month (10/15, to be precise). Graham has now outgrown this set of jammies, reminding us that he will be heading off to college in just another few days.

The GrahamCam: Bathtub Adventure

Here is an exciting film documenting Graham's journey from the changing table to the bathtub. The crisp fall air in the nursery only serves to heighten the anticipation as he heads for the tub, where steaming-hot bath water awaits. What a thrill! Our little tadpole isn't quite sure what he's gotten himself into, but before long he remembers his love of the life aquatic, and it's all giggles and splashing from there. Fun for the whole family!

Being a baby is tiring work. 

GPoD: 11.07.2005

Here's Graham reading from one his favorite books.

GPoD: 11.05.2005

It's tummy time!

Graham with Mullet

After I dressed Graham up in his hockey outfit this morning, I started to get excited about the possibilities for mullet growth. So I decided to do a bit of editing magic and see if we could get a sneak peak of the kid as he may be . . . say, 17 years from now. Behold!

GPoD: 11.04.2005

Here's Graham kickin' it in his new Minnesota Wild outfit (compliments of Grandma Fink). Now we just need to get him started on his mullet, and he should be ready for the ice in no time.

The Graham-a-Phone: Goos and Gahs

It's been a while since we put any audio up, so here's a clip of Graham doing some of that adorable baby goo-ing. Much more enjoyable than the little wahs and fussing he limited himself to in his first few months on the scene. Not that there's not plenty of fussing still.

GPoD: 11.02.2005

Here's a nice grin for today's Graham Picture of the Day (GPoD). "Hey, gram and gramps (both sides)--look how fat I'm getting!"