Balmaboo

Silly Guy Dance (Dec. 11)

2008-12-11T21:47:00.003-05:00

Silly Guy Dance
Originally uploaded by liberrian

Alma likes Silly Guy (Jon Stewart) and Silly Guy's Brother (Stephen Colbert), but she LOVES Silly Guy's Brother's Theme Song.

Patty Cake (Dec. 10)

2008-12-11T21:47:00.001-05:00

Patty Cake
Originally uploaded by liberrian

Alma does Patty Cake, Solo.

Name Game (Dec. 7)

2008-12-07T22:24:00.000-05:00

Alma gets quizzed on family names, earns C+.

Snow day (Dec. 7)

2008-12-07T22:23:00.000-05:00

Alma and dad have a snowy adventure during this winter's first snowfall.

Yoga (Dec. 6)

2008-12-07T22:21:00.001-05:00

Alma and dad practice yoga together.

Dancing (Nov. 23)

2008-11-26T10:30:00.000-05:00

Alma dances to some Justin Timberlake, then takes a look through the camera herself.

Wrapping the dolls (Nov. 20)

2008-11-26T10:13:00.000-05:00

Alma likes to keep her dolls and stuffed animals nicely swaddled.

Belly dancer (Nov. 8)

2008-11-26T10:11:00.000-05:00

Alma has mom's hip scarf on, and she's trying out a few new belly dance moves. Music from George Abdo.

Alphabet (Nov. 6)

2008-11-26T10:09:00.000-05:00

Alma plays her favorite new game with daddy, "Draw ABC's."

Reading (Oct. 25)

2008-11-26T10:02:00.001-05:00

Alma reads to her doll.

No check the email! (Oct. 20)

2008-11-26T09:59:00.001-05:00

Alma wants control of the computer so she can watch Wonderpets on iTunes, and she won't let daddy stand in her way.

Polar Bear Dance! (Oct. 3)

2008-11-26T09:57:00.000-05:00

Alma dances to her favorite new song, Polar Bear Dance, from Duck Ellington.

Monkey on the Playground (Sept. 21)

2008-11-26T09:54:00.001-05:00

Alma has apparently been transformed into a monkey.

Happy birthday to me!

2008-09-29T23:13:00.001-04:00

Happy birthday to me!
Originally uploaded by liberrian

In addition to the many many new videos I've added here, I've also caught up with photo uploads on Flickr. Photos of Alma's birthday party, Sassy's shower, and more are all up now.

Alma sings! (Sept. 19)

2008-09-29T23:08:00.000-04:00

Alma has discovered that she like singing, and she's learning lots of new songs these days. Hear her renditions of Twinkle Twinkle, Wheels on the Bus, Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, and the Alphabet song. This is very cute.

Fire! and Tony! (Sept. 10)

2008-09-29T23:07:00.000-04:00

Alma and Cousin Tony wait for Tom to start the fire in the outdoor stove.

Alma dances at the Tri-County Fair (Aug 31)

2008-09-29T23:06:00.000-04:00

Alma finds a live jazz trio, a dance floor, and a dance partner at the Tri-County Fair in Northampton, MA.

Hiding (Aug. 24)

2008-09-29T23:05:00.001-04:00

Alma runs to her favorite hiding spot in the kitchen.

Poopy Tows (Aug. 24)

2008-09-29T23:04:00.000-04:00

Alma visits the poopy tows at the Flayvors of Cook Farm in Hadley.

Disco dance (Aug. 16)

2008-09-29T23:03:00.000-04:00

Alma and cousin Rich boogie down to some Sesame Street Disco tunes.

Tai Chi (Aug. 7)

2008-09-29T23:02:00.000-04:00

Alma helps Tom do tai chi. Teaches him a few things.

Swimming! (Aug. 4)

2008-09-29T22:59:00.000-04:00

Alma and dad go for a swim in the pool. We're on vacation in the Berkshires, and the sun is elusive. We all hopped in the pool when the rare sunny opportunity presented itself.

Cookie Boogie! (Aug. 1)

2008-09-29T22:05:00.002-04:00

Alma has her big skirt on and she's ready to dance. Music by Cookie Monster.

Alma visits the goats (July 21)

2008-09-28T13:43:00.004-04:00

We visited the goats at the Hampshire College Farm Center nearly everyday when we lived around the corner from them. Alma grew quite attached to her baby goats, and she eventually warmed up to the "nammy goats" and "old mrs. goat" (our name for the older goat in the herd). We were sad to learn that, the same weekend we moved, the goats moved to a new home, one we can't visit so easily.

In any case, we shot quite a bit of video of Alma and her goats, and I had to split it up into three parts to upload with the silly Google video web uploader.

Beach! (July 9)

2008-09-28T13:42:00.000-04:00

Alma, Tiegan, and Jonas are hard at work on the beach.

Ball Bounce! (July 6)

2008-09-28T13:41:00.001-04:00

Alma, Nocky, and Pop engage in some scientific experiments.
Involving play dough.
And bouncing.

Sassy kiss (July 4)

2008-09-28T13:39:00.000-04:00

Alma kisses Aunt Sassy's baby.

Outside! (June 28)

2008-09-28T13:38:00.000-04:00

Alma plays outside: with bubbles, a paper towel tube, and water.

It's been a while...

2008-09-28T13:31:00.002-04:00

I guess something about moving twice in one summer, having intermittent (at best) home internet access, and then the google video uploader tool crashing has put a damper on my posting of videos over the last two months. It hasn't, however, slowed down the recording of videos.

Over the last few days, I've attempted to play catch-up with our Alma videos. I now have to run them all through a video editing program (to convert file types and trim the file size) in order to use the slow, crappy Google video web upload. I don't know why the desktop tool crashed or why I can't 1) fix it by uninstalling/reinstalling or 2) find anyone online that has had the same problem. But it makes posting videos take about 10 times longer.

Anyway, expect a blitz of videos in the next few days.

Rearranging (June 26)

2008-07-29T11:58:00.001-04:00

This isn't terribly interesting, except that I have no idea why she took half the bottles and boxes out of the cupboard, placed each on the welcome mat, then put them back in the cupboard. It's a perfect example of a time that Alma seems to have a very specific plan in mind, but offers no clue as to what it is.

Grandpop and Mumshkie's June visit (June 21-23)

2008-07-29T11:57:00.001-04:00

Alma eats a giant strawberry and swings in the creek. Afterward, she tries to get a stroller ride.

Counting Trains (June 9)

2008-07-29T11:56:00.000-04:00

Alma counts the train cars in her book. 2+2+2=2!

Discourse on Sesame Street characters (June 9)

2008-07-28T09:02:00.002-04:00

Amama's Yard (May 28)

2008-07-28T08:33:00.003-04:00

Bubbles, cartwheels, and tumbling in Amama's backyard. In two parts.

Alma dances with Sesame Street (June 6)

2008-07-23T14:33:00.000-04:00

Alma waits till the spirit moves her.

Partytime! (May 31)

2008-07-23T14:31:00.000-04:00

We invited a great group of friends over for dinner when we were home in PA in May. Alma and Charli entertained us.

video: Alma goes to the Zoo (May 30)

2008-07-23T13:37:00.001-04:00

Alma, Tom, Jessica, and Amama visited the Lehigh Valley Zoo at Trexler Game Preserve.

Has it been two months now?

2008-07-23T13:26:00.003-04:00

It's been a while since I posted here, by the look of things.
I guess moving, traveling, and sporadic internet outages have taken a toll on the constant stream of Alma images. But fear not, I have stuff sitting on the hard drive waiting to be shared with the world.

I have actually caught up with the photos. I've posted about a month's worth of stuff over at Flickr. Here are a few highlights.

When you ask Alma to smile for a photo, this is what you get:

We visited our friends the Trachs in Lawrence, MA, and made a quick trip to the beach at Ipswich:

Alma and I baked cupcakes:

Alma was introduced to corn on the cob at Taste of Amherst:

Alma joined us, Pop and Mumshkie, at Tom's residency graduation. She ignored us, however, and played with Mia:

and about 50 more, which you can find here.

Kitchen (May 18)

2008-05-19T14:53:00.003-04:00

Alma gets a new play kitchen, courtesy of mom.

Telephone (May 13)

2008-05-19T14:53:00.001-04:00

Alma makes a few calls.

Reading (May 11)

2008-05-19T14:51:00.002-04:00

Alma and mom read a book about Big Bird, annotated many years ago.

Who's Alma? (April 4, 2008)

2008-04-06T16:10:00.000-04:00

Where's Alma? And who is she anyway?

Hippie dance (Mar. 28, 2008)

2008-04-06T16:08:00.000-04:00

Alma was born too late to dance at a Dead concert, but she would have fit right in.

Chocolate Cupcake (Mar. 23, 2008)

2008-04-06T14:25:00.000-04:00

Alma makes a mess. Then makes it worse.

Egg Hunt! (Mar. 23, 2008)

2008-04-06T14:22:00.001-04:00

Alma learns about the real meaning of Easter, then she finds an egg in the grass.

With apologies to Harry Belafonte (Mar. 21, 2008)

2008-04-01T09:23:00.000-04:00

Alma gets down to Shake Senora with the zeal that only a way-past-bedtime toddler can.

Oscar (Mar. 21, 2008)

2008-04-01T09:22:00.000-04:00

Alma, meet Oscar.
Oscar, meet Alma.

Kick! Ball! (Mar. 20, 2008)

2008-04-01T09:21:00.000-04:00

Alma gets a lesson on kicking a large deflated SpongeBob ball.

Boozle Dance (Mar. 6, 2008)

2008-04-01T09:20:00.002-04:00

Alma does the Boozle Dance.

New Discovery: Puddles (Feb. 23, 2008)

2008-04-01T09:20:00.001-04:00

Alma learns that snow is fun, but melted snow in a parking lot might be funner.

Snow day (Feb. 23, 2008)

2008-03-31T18:40:00.001-04:00

Alma and dad find many ways to frolic in the snow.

oh no! a backlog!

2008-03-30T20:55:00.002-04:00

NEM!
Originally uploaded by liberrian

Tons of new photos up over at Flickr--from me, Amama, and Sassy. See them all at the Alma Rose photo pool. Or go to my page and see some additional shots sans bebe.

I hope to upload a bunch of videos tonight/tomorrow. I have a silly backlog from mid-February. And seeing as how it's almost April, I should get on that.

Feeding the seals (Jan. 25, 2008)

2008-02-26T11:36:00.005-05:00

Just because the seals are in a book doesn't mean they don't get hungry.

Schnappi Dance (Jan. 25, 2008)

2008-02-26T11:36:00.003-05:00

Alma dances to the Schnappi song.

Sunglasses (Jan. 24, 2008)

2008-02-26T11:35:00.000-05:00

Her future's so bright, etc.

Crack Up (Jan. 20, 2008)

2008-02-26T11:34:00.002-05:00

Might leave you wondering what on earth Dad is doing that is so darn funny.

Alma's Antics (Jan. 20, 2008)

2008-02-26T11:32:00.001-05:00

Hijinks, Alma-style. I started videotaping her just as she stopped dancing in front of her reflection in the oven door. In her pirate hat.

Presents (Feb. 12, 2008)

2008-02-21T22:11:00.001-05:00

Alma reads a book.

Getting Dressed (Feb. 4, 2008)

2008-02-21T22:09:00.001-05:00

Alma gets ready to go out the door on a cold day.

Day in the Life (January 8-10, 2008)

2008-02-21T22:03:00.001-05:00

a montage of rather typical Alma moments: belly dancing, yoga, wearing boots.

Me & Julio Down by the Schoolyard (January 6, 2008)

2008-02-21T22:02:00.001-05:00

Alma, Aunt Bean, and Daddy play ball to the tune of Paul Simon.

Where's Sassy? (January 28, 2008)

2008-01-29T10:41:00.000-05:00

Alma looks for her aunt, last seen in the guest room of our house.

Little Drummer Girl (January 21, 2008)

2008-01-29T10:38:00.000-05:00

I've got a bit of a backlog of videos that I'm working through. They will show up over the next few days and will be quite out of chronological order.

Here's Alma playing the drum. She's ready to start a band--anyone want to join up? I think we especially need a bass player.

ugly face competition (Jan. 24, 2008)

2008-01-27T17:18:00.000-05:00

Aunt Sassy coaches Alma on making funny faces.

Feed the ducks (January 24, 2008)

2008-01-27T17:15:00.000-05:00

Alma feeds the ducks at Forest Park. She is still talking about it and ready to go back at a moment's notice.

Don't Feed the Bears! (January 17, 2008)

2008-01-27T17:14:00.000-05:00

Alma is very generous with her banana.

Happy New Year!

2007-12-31T23:01:00.001-05:00

flower
Originally uploaded by liberrian

Pictures from our Christmas visit to PA are posted, including a few of Alma in her special shoes!

Kiss the bear! (Dec. 21, 2007)

2007-12-22T15:42:00.000-05:00

Alma & mama take turns.

Off to work (Dec. 19, 2007)

2007-12-22T15:39:00.000-05:00

Alma heads out for another day at the office.

Family Dance Party! (Dec. 18, 2007)

2007-12-18T20:58:00.001-05:00

Alma, mama, and dad have a dance party. Alma is voted best dancer.

Let it Snow! (Dec. 13-15, 2007)

2007-12-18T20:56:00.000-05:00

A montage of videos from the snow storm: the night before, as the snow was falling, the morning after as Alma explored a bit, and the following day when Jessica tried to snowshoe and pull Alma in a toboggan.

Yoga Time! (Dec. 12, 2007)

2007-12-18T20:54:00.000-05:00

Alma assists dad with his yoga practice.

Dad's clothes (Dec. 9, 2007)

2007-12-18T20:52:00.000-05:00

a quick video of Alma dressed in Tom's socks, sweatshirt, and hat. At her insistence.

We got some snow yesterday

2007-12-14T23:12:00.001-05:00

On top of the world
Originally uploaded by liberrian

Or rather, we got a LOT of snow. About a foot's worth. It snowed from about 11am to about 9pm, really light powder.

This morning, Tom, Alma, and I went outside to play. We took some pictures, which you can see over at flickr. We also took some videos which I will upload this weekend.

It is supposed to snow again tomorrow.

Peekaboo! (Dec. 4, 2007)

2007-12-06T08:38:00.000-05:00

With dad's hat in hand, Alma can peekaboo all day.

Walkabout (Nov. 24, 2007)

2007-12-06T08:37:00.002-05:00

Alma takes a tour of the Gormans' house.

As many shoes as possible (Nov. 21, 2007)

2007-12-06T08:37:00.001-05:00

Alma practices walking in two pairs of shoes at once.

Piano Player (Nov. 19, 2007)

2007-12-06T08:36:00.001-05:00

Alma tickles the ivories.

Eating Yogurt (Nov. 14, 2007)

2007-12-06T08:35:00.002-05:00

Alma practices eating with a spoon. It's a sharp learning curve.

Mittens (Nov. 11, 2007)

2007-12-06T08:35:00.001-05:00

Mittens? Socks? Can't decide.

Wah Wah Wah (Nov. 11, 2007)

2007-12-06T08:33:00.000-05:00

Alma is developing the unique skill of a toddler.

Special Delivery

2007-12-01T22:06:00.001-05:00

Special Delivery
Originally uploaded by liberrian

I've finished uploading the photos from our Thanksgiving week visit to Pennsylvania. Lots there. And mom added some to the Alma Rose pool that are fabulous (but you must be logged in to see them...they're NSFW!)

I included a photo of what poor Alma looks like these days...her left eye's stye has puffed her eye up beyond recognition, and she tripped and smashed her face on a concrete paving stone yesterday morning. I took a child to day care looking like she'd just been pulled from a street fight.

I have a ton of videos to upload too, but I have to go through them and pick some worth watching, so that will have to wait another day or so. But soon, promise!

Fun weekend

2007-11-05T12:32:00.001-05:00

Walking up the slide?
Originally uploaded by liberrian

New photos up at Flickr: Alma's wearing sunglasses and hanging out on the playground.

Workout Time (Oct. 29, 2007)

2007-11-03T21:06:00.000-04:00

Alma and Mom head to the gym.

Running Around (Oct. 29, 2007)

2007-11-03T21:05:00.001-04:00

Alma has a ball, a grassy field, and a day (almost) warm enough to enjoy them.

Play Ball! (Oct. 29, 2007)

2007-11-03T21:03:00.000-04:00

Playing with dad and the globe ball.

Bike Helmet (Oct. 27, 2007)

2007-11-03T21:02:00.000-04:00

Alma finds a new hat.

Chow down (Oct. 15, 2007)

2007-11-03T21:00:00.000-04:00

Alma gets the hang of eating with a fork. This was among the first few times she (more-or-less) successfully feeds herself with a fork.

new photos (finally!) and videos (soon!)

2007-11-01T22:59:00.001-04:00

Baby Einstein
Originally uploaded by liberrian

I finally got some new photos posted over at flickr, including Alma's Halloween costume pictures (she was Baby Einstein). I have a bunch of videos I'm in the process of uploading (but won't get posted here till tomorrow at least. Slow upload speeds tonight.)

Signing Time (Oct. 11, 2007)

2007-10-17T08:44:00.000-04:00

Alma gets a little excited by the theme song for Signing Time, a sign language DVD series.

Vocabulary Quiz (Oct. 7, 2007)

2007-10-17T08:43:00.000-04:00

These are the words I know, these are the words I know.

Little Musician (September 23, 24 and October 7)

2007-10-11T00:03:00.000-04:00

Showcase of Alma's musical talents as an avant-garde multi-instrumentalist.

Rocking Horse (October 7)

2007-10-11T00:02:00.000-04:00

Some girls ride side-saddle. Alma rides backward-saddle.

Belly! (October 7)

2007-10-11T00:01:00.000-04:00

Alma says "belly."

Shoe Thief (October 3)

2007-10-11T00:00:00.000-04:00

Alma's sick of baby shoes.

Reading (September 26)

2007-10-10T23:59:00.000-04:00

Alma kept this up for ten minutes straight.

Fakeout! (September 22, 2007)

2007-09-25T22:45:00.000-04:00

Alma's too quick for her parents.

Walking (September 20, 2007)

2007-09-25T22:10:00.000-04:00

Alma goes out for a stroll, finds a sprinkler, and gets a bucket.

Pbbtst! (September 19, 2007)

2007-09-20T08:39:00.000-04:00

Alma is her father's daughter.

besos (September 16, 2007)

2007-09-19T13:43:00.000-04:00

Alma gives kisses.