Delightfully Weird...updated with photos!

When Ted and I were dreaming of who our children would be, we'd often pick out the most off-beat kid at some gathering and say, "We want one like that." It was usually the quirky-looking boy in a striped polo shirt talking excitedly about his collection of old Beatles records or the buck-toothed little girl with the uneven haircut in our Kids Church class who knew the puppets weren't real but would be the first one to talk to them anyway. You know: the kid with imagination, spunk, and total lack of self-consciousness.

It may be too early to say, but we think we may have hit the weird-jackpot with our Abie Baby. Here are a few examples:

The first time that Abe danced in earnest, completely entranced in the song, going so far as to incorporate numerous dance moves within those four minutes was the first time we played "Abie Baby" from the musical Hair, sent to us by one of Ted's brothers. I have a video of his performance but won't post it because of some pretty family-unfriendly language in the song, but if you come to our house, ask us, and we'll show you. It's a ground-breaking performance.

As mentioned before, Abe's favorite youtube video is with Lisa Loeb, the Queen of Quirk.

The one thing we can count on Abe eating anytime is cold broccoli, which he calls "boo-ah" and bananas, which he calls "bwwwwa."

Currently, the toy that Abe wants to play with first thing in the morning is his purple Hanna Montana fan that I got at Big Lots for our trip to Ethiopia. It's one of those fans you can put around your neck and use for cramped spaces, like the backseat of cars in Addis Ababa.

Abe's ability to make weird faces continues. He's moved on from mere silly faces to dramatic ones. In the mornings over breakfast is when he's at his best with the cinematic looks. He's pretty much perfected brooding, menacing that borders on truly evil, skeptical, and surprised. I know people accuse me of teaching him these faces (Cindy C.), but really: I only copy what he does first. The following photos were taken tonight at dinner:

Anyone interested in some jello puddin' pops?

Bella, I love you, yet I'm so intoxicated by the scent of your sweet, sweet blood...

...just kidding, that brooding vampire performance is convincing, I know. But really, I'm just an angel--notice my sweetly folded hands.

Boo-yah! Egg on your face!

Abe's affirmative answer for something he really truly wants to do is like this:
Me: Abe, do you want to read some gooks? (what he calls books)
Abe: Uuuhhh Yah Yah Yah Yah Yah!!!! (while nodding furiously)

Abe's hair is starting to resemble Don King's when he skips a day with conditioner. It seems to have grown a few inches in the last couple of months, and if he sleeps with the top of his head squished against the crib, he wakes up with it straightened out pretty much. But it stands straight up. Hence, Don King.

Yes, Abe is in the back of Dad's El Camino, wearing his "I'm small, but I rock" shirt.

Ever since he started walking, Abe's will is out in full force. Well, lots of changes have happened since he started walking. My personal favorite is how he likes to pull his diaper down to his hips so that he has the plumber crack going. I have a photo of this plumber-impression but hesitate to post it. Wouldn't want to embarrass Abe, I guess. But believe me--it's pretty adorable. If you come to our house, I'll show you.

Finally, Abe much prefers to shake hands like the diplomat/politician that he is, but if he knows you well enough, he'll give you five. Just don't overdo it, as I do here. This odd gesture of putting his right hand by the side of his head and saying "ooh" is Abe's way of saying that you need to take it down a notch. Abe prefers subtlety in his acting, a true sign of theatrical greatness.


Finally, look who's heading to Ethiopia tomorrow! This post made me cry. I love Jana. And I can't wait to meet Miss R.