Rye's First Movie Night

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A Reality Check from Grandma

Grandma E sent us an email today with a couple of photos of the little girl...one taken shortly after we brought her home (Grandma E has like 400 to choose from...I'd insert one of those winky smiley face emoticon dealies here if I was into that sort of thing) and one that was taken (probably by a proud uncle on his iphone...there is also no shortage of these) about a week ago.

The point of the email was one that we've talked about several times and one you hear over and over again from parents with kids of all ages: they grow up so fast.

I know I'm not seasoned enough to be lamenting with those parents who are getting ready to see their kids off to college again after christmas break, but wow. I already need this to slow down.

See photos for reality check.

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All I want for Christmas

All I want for Christmas is to never forget this moment.

What's in a Name...

Rye is a cereal grain that is hardy and tolerant of frost and drought.  It is, therefore, often grown when and where other cereal grains fail.  Its resiliency and hardiness are characteristics derived from the strength of its root system and its efficiency...rye typically uses 20 to 30 percent less water than wheat.

The purposes for which rye is cultivated are broad.  Its most recognizable end use is bread, though rye bread has traditionally been considered less "luxurious" than its cousin, wheat bread.  It is the bread of the people...utilitarian.  The grain is also cultivated to feed grazing animals and to benefit the environment by reducing erosion, promoting water retention in soil, and reducing the need for and use of herbicides.  (http://www.gramene.org/species/secale/rye_intro.html).

The Oxford English Dictionary simply says that rye is "a wheatlike cereal plant that tolerates poor soils and low temperatures."

Of course, rye is also sometimes used to make a spirit known as rye whiskey.  It is rumored to be deliciously intoxicating and the near forgotten traditional preference of persons of discriminating palate.

Our Rye is not named after whiskey, nor is she necessarily named after a wheat-like grain.  However, we hope that she is as unique as her name and will endeavor to instill resilience, sturdiness, and a hint of deeply rooted traditional charm in this little girl as she grows.

rye (the grain)

Rye (the Pilmer)

So... this happened

The (over)Stimulation Station

We call this the (over)Stimulation Station.  It came with a Ritalin prescription.

Here is a Rye's Eye view...

(I had this dream in college one time after an all-nighter...of the non-studying sort).

I Just Like this Picture

I took this photo with my phone, using one of those polaroid apps.  Nothing particularly special...just another cute shot of baby Rye.  These things pretty much take themselves...

On another note, it looks like the little girl has her first bug.   Nothing terribly alarming...but, stand by for stories of all-night consoling laced with projectile vomit.