A Funeral of a Friend

As I pack a bag to get ready for my trek to Forks for the funeral of Don West, I am flooded with memories of how Don intersected my life.

Don and Marsha are a set, and most of my memories involve both of them, but there are a few that stand out as pure Don moments.

It was in the West house that I first discovered a love of photography. Don had a darkroom and all the equipment that comes with it: smelly plastic bins, jugs of chemicals and a cool-looking enlarger who's meaning I didn't fully understand until I took a darkroom class years later. Don was always willing to talk about the darkroom and I soaked that up as a little kid.

Don also loved Diet Pepsi. While our household was sometimes a soda-free house and sometimes a Diet Coke house, I never quite understood the Wests' love of the dark side of the soda wars. But tastes aside, Don's favorite task with the bubbly liquid was to sneak up behind unsuspecting kids, teens, adults (or, maybe it was just me?) and slowly place that chilly, cold can on your neck, making you shriek in some combination of fun, shock and awe... how could he get away with it again and again?

In the house of West I learned of Noble Fir Christmas trees (we always had Douglas, I think) and that people really did put presents *in* their tree. I played softball in their backyard, and took a line drive to the stomach just seconds before I declared that I will never pitch again. I learned how to shuffle cards from Charlie, and from David I learned the word "soundtrack," and, more precisely, that the vinyl disc was not the audio version of the Star Wars movie.

Don, you were and are loved and I hope like crazy that you're dancing about the heavens with my father. Please send him my love and let him know that Griffey is playing for the Mariners again this season.

Rest in Peace.

My Friend the Zebra

Proof that babies will eat pretty much anything.

5 Months Old!

I am 5 months old today... doo-da, doo-da.

As I hope and plan to do with every little milestone, I took some photos this morning to mark our 5 months. The ones in my camera are still at home, but this one is lovely, taken in our car seat as we embarked upon our day.

Luck o' the Irish

I can think of no better way to wish you all a Happy St. Paddy's Day than to share more pix of my redheaded Irish son, named after his part-Irish grandfather, who in turn was named after his 100% Irish grandmother.

Who knew I'd have a redhead?!

Instead of a green beer, Durkin likes to gnaw on his fists:

It's in photos like these that I get a glimpse of what he'll look like as a kid heading to kindergarten. He's no longer that pink, helpless infant we brought home from the hospital. :)

News From the Bumbo Seat

We are finally sitting quite comfortably in our Bumbo chair, borrowed from cousin Gabriel. We have also gained a very keen liking for our toys while we sit in the chair. Frowns and tears when the toy was dropped.

Pretty cute stuff here.

Mr. Photogenic

I've been a bit of a slacker in posting photos lately, but I know you all understand how busy a working mama is, so I know you totally forgive me. Like, totally.

Here are some recent shots!

This fluffy, blue jacket is the softest possession we own. Baby showers are good for gifts like that. Thank you, Kristin and Nate.



There is something warm and magical about a sleeping baby.

I Will Eat You

Nom, nom, nom

Baby, It's Cold Outside

I'm pretty sure if the Yankees trained in Alaska, this is the kind of hat they might wear.