Just the One of Me

I find myself with an oddly quiet house.  I am unaccustomed to hearing the air conditioner running and not being subconsciously tuned into the sounds of ocean waves crashing upon shore emitting from the sound machine next to the crib being piped through the monitor in the kitchen (did  you follow that?).  Ellen and Safia have left the state.  They are in New Jersey, going to the beach to frolic and cavort in aquatic environs.  I will join them on Saturday as we attend a wedding in Princeton of dear friends.  So for the rest of the week, it's just me and this big ol' empty, quiet house.  

It's been a pretty significant couple of weeks in the development of Baby Safia.  Due to her staunch refusal to drink milk by way of bottles or other methods, our pediatrician gave the thumbs up to start solid food.  So, with rice cereal box in hand, we tried it out.  We're going slow and steady with the rice cereal because we're so very hopeful that this could pave the way for some Ellen freedom in the foreseeable future.  There have been successes and snafus, but overall, things look bright.  Please cross your fingers for us.  

Other than that, things are settling in, and the real world of work, family, and music is now feeling very tangible.  Tomatoes are rapidly ripening in the garden and as I type, a pot of tomatoes are stewing on the stove for storage.  Life is pretty alright.