A 22 month old's dictionary...

I'm realizing now that Q is talking more, that there are certain things she says which to me seem completely normal, yet to most other people, they would not make sense. Here's a few items from Q's dictionary...

Go Go- 1. Gomez, the family dog; 2. well, any dog actually; 3. her purple pajamas, that have a dog print; 4. the beloved children's book "The Pokey Little Puppy".

Bubbles- 1. The small spheres that float through the air; 2. soap suds, during a bath; 3. polka dots, on socks, t-shirts, pajamas, etc.

Bob- 1. A belly, anyone's belly.

Mommy- 1. Most frequently, me, her mother; 2. At bedtime, the book "My World" (the author's photo is on the back, it's a woman, so it's 'Mommy').

Jumpy- 1. to jump; 2. a small knit square that she likes to make dance.

Via- short for Olivia- 1. Olivia, the TV show or book, 2. any TV show.

Baby- 1. a doll; 2. a stuffed animal; 3. any child close to her age.

Yellow- 1. Yellow pacifier; 2. yellow spoon; 3. yellow bowl; 4. yellow socks; 5. yellow shirt.

Elmo- 1. The lovable red monster from Sesame Street; 2. her toothbrush and/or toothpaste.

Peek a Boo...

Best of the Decade- in my opinion...

It seems like as 2009 came to a close and 2010 started, everyone seemed to be making lists, trying to compile 10 years into 10 bullet points, trying to prove why their list is better than anyone else's. After an interesting conversation with friends about music, and the discussion as to what were the top 10 albums of the decade, I've decided to add my own ideas.

Please note, these may not be the most amazing albums of the decade, or the most critically acclaimed, but these are the ten that made the biggest difference in my life, the ones that stayed on heavy rotation, and probably still have a home in my car.

10. Radiohead- Hail to the Thief -This is a toughie, as they released four albums in the 2000s, and admittedly, I am a bigger fan of their 90s work, but I can't leave them off the list. (And I have a special spot in my heart to Hail to the Thief as it relates to the 2004 election.)

9. Vampire Weekend- Vampire Weekend- I know Contra has since been released, but I have an affinity for their first release. It's rare that I'll listen to an album, and immediately want to listen to it again, and again, and again. I actually recall texting my sister after the first or second listen saying "get this!"

8. Kings of Leon- Because of the Times- Their third release, while I liked the first and second album, it wasn't until Because of the Times that I really, truly HAD to listen to KOL. It might be because "On Call" seemed to randomly get stuck in my head, but this one my favorite of their releases. And given the popularity of Only by the Night, they still felt like "my" band when this one came out.

7. Gomez- In Our Gun- They also had several releases in the 2000s, but In Our Gun remains one of my favorite of their albums. I was lucky enough to see them many times during this past decade too, and they remain one of the few bands that I must see when they come near us. (Split the Difference came in a close second, it was a tough call).

6. Death Cab for Cutie- Plans- Was Plans their best album of the decade? Some may argue no, it was their first major label album, which may cause some to shy away. But for me, it was solid, start to finish, and still gets played with regularity. "I Will Follow You Into the Dark" is one of my favorite songs to this day.

5. Interpol- Turn on the Bright Lights- While all three Interpol albums came out in the last decade, their first still remains closest to me. It's not that I didn't like the other two, but there's something about the tracks on Turn on the Bright Lights that keep them as my favorites in the Interpol catalog.

4. The Shins- Chutes Too Narrow- It's tough for me to pick just one Shins album, as I truly liked all three, but there's something about Chutes Too Narrow that pulls it to the top of the pile for me at least.

3. Postal Service- Give Up- Admittedly, I'll pretty much go for anything that Ben Gibbard is involved with, but Postal Service blew me away, and I liked them before I really knew he was involved. This album, released in 2003 still makes me wish for more, and makes me think "2003? That's not possible", I don't think it's left my car since it was released.

2. Fiona Apple- Extraordinary Machine- Oh Fiona, why only one album? Why only three total? You know you could release so many more and I would love them all. From the first chords of "Extraordinary Machine", to the amazing video for "Not About Love", there is only good on this album in my book.

1. Wilco- Yankee Hotel Foxtrot- I was a latecomer to Wilco, I had heard earlier songs and liked them, but it wasn't until Yankee Hotel Foxtrot that I truly fell in love. (Thank you Luke, for introducing me to them). I could listen to this album every day and not grow tired of it. In my book, their best release. But, that might stem from personal connections as well.

Honorable Mentions to- Feist- The Reminder; Gomez- Split the Difference; The Shins- Oh, Inverted World; The New Pornographers- Twin Cinema; Sufjan Stevens- Illinois; Phoenix- Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix; The White Stripes- White Blood Cells; Iron & Wine- Our Endless Numbered Days.

As I said, these are certainly not the most daring, critically acclaimed albums, but they are my top 10... at least right now... I may change my mind if I reflect further on this.