2010 Archives » I am David Gaines

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Happy New Year’s to Everyone!

31
Dec 2010

David Gaines

Category: Humor

Which Heroes Have Inspired Me The Most?

30
Dec 2010

David Gaines

So I “updated” my Facebook profile page to the new look, and I’m not sure what’s really that different other than my Redskins Fan tab is missing. And since I was playing with this new look, I decided to fill in some of those “get to know me” type of things that no one reads. And yes, Outsourced is my favorite TV show.

I didn’t fill them all out, but I did add a few people who “inspire” me [less my family, my closest friends and Prince]. These are individuals whose commitment to helping the helpless goes beyond donating to the Salvation Army. Some started revolutions by building armies; others started revolution by defying armies.

It’s difficult enough for any human being to make a difference in the world, let alone against an establishment flush with funds, or traditions that date back thousands of years, or foreign governments intent on silencing you. But these individuals have defied the odds knowing death [more like assassination] was just around the corner. All were killed doing what they believed in. And in the next year, I’ll be introducing them one by one. Some you may already know [Who doesn't know Che?], others are more obscure, but all were great people who should be an inspiration to everyone.

more…

Category: Heroes Tags: Africa, Che Guevara, Dedan Kimathi, Facebook, Mahatma Gandhi, Sérgio Vieira de Mello, Stephen Biko, Thomas Sankara

Talk About a Transplant Getting Your Life Back!

30
Dec 2010

David Gaines

Scott Sisters sentenced for life for $11. Imagine receiving a life sentence for robbing someone of a $10 bill and four quarters!? Life!? Since when did two counts of armed robbery land you in prison until you die [less parole]? I wonder what a speeding ticket will get you in Mississippi!?

Sisters Jamie and Gladys Scott were convicted in 1994 for armed robbery and are still in the joint. Of course their crime was stupid, and they deserved some type of punishment, and no one is saying they’re innocent. But not even being eligible for parole until 2014 for armed robbery is, well, “highway robbery.”

Recently, though, Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour suspended the sisters’ life sentences with a unique twist. Gladys Scott has to donate a kidney to her sister.

more…

Category: Law and Order Tags: Ali Ahmed Mohammed, Haley Barbour, Jamie Scott, kidney transplant

Capturing Najwa’s Personality in Pictures

30
Dec 2010

David Gaines

Najwa Gaines Years ago while living in Atlanta, I carried my camera everywhere I went and shot pictures of everyone I met. Every event, every moment, every person was my mindset. I simply didn’t want a single memory to be forgotten. One of my friends, Tangela Hall, had this habit of making funny faces every time the camera was pointed in her direction. No matter how hard I tried, all her pictures had her tongue sticking out, her eyes crossed or some other face that would bring joy to a three-month-old.

One day when talking about it, she explained that a static photo of her just smiling, just standing there misses the essence of who she really is. The personality is hidden beneath the pretty smile and body pose. She made it a point to make the photo more about who she is rather than what she looks like.

So, the other day armed with my camera, I was taking [even more] pictures of Najwa while sitting in her swing. And every time I tried to snap her smile, she’d make a funny face. And every time I asked her to sit still and smile, she’d make another one. And another one. And another one…

Many Faces of Najwa

Category: Najwa, Photos Tags: Najwa Gaines, Tangela Hall

YahZarah Brings in 2011 with Prince Tribute

29
Dec 2010

David Gaines

YahZarah It had been years since the last Prince concert, and the one we went to a few weeks ago made me realize how much I had forgotten why he’s still commanding up to $750 a ticket after 30+ years! It was Nduku’s first Prince concert, and who knows how long before Prince performs again.

But, there are remedies for those who can’t get enough.

If you’re in Washington, DC this New Year’s weekend, my homeboy Daz highly recommends checking out YahZarah performing at Blues Alley. She’ll be performing a tribute to Prince and his 34 years of producing hits after hits after hits. We’ll be there if we can find someone still sober enough to watch Najwa.

There are two shows at 8:00 pm or 10:00 pm on Saturday, January 1. That’s plenty of time to recover from a night of revelry. Blues Alley is a jazz club founded in 1965 which always has some of the hottest shows. It’s only $25 a head, much less than what you’ll spend on drinks alone the night before.

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Category: Prince, Things To Do Tags: Blues Alley (DC), Danny Byers, Prince, YahZarah

The Gaines Boys Take Home The Hardware

29
Dec 2010

David Gaines

The Lombardi Trophy I would like to thank Eric Taylor and Omar Pettis for contributing to my championship victory in the inaugural season for “No Balls, No Glory.” The fantasy football league [my homeboy Daz is the commissioner] saw two teams finish 11-3, both disposed of by my squad, and 5 teams finishing at 8-6. Amazingly competitive league.

The final week before the playoffs, Eric Taylor’s We got six beat up on Daz’ Multiple Scorgasms resulting in both of us finishing 8-6 with three other teams. Tavares Taylor’s 302 Boyz was seeded third, but my squad edged out Daz by outscoring him over the course of the year for the last playoff spot.

My squad which started out 2-5 got the boost we needed after a ego-shattering verbal beatdown from Omar Pettis one evening. It was enough to motivate me to put Najwa down for a moment to figure out what was going on before reeling off six victories in a row, including Omar’s The Chosen One by the score of 194-136.

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Category: Fantasy Football Tags: Chad McKelvey, Charlson Gaines, CJ Cline, Danny Byers, Duane Nash, Eric Taylor, Fantasy Football, Omar Pettis, Ron Taylor, Tavares Taylor

Blogs I Read and Wish I Read

27
Dec 2010

David Gaines

A friend asked me the other day what a blog was. As I was explaining it to him, I probably confused him more. It’s like a journal, but it’s more than just personal stuff. Media outlets use it to say what they really want to say, but some of these media outlets aren’t news organizations. It’s a place to say whatever you want, but it’s a place you want to be careful of what you say.

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Category: My People Tags: Asabi Beal, Dana Saxon, Facebook

Merry Christmas (and its translations) To You!

25
Dec 2010

David Gaines

Merry Christmas everyone!
[Or Happy Holidays to those who are politically correct.]

And to Nduku [my lady], her entire family all over the world, my Kenyan friends [especially Maureen Ndoto who introduced me to Nduku!], President Barack Obama and those who speak Swahili, Kuwa na siku kuu njema! And just for Nduku and Najwa — Nakupenda!

more…

If I Only Had The Time To Blog About…

23
Dec 2010

David Gaines

When I first started this blogging thing, I couldn’t figure out what theme or topic or direction to go in, so I decided to go in every direction. I don’t think there’s a moment in which I’m not thinking about something [more like a dozen things simultaneously] and rarely is it ever the same theme or topic or subject as the moment before.

Then I’ll sit here, looking at my keyboard, getting ready to blog about whatever it was I was about to blog about when the posting I’m blogging about takes a turn and next thing you know, I’m blogging about something I just thought about while trying to remember what I meant to blog about making a note to blog about whatever it was later.

My time, though, has been prioritized in a way in which I can’t always sit here and blog about everything. Najwa isn’t having that. But — I can give a hint about what I wanted to blog about, right?

Dunbar High School Getting a Face Lift
Since I just posted something about how bad it is at Dunbar, the high school just a few blocks from where we live, I was going to write something about the $100 million makeover. Since it isn’t expected to be completed until 2013-2014, I have time.

Kenyan inspired by Obama to join politics in Canada
James Atebe is a Kenyan who in 2008 was re-elected mayor somewhere in Canada. Now he’s inspired by Barack Obama to set his political goals higher. I figure after the carnage coming in 2012 for Obama as he seeks his own re-election, we’ll see how high Atebe wants to go.

If I Was Redskins Owner Daniel Snyder
Well, this would’ve been more a rant than a blog post, but there was one specific thought I wanted to share. With WR Santana Moss becoming a free agent at the end of the season and Carolina WR pretending like he’s tired of being a Panther, well, it’s a no-brainer. Even better is to find a way to keep Moss and sign Smith. Do it!

After Obama Vowed to Close Gitmo, Looks Like We’re in for the Long Haul
Speaking of Barack Obama, I was a bit disappointed to hear he was intending on signing a bill that formalizes keeping the Gitmo prisoners, well, prisoners of Gitmo; considering his first action as president was sign a bill to shut down Gitmo within a year, almost two years ago. But politics is politics and apparently he really is losing his leverage to see that promise happen. Congress isn’t waiting to make sure the Gitmo prisoners will be waiting forever to get out.

Know what? I know there were another dozen or so thoughts racing to the front of my mind to get in this blog, but my eyes are getting heavy so I’ll leave it at that. That is — for now.

Category: Passing Thoughts Tags: Barack Obama, Canada, Daniel Snyder, Dunbar High School (DC), James Atebe, Kenya, Washington Redskins

Should a 10-Year-Old Have to Play Mommy?

22
Dec 2010

David Gaines

As we approach a year since Nduku and I — ummm — conceived, the question has come up whether or not we plan on having another child. Well, actually, we’re still enjoying our first child. But the thought obviously has crossed our minds. Being that she has to carry the child for 9 months, and remembering what it was like for Najwa, I’ll let Nduku decide if and when.

So, I was reading the Think Pretty Smart blog about when parents have children and relegate the oldest one to play mommy…

Now, I do understand special circumstances where an older sibling may need to help out. BUT…To put the child care burden on an older sibling is just mean. You’re stripping one child of their childhood and possibly causing resentment.

Not that we have plans for a child as of yet, but if/when we do conceive Najwa a sibling, I’m going to keep this thought in mind. And once I formulate an opinion, I’ll share it. Until then, for those with multiple little ones, what do you do?

Category: Najwa, Parenthood Tags: Najwa Gaines, Nduku Malombe

Taking a Morning Stroll in New York

22
Dec 2010

David Gaines

Statue of Peter Stuyvesant in New York Whenever I’m in New York, I feel compelled to run around the city, without a map, snapping pictures of whatever gets in my way. Everywhere you look, there’s a photo op. From the architecture and monuments, landmarks and historical buildings to the local art, the neighborhood hangouts and just about everything else in between.

During our most recent trip to New York, we stayed at Hotel 17 near Stuyvesant Square. One morning, while everyone slept, I snuck out with the digital camera my homeboy Chad McKelvey loaned me to capture as much of the neighborhood as I could in a couple of hours.

Stuyvesant Square
Around the corner from Hotel 17 [where we were staying for the weekend] is Stuyvesant Square. It was still early when I got out there, so other than an occasional dog walker, I had the park to myself.

It’s named after Peter Stuyvesant who owned the land back in the 1800s. In 1836 his great-great-grandson, also named Peter, sold four of the acres to the City of New York as a public park originally to be called Holland Park. It was sold for a token $5. Add a bunch of zeros and you might be able to buy some property there today!

more…

Category: Photos, Road Trips, Travel the World, Traveling Tags: Chad McKelvey, Christmas, Flatiron Building (NY), Hotel 17 (NY), Stuyvesant Square (NY), The Alamo (NY), Worth Square (NY)

If You Need a Place to Stay in New York…

22
Dec 2010

David Gaines

Hotel 17 in New York Since we’re talking about hotels, let me share about the one where we stayed in New York for the Prince concert. At first we [Nduku, Najwa, Mike and Jenny] were going to stay in one using an employee discount Joanne English, a friend of mine, was offering. The issue, being a week before Christmas, the only ones available were not in Manhattan. The plan was to get a room at a hotel on Staten Island until my homeboy Chad explained the only way to get there was by ferry. Then we considered New Jersey, but we didn’t want to keep paying the tolls and fighting the traffic.

Eventually, we went the William Shatner route and took Priceline.com for a spin. Amazingly, we found a hotel a few blocks from Union Square that was in line with our price. Of course, when you’re paying $150 for a night in New York, you have to wonder what the catch is. With bed bugs being the latest craze in travel [and full body x-ray machines to get on a plane], we took to the reviews and felt pretty comfortable with this option.

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Category: Travel the World Tags: Hotel 17 (NY), Hotels, Jenny Jackson, Mike "2-3" Jackson, Najwa Gaines, Nduku Malombe, New York

Homicide? Yes. Crime Committed? Maybe.

22
Dec 2010

David Gaines

Scene where Ali Ahmed Mohammed died

I’m not sure what it is about this specific tragedy that has me following it, but something doesn’t seem right and I’m waiting to see how this one ends. To refresh [or enlighten] your memories:

Man throws a brick through the window of a club
Co-owner and some employees chase down the brick thrower and beat him up
Brick thrower dies
Culprits are charged
Charges are then dropped until the medical examiner makes a ruling
The club reopens and it’s business as usual

more…

Category: Law and Order Tags: Ali Ahmed Mohammed, DC9 (DC)

Answer Can Be As Simple As Just Being There

21
Dec 2010

David Gaines

In the upcoming weeks my cousin Shanna will be introducing her daughter Sydnee to the world. If not in the upcoming days. Being a three-month veteran to this parenthood thing, I was thinking of what advice I could give her for her first three months. There are 1,000s of books [and even more people!] with step-by-step instructions of how to raise a child, but there always seem to be a handful of things left out.

You’ll read about the warped-shaped head and baby acne, crossed-eyes and cradle caps, the flaky skin and long fingernails. You’ll hear the stories about 10 diapers a day and the evilness of colic. You’ll get an even worse scare from all the stories of SIDS, putting baby on his/her stomach and clipping off fingers if you’re not careful clipping those fingernails.

more…

Category: Parenthood Tags: Germany, Najwa Gaines, Quinn Warner, Shanna Wiley, Steve Gaines

Surprise! Where the World’s Best Hotels Are

20
Dec 2010

David Gaines

Tortilis Camp in Kenya If you’re planning a vacation anytime soon [or ever for that matter], you have to check out Travel+Leisure’s Top 500 World’s Best Hotels. Considering Nduku and I will be traveling to Kenya next year, I was curious to see what Kenya had to offer. Living in Washington, DC, we have 6 on the list. Virginia has two Ritz-Carlton hotels in the DC region listed, and Maryland has, well, I’m sure Maryland has some nice hotels as well.

Kenya doesn’t strike me as a place where you have some of the world’s best hotels. I can see South Africa, Egypt, even Botswana or Zambia on the game reserves or national parks. The magazine grouped Africa with the Middle East, so naturally the sail-shaped hotel in Dubai and a little something in Israel or Jordan would be listed.

Heh.

more…

Category: Travel the World Tags: Africa, Hotels, Kenya, Kichwa Tembo (Kenya), Mara Safari Club (Kenya), Mt. Kenya Safari Club (Kenya), The Norfolk (Kenya), Tortilis Camp (Kenya)

Looking Back at Previous Prince Posts

20
Dec 2010

David Gaines

Prince There’s no doubt Prince has been my favorite artist going back to when I didn’t even understand what he was really saying. I thought a Raspberry Beret was a, well, raspberry berry. And I thought Little Red Corvette was about driving a little red corvette. And if you still think that, then you either only have his Greatest Hits album and don’t know much about his music, or you’re still too young for anyone to explain it to you.

Regardless, in the process of moving my blog from it’s previous home to the new home [more like moving rooms in the same house], I’m reposting previous posts but with their original dates. Today, the project is moving over posts related to Your Purple Majesty — Prince!

My Life According To Prince
One of those Facebook viral “notes” that were going around last year. Prince made it easy.

“there are only so many words”
One day I’ll start doing “Quotes of the Moment” again. This is a quote from Prince’s enigmatic mind.

An Entire Galaxy Awaits
This was an announcement of a new Prince site. Now it just points to the best Prince website.

What’s an Inauguration Without Prince?
Photos from LoveSexyDC’s Prince Party during Barack Obama’s Inauguration Weekend in Washington, DC.

Category: Prince Tags: Barack Obama, LoveSexyDC, Prince

Prince Comes To The Big Apple

19
Dec 2010

David Gaines

Christmas came a week early this year! Out of the blue a few months ago, Prince announced some concert dates, and being a Prince fan since I was old enough to listen to him, it was an obligation to be there. As it was for Daz. And Mike. And Chad. And Dana.

After the Prince concert in New York 2010
Davita and Chad McKelvey to the left, Dan Saxon with Daz in the front, me and Nduku in the middle,
Mike and Jenny Jackson next to Anne on the far right

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Category: For Your Viewing Pleasure, Live Performances, My People, Photos, Prince Tags: Anne Lambert, Chad McKelvey, Dana Saxon, Danny Byers, Davita McKelvey, Jenny Jackson, Mike "2-3" Jackson, Nduku Malombe, New York, Prince

Can a TV Show Prepare Me For Kenya?

15
Dec 2010

David Gaines

Next year Nduku and I will be going to Kenya. The Malombe family and I will finally meet, they’ll get to meet their granddaughter Najwa, and Nduku gets to immerse me in the Kenyan culture. Hopefully she doesn’t tease me as much as I tease her when she doesn’t always get American culture.

The thought of being in Kenya got me thinking of a TV show I’ve become addicted to. One day [most days] there was nothing on the 500+ channels we pay Comcast a lot of money for. Since I couldn’t take another show on Sprout [Najwa likes that channel], I accidentally clicked on the OnDemand button instead of the power button. Clever remote control design.

While in the world of instant cable satisfaction, why not browse through the hundreds of options? Let’s see — nothing, nothing, nothing and more nothing. Eventually, I found something that looked promising. I’m not much of a TV person, especially comedies not starring Jamie Foxx or Redd Foxx, but one trailer looked pretty funny…

more…

Category: Travel the World Tags: Devin Johnson, Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya, Najwa Gaines, Nduku Malombe, Tusker (beer)

Too Early To Plan for Najwa’s Schooling?

08
Dec 2010

David Gaines

When I was a tot, it was understood which schools I would attend. The closest ones, in the neighborhood, with my neighbors. The schools were in walking distance, and I’d walk home with my closest friends who lived around the corner — Damian, Jason and Kareem [The Taylor Brothers] and Harry Blackmore.

Ponderosa Elementary and Westover High School weren’t bad schools. Or maybe it was the times. Or the fact that we lived in Fayetteville. But here in Washington, DC, the closest schools aren’t necessarily the most desirable schools to attend. When Najwa reaches that age, we won’t be living here, but it crosses the mind from time to time what it will be like when she starts school. After all, DC has one of the country’s worst school systems. Even when led by the nation’s education darling Michelle Rhee, the bickering of how to move forward got her canned when Mayor Adrian Fenty was ousted by Soon-To-Be-Mayor Vincent Gray.

more…

Category: Education, Najwa Tags: Adrian Fenty (Former DC Mayor), Damian Taylor, Dunbar High School (DC), Fayetteville NC, Harry Blackmore, Kareem Taylor, Mayor Vincent Gray, Michelle Rhee, Najwa Gaines, Ponderosa Elementary School, Westover High School

Najwa Discovers Her Right Hand

07
Dec 2010

David Gaines

Slowly but surely I’m figuring out this thing called technology. After many, many years I gave up on designing my own template for my blog and just downloaded one I’d never be able to design. I’m getting better at integrating Facebook with my blogs, though I haven’t done it on this site yet. And just yesterday I uploaded my first YouTube video.

Of course the video is of Najwa as she discovers her right hand!

Category: For Your Viewing Pleasure, Najwa, Najwa in Motion Tags: Najwa Gaines

Najwa Meets More of Her Extended Family

06
Dec 2010

David Gaines

Of course Nduku and I being brought up differently, we have different ideas of how to raise Najwa. Nduku likes to give her glucose. I don’t see a problem with Mountain Dew [just kidding!]. One thing we do agree on is not shying away from having Najwa meet many different people, seeing many different face and hearing many different voices.

Maureen Ndoto and Najwa Gaines Recently Najwa was paid a visit from some of Nduku’s people. Maureen, the one who introduced us, came by recently. Normally when someone claims he/she won’t ever have kids, they’re a bit awkward holding one. I know a decade ago I was allergic to babies.

Maureen, though, had no issues holding Najwa. Maybe Najwa knew it was Maureen who started the butterfly effect that led to her birth. That and Maureen’s genuine smile, from one Kenyan to a half-Kenyan.
more…

Category: My People, Najwa Tags: Brayden Jackson, Diella Pendleton, Doug Pendleton, Jenny Jackson, Maureen Ndoto, Mike "2-3" Jackson, Najwa Gaines, Nduku Malombe

Photos of Najwa Lounging Around The Pad

15
Nov 2010

David Gaines

When I was shopping for a new mobile phone, one feature I had no interest in was the built-in camera. Not only do I carry around a huge Canon 10D Digital SLR [Thanks Chad!] with a Canon 28-125mm EF macro lens, a Canon 100-300 mm zoom lens, an 18-200 mm lens, a Canon 380 Speedlite and enough memory for 1000+ photos, I have a Sony Cybershot digital point-and-shoot with a Carl Zeiss lens.

But, somehow, I found a way to put the iPhone’s camera to use…

more…

Category: Najwa, Najwa Photos Tags: Chad McKelvey, Najwa Gaines

Goodbye Clubs. Hello Parenthood.

15
Nov 2010

David Gaines

Shanna holding Najwa at Sydnee’s baby shower

Many many moons ago my cousin Shanna Wiley came to visit with a couple of friends. I asked if they wanted to see some of the landmarks — Washington Monument, White House, the stadium where the Redskins play? Without hesitation the response was all about where to grab a bite to eat, where to shop and which club we were going to that night. Before you knew it, we were all cutting the rug at H2O.

Children? The last thing we were thinking about were having kids. We were actually doing everything we could to prevent having kids — ever. They’re expensive; they don’t sleep 8 hours in a row; they outgrow their clothes before we have a chance to put them on!
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Category: My People, Photos Tags: Ashley Kelly, baby shower, Consuela Mayrant, Danny Byers, Gregory Reaves, Kheba Williams, Lisa Smith, Melissa Pope, MingleBerry.com, Najwa Gaines, Nduku Malombe, Nikesha Harper, Nyasha Page, Omar Pettis, Shanna Wiley, Starr Dingle, Tara Centeio

How You Can Help Us Help Tomorrow’s Youth

11
Nov 2010

David Gaines

Several months ago my homeboy Devin Johnson sent out an email that went a little something like this: “stop crying about today’s young black men and do something about it.” It takes no effort to point out how tomorrow’s generation of young black men are today’s terror in the streets. We blame their parents as if we live next door. We blame the system, the neighborhoods they live in and the music videos. And Tyler Perry’s latest movie.

But no one does anything more than point out all the reasons instead of doing something about it. Though Devin mentioned he’d understand why some of us — the fellas [he was mostly targeting the black men, but women were invited as well] with kids like my newborn Najwa — couldn’t commit the time, I decided his point was stronger than my excuse. Najwa isn’t going to suffer if I spent a few days with my mentee. Actually, hanging out with a 14-year-old may be beneficial when Najwa enters high school. Today’s 14-year-olds aren’t quite the same as when I was 14, and who knows how 14-year-olds will be in 14 years when Najwa enters that stage in life.

more…

Category: Education, Giving Back Tags: Devin Johnson, Giving Back, Thurgood Marshall Academy (DC), Washington DC

So, The Brick Thrower Died of…?

11
Nov 2010

David Gaines

Ali Ahmed Mohammed Ok, let’s see. A guy is denied admission into a club. He decides if he can’t get in, at least the bricks he threw through the window could. Obviously one of the owners wasn’t happy and ~~called the cops~~ went outside with four employees, chased down said brick-thrower, held him down and beat the shizzle out of him.

Said brick-thrower is now dead.

Maybe he had a condition prior to throwing the brick through the window. Perhaps he hit his head when he fell on his own before the employees caught him. Whatever the case, the medical examiner determined that even though five people were hitting, kicking and beating the shizzle out of him, Ali Ahmed Mohammed’s injuries weren’t consistent with a brutal beating, though he took one. So, initially charged with murder, the charges against the men are now being dropped?

The investigation, of course, will continue…

UPDATE: DC9 has reopened for business.

Category: Law and Order Tags: Ali Ahmed Mohammed, DC9 (DC), Protests, Washington DC

I Promise We Had a Parenting Plan!

04
Nov 2010

David Gaines

Is this colic or just baby crying? While chatting with a friend of mine, I inquired about whether or not she was available to babysit Najwa. Though Nduku and I found a savior who’s always available, doesn’t have a late fee and is only chipping away at Najwa’s college fund at $25 a day, it would be nice to have someone who could come by the pad from time to time so we wouldn’t have to rise and shine [in the dark] at 6:00 am.

My friend, Mary, replied, though, that she knew “___” about babies.

My response, being a 6-week veteran, was: “same here.”

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Category: Parenthood Tags: Gessie Belizaire, Mary Lankford, Najwa Gaines, Nduku Malombe

Celebrating Erykah’s First Birthday

31
Oct 2010

David Gaines

Celebrating Erykah's Birthday on Halloween

It’s been a long time since I dressed up for Halloween. Nduku and Najwa have never dressed up for Halloween. This year, though, we had an extra incentive to do so. October 31 is the birthday of Eric Mack’s daughter, Erykah Willow Mack, and we put on a little something to celebrate with her on Halloween!

Erykah's First Birthday

Born on Halloween, Erykah Mack celebrated her first birthday with a costume party.

In the bottom right corner of the gallery, click SL for the slideshow or FS for full screen

Category: Birthday Parties, Photos, Social Events Tags: Birthday Party, Christy Lindsey, Eric Mack, Erykah Mack, Halloween, Ivory Harris, Mike Lindsay, Najwa Gaines, Nduku Malombe, Vickie Meadows

Random Photos From Najwa’s First Month

18
Oct 2010

David Gaines

Najwa and Daddy

Najwa and Nduku
Najwa and Mommy

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Category: Najwa, Najwa Photos Tags: Najwa Gaines, Nduku Malombe

White House Visit for Najwa’s 1-Month Birthday

17
Oct 2010

David Gaines

Najwa turned one month old today, and to celebrate, we took her to another half-Kenyan’s house. President Barack Obama wasn’t anywhere to be found, but there were several hundred others there for the Annual White House Garden and Grounds Tour.

Najwa and Nduku at the White House
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Category: Najwa, Photos Tags: Barack Obama, Najwa Gaines, Nduku Malombe, White House

Najwa’s Contribution to a Better World

17
Oct 2010

David Gaines

Najwa Gaines participating in a UMD Child Development Study Every parent has to want their child to be the one who cures cancer. Is there any other greater achievement to be accomplished other than walking on the surface of Mars or being inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame? Science has been instrumental in improving the quality of life ever since man had to start fires using sticks and stones.

Najwa is several years away from making any great discoveries, let alone from learning her alphabet, but she can still make her contributions by participating in a study on child development at the University of Maryland.

Though it looks inhumane hooking up a less-than-one-month-old infant to a machine, with cables, monitors and videotaping the whole process, the experiment was completely harmless to Najwa. Nothing is inserted, no drugs were taken, no jolts of electric shock nor water-boarding.
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Category: Najwa Tags: Najwa Gaines, Nduku Malombe, University of Maryland

My Mom, Najwa’s Grandma

16
Oct 2010

David Gaines

My mom means the world to me. Especially after I embarked on the journey of life, leaving home behind, she has always been there bailing me out whenever I found myself in a jam. That’s why it was so important to me that she was there when Najwa was born…

Grandma feeding Najwa — one of 7-8 meals a day!

Category: Najwa Tags: Najwa Gaines, Ssang Gaines

Now I See Why We Buy All These Toys

13
Oct 2010

David Gaines

Najwa's toys Yes, we’re guilty. As soon as Najwa was born, we bought any toy labeled for 0-3 month olds and claimed to have any kind of educational or developmental purpose. If I have any anxieties, it’s Najwa not being the smartest person in every single class of her entire school career. Starting with preschool.

At first it did confuse me, though, how a baby who can’t even hold her own head up could have a toy. Babies have no motor skills [arms and legs flailing as if there's a spider crawling up their legs] and they have toys? They sleep all but 8 hours a day, unfortunately overlapping with the 8 hours we like to be sleep and they have toys? Babies who at birth don’t even recognize their own parents and they have toys!?

That’s when I learned more about the development of baby’s vision:

• Babies are born with 20/400 vision

• It’s not until babies are 3-4 years old before developing adult 20/20 vision

• Babies see the world in black and white with shades of gray for the first 4 months

• Babies can only see 8-12 inches in front of them

• At 1 month, babies aren’t sensitive to light so there’s no need to turn off the lights when they nap

• Babies can’t even see the mobile over the crib until maybe the second month

Perhaps Najwa isn’t quite ready to read the books we have. You know we already bought several books long before she was born. Then there’s some great books we received from our friends like Natalie Bargeron, an amazing book that has become my favorite already; Kate Gersh, another amazing book with an African theme and love story; and a fascinating children’s book written and published by Nduku’s co-worker Kimberly Conway.

But with the number of toys we have — including the little bird we call Marita [the blue bird in the middle of the photo above] because, well, our friend Marita Gumbs got it for us — Najwa will be reading soon enough, maybe even before she can even hold the books by herself if I can help it!

Category: Najwa, Parenthood Tags: Kate Gersh, Kimberly Conway, Marita Gumbs, Najwa Gaines, Natalie Bargeron, Nduku Malombe

Najwa’s First Ever Shopping Trip — DSW

12
Oct 2010

David Gaines

Ok, maybe babies don’t get claustrophobic, but Najwa sure seems like she wants to get out and see the world. Or is that Nduku? Regardless, we decided three weeks is long enough; it’s time to escape the pad and get some fresh air. Time to introduce Najwa to the real world.

Najwa got her gear on for her first real venture out into the real world.

And where does Nduku want to go first? DSW of course. Gotta show Najwa how to shop for shoes!

more…

Category: Najwa, Najwa Photos Tags: Najwa Gaines, Nduku Malombe

jenny jackson on Najwa and Her Valentine’s Day Balloons
love the simple joy of the repetition in childhood! wish we were all as entertained by the simple things! she is too cute and we miss her! any chance u r headed this way soon? 23 & i...

Posted Feb 22, 2012

Christine Brisbane on Short Video of Najwa at Home
Precious! They grow up so fast. (Too fast.)

Posted Feb 12, 2012

Roselane aka Brasil Miller on An Ode To Nduku Malombe — The Video
Too beautiful...loved it!

Posted Jan 11, 2012

T.J. on An Ode To Nduku Malombe — The Video
It is nice to see another man understand the meaning of family.

Posted Jan 03, 2012

truthteller on I’m Now Fully Recovered From Colorblindness
Makes sense that that company was and is ran so poorly. The person calling the shots is a 9th grade HS dropout who uses ppl up and then turns on them. But look up her info and she...

C.j. Crosby on So What’s Really In a Mountain Dew?
haha doin the dew right now considering what's in it vs the possible side effects that could accure from todays modern medications mt. dew dosent seem bad at all that or I'm really thirsty an just don't care.

Posted Jan 01, 2012

Kim Harper-Khalfani on An Ode To Nduku Malombe — The Video
David: I'm really happy for you! This is really wonderful.

Posted Dec 31, 2011

David Gaines on An Ode To Nduku Malombe — The Video
They're Kodak moments! It'll all make sense when Najwa reaches our age and asks about what she was like growing up. I wish my parents had the Internet and a blog in the 70s! Sure can't wait...

Posted Dec 30, 2011

Shanna Wiley on An Ode To Nduku Malombe — The Video
That soo sweet! Do Nduku every get sick of you snapping pictures? Seriously who takes pictures in IHOP...lol.

Cynthia on An Ode To Nduku Malombe — The Video
Awwww. Look at all this love! Thank you for sharing.

Lola on An Ode To Nduku Malombe — The Video
LOVELY!

Tan Ya on An Ode To Nduku Malombe — The Video
Very sweet David!

Annabelle Reopell on Virginia is for Lovers [Just Turn Off The Lights]
I love the way Arsenal play, I've noticed a lot of times when Arsenal play many touches uninterrupted the end is a goal, we did that against Manure when Nasri scored twice, Arsenal are the most wicked attacking...

Posted Dec 02, 2011

Nduku Malombe on I Love This Woman
thanks dear, love you right back!

Posted Nov 29, 2011

Tony Locke on Sunshine (Dedication to Najwa and Nduku)
Very Very Nice.

David Gaines on Najwa Learning How to Use Eating Utensils
...more like wondering when she was going to get to eat her breakfast!

Posted Nov 23, 2011

Nduku Malombe on Najwa Learning How to Use Eating Utensils
just studying Najwa and wondering what next :)

Susan Jelanizada on Najwa Learning How to Use Eating Utensils
so cute! I wonder what Nduku is thinking about :P

David Gaines on Our Economic Future Depends on Employment
Hi Theresia, Unfortunately I don't know of any discussion forums though I'm sure there are many. And because politics has so obscured what is truth and what is spin that it's hard to know what will help...

Posted Nov 19, 2011

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