Dear J,
Well, you’re seven months old now, and I can’t believe it. I mean, we’re closer to your first birthday than your actual birth day. How exactly did that happen?
We’re trying desperately to enjoy every moment with you, and I think we’re succeeding. But the days still manage to fly by. I’ve started a new schedule with work this last week, which means on Mondays I get to pick you up from daycare and on Fridays we get to hang out when I’m done at 1:30. It’s such a wonderful addition to my week. Your dad and I have realized these last couple of months how much we can’t stand Mondays because we’ve spent all weekend with you and then we have to go back to only getting you for a couple hours a day.
You’re doing wonderful new things since your last birthday. Sitting up on your own is fantastic because it opens up the world of toys for you. Bath time is a new adventure, too; you splash around like a madman.
You’re trying so hard to crawl, pushing yourself up onto all fours. But you can’t quite get your head up, and you definitely don’t have the ability to move your arms and legs in conjunction with each other. But I have realized that you do things in an interesting way. Instead of consistent development and growth, you tend to spike and plateau. So, with sitting, you were wobbly forever, and then one day you just sat all on your own. I have a feeling that’s how you’ll be with crawling and walking too.
Speaking of walking, I’m wondering if you won’t do that and skip crawling altogether. You can already stand up and hold onto things like the coffee table. And you can pick up your feet and move along with one of us holding your hands. It seems to be an easier motion for you than crawling, so we’ll see. You also definitely prefer standing to sitting. But, hey, don’t think I’m rushing you into this mobility thing. Please take your time with that, because mommy and daddy definitely aren’t ready for that yet.
And finally, you’re really chatty now. It started out briefly as bababababababa, then lalalalala. But now, there’s even a bit of dada (and once when daddy walked into the room), but also lots of weird (and loud) noises that aren’t just repetitive. And you enunciate and emphasize “syllables” – not that we understand a word your saying, but you certainly seem to. And you love talking to the girl’s portrait we have hanging next to the couch.
Just wait until next week, when you get to go to the beach for a real vacation
Love,
Mom
P.S. I almost forgot to mention that your top two teeth broke through today. We can't see them without looking, but I did get a good look this afternoon. I know it's time, but I still can't believe it. You're going to look so different, and even more like a little man once those teeth come in.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Six Months
March 31, 2010
Dear J,
Well, you’ve passed the six month mark already, and I can’t believe it. It’s amazing because so much seems to have happened since my last letter. At five months, you started sleeping on your side, but not long after that, you started rolling over all the way onto your belly. This happened right around the time you started eating fruits and veggies, so I’m not sure if it was the rolling over or the food that made the difference in your sleeping habits. But – drumroll – you sleep through the night now, too. Woohooo! You’ve even slept up to 13 hours, but generally it’s 10-12 hours at a clip. Of course, when you don’t feel good, we’re back to waking up around 2 or 3am, but, boy are those mornings when you stay asleep while I’m getting ready for work a revelation.
For a couple days there, you did this insane squeal thing. It’s like you discovered a new part of your voice. (I think you picked it up from one of the six (!) girls in your class. You are totally spoiled, so don’t get used to not having other boys around and enjoy this while it lasts.) I let you know that you had two days of that squealing before it became not cute, and I couldn’t believe it, but you stopped after two days (ok, maybe three).
You have been chewing everything in site and drooling like a bulldog for the last two months, and finally, your bottom gums split on the 20th, and two little front teeth peaked through a couple days later. I do miss your gummy grin, but your toothy grin is pretty darn cute, too.
Did I mention that you LOVE your food – cereal, fruits, veggies, whatever. You can’t get enough. The only food you really haven’t liked so far are the homemade green beans.
There are a couple things to look forward to in the next few months, too. A new playmate is arriving in July, and we can’t wait to meet him! He’s going to be born a long way away in Wisconsin, but he’ll be moving down here with his parents in August or September. We’re all so excited!
You’re also starting swim lessons on June 5th. There are 10 lessons, so you’ll practically be a fish by the time the summer is over.
Your dad and I have realized something in the last couple of months, too. We live for the weekends. I used to think that I loved weekends before you came along, but now there is no comparison. We work from home on Fridays, so they’re like an early weekend “lite”, and then Saturday and Sunday are wonderful because we get to spend all day with you in some way or another. No wonder people hate Mondays. I miss you most on Mondays.
Love,
Mom
Dear J,
Well, you’ve passed the six month mark already, and I can’t believe it. It’s amazing because so much seems to have happened since my last letter. At five months, you started sleeping on your side, but not long after that, you started rolling over all the way onto your belly. This happened right around the time you started eating fruits and veggies, so I’m not sure if it was the rolling over or the food that made the difference in your sleeping habits. But – drumroll – you sleep through the night now, too. Woohooo! You’ve even slept up to 13 hours, but generally it’s 10-12 hours at a clip. Of course, when you don’t feel good, we’re back to waking up around 2 or 3am, but, boy are those mornings when you stay asleep while I’m getting ready for work a revelation.
For a couple days there, you did this insane squeal thing. It’s like you discovered a new part of your voice. (I think you picked it up from one of the six (!) girls in your class. You are totally spoiled, so don’t get used to not having other boys around and enjoy this while it lasts.) I let you know that you had two days of that squealing before it became not cute, and I couldn’t believe it, but you stopped after two days (ok, maybe three).
You have been chewing everything in site and drooling like a bulldog for the last two months, and finally, your bottom gums split on the 20th, and two little front teeth peaked through a couple days later. I do miss your gummy grin, but your toothy grin is pretty darn cute, too.
Did I mention that you LOVE your food – cereal, fruits, veggies, whatever. You can’t get enough. The only food you really haven’t liked so far are the homemade green beans.
There are a couple things to look forward to in the next few months, too. A new playmate is arriving in July, and we can’t wait to meet him! He’s going to be born a long way away in Wisconsin, but he’ll be moving down here with his parents in August or September. We’re all so excited!
You’re also starting swim lessons on June 5th. There are 10 lessons, so you’ll practically be a fish by the time the summer is over.
Your dad and I have realized something in the last couple of months, too. We live for the weekends. I used to think that I loved weekends before you came along, but now there is no comparison. We work from home on Fridays, so they’re like an early weekend “lite”, and then Saturday and Sunday are wonderful because we get to spend all day with you in some way or another. No wonder people hate Mondays. I miss you most on Mondays.
Love,
Mom
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Rules
It seems that the key to a great blog is a great theme. I guess that leaves me out of the running.
Someone on facebook posted a link to this site, and I became completely addicted today until I had read every one. Walker Lamond started writing out quick little rules for his unborn son on his blog, and it's a great list. Good for grown men and really for just about everyone. A few of my favorites:
410. Sometimes your best bet is to bet on her.
405. No one wants to watch you practice the guitar.
358. If you have to make more than one substitution, order something else.
269. If you've made your point, stop talking.
Someone on facebook posted a link to this site, and I became completely addicted today until I had read every one. Walker Lamond started writing out quick little rules for his unborn son on his blog, and it's a great list. Good for grown men and really for just about everyone. A few of my favorites:
410. Sometimes your best bet is to bet on her.
405. No one wants to watch you practice the guitar.
358. If you have to make more than one substitution, order something else.
269. If you've made your point, stop talking.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
The Best Thing I Ever Ate
There's been a show on Food Network lately, asking famous chefs, hosts and food writers about their favorite foods. I've been inspired to create my own list using their categories.
Guilty Pleasures: onion rings - The Varsity (only the original location truly counts)
Wake Up Call: breakfast sandwich (eggs, cheese and bacon) with a side of hash browns scattered, smothered and covered - Waffle House
Hometown Favorites: loose meat hamburger - The Pool Room, Thomaston, GA
Sugar Rush: praline basket filled with ice cream, fresh berries, chocolate syrup and caramel - Ray's on the River
Chocolate: I'm not generally a chocolate dessert person, so this is a candy bar, instead - Escazu dark chocolate with cocoa nibs
Cheesy: Unfortunately, my favorite cheesy dish is no longer available, but the memory of lasagna at the Ram's Head Rathskeller in Chapel Hill, NC, will remain forever.
Hot and Spicy: spicy tuna roll - Circle Sushi, Sandy Springs, GA
The Classics: macaroni and cheese - Swallow at the Hollow, Roswell, GA
Crunchy: Mom's homemade ginger cookies
Totally Fried: all-you-can-eat whole fried catfish - Riverbend Restaurant, Thomaston, GA
Bar-B-Que: family-style plate of brisket, sausage, and pork ribs at the Salt Lick - Driftwood, TX
With Bacon: "Piglickers" - chocolate covered bacon - Famous Dave's, Minnesota State Fair
Pizza: deep dish sausage, mushroom and pepperoni - Giordano's, Chicago
Obsessions: Banana Pudding - Fiery Ron's Hometeam BBQ, West Ashley and Sullivan's Island, SC
Between Bread: the original Chick-fil-A sandwich
With My Hands: fried peach pie - Relish, Roswell, GA
Holiday: my mother-in-law's deviled eggs
Salty Goodness: grilled grouper platter - Apalachicola Grill, Apalachicola, FL
Meat Fest: mustard seed crusted lamb chop - 212 Market Restaurant, Chattanooga, TN
Snack Attack: Fries with Feta - The Grill, Athens, GA
Totally Unexpected: Peanut Butter Bacon Burger - Clocks, Athens, GA
Served Cold: cole slaw - Piggie Park curbside, Thomaston, GA
Guilty Pleasures: onion rings - The Varsity (only the original location truly counts)
Wake Up Call: breakfast sandwich (eggs, cheese and bacon) with a side of hash browns scattered, smothered and covered - Waffle House
Hometown Favorites: loose meat hamburger - The Pool Room, Thomaston, GA
Sugar Rush: praline basket filled with ice cream, fresh berries, chocolate syrup and caramel - Ray's on the River
Chocolate: I'm not generally a chocolate dessert person, so this is a candy bar, instead - Escazu dark chocolate with cocoa nibs
Cheesy: Unfortunately, my favorite cheesy dish is no longer available, but the memory of lasagna at the Ram's Head Rathskeller in Chapel Hill, NC, will remain forever.
Hot and Spicy: spicy tuna roll - Circle Sushi, Sandy Springs, GA
The Classics: macaroni and cheese - Swallow at the Hollow, Roswell, GA
Crunchy: Mom's homemade ginger cookies
Totally Fried: all-you-can-eat whole fried catfish - Riverbend Restaurant, Thomaston, GA
Bar-B-Que: family-style plate of brisket, sausage, and pork ribs at the Salt Lick - Driftwood, TX
With Bacon: "Piglickers" - chocolate covered bacon - Famous Dave's, Minnesota State Fair
Pizza: deep dish sausage, mushroom and pepperoni - Giordano's, Chicago
Obsessions: Banana Pudding - Fiery Ron's Hometeam BBQ, West Ashley and Sullivan's Island, SC
Between Bread: the original Chick-fil-A sandwich
With My Hands: fried peach pie - Relish, Roswell, GA
Holiday: my mother-in-law's deviled eggs
Salty Goodness: grilled grouper platter - Apalachicola Grill, Apalachicola, FL
Meat Fest: mustard seed crusted lamb chop - 212 Market Restaurant, Chattanooga, TN
Snack Attack: Fries with Feta - The Grill, Athens, GA
Totally Unexpected: Peanut Butter Bacon Burger - Clocks, Athens, GA
Served Cold: cole slaw - Piggie Park curbside, Thomaston, GA
Wednesday, March 03, 2010
5 Month Letter
February 24, 2010
Dear J,
You’re asleep in your bouncy seat, just wiped out from the day. You only took one nap today because you’ve been really good the last couple nights about getting yourself back to sleep when you wake up in the middle of the night.
You had a horrible cold last week and something called bronchiolitis that forced you to struggle for breath. It was so excruciating to watch. The illness did have one awesome side effect, though. You couldn’t sleep flat on your back because of the cough, so I got to snuggle with you on the couch, keeping you upright, for three nights. And we didn’t want you to go to daycare, so you got to spend all week with your Gigi.
You’ve been so adorable this last month. If it’s possible, you’re getting even more animated. You just smile and laugh all the time (except when you’re sick), and you’ve even started reaching out to people when they walk up to you and you want to be picked up or held.
“Solid” foods have been treating you very well. So far you’ve like rice and oatmeal cereal. Tonight we even tried some green beans, and you seemed to like those too.
Even when I’m exhausted, every day with you is a wonder. Your smile stops me in my tracks every time. And I love that you still love to snuggle. I hope that lasts.
Love,
Mom
P.S. Since it’s March 3, and I'm just getting around to posting this, I have a few more things to add …
You are now grabbing for your bottle whenever you see it – even if it’s three feet away. And you open your mouth so wide when you see the veggies coming your way. You love the new foods you’re getting at night.
You’ve started rolling over onto your side, which you love. You have even managed to get your bottom arm out and lie flat on your belly, but you are not a fan of this position at all.
You have full head control these days and seem to love to turn your head to look at things – especially people. When you sit in my lap while I read your story at night, you are constantly looking from the book, back up to me and back to the book.
You love to grab our faces, especially my bottom lip and Daddy’s beard.
And for the last week, you have been sleeping through the night. For the first five days, you would wake up to cry but get yourself back to sleep in less than 10 minutes. Last night, for the first time, you didn’t even wake up to cry. After getting a two-ounce top-off at 11, you made until just after 6. Woohoo!
Dear J,
You’re asleep in your bouncy seat, just wiped out from the day. You only took one nap today because you’ve been really good the last couple nights about getting yourself back to sleep when you wake up in the middle of the night.
You had a horrible cold last week and something called bronchiolitis that forced you to struggle for breath. It was so excruciating to watch. The illness did have one awesome side effect, though. You couldn’t sleep flat on your back because of the cough, so I got to snuggle with you on the couch, keeping you upright, for three nights. And we didn’t want you to go to daycare, so you got to spend all week with your Gigi.
You’ve been so adorable this last month. If it’s possible, you’re getting even more animated. You just smile and laugh all the time (except when you’re sick), and you’ve even started reaching out to people when they walk up to you and you want to be picked up or held.
“Solid” foods have been treating you very well. So far you’ve like rice and oatmeal cereal. Tonight we even tried some green beans, and you seemed to like those too.
Even when I’m exhausted, every day with you is a wonder. Your smile stops me in my tracks every time. And I love that you still love to snuggle. I hope that lasts.
Love,
Mom
P.S. Since it’s March 3, and I'm just getting around to posting this, I have a few more things to add …
You are now grabbing for your bottle whenever you see it – even if it’s three feet away. And you open your mouth so wide when you see the veggies coming your way. You love the new foods you’re getting at night.
You’ve started rolling over onto your side, which you love. You have even managed to get your bottom arm out and lie flat on your belly, but you are not a fan of this position at all.
You have full head control these days and seem to love to turn your head to look at things – especially people. When you sit in my lap while I read your story at night, you are constantly looking from the book, back up to me and back to the book.
You love to grab our faces, especially my bottom lip and Daddy’s beard.
And for the last week, you have been sleeping through the night. For the first five days, you would wake up to cry but get yourself back to sleep in less than 10 minutes. Last night, for the first time, you didn’t even wake up to cry. After getting a two-ounce top-off at 11, you made until just after 6. Woohoo!
Saturday, February 20, 2010
SNL
Saturday Night Live is always hit or miss for me. It's always been that way, even when it was considered great. Honestly, coming up with 90 minutes worth of funny sketches has to be impossible (yeah, probably only 50 minutes if you take out commercial time and musical performances, but still). I suspect that even in the 70s, it was still hit-or-miss, it's just that we've only seen the "best of" those years for the last 30 years, so we all think it was hilarious all the time. Anwyay ...
A couple weeks ago, there was a skit that is still cracking me up: Hamm and Buble Restaurant with Jon Hamm and Michael Buble.
A couple weeks ago, there was a skit that is still cracking me up: Hamm and Buble Restaurant with Jon Hamm and Michael Buble.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Movies
I was watching Princess Bride last weekend for the hundredth time, at least, and realized there was nothing about it I would change. That then got me thinking about a list (I love lists). More movies in the same category:
Casablanca
Sixteen Candles
Harvey
Auntie Mame
Sliding Doors
O Brother Where Art Thou
Layer Cake
Lost in Translation
These are just off the top of my head. I'm sure there are at least a couple more.
Casablanca
Sixteen Candles
Harvey
Auntie Mame
Sliding Doors
O Brother Where Art Thou
Layer Cake
Lost in Translation
These are just off the top of my head. I'm sure there are at least a couple more.
Saturday, February 06, 2010
Stossel
I've always enjoyed John Stossel on 20/20, and now he has his own show on Fox Business. He has definite libertarian leanings, and so far, every show has been great.
He did another show this week that's well worth watching. Things are actually getting better!
If you can catch the whole show (it will rerun several times this week), I highly recommend it.
He did another show this week that's well worth watching. Things are actually getting better!
If you can catch the whole show (it will rerun several times this week), I highly recommend it.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Pet Peeve
I read this today and just have to vent. It's a big pet peeve of mine when company leaders extol the strength of their organizations while discussing plans to lay off workers.
What BS
Separately, Home Depot (HD, Fortune 500) also announced Tuesday that it plans to cut jobs. CEO Frank Blake said in a memo to Home Depot employees the company will eliminate 1,000 jobs nationwide.
"We are a strong company, and we are taking the necessary actions to make us even stronger as our business builds momentum," said Blake.
What BS
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Four Months
January 19, 2010
Dear J,
I’m a little ahead of the ball here, because your birthday isn’t until Sunday. But I’m sitting here, missing you while I’m at work, and I have the opportunity to write my thoughts down. A lot has happened in the last month. You had your first Christmas and New Year. It’s 2010, and you’ll turn one this year. But I’m getting way ahead of myself. You started daycare, which means you’ve gotten your first cold. You also went to your first wedding.
As for daycare, you really do seem to enjoy it, which sure makes it a lot easier on your dad and me. You even get to stay with GiGi one day a week and she loves spending that day with you.
You seem to be so happy most of the time. If you’re not hungry, tired, or sitting in a dirty diaper, then you’re smiling and laughing. You can sit up in your Bumbo seat really well. Your eyes have started to change to brown/hazel, and I think a couple teeth may even be coming in. Oh, and you chat all the time, too. We adore that, even though you’re really the only one who knows what you’re saying.
I almost forgot! You were baptized, too. A whole lot of family and friends came together – from as far away as Boston – to celebrate with us. That’s how you got to meet your Godmother, Aunt Cheryl.
You are so loved, and my greatest wish for you is that you know it and never have reason to question it.
And finally, I swear you said “hi” to me last week. (OK, I know you didn't really, but you mimicked me really well when I said "Hi" to you.)
Love,
Mom
Dear J,
I’m a little ahead of the ball here, because your birthday isn’t until Sunday. But I’m sitting here, missing you while I’m at work, and I have the opportunity to write my thoughts down. A lot has happened in the last month. You had your first Christmas and New Year. It’s 2010, and you’ll turn one this year. But I’m getting way ahead of myself. You started daycare, which means you’ve gotten your first cold. You also went to your first wedding.
As for daycare, you really do seem to enjoy it, which sure makes it a lot easier on your dad and me. You even get to stay with GiGi one day a week and she loves spending that day with you.
You seem to be so happy most of the time. If you’re not hungry, tired, or sitting in a dirty diaper, then you’re smiling and laughing. You can sit up in your Bumbo seat really well. Your eyes have started to change to brown/hazel, and I think a couple teeth may even be coming in. Oh, and you chat all the time, too. We adore that, even though you’re really the only one who knows what you’re saying.
I almost forgot! You were baptized, too. A whole lot of family and friends came together – from as far away as Boston – to celebrate with us. That’s how you got to meet your Godmother, Aunt Cheryl.
You are so loved, and my greatest wish for you is that you know it and never have reason to question it.
And finally, I swear you said “hi” to me last week. (OK, I know you didn't really, but you mimicked me really well when I said "Hi" to you.)
Love,
Mom
Thursday, December 31, 2009
2009 in Entertainment
Wow, I've managed to keep a theme for two whole posts. This is 2009 in review, from an entertainment perspective...
Movies:
The Spirit
Boondock Saints*
Hellboy II
Oceans Twelve
Th Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor
Dr. T & the Women
Defiance
Born into Brothels*
Thank You for Smoking*
Lakeview Terrace
The Fall*
Underworld: Rise of the Lycans
Ghost Town*
Zack and Miri Make a Porno
Neverwas
Stargate
Erin Brockovich*
Coraline
Two for the Road
Love and Basketball*
Get Smart
The Hoax
Watchmen*
Pinapple Express
Role Models*
Akeelah and the Bee*
Let the Right One In*
The Professional*
Slumdog Millionaire*
X-Men Origins: Wolverine
To Die For
Angels & Insects
Star Trek*
Inventing the Abbotts
Angels and Demons
Three to Tango
Terminator: Salvation
Capote
He's Just Not That Into You*
Outlander
The Proposal*
Transformers 2: Rise of the Fallen
Surfer, Dude
Waltz with Bashir*
Public Enemies
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince*
Taken*
Valkyrie*
Volver*
Repo: The Genetic Opera
Transporter 3*
Lovers of the Arctic Circle
Push
District 9*
GI Joe
Appaloosa
Knowing*
Au Revoir, les Enfants*
Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist
Inglourious Basterds*
Redbelt*
9
Jane Austen Book Club
The Greatest Game Ever Played
Thomas Crown Affair (1968)
That Thing You Do
Tsotsi*
I Love You, Man
New in Town
Defending Your Life
The Hunger
24 Hour Party People
The Other Boleyn Girl
Idiocracy
Twilight Saga: New Moon
No Country for Old Men*
The Visitor*
Up*
Saving Grace*
American Splendor
Bride & Prejudice
Persepolis
Travel:
Raleigh/Durham, NC
Tarpon Springs, FL
Chicago, IL
Charleston/Mt. Pleasant, SC - July
Charleston/Mt. Pleasant, SC - December
Books:
Love in the Time of Cholera, Gabriel Garcia-Marquez
Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen*
The Historian
The Time Traveler's Wife
Your Pregnancy, Week by Week*
What to Expect When You're Expecting
The Happiest Baby on the Block
To Have and Have Not, Ernest Hemingway*
The Politically Incorrect Guide to the South
Live Music:
Reckless Kelly, Variety Playhouse, Atlanta
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Symphony Hall, Atlanta - Gilbert Varga Conducting
Zoltan Kodaly - Dances of Galanta
Jean Sibelius - Concerto for Violin & Orch. in D. Minor, Opus 47
Leonidas Karakos, Violin
Johannes Brahms - Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Opus 73
George Clinton and the P-Funk Allstars, Variety Playhouse, Atlanta
Dave Matthews Band, Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, Alpharetta
Avett Brothers, Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, Alpharetta (opening for DMB)
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, Alpharetta
Rossi - Barber of Seville
Orff - Carmina Burana
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, Alpharetta
July 4 Celebration
Reckless Kelly, The Peachtree Tavern, Atlanta
Lyle Lovett and His Large Band, The Tabernacle, Atlanta
Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, North Charleston Performing Arts Center, Charleston
Cool Stuff:
Learned to ride and got motorcycle license
(less than two weeks before finding out I was pregnant)
Um, well, had a baby boy
*indicates a favorite movie or book.
Noticably absent are CDs purchased. I forgot to keep track of those this year, and bought a LOT at the used CD store (I think I may have done separate posts). So starting in 2010, I'll keep track of that, too. I expect it to be a shorter list in the future, though, but we'll see.
I did get the new Dave Matthews CD, Big Whiskey and the Groo Grux King, and it is amazing. Just off the top of my head, that would be my favorite CD of the year. Oh, I also got the new Lyle Lovett, Natural Forces, but DMB is still my favorite this year.
Movies:
The Spirit
Boondock Saints*
Hellboy II
Oceans Twelve
Th Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor
Dr. T & the Women
Defiance
Born into Brothels*
Thank You for Smoking*
Lakeview Terrace
The Fall*
Underworld: Rise of the Lycans
Ghost Town*
Zack and Miri Make a Porno
Neverwas
Stargate
Erin Brockovich*
Coraline
Two for the Road
Love and Basketball*
Get Smart
The Hoax
Watchmen*
Pinapple Express
Role Models*
Akeelah and the Bee*
Let the Right One In*
The Professional*
Slumdog Millionaire*
X-Men Origins: Wolverine
To Die For
Angels & Insects
Star Trek*
Inventing the Abbotts
Angels and Demons
Three to Tango
Terminator: Salvation
Capote
He's Just Not That Into You*
Outlander
The Proposal*
Transformers 2: Rise of the Fallen
Surfer, Dude
Waltz with Bashir*
Public Enemies
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince*
Taken*
Valkyrie*
Volver*
Repo: The Genetic Opera
Transporter 3*
Lovers of the Arctic Circle
Push
District 9*
GI Joe
Appaloosa
Knowing*
Au Revoir, les Enfants*
Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist
Inglourious Basterds*
Redbelt*
9
Jane Austen Book Club
The Greatest Game Ever Played
Thomas Crown Affair (1968)
That Thing You Do
Tsotsi*
I Love You, Man
New in Town
Defending Your Life
The Hunger
24 Hour Party People
The Other Boleyn Girl
Idiocracy
Twilight Saga: New Moon
No Country for Old Men*
The Visitor*
Up*
Saving Grace*
American Splendor
Bride & Prejudice
Persepolis
Travel:
Raleigh/Durham, NC
Tarpon Springs, FL
Chicago, IL
Charleston/Mt. Pleasant, SC - July
Charleston/Mt. Pleasant, SC - December
Books:
Love in the Time of Cholera, Gabriel Garcia-Marquez
Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen*
The Historian
The Time Traveler's Wife
Your Pregnancy, Week by Week*
What to Expect When You're Expecting
The Happiest Baby on the Block
To Have and Have Not, Ernest Hemingway*
The Politically Incorrect Guide to the South
Live Music:
Reckless Kelly, Variety Playhouse, Atlanta
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Symphony Hall, Atlanta - Gilbert Varga Conducting
Zoltan Kodaly - Dances of Galanta
Jean Sibelius - Concerto for Violin & Orch. in D. Minor, Opus 47
Leonidas Karakos, Violin
Johannes Brahms - Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Opus 73
George Clinton and the P-Funk Allstars, Variety Playhouse, Atlanta
Dave Matthews Band, Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, Alpharetta
Avett Brothers, Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, Alpharetta (opening for DMB)
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, Alpharetta
Rossi - Barber of Seville
Orff - Carmina Burana
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, Alpharetta
July 4 Celebration
Reckless Kelly, The Peachtree Tavern, Atlanta
Lyle Lovett and His Large Band, The Tabernacle, Atlanta
Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, North Charleston Performing Arts Center, Charleston
Cool Stuff:
Learned to ride and got motorcycle license
(less than two weeks before finding out I was pregnant)
Um, well, had a baby boy
*indicates a favorite movie or book.
Noticably absent are CDs purchased. I forgot to keep track of those this year, and bought a LOT at the used CD store (I think I may have done separate posts). So starting in 2010, I'll keep track of that, too. I expect it to be a shorter list in the future, though, but we'll see.
I did get the new Dave Matthews CD, Big Whiskey and the Groo Grux King, and it is amazing. Just off the top of my head, that would be my favorite CD of the year. Oh, I also got the new Lyle Lovett, Natural Forces, but DMB is still my favorite this year.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
J's Three Month Letter
December 29, 2009
Dear J,
Today is my second day back at work, and I miss your smile so much during the day. I even miss your frown, your pouty bottom lip, and your cries. But it hasn’t been as hard as I thought it would be. I know that you are waiting for me when I get home, and that makes my time away from you OK. I think it also helps that I know you’re home with your daddy this week. That’s a nice way to ease into this new arrangement.
Next week you start daycare, and I know they are going to take great care of you. It’s going to be hard, too, but here’s the way I figure it: we are simply loaning you to them three days a week. You are such an amazing little being that it’s our obligation to share you with the world, and, right now, the part of the world we will share you with is the group of people at Brookside Academy. Your daddy thinks that they should actually be paying us for the privilege of spending time with you each day.
You smile all the time now, and your laugh is hilarious, because you can’t quite laugh yet. You just do this big inhale thing, and the breath gets caught in your throat. You even chatter a bit now, especially when you’re hungry. You just babble on (loudly) until that bottle arrives.
You sit up pretty well with the help of your new Bumbo seat, and you’re loving the bouncy seat with its little animals that dangle from above and make noise when you shake them. Christmas was nice, but not overkill, since you’re a bit too young to understand it all anyway. You got some cute clothes, a couple toys, a Peanuts book, and your Great Aunt Becky sent a sign that we’ll hang in your room:
Boy: (noun), a noise with dirt on it
I’m so excited for the days when that is really true, but for now, I’m enjoying every minute of right now – because it’s already flying by.
Love,
Mom
Dear J,
Today is my second day back at work, and I miss your smile so much during the day. I even miss your frown, your pouty bottom lip, and your cries. But it hasn’t been as hard as I thought it would be. I know that you are waiting for me when I get home, and that makes my time away from you OK. I think it also helps that I know you’re home with your daddy this week. That’s a nice way to ease into this new arrangement.
Next week you start daycare, and I know they are going to take great care of you. It’s going to be hard, too, but here’s the way I figure it: we are simply loaning you to them three days a week. You are such an amazing little being that it’s our obligation to share you with the world, and, right now, the part of the world we will share you with is the group of people at Brookside Academy. Your daddy thinks that they should actually be paying us for the privilege of spending time with you each day.
You smile all the time now, and your laugh is hilarious, because you can’t quite laugh yet. You just do this big inhale thing, and the breath gets caught in your throat. You even chatter a bit now, especially when you’re hungry. You just babble on (loudly) until that bottle arrives.
You sit up pretty well with the help of your new Bumbo seat, and you’re loving the bouncy seat with its little animals that dangle from above and make noise when you shake them. Christmas was nice, but not overkill, since you’re a bit too young to understand it all anyway. You got some cute clothes, a couple toys, a Peanuts book, and your Great Aunt Becky sent a sign that we’ll hang in your room:
Boy: (noun), a noise with dirt on it
I’m so excited for the days when that is really true, but for now, I’m enjoying every minute of right now – because it’s already flying by.
Love,
Mom
Wednesday, December 02, 2009
Two Months (already?)
December 2, 2009
Dear J,
You’re napping, and I’m just going to ignore laundry, dirty bottles, the mail, and packing for a few minutes, so that I can write you this letter. It’s a week late, but that’s the way things go these days. You’re two months and one week old today, and it’s strange to say, but the time has both flown and crawled by.
You went to the doctor last week, and you were less than an ounce shy of 13 pounds. It seems that it takes most children four months or more to get to that weight, so I must say – well done! The doctor said to just keep doing what we’re doing. Everything looks good.
You’ve been doing the cutest things, too. For about a week or two, anytime you sneezed or coughed, when you were done, you would coo while you exhaled. The description doesn’t do it justice; it was just about the cutest thing I’ve seen. You’re really smiling all the time now, and you have even started laughing. Most of the time the laugh is silent, but sometimes there’s even an audible chuckle in there.
You love your activity mat, but not when you’re on your tummy. I’ve discovered that rolling you onto your tummy is the best way to turn you from smiling to red, wrinkle-faced screaming in three seconds flat.
A friend at work told me something that her friend told her, and I have to put it here because it’s absolutely the truth. As a parent, you think you’ve just seen the coolest or cutest or most wonderful thing, but the next day, there will be something even better. The best thing about having children is that every day is better than the day before.
Then it was Thanksgiving, which has taken on a whole new meaning now that you’re in our lives. Frankly, it’s not just Thanksgiving, it’s pretty much everything, but Thanksgiving was a great time to reflect on your place with us. That’s understating it. You are our lives now; everything is reflected in or upon you somehow, and it’s a beautiful feeling. The joy you bring is immeasurable.
It seems that you’re already waking up from your nap, so I’ve got to run. I love you, and can’t wait for what tomorrow brings – Charleston and your first road trip, as a matter of fact.
Love,
Mom
Dear J,
You’re napping, and I’m just going to ignore laundry, dirty bottles, the mail, and packing for a few minutes, so that I can write you this letter. It’s a week late, but that’s the way things go these days. You’re two months and one week old today, and it’s strange to say, but the time has both flown and crawled by.
You went to the doctor last week, and you were less than an ounce shy of 13 pounds. It seems that it takes most children four months or more to get to that weight, so I must say – well done! The doctor said to just keep doing what we’re doing. Everything looks good.
You’ve been doing the cutest things, too. For about a week or two, anytime you sneezed or coughed, when you were done, you would coo while you exhaled. The description doesn’t do it justice; it was just about the cutest thing I’ve seen. You’re really smiling all the time now, and you have even started laughing. Most of the time the laugh is silent, but sometimes there’s even an audible chuckle in there.
You love your activity mat, but not when you’re on your tummy. I’ve discovered that rolling you onto your tummy is the best way to turn you from smiling to red, wrinkle-faced screaming in three seconds flat.
A friend at work told me something that her friend told her, and I have to put it here because it’s absolutely the truth. As a parent, you think you’ve just seen the coolest or cutest or most wonderful thing, but the next day, there will be something even better. The best thing about having children is that every day is better than the day before.
Then it was Thanksgiving, which has taken on a whole new meaning now that you’re in our lives. Frankly, it’s not just Thanksgiving, it’s pretty much everything, but Thanksgiving was a great time to reflect on your place with us. That’s understating it. You are our lives now; everything is reflected in or upon you somehow, and it’s a beautiful feeling. The joy you bring is immeasurable.
It seems that you’re already waking up from your nap, so I’ve got to run. I love you, and can’t wait for what tomorrow brings – Charleston and your first road trip, as a matter of fact.
Love,
Mom
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Time for an update
There is of course tons to update, but not much time to do it. I hope to have a more detailed "J" post next week when he's two months old, but for now, I will just say that last night's Lyle Lovett show at the Tabernacle was amazing. I'm not sure I can see him at Chastain again and enjoy it. The sound at the Tabernacle is just so amazing that I'm now completely spoiled.
It was interesting, because even though his "Large Band" was with him, there were no horns, so the show was decidedly more mellow than usual. The few songs they played that usually have horns were arranged with strings playing the horn parts instead - which was different, but really fantastic.
A favorite lyric from one of his new songs, Natural Forces:
And now as I sit here safe at home
With a cold Coors Light and the TV on
All the sacrifice and death and war
Lord I pray that I'm worth fighting for
It was interesting, because even though his "Large Band" was with him, there were no horns, so the show was decidedly more mellow than usual. The few songs they played that usually have horns were arranged with strings playing the horn parts instead - which was different, but really fantastic.
A favorite lyric from one of his new songs, Natural Forces:
And now as I sit here safe at home
With a cold Coors Light and the TV on
All the sacrifice and death and war
Lord I pray that I'm worth fighting for
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Four Weeks
Hey Little Man,
Today you are four weeks old, and you are beautiful. You've been beautiful since the day you were born, but you manage to get more precious every day. I don't understand it, but it's fantastic.
I completely understand now how parents spoil their children by not being able to say "no" to them. All I want is for you to have everything you want in life.
I don't think these entries will be very long, but there are times when I have to write what I'm thinking. And today is one of those days.
A few minutes ago, I looked at you lying in your Nana's arms, and I was absolutely overcome with love for you. You are the most wonderful thing in the world.
Love,
Mom
Today you are four weeks old, and you are beautiful. You've been beautiful since the day you were born, but you manage to get more precious every day. I don't understand it, but it's fantastic.
I completely understand now how parents spoil their children by not being able to say "no" to them. All I want is for you to have everything you want in life.
I don't think these entries will be very long, but there are times when I have to write what I'm thinking. And today is one of those days.
A few minutes ago, I looked at you lying in your Nana's arms, and I was absolutely overcome with love for you. You are the most wonderful thing in the world.
Love,
Mom
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
J's Birthday Notes
So, my epidural worked like a charm and I was also lucky enough to get it before any real bad contractions started, which allowed me to text friends during labor, and also to keep notes of how it all went down. I didn't keep them in proper grammar, etc, but kind of shorthand. I have at least fixed any spelling mistakes. Here's what happened:
38w6d
Dr. at 9-ish AM
membranes stripped (was 4-5cm last week and 80%, so we're ready to go if we want to)
5-6cm, 80%, -1
sent to hospital
signed in
paperwork
iv with pitocin by 11:20
hungry already - this isn't good but I'll deal with it
a few contractions here and there
one in particular is sharp, but short
one long one, but not painful
11:45 epidural's on its way
midwife here between 12:15 and 12:45 to break water
12:40 epidural done
12:57 water broke on its own
labor without any pain until 8:00
contractions ev 2-3 min. cervix opening and ev looks good - except he's still up hi at -1 and midwife sees that he seems to be sunny-side up with his head turned to the side. she calls doc on call to confirm. he does.
sometime during all this, i start getting itchy all over - like wearing a wool sweater from head to toe. apparently, this is a side effect of the epidural.
at first it's not unbearable, but soon i can't handle it and they give me something in my iv to stop it.
then the nausea kicks in, which i heard about. again, not bad at first, just the feeling of being hung over. but as soon as i mention the word, the hunt for a pan beings.
not a moment too soon either because the need to throw up just comes over me like a wave and i begin.
a couple rounds of it - nothing but water - and the post-puking adrenaline kicks in.
i feel much better,
then they also trhow some zofran into the iv, my old friend from the first few months.
start pushing at 8, but doc and midwife still worried about J's station and ability to come down
push until 8:45 and j decends each time, but then goes right back up to where he started.
his heart rate starts decelerating with the contractions, and I get a fever - 100.7
all of this combined pushes us to a decision to do a c-section - scheduled for 9:20.
time to get the higher epidural dose in from the anesthesiologist and they are ready.
(from here, I wrote the details after he was born)
j's head majorly stuck, requiring two docs to break the suction and get him out.
dave said he could hear it when they broke it, then they got him out
9:48pm, 7lb 11oz, 18 3/4 in
The sewing me up seemed to take an age and a half, and in the meantime, shivers start.
i had also heard about these, but wow. i don't think i've ever felt so out of control of my own body between the temporary paralysis brought on by the epidural and then this shaking that lasted for about 90 min or so after.
it's funny, but the only thing that seemed to make it stop was when they finally laid little j on my chest in the recovery room
it was probably just a coincidence of the timing, but i'm happy to give him credit.
38w6d
Dr. at 9-ish AM
membranes stripped (was 4-5cm last week and 80%, so we're ready to go if we want to)
5-6cm, 80%, -1
sent to hospital
signed in
paperwork
iv with pitocin by 11:20
hungry already - this isn't good but I'll deal with it
a few contractions here and there
one in particular is sharp, but short
one long one, but not painful
11:45 epidural's on its way
midwife here between 12:15 and 12:45 to break water
12:40 epidural done
12:57 water broke on its own
labor without any pain until 8:00
contractions ev 2-3 min. cervix opening and ev looks good - except he's still up hi at -1 and midwife sees that he seems to be sunny-side up with his head turned to the side. she calls doc on call to confirm. he does.
sometime during all this, i start getting itchy all over - like wearing a wool sweater from head to toe. apparently, this is a side effect of the epidural.
at first it's not unbearable, but soon i can't handle it and they give me something in my iv to stop it.
then the nausea kicks in, which i heard about. again, not bad at first, just the feeling of being hung over. but as soon as i mention the word, the hunt for a pan beings.
not a moment too soon either because the need to throw up just comes over me like a wave and i begin.
a couple rounds of it - nothing but water - and the post-puking adrenaline kicks in.
i feel much better,
then they also trhow some zofran into the iv, my old friend from the first few months.
start pushing at 8, but doc and midwife still worried about J's station and ability to come down
push until 8:45 and j decends each time, but then goes right back up to where he started.
his heart rate starts decelerating with the contractions, and I get a fever - 100.7
all of this combined pushes us to a decision to do a c-section - scheduled for 9:20.
time to get the higher epidural dose in from the anesthesiologist and they are ready.
(from here, I wrote the details after he was born)
j's head majorly stuck, requiring two docs to break the suction and get him out.
dave said he could hear it when they broke it, then they got him out
9:48pm, 7lb 11oz, 18 3/4 in
The sewing me up seemed to take an age and a half, and in the meantime, shivers start.
i had also heard about these, but wow. i don't think i've ever felt so out of control of my own body between the temporary paralysis brought on by the epidural and then this shaking that lasted for about 90 min or so after.
it's funny, but the only thing that seemed to make it stop was when they finally laid little j on my chest in the recovery room
it was probably just a coincidence of the timing, but i'm happy to give him credit.
Monday, October 05, 2009
pushing my luck
J's been asleep now for almost three hours, so I'm pushing my luck in trying to get something posted here.
Just wanted to say how wonderful this whole experience has been, in spite of the c-section stuff. That's no fun, but I'd do it again tomorrow if it meant getting another little munchkin like this one. He's just the most wonderful thing in the world.
I could stare at him all day, hold him all day, and kiss him all day. In case you're wondering, my favorite place to kiss is the little valley above his nose - right between his eyes.
Oh, and I kept a little log while the labor stuff was going on, since I didn't feel anything, thanks to the lovely epidural. I may post that in the next few days/weeks, if I get the opportunity.
Just wanted to say how wonderful this whole experience has been, in spite of the c-section stuff. That's no fun, but I'd do it again tomorrow if it meant getting another little munchkin like this one. He's just the most wonderful thing in the world.
I could stare at him all day, hold him all day, and kiss him all day. In case you're wondering, my favorite place to kiss is the little valley above his nose - right between his eyes.
Oh, and I kept a little log while the labor stuff was going on, since I didn't feel anything, thanks to the lovely epidural. I may post that in the next few days/weeks, if I get the opportunity.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
What may be the last update for a while
The baby's room is almost done - everything in except the changing table. Many people ask us if we have a theme. Clearly, these people don't know us very well. Dave and I aren't really theme people when it comes to decorating - unless that theme is "eclectic." See the pics.
And now we're at the "any day now" phase, officially. We went to the doctor's office on Thursday, and I'm very close, so our midwife told me that if I haven't gone into labor by this Thursday, that she'll admit me and we'll "get things started". She wants me closer to 39 weeks, but doesn't want me to miss my epidural window. So, this time next week, I'll be a mom. Wow.
We're doing our best to enjoy this weekend without plans and without having to think about much else beyond what we want to do next - oh and sleep - since it will be the last weekend where we can do either for quite some time.
And now we're at the "any day now" phase, officially. We went to the doctor's office on Thursday, and I'm very close, so our midwife told me that if I haven't gone into labor by this Thursday, that she'll admit me and we'll "get things started". She wants me closer to 39 weeks, but doesn't want me to miss my epidural window. So, this time next week, I'll be a mom. Wow.
We're doing our best to enjoy this weekend without plans and without having to think about much else beyond what we want to do next - oh and sleep - since it will be the last weekend where we can do either for quite some time.
Monday, August 24, 2009
What an Adventure
Wow, this week has been something to behold. I just don't have the energy to go through all the details, but here's the breakdown.
Garage - finished and wonderful.
The baby shower yesterday was wonderful. I can't believe how many people came in from out of town to help celebrate. And my friends' generosity (of time, love and yes, "stuff") leaves me speechless.
And the biggest event of all - three full days at Northside Hospital last week - due to a strange bout with pneumonia. Monday night after dinner, I began to feel very uncomfortable - achy and such - and then spiked a fever that reached 101.65. The fever broke in the middle of the night, but I still felt awful on Tuesday morning. Thanks to all the publicity about pregnant women and the swine flu, I was a bit nervous and called the doctor. They told me to go to Labor and Delivery. We walked in and were promptly given masks, and then I was treated to a whole host of pokes and prods (at least seven blood draws and an IV). Once various flu strains were ruled out, I was given a chest x-ray and told that I had pneumonia, regardless of there being no cough or congestion of any kind that week or weekend. I would be let go once my white blood count came down.
It did come down by Wednesday night, so I thought I would be going home Thursday, but then J. decided to get in on the act, and throughout Wednesday night/Thursday morning, every couple of hours when I'd have a contraction (something else I didn't realize I was having), his heart rate would drop. This happened three or four times throughout the night (resulting in my being connected not only to an IV and leg compression sleeves, but also a pulse oxymeter, oxygen mask, baby monitor, and contraction monitor - and therefore feeling completely tied down and bordering on a panic attack at midnight). So even though I seemed all mended, the doctors wanted me to stay one more night and make sure he didn't do that again. Thursday passed without incident, and Friday I was told to go home, rest, stay out of the heat and drink tons of water.
Although I do feel much better, I am amazed at how quickly I get tired. Yesterday's shower absolutely wore me out, even though I really just sat around, ate and opened gifts. I had to nap today, too. Thank goodness I had already taken the day off to see my friend safely to the airport. I'm a little nervous about tomorrow - my first day back at work in a week.
Garage - finished and wonderful.
The baby shower yesterday was wonderful. I can't believe how many people came in from out of town to help celebrate. And my friends' generosity (of time, love and yes, "stuff") leaves me speechless.
And the biggest event of all - three full days at Northside Hospital last week - due to a strange bout with pneumonia. Monday night after dinner, I began to feel very uncomfortable - achy and such - and then spiked a fever that reached 101.65. The fever broke in the middle of the night, but I still felt awful on Tuesday morning. Thanks to all the publicity about pregnant women and the swine flu, I was a bit nervous and called the doctor. They told me to go to Labor and Delivery. We walked in and were promptly given masks, and then I was treated to a whole host of pokes and prods (at least seven blood draws and an IV). Once various flu strains were ruled out, I was given a chest x-ray and told that I had pneumonia, regardless of there being no cough or congestion of any kind that week or weekend. I would be let go once my white blood count came down.
It did come down by Wednesday night, so I thought I would be going home Thursday, but then J. decided to get in on the act, and throughout Wednesday night/Thursday morning, every couple of hours when I'd have a contraction (something else I didn't realize I was having), his heart rate would drop. This happened three or four times throughout the night (resulting in my being connected not only to an IV and leg compression sleeves, but also a pulse oxymeter, oxygen mask, baby monitor, and contraction monitor - and therefore feeling completely tied down and bordering on a panic attack at midnight). So even though I seemed all mended, the doctors wanted me to stay one more night and make sure he didn't do that again. Thursday passed without incident, and Friday I was told to go home, rest, stay out of the heat and drink tons of water.
Although I do feel much better, I am amazed at how quickly I get tired. Yesterday's shower absolutely wore me out, even though I really just sat around, ate and opened gifts. I had to nap today, too. Thank goodness I had already taken the day off to see my friend safely to the airport. I'm a little nervous about tomorrow - my first day back at work in a week.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Updates
Well, we're seven weeks out, and the house projects are moving along. We didn't get quite as much done as we had hoped last weekend, though. We've waved the white flag on the garage door installation, and someone will be coming out next week (hopefully) to finish it up for us. It's already amazing, though, because Dave did an incredible job cleaning out the two rooms while I was at my shower last weekend. I'll have more pictures a little later.
We went to see District 9 last night, and it was incredible. It's wonderfully different. I never knew what was going to happen next. It was very moving, which I didn't expect.
We went to see District 9 last night, and it was incredible. It's wonderfully different. I never knew what was going to happen next. It was very moving, which I didn't expect.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
