We celebrated Eamon's two month birthday by taking him to the doctor where he got his first round of shots. It was a traumatic experience so I don't have any two month pictures yet. He slept most of the first day, but was generally fussy and cuddly. Yesterday was the same. Last night he kept me awake with his grunting and groaning so we came down stairs and cuddled on the couch for the night. I guess we slept ok, because I am not absolutely exhausted today, but I hope he feels better soon. He still prefers being held to laying in his bed or in his seat thing or swing, but I think I will be able to use the Moby today. Yesterday, it seemed to hurt his little legs and he screamed in pain when I tried to put him in it. He is sleeping again now, so I don't have the courage to try him out in it yet. That means we are sitting very still and doing computer stuff, usually one handed.
Picture updates later if I can.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Friday, November 25, 2011
Thanksgiving: Updated with Pictures
Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. We got together with all the families and I liked the food. Cranberry salad and turkey and green bean casserole! This year we had slightly different celebrations, but it was still a lovely time.
Thanksgiving Day, we went to my parents for lunch, but not a traditional thanksgiving dinner. Instead we had Stromboli. Of course, we had to have some turkey, so Daddy made one for us. Since it was Mom and Dad's anniversary, they left and all us kids made dinner for ourselves. It was good times.
Friday, we had our usually Thanksgiving dinner with my mother's side of the family. It was so good to see everyone who came and we missed everyone who couldn't. In the afternoon we went on a walk. It was the first time since I had Eamon that we went for a long walk. It was tiring! but felt really good too. I carried him in my moby and even took a few pictures before I handed my camera off to Kate. She got a bunch of great pictures, some of people, some nice artistic shots. I will put them on Facebook.
In past years we travel up to a second or third cousins house for a sing-a-long with my Dad's side of the family. However, this year it was cancelled, so Dad's father, brother and sister and their families came down to our house. We didn't make it out in time for the sing-a-long but we did come for dinner. We met a new cousin and Grandpa got to meet Eamon. I don't get to see this side of the family as much, so it was really good to catch-up a little bit. We did get to sing a little after most everyone had left, but Eamon was not a happy little boy for some of that time.
Then on Sunday, Keith and Katlyn had us over for leftover Thanksgiving dinner. She made a delicious soup and sweet potatoes with lots of molasses. Since they were busy with other family gatherings it was nice to spend some time just with them.
It was a tiring holiday, but a pleasant one also. I learned about how Eamon deals with messed up schedules and lots of people. He was such a good little boy for so much of the time. It let us enjoy the company and let them enjoy him.
Thanksgiving Day, we went to my parents for lunch, but not a traditional thanksgiving dinner. Instead we had Stromboli. Of course, we had to have some turkey, so Daddy made one for us. Since it was Mom and Dad's anniversary, they left and all us kids made dinner for ourselves. It was good times.
Friday, we had our usually Thanksgiving dinner with my mother's side of the family. It was so good to see everyone who came and we missed everyone who couldn't. In the afternoon we went on a walk. It was the first time since I had Eamon that we went for a long walk. It was tiring! but felt really good too. I carried him in my moby and even took a few pictures before I handed my camera off to Kate. She got a bunch of great pictures, some of people, some nice artistic shots. I will put them on Facebook.
In past years we travel up to a second or third cousins house for a sing-a-long with my Dad's side of the family. However, this year it was cancelled, so Dad's father, brother and sister and their families came down to our house. We didn't make it out in time for the sing-a-long but we did come for dinner. We met a new cousin and Grandpa got to meet Eamon. I don't get to see this side of the family as much, so it was really good to catch-up a little bit. We did get to sing a little after most everyone had left, but Eamon was not a happy little boy for some of that time.
Then on Sunday, Keith and Katlyn had us over for leftover Thanksgiving dinner. She made a delicious soup and sweet potatoes with lots of molasses. Since they were busy with other family gatherings it was nice to spend some time just with them.
It was a tiring holiday, but a pleasant one also. I learned about how Eamon deals with messed up schedules and lots of people. He was such a good little boy for so much of the time. It let us enjoy the company and let them enjoy him.
Monday, November 21, 2011
6 Years
Six years ago from Saturday, Thomas and I got married. And the past six years have been the best of my life. And this year our small family shared the celebration together.
We couldn't do anything too much because Eamon still needs to eat every three hours. However we still had a lovely day. Thomas surprised me by taking me out to breakfast. Then we went grocery shopping (just like the old days walking round Food Lion). At 4, we watched a soccer game, and at half-time began making dinner while watching. Thomas made his amazing hamburgers and I made apple pastries, although I didn't get to finish them until later, because Eamon woke up early and wanted to eat immediately. And in the evening we finished watching The New World.
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| Family Photo by Amanda Bennett |
We couldn't do anything too much because Eamon still needs to eat every three hours. However we still had a lovely day. Thomas surprised me by taking me out to breakfast. Then we went grocery shopping (just like the old days walking round Food Lion). At 4, we watched a soccer game, and at half-time began making dinner while watching. Thomas made his amazing hamburgers and I made apple pastries, although I didn't get to finish them until later, because Eamon woke up early and wanted to eat immediately. And in the evening we finished watching The New World.
It was a good day.
Thanks, Thomas. I love you.
Friday, November 18, 2011
The Blind Side
I did not want to see The Blind Side when I first heard about it. It went against my snobbish tendencies. However, after my sister said she thought I would like it, if I could get past my snobbery (she said it nicer than that). So I added it to my night-watch list.
And I did like it. In fact, I watched again the night after (partly because Eamon was fussy, so I missed bits; partly because I liked it). It was a "feel good, do good" movie, but that isn't always a bad thing. It is nice, on occasion, to watch people do good things simply because they know it is the right thing to do. The story-telling was straight forward and the artistry pretty average, but they didn't take away from the story at all. I don't know that they added anything though.
The movie revolves around the character of Mrs. Tuohy. She runs the movie, just like she runs everyone's life in the movie. But she is a kind dictator and draws the audience in just as she drew Michael out. However, because of her role, and her character, I found her slightly annoying. Maybe because I saw my control-freak nature in her, maybe because she was compassionate and loving one minute, but tough and in-control the next. While that may be true of how people work, without a center - a reason "why" in her life - she seemed like two characters that didn't quite mesh. To me, that diminished the truth in the role.
Having said that, I again reiterate. I liked the movie, and I even liked her by the end. I liked the way she wasn't afraid of saying what she thought and of the judgements of other people. And I liked the way that she used the tough exterior to cover a soft heart. She didn't like others to see her cry, so she put on a business like attitude when things touched her heart. (I don't know anyone like that now, do you...) But most of all, I like the way she did what was right, she loved the unloved, and she reached out in a small way to help solve the problems she saw in her world. That is ennobling, even if she couldn't explain why she did it.
And I did like it. In fact, I watched again the night after (partly because Eamon was fussy, so I missed bits; partly because I liked it). It was a "feel good, do good" movie, but that isn't always a bad thing. It is nice, on occasion, to watch people do good things simply because they know it is the right thing to do. The story-telling was straight forward and the artistry pretty average, but they didn't take away from the story at all. I don't know that they added anything though.
The movie revolves around the character of Mrs. Tuohy. She runs the movie, just like she runs everyone's life in the movie. But she is a kind dictator and draws the audience in just as she drew Michael out. However, because of her role, and her character, I found her slightly annoying. Maybe because I saw my control-freak nature in her, maybe because she was compassionate and loving one minute, but tough and in-control the next. While that may be true of how people work, without a center - a reason "why" in her life - she seemed like two characters that didn't quite mesh. To me, that diminished the truth in the role.
Having said that, I again reiterate. I liked the movie, and I even liked her by the end. I liked the way she wasn't afraid of saying what she thought and of the judgements of other people. And I liked the way that she used the tough exterior to cover a soft heart. She didn't like others to see her cry, so she put on a business like attitude when things touched her heart. (I don't know anyone like that now, do you...) But most of all, I like the way she did what was right, she loved the unloved, and she reached out in a small way to help solve the problems she saw in her world. That is ennobling, even if she couldn't explain why she did it.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Jane Eyre Review
When I get up in the night to feed Eamon, it is very hard to stay awake, so I have been watching various things - movies, soccer games, youtube video - to help me keep from falling asleep. It is a convenient time to watch things that Thomas doesn't really want to watch but I am interested in.
Jane Eyre (2011) starring Mia Wasikowska was one of these late night movies watched in 30-40 minute increments. Although it was a very beautiful movie, and somethings were exactly the way I imagined them, I liked the book better. My biggest complaint is that Mia Wasikowska showed hardly any emotion. It is true that Jane was a very reserved person, but she had depths of emotion hidden under layers that life had cause her to develop. In this movie, I found it difficult to see the hidden emotions or the layers.
Because of that, I never knew why she was attracted to Mr. Rochester. I never saw her struggle between her desires for him and her desire to do what was right. She seemed so passive that I wondered where the feisty little girl from the flashbacks went. Perhaps it was that her eyes told me nothing, so even when she smiled, I wondered what she was thinking. That is fine for everyone in the movie, but as an audience, I want to see what is really going on inside her.
However, there were things I did like very much. Dame Judi Dench as Mrs. Fairfax was lovely. I loved the subtleties of her reactions and her delivery was amazing. St.John Rivers was exactly as I imagined him. But I wished the audience could have gotten to know the sisters better. The girl who played Young Jane was very good and I loved her interaction with Helen. The scenes of the two of them were probably some of my favorites. I also liked the cinematography and lighting. They captured things the way I had imagined them when I read the book.
Overall, it probably won't go on any top 10 lists, but was glad I watched it.
Jane Eyre (2011) starring Mia Wasikowska was one of these late night movies watched in 30-40 minute increments. Although it was a very beautiful movie, and somethings were exactly the way I imagined them, I liked the book better. My biggest complaint is that Mia Wasikowska showed hardly any emotion. It is true that Jane was a very reserved person, but she had depths of emotion hidden under layers that life had cause her to develop. In this movie, I found it difficult to see the hidden emotions or the layers.
Because of that, I never knew why she was attracted to Mr. Rochester. I never saw her struggle between her desires for him and her desire to do what was right. She seemed so passive that I wondered where the feisty little girl from the flashbacks went. Perhaps it was that her eyes told me nothing, so even when she smiled, I wondered what she was thinking. That is fine for everyone in the movie, but as an audience, I want to see what is really going on inside her.
However, there were things I did like very much. Dame Judi Dench as Mrs. Fairfax was lovely. I loved the subtleties of her reactions and her delivery was amazing. St.John Rivers was exactly as I imagined him. But I wished the audience could have gotten to know the sisters better. The girl who played Young Jane was very good and I loved her interaction with Helen. The scenes of the two of them were probably some of my favorites. I also liked the cinematography and lighting. They captured things the way I had imagined them when I read the book.
Overall, it probably won't go on any top 10 lists, but was glad I watched it.
Monday, November 07, 2011
A Father's Love
When I married Thomas, I learned so much more about what God's love meant as it was lived out in Thomas's love for me. Now I am learning more about God's love as it is lived out in Thomas and I and our love for our son.
We read the story of Abraham and Isaac in church yesterday.
It is a hard story to read and imagine, but it took on even more meaning now that I have a baby. God had promised Abraham descendents through the boy on the altar. God now told him to kill that boy. Abraham trusted that God knew what he was doing and that he would keep his promises. It seems that he figured that God would raise his son from the dead, but there was always the chance that he might not. But he also says that God would provide a son.
I wondered if Abraham really knew what God would do, or if he simply trusted that it would work out all right in the end. I wondered what he was thinking or if he was trying to turn his brain off so he wouldn't think, but just do it.
I then wondered about after the story. What happened when they saw the ram and sacrificed him? What was Isaac thinking? Did he understand what had happened? Did Abraham explain why he had to put him on the altar? And did they ever tell Sarah what took place on that mountain?
It is impossible for me to hear this story without John 3:16 coming to mind. "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son..." God loved Jesus and Jesus knew and understood that love. That is clear from the Gospels. But God loved us so much that he was willing to give up his son; and Jesus loved us so much he willing gave himself up.
What wondrous love is this. We think about Jesus' anguish as he hung on the cross. But think about the anguish of the Father as he let him hang there. It is no wonder the earth shook and the sky went dark. The creation could not stand the pain of the Godhead.
And I wonder about after this story too. Christ resurrection - the victory over death and the atonement of our sins - is so amazingly joyful. "He is not here; He is risen." What a privilege to be that angel announcing the best news in the world - the joy of the Father. And think about how amazingly joyful Christ's future glorification will be. Then we, those he loves, will be united with himself. And we will be part of that joy and glory.
We read the story of Abraham and Isaac in church yesterday.
It is a hard story to read and imagine, but it took on even more meaning now that I have a baby. God had promised Abraham descendents through the boy on the altar. God now told him to kill that boy. Abraham trusted that God knew what he was doing and that he would keep his promises. It seems that he figured that God would raise his son from the dead, but there was always the chance that he might not. But he also says that God would provide a son.
I wondered if Abraham really knew what God would do, or if he simply trusted that it would work out all right in the end. I wondered what he was thinking or if he was trying to turn his brain off so he wouldn't think, but just do it.
I then wondered about after the story. What happened when they saw the ram and sacrificed him? What was Isaac thinking? Did he understand what had happened? Did Abraham explain why he had to put him on the altar? And did they ever tell Sarah what took place on that mountain?
It is impossible for me to hear this story without John 3:16 coming to mind. "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son..." God loved Jesus and Jesus knew and understood that love. That is clear from the Gospels. But God loved us so much that he was willing to give up his son; and Jesus loved us so much he willing gave himself up.
What wondrous love is this. We think about Jesus' anguish as he hung on the cross. But think about the anguish of the Father as he let him hang there. It is no wonder the earth shook and the sky went dark. The creation could not stand the pain of the Godhead.
And I wonder about after this story too. Christ resurrection - the victory over death and the atonement of our sins - is so amazingly joyful. "He is not here; He is risen." What a privilege to be that angel announcing the best news in the world - the joy of the Father. And think about how amazingly joyful Christ's future glorification will be. Then we, those he loves, will be united with himself. And we will be part of that joy and glory.
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