Momma’s Angel

Why All The Fuss August 25, 2008

Somebody asked me why I had a crush on Edward Cullen. Well… are crushes rational? First reason, he is exciting. Second reason, I’m reading from Bella’s perspective and she’s mad over him. After being asked, I had time to think, I also had time to keep reading and see their relationship develop. I found that as they developed a real relationship with communication and trust, I loved them as a couple as well and I suppose you could say I matured back to my non-high school self. (I was a senior nine years ago after all.) And the movie cast photos I liked the most were less of Edward, mysterious, slighty creepy and more, Edward and Bella happy together.

However, I have seen mucho previews and trailers for the movie, including the exclusive preview on the dvd for Penelope (which is an awesome flick with Christian Ricci, Reese Witherspoon [as a punk!] and James McAvoy) and we (Kate and I) were so excited we watched it four times! The craziness has returned but it’s more like seeing someone you love everyday and then getting a glimpse of them reminding you while they are so special to you.

Here is another way of saying it. I found an interview with the screenwriter for the movie, Melissa Rosenberg: Shock: What do you think the fan base is responding to with these novels?
Rosenberg: I think it’s a number of things. To begin with Bella, we’ve all been that girl. For women, anyway. We’ve all been this human, fallible person. And the vampire lore lends itself to the ultimate unattainable love. That longing we have felt, that delicious longing. I think that’s why the lore itself is so popular. For Stephenie, she has created this family of these somewhat unattainable, mystical people who are good. They’re accessible. She lays it out so slowly, she lures you in - because it’s being told from Bella’s point of view, you’re experiencing Edward and his family from her point of view. Little by little, you’re learning who this beautiful guy is and drawing you into just how human he is. Stephenie’s pacing and characters just draw you in.

Sara Ellen’s 1st Night Away August 17, 2008

I only recently returned home, bringing out of the car a napping Sara Ellen from her first incredibly successful night away from home/parents!

A couple weeks ago Tim, his parents, and I planned for Sara Ellen to have a trial sleepover, to see if she’s ready for that before Tim and I try to take any overnight trips together. When we planned it, Tim did not yet have an itinerary to Oslo. That is perhaps only significant because it meant I was alone and lonely for a bit. Actually I was lonely even before S was gone because Mom, Dad, and Emily drove away Friday to vacation in Maine, Tim flew off to Norway that night, and I rarely see Michael even though he is usually home. We’ve spent the last few days at home so yesterday I was bored of the same toys and had no idea what I would do with myself in the evening. I got in touch with a friend, Kate, and hoped she could come over for some cost-free fun. Sara Ellen took her nap in the afternoon and I let “Nana” know when she could expect S to be awake and ready for departure. I think she woke up just a few minutes before Jan arrived. We talked a little bit and I put Sara Ellen in her seat after hugs and kisses. She loves all her grandparents and we have slept there before so I was confident she would enjoy herself, and if necessary, I knew they would call.

As I took a shower I heard from Kate and afterwards confirmed she would be over by 7! Yay, I wouldn’t have to spend the evening alone! I did a little bit of cleaning and Kate arrived with food in hand. She shared her sandwich and we made mac and cheese while chatting for a bit before choosing to watch Pan’s Labyrinth. After that I introduced her to Wii Fit which she highly enjoyed and Wii Play. I won Harry Potter SceneIt and Kate headed home after 11. What an almost miracle to stay up late and play for my own enjoyment! I stayed up a bit longer to watch Charmed and start reading Little Women before going to sleep at 12:30 and sleeping for 7 uninterrupted hours.

I was up in time to attend Worship by the Water and get Michael back home before attending nursery kiddies. It was interesting to notice my parental attitude even without Sara Ellen. I spent a lot of time babysitting “in my youth” and when a 3 y.o. had mini-meltdowns I responded as I do now, trying to calm her without just giving her a pretzel like she wanted. Her 1 y.o. brother however I gave an extra cracker earlier because he’d started out quite unhappy, but she hadn’t minded. I picked both those 2 up, separately and they are so light in comparison. Sara Ellen has never been chubby. She just must be all muscle. She can sure put food away and must burn it all!

Jan and I had agreed they would call when they were ready to bring S home. I realized this morning I had only considered her wanting me that we never set an end time. I called after church and said I’d come over for lunch, etc. She was completely happy when I came in and barely said hello. She was just hanging around eating crackers and walking between “Papa” inside and Aunt JP on the porch, opening and closing the screen door herself. I heard a little about the visit, “she’s a delight” and eventually got us both into swimsuits for a dip before going home. We never did eat lunch. But oh, did she gobble up dinner last night and breakfast! Several servings of beef-a-roni and beans, two peaches. She surprised them by asking for crackers at 11:30pm but I let them know she does sleep better with a snack. Fred checked on her through semi-opened eyelids as it got to that time, I think she was watching Little Mermaid. This morning she ate 3 or 4 scrambled eggs (I had “warned” them about her love of eggs) before going to their church where I’m sure she was admired. After about 15 minutes of their outdoor service, Fred took her to the play area. I heard he was nervous about her climbing habits at the park yesterday. She’s learned to go down the fireman’s pole at our beach playground.

I almost couldn’t get her out of their house. She did start down the stairs but kept going to Aunt JP’s room and had a kissing binge before JP carried her out. She fell asleep on the way home. I think she feel asleep yesterday at the same time. Well, we certainly know she’s happy without us. Being a mother at home is a huge job and with a bunch of time to myself I realize she can be perfectly happy without me. Fred said she didn’t ask about me once, it’s the wonder of being too busy having fun. I did too!

One Word Meme March 7, 2008

Meme: an idea, project, statement or even a question that is posted by one blog and responded to by other blogs. … Blog tag from Tim.

Where is your mobile phone?
bedroom

Describe your girlfriend(s):
alumnae

Your hair:
unstyled

Your mother:
goofy

Your father:
retired

What is your favourite gadget?
cellphone

What did you dream last night?
travel

What do you prefer to drink?
chai

Dream car?
bigger

What room are you currently in?
Living

Your ex?
married

Your biggest fear?
leaving

What do you want to be in 10 years?
dancing

Who did you spend last night with?
family

What are you not?
mathematical

The last thing you did?
snuggle

What are you wearing?
gray

Favorite book?
yikes

The last thing you ate?
nuts

Your life?
transitional

Your mood?
average

Your best friends?
south

What are you thinking about right now?
lots

Your car?
unsure

What are you doing right now?
responding

Your Summer?
norway?

Marital status?
ideal

What is on your TV right now?
reflection

When did you last laugh?
recently

When did you last cry?
sunday

School?
sad

Your it - Allison, Makeba

70% (Dixie). A definitive Southern score! August 23, 2007

The Yankee or Dixie Quiz

Just for fun, find out how you rate based on what you say.

Motherwear for Fall August 15, 2007

The Motherwear Breatfeeding Blog just posted the preview of Motherwear’s fall styles.

There are some nice tops(Natural Beauty Sweater) but I’m excited about dresses. I’ve ordered some in the past and been disappointed. Usually it’s the style of the dress, and the way it falls on me which does not turn out well. However! These two I really want to try, the ruffled shirtdress and embroidered dress.

New Theme July 30, 2007

I was getting a little tired of bright pink. I also haven’t been happy with the layout, how there is a middle column with empty sides.

What do you think of the brown and green? My mother said it made her think of Delia*s.

Climber February 20, 2007

We have a climber!

While visiting with Tim’s sister Jennifer on Saturday, Sara Ellen pulled herself across and up onto the coffee table. It is probably waist height for her, narrow but longish. She was up and down, loving it.

The other evening while I brushed my teeth, she climbed onto the toilet. I have stood her on the lid before and today she tried again with frustrating results. Right now, she is trying to get onto a low-seated dining chair next to the computer. She can quite get on yet, I’m guessing because she can’t slide over it, but she learned to get off.

Home, v. 2

Just so you know, I’ve met our new neighbor. Her name is Elizabeth and she is very nice. She has an accent, my guess is Spanish (European). Last week when our power was out, Tim went out to move a branch that was across the street and helped move her downed branches as well. I decided to use the opportunity to introduce myself and Sara Ellen to her, Mom had met her previously. We all, except for Michael and Emily, gathered and talked. She enthusiastically offered her fire place to us for warmth.

She told Mom when they met that she is in a “separation situation”. She must be on the way to divorce but doing ok (financially) for herself to have bought a house. She has two young sons who go between this new home and their father nearby. She has been slowly filling her new home with furniture and gadgets. She bought a new tv but didn’t break down the box so the recycling picker-upers didn’t take it. I think her next step should be curtains.

JJ Abrams January 14, 2007

Last night I watched Mission:Impossible III on DVD. It’s ok, but this is not my review.

On the way home from church just now I was holding it on my lap before returning it to Blockbuster. I mentioned that JJ Abrams seems to use Greg Grunberg in everything he does, Alias, LOST, Heros, and Felicity (Keri Russell was also in M:I:III).

Then I mentioned that JJ Abrams may be the next Jerry Bruckheimer, producing/directing/writing so many hit shows and with M:I:III, a big movie.

I had been focusing my conversation on JJ Abrams and Greg Grunberg on tv, and when comparing JJ to Jerry, asked “has he done any movies?”…. Tim points to the DVD I’d just been talking about… sheesh.

*2/16* I was wrong, Abrams did not create Heros. I realized that when I wondered why he had shows on NBC and ABC.

Ergo Baby Carrier January 5, 2007

I love my Ergo Baby Carrier!

It was an early Christmas gift from Tim and I’ve had lots of opportunities to use it. I’ve done household chores and gone on excursions. It even makes quick trips easier.

December 16, we went on a day trip for Dad’s birthday. We drove to Cumberland, MD and took the Santa Express to Frostburg, MD. It was kind of a long day but when I utilized the carrier, and didn’t “lug around” 30 lbs. of baby, I was hands-free. While waiting for the train I wore her in front. We rubbed noses, looked at the other passengers, and she had no fear when the train came in. In Frostburg, I wore her in back while we watched the locomotive turn around and then walked up a hill to a restaurant for a quick lunch. Dad went for a walk with her while I finished lunch and was still out before we needed to return. I walked back to the station to check for them there and then others stayed up the hill to wait. Granddad and baby were up the hill and Tim wore her in front to return to the train.

December 22, I made two coffee cakes for Christmas breakfast. She was happier being worn, so I wore her on my back while I worked. She was very happy and took her nap that way. It has a hood that secures her while she sleeps, but can be used in other circumstances (sun, nursing, rain, wind). I also wore her while doing laundry. I tried to vacuum as well, but as I picked it up she freaked out as it passed close to her, so I left it and we went to read.

December 23, we visited the Jefferson Hotel in Richmond with Tim’s mom. I didn’t want her running around so I wore her on my hip while we walked around and took pictures of the display.

December 29, we stopped in Border’s before going to the Altman’s to pick out DVD’s (on special + using gift cards) and I decided to wear her in back while we ran in. It made a quick trip really quick because I didn’t have to hold or corral her while finding our choices.

December 30, some of us took the subway to Union Station in DC to see the display about Norway. I wore Sara Ellen in front and she played peek-a-boo with Dad behind me. On the way back she took a nap, in front again. Before we arrived in New Carrolton, she woke up and needed a drink, so I unhooked the back clip and slid off a shoulder so she could nurse. You are supposed to be able to nurse while strapped in but so far I’ve done the above.

Like today, January 5, we went to Joss Cafe and Sushi Bar for Michael’s Birthday Lunch. I wore her in front as we walked there and for most of the time while I sat at the table. Sara Ellen has been in serious teething modefor the last week and not wanting solids so she’s been nursing 100% and needed her lunch too.

The Ergo is wonderful. I highly recommend it over the Baby Bjorn and the PreMaxx Baby Bag (sling).