Pictures December 28, 2006
I’m putting up several new photos in the baby album, trips and events, and my album.
The Nativity Story December 27, 2006
Mom, Dad, Emily and I saw “The Nativity Story” this afternoon. I loved it. Emily and I agree it is rewatchable, several times over.
Tim did not come though he had the day off. I’d forgotten, or didn’t realize that fact so JP babysat. It’s hard seeing your baby go away. It’s one thing leaving her at home… but she was with someone she loves and who loves her back. Tim and Michael (who had seen it earlier) had the house to themselves. Tim spent time bagging leaves from the backyard.
The movie shows what Mary could have been like, as well as Joseph. You see their personalities and circumstances, and how hard their lives are as poor people under King Herod (the Great), the local hand of Ceasar Augustus.
One of my favorite parts is when Mary goes to visit her cousin Elizabeth, who will be the mother of John the Baptist. When Mary is a few months pregnant she tells Elizabeth her baby is kicking and places E’s hand on her belly. Elizabeth says the same and they are standing there feeling their children communicate.
The journey of the Maji is not really funny, but their personalities do lend humor to the movie. One is determined to make the journey. One concedes to join him. The third does not leave with them, unconvinced of the events taking place and the need to attend. He catches up and his reaction to seeing baby Jesus is very sweet.
I loved seeing Joseph and Mary get to know and appreciate eachother on their way to Bethlehem.
The birth made me cry. Ever since my own wedding, weddings make me cry. New babies and situations with children now draw the same emotion from me. I had always heard about the bright star in the sky. According to the Maji in this movie, it’s brightness came from three stars aligning. Jupiter (father), and Venus (mother) create Babylon (King). That happens as Mary is giving birth and it’s really a powerful moment.
Go see it, I highly recommend this movie.
Christmastime December 20, 2006
For a couple weeks now I’ve heard sermons and other messages on keeping Christ in Christmas. Remembering to wait for his arrival, being ready for him. Well, I’m having a hard time mixing the preparations for visiting and gift-giving and preparing myself for Christ.
It’s about that time, Christmas Day sneaks closer, and I want things completed. Shopping is mostly done, I’ll finish tomorrow, have to because we’re going to Richmond Friday evening. Two gifts I’ve ordered have not yet arrived. Cards should be out but aren’t because the photos haven’t arrived yet. I have to buy more anyway, and stamps to boot. I have to prepare dinner tonight also. Singing Christmas songs and hymns helps. It’s festive at least. I don’t like a beautiful, festive season becoming hectic and harried.
I’ve made many of the gifts I’m giving. That has been fun. I enjoy gift-giving, more so when I’ve come up with a creative gift, or way to present it. I don’t like making a list to check off, making sure everything, and everyone is covered. When it gets to hectic, Christmas Day happens and takes you by surprise, and not in a good way.
It’s now later in the day and our photos have arrived by FedEx. Most of our cards are now stuffed and ready to go. I’ve relaxed, watched some tv (very christmasy, I know), hung out with Sara Ellen. I’m feeling better now.
The Second Year December 19, 2006
Welcome, Carnival of Breastfeeding Readers!
It’s time for another Carnival of Breastfeeding. This time Tanya Lieberman, of the Motherwear Breastfeeding Blog has invited any of her readers to contribute and to ponder our New Year’s Resolutions.
Normally I don’t make resolutions but I’ve thought of a few things I promise to do on behalf of Sara Ellen. As she begins her second year, there are so many opinions on what is best for baby, in this case, no longer an infant, but still a baby. A baby comes from two parents and shares some or many of their traits. In the ideal situation both loving parents are available and enable their child to grow in whatever suits him or her best.
Our household will abide by the following:
1. We will allow her to breastfeed as long as she wants. Occassionally I may put it off until a later time and just give her snuggles instead. I have no intention of “getting her to four nursings a day. An a.m. feeding, one or two naptimes, and a bedtime” as our pediatrician “recommended”. With that in mind…
2. We will find another medical professional to monitor her growth. One with whom I feel we can communicate and one whom respects what our family does. Thankfully, I learned that another LLL mother sees the nurse practitioner who works with our ped., a woman she highly recommended. This would be so convenient because it’s the same office so no paperwork!
3. We will spend time with her, playing, learning, and exploring. I know that she will develop best when interacting with others and not forced to entertain herself.
4. We will marvel at her growth and development while allowing her to be a baby and fulfilling her needs for cuddles, suckling, etc.
5. We will not dress her to look like a big kid or adult, but appropriately for baby play and cuteness.
6. We will let her splash in mud puddles and otherwise have a good time.
7. We will find a pleasant transition for our sleep-sharing.
8. We will continue to help her build a good relationship with solid food.
9. Walking quickly will turn to running, and climbing with ensue. When she falls we will pick her up or respond without overreacting, thus encouraging her resilience. Recently we took a scenic train trip. When the locomotive approached and passed, my father said, “this child is fearless.”
10. We will be our wonderful selves and find joy in every day that reveals more of her own wonderful personality.
To see resolutions from other breastfeeding bloggers visit Jen, The Lactivist, Andi from Mama Knows Breast, Angela from Breastfeeding 1-2-3, and Sinead of Breastfeeding Mums.
Dancing - Come See! December 14, 2006
I’m performing! I’m performing!!
June 1 - 3: Recital Performances at Anne Arundel Community College
Friday, June 1 2007 - 7:30pm
Saturday, June 2 2007 - 7:30pm
Sunday, June 3 2007 - 2:00pm
You may be surprised to know that I am doing mostly ballet. There is one modern dance. Lyrical dance is available at the studio but I’m not taking it. Emily is also in the performance.
The first ballet is Etude and brings to life Degas paintings of ballet classes. Emily dances en pointe here.
Next is Alice in Wonderland, the story ballet which includes young children. I am taking Intermediate 2 which gives me a part in the ballet - the Queen of Hearts!! I’m very happy about this. I think it will be a fun character and I never got a solo in the story ballet as a child.
Dance Collections, is after intermission and includes modern, lyrical, and jazz dances. Emily and I are both in modern. Emily is also in lyrical.
L’arlésienne is a ballet which happens to follow a storyline. My classmates and I are Villagers. Emily is a townsperson. Very young children are not in this ballet.
I am posting this now but also including it on a new page (see side bar) for my dance events, etc. so you can check back later.
Birthday Photos December 13, 2006
We’ve just uploaded photos from Sara Ellen’s birthday and her party.
RC - 2
If you go to www.rmwc.edu, you will now see “Randolph College Founded as Randolph-Macon Woman’s College in 1891″.
I wonder if they will keep the URL the same. I looked up RC.edu and Randolph.edu, both are taken, they are Rochester College and Randolph Community College.
I still makes me sad. I hope as it changes, it remains a College I can still support. I don’t want to feel alma mater-less.
Birthday Party December 9, 2006
We are recuperating from a very successful 1st birthday party (and about to head out for a lights on the bay parade downtown). Guests began arriving around 1 and the last two trickled out near 5!
Guests:
Janice Hegeman Altman
Marcia and Clinton Hegeman
Fred and Jan Altman
Jennifer Padgett
Ginger Ridgley
Sara and Nathan Draughn
Helen Hogye
Betsy Walker
Carol Smith and Frank Moorman
Erinna Moorman
Menu bought and prepared myself:
Beverage - water, hot apple cider, cranberry juice
Appetizers - mini quiche and vegetables
Main - Potato Egg Salad (not the normal thing but cut potatoes and eggs on lettuce with cheese, etc.) and Spring Greens Salad with strawberries, chicken, cheese, and peanuts.
Dessert - Polka-Dot (berries) Angel Food Cupcakes and chocolate pecan pie
We alternated visiting and eating with lots of gift opening so we didn’t sit around hungry. That worked for Sara Ellen anyway because she’d lose interest. She got clothes, books, and very cool, inventive toys. We had a really nice time, took photos, and visited. My brother even got it on video tape. At the end of which I taped him playing his mandolin while she danced. We had a really nice time and Sara Ellen didn’t get stressed out. She had happily woken from a nap beforehand and just stayed with me for bits.
For those of you who couldn’t come, I’m sorry we missed you, either because you’re far away or busy.
Now all my free time goes towards Christmas (though I’ve also got Dad’s birthday 12/23 and Michael’s birthday 1/5).
