Brayden is almost two years old, and I have never been away from him a whole night. He was 11 months when I first thought it might happen. My sister's labor was at night, and I was sure I would be there all night with her. Her labor went fast, however. I'm sure she appreciated that, and I did too. I was there to support her and be present for my niece's arrival, of course, but I have to admit I was relieved that I was home by 1:00am.
Just after Brayden's first birthday, Harry Potter came out. I went to the midnight showing, but I made Adam stay home with Brayden. I put him to bed, then left at 11:00pm and was back by about 3:00 am. I'll be doing the same thing when the last movie comes out next month hopefully.
Soon after that, I won movie tickets and a free night stay at the Castle Creek Inn. This was in July, and the stay didn't expire until the end of November. I planned on being ready by then, especially since we spent our wedding night (and our 5th anniversary) there. On a whim, I gave the voucher to a friend who took these amazing pictures of our little family. She used them immediately, and her son is just three weeks older than Brayden. I don't know why I gave them up so readily when I was planning on using it later, or why she was ready and I was not.
That's when I started to wonder if something was wrong with me. Ten months later, and I'm still wondering. I don't think I know anyone who has gone two years without a night (or more) away. I'm not bragging about it at all. I'm actually wondering if I am too attached.
I think Brayden would do fine. The people watching him might not get a full night's sleep, but he would be fine for one night. Adam would do fine. Adam has spent multiple nights away from him. It's me who isn't ready.
Am I alone in this??
Monday, June 20, 2011
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Congress as America
My friend Miri posted this link on Facebook. Go click on the link and take a gander. Don't worry, I'll wait. Can you imagine if this really happened, if Congress demographically represented America?
There would be 218 female legislators, not just 91.
81 of our representatives would be from a party other than Democrat or Republican. These third parties don't seem so counterculture when you look at it that way, right?
This isn't a surprise, but most minority groups are very under-represented. There are 44 African Americans, 27 Hispanics, 10 Asian, and 1 American Indian. In this truly representative Congress, there would be 20 more African Americans, 59 more Hispanics, 15 more Asians, and 4 more American Indians.
All of the major religions are very well-represented. The thing that caught my eye in the religion section is that 70 representatives would be unaffiliated with a specific religion when in reality no current representatives are. I don't think this one is good or bad necessarily, just interesting.
The other examples, however, give a glimpse as to what is wrong with politics right now. It's mostly a mens' game for many reasons I won't go into here. A game for wealthy, white men. Go ahead and say I'm wrong all you want, but that's how I see it and this illustration just proves it.
As for having a "third" party, I'm becoming more and more open to it. Not everyone fits squarely into the Democrat or Republican label. I have to say it makes me mad when the candidate I liked loses and the pundits say it's because so-and-so took just enough votes away. I don't know how to fix the system so that another party can be more viable, but it would be nice.
There would be 218 female legislators, not just 91.
81 of our representatives would be from a party other than Democrat or Republican. These third parties don't seem so counterculture when you look at it that way, right?
This isn't a surprise, but most minority groups are very under-represented. There are 44 African Americans, 27 Hispanics, 10 Asian, and 1 American Indian. In this truly representative Congress, there would be 20 more African Americans, 59 more Hispanics, 15 more Asians, and 4 more American Indians.
All of the major religions are very well-represented. The thing that caught my eye in the religion section is that 70 representatives would be unaffiliated with a specific religion when in reality no current representatives are. I don't think this one is good or bad necessarily, just interesting.
The other examples, however, give a glimpse as to what is wrong with politics right now. It's mostly a mens' game for many reasons I won't go into here. A game for wealthy, white men. Go ahead and say I'm wrong all you want, but that's how I see it and this illustration just proves it.
As for having a "third" party, I'm becoming more and more open to it. Not everyone fits squarely into the Democrat or Republican label. I have to say it makes me mad when the candidate I liked loses and the pundits say it's because so-and-so took just enough votes away. I don't know how to fix the system so that another party can be more viable, but it would be nice.
Monday, June 13, 2011
The postpartum body
I knew I liked Pink. She seems so real. This is what the typical woman looks like days after birth. Other female entertainers need to follow her example, and not hide away for a month until they are back to their pre-baby body.
And don't you love pictures of dads babywearing? Love it.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)