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.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Keepsake box
I finished one of my 30 before 30 goals, without even really trying. I've always had a treasure chest type box in mind for a keepsake box, but I wanted a metal one and I could only find really expensive ones online. The past two Saturdays have been nice so my mom and I have gone to garage sales, and I found this chest at one of them. It's not perfect, but I love it. I thought about spray-painting it, but Adam doesn't want me to so I decided not to for now.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Coming up on 2
Brayden's first "rock climb" from Megan Bishop on Vimeo.
I looked back and realize I haven't really given an update on Brayden since March. He's 22 months old now.
He can say 2-3 word phrases, but usually just with prompting. He's singing along more to songs. When I sing "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" to him, he sings the last word in each phrase- star, are, high, sky, etc. And with "Wheels on the Bus" he pipes in with town, "wah wah wah" and "shh shh shh." When we laugh and he doesn't really understand why, he has this fake laugh he does, and then he says "uh-huh funny." He also says "funny" when he makes us laugh. Oh, he finally started saying "grandma" this week. Up until now, he has just said "grandpa" and used the term for my mom and Adam's mom as well. I don't know what took him so long, but he says it now and my mom loves it.
We got him one of those little basketball hoops, and he really likes it. Toy Story (any of them) have taken over the top movie spot from Tangled. He's now obsessed with bugs- he is a boy after all. When we go on walks, it takes forever and we never get very far because he keeps stopping to look at bugs, rocks or flowers.
He doesn't like the stroller anymore. Or holding our hands. Or being held on walks. We usually go back and forth between letting him walk until he tries to run off, and then picking him up. It's very annoying, but I know it's a sign of independence and that's good. He's growing up, whether I want him to or not. Which reminds me, I'm freaking out realizing that the next update I give will probably be when he's 2.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Politics and religion
Yes, I'm getting back into posting about politics. Didn't you know there's an election in 18 months? That's like tomorrow. Just kidding- I know it's a long ways away, but even though I'm over 99% sure I will vote to re-elect President Obama, I'm feeling sorry for one of the bajillion possible Republican candidates.
Did you read the article in the Salt Lake Tribune about former Utah governor Huntsman's faith? Basically, He said this in a TIME magazine interview: “I’m a very spiritual person and proud of my Mormon roots.” And then on whether he is still a member: “That’s tough to define. There are varying degrees. I come from a long line of saloon keepers and proselytizers, and I draw from both sides.”
In response, a political science student at BYU said, “I understand what he’s doing to an extent, but why not just come out and say ‘yes,’ or ‘no’? He’s been so coy about his beliefs that I just kind of find it somewhat disingenuous.” Seriously? He think he's just being coy? There's no chance he actually feels that way and is in a questioning phase (similar to the one I've been stuck in for a few years)? It's wrong that he brings part of the Hindu faith into his family because he adopted a girl born into that faith? I think not.
I loved Robert Kirby's response, especially this quote: Had the “good Mormon” question been posed during my campaign last year, I would have instructed my press spokesman to issue the following statement: “Thank you for coming. Mr. Kirby went to church last week. Here’s a picture. Beyond that, his level of commitment to his faith is none of your [flippin’] business. Thank you.”
Even though I consider myself liberal, I liked Huntsman as Governor, especially once he left and we got stuck with his way more conservative Lieutenant Governor. I think he's a good centrist. He obviously showed that by taking a post in Obama's cabinet. Of course, that's yet another thing hard Republicans don't like about him- he's actually able to work well with a Democrat president. Good heavens, people. It is a good thing to be able to reach across the aisle. And while faith shouldn't matter in politics, it does, so we should appreciate his honesty about his spirituality and faith (or lack thereof).
Did you read the article in the Salt Lake Tribune about former Utah governor Huntsman's faith? Basically, He said this in a TIME magazine interview: “I’m a very spiritual person and proud of my Mormon roots.” And then on whether he is still a member: “That’s tough to define. There are varying degrees. I come from a long line of saloon keepers and proselytizers, and I draw from both sides.”
In response, a political science student at BYU said, “I understand what he’s doing to an extent, but why not just come out and say ‘yes,’ or ‘no’? He’s been so coy about his beliefs that I just kind of find it somewhat disingenuous.” Seriously? He think he's just being coy? There's no chance he actually feels that way and is in a questioning phase (similar to the one I've been stuck in for a few years)? It's wrong that he brings part of the Hindu faith into his family because he adopted a girl born into that faith? I think not.
I loved Robert Kirby's response, especially this quote: Had the “good Mormon” question been posed during my campaign last year, I would have instructed my press spokesman to issue the following statement: “Thank you for coming. Mr. Kirby went to church last week. Here’s a picture. Beyond that, his level of commitment to his faith is none of your [flippin’] business. Thank you.”
Even though I consider myself liberal, I liked Huntsman as Governor, especially once he left and we got stuck with his way more conservative Lieutenant Governor. I think he's a good centrist. He obviously showed that by taking a post in Obama's cabinet. Of course, that's yet another thing hard Republicans don't like about him- he's actually able to work well with a Democrat president. Good heavens, people. It is a good thing to be able to reach across the aisle. And while faith shouldn't matter in politics, it does, so we should appreciate his honesty about his spirituality and faith (or lack thereof).
Saturday, May 14, 2011
California- Kidspace Museum
The drive to California wasn't too bad. We left at the crazy hour of 4:30 AM. Leaving that early and gaining the hour when we got into the pacific time zone made it so we actually beat my brother-in-law, Andy, to the hotel. We didn't do much that first night, although we did go to Trader Joe's. My first time there and I so wish we had one here.
On Tuesday, we got up and had the hotel breakfast. It was AWESOME. They had a waffle machine where you could make your own Belgian waffles, then they had fruit toppings, chocolate chips, whipped cream and syrup. My favorite was chocolate chips with whipped cream. Nicki and I decided we would check out the Kidspace Children's Museum. We got there 20 minutes before they open, but no worries- there was a park on the grounds. The museum was great. Amazing for older kids, like my nephew Jack. Brayden had fun too, though, it's just based for older kids. If you're friends with me on Facebook, you've heard this already- we met Julie Bowen today. AKA Claire Dunphy on Modern Family. AKA the coolest mom on television (well, tied with Gloria and Cam). I was so excited! She has a 4 year old and two year old twins (and she even showed a picture of her breastfeeding the twins last year on the George Lopez show). She was so nice even though I was totally awkward. I was trying to slyly get a picture of her, and at one point Brayden and one of her twins were playing at the same exhibit. The Brayden walked away though, and she bent over to help her son... so yeah. Still took a picture, just to laugh about it, but I won't post it.
On Tuesday, we got up and had the hotel breakfast. It was AWESOME. They had a waffle machine where you could make your own Belgian waffles, then they had fruit toppings, chocolate chips, whipped cream and syrup. My favorite was chocolate chips with whipped cream. Nicki and I decided we would check out the Kidspace Children's Museum. We got there 20 minutes before they open, but no worries- there was a park on the grounds. The museum was great. Amazing for older kids, like my nephew Jack. Brayden had fun too, though, it's just based for older kids. If you're friends with me on Facebook, you've heard this already- we met Julie Bowen today. AKA Claire Dunphy on Modern Family. AKA the coolest mom on television (well, tied with Gloria and Cam). I was so excited! She has a 4 year old and two year old twins (and she even showed a picture of her breastfeeding the twins last year on the George Lopez show). She was so nice even though I was totally awkward. I was trying to slyly get a picture of her, and at one point Brayden and one of her twins were playing at the same exhibit. The Brayden walked away though, and she bent over to help her son... so yeah. Still took a picture, just to laugh about it, but I won't post it.
Brayden crawling out of the ant hole
One of a few different climbing structures in the museum
Jackson playing the drums with water
Jackson and Brayden playing in the splash fountain
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