Monday, September 22, 2008
Made on Mars
I found out last week that my new friend, Consuelo, has an awesome talent: jewelry-making. Her stuff is cool, way too cool for me, but she says she'll find something that Sarah-Plain-and-Tall can pull off. Check out her website here or by clicking on Made on Mars Jewelry in the Cool Links list!
Friday, September 19, 2008
Laugh In
Jeff is gone on a two-week training, so when Matthew started cracking up in the bath tonight, I grabbed the camera (which was in the bathroom because I would never, ever leave the baby alone in a bathtub) so that I could share the moment with him, and all of you, on the blog. I was feeling pretty good about myself and my mommy-multitasking abilities: bathing the baby, making him laugh, and catching it all on film. Until... Well, let me assure that Matthew is feeling fine now and sleeping soundly.
We miss Papa a lot, but life can be simpler when it's just me and the baby. Of course, simple isn't really what life's about. My life was simpler before Matthew came along, too, but I wouldn't trade this life for that one in a million years. I'm just pleased that I can manage to take care of the baby by myself for a few days without having an anxiety attack beforehand or passing out on the floor while I'm supposed to be the one in charge. I did sprain my ankle a couple of days ago, which quickly reminded me of how unacceptable it is for me to be sick or hurt. I put an bandage on it and limped on to the park.
I can tell that Matthew misses his daddy, too, because he points to his picture a lot. I'll say, "Matthew where's Papa?" and he'll point to his papa. Then I'll say, "Matthew where's Nana?" and he'll point to his papa. Then I'll say, "Matthew, where's Mama?" and he'll point to his papa, at which point I have to make it VERY CLEAR that I am the mama. I am the one who carried his ever-heavier baby body around for 9 months. I am the one who endured the pain of his childbirth. And I am the one who nursed him until I had nothing left to give. Usually when I'm through saying all of this, Matthew looks at me blankly and then points to his papa. Oh well.
The fact is that Matthew and I are so lucky to have a man in our lives like Jeff. He's the best man I've ever met: patient and caring with his wife, sweet and playful with his baby, loyal and generous with his friends. I love the picture below of him and Matthew hanging out at the beach. I know that Matthew will be happy to have him home because a lot has happened this week that I probably shouldn't admit. Suffice it to say that Matthew's fire ant bites are healing nicely. Wish him luck for this next week with only his mama!
We miss Papa a lot, but life can be simpler when it's just me and the baby. Of course, simple isn't really what life's about. My life was simpler before Matthew came along, too, but I wouldn't trade this life for that one in a million years. I'm just pleased that I can manage to take care of the baby by myself for a few days without having an anxiety attack beforehand or passing out on the floor while I'm supposed to be the one in charge. I did sprain my ankle a couple of days ago, which quickly reminded me of how unacceptable it is for me to be sick or hurt. I put an bandage on it and limped on to the park.
I can tell that Matthew misses his daddy, too, because he points to his picture a lot. I'll say, "Matthew where's Papa?" and he'll point to his papa. Then I'll say, "Matthew where's Nana?" and he'll point to his papa. Then I'll say, "Matthew, where's Mama?" and he'll point to his papa, at which point I have to make it VERY CLEAR that I am the mama. I am the one who carried his ever-heavier baby body around for 9 months. I am the one who endured the pain of his childbirth. And I am the one who nursed him until I had nothing left to give. Usually when I'm through saying all of this, Matthew looks at me blankly and then points to his papa. Oh well.
The fact is that Matthew and I are so lucky to have a man in our lives like Jeff. He's the best man I've ever met: patient and caring with his wife, sweet and playful with his baby, loyal and generous with his friends. I love the picture below of him and Matthew hanging out at the beach. I know that Matthew will be happy to have him home because a lot has happened this week that I probably shouldn't admit. Suffice it to say that Matthew's fire ant bites are healing nicely. Wish him luck for this next week with only his mama!
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Maternal Grandparents
Matthew felt like such a celebrity during the week before and after his birthday. First his paternal grandparents came to visit, then two of his three maternal grandparents arrived to really give him the royal treatment. If his little baby heart wasn't overflowing, I don't know what it would take.
Matthew's Nana was so excited to see her little one. She might have exploded if she had missed her flight, so I thank the airline gods for getting her here in time for the birthday party. By the time they arrived, however, I was already exhausted so I'm afraid their visit was more hectic than I hoped. Next time, I vow not to plan anything. Not one thing. I promise.
Matthew wants be to write this, "Aloha, Nana and Pepaw! Thanks for a fun week!" Of course, what he said sounded a bit more like, "Ba baba babum bam," but I know what he means.
Paternal Grandparents
What I've forgotten to say in the chaos that was the weeks after Matthew's birthday is that we had a wonderful time before his birthday. His Grandma and Grandpa were here for a week and we had a great time. They stayed in Waikiki so we got to take advantage of their hotel pool and grounds. It was so nice for them to get to know Matthew, I think. He really loved all the attention!
I just love this picture below because it captures what is so nice about this age. Matthew is holding Jeff's hand while sitting in the pool. Water isn't our little boy's favorite thing, so he likes to be close to us when he's in it. I love the peace and comfort of Matthew and Jeff holding hands amid the craziness of the rest of the people in the pool.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Pool Time
On really hot afternoons, I turn the hose on really low and put Matthew's pool on the lanai. He has the best time hanging out in there. He drinks the water from the hose, fills up his bucket, and throws things off the porch. It's a grand ol' time. And while it looks like it, he's not pooping in the picture below. I promise.
Friday, September 5, 2008
Ten Things
While I was washing the dishes tonight, I suddenly had the urge to write down things about myself in case I die before Matthew gets to know me. The following list is a collection of 10 things I would want him to know. Now I understand why Randy Pausch wrote his Last Lecture. What a horrible gift it must have been for him to have knowledge of his own death before it occured. I don't know when I'll die, but I hope Matthew reads this list and sees some of himself in it, too.
2. I work like an ox. I once moved boulders from underneath our house to terrace the backyard. I get it from my mother, who is one of a long line of strong, hardworking women.
3. I married your father because he makes me laugh all the time. He does things just to make me laugh, like the time he put my black leather boots on you and walked you into the room singing the old song, "These Boots are made for Walking" Sometimes he makes me laugh even when he's not trying, like the time he kept trying to cross both eyes but could only do one. I laughed to hard I nearly threw up. I'm still laughing about it.
4. I read a lot of books, mostly historical fiction. A compelling story appropriately set in history can tell you more about what was going on during that time than most texts. I especially like to read lots of books about the same time and place to get a better feel for the complexities of that moment in time.
5. I also love things that hold things. I am most pleased when something has a space or holder that fits it perfectly, like a lipstick case or tool crib. But I also like purses and cubbies and baskets...
6. I can be quick to anger, especially when it comes to sexism. If I bring a jar that I can't open to your father and ask him to help me, he just looks at me and says flatly, "Of course you need a man to help you, Sarah. You couldn't possibly open that jar by yourself." Even though I know he's lying, I get just angry enough to open the jar. I think the anger is left over from some not-so-nice things that a couple of men did to me when I was a younger woman. It goes to show you that the things you do - good and bad - to other people stay with them a long time. So do good when you can.
7. I can juggle.
8. I am a Democrat. I would like to say that I am a liberal and I'll vote for whoever best encompasses my political beliefs, but the reality of our time is that there are really only two political parties and I'm for the one on the left. I believe in the fair wages for all workers, keeping religious teachings out of schools, and in protecting our environment. I learned almost everything I know about politics from my father, who dedicated his life to the cause of working people around the world.
9. I rearrange things all the time. Your father says my super-hero name would be The Rearranger. Every now and then I'll hear him exclaim, "The Rearranger has struck again!" before asking me where something is. I do it in the name of efficiency, but it costs everyone else in the house a lot more time.
10. The transition to motherhood wasn't an easy one for me, and I still struggle sometimes with the tough questions that parents face. But there has never been a job I loved more, or a little boy who made his mother happier.
TEN THINGS ABOUT YOUR MOTHER
1. I love wee things. Anything smaller than it's original size facinates me. It's too bad I never got into doll houses, because I think I would have dug them. As it is, our linen closet is usually overflowing with travel size toiletries from drugstores and hotels throughout the world.2. I work like an ox. I once moved boulders from underneath our house to terrace the backyard. I get it from my mother, who is one of a long line of strong, hardworking women.
3. I married your father because he makes me laugh all the time. He does things just to make me laugh, like the time he put my black leather boots on you and walked you into the room singing the old song, "These Boots are made for Walking" Sometimes he makes me laugh even when he's not trying, like the time he kept trying to cross both eyes but could only do one. I laughed to hard I nearly threw up. I'm still laughing about it.
4. I read a lot of books, mostly historical fiction. A compelling story appropriately set in history can tell you more about what was going on during that time than most texts. I especially like to read lots of books about the same time and place to get a better feel for the complexities of that moment in time.
5. I also love things that hold things. I am most pleased when something has a space or holder that fits it perfectly, like a lipstick case or tool crib. But I also like purses and cubbies and baskets...
6. I can be quick to anger, especially when it comes to sexism. If I bring a jar that I can't open to your father and ask him to help me, he just looks at me and says flatly, "Of course you need a man to help you, Sarah. You couldn't possibly open that jar by yourself." Even though I know he's lying, I get just angry enough to open the jar. I think the anger is left over from some not-so-nice things that a couple of men did to me when I was a younger woman. It goes to show you that the things you do - good and bad - to other people stay with them a long time. So do good when you can.
7. I can juggle.
8. I am a Democrat. I would like to say that I am a liberal and I'll vote for whoever best encompasses my political beliefs, but the reality of our time is that there are really only two political parties and I'm for the one on the left. I believe in the fair wages for all workers, keeping religious teachings out of schools, and in protecting our environment. I learned almost everything I know about politics from my father, who dedicated his life to the cause of working people around the world.
9. I rearrange things all the time. Your father says my super-hero name would be The Rearranger. Every now and then I'll hear him exclaim, "The Rearranger has struck again!" before asking me where something is. I do it in the name of efficiency, but it costs everyone else in the house a lot more time.
10. The transition to motherhood wasn't an easy one for me, and I still struggle sometimes with the tough questions that parents face. But there has never been a job I loved more, or a little boy who made his mother happier.
Morning Gratitude
I don't know much more this morning than I did last night. And I'm still breathless when I think about the whole thing. The men who, just like my husband does every few days, went to work to fly and sleep and do their job. And my heart stops when I think about the fear and confusion and regret that they must have experienced in those last moments. And the tears come when I think about the beautiful families left behind. The strong wives who have moved every few years to be with the men they love. And the children who look up to the fathers who save people who are missing. How will we explain to the little ones that sometimes people can't be rescued? Where will those families go now when they have lived for so long in service to their country?
Death happens everyday, and rarely at the hands of these aircraft. It is much more dangerous to drive a car or take prescription medication or serve in Iraq. So this morning I am grateful beyond measure that our family is intact and healthy. And I am not scared as my husband leaves to pilot a plane that will search for his lost friend. I cannot be anything but proud of him and thankful for this life we have built together. But I'll hug our little boy a thousand times today, and each time will be a small prayer for the children who will never get another hug from their fathers. And for the rest of the day, I'll try to do what I can for the women who have lost their husbands, knowing that but for fate or luck or grace, I might be standing in their shoes.
Death happens everyday, and rarely at the hands of these aircraft. It is much more dangerous to drive a car or take prescription medication or serve in Iraq. So this morning I am grateful beyond measure that our family is intact and healthy. And I am not scared as my husband leaves to pilot a plane that will search for his lost friend. I cannot be anything but proud of him and thankful for this life we have built together. But I'll hug our little boy a thousand times today, and each time will be a small prayer for the children who will never get another hug from their fathers. And for the rest of the day, I'll try to do what I can for the women who have lost their husbands, knowing that but for fate or luck or grace, I might be standing in their shoes.
Helicopter Crash
I know it's been a while since I last posted, but things have been really busy. I promise to regale you all with photos and funny stories soon, but for now I just wanted to spread the word that we are in a state of shock over a Coast Guard helicopter crash that happened just hours ago in the waters south of Honolulu. Jeff is fine and was not with the crew when they went down. Our hearts are breaking for the families of the men who were, and I wish them as much peace as they can find on this still Hawaiian night.
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