Amateur Hour

Pop quiz - Name the following:
1.

2.

3.

Answer key:

1. Dog

2. Dog

3. Dog

I was stunned by Rosie O’Donnell’s comments on The View today. I don’t watch The View. I heard about what she said on the radio today. I looked for the clip, but I couldn’t find it anywhere. If I come across it later, maybe I’ll put it up. She was commenting on the recent Supreme Court decision to uphold the ban on partial birth abortion. She asked Barbara Walters how many Catholics were on the court (there are five.) Then, she said that it was a violation of the separation of church and state. To have judges who are Catholic on the Supreme Court. Riiiight. Because separation of church and state demands that all public servants must be atheist, or at least agnostic. I must have missed that day in Civics class.

Whatever. The fact that Rosie’s got a beef with the Catholic church is nothing new. Were her comments outrageous? Absolutely. As a Catholic, I could get all indignant and offended, but I won’t. What blows my mind is that she defends abortion at all. If I recall correctly, Rosie O’Donnell’s children are adopted. That means that her children were prime targets for abortion at one time. They were rescued by women (their biological mothers) who chose life, and adoption. Why would any adoptive parent defend abortion? More abortion = less adoption. I just don’t get it. If anyone should be pro-life, its Rosie (although I suppose her kids have an even more compelling reason to be pro-life…It will be interesting to learn their opinions when they are old enough to study the issue.)

Yesterday morning, Charlie woke up with a rash and mild fever, so we brought him to the doctor. Diagnosis: a virus. Meaning, they’re not entirely sure what it is, but its probably not serious enough to require medication. The doctor did mention something called “echovirus,” but he couldn’t be sure. He recommended that we keep him away from other kids, since he’s contagious and will remain so until the rash and fever go away. How could he have picked up this nasty bug? I can’t imagine. I’m sure it has nothing to do with the fact that we let him roam the festering petri dish play area at the mall up in Raleigh last weekend.

While home for Easter, my mom offered to babysit so that Joe and I could go out to dinner (Thanks Mom!) I would have posted this earlier, but I just recently figured out how to upload to youtube and embed the video, hence the delay. Now, it looks like grandma is giving Charlie wine - I assure you she is not - its sparkling water. The result was pretty funny:

I love to read, and I bought Charlie a bunch of books before he was born, because I was so excited to read to him. Unfortunately, we haven’t done much reading together. He spent his first few months on earth screaming whenever he was awake, and when the dust finally settled, he was more interested in chewing on books than listening to me read to him. Lately, though, he will choose a book from his toy bins, bring it to me, and sit for a few moments while I name the pictures. A small step, but it makes me very happy.

I recently learned that it is possible for women to decrease the chances of their child developing an allergy to peanuts by avoiding peanuts and peanut products during their 3rd trimester and while breastfeeding. In addition, I learned that it is recommended to limit your child’s exposure to peanuts until they are 3 (especially if you have a family history of allergies.) Peanut allergy is lifelong, and can be very serious. Guess who not only ate peanut butter with reckless abandon while pregnant and breastfeeding, but also gave Charlie a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for lunch 3 times last week? That’s right. I went to the health food store to look for an alternative, and I discovered “sunbutter,” which is pureed sunflower seeds. I thought it was pretty good, but Charlie thought it was “just okay.”

got up and fed the baby this morning. Forget grand, romantic gestures - its little things like this that make me want to devote the rest of my life to this man. By taking over my job this morning, I was free to take a shower, which has been more difficult to squeeze in since Charlie gave up his morning nap. It got me thinking about things that used to be dull responsibilities (B.C. - Before Charlie) that are now luxuries. Showering would definitely make that list. Here are some others:

* paying attention during mass (I was easily distracted before. now? forget it.)

* going to the grocery store (alone! the decadence!)

* going to the gym (never, never, never did I think I would look forward to this.)

That’s all I can think of right now…if you happen to know of any more, don’t tell me, I think I’d rather be surprised. Ha, ha… Ha.

I know its been a while since I posted new pictures. In typical amateur fashion, I left the charger for our camera at my mom’s house and wasn’t able to get it back until this weekend, when we went to visit them for Easter.

We didn’t do an egg hunt, per se, but Charlie did get a basket with some little toys, courtesy of the dollar bins at Target and my Aunt Mitty. Charlie’s Easter present to us? He was a total angel during mass. Usually, he wrestles with us while we try to keep him from smacking his head on the pews and tossing cheerios at people. But oh, when those cheerios run out *shudder*…then we’re in trouble!

Joe and I got married. The time has flown by. I feel like I should have something profound to say about marriage, but right now I’m too tired to be brilliant. Joe was sick and I spent the day trying not to be jealous - not jealous of him being sick, but jealous of the fact that he got to take a “sick day” which is not included in my job description. (Must remember to read fine print in the future!) Obviously, I’m not living out this vocation perfectly, but I hope to get a little better at it every day. Sometimes its a challenge, but the “burden” is light and I’m happy to have it. I love Joe very much.

Not too long ago, I was asked to provide some “words of wisdom” for a friend of mine at her bridal shower. I didn’t feel like I had much “wisdom” as I’ve only been married a couple of years, so I polled some people who have been married longer than I have, and here is what they said:

1) The more you give, the more you get.

2) “How you begin is how you will end.” Basically, if you want your husband to do XYZ down the road, you better start training him now.

3) Never confuse your ego with your individuality.

4) Forget that ‘marriage is 50-50′ concept, it should be 100-100.

5) Personally, I spent a lot of time being irritated about small things. They really have never changed. Don’t sweat the small stuff sounds trite, but it really is true.

6) “Men and women are different.” Most people think they know this, but until you live with a member of the opposite sex, you don’t realize just how different. There are so many ways, but one of the most important for a new wife might be, “Men are very literal. They will not get what you ‘mean.’ They will only hear what you say. Your husband will do anything for you, but you will have to ask him. Directly. Literally. He won’t get it any other way.”

7) Marriage is a 70/30 relationship. You should always plan to give 70%.

8 ) Your husband is not a mind reader. If you want/need something from him, tell him.

9) When you’re in the midst of a disagreement, stop and look your spouse in the eye and say, “You are not the enemy.”

10) Pray for each other and tell each other that you are doing/have done this.

11) Never go to sleep on an argument. Even if that means you are still glaring at each other at 2 in the morning.

12) Separate bathrooms.

13) The most important minute of the day is in the way you greet each other after work.

14) Always treat your spouse with the same consideration you would give to a stranger. (In other words, don’t forget the “pleases” and “thank yous” and “would you like something to drink”.)

15) It is fine to go to bed mad - sleep is important! You should not, however, undertake demolition or fell trees until you resolve your tiff.

16) Leave and cleave.

17) Never let the sun go down on a disagreement without airing it;

18 ) Someone always has to be the first to apologise.

19) Before marriage keep your eyes wide open. Afterwards, keep them half closed. (Especially true if you share a bathroom!!)