Welcome, Susie!

Welcome to the Blogosphere, Susie! Everyone should check out the new blog of one of the most inspiring moms I know. As you can see above, this girl is busy! And as you can also see, she always has a smile on her face. That's for real. Husband and I have had a lot of fun getting to know Susie, Bob, and their kids this year (see Thanksgiving's Post) and we look forward to keeping up with her blog!

Nursery Themes

With our approaching little one, this chubby Mama is turning her thoughts toward nursery plans and general design. After all, it will probably be a guest room/nursery that will frequently fluctuate, thus demanding a smart and versatile design. But that is a whole nother blog.

This one is about what I will NOT be doing to the wee one's first quarters. It probably made me laugh because the KY Wildcat Was actually my parents' school mascot at the time when I was born. This nursery, hypothetically, could have been mine.

The truth is, even if my parents had painted a giant, child-eating creature above my crib in the name of school spirit, I'm sure I would have loved it. Because no matter how, er, unique your nursery is, your parents were loving on you every moment they rigged that ship. I still get warm fuzzies whenever I see the photos of my parents, grandparents, uncle, and cousin putting up the wallpaper in anticipation of me back in the day. And I loved their choices--whether this is taste or pure heart--who cares?

And, as I try to come up with the coolest, retro-forest nursery plan for my baby, it definitely comforts me that he/she probably won't care.

Photos Courtesy of Apartment Therapy.

21st Century Sport Report

Its taken a little while, but I've finally hunkered down at the controls with the intent to post something. I figured I'd start with a general topic... sports. Maybe this will become some sort of quasi-regular column (a la Six Bits Six Picks).

The topic du jour: Free Running.

Free Running is often times mis-termed Parkour (which is something totally different, so say the purists). Free running is a physical discipline in which "free runners" attempt to fluidly cover any terrain, gliding smoothing over, under, and around all obstacles in their path. Free runners use acrobatics to try to incorporate an asthetic to their movement.

I learned of free running while procrastinating on my research via google video. Originally looking for sweet climbing vids, I came across this guy just tearing across landscapes of the old Soviet Block. Maybe it was the bleak socialist architecture, the French rapper, or some combination thereof - but I was fixated.

Check it out:


All of this reminds me of when I did dumb tricks off of buildings and sidewalks as a young teenager. We called it "Free-Style Walking". It was pretty lame. Too bad viral videos and world wide web weren't around to document our moves. Recently, I tried to Free Run over a double-parking meter. The aftermath speaks for itself:



Will this fad stick around and soon become an olympic sport, or will it die out like those 80's slap bracelets? Only time will tell. In the meantime, keep (free) running!

This one is for Pinks: AGAIN!!!!!!!

Yes, it's true. We are in the midst of another snowstorm. We should really start stashing water and other Y2K supplies.

Mr. J arrives on the scene, squeaky and clean

Are two better than one? We'll see if it's true in the Blog-o-sphere. Mrs. J just added me, Mr. J, as a contributor to the blog she has so painstakingly maintained.

If it weren't for her vision and creativity, this thing probably would have stagnated many, many months ago in the vastness of the world wide web - kind of like my Friendster page.

Anyways, so when the posts are more about spatial statistiscal analysis, musing on fantasy sports happenings, you can probably bet that I authored it. Oh yeah - I'll also share some of my thoughts of being an expectant father. Stay tuned!

Thanks again for the hospitality, Mrs. J.

ps. We were not in church today because we have inflicted each other with colds. We weren't just trying to get out of preparing a dish for fellowship lunch.... honest!

Friday Night Miracles

After a long day, it was v. enjoyable to sit down w/ husband and watch this amazing documentary. We were toddlers when it all went down, and although Oliver grew up with this story, I had never heard of it. I am Really surprised it didn't make it into Billy Joel's "We didn't Start the Fire" which was the preferred the core curriculum of all my high school U.S. history teachers.



You should watch it if you're like me and you don't know much about this story. Or if you feel that there are parallels between the general feelings dominating the current state of things in our precious country and the way things seemed to feel back then. Or if you just need a good dose of beautiful, miraculous, American patriotism.

And most of all, you should watch it if you are married to a die-hard hockey fan. It will definitely help you get your empathy on.

Playlist for an Insomniac

Keep in mind that it's 4:17 a.m. and I have been up since oh, 2:20. I know this is old hat for all the veteran moms out there, but I am still not used to this. At least when the baby comes I'll have something to do with all this lost sleep.

So really, my blog readers, I don't ask too much of you. I don't make you take quizzes or come out of your lurking closets. But I am going to request one thing: I would like you to recommend good songs for a playlist I am going to make for sleepless nights. When I get 10 songs I will um, make the playlist.

Okay, I'm going to try for some more winks now.

Update on the Goose

It like, flew away.

But we tried.

Save the Goose!

Boo has located an injured Canada goose just behind Saga. Luckily she called me, who helped her locate some migratory bird-rehabilitaion agencies in the local area. She is off at this moment to capture the goose and haul it in per the direction of the Glen Ellyn rescue. Updates to follow soon, plus more on why Canada Geese are so worth saving.

P.S. Mom & Dad, this is the first time I've ever encouraged her to do anything but school work!

For Grandpa

We are praying for you today. Please feel better soon & We love you!

For You

Our little one, last night we heard your heart beat for the second time. We could hear your limbs moving, swimming around where you live now. You sounded like a hummingbird whisper would sound, your little heartbeats flying out to us in tiny helicopters. We are so thankful.

And here is where you will sleep, Lord willing. Your Oma and Opa are going to send it to us. It came from Germany across the wide ocean for your Aunt and Uncles to sleep in a few years back. Your cousins have slept in it too, Klara and Ellen, and soon after you outgrow it we will send it back across the country for another cousin to sleep in, one who will come only two months after you!

So many people wait for you and pray for you already. We pray that you will be healthy and strong, and most of all, that God will capture your heart now and forever.