Feeling better!

Ethan is finally feeling better and his cough seems to only be horrible in the mornings (after all that post-nasal drip has settled in his throat.)  His demeanor is much better, he is eating better and all around, seems to be on the mend - YEAH!

On another note, I am so happy to have my little guy here in the outside world with us, but there is one thing I do miss about being pregnant - my pregnancy hair.  When I was pregnant, my ever-so-thin hair all seemed to stay on my head, giving the illusion that my hair was slightly thicker than it actually is.  Now that all the pregnancy hormones have gone, my hair is falling out like it did before (not that it's an abnormal amount), but there's always hair in the shower drain that I have to clean out.  Another weird thing, is that I am back to my pre-pregnancy weight (yeah!) but not my pre-pregnancy body.  My clothes still don't really fit.  My guess is that this is because fat weighs less than muscle and currently, I have more fat than muscle.  Since it's winter, it's been hard to get out and go for a walk or do any sort of exercise so I guess we will just have to wait until spring to see how my body reacts to some exercise.  We'll see!

Sick :(

Ethan has been sick for the past week.  He has had a terrible cough, a fever and runny nose, and has mostly been miserable.  Luckily, his fever only lasted about 2 days and his lungs were clear (as of Tuesday) so the doctor seemed to thing this is just a cold virus and it just seems worse because he is so little.  The cough is what bothers me the most.  It is like his whole body is vibrating from the bottoms of his toes throughout his whole being.  Today and yesterday he seemed much better, mostly because he doesn't have a fever anymore, but his throat is hoarse from coughing and when he cries it is even more sad because he hardly makes any sound.  

So this week has been tough for me.  I didn't want to take him anywhere for fear he would get another type of cold or pass on what he has to another baby.  Doing so has left me home alone all day for the past week.  Needless to say, I have been on facebook a lot, but it's hardly a replacement for adult interaction.  Sean and I have both been exhausted, making sure our sick one is eating enough, sleeping enough, still breathing, etc. during the night.  Two exhausted parents does not make for keen conversation.  It usually goes something like this:

me:  How was work?

Sean:  Exhausting (insert comment on crappy economy and how it is affecting his company here)

we watch TV for an hour or so and then attempt to sleep.

I have talked to my sister a few times on the phone which has been refreshing.

I never thought being a parent would be easy, but I did not anticipate the feeling of utter helplessness when your child is sick, especially when he can't tell you what's wrong.  I know he is a resilient kid and we have been so lucky with how mild mannered and well tempered he has been so far, so I know he will come through this with flying colors, it's just hard to wait that long.  For now, I'm trying to be the best comforter, sleep aid and meal provider I can be and hope that gets him through.

Video

This video is a little over 3 min. long.  It's probably not that interesting to anyone but me and Sean, but thought I would share it anyway.  I'm still figuring out iMovie.

A sad day

Yesterday, we brought Ethan to his first funeral.  My friend's sister passed away a week ago today.  She was only 28.  It was an unexpected and untimely passing of a young woman who still had a lot to give.  I had only met her a few times, but she always seemed kind and happy.  She was the middle child between my friend and their brother.  The memorial service was filled with people who knew her through work or school and of course, lots of family.  It was a cold day, but nice, with some brief snow flurries.  I was a bit conflicted whether to bring my new baby or not.  I wasn't sure if seeing him would make my friend's mom even more sad that we have a baby and one of hers is no longer with us.  We ultimately decided it would be ok and it was important for his aunt and uncle to see him (even if he was a little cranky) and know we all loved them.  

My friend's husband gave a wonderful eulogy  during the memorial and showed the strength and love he has for his wife and her family.  He had a particularly difficult role this week, that of gatekeeper, basically, fielding phone calls and visitors and just being the supportive man he needed to be for my friend and her family.  He excelled at this job with grace as he is one of the best men that I know.

I know my friend and her family will come through this tragedy even stronger than they already were.  It will take time, but the love and support they have from their friends and family will help them make it.  

I feel such sadness for my friend, but it makes me reflect on how lucky I am to have my family and friends in my life.  I am so thankful for them all and love them dearly.  My friend's husband sent me a wonderful thank you note for coming to the memorial and for being his friend.  It was so kind and heartfelt, I hope he knows I feel the same way.  I am so lucky to have him and his wife in my life and I am so happy that Ethan has them in his life.  For that's what life is all about, right?  Friends, family, love.

Boston Legal - the End

Last week was the series finale of Boston Legal.  BL is has been one of the best shows on TV for the past few years and we are sad that it won't be on anymore.  I think the best part about it is that it makes fun of itself, it even referred to the last episode "jumping the shark" when Denny proposed to Alan.  Frickin hilarious.  The show was funny, smart, often over the top, and it had William Shatner whose cell phone ring was the Enterprise sound.  Fantastic.  We will miss this show, but at least we still have Chuck.

Being a parent

Specifically a mom, is the best.  Even yesterday, when I got pooed on, woke up at 1 am and 4 am to feed my baby, took care of my husband who had literally passed out from exhaustion from a crazy work week and horrible cold, cleaned up the kitchen, and hosted a playgroup.  It made me so happy I wasn't going back to my insanely boring job and I felt more fulfilled than I have in a long time.  I know that sounds weird but I am so happy to have this life of dirty diapers, dirty dishes, a loving husband and a wonderful baby.

Loganberry syrup

Two years ago, one of our wedding gifts was a sampler of Buffalo wing sauce and a bottle of loganberry syrup.  We have long since used up the buffalo sauce and have ordered more of the medium (there was a mild, medium and suicidal) - medium seems to be just right and we make wings pretty much every Sunday during football season (we're on our 2nd gallon).  The Loganberry syrup remains unopened, purely because we have no idea what to do with it.  I suppose I could be resourceful and look it up online, but if anyone has any suggestions, I would be more than happy to listen.  Thanks again to Scott and Leah for the gift!!

Oh Yeah, I have a blog.

Sorry it's been a while.  We have been a little busy, having a baby and all.  Ethan was born Oct. 27 and is absolutely amazing.  We love him so much it is ridiculous.  Sean was able to be home for 3 weeks straight which was great.  Today is his first day back at work.  We are managing ok, the biggest thing is that I have figured out that even though Ethan doesn't really like to sleep in his bassinet, he will sleep in his car seat so he is napping there right now, although I do anticipate he will be waking up shortly to eat and be changed.  He makes the most adorable sounds when he's sleeping and is a fairly easy baby, we can usually get him to calm down in a relatively short amount of time (knock on wood) and he seems curious when he's awake and has the most beautiful eyes.  We have gotten lots of great gifts from lots of people so thank you all again.  We've had great visitors and my mom will be coming up later in the week so that will be a help.  I would post a picture, but I am using my new computer and therefore have not had a chance to upload any software or anything to it yet.  It is my wonderful baby/anniversary gift from Sean.  Hope you are all well.  I'll try to post more as we get into more of a routine (if possible!!)

It's over

Last night the Tampa Bay Rays won the ALCS 4 games to 3. The Sox put up a valiant fight to battle back from 3 games down to get to a 7th game, they just couldn't get it done. I am bummed, but at least I don't have to listen to those jackasses on TBS anymore.

Playoffs

Tonight is do or die for the Dodgers and tomorrow is do or die for the Sox. Both teams pretty much walked through their Division series winning 3-1. Now each team is losing 3-1 in the Championship Series which is a best of 7. The last three games for the sox have been terrible. Terrible pitching, no offense, lost opportunities. It has been very disappointing. I am hoping the day off, travel to a sunnier state and Dice-K on the mound will revitalize them and they will come off with a win. We will see tomorrow.

As for the Dodgers, it would be cool if they won since I still love Manny, but I really don't care that much.

GO SOX!!!

When it comes to October, no one dominates like Boston

This was a headline on ESPN and makes a few of us question, "Really? Are we in some alternate universe?" The answer is clearly, "NO!" We are the Red Sox of a new generation. A team headed by a great manager in Tito Francona and filled with players who are young, old and in between and who collectively, have the biggest heart and desire to win in the game. They are an exciting team to watch. They're not filled with the feeling of something to prove, nor do they have a chip on their shoulder from sucking for as long as they've been a team (hmmm, Tampa anyone??)

Last night's game was amazing. Two great pitchers (how come no one dares to call Lester our Ace BTW?), lots of strong defense (by the Sox) and hits that mattered. Now we head to Tampa to attempt to beat our nemesis for the ALCS. It should be a great series. I can't believe I have to wait til Friday, but at least it will give me a chance to catch up on my sleep. I know I should be taking advantage of all the sleep I can get right now, but baby understands - he cheers too!!

There's only ONE October! GO SOX!!

Our Yogi and Clinch!

On Friday, Johnny Pesky's number 6 will be retired at Fenway Park. He technically does not meet the requirements set in place a long time ago by former Red Sox owners for retirement, but his personality and his numbers do. Pesky is an important part of Red Sox history and team community today. He's kind of like Yogi Berra is to the Yankees: a part of the greater generation, a ballplayer with great numbers, and someone who has given everything for their team. Pesky has a foul pole named after him in Fenway Park and he is always at the games unless sidelined by illness. I am really happy for him and the Red Sox management for retiring his number.

Oh yeah, and the Red Sox clinched a playoff spot last night!! We'll just have to wait and see if Tampa starts losing and we win the rest of our games to see who takes the division. Go Sox!!

Happy Birthday!

To my friend, Aimee. I hope you have a great day and your kids weren't too obnoxious!

Out with the old, in with the new

Last night was the last home game for the Yankees at their beloved Yankee Stadium. The Yankees beat the Orioles and Mariano Rivera threw the final out of the game. He didn't get a save, since they won 7-4, but it was fitting none-the-less. I didn't watch most of the pre-game ceremonies, or much of the game for that matter, but I did get to listen to Whitey Ford and Yogi Berra in the booth for a while reminiscing about the old days and the best players they ever played with and against. Old clips were played from games of yore, perfect games, World Series wins, the Shot Heard Round the World, and famous speeches. We were also reminded that Yankee Stadium is not just a baseball park, boxing matches were played there, several different Popes came to perform Mass there, football games were held there, movies were filmed there, etc.

Apparently, in the 7th inning, a video of Bob Sheppard was played reading this poem:

“Farewell old Yankee Stadium, farewell
What a wonderful story you can tell
DiMaggio, Mantle, Gehrig and Ruth
A baseball cathedral in truth
Farewell.”

I don't know if he wrote it, but it certainly seemed fitting.

I have a few of my own memories from that stadium. One time a whole bunch of us went there for our friend's birthday and we sat up so high (I'm pretty sure it was the last row) that when it rained, we were covered. Another time, that same friend and I went to a Yanks-Sox game during which Manny hit a foul ball literally straight up in the air in front of us that seemed to hang in the air for 10 seconds. We couldn't see home plate, but we saw that ball hanging.

I know a few of you have many more memories than I do, but I just wanted to share my part of this historic stadium. I didn't get to see Jeter's speech at the end of the game, but it sounded like it was pretty classy, and I agree with the gist of it: share your memories of this stadium with friends and family and carry them with you to the new. I support all of you Yankee fans in this new endeavor. I hope you'll do the same for me if Fenway ever gets replaced.

Good thoughts

Today I am sending all my love and good thoughts out to our great friend LB. She is starting her exciting new job today! We miss you but wish you all the best. Yeah for new adventures!

Death Magnetic

The new Metallica CD was released today at midnight. Luckily, you can listen for free on MSN music. Here is my review if anyone cares:

Track 1: That Was Just Your Life - 7:05 - A very strong opener to the album. Fast, good guitar solos, upbeat. Makes you want to listen to the next song. A good riff, catchy but not lame. I immediately like this song. I think this should have been the first release.

Track 2: The End of the Line – 7:52 - This song is broken up into two parts. The first part is another strong, upbeat song. Good riff, different enough from track 1 to hold its own. Good strong chorus. Nice symmetry in the guitar work. Could do without the distortion. The second part is interesting and then breaks back into the first part like a coda.

Track 3: Broken, Beat & Scarred – 6:25 - What don't kill ya will make you more strong? Isn't that a line from an Usher song? Not really crazy about this song. Too much Lars.

Track 4: The Day That Never Comes – 7:56 - This was the first release from the album. I've heard it a lot on the radio. I like it but it feels confused to me, like the band doesn't really know who they are yet.

Track 5: All Nightmare Long – 7:57 - Reminiscent of some of the songs on Master. Very good. Hetfield's voice sounds great, especially on "luck runs out-ah." I love that. Nice guitar, not overdone, although sounds a little like video game music at one point. Fast.

Track 6: Cyanide – 6:39 - Catchy. Possibly the next release. Not a big fan. Not very cohesive. The middle drums try for some sort of transition. A little confusing - not in a good way. Pretty much all over the place.

Track 7: The Unforgiven III - 7:46 - I was wary of this song from the just the title. As it starts out though, I am afraid I may have judged a book by its cover. Another poor transition from the intro to the beginning of the song. The intro is beautiful. Strings are a nice addition. Nice bass work by Trujillo. Builds to a nice guitar solo. Baby seems to like this song the best so far. Weak ending.

Track 8: The Judas Kiss - 8:00 - I listened to this song yesterday and liked it the best of those I had heard so far. Nice intro. The instruments work well together unlike in some of the other songs where it sounds like they are fighting each other. Great chorus. A good song for a live video. Nice dual guitar work, solo sounds a little like it should be in the Twilight Zone and then Hammett ramps it up into overdrive.

Track 9: Suicide & Redemption - 9:57 - Great intro. Not old school though. Really great. Only orchestral track on the CD. Tempo changes keep it interesting. Fantastic despite another weak ending.

Track 10: My Apocalypse - 5:01 – The only song that mentions the title of the album. A strong song. Nice and fast. How does Hammett play like that? Strong ending to the album.

These are my 1st impressions of the album. I think I will go out and get it (yes, I still buy CDs). Hetfield's voice sounds great on all the tracks where he sings and overall the band sounds good. They still don't sound completely cohesive despite having been the same line up now for about 5 years. Some of the tracks sound weary of the listeners, with the feeling of "ooh, I hope they like this," causing confusion and lack of confidence in the song. All in all, Rick Rubin has yet again, helped create a great album.

Baby setlist

The place we are planning on giving birth is going to be a brand new hospital wing with private rooms with jacuzzis, a bed for Sean, a TV, a music player, etc. Some people suggest you bring music to listen to while you are laboring. I have been thinking about this for a while and am not sure if I will want music playing or if I will want it to be quiet, but I figure I should be prepared either way. I have been trying to think of stuff to put on the birthing setlist. This is what I have so far:

The Ode to Joy choral section of Beethoven's 9th.
Music for Royal Fireworks by Handel
Hallelujah chorus by Handel (if I could time it right, it would be awesome for this to be playing when Baby makes his debut - and yes, I know this is completely unrealistic unless I just have it on repeat)
Eine Kleine Nachtmusik by Mozart

I also like a lot of requiems, but that doesn't seem quite appropriate for a birth. I was trying to remember which Mass the Chorus sang that Bunky said was a Mass for the Living. Anyone have any ideas here? Bee. Mass in C? For some reason Gounod is sticking in my head, but I don't think that's correct. Google isn't helping me much in this matter.

I'm going for stuff that I am really familiar with since they say you should be able to distract your mind and let your body do the work it's supposed to do. This is going to be difficult for me, but I am just going to work on trusting my body and not being in control (insert laughs here). Since my brain will need something else to do, I guess it makes sense to have it concentrate on something else.

Any other suggestions? For you moms out there, what do you think about music playing? A good distraction or annoying? Do you wish you had music playing or glad you didn't?

OTH off the TiVO

**WARNING - SPOILER ALERT**

New shows have started for certain TV series. I started watching One Tree Hill last year and thought it was a decent show. After watching the first show of this season, it is now deleted from my season's pass manager. Too many crazy people on the show, certain people leaving the show, and a woman getting attacked are just not the things I want to be watching right now. Plus, Lucas picked Peyton who I have always found annoying from the beginning of the show.

On the other hand, Gossip Girl looks like it's off to a good start.

Little league players

Some of you may have heard that a 9 year old Little League pitcher in New Haven has been banned from pitching because he can throw a 40 mph fastball. That is pretty awesome for a 9 year old. The league has said he can play another position, but he can't pitch. Apparently, parents of players on opposing teams were upset because they thought it was dangerous. Now, I don't know this kid's stats, but all the articles I have read about this say that he has not hit a batter. The idea that the league wants him to play a position that he is not good at gives this kid a bad message. Yeah, you are too good at something so we want you to play a position that you aren't good at so other kids aren't scared to bat. This also sends a bad message to the batters on the other teams. We'll take care of you and protect you from something you are scared of, you'll never have to face anything scary in your life.

As a prospective parent I have mixed feelings about this. On one hand, yes, I want to protect my child from everything scary in this world. On the other hand, I know this is an impossible task so I want to be able to prepare my child with the best resources available to face anything scary that might come his way. If you allow kids to face challenges and obstacles, won't they be better prepared to face them as they get older?

I can see that to a 9 year old batter, a 40 mph fastball would be scary, but it can also be a challenge. The batter can decide to bat against this pitcher, and yeah, he might strike out a bunch of times, but maybe, just maybe he'll get the bat on the ball. He might foul out, but at least he'll have made contact and that in itself is a victory.

All I have to say is shame on you league officials in New Haven who banned a kid who was really good at something he likes. Let him play in the next age group up, but don't ban him. Don't punish him for being good at something.

Sports?

Some of you may be wondering, "Hey, the title of this blog is Sports, Music and Life. Didn't the Olympics just happen?" Or maybe none of you were thinking that, but I figured I should at least mention that, yes, the summer Olympics did just happen. They were held in Bejing, China and Hong Kong. Michael Phelps became the winningest Olympic athlete ever (16 medals in 2 Olympic games), and beat Mark Spitz's record of most golds by a swimmer in any Olympic games this year, winning 8. It was pretty impressive. So impressive, in fact, that when we were at a Washington Nationals game a few weeks ago and Phelps' Butterfly race was on, everyone was watching that instead of the baseball game in front of them (granted it was the Nationals and the Rockies). The other person who is worth mentioning is Usain Bolt, now the fastest man in the world. This guy is from Jamaica and is literally as fast as a bolt of lightening. Ridiculous.

Honestly, I'm not that into the Summer Olympics. I mean, how long can you watch someone run a race during the marathon? I am from the US so I'm not crazy for soccer (i.e. football) like the rest of the world. I do enjoy watching the equestrian jumping competition, only because it's usually the only time this sport is on TV. There was no crazy Bella Karoli to watch during the gymnastics (although he did commentate) and Bob Costas has become more like a robot than a commentator. In addition, I am a bit confused about some sports being actual Olympic sports - BMX biking anyone? Badminton? Finally, I think it is total crap that professional athletes get to compete in the Olympic games. Professionals get their spot in the limelight when they play during their season. Let the little guy have the stage for 17 days.

So yes, the Olympics did just happen. They just weren't that interesting.