Thursday, February 22, 2007

Stats


Frankie had his six month checkup yesterday. While he's still recovering from his vaccinations, he is otherwise healthy as a horse (not Barbaro).


Weight: 14 lbs, 11 oz.
Height: 23 inches - For the first time, he's fallen off the short end of the growth charts, but the doctor doesn't seem worried since he was already in the 5th percentile to begin with; he didn't have far to fall.
Head: Big! He's got big brains - his head is growing nicely and he's in the double digits in percentile!


Conclusion: Small and hearty, Frankie continues to fit in 3 month clothes but is growing steadily and strongly and has chunky thighs to boot!

Tuesday, February 20, 2007

A Movie Recommendation


I'm not in the habit of recommending films; mainly because I'm too much of a critic and there aren't many worth recommending. This weekend, however, I watched a film, States of Grace that not many people have seen, and that's a pity. I want to spread the word among my few friends and family that come here to see pictures of Frankie. The trailer on the website doesn't accurately portray the plot of the film; in fact, it's a rare film that shifts focus about halfway through and the story takes on a multi-dimensional aspect. The trailer chooses to focus only on one story line, and the film ultimately ends up being about the redemption of a different character. It's not perfect by any means, but as far as so-called "Mormon" filmmaking goes (and that's such a loaded term; I hate to use it), the film is quite brilliant. It tackles some really tough issues in terms of sin and repentance and earns the label 'edgy' that was so flippantly thrown around back when the film was released last year. It uses symbolism to portray meaning and even though some of it is conventional, it's highly effective and Richard Dutcher, the director, has no shame in blatantly making the viewer feel emotions through these conventions; I found myself - this is me we're talking about here - getting teary-eyed at the film's end because I ached for the characters, and the swelling musical score didn't help any. If you can find this film, you should see it. We purchased a copy when we visited Utah at Christmas, so anyone that lives in the ATL is welcome to borrow it, but if you like it, please support the filmmaker so that more films like this get made instead of drivel like Church Ball. This was a risky film for Dutcher because Mormon audiences do not like to see themselves exposed in such a naked manner, as imperfect human beings with serious problems and perhaps a lack of compassion for others. However, we may never get substantial Mormon art until we start uncovering our flaws and examining them in a public light. States of Grace will be hard for some, and might even be 'shocking' for those expecting standard Mormon fare, because standard, it ain't - it rises above.


I will reveal nothing about the plot. See it and decide what you think for yourself.
As a side note for those of you unfamiliar with why I would recommend this movie, I studied film in school and wrote a paper for a graduate seminar on "Mormon Cinema." I am not terribly involved with Mormon filmmaking anymore, but I want to support good art when I see it.

Romance


This is what happens when your spouse goes to CVS at 11 PM on Valentine's Day to buy a thoughtful gift. Nothing says love like a chocolate with dogs on it. Love you too.


Can you spot the baby?


Camo baby. Sneaky!



Wednesday, February 14, 2007

A Mother's Bias? OR THE CUTEST BABY EVER?


I told you, this kid sucks his thumb. It's cute and terrifying at the same time. Braces. Better start saving money now.



I couldn't decide which picture to post from this series, so I just posted three of them. I love how blue his eyes look when he wears this particular outfit.



Depending on the lighting, this blond-haired baby (well, what little there is of it anyway) looks a bit like a redhead...




And for good measure, photographic proof that Juston owes me big time. I made him like 60 heart-shaped, frosted, and hand sprinkled sugar cookies for a work meeting today. Apparently, I'm too nice sometimes.


The Carnage Begins...


We're having the large, very dead tree in our front yard removed. Here is the first photo of the demolition:



Today they're outside, working on the trunk and making firewood out of it - the tree service also specializes in firewood. Smart, right? More photos to come.

Monday, February 12, 2007

Oh, a bad trip to Target...


On Saturday I went to Target. Target was fine, but the products I purchased have not done so well in the last two days.


Culprit #1: Jergens Ultra Healing Body Lotion. DON'T BUY IT! Unless you like smelling like Charlie perfume. Gross. The label said NOTHING about a scent and I was duped; I was expecting it to have a generic pasty lotion scent, not a cheap drugstore sickening 'eau de toilette' odor that you can't escape. I put in a complaint today and we'll see if they reply to my rather blunt statement about their lotion's stench.
UPDATE! The Kao Brands people replied and are sending me a coupon to replace my stinky lotion. Thanks! You can continue to patronize them and buy their products.



Culprit #2: Leap Frog Baby Gentle Vibes Teether Seems like a simple enough concept, right? Baby bites down on teether, teether vibrates. Oh no, my friend. Teether vibrates...and vibrates...and vibrates...nonstop...starting this afternoon and continuting until this very moment. It's driving me CRAZY. I threw it in the fridge at one point so I wouldn't hear its gentle vibrations. The fridge started shaking. It's now on a bookshelf in the laundry room where its vibrating terror cannot afflict me. I'm sure that I won't be able to sleep tonight because it will gently DRIVE ME NUTS. I've also put in my complaint (i.e. desperate plea for help) to the Leap Frog corporation.


Is it feasible to take things back like the aforementioned items? I do still have the receipt. If not, can you contribute to my 'buy Mary some non-stinky lotion' fund? Donations of all sizes are accepted, but we prefer a minimum donation of $5. :)

Thursday, February 08, 2007

Babies Suck


...but not in the way you might think! Frankie is teething, and has started to vigorously suck his thumb over the past few days. I thought I'd dust off the old paci and see if he would take it. He struggles to keep it in his mouth, but he seems to like the results.



Bridget waits for the pacifier to fall out so she can eat it (it wouldn't be the first to meet this fate.)



Of course, it just fell out, I showed it to him, and he stuck his thumb back in his mouth; I guess the thumb is attached and harder to lose. Figures.


Tuesday, February 06, 2007

More Great Frankie Moments


Here are some photos of the baby. If you like them, you can always leave a comment so I can feel validated in what I'm doing. I thrive on validation.




Yeah, there's a lot of pictures of Frankie in his high chair. It's easy to take pictures when he's on lockdown.



Frankie passed the six month mark last week. It's hard to believe. We're also forcing him to sleep through the night. Last night, he slept through the night, but guess who else was up at 4:30 AM? I'm still adjusting to the possibility of having more than four hours of sleep in a row.