From the Blog-O-Sphere

I had to laugh at myself the other day, Peeps, because, like most parents of a newborn, I was absolutely convinced my child was the best-looking, smartest, most adorable kid this world had ever seen. Gerber, sign this kid up, stat. I mean, just look at those baby blue eyes.

And then yesterday I ran across this photo (scroll all they way down to the bottom) of a wee three-month-old Benjamin.

Huh. He looks different than I remember him. In fact, he resembles most young babies: chubby, somewhat bald, and rocking’ the grubby old man look.

Ahh, those amazing rose-tinted glasses of early parenthood.



Speaking of parents and children:


 



How’s this this for the ultimate christmas wish list? The dad’s commentary is even more hilarious. This morning Ben decided to dictate his list to me over breakfast. It was quite succinct: “Dear Santa. I want trains”.

You think old cat ladies are bad? Try young cat men. Chest hair: in the shape of a cat.

All of Santa’s reindeer are female. Or perhaps very young bucks.

We haven’t had our second baby yet but so many of these ring true for our first one: 15 Differences between The First Child and the Second (Thanks Meghann)

The Statesmen Journal ran an article on my favorite professor at Willamette. Woohoo DPC! If you are a high school senior looking for an awesome biology program with great teachers, go to WU and ask Dr. Craig to be your mentor. He urged me to go to Costa Rica for a study abroad program, landed me an internship at the BLM (which was the best summer job ever), and had me happily wading through a taxidermy course my senior year. Yes, this man can even get you excited about roadkill squirrels, he is that good.


Speaking of Willamette folk, have a look at this pancake art, done by a WU alum. I seriously need to up my cake game: Hobbits, Fractals, and Jellyfish Become Ridiculously Detailed Pancakes. Check out the entire repertoire at Saipancakes.com. Observe the awesomeness of science teachers, my dears. (thanks for the link KMoody)

Last week we watched the documentary Blackfish, about the capture and use of orcas by Seaworld. I'll never go to Seaworld - I can't stand the thought of our Pacific Northwest whales held in such small enclosures, but I'm also struggling on a larger scale: orcas aren't the only animals with giant home ranges currently kept in captivity. As someone that adores taking her child to the zoo for the wonder of seeing magnificent beasties, it's proving to be a troubling ethical dilemma for me. Where does the scale tip in favor of educational opportunities/endangered species propagation vs. animal cruelty?

You Are What You Eat. I’m not fessing up as to what the interior of my fridge currently looks like but these are fascinating. (thanks Sara!)

Given that I’m pregnant (and have a toddler), I suppose it’s not a surprise that you’re getting a parent-heavy dose of articles this year. Here is the latest tear-jerker: Pregnant in Auschwitz: Toronto Holocaust survivor recalls split-second decision that saved her and unborn son (thanks Julia!)

How are you balancing Christmas presents this year for your kids? We’re struggling to find a happy medium between toys and activities. We really want to take a trip to the southwest next year (because our Yellowstone trip with a six-month old Ben was fantastico) but I have a hard time imagining that Benjamin, on Christmas morning, will be super stoked when we bust out with: “You’re not getting any presents this year kiddo, because we’re all taking a family trip....in six months. Aren’t you excited?!”

Cue the hysterics.

And: “Where the #*%&# are my trains?!”

So far we’ve settled on one ‘big’ present, some books, a pair of PJs, and stocking stuffers (which will probably be mostly rail-themed, thanks to the Christmas letter mentioned above). Welcome to the dilemmas of parenthood.

Have a great weekend My Dears.

xo,

Sonja



Gerber! Seriously, how are you going to pass on this awesomeness?!


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