This Week In Entertainment

Just like everyone else on the planet, I was absolutely STOKED to see the first Hunger Games movie. Mr. Bo and I both read the books last year, and loved them. Mr. Bo does not read many books, so the fact that he was able to not only finish one, but all of them, AND enjoy them was a pretty big deal. While we did not buy our tickets in advance to go see the midnight premier, we were able to sneak away for a few hours this week (we were both on spring break) to catch a matinee showing.
 In case you are one of the few who don't know, let me give you a brief catch up. The story takes place in a post-apocalyptic world where the entire population is divided into 12 districts, and ruled by one capitol. In order to remind the citizens of their over-all rule, as well as being a punishment for an attempted uprising against them, the capitol selects 2 children (a male and a female) at random from each district to participate in an annual reality-type-show called "The Hunger Games." The children are placed in a giant "natural," yet controlled arena (think "The Truman Show") and forced to fight to the death until there is one left standing. Intriguing, yes?
 I was afraid that my expectations were just too high, and that I was going to be disappointed. I was not. I loved it. "The Hunger Games" got everything right that "Twilight" got wrong. I was able to like the movie independently from the book (meaning I enjoyed the movie, not just because I liked the book, but because it was actually good). It stayed just about as true to the book as it possibly could without making the movie too long and drawn out. There was no over acting, no cheese, and the CGI graphics looked realistic and spot on. I left the movie theater feeling much the same way I did every time I finished reading one of the books; as if there was no way I was possibly going to be able to wait for the next one. But alas, I will. Even if you haven't read the books (and shame on you if you haven't), go see this movie.

After what seemed like years of waiting (oh wait, it was years of waiting), Weeds season 7 finally made it to NetFlix. We have been watching this series from the beginning, which is probably the only reason we are still watching it now; because we feel like we have to just to see how it is all going to end. Since leaving Agrestic the show has just not been the same. The location changes every year, and what used to be a lighthearted show about a pot dealing soccer mom, has now taken so many crazy twists and turns (i.e. arson, human trafficking, murder, prison and Copenhagen) I can hardly remember the Nancy Botwin that once was. This season has managed to redeem itself some what, and has me at least back to not feeling like finishing the season is just another "chore" added to my to-do list. I like it, but wish I could love it.

Mr. Bo and I don't watch a ton of T.V. anymore... or at least we don't get to catch our former favorite shows regularly anymore (let's be honest, the TV is usually on, we're just not watching it...It's amazing what having a child will do to you). We do not have a DVR, so if we don't catch a show at it's original air date, we don't watch it (unless we care enough to Hulu it). There is one show though, that we do try to make it to the couch in time for, and that show is True TV's "Impractical Jokers." Suprised? Don't be, I love candid camera shows, and this is one of the best I have ever seen. It literally has us both in tears (laughing, of course) every single week. Trust me, this show is worth checking out.

The Adventures of Baby Bo: 4 Months

Well, it's that time of the month again. No, not THAT time of the month...I mean that time of the month that you all wait on pins and needles for; that time when I ramble on and on about all the new and exciting things my baby is doing this month, that perhaps he wasn't doing last month. I'll just go ahead and say "you're welcome" now, because I know these are all things you really want to know about, but just don't quite know how to ask ;).
I'll start with the really good stuff. Last Thursday BB had his four month check up, and is doing great. He now weighs 16 lbs 3 oz, putting him in the 75th percentile for weight. He is also 26 1/4 inches tall, putting him in the 90th percentile for height! This surprised me since he doesn't strike me as an incredibly tall baby, but does appear to be quite round. He got two more vaccination shots, as well as the all clear to begin eating rice cereal! I was so excited that right after his appointment I made a quick pit stop by Target to buy cereal, bowls, and spoons. After work Friday night I also bought him a highchair so we can begin experimenting with the cereal this week!
He is excellent at grasping objects and "playing" with them, which is really cute to watch, and also means he can entertain himself somewhat without relying on constant song and dance from Mr. Bo and myself to keep him occupied and content. He is not rolling over from his back to his stomach yet, but can roll from his stomach to his back (He has actually been doing that for quite some time). He is starting to suck on his hands more, which is nice because I'm hoping he will become less reliant on his pacifier now. I try to allow him to get a little frustrated before rushing to his aid every time he fusses so he can learn that he is able to soothe himself. He also is beginning to not need to be swaddled to sleep.We were planning on "breaking" him of the swaddle over spring break, but now I'm hoping for him (fingers crossed) be completely swaddle free by the end of this week. We are also working on helping him to fall asleep on his own and so far, NOT so good. We were so hopeful when, for two nights in a row we were able to put him in bed un-swaddled and awake, and he would fall asleep in minutes with only minimal crying. Since this weekend though, things have completely regressed now that we decided we are no longer going to replace the pacifier every time it falls out (because it happens a lot). Trying to let him "cry it out," even if only for a short period of time, is stressful and heart breaking. I really hope this transition works itself out quickly.
 We are beginning to feel like a more consistent sleeping and eating schedule is just over the horizon, but he definitely still throws some curve balls now and then. For example, we now lay him down every night between 7:00 and 8:00, and he usually sleeps until between 6:00 and 7:00. Sometimes though, he wakes up even earlier and usually ends up throwing in what I like to call a "power nap" about 45 minutes after waking up. These naps usually look something like this...

Baby Bo continues to be the apple of my eye, and the source of all my pride. It is amazing to think back over the past 4 months and realize how much our lives and perceptions have changed. I have quickly learned that spending an hour in front of the mirror each morning to get ready isn't going to work anymore, and that's okay. A majority of our weekends are now spent at home on the couch, and we often times get our kicks from opening a bottle of wine and putting together baby equipment, like a highchair (betcha can't guess what we did Friday night). I love that boy more than I could have ever imagined I would before he was born. Even though I am constantly tired, often frustrated, frequently overwhelmed, and feel as though I have exhausted my patience reserve yet somehow keep finding more, there's not a whole lot I would choose to change right now...Even on those days when I have to tell myself,  "Remember, you CHOSE this." Now if only I could find someone to do the laundry and clean my house for free. :)

Cribs and the Art of Sleeping Arrangement Maintenance

I'm really not an overly sentimental person; I throw away greeting cards, movies rarely make me misty-eyed, and I can't help but be annoyed with people who get so emotionally attached to seemingly insignificant items...So why is it so hard for me to move BB out of the Pack-n-Play in our room and into his own crib at night? Because being a mother has turned me into a sentimental sap, that's why.
You see, BB has been sleeping in a Pack-n-Play by our bed since the first night back from the hospital. When I was still nursing it was especially convenient because I could just pull him into the bed with me and feed him, then put him right back to sleep with out even getting out from under the covers. After we switched to bottles we started bringing formula and bottles upstairs with us so we could mix them in the bathroom without having to go down to the kitchen every time he woke up, therefore never having to leave the bedroom. We agreed that when BB began sleeping through the night we would put him to bed in his own room...Well guess what; He has been sleeping through the night for a month now and is still sleeping in the Pack-n-Play right next to our bed....the only reason being that by moving him into his own room I feel I have to fully accept that he is no longer a newborn, and that makes me incredibly sad. I'm just not ready. We even bought a video monitor a few weeks back so that I could watch him in his bed at night. Still. Can't. Do. It. We are taking steps though (I say "we" because even though he may not admit it, I don't believe Mr. Bo is ready to move him down the hall either). If you would allow me to go off on a tangent for a minute....Our bedroom is technically two bedrooms turned into one, separated in half by a pair of french doors. We leave the french doors open so that it pretty much just feels like one big room. Well, Mr. Bo had the brilliant idea to, instead of going cold turkey, simply move the Pack-n-Play to the other side of the french doors for awhile. This way BB is at least not right next to the bed. This has been our arrangement for the past two nights, and I have to say, having him just a few extra feet away is helping me get used to the idea of eventually moving him down the hall (which really isn't that far away either).
So how did this happen? How did I go from a cynic who swore to never become "that mom," to this emotionally charged fool?...

                                                                                                                                                  ....oh, right.

A Case of the Monday's...

30 minutes late for work this morning...

Source: gbdhomeschooling.blogspot.com via Mallory on Pinterest

...Yep, sounds about right.

Happy Birthday Mr. Bo

Mr.Bo's 31st birthday was a lot like our Valentines Day; busy, busy, busy. We both worked late, but I did manage to surprise him at work during his lunch break with a cake for him and his co workers. I didn't take a picture, but the cake looked similar to this one...

Pretty awesome, I know. 

Ok, so maybe it wasn't quite that impressive... and I may or may not have had a little help from the Pillsbury Dough Boy... but none the less, the cake was yummy, and I think Mr. Bo enjoyed his surprise visit, and for the chance to show off *BB (who was all smiles once we got out of the hallway full of loud, screaming, adolescents). After work that night I looked all over town for a bottle of this...

Dave Matthew's Finest

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

...but ended up settling for this...

It aint classy unless it comes from a box

Tonight Mr. Bo's sister will be in town, along with her fiance. It will be fun to spend some time with them while we are at home with the little one. Then on Sunday my parents and grandparents are coming over for lunch, and we will indulge in the best ice cream cake $10.99 can buy.
Only the best for the Bo's!



*BB=Baby Bo

Thank You

I would just like to take a minute to say "thank you" to the genius in the loud dump truck who honked as he drove by while I was taking a walk. Thank you, sir, for waking the child who was sleeping soundly in the stroller that I happened to be pushing at the time. Yes, thank you so very much for not only waking him up, but also scaring  him and causing him to cry for the entire half mile walk back home. Thank you soooooo much.



Oh wait, did I say thank you? I'm sorry, what I actually meant to say was &$*% YOU!!!