16 July 2011
Splishy Splashy
The backyard patio doubles as a swimming pool foundation nicely. Jules and I spent about two hours in the pool this morning, mostly scooping out little bugs and the occasional cheddar bunny. If you'll notice in the pictures, Julia put on her swimsuit all by herself. Is the tag supposed to be in the front?
15 July 2011
Tree And Tree Years
Odd topic for a post, but the tree in our front yard is officially taller then the gutter above Julia's bedroom. I climbed out on the porch roof this morning to confirm.
I think the reason why it's a big deal to me is that the tree was half dead when we moved in. The entire main branch was dead, so I hacked it off and hoped for the best. By pulling back the grass, mulching the area around the trunk, and regular food/water, it's now the biggest on the block.
From top to bottom, left to right, I've posted pictures from 2006 - 2011. In the coming years I'm going to have to keep it trimmed and away from the house. This type of maple is supposed to grow about 40 - 50 feet tall and 20 - 30 feet wide. My guess is that it's only halfway done.
I think the reason why it's a big deal to me is that the tree was half dead when we moved in. The entire main branch was dead, so I hacked it off and hoped for the best. By pulling back the grass, mulching the area around the trunk, and regular food/water, it's now the biggest on the block.
From top to bottom, left to right, I've posted pictures from 2006 - 2011. In the coming years I'm going to have to keep it trimmed and away from the house. This type of maple is supposed to grow about 40 - 50 feet tall and 20 - 30 feet wide. My guess is that it's only halfway done.
14 July 2011
Get Your Schwerve On
I had a little fun starting and stopping the music. This video is proof that no matter what you are doing or what position you are in, there's always some way to get your schwerve on.
13 July 2011
Dad's Turn
What? I didn't want to miss ANY of the USA women's semifinal. He made it to the crib at halftime...
12 July 2011
Jonathan's Development
Over the past few weeks Jonathan has really started to develop - both physically and mentally. It's fun to witness him growing up since I've been able to spend so much time with him over the past year. So you all know what's going on and so we can have a record of it, I decided it's time to make a post about some of the more memorable things he's now doing at 1 year old.
1. He definitely understands words. Cheerios, fan, stinkies, hungry, eyes/nose/ears, etc. I don't know everything he comprehends, but it is substantial. Although he doesn't speak much yet, he seems to know what's going on. For example, today we were in the basement while feeding him. The entire time he was playing. When we finished I asked him if he wanted to go upstairs. He made a beeline for the stairs and climbed all the way up them to the main level. Not only can he climb stairs, but he obviously knew was I was referring to when I said "stairs".
2. He's got a serious temper. Well, at least much more then Julia ever did. If we tell him no or take something from him or prevent him from getting something he wants, he throws a little fit. Now that he's walking it's pretty funny to watch. He'll get really mad and randomly take a path over to the closest wall, door, or piece of furniture and pound on it. That, or he'll just lay down and flail on the floor. We are pretty much just ignoring it. This is something Julia never really did, so it's funny to see him get so worked up about something.
3. He's really walking well now. In fact, he's probably walking more then crawling now. I think he prefers it since his balance has quickly improved.
4. He waves at cars that drive by...and airplanes. When he hears one of them while we're walking outside, he starts to wave. Today he got a wave back. He probably learned this one by watching Julia wave at the cars and garbage trucks that go by. The fact that he waves at airplanes because they make noise just shows you how innocent the entire waving act really is.
5. He likes to yell out open windows. Julia also taught him this, but now he does it on his own. From our bedroom window sounds echo back of off the neighbor's house. Although I asked Julia to stop yelling out the windows, he still does it on his own and thinks it's funny.
6. Headstands. Ever since he started crawling he's gotten a kick out of putting his head on the floor, straightening his legs, and looking back through his legs like a center in football. This gets a lot of laughs and a lot of peek-a-boos, and even sometimes a flip over on his back if I get a hold of his hands.
7. Ni-Nights. He goes gown for naps and at night like a champ. All we have to do it tell him it's time to go ni-nights and he goes straight down without a sound or a fight. I really think this started when we got him his own blanket for his birthday. I could be wrong or it could just be coincidence, but he does like his blanket and at least now it is a big part of him going to sleep. There must really be something to the concept of a security blanket. He reaches for it when it's time to go to sleep and that's all he needs.
1. He definitely understands words. Cheerios, fan, stinkies, hungry, eyes/nose/ears, etc. I don't know everything he comprehends, but it is substantial. Although he doesn't speak much yet, he seems to know what's going on. For example, today we were in the basement while feeding him. The entire time he was playing. When we finished I asked him if he wanted to go upstairs. He made a beeline for the stairs and climbed all the way up them to the main level. Not only can he climb stairs, but he obviously knew was I was referring to when I said "stairs".
2. He's got a serious temper. Well, at least much more then Julia ever did. If we tell him no or take something from him or prevent him from getting something he wants, he throws a little fit. Now that he's walking it's pretty funny to watch. He'll get really mad and randomly take a path over to the closest wall, door, or piece of furniture and pound on it. That, or he'll just lay down and flail on the floor. We are pretty much just ignoring it. This is something Julia never really did, so it's funny to see him get so worked up about something.
3. He's really walking well now. In fact, he's probably walking more then crawling now. I think he prefers it since his balance has quickly improved.
4. He waves at cars that drive by...and airplanes. When he hears one of them while we're walking outside, he starts to wave. Today he got a wave back. He probably learned this one by watching Julia wave at the cars and garbage trucks that go by. The fact that he waves at airplanes because they make noise just shows you how innocent the entire waving act really is.
5. He likes to yell out open windows. Julia also taught him this, but now he does it on his own. From our bedroom window sounds echo back of off the neighbor's house. Although I asked Julia to stop yelling out the windows, he still does it on his own and thinks it's funny.
6. Headstands. Ever since he started crawling he's gotten a kick out of putting his head on the floor, straightening his legs, and looking back through his legs like a center in football. This gets a lot of laughs and a lot of peek-a-boos, and even sometimes a flip over on his back if I get a hold of his hands.
7. Ni-Nights. He goes gown for naps and at night like a champ. All we have to do it tell him it's time to go ni-nights and he goes straight down without a sound or a fight. I really think this started when we got him his own blanket for his birthday. I could be wrong or it could just be coincidence, but he does like his blanket and at least now it is a big part of him going to sleep. There must really be something to the concept of a security blanket. He reaches for it when it's time to go to sleep and that's all he needs.
11 July 2011
Drama Queens
I've been debating whether or not I should make a post about the amazing game I watched on Sunday between USA and Brazil in the Women's World Cup. Since these posts are eventually printed out, I've been trying to only include posts that will be worth reading about in the coming years. However, considering the reaction on ESPN and other mainstream media outlets, I wasn't alone in how I felt about such a memorable match.
Our local news covered it. NBC news showed highlights before their coverage of the Women's Open at the Broadmoor. It was all over ESPN as the lead story on multiple shows. The World Football Daily podcast spent the entire first hour of today's show talking about it. Before I get too carried away, I must say that I really don't care that much or follow women's soccer. Compared to the men's game it can't compete on the same level physically (as with every other sport), but that doesn't mean it doesn't provide the viewer with everything else in terms of excitement, drama, passion, and the fact that these ladies are still representing our country.
In case you haven't heard, 12 years to the day that Brandi Chastain ripped off her jersey after winning the first World Cup for the USA from the penalty spot, we also beat Brazil in the quarterfinals on penalty kicks. Abby Wambach scored the lastest goal ever recorded in the Women's World Cup...in injury time...in extra time...after USA had played with only 10 players for over an hour. Everyone knew after the goal was scored that the USA would beat Brazil in a shootout.
The drama really stemmed from the fact that the USA should have won in regular time had it not been for some seriously questionable calls by the referee. First, the red card sending off probably wasn't even a foul. The ensuing penalty kick was saved to keep it 1-0 USA but the referee made the players take it again because someone from the USA had their toes in the box a fraction of a second before the kick was taken. You hardly ever see that called. Of course, the second time the ball went in the net. Brazil's second goal originated from a player in an offside position, yet again leaving everyone else feeling like fate was conspiring against the USA. When the Brazilians started acting and feigning injury, the crowd (and presumably the neutral fans) started to boo the Brazilians and got behind the United States.
Everyone watching the game had the same feeling - that is, that we were all witnessing a serious injustice happening before our eyes. Yet, the ladies just kept trying and trying instead of giving up. They fought until there wasn't any time left on the clock and were eventually rewarded, albeit with practically the last kick of the game. When it went to penalty kicks, I was very impressed with all 5 of the takers. All of the kicks were perfect shots and were executed flawlessly. Hope Solo saved another penalty kick and that was all we needed to advance.
A lot has been made about this game and the comparisons to the American spirit. That never say die attitude was readily apparent in this performance. I think one would be hard pressed to find another game where a team had to overcome this much adversity to win. Actually, the stats probably back it up. This was the first time in Women's World Cup history that a team down to 10 players and losing the match came back to win. I don't know if this has ever happened in the men's tournament, but I'm guessing it probably hasn't. This sort of thing on this big of stage just doesn't happen very often. This was a special performance and I'm glad that it got the recognition it deserves. If you don't believe my biased opinion, the fact that the average joe sports fan in this country was talking about the game should be enough to convince you. If male non-soccer fans are talking about a game and a team performance in the Women's World Cup, you know it had to be something special.
Unfortunately, no one will really remember this unless we go on to win the entire tournament. Just like the Miracle on Ice, it won't carry as much historical weight if we don't seal the deal against France on Wednesday and win the Final this coming weekend.
Our local news covered it. NBC news showed highlights before their coverage of the Women's Open at the Broadmoor. It was all over ESPN as the lead story on multiple shows. The World Football Daily podcast spent the entire first hour of today's show talking about it. Before I get too carried away, I must say that I really don't care that much or follow women's soccer. Compared to the men's game it can't compete on the same level physically (as with every other sport), but that doesn't mean it doesn't provide the viewer with everything else in terms of excitement, drama, passion, and the fact that these ladies are still representing our country.
In case you haven't heard, 12 years to the day that Brandi Chastain ripped off her jersey after winning the first World Cup for the USA from the penalty spot, we also beat Brazil in the quarterfinals on penalty kicks. Abby Wambach scored the lastest goal ever recorded in the Women's World Cup...in injury time...in extra time...after USA had played with only 10 players for over an hour. Everyone knew after the goal was scored that the USA would beat Brazil in a shootout.
The drama really stemmed from the fact that the USA should have won in regular time had it not been for some seriously questionable calls by the referee. First, the red card sending off probably wasn't even a foul. The ensuing penalty kick was saved to keep it 1-0 USA but the referee made the players take it again because someone from the USA had their toes in the box a fraction of a second before the kick was taken. You hardly ever see that called. Of course, the second time the ball went in the net. Brazil's second goal originated from a player in an offside position, yet again leaving everyone else feeling like fate was conspiring against the USA. When the Brazilians started acting and feigning injury, the crowd (and presumably the neutral fans) started to boo the Brazilians and got behind the United States.
Everyone watching the game had the same feeling - that is, that we were all witnessing a serious injustice happening before our eyes. Yet, the ladies just kept trying and trying instead of giving up. They fought until there wasn't any time left on the clock and were eventually rewarded, albeit with practically the last kick of the game. When it went to penalty kicks, I was very impressed with all 5 of the takers. All of the kicks were perfect shots and were executed flawlessly. Hope Solo saved another penalty kick and that was all we needed to advance.
A lot has been made about this game and the comparisons to the American spirit. That never say die attitude was readily apparent in this performance. I think one would be hard pressed to find another game where a team had to overcome this much adversity to win. Actually, the stats probably back it up. This was the first time in Women's World Cup history that a team down to 10 players and losing the match came back to win. I don't know if this has ever happened in the men's tournament, but I'm guessing it probably hasn't. This sort of thing on this big of stage just doesn't happen very often. This was a special performance and I'm glad that it got the recognition it deserves. If you don't believe my biased opinion, the fact that the average joe sports fan in this country was talking about the game should be enough to convince you. If male non-soccer fans are talking about a game and a team performance in the Women's World Cup, you know it had to be something special.
Unfortunately, no one will really remember this unless we go on to win the entire tournament. Just like the Miracle on Ice, it won't carry as much historical weight if we don't seal the deal against France on Wednesday and win the Final this coming weekend.
08 July 2011
07 July 2011
06 July 2011
Sanctus Real - The Redeemer
Sometimes I just wanna start over - Cuz everything looks like a wreck - And I need the courage to carry on - Cuz I can’t see what’s ahead
And there are places I’ve wished I could be - Battles I’ve wanted to win - Dreams that have slipped through my hands - I may never get back again
But I’m still a dreamer - A believer - Oh, I lost my faith in so many things - But I still believe in You - Cuz You can make anything new
Sometimes I just wish we could say - All the things that are easy to hear - Ignore the injustice we see - And explain every unanswered prayer - But I’d rather speak honestly - And wear a tattered heart on my sleeve - Cuz in the middle of my broken dreams - Redemption is here
And I’m still a dreamer - A believer - Oh, I lost my faith in so many things - But I still believe in You - Cuz You are the answer - The Redeemer - Oh, I’ve given up on too many things - But I’m not giving up on You - Cuz You can make anything new
I don’t have every answer in life - But I’m trusting You one day at a time - Cuz You can make a weak heart stay alive forever - And this is where heaven and earth collide - I lift my hands, I give my life - This is how my weary heart stays alive
Oh, I’m still a dreamer - Still a believer - And You are the answer - The Redeemer - Cuz You can make anything new - Yeah, You can make anything new
03 July 2011
Jonathan Walking
By popular demand, here is some footage of Jonathan walking around the house. He actually does a lot more walking versus crawling then this video indicates. At least you'll be able to see his dog walk.
We've got to make sure he's either wearing shoes or barefoot when he walks on the wood floor, otherwise it's like a newborn fawn on ice. Check out the hands while he's walking - they are going a mile a minute too.
We've got to make sure he's either wearing shoes or barefoot when he walks on the wood floor, otherwise it's like a newborn fawn on ice. Check out the hands while he's walking - they are going a mile a minute too.
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