Monthly Archives: May 2007

Green Printing

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Another in a series of posts dedicated to making conscious decisions for living a better life.

Since finishing school Peter and I have found that we rarely need to print from our computers. Maybe for craft projects or directions from Google, but not the multi page papers we once printed. It is easy to say, “put scrap paper in!” before we printed something, but much harder to do it.  It was often that we forgot and would print something inconsequential on a beautiful, white, clean piece of paper. What a waste!

To solve this problem we’ve taken all the new paper out of the printer and replaced it with ‘scrap’ that has printing only on one side. Now when we print something it automatically goes on the recycled paper. If we’re printing something nice we remember to put clean paper in.

It is such a simple, free, earth friendly solution…I’m sorry I didn’t think of it sooner.

One Year

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One year ago today, Catherine made a dramatic arrival into our lives. From a scary beginning of hospitals, ambulances, machines, and tubes, she has grown into a beautiful, intelligent, curious toddler (yes, toddler!). Becky and I feel unbelievably fortunate to be her parents and to have helped guide her through this first year of life. We can’t wait to see what the future holds!

ppp|Zero Years

Zero Years

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ppp|One Year

One Year

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Also, on the occasion of Catherine’s birthday, I’m happy to announce that I’ve launched a new blog to share my thoughts on parenting! Head on over and check out Nobody Puts Daddy In The Corner.

And in this corner…

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If you haven’t noticed, dads aren’t exactly the cat’s pajamas these days. From their portrayal on television, often as insensitive, clueless oafs, to the notable absence of fathering resources in print and online journals, dads are often treated as second-class citizens. This treatment is not totally undeserved – there are a lot of terribly misguided fathers out there, from the jerks who leave their wives and kids to the well-meaning dads who are nonetheless ignorant of their families’ needs. However, I don’t think that the dads are entirely to blame. Society and the media have done little to help shape up dads – probably because of the old adage that there’s more money to be made in prolonging the problem than there is in finding a solution. We’ve spent enough time complaining about dads; now we need to do something to help them. We need dads to have more positive role models, more resources, and a higher standard of living. I’d like to help do my part by filling this website with my thoughts, observations, research, and musings on the subject of being a better dad. I’ll also mix in posts about interesting or funny parenting news, gadgets, and life updates from my family. I hope that my readers will join me on this quest to improve the lives of dads, as well as moms, kids, and anybody else who finds the information useful or thought-provoking.

This website is dedicated to my loving and supportive wife Rebecca, who encouraged me to share my thoughts. This website is also dedicated to my beautiful daughter Catherine, on the occasion of her first birthday. Together, Rebecca and Catherine are my motivation for becoming a better father, husband, and person.

Curtains!

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Slowly, but surely, we are settling into our new place. Boxes have been unpacked, pictures are up on the walls, the cupboards are filled…and now there are curtains hung.

In Catherine’s room, at least!

Catherine's Curtains

I spent the afternoon sewing up those little beauties. It is such a wonderful feeling to start and finish a project and have it look so nice. I’ve made curtains before, but I think that these are, by far, the nicest. Catherine definitely has the best room in the house! See more detail in the curtain gallery.

Today was also the maiden journey for my new Gingher Shears. Oh bliss!

Momma’s Day

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I’ve had the title “Momma” for 50 weeks now. Almost a year! I’ve had GREAT-Mom days and WORRIED-Mom days and SLEEPY-Mom days and SILLY-Mom days…

But today is my first Mother’s Day.

Peter planned a wonderful day for me. We went to church, scooted out and made a quick stop at home where I received a yummy “Edible Bouquet“. The fruit was just an appetizer to hold me over. Lunch was still yet to come.

We hopped back into the car and took off for destinations unknown (to me, at least). 62 West, 128 South, 1 South, the Tobin Bridge, the Leverett Connector…The Boston Museum of Science? Yes! Even as we pulled into the parking lot I still didn’t know the plan. Would we see the butterfly exhibit? The Planetarium Show? Was there a new exhibit I hadn’t heard about yet? It was a game of 20 questions, but the only answer was “I don’t know…”

I followed Peter into the lobby and up to a registration table for the “Mother’s Day Brunch”. At the MOS? Indeed. At the top of the elevator, the 6th floor; at the end of the hallway; in a room surrounded by windows with views of the Charles River, Boston and Cambridge; was a lovely Brunch by Wolfgang Puck Catering.

Above BostonThe food was wonderfully elegant without being intimidating. The view was post card perfect and I couldn’t have asked for better company. Catherine was a perfect little lady and graciously accepted compliments from the hostess and waitstaff. It was a delightfully grown-up and special outing. It was tempting to spend the whole day there looking out over the city.

After lunch we wandered the museum. Catherine was particularly taken with the Cotton Topped Tamarins and the baby chicks. I never get tired of the MOS. What a perfect day.

Today was actually our second day in Boston this weekend. Yesterday we celebrated Mother’s Day (or Nonni’s Day) with my Mom and Dad and Corey. We all met up in Copley Square and went to B Good for lunch.

Three burgers, a chicken sandwich, a spinach salad, two orders of fries, two shakes, a cranberry juice and a water later we were back out on the street headed to the Public Garden. On the way we paused for a three generation pic in front of Trinity Church.

Mom had wanted to ride the Swan Boats last year on Mother’s Day, but anyone in the area will remember how incredibly rainy it had been last year. By postponing to this year Catherine was able to come along! As usual the Swan Boat ride was peaceful and offered sights of some lovely scenes; a sweet group of goslings, Romeo and Juliet (the resident swans), three sunbathing turtles, and a bride and groom taking wedding photos.

We found a park bench and a sweet treat to end the day. Catherine surprised us all by going crazy over frozen lemonade. One taste just wasn’t enough! She would do whatever possible to get another mouthful!

Now, if only we could have swung an outing with Grandma Ellie the weekend would have been complete! Happy Mother’s Day to all the Moms!

Check out all the pics from Saturday and Sunday!

the State House, Poison Ivy and a Play Date

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Per usual, it has been busy here in the Wood Household. Daily life plus anything extra leaves little time and energy for blogging. Many apologies.

Catherine and I spent most of Wednesday morning at the Massachusetts State House. I’m honestly not sure I had ever been in before. What an experience. We met up with 10-12 other moms and did our part to help protect the rights of Breastfeeding Moms here in the Bay State.

I’d never lobbied for anything before and was surprised by how low key the whole process was. I called and made appointments with my legislators last week. It was easier than making a doctor’s appointment! Yesterday we met up with the whole group for some orientation and then were sent out on our own to speak with the senators and reps. Everyone at the State House was hustling and bustling around but we were able to speak to a few people and get the word out.

I’m glad to have had the chance to speak up for women’s rights as they pertain to nursing in public. I wish with my whole heart, however, that this wasn’t even an issue. There are so many other bigger, badder fish to fry-it is a shame we’re spending our time on this.

Bandaged!

In other news, I have contracted my yearly round of poison ivy. I swear, all I have to do is think the words “poison ivy” and I break out into a rash. This year seems particularly bad. I’ll save you the gory details but I am having trouble bending my left elbow.

Girls

Last, but not least, Catherine and I took advantage of the beautiful weather we’ve been having and took a jaunt up to Gloucester. We met up with some friends-Roselle and Maggie- and walked the boulevard. After some playtime on the slides and swings we picnicked on the beach at Stage Fort Park before heading home.

Catherine and Maggie were cute together; curious as to each other’s existence, but not too interested in playing with each other 🙂