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See the [whole photo shoot](http://prwdot.org/gallery2/v/events/2007/go_bucks/). 🙂
Sadly, it doesn’t look like Catherine’s team spirit has helped the Buckeyes this year. There’s always next season!
Go Bucks!
2 Replies
A Midwinter Walk
So here we are in the middle of winter. On what might normally be a cold day, we went for a stroll in jeans and t-shirts. Why?
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67.5 Degrees Fahrenheit!
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She likes it!
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We all enjoyed the warm weather, as weird as it was! You can check out [more pics from our walk](http://prwdot.org/gallery2/v/events/2007/unseasonable_warmth/).
On Breastfeeding
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Recently, Mothering Magazine put the call out for someone to create an international breastfeeding symbol. After a series of voting rounds the winner was selected (see right). The idea is that it can be used in Airports and Malls and the like to alert parents to Family rooms and breastfeeding friendly areas.
I love it. I think that it is simple and clear and (if you’re sensitive about these things) doesn’t imply that all babies are bottle fed. I wonder if it will catch on and if we’ll start seeing it in airports around the country.
It also started me thinking about my own experience with breastfeeding. I knew from the start that I wanted to breastfeed. I think that God did a pretty good job designing the human body to do what it needs to do. Why pass up something nutritional and so convenient? And with the cost of formula, and the time and energy needed to wash bottles breastfeeding seemed like the best decision for us.
When we learned that Catherine would have to hang out in the hospital for a while I was worried that I’d have trouble nursing her. I was adamant that she not get formula, and luckily, the NICU doctors agreed with me. I was able to express breastmilk, freeze it and bring it to the hospital. Catherine was able to take it first by NG/feeding tube and then by bottle.
Once she had her IVs removed we started to attempt breastfeeding. We had a tricky start. We had some latch issues. It was nothing that some practice and patience couldn’t cure. By the time she left the hospital we had stopped using the bottles and were well on our way to figuring things out together. It was tough, it was tiring, it was frustrating, but in the end was well worthwhile. We’ve had a seven month breastfeeding relationship that is still going strong.
During Catherine’s first two weeks I was fortunate to meet with a couple wonderful Lactation Consultants who helped us with the learning curve. Now that we’re doing well I find myself wanting to encourage other women who are breastfeeding or who want to nurse their babies. The LCs are all registered nurses, so I can’t do it in a professional capacity. I’ll have to stick with the old fashioned route and support others by example and by offering encouragement to those I know personally.
Do any of our readers have thoughts on this topic? I’d love to hear what you think.
T
Floating by Robin Troy
I didn’t have high expectations for this book when I picked it up. I wasn’t sure what kind of novel would win the MTV Book Award. I had a feeling it might be something “hip” or cool. Probably too cool for me to understand or appreciate.
Floating didn’t do much for me. The story takes place in a Southwestern ranch town- I wondered what a Harvard gal from the Midwest would know about horses and ranches and tumbleweed. As it turns out, maybe not much. I found that her descriptions were vague and stereotypical. I wasn’t sure if she had been to a ranch or if she’d only read about them.
The plot and the characters themselves were fine. Not overly bland or overly interesting. I moved through the book slowly; not due to complicated language or plot twists, but due to disinterest. The two most interesting characters in the book are a recently imprisoned man and his 8 year old son. They are, at best, marginal characters. That was unfortunate. I would have liked to have explored their stories in more depth.
Eh. Read it if you want. If not, you’re probably not missing much.
Oh, what a year!
January
In January, Becky was in her fifth month of her [very boring](http://prwdot.org/2006/01/17/this-pregnancy-is/) pregnancy. She was mostly over the nausea and was just enjoying the anticipation. Becky turned 27, and we had a fun [bowling birthday party](http://prwdot.org/2006/01/14/bowling-with-becky/) for her, and I helped organize a [get together of Gordon College computer science alums](http://prwdot.org/2006/01/22/computer-science/).
February
In February, we could feel “[the baby](http://prwdot.org/2006/02/06/kickin/)” kicking for the first time! Becky threw an [Olympics](http://prwdot.org/2006/02/12/passion-lives-here/) party for the winter Olympics in Torino. We got [our first camcorder](http://prwdot.org/2006/02/12/video-killed-the-photography-star/). And we [visited Montreal](http://prwdot.org/2006/03/01/je-me-souviens/).
March
In March, we went to a [Pseudo-St. Pat’s Party](http://prwdot.org/2006/03/05/pseudo-st-pats/) at [Jenny](http://raingirl3179.livejournal.com/)’s, and we got our [new Mac mini](http://prwdot.org/2006/03/20/our-new-baby/).
April
Becky had her [baby shower](http://prwdot.org/2006/04/10/showered-with-love/). My family’s dog, Beaux, [died](http://prwdot.org/2006/04/13/he-was-a-good-dog/). We said goodbye to Becky’s [Papa](http://prwdot.org/2006/04/27/papa/).
May
In May, Becky [worked her last day at the Otis House](http://prwdot.org/2006/05/06/sahm/) and became a SAHM! We did a lot of [reorganizing](http://prwdot.org/2006/05/06/sunny-inside-saturday/) and [purging](http://prwdot.org/2006/05/10/stuff-in-stuff-out/). We watched “the baby”‘s [due date](http://prwdot.org/2006/05/21/happy-due-date/) [pass by](http://prwdot.org/2006/05/22/ddpo-activities/). Finally, on Memorial Day weekend, Catherine Elinor Wood made her [dramatic arrival](http://prwdot.org/2006/05/27/a-dramatic-arrival/) into this world.
June
In June, Catherine was finally able to [come home from the hospital](http://prwdot.org/2006/06/10/homecoming/). She had spent two weeks as the guest of Brigham and Women’s hospital in Boston and Beverly Hospital here in our home town. Shortly thereafter, we took her on her [first trip to Taco Bell](http://prwdot.org/2006/06/13/fun-with-catherine/). Catherine had a lot of visitors this month – [Grandma and Grandpa Wood](http://prwdot.org/2006/06/24/grandma-and-grandpa-wood/), [the Farnhams and the Woods](http://prwdot.org/2006/06/24/a-confluence-of-visitors/). By the end of the month, Catherine had [grown by two pounds and one inch](http://prwdot.org/2006/06/29/catherine-is-on-the-grow/) since birth!
July
In July, we carted Catherine [down to Boston](http://prwdot.org/2006/07/03/holiday-weekend/) for Harborfest, up to York, Maine for [dinner with the Rainvilles](http://prwdot.org/2006/07/10/dinner-with-the-rainvilles/), down for her [first trip to Martha’s Vineyard](http://prwdot.org/2006/07/10/first-vineyard-weekend/), out to Pennsylvania for [Johanna’s wedding](http://prwdot.org/2006/07/29/weve-got-a-friend-in-pennsylvania/).
August
In August, we did [Beverly Homecoming](http://prwdot.org/2006/08/01/beverly-homecoming/). We also took another trip down to the Vineyard, this time [with the Rainvilles](http://prwdot.org/2006/08/14/a-workend-post/). Catherine and I got to see our first [Grand Illumination](http://prwdot.org/2006/08/25/illuminati/). We took trips to [Long Hill and the USS Friendship](http://prwdot.org/2006/08/29/long-hill-and-the-friendship/), and had [dinner at Lynch Park](http://prwdot.org/2006/08/31/dinner-at-the-park/).
September
In September, we went to [David Lee](http://prwdot.org/2006/09/03/wedding-pics/)’s wedding. We got to see some cool ships at the [Gloucester Schooner Festival](http://prwdot.org/2006/09/05/gloucester-schooner-festival/). We took Catherine on her first trip to the [Museum of Science](http://prwdot.org/2006/09/10/mossy/). We attended Beverly Hospital’s [special care nursery birthday party](http://prwdot.org/2006/09/17/a-busy-weekend/) and [Art and Leanne’s wedding](http://prwdot.org/2006/09/17/a-busy-weekend/). Becky and I finally jumped on the bandwagon and purchased an Xbox so that we could play [Dance Dance Revolution](http://prwdot.org/2006/09/18/ddr/) at home. At four months old, [Catherine was 16 pounds nine ounces and 26 inches long](http://prwdot.org/2006/09/26/four-months/)!
October
In October, Becky had her first experience with general anesthesia in a successful operation to [remove three cysts from one of her ovaries](http://prwdot.org/2006/10/03/cystectomy/). We went to see the [Topsfield Fair Parade](http://prwdot.org/2006/10/07/topsfield-fair-parade/) and to [Gordon College Homecoming](http://prwdot.org/2006/10/09/gordon-college-homecoming-2006/). We [changed Catherine’s diaper in many interesting locations](http://prwdot.org/2006/10/22/recent-diaper-changes/) on our trip out to Ohio and Toronto. On [that trip](http://prwdot.org/2006/10/30/have-a-nice-trip-see-you-next-fall/), we finally got to meet [Michelle](http://mikao.blogspot.com/)! Becky and I celebrated our [fourth wedding anniversary](http://prwdot.org/2006/10/26/45/). Catherine also celebrated her first Halloween, and joined us for [several Halloween parties](http://prwdot.org/2006/10/31/happy-halloween/).
November
In November, we slept through the [Danvers chemical plant explosion](http://prwdot.org/2006/11/22/explosion/), even though we were just two miles away. We also celebrated our first [Thanksgiving with Catherine](http://prwdot.org/2006/11/22/gobble-gobble/)!
December
In December, we spent the first weekend [on a trip to western Mass](http://prwdot.org/2006/12/03/a-weekend-with-friends/) with Bob, Leah, Lucas, and Jeremy. We visited Boston’s new [ICA](http://prwdot.org/2006/12/10/i-see-a/) with Mark. The month was fairly busy with preparations for Christmas, which culminated in our [week-long Christmas event](http://prwdot.org/2006/12/30/christmas/)!
It was indeed a good year, and of course it will surely go down as one of the most memorable with Catherine’s arrival. 🙂
And now, we wish you a happy 2007!
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Christmas
Our Christmas this year spanned an entire week… from Friday, December 22 to Saturday, December 30!
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December 22
After I got out of work on Friday, we drove up to Townsend, MA to spend the weekend with Becky’s folks.
December 23
On Saturday, the Lowe side of Becky’s family came up to visit. Tom and Gabi and their boys came, as well as Sue, Pete, and Greg. We had a nice dinner of ham and turkey, squash, decadent mashed potatoes, green beans sauteed in garlic and butter, rolls… yum. We exchanged gifts and had a nice time chatting with everyone and playing with the young’n’s. (Pics [here](http://prwdot.org/gallery2/v/events/2006/christmas_lowe/) for those with family access.)
December 24
On Sunday morning, we went to the Christmas Eve morning church service in Townsend. We then headed out to Shrewsbury, MA. Our first stop was at my Aunt Joan and Uncle Errol’s house, where Scott, Kim, and Mark were visiting. They all had a chance to see Catherine, as well as catch up with Becky and I.
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Catherine with Mark and Scott
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After that, we headed just a few streets over to the Quitadamo Christmas Eve party at Richie and Julie’s house. The whole clan was there, and we actually managed to get a nice group photo! We had the gift grab, and also showered the kids with gifts. Our dinner was Italian… eggplant parm, antipasto, lasagna, Italian wedding soup, stuffed mushrooms. The works. (Pics [here](http://prwdot.org/gallery2/v/events/2006/christmas_eve_quitadamo/) for those with family access.)
For Sunday evening, we headed back to Townsend, and went to the midnight church service. I always enjoy the singing of soft carols on the night before Christmas, and the candle-lit mood at the end.
December 25
Christmas Day was spent at the Lowe household in Townsend. We opened stockings, had Belgian waffles for breakfast, opened presents, and then spent the rest of the day relaxing and playing with our new stuff. We had a lot of fun playing our new Karaoke Revolution game… 🙂
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Catherine checks out the gifts.
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Playing Karaoke Revolution
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After eating a dinner of some very delicious leftovers from earlier in the weekend, we packed up the Corolla to bursting (really, we couldn’t have possibly fit more in the car…) and headed back to Beverly.
December 26
I went to work.
December 27
I went to work.
In the evening, my parents arrived in Beverly. They had flown from Ohio to Pennsylvania to visit my mom’s side of the family, and then drove in a rental car up to Massachusetts. We hung out and played Karaoke Revolution.
December 28
I took the day off of work!
My parents came over in the morning for “Christmas” breakfast and a gift exchange. Becky made a breakfast casserole. Mmmm. 🙂 We had subs and pizza for lunch, hung out for the afternoon, and then Mom and Dad babysat Catherine while Becky and I went out to dinner and a movie. We saw [Night at the Musem](http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0477347/), which I highly recommend! It was a lot better than we had expected… very funny. A great movie for kids and adults alike. After we got back, we had a mini birthday party for Mom.
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Mom and Catherine
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The family opening gifts
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December 29
I took this day off of work, too!
My parents came over again, and we all piled into the car for a little trip. Our first stop was at the new [LL Bean](http://www.llbean.com/) store in Burlington, MA. It was packed with shoppers returning or exchanging their Christmas gifts, as well as people taking advantage of after-Christmas sales. After the Bean, we headed out to Framingham to meet Joan and Erroll for lunch at [Chef Orient](http://www.cheforientrestaurant.com/). We ate in the Japanese half of the restaurant, and we all had teppanyaki entrees, cooked in the usual entertaining style. We also had a another little birthday celebration for Mom (and Joan). Joan and Erroll had brought out a delicious cake and some gifts for mom.
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Teppanyaki at Chef Orient
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After we got back to Beverly, we relaxed at home, and played some more Karaoke Revolution as well as Dance Dance Revolution.
December 30
Mom and Dad came over with breakfast from [Bagel World](http://www.bagelworld.net/). We checked out some of the photos from our last few days together, and said our goodbyes, as they had to head back out. We’ll miss them, and I know that they’ll miss us (especially Catherine!)
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Mom, Dad, and Catherine
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We’ve spent much of today cleaning up the apartment, sorting out and putting away the gifts, and getting ready for 2007. We don’t have any big plans for the New Year’s weekend… mostly just to rest and relax!
We hope that everyone else has had a great Christmas!
Happy EllieDay!
Happy Birthday to Grandma Wood!
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Catherine and Grandma Wood
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We hope that you are having a great birthday, and we are looking forward to seeing you this week!
Incidentally, Catherine is seven months old today! Happy seven month birthday, Catherine!
To Our Readers…
Dianne, Ken, Corey, Ellie, Stan, Kirsten, Mark, Mark, Joan, Erroll, Kim, John, Joan, Susie, Marcia, Tom, Gabi, Grammy Q, Nana, Pop-Pop, Kay, Roger, Angela, Dale, Jennifer, Michelle, Joanna, Melanie, Bethany, Bethany Joy, Jeremy, Angela, Bob, Leah, Emily, Jackie, Nikkiana, Christine, Kirk, Amanda, Becky, Megan, Matt, Amanda, Andy, Lisa, Paul, Kate, Art, Leanne, James, Before Girl, Simon, Win, Xinhuan, Sharon, Jeff, Mike, Will, Amy, Josh, Ken, Terri, Jenny, Linda, Jill, Ben, Tammy, Marisa, Johanna…
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MERRY CHRISTMAS!!
(We hope we didn’t miss anyone… but if you’re a regular reader, and you feel left out, please leave your name in the comments!)
Personality/his
So, I did the same personality test that [Becky](http://prwdot.org/2006/12/15/personality/), [Jenn](http://junefourteenth.blogspot.com/2006_12_01_archive.html), and [Kate](http://marykayladykate.blogspot.com/2006/12/fun-personality-test.html) had done. I’m quite amazed at how accurate it is, as well as how it was able to put into words some concepts that I only had a vague understanding of.
You can [try the test yourself](http://www.perex.com/), if you like. Like Becky, I’ll wait and see what others think of the results before commenting on it myself.
Keep reading to see the results.
personality
My friends, Jennifer and Kate have both taken an online personality quiz and posted about it on their respective sites. I always find these sorts of things interesting, so I wandered over and gave it a shot.
The results are after the jump- Jenn and Kate posted their feelings about the results, but I will leave mine untouched. I think that there are many characteristics that the quiz got spot on and some that missed the mark. Over all I think it gives a pretty good description of my personality.
I’m curious to know what those of you who know me think. Did they get me right?
Click on the link below to read my results
Continue reading