The Burlingames

Fireworks

by Dave

Today was a fun day. We spent the afternoon chilling at home before heading out to a friend’s house for a barbeque. Everyone went home once all the kids (and adults) were tired out.

We decided to try and catch the Cottage Grove fireworks show on our way home. Once home I ran inside to see where they hold their display and to grab a snack. We made it over to the park about 10 minutes after the supposed start time of 10pm. Unfortunately, though, all the cars in the area were driving the other way. They must have started quite a bit early because we missed the big show completely. Fortunately, there were plenty of people who lived around the park shooting off their own sweet stuff.

We were interested to see how Eli would react. He did very well and was very into it. He didn’t seem scared at any point, despite having a couple really loud ones go off right behind us. The best part came when there was a slight lull in the neighborhood display; Eli made a noise, causing us to look at him. He was signing “more.” He did this a couple more times when a break would happen.

About a half-hour after arriving the massive traffic jam cleared and we headed home. We now know better for next year’s show. The only wild-card might be the new baby’s reaction to all the noise.

June 23, 2010

It's a…

by Dave

BOY!!! Dave and I had an ultrasound today. Everything went well and the doctor called to say all is well. This was very reassuring and huge news for us (me especially). We were very pleased the baby showed us his goods so we could find out the gender. We are very excited to add another little boy our family!! Eli is going to have a little brother!!

June 15, 2010

Potty Training and Big Boy Bed…

by Dave

Dave and I have been wondering if Eli is ready to start potty training or at least ready to explore the idea of potty training. For the past month, Eli has taken to grabbing at his diaper either while he is peeing/pooping or once he has finished (no one knows unless we are inside his diaper). For the past week, he now grabs at himself and says something to the effect of ‘pee pee’. I think we’ll head to Target tomorrow and get a little potty for him and see what he does.

We are also going to get some bed rails to put on Eli’s crib until we can get a twin size mattress for his ‘new’ twin bed. With me being home this summer we decided now would be a good time to get him transitioned out of the crib (so the baby can have it when he/she is born). We want him to be well transitioned to the new bed before we transition him to the downstairs bedroom (hopefully at the end of the summer). Lots of changes happening in Eli’s life right now.

As for now, let the new adventures of parenting begin!!

June 10, 2010

Baby #2

by Dave

I thought I would write a quick post about Baby Burlingame #2. As of Wednesday, June 9th, I am 18 weeks pregnant.

It dawned on me on March 8th that I hadn’t had a period for a number of weeks (although I couldn’t remember when my last cycle was). I took a pregnancy test when I got home, it showed up that it was positive right away. I asked Eli if he wanted to be a big brother, he said “no” and walked away. :) Since I didn’t know when I had my last period, we were able to get in for an ultrasound on March 15th. I just wanted to know my due date so we could tell people our exciting news. We laughed when the technician said the due date was Nov. 10, 2010. We laughed for two reasons: 1. Eli’s birthday is Nov. 11th, 2. it is smack dab in the middle of hunting season. With both babies we tried to NOT get pregnant in February and with both babies we did get pregnant in February. Oops! Oh well.

I should also mention that at the same time we found out we were expecting, we found out our family doctor was leaving. Even though we were super excited for her and her new venture, we knew we were going to miss her greatly.

I knew that I was suppose to see the doctor sometime between 8-10 weeks. Well, I didn’t go see the doctor until I was 14 weeks. I kept putting it off and putting it off and putting it off because I was scared (scared of starting over with a new doctor and scared of what was going to happen). The pediatric cardiologist says there is a 4% chance that our future children could have a heart defect. To most that would seem so minuscule, but to me it is still a 4% chance. I explained my fears and concerns to the doctor. He was very reassuring and very nice, this certainly helped to put me at ease.

At the first appointment I got to hear the heart beat and it made me cry. Even though I was feeling reassured about this pregnancy through lots of prayer, my stomach was in knots before my second appointment. I was able to talk to Dave who prayed for me and God gave me instant peace. At my second appointment I heard the heart beat again and cried again. :)

We have an appointment in two weeks for an ultrasound. I’m hoping and praying that the baby will cooperate with us and we learn if we are having a girl or boy. I’m also hoping and praying that the baby will be whole and healthy. I know I made it through the heart stuff once and could do it again, but I don’t want to.

If you happen to think of us, please say a prayer (or two) over the next two weeks. Pray for my fears and concerns to dissipate and that I can rely on God’s strength. Pray that God can cast my fears out and that I can be joyful instead of fearful. Pray that the baby cooperates and gives us a good view. Thank you!

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June 5, 2010

I'm Watching the Watchmen…on DVD!

by Dave

I finally saw Watchmen again this evening after having seen it originally in the theater during its initial release. I enjoyed the movie just as much as, if not more than, the first time I saw it. It was fun to know the story and watch for subtle details I missed the first time round.

TANGENT ALERT: Forgive me if you prefer the word ‘film’ to ‘movie,’ but I have an aversion to using the former as it sounds a little too snobbish for my liking. ‘Film,’ in its current, common use, seems to imply superiority over the other. I liken it to the jargon thrown around in various industries. My own educational experiences yielded many similar examples, most glaring of which is the design industry’s preference for the term ‘typeface’ over ‘font.’ People using the latter were often corrected and occasionally perceived as amateurs. ‘Film’ conjures up similar feelings of elitism. These terms seem to be used in a way that attempts to legitimize taking the time to discuss them. </TANGENT>

I enjoyed the way the movie explored the darker side of heroes and humanity. Oddly enough, I found a similar theme in another movie the other night: The Incredibles. The heroes in that story were also shut down by the government and forced into hiding, living mundane lives as seemingly ordinary people. However, being a Disney flick, their return to glory had a bit happier ending.

A friend asked me after originally seeing Watchmen what I thought of it as a person who had not read the graphic novel [the ill-informed might have called it a comic book; perhaps I should have]. I told him that I liked the great detail that was given to each character and, because it was well done, didn’t mind the length of the show (a long 162 minutes). It would have been very easy to cut the movie down to a more common length by eliminating much of the detail and sticking to a linear plot line, but it wouldn’t have had the same impact.

I didn’t set out writing this post with any great purpose other than to say I liked Watchmen. That said, I would highly recommend this movie.

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