Ironically, I'm a little bit awesome at going through childbirth without meds, but I'm a complete baby when it comes to dealing with the excruciating condition of having a cold. I think Raleigh's final words in this clip kind of sum it up: That little Tenenbaums reference was for my big brother who HATES Tenenbaum references. Just a little sibling banter. Cute, right? First Benjamin got … [Read more...]
A Dinosaur Birthday
Ever since his farm-themed two year birthday party ended, Benjamin has been telling me that he wanted a dinosaur birthday when he turned three. "Well, you shall have it, my love," I told him. Daniel's parents picked out some pretty fantastic decor and our Little Bear dressed like the paleontologist he is with his special dinosaur fossil digging hat. I told him that he could invite whoever … [Read more...]
January 2012 Reads
Now that we're really settled into life with two kids, my sleep-deprived mind is getting back into the swing of reading for pleasure. In January I finally finished Cranford by Elizabeth Gaskell. It was a beautiful clothbound Penguin edition, see? I am more than mildly obsessed with these Penguin editions and my wonderful in-laws gifted me several for my birthday last year. Can't imagine a … [Read more...]
10 Books You Must Read to Your Son
After 10 Books You Must Read to Your Daughter, I thought the boys were getting rather left out. Having never been a boy, this list didn't come as naturally. But, being the mother of a boy it seems equally important. Basically, I want my son to be a confident, thoughtful, compassionate, strong-minded, and virtuous man like Mr. Knightley, not a weak, desire-driven, selfish cad like Willoughby. So … [Read more...]
10 Books You Must Read to Your Daughter (Or How to Keep Your Daughter From Ending Up Like That Horrid Girl in Twilight)
So now we have a baby daughter. Look how she slumbers. She doesn’t even know that I stay up at night worrying about her self-image. And, oh horrors! What if someday she wants to read Stephanie Meyer’s literary atrocity, the Twilight series? You know the one, the books featuring a non-descript female protagonist who, in addition to having no interests or talents of any kind (other than smelling … [Read more...]
Ten Children’s Lit Titles on the Shelves of Downton Abbey Nursery
Guest Post today from the lovely Katherine Grimm Bowers! Katherine and her entire extended family of Bowerses and Grimms are favorites in the Stewart household. I begged Katherine, a fellow bookworm and a library studies expertlady, to come up with a little piece for Carrots for Michaelmas and she created something that combines some of my very favorite things: Edwardian Children's Lit and Dame … [Read more...]
Books I Read in 2011
So, I'm always inspired by Katherine's end-of-the-year reading list. Katherine is my childhood friend John's high school sweetheart wife and now a very dear friend as well. If I had my way, John and Katherine would be our next door neighbors and Katherine's sister Beca would live on the other side. Unfortunately, they all currently live in the freezing tundra of the Northeast and I have to pine … [Read more...]
Advent/Christmas Books and Music
Since Benjamin was born I've tried to collect books and music that are special for Advent and Christmas. My mom was always very intentional about Advent even though my parents are Protestant and we always listened to special music and had an Advent wreath. Here are some of our favorites: MUSIC Handel's Messiah: This is the music that I remember listening to the most during Advent and … [Read more...]
Saturday Morning Date With My Lucygirl
I took this little lady on a coffee date this morning and snuggled her while drinking my cafe con leche and reading the third and final Kristin Lavransdatter book. What a great trilogy! Lucybird's sweater was knit by a beautiful and precious friend in Texas. It was made for Benjamin but I think it looks better on a girl. The buttons are turtles! How cute is that!? These days, I'm also … [Read more...]
Birthday and Settling on a Baby Name!
I'm awake at 4am with a little pregnancy insomnia, that pregnancy refluxy feeling, and after being awakened by what sounds like a crazy party at our backyard neighbors house (3:30 am...on a THURSDAY morning, people?!). But it's my birthday! 26! AND I get to share it with Our Lady because September 8th is the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin. Last night Daniel's family completely spoiled me with … [Read more...]
