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Here is my little Charlotte at 7 months. I am falling more in love with her each day. So, I haven't posted here in a while. I've been super busy and facebook is a bit more functional and there is less talking with facebook (something I try to avoid doing on-line). Things are going well for us. I am applying to grad school this month (the Institute of Christian Studies in Toronto) and I started a course on John Milton's Paradise Lost today. Prairie (bless their hearts) asked me to teach Medieval Philosophy next semester, so I am trying to start preparing for that. We just moved to a nice Prairie house and are enjoying having a backyard. Our summer went well. We went camping on the San Juan Islands with Erin's family and we went out to see my brother James and his wife Nikki in Abbotsford. My brother, Josh Richardson, and I went and saw Radiohead last month (see top left picture). It was the best show I've ever seen! I am reading a lot of Emmanuel Levinas lately and getting into selfhood and ethics. Anyway, just thought I would provide a quick update. I hope everyone is doing well! | | |
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Charlotte Nicole was born on Saturday at 7:13 p.m. She was 19 inches long and weighed 6 pounds and 2.5 ounces. She has tons of really dark hair. We are home now from the hospital. We were there for 5 days! Erin definitely went through a lot that day (January 19, 2008). She was induced, she received an epidural, a spinal, she pushed for 2 hours, and then the doctors told us Erin would need a C-section. Needless to say, Erin is really sore and in a lot of pain. I keep reminding her that she did so well and that it was worth it because we have a beautiful daughter now! Charlotte is starting to sleep better. She slept for 6 hours last night! The doctors tell us she is healthy, which is awesome. Erin's parents are here and they are helping us out lots with the baby, cooking food, and helping Erin. We are a happy family! | | |
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Maria, Erin and I just finished watching the movie Reign Over Me. It is a thought-provoking film about an old friend attempting to help his friend, who lost his whole family in an airplane crash (9/11), process his grief. They both end up helping each other (we are all in need of loving friends). The movie depicts an element that often does not exist in relationships, namely, patience. Often family members and friends of those who have lost loved ones expect them to overcome their sorrow quickly. And in some cases people end up in psychiatric institutions as a result of not being able to do just that. Anyway, Erin and I put together our crib today! Got to get ready they say! Don’t know the time or day, best be getting prepared! Today was a cleaning and organizing day as I arrived home from Montreal late last night. I got to tour around Old Montreal yesterday. I used the subway system, which was fun considering my French is practically non existent (the way to the airport was fun too because my taxi driver couldn’t speak English). I visited the Notre Dame Basilica which was incredibly beautiful, and walked down the cobblestone streets in Old Montreal. This last trip was 13 days long, so I am excited to be home. Now all I have to do is make sure I do my homework instead of reading John Caputo’s new book: What Would Jesus Deconstruct? Erin is feeling pretty uncomfortable these days, but she is hanging in there. The baby is moving around continuously. Looks like she might just break lose any minute now. I can’t wait until she comes! Got to get ready! | | |
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Here is Erin at 26 weeks. I think her belly resembles a squash. Erin has informed me that there are many different types of squash. So I have decided it looks like a pumpkin. For the record, I cannot wait to see my daughter and feel the weight of unworthiness and inadequacy. I cannot wait to hold her in my arms. Anyway, I have been writing and thinking about ethics a lot lately and what it means to authentically love my neighbour and decenter myself for the other, but I am not a big blogger type, I use xanga more as a way of informing friends and the collective whoever that stumble on my page. I appreciate everyone's thoughtfulness (Ashleigh, Hannah, and Steve's posts for example) but I would rather preserve deep conversation for when I meet you on the street. I would rather use the Internet to tell you that Erin and I saw a huge moose by the hospital in Three Hills last week. So, our little girl is moving around lots and enjoys kicking Erin's bladder. Her eyes are now open and she can recognize and distinguish different sounds. I talk and sing to her all the time. Erin finally received her Bachelor of Arts degree two weeks ago. She is excited about not having to do school ever again. Well, this week I start traveling again. I will be joining the Christian College University Fair Tour on Thursday. We are working our way west (Kelowna, Abbotsford, Victoria, etc.). I get to go to Vancouver Island, so that will be nice. Also, I know someone in every city on the tour, so it will be nice to catch up with people like Barry Sommer, Daniel Enns, Jordan Vantol, and Chris Brambleby. Anyway, here is the quote for the day: "For if love is the measure, the only measure of love is love without measure." John D. Caputo | | |
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Here is Erin at 22 weeks. I can't hug Erin without bumping into baby first. I felt the baby move this last weekend. It was amazing. Erin says she does summersaults in there (restless like the rest of us). I think all she does is sleep and plan her escape. I've started telling her stories and last Friday we took here to her first concert (Mutemath and Pilate). I am convinced she is going to be a poet or musician or a philosopher. Erin says she will be girly and play with dolls and that I need to love her selflessly (even if she doesn't become my little poet, etc.). | | |
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