I just finished watching the 2005 version of Pride and Prejudice with Kiera Knightly. And my opinion of it, while never anything but slightly negative, is now most definitely not a good one.
Whilst trying not to be prejudiced, I cannot help but compare it to the book. As far as I am concerned, there are certain things you must do in order to remain true to Miss Austen and her beloved manuscript.
Women with sleeveless gowns, while not completely unheard of, was not the norm.
Men coming into unmarried women's rooms, while unchaperoned, and at night...the horror.
Hair being let down and unbound, by a grown woman in public....
All the family ALWAYS listening at the doors....
Collins learned how to dance??
Georgiana appearing excited and hyper, instead of reserved and shy....
A bust of Darcy instead of a painting...
Mr. Bingley coming to see Jane in her room while she was sick...
Collins appearing somewhat sweet with that darn flower....
Lady Catherine arriving in the middle of the night....
And the Gardiner's did not seem all that gentile to me....
Collins announcing his "meeting" with Elizabeth in front of everyone....
Darcy's first proposal to Elizabeth out of doors...I suppose I can allow for some "artistic license" if only they had not screwed up the actual proposal.
And did I miss a big part of the movie, or was Wickham abundantly absent? Last I read, George Wickham was a very important and key part of the plot.
Perhaps Deborah Moggach and Emma Thompson were writing a screenplay based on what they thought Jane Austen SHOULD have written. Make Charlotte a bit more openly hostile with Elizabeth about her engagement to Collins. Most people with large families are rude and therefore will be eavesdropping busybodies by nature, even ones portrayed by Miss Austen as kind and sweet (i.e. Jane Bennet). Didn't Miss Austen know that the outdoors, rain, and early morning dew make for excellent shots of "will you be my...?"
I understand that they tried to turn a novel into a 2 hour movie, and it was necessary to skip some parts or merge some together. But just outright screwing them up is a completely different story. Do I really think Mr. Darcy would have approached Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner whom he had not been introduced to, and invited them to dinner, without Elizabeth present? No...I do not. His manners, while frosty and reserved, were impeccable. Look how upset he became with Mr. Collins when Collins had the audacity to introduce himself to Darcy.
I have to say I was fine with skipping a wedding scene, and just making up their own ending. Fine. That's perfectly all right. Just don't mess with the original. And stick to what would have occurred due to propriety, etiquette, and form in the Regency period.
May 24, 2008
In Sickness and In Health
I suppose this goes for children as well as spouses. For no matter how sick my husband gets OR my little one gets, I am there to hold, to care for. And poor little Charlie is sick. He has finally stopped the diarrhea, but the mucusy cough is still present. Poor baby. It's bad enough as an adult to have that grossness in your throat, because at least WE can cough it up. He doesn't know what to do with it.
But, I suppose the biggest indicator that Charlie is sick is his sleeping. Amazingly, he is sleeping for an hour at a time or longer during the day. Today, one nap was over 2 hours! This from the little boy who only needs 30-45 minutes at a time.
However, now that Charlie has learned to roll over from his back to his tummy, his night sleeping has been less than stellar, since he thinks that the first thing to do when you lay him down is to flip over. I would have no problem with that, but Charlie does not then flip himself back over once he realizes that he is quite unhappy on his tummy. If he exerted as much energy to trying to get back to his back, as he did to crying, he would be back over in no time. Alas, as is the nature of our spirited child, that is not the case, and we listen to him cry for long periods at night.
And speaking of sleep, Jason and I just remarked to each other today, that we found it amusing how now the idea of getting to sleep to 7am is something we wish for. How different our lives are. We feel it's important that Charlie fit into our schedule, while giving him what he needs. He needs his naps and his early bedtime, but we need to still run errands, and we like to go out to eat. So we work around his schedule, without being a slave to it. It's demanding, and tough, but necessary. After all, he's our child and therefore, our life.
The "our" now is three, and despite contrary belief, three does not make a third wheel, and instead completes our circle.
But, I suppose the biggest indicator that Charlie is sick is his sleeping. Amazingly, he is sleeping for an hour at a time or longer during the day. Today, one nap was over 2 hours! This from the little boy who only needs 30-45 minutes at a time.
However, now that Charlie has learned to roll over from his back to his tummy, his night sleeping has been less than stellar, since he thinks that the first thing to do when you lay him down is to flip over. I would have no problem with that, but Charlie does not then flip himself back over once he realizes that he is quite unhappy on his tummy. If he exerted as much energy to trying to get back to his back, as he did to crying, he would be back over in no time. Alas, as is the nature of our spirited child, that is not the case, and we listen to him cry for long periods at night.
And speaking of sleep, Jason and I just remarked to each other today, that we found it amusing how now the idea of getting to sleep to 7am is something we wish for. How different our lives are. We feel it's important that Charlie fit into our schedule, while giving him what he needs. He needs his naps and his early bedtime, but we need to still run errands, and we like to go out to eat. So we work around his schedule, without being a slave to it. It's demanding, and tough, but necessary. After all, he's our child and therefore, our life.
The "our" now is three, and despite contrary belief, three does not make a third wheel, and instead completes our circle.
Charlie Laughing
So Jason and I have heard Charlie "chuckle" a few things, but never an outright giggle. But yesterday evening, when Jason got home from work, he played peek-a-boo with Charlie using the burp cloth, and Charlie laughed. I quickly got the camera, and the video is on Charlie's blog. It's so precious. We hope to compile more "giggle" clips, and make one big video.
Jason was a very proud daddy to have made Charlie laugh before I could. But he says that daddy's are just funnier than momma's. I have to agree.
Elizabeth
Jason was a very proud daddy to have made Charlie laugh before I could. But he says that daddy's are just funnier than momma's. I have to agree.
Elizabeth
May 15, 2008
Fauxhawk "faux" life!
Jason and I have limited time (and energy) to watch TV. However, we do have 2 programs we watch with consistency. Lost on ABC and Top Chef on Bravo. I know, I know. It's hard to imagine Jason watching Top Chef, but I promise you, he does. And he likes it.
We have our ideas of who will be in the top two. I am a believer in Richard and Stephanie. I think Jason believes Richard and Dale. We were surprised that Lisa made it off the chopping block once again, and that Spike was such a jerk. I wanted Stephanie to win the elimination challenge, but the judges seem to really like Dale, and I think show him preference.
Regardless, we both are major fans of Richard Blais...and to show our support, we give Charlie a fauxhawk every night, just like Richard's. We are going to find some pink crocs for Charlie and maybe a white chef jacket. Charlie is going to root Richard all the way to the end!!!
We have our ideas of who will be in the top two. I am a believer in Richard and Stephanie. I think Jason believes Richard and Dale. We were surprised that Lisa made it off the chopping block once again, and that Spike was such a jerk. I wanted Stephanie to win the elimination challenge, but the judges seem to really like Dale, and I think show him preference.
Regardless, we both are major fans of Richard Blais...and to show our support, we give Charlie a fauxhawk every night, just like Richard's. We are going to find some pink crocs for Charlie and maybe a white chef jacket. Charlie is going to root Richard all the way to the end!!!
May 10, 2008
2 Sets are Better Than 1!
It really is true that 2 sets of hands are better than 1. Yesterday, Jason and I took Charlie into his pediatrician's for his 4 month well baby visit. This is one of the appointments where the nurse asks a bunch of developmental questions (can he roll over, is he grasping at items, can he track a toy, etc.), and Charlie gets weighed and measured for length and head circumference. And the big part--the SHOTS...Cue in the scary music.
At Charlie's 2 month appointment (same as 4 month, just a younger baby), I was alone. And talk about difficult. It was hard to focus on answering the nurse's questions while I was undressing Charlie, and then holding him and keeping him entertained while the doctor says, "So, do you have any questions for me?" Uhhhh...I was holding a screaming naked baby, wracking my brain for:
1) why was Charlie screaming?
2) would it be ok to ask the doctor, why is Charlie screaming?
3) how do I make Charlie stop screaming?
4) ways to feel cool, composed, and a like a mom from a "Friends" episode, and not a mom from a "Super Nanny" episode
Questions? Questions? I was supposed to come armed with questions? Didn't the doctor have the answers? Wasn't he supposed to assess my child and tell me what I was doing right, wrong, and what to do better? And by the way, wasn't it obvious what my question was?
Now, I need to state, that I love Charlie's pediatrician. Dr. Flanzbaum is awesome. Truly. He's down to earth, and truthfully, he reminds me a combination of my 2 favorite pediatricians as a child, Dr. Farish and Dr. Davis. He gives recommendations, and his opinions, but does listen to what I have to say, and what I think. That is, when I can think of something to say.
Fast forward 2 months. With Jason assisting (remember, as Hannah would say "Mommy's the queen and Daddy's the helper), I felt like a cool collected mom, perhaps Miranda from Sex and the City, minus the good shoes and handbag?
We could easily tag team with Charlie...Jason undressed him while I answered the nurse's questions. I entertained him while Jason held him. I bounced him on my lap while Jason dove for flying projectile pacis.
And this time, when Dr. Flanzbaum asked if I had any questions...I knew what to say. No. And not because I was more worried about Charlie puking on my shirt than finding a moment to think of pertinent questions.
And speaking of 2 sets...2 sets of brains are better than 1 as well. When you a new addition to your family, you have to start thinking of things like whether to use cloth or disposable diapers, sleep schedules, and vaccinations. It's really scary all the decisions you have to start making.
I am putting Charlie on an alternative schedule for vaccinations, which just basically means that he gets his shots not all at the same time. So instead getting DTaP, Polio, HepB, HIB, Pneumococcal, and Rotavirus all at once, we will be spacing these out over a period of time. I am late in starting the schedule, so at 2 months, he DID get all of those, but at 4 months, I elected to only have him get the DTaP and Rotavirus. At 5 months, I will take him back in for Pneumo and HIB. And the list continues....
Don't get me wrong, I think vaccinations are necessary, and I fully believe in immunizations. However, there is nothing wrong with prudence and precaution. Dr. Sears, who wrote the book, The Vaccine Book: Making the Right Decision for Your Child, gives several good reasons about chemical exposure, aluminum exposure, and limiting to 2 vaccines at a time to limit possible side effects. He has several other good reasons, but mainly, I figure, it can't hurt to spread them out. I will most likely skip the chickenpox vaccine though.
So, our little guy got the 2 vaccinations, and screamed bloody murder throughout the shot and afterwards, but came home and slept 40 minutes in his swing. And then, he was a happy camper. That just makes everything better!
Charlie Stats @ 4 months:
Weight: 14 lb, 1 oz
Height/Length: 25 inches
Head Circumference: 42 cm
At Charlie's 2 month appointment (same as 4 month, just a younger baby), I was alone. And talk about difficult. It was hard to focus on answering the nurse's questions while I was undressing Charlie, and then holding him and keeping him entertained while the doctor says, "So, do you have any questions for me?" Uhhhh...I was holding a screaming naked baby, wracking my brain for:
1) why was Charlie screaming?
2) would it be ok to ask the doctor, why is Charlie screaming?
3) how do I make Charlie stop screaming?
4) ways to feel cool, composed, and a like a mom from a "Friends" episode, and not a mom from a "Super Nanny" episode
Questions? Questions? I was supposed to come armed with questions? Didn't the doctor have the answers? Wasn't he supposed to assess my child and tell me what I was doing right, wrong, and what to do better? And by the way, wasn't it obvious what my question was?
Now, I need to state, that I love Charlie's pediatrician. Dr. Flanzbaum is awesome. Truly. He's down to earth, and truthfully, he reminds me a combination of my 2 favorite pediatricians as a child, Dr. Farish and Dr. Davis. He gives recommendations, and his opinions, but does listen to what I have to say, and what I think. That is, when I can think of something to say.
Fast forward 2 months. With Jason assisting (remember, as Hannah would say "Mommy's the queen and Daddy's the helper), I felt like a cool collected mom, perhaps Miranda from Sex and the City, minus the good shoes and handbag?
We could easily tag team with Charlie...Jason undressed him while I answered the nurse's questions. I entertained him while Jason held him. I bounced him on my lap while Jason dove for flying projectile pacis.
And this time, when Dr. Flanzbaum asked if I had any questions...I knew what to say. No. And not because I was more worried about Charlie puking on my shirt than finding a moment to think of pertinent questions.
And speaking of 2 sets...2 sets of brains are better than 1 as well. When you a new addition to your family, you have to start thinking of things like whether to use cloth or disposable diapers, sleep schedules, and vaccinations. It's really scary all the decisions you have to start making.
I am putting Charlie on an alternative schedule for vaccinations, which just basically means that he gets his shots not all at the same time. So instead getting DTaP, Polio, HepB, HIB, Pneumococcal, and Rotavirus all at once, we will be spacing these out over a period of time. I am late in starting the schedule, so at 2 months, he DID get all of those, but at 4 months, I elected to only have him get the DTaP and Rotavirus. At 5 months, I will take him back in for Pneumo and HIB. And the list continues....
Don't get me wrong, I think vaccinations are necessary, and I fully believe in immunizations. However, there is nothing wrong with prudence and precaution. Dr. Sears, who wrote the book, The Vaccine Book: Making the Right Decision for Your Child, gives several good reasons about chemical exposure, aluminum exposure, and limiting to 2 vaccines at a time to limit possible side effects. He has several other good reasons, but mainly, I figure, it can't hurt to spread them out. I will most likely skip the chickenpox vaccine though.
So, our little guy got the 2 vaccinations, and screamed bloody murder throughout the shot and afterwards, but came home and slept 40 minutes in his swing. And then, he was a happy camper. That just makes everything better!
Charlie Stats @ 4 months:
Weight: 14 lb, 1 oz
Height/Length: 25 inches
Head Circumference: 42 cm
May 9, 2008
Let there be no swaddle...
Well tonight was the night. With much anticipation and fear, Jason and I removed the Miracle Blanket from Charlie's crib, and put him to bed tonight in just his jammies.
As parents of a child who was colicky, it is very scary to give up something that provided calmness to our child, and sanity for ourselves. Even if it was only for a few hours. The bouncy seat was an item I loathed with a passion, yet would have probably murdered someone if they had tried to take it from me. I had a love-hate relationship with an inanimate object because it could provide comfort to my child...something I could not do. How depressing to be a mother who could not calm her own child, yet so thankful to find something that could.
Charlie would not sleep...until we started swaddling him. Then he would break out of regular receiving blankets, even when Jason double wrapped him. Jason scoffed at me buying a special swaddling blanket, and then became close to tears when he saw how Charlie could not break out of it, and how Charlie would actually sleep when he was in the MB. Eventually the blanket did not wrap around Charlie as many times as it used to, and we had to leave his feet and legs out of the pocket because he was too long for it...but still, we plowed on, determined to "not fix what ain't broken."
So after almost 3 months of miracle blanket heaven, bliss has run it's course. Charlie has completely deteriorated this past week, and Jason and I believed it was time to give up our security blanket. Almost fearing putting Charlie to bed, I believe Jason read Charlie an extra book, and then began rocking him. After gently laying him down, Charlie opened his eyes wide, smiled at his Daddy, and began talking. Talking was good, right? Better than crying...But would he actually go to sleep?
After 1o minutes, what we expected to happen, did--Charlie started crying. And for the next 15 minutes it continued. Resigned that this would continue for hours, Jason and I were surprised when it stopped. And he has stayed quiet for the past 2 hours.
We say a small prayer for good sleep for our little man, and for us as well.
As parents of a child who was colicky, it is very scary to give up something that provided calmness to our child, and sanity for ourselves. Even if it was only for a few hours. The bouncy seat was an item I loathed with a passion, yet would have probably murdered someone if they had tried to take it from me. I had a love-hate relationship with an inanimate object because it could provide comfort to my child...something I could not do. How depressing to be a mother who could not calm her own child, yet so thankful to find something that could.
Charlie would not sleep...until we started swaddling him. Then he would break out of regular receiving blankets, even when Jason double wrapped him. Jason scoffed at me buying a special swaddling blanket, and then became close to tears when he saw how Charlie could not break out of it, and how Charlie would actually sleep when he was in the MB. Eventually the blanket did not wrap around Charlie as many times as it used to, and we had to leave his feet and legs out of the pocket because he was too long for it...but still, we plowed on, determined to "not fix what ain't broken."
So after almost 3 months of miracle blanket heaven, bliss has run it's course. Charlie has completely deteriorated this past week, and Jason and I believed it was time to give up our security blanket. Almost fearing putting Charlie to bed, I believe Jason read Charlie an extra book, and then began rocking him. After gently laying him down, Charlie opened his eyes wide, smiled at his Daddy, and began talking. Talking was good, right? Better than crying...But would he actually go to sleep?
After 1o minutes, what we expected to happen, did--Charlie started crying. And for the next 15 minutes it continued. Resigned that this would continue for hours, Jason and I were surprised when it stopped. And he has stayed quiet for the past 2 hours.
We say a small prayer for good sleep for our little man, and for us as well.
One of the last pics taken of Charlie in his miracle blanket, on 4/28/08
Charlie napping today...
Charlie napping today...
May 5, 2008
Keeping up is hard!
Sometimes I feel like I cannot keep up. I know that I have been remiss in my blogging and Charlie's blogging, but I will have both posted by the end of the evening. :)
Work is going well, and I am working with another director on a parent training curriculum/series that I am very excited about. I also will be giving a talk to a group of parents with children with autism at the Livermore National Lab in a few weeks. Hopefully it will be a good resource for the families and a good place to get our name out as well. My kids are great, although I have a couple that are pretty difficult right now. But, you have to keep your chin up, and figure out something!
Charlie is being really good, and has completely changed from the little monster he was a few months ago. He's still my monster, but he is just a happier baby overall. It is like a huge weight off my shoulders. Right now we are struggling with naps, but each day gets better, and I carry around my sleep bible, Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child, and use it to ward off people who think I am crazy for a 6:30-7pm bedtime, and strict nap schedules. Sleep begets sleep...I keep telling them!
Jason and I are still in limbo about the house, and what will happen, as we know it will be foreclosed, and then we have to decide if we will make another offer to the bank for it, or just try to buy something else, or start over looking to rent again. I just try not to think about it, until we really have to. I don't know if that's a poor attitude or not. But it's a survival attitude.
Ok, I am setting a new poll. I want people's opinions on which christening outfit to get Charlie. Outfit A, B, or C. Pictures will be below!!
I guess that's about it for me. Jason is still not sure if he will be going to France this summer or not...Apparently the French are being very "french," as Jason says, about it, and they were supposed to let him know on April 15th. Well, it's May 5th, and he still knows nothing. So, we have no idea.
We are gearing up to have Jason's mom come visit in a few weeks, and then my mom comes out at the end of June, then my sister, then my dad. And then we are planning to go back to SC at the end of September for a week. Tickets have been super cheap, so we are making lots of plans way in advance.
Alrighty everyone!
Take care, and lots of love to each of you!
Elizabeth
Work is going well, and I am working with another director on a parent training curriculum/series that I am very excited about. I also will be giving a talk to a group of parents with children with autism at the Livermore National Lab in a few weeks. Hopefully it will be a good resource for the families and a good place to get our name out as well. My kids are great, although I have a couple that are pretty difficult right now. But, you have to keep your chin up, and figure out something!
Charlie is being really good, and has completely changed from the little monster he was a few months ago. He's still my monster, but he is just a happier baby overall. It is like a huge weight off my shoulders. Right now we are struggling with naps, but each day gets better, and I carry around my sleep bible, Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child, and use it to ward off people who think I am crazy for a 6:30-7pm bedtime, and strict nap schedules. Sleep begets sleep...I keep telling them!
Jason and I are still in limbo about the house, and what will happen, as we know it will be foreclosed, and then we have to decide if we will make another offer to the bank for it, or just try to buy something else, or start over looking to rent again. I just try not to think about it, until we really have to. I don't know if that's a poor attitude or not. But it's a survival attitude.
Ok, I am setting a new poll. I want people's opinions on which christening outfit to get Charlie. Outfit A, B, or C. Pictures will be below!!
I guess that's about it for me. Jason is still not sure if he will be going to France this summer or not...Apparently the French are being very "french," as Jason says, about it, and they were supposed to let him know on April 15th. Well, it's May 5th, and he still knows nothing. So, we have no idea.
We are gearing up to have Jason's mom come visit in a few weeks, and then my mom comes out at the end of June, then my sister, then my dad. And then we are planning to go back to SC at the end of September for a week. Tickets have been super cheap, so we are making lots of plans way in advance.
Alrighty everyone!
Take care, and lots of love to each of you!
Elizabeth
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