Movie Review: The Dark Knight Rises

I am about a week late in getting this post up.  Last weekend, J and I had the rare opportunity to go out on a date.  The traditional dinner and a movie.  Ah, bliss.

We have both been eagerly awaiting this final installment of Christopher Nolan's "Dark Knight Trilogy", as we were both big fans of the first two films.  When I lined a babysitter up for the film's opening weekend, I was positively giddy.  (No, seriously.  I was.)

I had read a few reviews of the film before seeing it, and was surprised to see that they weren't glowing.  In fact, I read that Rotten Tomatoes temporarily shut down its commenting capability after receiving much hate and vitriol following their less-than-favorable review.  Yikes.  I was sad to read that this movie may not be the best thing ever, but tried to keep an open mind anyway.  After all, I'm a fan.

Folks, I have to say...the reviewers got it wrong.

This movie was fantastic.  It was one of the rare occasions where during the entirety of the 2 hour and 45 minute film, I never once looked at my watch to check the time.  I was engrossed.

For me, there were a few highlights:

Bane: He was S.C.A.R.Y.  This character was so menacing.  And throughout the film, I wondered who the actor was that played the part, because I had no idea.  I couldn't separate the character from the man.  I figured that this meant the actor was an unknown to me.  I couldn't believe it when I looked it up after the film and saw that it was Tom Hardy.  Well done, sir.

Selina Kyle: I admit that when I first read that Anne Hathaway was to play Catwoman in this film, I was more than a little skeptical.  In my mind, she is pure "Princess Diaries."  But turns out, she can play a bad ass with the best of them.

But best of all, the story: Oh, the story.  And I don't just mean the plot of this film.  Christopher Nolan truly told a story across the three films.  And the best part about this is that you didn't see it happening.  It wasn't until the movie ended that you saw how all of the pieces fit into place.  It may sound corny to say this about a comic book movie, but that kind of storytelling takes real talent.

So if you haven't already guessed, I give this movie an A+.  I tried to find the plot holes that I had read about in reviews, but I couldn't.  I tried to think of a time when the movie was dragging, but I couldn't.  I tried to find a flaw, but I really couldn't.

If you enjoyed "Batman Begins" and "The Dark Knight", you must go see this movie immediately.

Well This Isn't What I Expected

I've had a crappy start to my days as a homemaker.

The first week felt like a track out.  I was busy around the house getting ready for vacation.  Week two then, of course, was vacation.  Since we've returned, we've had a few days or normalcy, followed by many days of sickness.  Boo.

In those precious few days in between vacation and the sickies, I managed to take the nugget on one fun outing, to Toddler Story Time at our local library.  I look forward to more trips like that one.

I also look forward to the days when my house is actually clean, daily activities are planned for the boy, and dinner is on the table when hubby gets home.

Hey, a girl can dream, right?

Bump Watch: Week 15

15 Weeks: Not too much new to report this week.  My morning sickness has begun to taper off.  It's not gone- every time I think that, she rears her ugly head- but it has significantly lessened.  Most days now I get solid chunks of time feeling good.

The body does absolutely amazing things during pregnancy.  For instance, did you know that a woman's immune system kicks into low gear during pregnancy in order to stop the body from rejecting or attacking the baby that is growing within?  Yes, well, now you know.  And thanks to this awesomeness, I have caught the crud from Gabe.  Boo.  So I traded in my morning sickness for some upper respiratory funk.  I blame this for my current energy zap.  Hoping this virus moves quickly and I can begin to really enjoy my second trimester!

In baby news this week- baby is getting big!  (That orange isn't too tiny, huh?)  Yesterday was the first day I looked down at my belly and felt like I actually looked pregnant.  According to all of the baby websites, the growing bean is just wiggling away in there.  I was telling J last night how I am sure that there have been several times that I've felt some movement, but I am looking forward to feeling distinct bumps and kicks.  Last time, I started getting bumped at 18 weeks, so it shouldn't be too much longer now!  


I have my next regular OB appointment on Wednesday.  Looking forward to hearing that heartbeat again, and scheduling my next ultrasound!  Really can't wait to get confirmation of this little one's sex.  I've got planning to do!

Bump Watch: Weeks 13 and 14

Sorry for the delay- vacation one week, sick baby the next!  What's a blogger to do?

13 Weeks- Vacation week.  I kept myself seriously drugged up in order to be the most pleasant me I could be, and also try to enjoy vacation.  I slept marvelously all week, and got to sleep in past 8:00 every day.  It was magical, and it did wonders for my psyche.  I was sick, but only in the mornings, and only a few of the days.  Overall, BIG improvement from weeks prior.  I got creative with my wardrobe this week.  I am starting to bump out just a bit, to the point where I'm in between clothes.  My maternity wear is still too big, but my regular shorts are too snug.  So I broke out the belly band, which I somehow never quite managed to get the hang of last time, but I am totally digging this time.  Summer wardrobe success!

14 Weeks- HELLLOOOO second trimester!  And HALLELUJAH.  It seems as though morning sickness is finally easing up.  I have cut way back on my meds, and have had a few days where I felt- GASP!- normal.  I had almost forgotten what my normal self felt like.  I've missed her.  We had an appointment with the perinatologist this week for our first trimester screening.  This is a combination detailed ultrasound and blood test to determine baby's risk for several genetic disorders, including Down's Syndrome and Trisomy 13 and 18.  All results came back in the normal range.  It was such fun to get a peek at baby, who is no longer a bean, but a real live tiny person now!  A VERY ACTIVE tiny person, doing flips and turns, moving arms and legs, stretching and rolling the whole time.  Extremely cool to see.  (Also to feel- I am definitely feeling early flutters from time to time.)  We also got a guess as to baby's sex, but I think I'll keep you all in suspense until we have this verified at the 18-20 week mark.  ;)  I will, however, share baby's latest photo.    

Vacation!

I'm here!  I'm here!

I know I just dropped the big baby bomb, and then disappeared.  But 'twas for good reason,  dear readers...vacation.

We so look forward to this time every year.  My parents always rent a nice house somewhere fun, and we all gather there for a week of rest.  This year we gathered on Lake Gaston, which was a departure from our usual oceanfront style, but fun nonetheless.

The nugget certainly enjoyed himself.

He tried his first powdered donuts.  Umm...I'd say he enjoyed them.

He took walks with Grammy.  He liked to sit on the steps and put his toes in the water.

He preferred to splash in a bucket.  All that lake was just a little too much for him!

He took some time to read a few magazines...

And catch up on his favorite shows.

He also learned how to climb backwards down the stairs.  Hooray!

And really, there was a  lot of splashing.

But at the end of the day, nothing beats a good book.

Our weather was mostly dreary, but we made the best of it.  It was a lovely week away from it all!

Bump Watch: The Beginning

Well folks, now you know why my blogging has been sporadic, at best.  I've been super nauseous and tired, and pretty preoccupied with not spilling the beans until we were ready!  (Also, preoccupied with being nauseous and tired.)  I promise to pick up the pace as soon as I am able.  In the meantime, I'll keep you all updated with baby news each week!  Thanks for hanging in there with me!

4 Weeks- I am over the moon to find out that we're adding to our little family.  I'm having trouble eating and sleeping, due to my crazy excitement and racing mind.  Boy or girl?  Name?  Nursery?  How far along will I be for event A, B, C?  How will I keep this a secret until we feel ready to spill the beans?  I'm working hard on quieting my mind as I get used to the idea of growing another baby Anderson.  And also hoping beyond hope that morning sickness doesn't find me this time- or, at least, takes it a little easier on me than she did last go round.

5 Weeks- TIME. IS. TICKING. BY. SO. SLOWLY.  This is the hardest part of pregnancy.  J and I haven't yet told anyone that we are expecting.  Last time, I was so excited that I blurted it out to the whole world right away.  I literally just couldn't hold the words in my mouth.  This time, of course we are just as excited.  But last time, after I opened my big mouth, I felt very uneasy. I regretted telling so many people so soon.  So this time, we are keeping it under our hats for awhile.  At least until after our first appointment, which isn't until JUNE 7th.  I've made it through one week- only three more to go!  It feels like an eternity.  I just can't wait to see the flicker of a heartbeat on that screen to put my mind at ease.  Because for now, instead of enjoying feeling good, I'm fretting that the lack of symptoms means something is wrong in there.  Yes, I know that most women don't experience too much morning sickness until between 6-8 weeks, but that doesn't stop the fretting.  I'm a fretter.  What was that I was saying just last week about hoping morning sickness didn't show this time?  Well, I take it back.  She could rear her ugly head right about now, but then quickly disappear after I get a glimpse at the bean.  Yeah, that would be perfect.  

6 Weeks- No longer fretting.  Morning sickness is here.  I pretty much feel like I'm about to barf, all day, every day, all.of.the.time.  J and I have a tiny fear of twins, since last go round, I didn't feel this sick until the 8-10 week mark.  Of course, the earlier onset of the sickies may just be because this isn't my body's first time to this particular rodeo.  Or maybe it's because we're having a girl.  Or maybe it's because my hormones are flowing a little more freely.  Maybe it's just because.  Time will tell!  And speaking of time...it seems to have resumed its normal pace.  (Which is nice, seeing as how my countdown to the last day of school was really creeping these past two weeks.  I'm down to 25 days, and they can go ahead and fly by now.)  Really looking forward to my appointment in two weeks!

7 Weeks- Morning sickness (er, all day sickness) is the name of the game this week.  J has started showing me pictures of me holding a teeny tiny minutes old Gabe on my chest to remind me what this is all about.  And it usually works!  At least until the next wave of nausea hits.  So, you know, I get a solid 30 seconds of peace.  Mood swings are also in full effect.  My poor husband.  He is fearful of "the rage."  Sometimes it just hits me, and usually about the dumbest things.  Driving seems to be the worst- I have ZERO patience for idiot drivers.  Luckily I still have (some) patience for my child.  He's cute.  Now if I could just get him to stop using me as a jungle gym, we'd be good.

8 Weeks- Oi.  I'm officially down 5 pounds from my pre-pregnancy weight.  That should pretty much sum up how I've been feeling.  We made a visit to the emergency room last weekend.  I was having some pretty severe and persistent abdominal pain (always on a weekend!) that  I thought warranted a check.  I was afraid of appendicitis or ectopic pregnancy.  Luckily, it was neither of those things.  Merely a perfect storm of pregnancy related issues.  You know, awesome things like gas and constipation, stretching and pulling and growing muscles and ligaments, and soreness from all of the serious heaving I've been doing.  I felt a little silly afterward, as I am most certainly not one to rush to the hospital on a whim, but I was glad to have a little reassurance.  There was a bean in there, in its perfect spot, measuring exactly on schedule, with its itsy bitsy heart beating 167 beats per minute.  Whew.  Now that we know things are progressing as they should be, we are excited to let our families and friends in on the big news this week!

Baby's First Picture

9 Weeks- I have perfected the perfect medicinal cocktail to keep my nausea at bay.  Unfortunately, the doc recommends not taking the magic pill every night, but instead on an "as needed" basis.  Well, I've decided that it's NEEDED at least every few days.  So the bright side is, I am getting a little relief a few days a week.  And it's nice.  I've started to really settle into the idea of a healthy pregnancy, as it's clear that all is well with the hormones based on the morning (noon and night) sickness.  This was the week where I lost the ability to comfortably sleep on my stomach (sad face!) and I also started with the crazy dreams.  Last night, they were all about zombies.  And every time I'd awaken from a scary zombie dream, I'd find that I had turned over onto my stomach, and was wildly uncomfortable.  So I'd flip back onto my back and continue with the zombies, until somewhere in my subconscious the zombies and stomach sleeping became intertwined, and I dreamed that stomach sleeping induced zombie attacks.  So apparently if I can't manage to stay on my back, the apocalypse is on.  You've been warned.   

10 weeks- If I haven't barfed, it must be a day that doesn't end with a 'y'.  The end.

11 weeks- This week, I've tried to find my positive attitude.  I am growing a tiny little miracle.  All of the sickness will be worth it when we get to bring home a new little bundle of joy.  This too shall pass.  'Tis my motto for the last few remaining weeks of this dreadful trimester.  Also, the fun stuff is starting to happen!  They say everything happens more quickly with your second pregnancy, and I think I'm finding this to be true.  My belly has popped out the tiniest bit.  I'm starting to look a little pregnant.  And I maybe, maybe, maybe felt my first movement yesterday.  This seems really early, so I'm not positive that it wasn't just gas.  But I am definitely hyper-aware of what's going on in there, and I'm waiting patiently for another little bump.  That is the part of pregnancy that I really love.

12 weeks- Well, it's now Facebook official.  That means I'm really pregnant, and it hasn't all been in my head.  I just left my 12 week appointment, and the babe has a nice strong heart rate of 150 beats per minute.  It's always so wonderful to hear that whoosh whoosh whoosh coming from the doppler machine.  In other appointment news, the doctor was concerned about the severity of my morning sickness, which has caused a ten pound weight loss thus far.  SO, she has prescribed a medicinal cocktail for me to try, as at this point she'd rather have me taking some drugs than end up in the hospital due to dehydration.  (Yes folks, sometimes I can't even manage to keep water down.)  Fingers crossed that this will be magic, that I'll feel better, and that in a few short weeks, the worst will have passed and I can carry on with life as normal!

Excitement, Confusion, Hope, Joy

Remember back when I wrote this post?

J and I had decided that we were ready to start a family, and things weren't happening for us quite as quickly as we'd hoped.  Visits to the doctor showed that both J and I were working with minor fertility issues, that together combined to form a bigger issue.  Just when we were at the point of trying some interventions, we found out that a tiny nugget was growing in my belly.  Joy.

At my initial OB appointment, we went over all of the recent test results, the doc telling us that we were so lucky to have conceived a healthy bean with a strong heartbeat, all on our own.  But that next time, there was a little bit of help she could give us to ease the process along.  This was even discussed at several appointments after Gabe's birth.

Fast forward to sometime after my boy's first year-

While at my annual lady exam, I spoke with a different doc (my regular is out on an extended medical leave- boo) about this same issue.  And she looked at me like I was a crazy person.

According to her, all of my test results way back when were normal.  Most definitely on the low end of normal, but normal nonetheless.  And yes, J was working with an issue, but one so minor that it most likely would have little, if any, effect on our chances of conceiving.

Whoa.  Say what, now?  What I'm hearing is that we are classified as a normally fertile couple?

Instant mind shift.  All this time, we thought we had issues to overcome.  But now we're being told that we're- gasp!- normal?  It was nice to know that when the time came, hopefully we'd be able to conceive lickety split.

Then the back and forth started.  One doctor said she'd offer help.  Another doctor said we didn't need it.  In either case, we're borderline.  Ick.  Were we incredibly lucky to get pregnant in only ten months?  Or did it just take us on the longer end of normal to conceive?  What to do?

Well, give it the old college try, that's what.

Have you guessed where I'm going with this?

Doctor number two was correct.  (And she also figured out why doc number one thought we had a problem, but that's another story for another day.  Mistakes happen.)  We're a-okay.  And I know this for a fact, because- you guessed it- we're expecting an addition to the family to ring in the new year.

Baby Anderson #2
Due 1.17.13