No more sneaking around the dorms

It looks like South Dakota State University officials finally decided to allow students to do what they've been doing all along.  When I was up at State -- many moons ago -- there were ALWAYS members of the opposite sex staying in their girlfriends' and boyfriends' rooms.  Anyone who thinks that most of these kids are studying together is pretty naive.  Sexual experimentation is just a part of college.  If they had this policy during my years in the dorm, I would have been requesting a transfer to Young Hall.

--SSWW

To be or not to be ...

To be, or not to be: that is the question:
Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles,
And by opposing end them?

Hamlet could have been talking about blogging. It's been awhile since I've scraped the fly-covered cobwebs from the creative sector of my brain in order to write something relevant. Surrounded by the daily images of Elmo, Blue, and Wubzy can turn any gray matter into a more gelatinous mess. Between breastfeeding Baby #2 and making sure Baby #1 -- now my two-year-old toddler -- doesn't drop to a tragic death from the couch has been my daily endeavor. But, it is time for the ole' genius to shine. Or at least to dream through the currents of the blogosphere? Perhaps that would be my rub.

--SSWW

Today's bit of idiocy: Proper English?

When you think about the English culture -- and I mean Britain, not the language -- you either get two images: the prim and proper upper class or the soccer fan with the foul mouth. But, now I'm really questioning the English language and why Brits have such horrid tastes in names. Yikes! Read and be amused.

--SSWW

He must be a red head!

Baby #2. Hmmm. He's beginning to make me groan with aches and pains within my abdominal cavity. This pregnancy -- in comparison to #1 -- has been filled with complications. First the unbelievable morning sickness. Then the acid reflux from hell. And, now uterine contractions and cramping that have led to modified bedrest and some medication that makes me way too jittery to even ponder sleeping.

As soon as he pops out and is presented to me for the first time, I'm willing to bet that he's got a crop of red hair on his little head and the temperament to match!

--SSWW

Music to baby's ears

It didn't take me very long to realize that our first born loved music. His first cry sounded more like a soft musical mew rather than the raspy scream you often see on TV. Natural mothering instincts kicked in right away for me: BD cried and I sang without even thinking. "Jesus Loves Me" and "Going to the Chapel" were the first songs that came to mind when I tried to sooth him. Momma's voice ended most crying episodes and the "yeah, yeah, yeah" line of the aforementioned oldies song brought smiles to his precious little face.

When BD started beating on a little drum that we bought for his first Christmas, there was no question that he had a knack for rhythm. He was soon clapping along with his favorite theme songs in perfect time. He would sing in the bathtub, trying to echo my high-pitched melodies. Now, he composes little ditties on his musical keyboard with deep analysis and careful fingers. He's not the type that will smash all of the keys at one time just to make noise.

BD has his favorite music too. He tolerates my love of Bon Jovi or maybe humors me (like his father does) and seems to like country music. Classical seems to be his favorite and that causes me great delight and he loves high soprano operatic singing. He dislikes quite a bit of '80s music (unless it is a hair band played at a lower listening level) and hasn't grown too fond of the blues yet. I've got a feeling that off-beat jazz is going to confuse him.

But, what really gets me is that he has an innate distrust and fear of more haunting music or that which is meant to bring about fearful undertones. I can't watch Phantom of the Opera with him, he starts screaming when the pipe organ kicks in with the famous theme and commercials for scary movies also make him cry.

Infants have more smarts than we realize.

--SSWW