Tiger Mother

The Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother is like a five car pileup; you can’t help staring. Amy Chua is a law professor at Yale and a mother of 2. She describes the clash between a stereotypical Eastern and Western styles of parenting.  Her m.o. is “make sure you come in first so that you have something to be humble about.” She does admit a few times she should have loosened the reigns. But at the end of the day she has 2 extremely successful daughters (musical protégés, academic all-stars, culturally informed, disciplined, etc.). I heard recently that her oldest was accepted into Harvard. It’s a pretty thought provoking book and an easy read (which I am particularly drawn to these days).  I will warn you, it will make you feel a little lazy and undisciplined, or it will make you a little proud that you aren’t that uptight! 

Click here to see a link to the book on Amazon

Tiger Mother

Happy Easter

Happy Easter!

Here is a quick recap of our last few days.

Let's describe our weekend as...full of controlled chaos (what's new?!). Friday afternoon, Isaac and I packed up the car with way too much stuff...including James and George (our dog) and headed to visit the family. James was not a happy camper going down or coming home, making the 2+ hour drive seem like forever! A quick stop in Kosciusko to see family and then on to Louisville. For the amount of people, dogs and children (on average 11 kiddos and 2 dogs), it was a fairly uneventful weekend....if you count egg hunts, cookouts, playing outside, games of chase and fetch, attempting to nap, and yummy meals, as uneventful. James looked pretty handsome in his Easter outfit, even with several spit ups (I said he looked good, but I never said he smelled good). We loved seeing so many siblings, cousins, and parents this weekend. What a great way to celebrate such a significant holiday! Isaac and I are enjoying a relaxing, quiet house with James tucked in for what will hopefully be a long night's sleep! Here is a small picture of the weekend.

Ya Ya and Poppy with Winnie

babies everywhere (cousins: Baron, Winnie, and Henry)

James in his Easter best

The Isaac Byrd family photo

Mia and Ella Kate swinging

James

Our biggest life change yet, weighing in at 15 pounds and with a head full of wild blond hair…meet James Roland Byrd. James is 4 ½ months old. He enjoys his bouncy seat, shoving his fist in his mouth, eating oatmeal cereal, sleeping through the night (most nights), a high pitched voice, his toy butterfly, rocking and swinging. While James has presented some challenges both pre- and post birth, he also brings so much pleasure. It is a true delight to watch him discover his world. I’m sure there will be much more on little James to come, but until then…here is a small picture of how much he has changed and grown. Maybe you will begin to get an idea of why this little guy has won a place in our hearts!

 James dressed and ready to leave the hospital. 6 pounds, 7 ounces

 8 weeks old with Ya Ya

 3 months...I can get my toys to my mouth

4 months old and sitting if propped up

I've promised honesty, so I will admit that life with James isn't all smocked outfits and long quiet strolls. He is often a man of extremes. But we do love him in spite of his dynamic personality! Yes, this was taken on the same day...and probably in the same hour.

Dolce Vita

the Byrds

Dolce vita is an Italian phrase meaning “the good life” or “the sweetness of life” (and yes, it is also a show on the Cooking Channel).  Most of my time and focus is spent on the, let’s call them, challenges of my day/week, rather than recognizing and delighting in the blessings and pleasures. I am a realist and a cynic by nature, yet even I cannot ignore the sweetness of life. While I do not consider blogging quite the equivalent of the written word, it must suffice as a means to (or at least an attempt to) document this good life. This sweetness can come in many forms and often goes unnoticed. “Isn’t it funny how day by day nothing changes but when you look back everything is different” (Prince Caspian). So, welcome to an honest and candid glimpse into the good life, and maybe you too will recognize that you are in the catbird seat as well.