Monday, July 2, 2012

some quick takes on a Monday

1 - So the BIG, super duper exciting news (which you've probably already heard) is that the Sheen Foundation will be submitting James' story as the official alleged miracle for Venerable Sheen's beatification.  So a group of experts (doctors and theologians) will review the alleged miracle.  If they can't find any holes in the case they will send it up to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints.  Once that group of Bishops and Cardinals review it they will (hopefully) approve it and send it up to the Pope.  Pope Benedict will then read about my homebirth, James baptism, the trip to the ER, his coming back to life, and all our prayers.  And then he will maybe approve the alleged miracle as a true miracle.  Talk about surreal!

2 - The picure above is from the Chicago Tribune (It was taken by a wonderful freelance photographer named Ben.  Ben hung out at our house for a few hours the other day and true to his word, the stains in my carpet cannot be seen in the picture.) 

You can read the Tribune's article about Sheen and James here.  You can read the article in the New York Times here.  In our opinion the Tribune's article is better.  They summarize much more acurately what happened to James and they don't make me sound like a single mother.

3 - When I read the Times article for the second time I noticed two things:  They don't mention Travis and they refer to me as Ms. Engstrom.  I HATE being called "Ms."  In my (perhaps small and judgemental little) mind that title is appropriate for divorcees and unmarried feminists.  I am neither, and I want my husband to be recognized even if it is through my title of "Mrs."  Being Mrs. Engstrom doesn't make me feel old - it is a title that shows respect for me and my marriage.  End rant.

4 - Jennifer Fulwiler wrote a good piece on Gotye's song Somebody That I Used to Know over at the Register.  She mentions my post, "The wait was well worth it" - which is awesome.  Simcha and Jen, two giants of the Catholic blogosphere, giving me love at the Register. 

5 - Let's go back to that picture for a moment.  James looks awesome.  I look fat, which I am and I knew that, but it was sad for me to see how bad I really look.  At 6 weeks post partum I weigh 13lbs less than what I weighed when I became pregnant with Teresa and I'm almost half way to reaching my first goal.  That's a really big deal and I need to be proud of myself about that... but it was still pretty demoralizing to see the picture.  Losing weight is hard - made even more so by my love of sugar and my desire to not effect my milk supply.  So... I don't know... cheer me on in the comment box or something.  Thanks.

6 -  And this is funny:

10 comments:

Liz said...

It was so exciting to me when my son told me about Bishop Sheen and the alleged miracle being investigated. I was able to say, "I've been following that mom's blog, ever since before James was born." America and the Church certainly needs Archbishop Sheen's prayers. BTW you don't look fat to me, you just look like a mom holding a new baby.

Rachel said...

I'll cheer you on! You're already less after a baby than you were before that baby... that's definitely a step, and one I consider pretty darn big. You can argue with me about how big that step is if you want, but it doesn't change the fact that you're moving in the right direction! And you're one of the strongest women I know, so I have no doubts that you'll get where you want to be.
um, and your pic for #6 is how I've felt since about 5 years old... not kidding, I have home movies to prove it. If I could I would look like that lady til about noon every day!

Unknown said...

Bonnie- you should do the virtual 5K thing I just concocted. We can do it together and get nice and fit. http://catholicexchange.com/catholic-exchange-virtual-5k/

Anonymous said...

Congratulations! How amazing to be involved - blessed! - with a beatification in such a beautiful way.

Totally understand the postpartum thing - with you there!!! :)

Unknown said...

Hi, just found your blog via Catholic Sistas and wanted to say how much your son's story touched my heart today. We have had some small little miracles happen in our family at times. Just thinking of how much God loves us and having the Saints interceding for us at times, just overwhelms me with gratitude.
Oh, and I had to lol at #3 because that is a huge annoyance to me as well. {Maybe some ladies like Ms. but I love to be married and love my husband - I am a Mrs.:)}
Oh, and lastly I think you look great. Anyone can see you have a little baby - it takes 9 months to put on baby weight, give yourself at least 9 months to take it off.
God Bless.

Anonymous said...

I think that your weight loss so far is excellent! To be under your pre-pregnancy weight already is a big deal. What you are doing is clearly working and your milk supply by the sixth week is pretty much set already. As you probably know the baby and you work out your milk supply in the first six weeks so whatever you have been doing to lose weight is clearly sensible and working fine for both of you!

Lisa said...

I love that picture of James! And Bonnie, you rock!!! Have you seen those disgusting pictures of people holding pounds of fat in their hands? And then think how many of those you've lost? Seriously, as hard as it is, you have to be patient with yourself. Maybe try on some of those clothes that fit looser now and prance around in front of the mirror ;)

Anonymous said...

Just because a woman is a Ms doesn't automatically make her a divorcee or unmarried feminist. I would give my right arm to have a husband right now. It's just that I'm not lucky enough to have one, and I'd rather not feel like a loser for being a Ms.

Anonymous said...

That said, I know Bonnie and love her, and in my heart I don't think she meant it that way. I'm just saying.

Bonnie said...

Ms. Anonymous - If you are single and have never been married why not be Miss Anonymous? If you are a widow why not still honor your marriage by remaining Mrs. Anonymous? Of course I don't know your circumstances, and I am sorry for your loneliness.

If I were still unmarried I would still be Miss F - even until the age of 85 I would be Miss. In my formation the term Miss means single, chaste, feminine, polite, sweet. Perhaps I have read too much Jane Austen? I would be proud of the term Miss over the term Ms. which (again to my little mind) denotes someone who proudly has sexual experience but doesn't want "dependency" on a man.