Starry, Starry Night

Lately I have been obsessed with the song "Vincent - Starry, Starry Night" by Don McLean. I absolutely love Vincent van Gogh. His story is such a tragedy. I can't help but picture his life when I listen to this song and it makes me cry almost every time. What a lonely life he lived. I really adore his younger brother and best friend, Theo, as well because he took it upon himself to provide for Vincent since he never made much money and only sold one of his paintings while he was alive. I feel like I could have written this song. McLean has my thoughts exactly where, just like him, I wish I could go and tell Vincent that "this world was never meant for one as beautiful as you". It breaks my heart knowing he chose suicide because of his utter sadness (and because of his illnesses...I know). Even his dying words to Theo were "The sadness will last forever". Anyway, here's a video of Josh Groban singing the song, followed by the lyrics, followed by some of my favorite of his paintings (I'll really try and limit myself with the paintings...):

Starry, starry night
Paint your palette blue and grey
Look out on a summer's day
With eyes that know the darkness in my soul
Shadows on the hills
Sketch the trees and daffodils
Catch the breeze and the winter chills
In colours on the snowy linen land

Now I understand
What you tried to say to me
And how you suffered for your sanity
And how you tried to set them free
They would not listen
They did not know how
Perhaps they'll listen now

Starry, starry night
Flaming flowers that brightly blaze
Swirling clouds and violet haze
Reflect in Vincent's eyes of china blue
Colours changing hue
Morning fields of amber grain
Weathered faces lined in pain
Are soothed beneath the artists' loving hand

Now I understand
What you tried to say to me
And how you suffered for your sanity
And how you tried to set them free
They would not listen
They did not know how
Perhaps they'll listen now

For they could not love you
But still your love was true
And when no hope was left inside
On that starry, starry night
You took your life as lovers often do
But I could have told you Vincent
This world was never meant for one as beautiful as you

Like the strangers that you've met
The ragged men in ragged clothes
The silver thorn of bloody rose
Lie crushed and broken on the virgin snow

Now I think I know
What you tried to say to me
And how you suffered for your sanity
And how you tried to set them free
They would not listen
They're not listening still
Perhaps they never will...

Almond Blossoms

Bedroom in Arles - I love seeing how he lived

Country Road in Provence by Night

Irises

Old Vineyard with Peasant Woman

Olive Trees in a Mountainous Landscape

Self Portrait, 1887 - Look at the sadness in his eyes :(

Starry Night - His most famous of course

Starry Night Over the Rhone - MY absolute favorite!!

The Cafe Terrace at Night

The Red Vineyard - The only painting he is known to have sold in his lifetime

Wheat Field with Cypresses

Wheat Field with Crows

Speaking of My Birthday

I had a wonderful one! Bryan sure treated me well and got me some great gifts! First off, I got to sleep in until 12 in the afternoon!! That is, after going to bed past one in the morning because of Max (which has gotten so much better by the way. Now we go to bed around 11pm). Bryan took Max when he woke up and I slept an extra couple hours without worry. It was nice! (PS. He actually does this often, like on the weekends and Tuesdays and sometimes Thursdays when he doesn't have class until later. He's the best husband!!) When I woke up, Bryan made me my favorite breakfast ever: crepes with vanilla cream cheese filling. Soooo yummy!!! Bryan let me pick where we went to dinner, uninfluenced by him, so I just decided to go for it and we tried out this Middle Eastern/Greek family owned restaurant that I found online and I am so glad we did! We got the Meat Combo for Two which included a beef kabob, lamb kabob, chicken kabob, gyro meat, pita bread, Greek style rice, hummus (which we passed on) and Greek salads. We loved every bite! I also got to Skype with by family, which is always enjoyable. Bryan spoiled me this year and I love him for every thoughtful gesture. He's my soul mate and without him I don't know how I would survive. He means everything to me and I am so blessed that he chose me to be his eternal wife! Thank you for the wonderful birthday Bryan!!! I love you!!

Happy Birthday to Me!!!!

Max giggling!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Cutest thing EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!! I about cried.

Four and Ready for More

4-Month Stats

Weight: 16lbs 12oz

Height: 26.25"

Head: 42.5cm

The doctor didn't tell us the percentiles this time and when I try to look it up, I get a huge range like 75-90th percentile or 50th-75th. 

Max is four months old!!! He just gets cuter and cuter every day! Some things Max loves: diaper and clothing changes, his daddy (he will seriously chat up his daddy for hours it seems. He only chuckles with me these days), being carried around in the baby carrier and observing the apartment, doing sit-ups, flying baby, and the song "Popcorn Popping". He gives some big smiles on occasion, but they're so hard to capture because when he smiles back at you, he turns his head away all shy. He's experimenting more with his vocalizations, but usually only when he's upset. He has copied sounds that I make, but you have to get him at the right moment in order to do so. I originally wanted to wait until Max was at least six months old before feeding him solids, but he is so interested in the things that we eat and drink. So interested in fact, that I started to give him Vitamin D drops (I know, I should have been doing so since he was a newborn...my badness) and he loves taking them! He gets a big smile on his face when I prepare to give them to him. He also loves taking gas drops and will stop crying or fussing the moment you give it to him. The doctor did, however, say to wait at least a few more weeks because the earlier you introduce solids, the likelier they are to develop food allergies later on. The other day, he started to be able to stay sitting up on his own! Not for too long, but for long enough that I was able to capture some cute pictures of the event. We're still working on his 2am bedtime and have started being able to put him down for naps in his crib (he used to only be able to sleep in the swing or our arms). It can take up to an hour for him to finally sleep in the crib, but at least he gets there. I want to start sleep training, I just have to get up the guts to do so. He's a big baby, but he still just seems so small to me and I can't stand the thought of torturing him, by making him cry it out at night. I will get there though; I need my sleep too!! I think I want to wait until his bedtime is at a more reasonable hour before trying. Oh yeah, Max laughed for the first time a couple days ago!! He's been chuckling for a long time, but he genuinely laughed! Bryan thinks it wa on accident and I don't care either way. I just loved hearing it!! We love our little Binker Bears so much. It's true, you don't realize how much love you are capable of until you have a baby.

 Size comparison. They are the exact same size, except Max's legs are longer!

 Flying baby!!

 Preparing to give a talk.

 Snow day!

 Loving the baby carrier.

 First time in the high chair. We prop him up with blankets on either side so he doesn't lean. He loves the high chair, which is super nice because now Bryan and I don't have to take turns eating dinner.

 His new favorite pose.

 Heading out to church.

 Big smile! He still squints when he smiles :)

 Sitting!

 Sleeping in his crib for the first time. (I know you're not suppose to put stuffed animals in the crib, but I want him to have a sleeping buddy...)

Studly Muffin. Wouldn't it be awesome if his eyes stayed blue?

PS. Sorry if my posts seem like just a bunch of scattered thoughts stringed together...because they pretty much are.