Merry Christmas . . . a day late

Sorry - we were busy unwrapping JT's presents. Think he's a little spoiled? Mind you, only 2 of these came from Mommy and Daddy. Can you even see JT in the midst of this chaos?

He spent most of the day crying (no, I DO NOT think the Santa suit traumatized him), but then gave us a wonderful gift last night by sleeping for almost 6 hours!

Today we ran errands using our front carrier - very nice! He slept through Lowes, Babies R Us and Meijer.

We had gone to the doctor on Monday - 11 lbs. 5 oz. and 22 inches long. She seems to think we might be feeding him too much . . . 3 pounds in 3 weeks, seems fine to me, after all, it is the holidays.

More Christmas spirit . . . http://www.flickr.com/photos/catsmine/sets/72157603551254710/

Those who say it better than I . . .

http://www.dooce.com/2007/12/13/because-i-couldnt-say-it-phone

Dooce is one of my favorite blogs, but this entry was particularly meaningful to me. It makes me feel better that I cut things off when I did and went back on my meds.

And this is the perspective from her husband - thank you Jim http://blurbomat.com/archives/2007/12/20/how-i-do/

The sound of silence

Several months ago Jim and I were eating dinner out and noticed a couple sitting in silence at their table - not speaking and looking somewhat miserable. I pointed them out and commented that I hoped we never run out of things to talk about. I'd forgotten about that until the other day when Jim reminded me as we had sat silent in the car (Wee Man was sleeping, he does that - in the car, not the house).

"Remember when you said you hope we never run out of things to talk about?" Jim said.
"Yes, why?" I replied.
"Do you think that couple just had kids and was appreciating the sound of silence?"
I thought for like a mili-second, "Hmm, yep - now shut up and enjoy the silence."

Over the last week we"ve been visited by the spirits of future child - no past, no present - two futures . . . 11 months and 2 years. For now I'll stick with sleep deprivation in lieu of completely losing my mind.

Who Dey!

Or as Aunt Amy said - Who Don't (this season at least).

We're 3 weeks old today! He's sleeping about 4 hours at a time at night (I'll take it!) We're still sleeping in the living room, but he's in his bassinet at least.

He takes about 4 ounces of formula, occasionally 5, and makes about a zillion ounces of gas and poo each time!

Oh, so that's why they sell so many of those.

I've discovered 2 things that every new mom should have (well actually there's a zillion, but these are the 2 most important this morning).

Anything that vibrates. JT loves his little seats that vibrate and we've taken to adding a vibrating pillow to the bassinet to help him sleep - very important.

Those stupid birth announcements they sell everywhere. I was trying to be creative and unique - I've given up and decided to sleep instead. I'm ordering my announcements like everyone else does - so much easier. Those should be in the mail by 2008 (I hope).

Repeat after me, "everything will be okay"

Now I just have to believe. Anyone who knows me knows that I'm medicated - I don't hide it, I let people know., I have issues with anxiety and depression and have been taking something for years to help.

Shortly after JT was born I was okay, but once we got home things started getting worse. Long story short I've stopped breast feeding and I'm going back on my pre-pregnancy meds. I'm hopeful that within a week things will get better. Until then I am so lucky to have the most wonderful, supportive husband and an amazing family.

Send Enfamil coupons . . .

Is this the most beautiful baby you've ever seen or what?

For some reasons his hospital pic never made it online, I'm not sure why - but here it is. Is he adorable or what?

"The first 2 weeks are the hardest"

When does the clock start on these 2 weeks, from birth or when you actually take possession?

We are sleep deprived, I'm sick of crying, my boobs are sore, and God love him he's still a perfect little angel (even screaming his head off at 3 in the morning).

My parents got us a bassinet yesterday in the hopes of us both being able to sleep in bed with him close by. He slept on my chest in the recliner. He's content on me but as soon as I move him it's all over.

The binky is wonderful, until it leaves his mouth, then it's a problem. He wants to be changed, but hates being naked. It takes more than a half an hour after he eats for the gas to move through. We had our first poop blow out last night - 2 outfits down.

I'm rambling . . . we actually have to leave the house today - third time since we've had him home (Friday). I like seeing the outside world and since I can't drive maybe I'll be able to sleep in the car.

Here's my questions -
When do you let them scream it out? For how long? Even when they go from zero to 100 right away?
How do you lay them down after they are asleep on you?
How do you use the bassinet, are they just supposed to sleep in it next to you? Do I need to get him use to it first?

Does it really get easier? Do you promise?

Tired, sore, brain dead . . . so worth it.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/catsmine/collections/

Today was a little rough - the good meds have worn off, he was up all night and not eating well during the day. Then tonight he was eating well (as in for 3 hours straight) but not giving us the output. I think it's a clear sign you're a parent that you get excited when the nurse shows you a wet diaper through the nursery window!

He's a little jaundice, but well below levels of concern for being almost 3 days old. All in all we still think he's perfect. Speaking of perfect, he's sleeping now - which means I should be too.

Okay, we'll keep him

Wouldn't you?

Introducing Justin Thomas Schmidt "JT"

9 pds 4 oz

21.25 inches long

11/26/07

9:39 AM

More pics here with a ton more to come

Jim says "Wow, it's a life changing experience. When he's yours you aren't worried about holding, it comes natural." (He has not stopped beaming)

A giant welcome to parenthood

I've been tossing and turning all night anyway, but at about 4 Jim also got up. Here's where I have to go back a little. We have a giant size bed - two box springs and a mattress so it's pretty high up. Before we re-did the room we had a chest at the bottom of the bed so the dogs were able to jump up easily. But we moved the chest, so recently only Yogi has been able to jump up on the bed. Daisy would pop her head up now and then, but she couldn't physically make the jump.

Okay flash back to 4:00 this morning. Jim got up to go to the bathroom and Daisy had been popping her head up trying to get up on the bed. Yogi had his time with us yesterday morning, so I asked Jim to lift Daisy up into bed with us. As soon as he did we both heard a weird noise. We listened but couldn't figure out what it was . . . laid back down. Then I smelt something - I smelt pee. We hopped up and turned on the light. Apparently Yogi had gotten jealous and actually lifted his leg on our bed. The duvet, comforter, and carpet - all peed on. Good morning mom and dad.

So now it's 4:20 and I'm awake and blogging. I thought I had at least one more night before this happened.

T-Minus 20 hours and counting

Last night we stopped at Walgreens to get lights for our Christmas tree - it was after midnight and I happened to check my phone. On my front page calendar it said - Tomorrow C-Section 7AM.

Tomorrow, as in the day after today. Holy crap.

The house is ready, we've received the Ms. Makin seal of approval (it's almost as good as the Good Housekeeping seal).

But just cause the house is ready doesn't mean I am. Anyone who knows me knows that I research the crap out of stuff before making decisions. I've talked to a zillion people, pulled up stories online, probably looked at more than I ever should have . . . still not ready.

This baby is brought to you by the letter P

Jim has been telling everyone that I look like the letter P. I don't see it . . . do you?

I have pretty feet, don't I?

My mom was kind enough to give me a gift certificate to Becoming Mom Spa. They specialize in pampering expectant mothers. I'm too pregnant for a massage, so I got the hot stone pedicure. It was a very nice, relaxing treat.

As I walked out I called Jim and told him "I have pretty feet!" His response, "Can you see them?"

I can when I'm sitting down.

You and me's gonna rumble kid

We had our last shower today, a wonderful afternoon courtesy of my MIL, SIL, and niece. Jan put together this amazing word search - by hand! I was very impressed.

We've brought everything home, sorted out some of the duplicates to return, and put most everything away.

Today I made the crib, put the breathable bumper on, hooked up the womb bear. I need to plug in all the various monitors and receivers and fill out a bunch of warranty cards. I'm hoping we'll finally hang the curtains and quilt tomorrow.

However, if this child would decide to come . . . oh I don't know, say tonight, there would be no hard feelings. It hurts to move, much less walk!

Name for the week . . . Gobbler. I wanted Giblets but Jim said no.

5 Years Ago Today . . .

We were walking down the aisle.



I looked up the 5 year anniversary gift. Apparently it's wood.
(Insert Bevis & Butthead laugh here) "Wood"

That can go so many different ways . . .




Happy Anniversary Baby, you are my everything.

The POD has left the driveway . . .

Happy happy joy joy dance!

Mark Your Calendars

It's official, kinda. We are a scheduled C-Section for 11/26 - 9AM. The doctor said that the baby seems to be too large and by 39 weeks it won't be safe to try and deliver.

Works for me. I was okay either way, but this way it's not my decision.

List update:

• Bookshelf is in place
• Furniture is in place
• Kitchen is no longer storage for a shop vac
• Most of the clothes/blankets/burp rags/etc. are put away

I REALLY wish IKEA was open here. I had bought several storage boxes in Chicago and I REALLY wish I'd bought a ton more. Anyone going to Chicago anytime soon?

Premonition?

Why can I see this being something I would say?

It's beginning to look a lot like a house . . .

Dad came over and all 3.5 of us busted butt to get things done.

• DONE - Move in more furniture from the POD (I want that GONE this week)
• DONE - Put the crib together
• Bring up the bookshelf for Crabby's room
• IN PROGRESS - Start to put things away in Crabby's room (clothes, toys, diapering stuff)
• OFFICE DONE - Hang pictures in Crabby's room, office, and our bedroom
• The bathroom needs work - but that might have to wait a day or two

The living room is almost completely back together, my office is done, the dinning room is done (including setting up the pack and play), our bedroom is done except for a mirror and some knick knacks. The kitchen is a mess and Crabby's room still needs some storage bins, decorating, and the drunken dresser needs to be fixed so I can fill it.

All in all a pretty successful day. Now I'm going to go collapse . . .

Carpet Angels!

When we were younger mom and dad got new carpet in the living room. Dad was all freaked out about it getting matted or the shag going in the wrong direction, etc. So of course Amy immediately threw herself on the carpet and shouted "carpet angels"! I joined in and Dad had to laugh through his scowl.

Today, we can do carpet angels! We have carpet! Lovely, soft, covering the plywood carpet! Karen and Rick came over today and as usual Jimmy busted his little butt trying to get things done. The blinds are all hung (although one is a little short and should get replaced today). Our bedroom is pretty much together, the nursery still needs some work . . .

Name for the week - Crabby. Chosen for the second week in a row by Ms. Makin. This is two fold. #1 - Crabby's Daddy was exactly that yesterday. I'm pretty sure we're pushing him to his physical limits and he's tired. #2 - When we boiled the nipples and bottles today, we boiled them in Jim's crab pot. Then as we smelled the residual crab smell thought, hmmm - what if the baby is allergic to shellfish? So everything was re-boiled in another pot. But that sealed the name.

Here's the to do list for today:

• Move in more furniture from the POD (I want that GONE this week)
• Put the crib together
• Bring up the bookshelf for Crabby's room
• Start to put things away in Crabby's room (clothes, toys, diapering stuff)
• Hang pictures in Crabby's room, office, and our bedroom
• The bathroom needs work - but that might have to wait a day or two

It's 4:55 on Sunday morning, I can't sleep -I should go start putting my office in order, but I just don't feel like it . . .

Take all the clothes back . . .

8 pounds, 10 ounces - give or take a pound

at 36 weeks . . .

Let's see what 8 pounds, 10 ounces looks like

And just for good measure . . .

SO imagine all that, in my abdomen

No wonder I'm huge.

Baby's soooo big

So I started my weekly doctor visits today and expressed my uncomfortableness and the fact that I think this kid has run out of room and will come out driving. Doc said let's get an ultrasound, see how big we are and then we'll talk about c-sections or inductions or all that other good stuff. I go for the ultrasound tomorrow and then back to the doc on Monday.

AJ is the lucky golden ticket holder this time and gets to come see Carpe in person. I'd offer to post the ultrasound pics, but the scanner is in the POD . . .

3 down . . . 1 to go - and still no place to put the bounty

My "Thomas" shower was today. I say "Thomas" because my sister and mom were the only Thomases there - but it was my family shower and my family is Thomas. Aunt TaTa and Susie aka Martha Stewart hosted a wonderful shower today. Sue made yummy sandwiches and desserts and I received so many wonderful presents.

I'm as big as a house, but I'm still laughing.

Amy has the official Schmidt baby poll - for as little as $1 you can bet on when you think the bambino will be making his/her grand entrance. Half the proceeds go to the baby bank, the other half to the winner.

The name for the week is Carpe. This was suggested last week by Ms. Makin - as in "carpet" - as in "seize the carpet or I'll seize your family jewels". It works.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/catsmine/sets/72157602887655164/

People are so creative . . .

How cute is this. Okay - so maybe "cute" isn't the right word - but this is good. They took a gord, a pumpkin, and a little ear of indian corn.

I love the expression on the pumpkin's face.

Yep - that looks about right

Other than the fact that my belly button won't pop - this is about what it feels like. However, I can no longer see the scale (not that I'd want to look anyway).

Ms. Makin came over today and with a simple "look" she was able to help me get rid of half of the attic. We're both pregnant though (yes - both! Yeah!!) so we shouldn't be lifting a bunch. Jim will have to haul it when he gets home. I'm sure he'll want to complain about it, but the fact that it's leaving the house will make all the difference.

I feel free, it's nice getting rid of stuff. There's still a little more to be sorted through, but once Jim hauls the rest out it should be pretty quick. Very, very happy . . .

Carpet - 0, Cankels - 2

So much for things getting interesting. Apparently the carpet might not even be in until the 10th. Don't go there - I've been there and back and I'm sick of crying and screaming. There isn't a darn thing we can do about it, so I'm using one of my better skills and ignoring the whole thing.

Aunt TaTa came over last night to help give out candy, we had a few cute kids and then a bunch of punks. I guess that's what you get for not living in a cookie cutter subdivision.

After Am left I looked at my legs and realized my cankels were in full effect. For those of you not lucky enough to experience cankels, this is where your feet and ankels fail to have a distinguishing point from your calf. I figured I'd put my feet up in the recliner and hunker down there for the night.

Apparently I wasn't the only one with that thought.

You can see that Yogi, Charlie (under my arm), and Minnie (on the belly), along with myself, and the Punkin Head are all hunkered down.


And my cankels haven't gone away . . .

Things are about to get interesting

We brought in reinforcements tonight and got 98% of the first floor furniture into the POD. In the living room we have 2 chairs and the entertainment center. Other than that we have my desk in the office and the litter box in the dinning room.

On the second floor our bedroom has a mattress and box springs and a book shelf. The nursery has 2 or 3 dressers, a bed frame, another set of box springs, a tv, 2 bookshelves, a cedar chest . . . The POD is full and the furniture that is coming out is out.

We took a truck load of stuff to Goodwill and dropped it off, I'm glad to have it out of the attic. I'm hoping to get up there again after trick or treating is over and then maybe Ms. Makin can set me straight on Thursday night. It's not like I'm going to have a tv to watch and I don't think I can get much out of the POD by myself. But, fingers crossed by this time next week the POD might be gone!

I don't know who this kid is, but it was in the Enquirer - how cute is this costume?

Break on through . . .

We have reached the third floor. Jim made the mistake of moving furniture around in the "nursery" so we could move the breakables to the third floor before the carpet comes (fingers crossed - Thursday). I've been waiting to get to the third floor this whole pregnancy and when that door opened - whew.

Within 30 minutes I have 4 large trash bags full of clothes and a large box that all go to Goodwill. I can't lift them and we didn't have time to pull them down tonight, but I'm hoping within the next week or so.

I started going through decorations and bags and backpacks and all sorts of stuff that's up there. I think I'm finally at a point where I can get rid of a lot of stuff. It feels good. If I haven't used it then I won't miss it and maybe someone else will want it.

The third floor is painted so cute (clouds and bees and flowers) and will make a good play room when Punkin Head gets older (although I really hope to not be in this house then . . .). I have some pretty good stuffed animals and my whole Pez collection which add to the kid vibe. If I can get half of the "attic" portion emptied then I'll have room to store some of the "not right not" baby stuff and still have the rest of the place for play and my various toy collections.

So,

• What do you do with a large Beanie Baby collection that you no longer want?
• How many suitcases does one family need?
• At what point do you pitch, even though you really want to keep it?

Halloween

Halloween is probably one of my most favoritest holidays. I love costumes and decorating and ghosts (although I hate haunted houses and really being scared). Through the years I've had a number of different costumes, heck even Jim, the dogs, and the house have been dressed up!

The top right is this year - although the costume never saw the light of day. It's supposed to be an orange barrel, but no one could tell what I was so I left it at home. I'm a little sad as I look at the bottom left picture - our house was decorated so pretty last year. But this year we haven't had the time and we can't get to our decorations.

Oh well, as we say in my family "It's only Halloween." Which means you'll get to do it again next year. And next year we'll have an 11 month old to dress up too!

Here are some pics from a dance we went to Saturday. That was what the orange barrel costume was for - but we went simple instead. http://www.flickr.com/photos/catsmine/sets/72157602772920210/

The POD has eaten

So last night my in-laws were nice enough to come over and help us throw things into the POD. The office is half empty, the dinning room is empty except for stuff that doesn't belong there anyway (crib in box, rubbermaid container of pictures, etc.) and the bookshelf and other storage thing is out of the living room. I can finally breath in this house. Jim's response to that is "Well we shouldn't bring half of the stuff back in." Great idea - what wouldn't you bring back in? "Um, I have 2 sets of poker chips." That will make all the difference in the world!

Once we have a date set for the carpet then we'll take out the chairs and couch the night before. We need someone big and strong to help carry out my file cabinet and the litter box can go in the kitchen temporarily. Lord only knows what's in the closet, I'm assuming that will have to come out too - but I'll worry about that in a couple of days.

So my sister just stopped by with her friend. She had asked me to make her a 6 month pregnant belly. Now I, who am giving birth to the jolly green giant, don't really know what a typical 6 month pregnant belly looks like so I had to guess. She stopped by to pick up the belly, she says it will work - I asked for a picture.

But as she's on her way here I'm warning her that I have no pants on. I have maybe 3 outfits that fit. I'm doing laundry, so everything goes in the wash - which means I have no pants. My 2 pairs of PJs are in the dryer and then are going into the hospital bag - which means I have no pants. Oh well, most of my family doesn't wear underwear, at least I have that on.

On the Nan update - Nan came "home" (not her home, mom & dad's home) this afternoon. She's hunkered down in Amy's old room in a rented hospital bed. I'll be working from there tomorrow afternoon.

I go to the doctor in the morning, I'm hoping we can seriously talk induction. Not only for Nan's sake, but also because I'M SICK OF CARRYING A 20 POUND BOWLING BALL IN MY GUT! Don't get me wrong, I love this child and will do whatever it takes for Packy to be happy and healthy, BUT IT'S GETTING UNCOMFORTABLE! You should have seen me at the salad bar today - trying to reach the food - it wasn't pretty.

The POD has Landed

Back her up here boys . . .

Describes both moving me around and the POD that will be coming to our house on Tuesday. With some help from AJ's defunct China fund (thanks AJ and Nan!) we are renting a POD for a month. We'll empty the first floor into that and then get carpet and then bring things back in. We can move things between the two rooms upstairs as long as I pack up some of the nick nacks to the third floor. There's too much stuff in the first floor to be able to move it between rooms.

On a fabulous note we had a wonderful baby shower yesterday thanks to the wonderful Meat Machine. Tonya and Cindy threw the greatest Halloween baby shower! Full pictures are available here http://www.flickr.com/photos/catsmine/sets/72157602579951960/ . We played match the famous "mummy" to her little "pumpkin", pumpkin trivia, and horror movie baby trivia. The decorations were custom made as there are apparently no Halloween baby shower decorations (image that). Tonya had mummies and skeletons in diapers with pacifiers. It was fabulous.

We had such a great time with the Meat Machine gang and got a ton of great gifts.

Next shower is 11/3, the Thomas family (although the only Thomases will be mom and Amy) and then the Schmidt shower 11/18. Hopefully Packs-a-lot (Jim picked, I'm pretty sure it's a reference to how much stuff we have to pack up into the POD) will hold out until then. We had to take all of the shower gifts to Amy's because we don't have room and would only end up putting them in the POD anyway.

On a Nan update. We still don't know much. I think at this point Nan has decided that she wants to go home. She's moving in with mom and dad and will have out patient chemo once a week. This and blood transfusions should help keep her even keel for, hopefully, several months, but of course they can't make any guarantees. It sucks. We went over to the box today and moved some furniture. We'll have to get a hospital bed, but it's good timing since Amy recently moved out.

Grrrrrr

There's no one you can be mad at, no one to blame. Yet here we are, a week from when she went to the hospital and we aren't sure if we know anything more.

Here's what we know:
- Nothing
Here's what we think we know:
- She has acute leukemia - we thought it was the one type that is treatable, but now we aren't sure
- She has colon cancer - but we have to wait for the biopsy to know what type, how severe, etc.
- She has a mass on her pancreas - we can worry about that "down the road"
- She has a mass on her kidney - still not sure about that one
- She had nodules in her lungs - too small to biopsy, also worry about those "down the road"

How long is this road? Every day we seem to find larger pot holes, will we ever really know anything?

33 Weeks and Counting

So let's recap the week.

Last weekend the girls went to Chicago to see AJ. Turns out Abby had a baby in her belly too!

We had a great time, but discovered that the back seat of the truck is not big enough for mom, me, and the baby (Cubby last week - being in Chicago and all).

We hit IKEA, did some damage, saw AJ, and came home. I didn't have a baby, my water didn't break. It was a good trip.








On Tuesday I woke up short of breath with my heart racing. It didn't go away. Karen ended up taking me to labor & delivery where we spent the day hooked up to monitors. Long story short - Cubby and I are okay, things are good to go.

On Wednesday Mom took Nan to the hospital, she's been short of breath and so tired. They admitted her and started doing tests.

On Thursday we found out that Nan has Acute Leukemia. Without treatment they initially have given her 2-4 weeks. That's not enough time she "has to see this baby," so we took her to Good Sam. Sam is the baby name of the week - we'll be spending a lot of time there.

They have scanned, poked, and prodded almost every part of Nan. She's gotten blood and she's on oral meds for chemo. On Monday all the doctors (I think we're up to 6 or 7) will put their heads together to figure out if she has a second type of cancer or not. If she does, there will be no treatment, if she doesn't - we'll give it all we've got with the chemo.

This week sucks. Yet through it all Nan is still worried about her hair, putting on her lip stick, and we're all laughing and sharing stories and generally making the most of what time we may have left.

And now a word from kids like you . . . a.k.a a guest writer

My Trip to Chicago
By Amy Thomas

The bathroom stall told me to kill my TV and that leprechauns were going to get me. Then my mom got confused pulling into the rest stop because it said trucks one way and cars the other. Well, since my mom drives a truck she didn’t know which way to go. Once on the road again my mom had a soapbox moment on why American coffee shops only have one stall restrooms. Why? I don’t know and I don’t care. My sister, yes, the pregnant one, is trying to attack me with her belly. Let me tell you why I don’t want to touch a pregnant belly…um, there is something living inside of there! To most, this is a beautiful thing. To me, it’s just weird. Why can’t babies come from somewhere else? Like the stork that our mothers teach us about. I would much more consider having children if someone where to leave it on my front door step preferably potty trained and in college. So while we are talking about pregnancy, let’s talk about birth. I am supposed to be in the room while my sister is giving birth! Lucky me my only job it to catch Jim, my brother-in-law, the one responsible for this whole pregnancy, when he faints. There is a good and bad to this, like most things in life. Jim is tall, tall enough to block my view of whatever else might be going on that I don’t think I am prepared to see. The other side, Jim is tall, tall enough that when he falls he is taking me and probably two other innocent spectators down with him. I hope this kid likes me.

It’s now lunchtime, we are about 30 miles outside of Chicago but mom wants to eat before we get stuck in traffic. So, being the caring mother that she is asked what we wanted to eat, offering up the restaurant that is “now serving pies?!?!” We now decided on Bob Evans….um, they have PIES too! I think someone wants pie. Mom parked the car and just came in to meet us, it’s raining outside. So as mom was putting away her umbrella she said “cheap ass umbrella” um, yeah, it’s National City. Nuf’ said.

Live Action Footage . . . A couple of months later

Finally got the DVD and the software in the same place, so here's a little snippet of Bobble. This is from when we were 27 or 28 weeks (I can't remember). I would love to have another one, but they are a little expensive and baby needs carpet, and a toilet, and wallpaper . . .

*Don't be alarmed that the top of the head seems to be missing, it's just how the sound waves bounce back. You can see a little smile and those long legs (they look long in this) right in Bobble's face.*

Quiet time

If I ever need some alone time I think I'll play quarterback vs. the Bengals . . . they seem to have all the time in the world and nobody bothers them.

Forgot the name of the week

Bobble, short for Bobble Head (given that the head is due a month earlier than the rest of the baby).

Which . . . by the way. Did you know that you are suppose to ask future spouses how big their head was when they were delivered? Why don't they teach this stuff in high school, before you fall in love with the giant?

Screw it, they have good food delivery services.

Okay, I'm in. Unless something changes between now and Thursday I'm going to Chicago. I need a break (although I'm sure that will just end up exhausting me more), I need IKEA, I need out of here for a bit. The bathroom and room are coming along - but I'm still holding out for a While You Were Out like miracle while I'm out.

I'm off Thursday and I think I might start checking out some day cares. I need to figure out if I have to make appointments or not. I'm not really sure how to go about doing this, but I guess I need to start somewhere.

I don't really have anything else to say - until next time . . .
"To read a book for the first time is to make an acquaintance with a new friend; to read it for a second time is to meet an old one."
~Chinese Saying

How cute is this?

Make sure you check out their t-shirts too!

http://www.rockandrattle.com/tshirts.html

Speaking of cute stuff - why are the neat franchises never in Cincy?

http://www.salsababies.com/home.html

Should I Stay or Should I Go?

First off - if you didn't sing that line to yourself go back and re-read and sing that line. One of the greatest songs ever.

Second - when visiting the doc this week I asked if I could go to Chicago next week. He said he doesn't recommend it. According to him there is concern that if my water broke I would be stuck there until I deliver and I have no medical care there, and blah blah blah. Yet I get online and there are women still flying internationally until 32 weeks. They say you can fly locally until 35 weeks. So what do I do?

Yeah . . . good luck with that

So we went for another ultrasound on Tuesday and then to see the OB on Wednesday. Good news is that we're no longer breach or placenta previa. Bad news is we're already measuring in the 80% for size.

Yesterday I asked the doctor if they would keep an eye on size and how we'd know if the baby was getting too big, etc. He said that sometimes they go by the father's show size. He asked Jim what size shoe he wears. Jim answers, "Size 14" - the doctor laughs and says "Yeah, good luck with that."

Oh and did I mention that the head is measuring at a due date of 11/2?

Please let this not be mine . . .

http://news.yahoo.com/photo/070926/ids_photos_wl/r1583359031.jpg

Make checks payable to . . .

Having recently graduated I finally consolidated all of my student loans - undergrad, the brief yet expensive stint in ChiChi, and grad school. My brain is much like our mortgage, we owe more than it's currently worth.

Twaxton will be out of college by the time I pay off my student loans.

*sigh* Can I make myself a tax deductible charity?

Oh the places you've been . . . sorry you missed it!

Nan loves to talk about the wonderful places she and Papa took me and Amy when we were young. We never remember them and she sighs and says "what a waste". I figure if she can "claim" (Nan doesn't know how to get online, I'm safe) to have taken us to all these wonderful places, then I can do the same.

So, Twaxton (I'm tired, I'm running out of names - you come up with something) here are all the places you've gone while in utero . . . sorry you won't remember any of it.

California - At about 6 weeks, right when I'd found out I was pregnant I traveled to Cali for work. I was out of utero and didn't see much.

School - I finished my MBA and graduated. Your father thinks this counts as your higher education, I don't agree.

The Lake House - We've been to the Lake a few times - this is one place you will probably spend a lot of time and hopefully remember fondly as you grow.

Reds & Bengals games - One of each. The teams may suck, but when we get free tickets we're there to support them!

St. Thomas - Luckily you didn't need a passport yet. We had a great time and you gave me your first real kick on this trip.

WEBN Fireworks - Mommy almost ended up in jail for manslaughter, but it would have been justified - everyone knows you don't mess with a 7 month pregnant woman. Especially one that's a little more unstable by nature.

If the doc says it's okay, you'll be going to Chicago next week as well. Aunt Jamie is going to China and she has a day layover in ChiChi. This is simply an excuse to shop for you at Ikea. Although I'm not looking forward to the drive with you on my bladder, I guess seeing AJ will make it worth it (she does know how to get online, so I have to say that).

I personally am hoping the whole thing is a farce to get me out of the house so "While You Were Out" can come in and make you a kick-ass room, but I'll play dumb so I don't ruin the surprise.

Buy this instead?

This matches the room even better and would give us a place to put the baby!
http://automobiles.honda.com/element/


:-)

I know, I'm a stinky little Schmdit . . . but you can't blame a girl for trying.

Power like this comes with responsibility . . .

I had no idea the power I hold . . .

Thank you both for trying!

I want!

Someone, please, please, please order this for me!!!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120162418890

It's a diaper stacker and it totally goes with the room theme.

Preeettttyyy puuuulllleeeeaaaassseee!!!!

Braxton + Twister = Brister?

Cause somehow Brister sounds slightly better than Twaxton (although I may save that for next week). I can't tell if I'm having Braxton Hicks or if Brister is grabbing my insides and twisting them. Either way it's a wee-bit painful and I'm about ready to ask for my epidural. I don't think I'll get it, but it never hurts to ask.

I've been working most of the weekend - I'm in training this week and need to get some things done before that. I'm tired of working but kind of have no choice, so whatever. Jim is upstairs working on the room, so I guess at least I'm just sitting here working and not upstairs constructing . . .

Didn't people use to bath in metal tubs?

In the midst of our construction on the nursery/bathroom we had phoned a few local tub replacement companies to get estimates. Ha! It's either a new shower surround or carpet. I think Sockhead would prefer carpet. Seriously folks, it's a place to bathe, not do rock science! I believe I was bathed in the kitchen sink for the first year or so . . . and I turned out just fine (no comments from the peanut gallery, I AM FINE DAMMIT!).

So, no new shower/tub - we'll get by like we've gotten by with this entire house. More caulk. This is the house that caulk built and caulk continues to hold it together.

So here's that's "left" to be done:

Bathroom:
- re caulk tub/shower
- new cabinet doors/knobs
- smooth/"re-tile" floor
- new toilet
- wallpaper
- new faucet
- re-do funky curved wall/ledge
- rehang med cabinet
- accessorize

Room:
- fix floor
- carpet
- sew/hang curtains
- put up blinds
- paint bathroom door
- strip/paint attic door
- strip/paint windows
- new door for hall
- paint/decorate bookshelf
- hang pictures
- accessorize
- put crib together

I might as well go ahead and add
- solve world hunger
- get US Americans more maps so they can identify "the Iraq"

*Sigh* this child is sleeping in the dinning room.

Liars!

You know, I have a number of friends who have been pregnant and I've assumed the things they've been telling me about pregnancy and labor and parenthood have been true. As of last night I find them all to be liars . . . or at least omitters

Here's more information than anyone needs, but what the heck. Last night I was looking at my boobs. Since becoming pregnant they've gotten larger and changed color and are doing all sorts of funky things. Apparently they also now leak. I expected that after the baby is born, but not 2-3 months before. Perhaps I was wrong in thinking I was close with my friends because this is something I would have thought they would have mentioned - while they were pregnant, when I became pregnant - at any point in time. But because this was omitted I've begun to wonder what else they aren't telling me. Is labor really not that bad? Is parenthood really a wonderful thing?

Amy believes it is a giant conspiracy to ensure the continuation of the human race. Upon having a child you receive the double secret probation instruction manual and an access code to a website. The website contains the most recent list of all things about pregnancy and parenting that you are not allowed to tell those who do not yet have a child. In exchange for the double secret probation instruction manual and continual updates you promise to abide by the omitting laws.

I think she's on to something. If they (meaning the mothers) were free to really discuss how things really are while pregnant, delivering, or after - only stupid people would decide to have children. This way, we have stupid and smart babies.

Anything else I should know, friends?

We're certifiable, I mean certified

Jim and I spent a lovely Saturday in Lamaze class - one we assumed would focus on natural birth and the evils of drugs. We were surprised to find an instructor with an epidural and a C-section under her belt. It turned out to be more informative than we were expecting and we feel slightly more prepared. At least we did until we said that and my dad laughed at us and said you forget it all in the heat of the moment. Thanks for the confidence.

Speaking of my father, he's decided that there may be another name he would like to be called, as opposed to Czar (which he spells Zar) - GrandDude, which would make mom GrandDudette. Good luck finding that on a Grandparent's Day card.

We made our way down to Romweber today, a local furniture manufacturer. They have sales every six months or so and this year they had cribs. GrandDudette bought us one! Sockhead (Jim selected the name this week) will not have to sleep in a drawer! I swear when we said that out loud I got a little internal high five. It looks a little like this, but in a slightly darker color. We have no where to put it, so it sits in the box, in the dinning room until the room is done.

Who remembers Johhny's Toys? Remember this? I use to LOVE getting this card in the mail. It was addressed to ME and it meant that I was getting a toy! Apparently they still have the cards, the keys, and the castle.

Not only that, but there is also Totter's Otterville. I'd never heard of this until I saw some pictures the other day. Tonya looked at me like I had 3 heads - I'd never heard of Totter's Otterville? Apparently it's a mini children's museum/play area/birthday party location. http://www.johnnystoys.com/tottermain.html you can check it out if you like. They have a ballet studio and train tables and a min-grocery store and a play house and bunch of other fun stuff. If I'd known about this place my 30th would have been there!

Recent Email Conversation

Me: Should I start my wish list now, or wait until later?
UJ (my uncle who works for a toy company): You know the routine, you whine, you get.
Me: I love that routine!
UJ: You created that routine.


Not only can I create human beings, I can create kick-a$$ routines too!

Forget the kid . . .

Forget the kid - I want one! Remember these? They're back and I want one! Did I say I want one? I want one!

Check out this site http://www.yourbabycanread.com/

It's for ages 3 months to 5 years and there are videos on the site of these little babies reading flash cards! The library has the system, but only in VHS - who has VHS anymore? There are all these letters about kids reading at so many months, I have no clue if that's good or not. When do I get the chart that says they should do this when they're this old and that when they're that old. When do kids typically get a 20 word vocab or start reading?

2007 WEBN Fireworks

Aren't these pictures awesome? Thank you very much, I took them! Thanks to Billiam and Ms. Helen we had the amazing opportunity to watch the fireworks from One Lytle Place. The barge was stopped right in front of us and we were directly between the two bridges. We've watched the fireworks from a houseboat, our couch, the shore, and a row house - these were by far the best. We hadn't expected the invite and the chance to watch from an air conditioned structure while sitting on a comfy chair was more than we could pass up.

You can see some of the other pictures here. http://www.flickr.com/photos/catsmine/sets/72157601846693199/

The evening was almost perfect, but in the end some sphinxter face had to pull the fire alarm. We had to evacuate the building - for us this meant walking down 15 flights of stairs! By the time we walked the couple of blocks to the car I was exhausted!

WEBN Fireworks Finale 2007

I didn't take the video, but thought it would be a good supplement to my pictures.

Chipotle it is!

Aunt Amy got to pick the name this week. The baby is around two pounds this week and Amy says that's the size of a Chipotle burrito - so there you go.

Last week we went to class for Baby Care Basics and Breastfeeding, Saturday it's all day Lamaze. I know I want drugs, but it's supposed to be good for getting prepared and you never know when you'll be stuck in a Taco Bell parking lot. After that we have Save-A-Baby, which is CPR basics.

The image is supposed to show a baby at 27 weeks - however it looks nothing like me. Add a much larger butt, a gut under the baby bump, and make the baby bigger (at least that's what I think).

We won't more measurements or images until the end of the month after our next ultrasound. At that point I'll find out if we're still breach and placenta previa and if I'm giving birth to a giant. I've been holding off on buying diapers or clothes because I'm not sure what size. Issue is from everything I've read they say the weight estimates are normally off by one to two pounds . . . so then what?

I gots me a dipoma!

3 years and a ton of money later I have an MBA. As my husband pointed out, apparently I can't graduate from a place unless a nun signs my diploma:

Sr. Nancy, Sr. Thrakill, and Sr. Whoever that is up there.

Aliens could have signed it for all I care, as long as it's in my possession and means I don't have to go to school any more.

Ta da - it's JoJo the dancing baby

Now I can look at these pictures and clearly see my child trying to lick his/her knee. Why, who knows - already fits into the family. JoJo does not like to sit still for pictures and JoJo is in utero folded in half with legs over head. JoJo is also breach and placenta preva, if this doesn't change I will have to have a c-section. I'd rather not, but whatever it takes to get the little bugger out safely.




This picture is a little more whispy, due to all the movement, but there's a little bit of a smile. During the u/s we got yawns, smiles, licking, eyes opening, and stretching. It was very cool. We don't have a DVD ripper right now so I can't upload the video, but I'll get it up soon.

Kudos for Mirror Imaging in Springdale. It's ironically operated by a family I've known for quite some time, in fact my u/s was done by someone I went to grade school and high school with. They are very nice, super flexible, and genuinely excited about helping you see your baby.