Friday, June 13th, 2008
Friday the Thirteenth...
Friday the F-ing 13th...
We shoulda just stayed in bed.
If ever I had a legitimate excuse for not posting pictures after suggesting I might then ladies and gentlemen, may I present exhibit A... our Friday the 13th, 2008.
Not to go all storybook on you but it really did start just like any other day. It was nice, if not a little warm out, and the wifey and I were planning on hitting up the stores and getting some dinner out since it was a nice Friday night. So, rather than take two cars and me have to drive home before we went out, Katie just dropped me off at my office in the morning on her way in to the school.
The rest of the day was uneventful. That is, until about ten minutes of five...
I was watching the clock expecting a call in the next 15 minutes or so from Kate letting me know she was parked outside so I could wrap things up and we could go. Instead I got a call from Kate at 10 minutes of; hysterical and crying, to the point that I didn't understand anything she said the first time around. So I had her take a deep breath on the phone with me and asked her to repeat herself. What she said next almost stopped my heart right then and there.
"I fell."
I can say with absolute certainty I've never been more scared in my life than I was at that moment. Those two words hold the possibility for so many bad things to happen that I didn't want to consider going there. Instead, I asked her to take a few more deep breaths and explain what happened.
"I don't know. I just fell. I tripped. Outside. On the sidewalk. Face first. I couldn't catch myself."
Remember at this point that I don't have a car to get home. That's when the real panic set in. Face first? Couldn't catch yourself? The bad thoughts were beginning to creep in and there was nothing I could do about it.
Thankfully, a friend at work was able to give me a ride immidately and we pulled in front of the apartment building within about 20 minutes. During this time I spoke with her on the phone a few additional times, making sure of how she was feeling and finding out if she was able to get a hold of her doctor. By the time we got there she was sitting up on the front stoop. She had calmed down considerably, but neither of us were exactly what I would call "cool as a cucumber" at that point.
She had a knee that looked like it had been rubbed a half-dozen times across an industrial-size cheese grater and a right cheekbone that was taking on the color and puffiness of what was bound to be a shiner for sure.
I got her to the car and we headed straight for the hospital. On the way, her doctor called her back and told her if she could, to head to the hospital and call ahead to the Labor and Delivery Ward to let them know what was going on (check and check). By the time we got there, 15 minutes after we left (a record for Philly traffic on a Friday at 5:30) they were already expecting us.
Our biggest worry? Over the course of that hour Katie hadn't felt the baby move at all. We knew it could be because he was sleeping (which he does much more of during the day), or maybe because in her hyper-active state she wasn't able to feel any more subtle movements that may have been happening.
The hospital's biggest worry? Apparently much different than ours. For the first twenty minutes we were there they kept asking her the same questions over and over: "Where did you fall?", "Did you trip over something?", How long did it take you two to get here?", What time did you fall?", "Was your husband home when you fell?".
Hospitals ask a lot of questions when a pregnant woman comes in, saying she tripped and fell, with a bruised eye and skinned knees, and there are no "scuff marks" on her hands where she might have tried to catch herself. (Side note: there were scratches on her hands, but that would have prevented this particular nurse from getting as fired up as she was; really helping nobody in the process.)
(Side note #2: I can certaintly understand the need for the questions considering the society we live in today; but don't you think it more appropriate to ask the questions AFTER the patient is treated, calm and stable? I'm just sayin'...)
So the inquisition is over and they finally get her in a bed in the Labor and Delivery section of the hospital. The plan at that point: a 24-hour observation to make sure everything is OK. If at any point the situation changes... well, again something I didn't want to think about until if we had to.
So for the next 24 hours they draw blood twice to make sure there is no internal bleeding (a sign the placenta is seperated from the uterus), hook Kate up to a fetal heart-rate monitor and a TOCO monitor (don't know what it stands for- I only know it measures any contraction the mother may be having- another sign of early labor) and finally, an Ultrasound to make sure everything appears as it should.
Once they got her out of triage and into LDR the remainder of the staff was more than plesant and accomodating. They even brought me a cot to sleep on next to her and ignored the visitation hours for me so I didn't have to leave her that night. They brought toothbrushes and toothpaste for us so we could get cleaned up Saturday morning, and never rolled their eyes even once when Kate asked for assistance getting up to use the restroom (since each trip required someone to disconnect and then afterwards re-apply all the baby-belly monitors).
After 24 hours and a few chewed fingernails the doctor finally let us know: everything was fine. There was no indication of internal bleeding, the fetal heart-rate was strong and steady, he was moving again, and there were no signs of early-labor contractions.
Whew.
*Epilogue- After we got home that night and had dinner we got a good night's rest and got up early the next day. Why? We had to go back to the hospital. Weeks ago we had scheduled ourselves for a day-long birthing class that ran that Sunday. So, one last much more plesant and relaxed hospital meal, and a bunch of great lessons later we took the tour of the LDR with the rest of the expecting families in attendence. Needless to say, we didn't need the tour at that point. We did however, get to see some of the nurses that were back on shift the next day and were able to thank them for their help. Who knows, maybe we'll get to see them again in about six more weeks?
*Epilogue #2- Normally this is the week Kate would be at Disney with the Freshman girls. Since flying is considered dangerous at this late stage in the pregnancy everyone thought it best she stay home. You know, since it's safe and all...
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
More Baby Updates
Our son is already just like his old man...
Stubborn as a mule.
As little as three weeks ago the doctor was showing (mild) concern about the relative lack of weight gain. Almost as if to say "I'll show you!" he has since gained an additional 50% in weight in only a little over three weeks. The doctor is no longer worrying about the LAB's size. My wife's dream of a "average size baby", as she puts it, is going out the window... a well-greased, fully open window. This little growth spurt of our LAB has led to, among other things:
Swollen feet
Pinched bladder
Compressed ribs
A general feeling of uncomfortableness that extends though what would normally be seen as sleeping hours
Plus, there's all the side effects for the mother too!
When I said not long ago that he moves all the time I was horribly understating the situation. You can actually see the waves across Kate's belly as he shimmies and shakes. It's like a fleshy ripple. (One flavor ice cream you'll never-ever see.) The only real medical problem with all of this?
He's not really going anywhere. He's in what is called the Traverse Position
If, however, over the couse of the next few weeks he doesn't get himself "rotated" he and mommy may have to go through what is known as an Aversion Procedure. I think they call it this because Mommy (and presumably the LAB too) would be terribly adverse to having this procedure take place (a.k.a.- I'd probably end up getting kicked in the nuts somewhere along the line). Basically, the doctor will press and pull and try to actually rotate the LAB into this ideal position. At first they will do this externally. Read this next part very carefully.
If that doesn't work they will try to rotate him INTERNALLY.
O.M.G.
There are times when I get backed up and a trip to the bathroom can be extremely painful. I couldn't even begin to imagine what it might feel like if my bowel movement were suddenly transformed into a rotating turd of death. Just writing this is making me light-headed.
I know there was a bout of morning sickness to start this pregnancy off (another of my famous under-statements) but this is the first real medical situation we've come up against to-date. And while we recogonize the potential seriousness of it all, we also are taking everything with a grain of salt (see "turd of death" statement above) since we can only control what we can control.
Besides, like I said, he wouldn't be our son otherwise.
(Pictures tomorrow hopefully...)
Stubborn as a mule.
As little as three weeks ago the doctor was showing (mild) concern about the relative lack of weight gain. Almost as if to say "I'll show you!" he has since gained an additional 50% in weight in only a little over three weeks. The doctor is no longer worrying about the LAB's size. My wife's dream of a "average size baby", as she puts it, is going out the window... a well-greased, fully open window. This little growth spurt of our LAB has led to, among other things:
Swollen feet
Pinched bladder
Compressed ribs
A general feeling of uncomfortableness that extends though what would normally be seen as sleeping hours
Plus, there's all the side effects for the mother too!
When I said not long ago that he moves all the time I was horribly understating the situation. You can actually see the waves across Kate's belly as he shimmies and shakes. It's like a fleshy ripple. (One flavor ice cream you'll never-ever see.) The only real medical problem with all of this?
He's not really going anywhere. He's in what is called the Traverse Position
And he doesn't seem to mind just staying in that position. It's the same one he's been in since the very first set of ultrasound pictures. See what I mean? Stubborn.
If, however, over the couse of the next few weeks he doesn't get himself "rotated" he and mommy may have to go through what is known as an Aversion Procedure. I think they call it this because Mommy (and presumably the LAB too) would be terribly adverse to having this procedure take place (a.k.a.- I'd probably end up getting kicked in the nuts somewhere along the line). Basically, the doctor will press and pull and try to actually rotate the LAB into this ideal position. At first they will do this externally. Read this next part very carefully.If that doesn't work they will try to rotate him INTERNALLY.
O.M.G.
There are times when I get backed up and a trip to the bathroom can be extremely painful. I couldn't even begin to imagine what it might feel like if my bowel movement were suddenly transformed into a rotating turd of death. Just writing this is making me light-headed.
I know there was a bout of morning sickness to start this pregnancy off (another of my famous under-statements) but this is the first real medical situation we've come up against to-date. And while we recogonize the potential seriousness of it all, we also are taking everything with a grain of salt (see "turd of death" statement above) since we can only control what we can control.
Besides, like I said, he wouldn't be our son otherwise.
(Pictures tomorrow hopefully...)
Adding One To The List...
The city of Philadelphia has more city-sanctioned public murals than any other municipality in the world.
http://www.muralarts.org/
If you slow down long enough to take a look around it really can be a beautiful piece of the city backdrop. And, while this one won't be public, you can look forward to one more mural within the city limits very soon...
...our son's bedroom.
I decided a while ago I wanted to do this but hadn't decided on a "theme" until a few weeks ago.
http://www.muralarts.org/
If you slow down long enough to take a look around it really can be a beautiful piece of the city backdrop. And, while this one won't be public, you can look forward to one more mural within the city limits very soon...
...our son's bedroom.
I decided a while ago I wanted to do this but hadn't decided on a "theme" until a few weeks ago.
Because that's what little boys are made of!
Ladies and Gentlemen, may I present Freddie the Frog...
Sally the Snail...
Each of these little guys is about 2 foot square; givng me a 2' x 6' finished product. I plan on doing a pictoral "slide-show" of painted progress on this little project in the next few weeks, as I promised the Mommy-to-be a completed room by the end of the month- a.k.a. 36 weeks. (You know, just in case...)
Stay tuned...
Monday, June 2, 2008
My Train (wreck) Of Thought
This is what happens when I don’t write in a long while. I feel so compelled to get all these thoughts out on paper finally that they become the blog equivalent of a dam breaking- no smooth flow and transition, just a white-water current of my random thoughts over the past three and a half weeks (and I apologize for waiting so long).
I have more pictures and if I ever actually plug my laptop into the office scanner instead of just having it on my lap in bed (a wireless home network is a dangerous thing) I promise to give you all some more “belly shots”.
I’d also like to start taking pictures of progress on the LAB’s bedroom mural. I’d like to…
When I was a little kid I thought my father was perfect; like most kids do who look up to their fathers. When I got to be a little older (re: teenager) and we would fight some it was me testing boundaries and coming to the assumption that he was, in reality, far from perfect; though at that age I still didn’t have what you might consider “proof”. It was only after he died and I got a bit older and realized that I wasn’t perfect that I was able to say for sure, that neither was my father. Oddly enough, it was only when I reached that point that I think I fully understood what kind of man and what kind of father he was; and that who he really was now impresses me more than when I was an eight-year old and really thought he was perfect.
I also felt a bit guilty this past week for thinking about my father so much when I’ve got my mother still here. Remembering how a few years back she battled through open-heart surgery, breast cancer, near kidney failure and two hip-replacements in a span of just over 24 months… I don’t think calling her a hero would give much justice to the kind of woman she is. I’d like to think these are the kinds of moments she was looking towards when she was fighting to get out of hospital bed after hospital bed. One of my favorite quotes of all-time is “A man is not judged a success by his accomplishments as much as he is by the number of times he is willing to fail, and try again.” I botched the exact quote but you get the idea… my mom is living proof of the truth of that idiom.
We’re getting the baby’s furniture next weekend. It may be the first time I’m ever excited to assemble furniture.
I decided in church last weekend that the LAB was going to be born on July 16th. Follow this logic: I was born on October 20th and my dad’s birthday was January 24th. So, as his first born son, I arrived 4 days short of nine months after his birthday. This might seem silly to you; but right now it makes as much sense to me as 2+2=4.
Our brand new car had issues last weekend that kept us from going to a friend’s on Long Island for their birthday. I think it’s the most randomly angry I’ve been at something in a while. Especially since the repair/ issue was relatively minor and cost us nothing (warranty). Still, on principal I almost drove back to the dealer (200 miles away) simply to yell. Problem was, I didn’t have a car to do it in. That my friends, is irony.
I think we finally found a pediatrician. Next to the birth itself, this was probably the biggest remaining worry I had (excluding the money worry which will go away when they’re 30…maybe).
I thought nesting was a female trait of the pregnancy. Apparently I was way wrong. Curtains, pictures, furniture, murals… I feel like I’m living in one of those home renovation shows except for the fact that nothing’s been glued to walls (yet).
No child’s diaper could possibly be as bad as what our cat did in the litter box last night. At one point, as I approached the box, I could feel heat emanating from it – kinda like the sacred stones in “Temple of Doom”.
The LAB moves ALL THE TIME. It’s like a human gremlin that got fed after midnight or something I swear to god.
Apparently, hospitals are seeing a decline in the number of births for 2008 so far. Some experts believe this is because of the hits the economy has taken over the past year which are now, months later (obviously) showing up in a decline in “planned” pregnancies. That either makes the wife and I very secure or very delusional. I haven’t decided just yet.
Will try to be more frequent with the updates; if not for your reading pleasure than at least for my sanity… July 16th… what am I thinking?
I have more pictures and if I ever actually plug my laptop into the office scanner instead of just having it on my lap in bed (a wireless home network is a dangerous thing) I promise to give you all some more “belly shots”.
I’d also like to start taking pictures of progress on the LAB’s bedroom mural. I’d like to…
When I was a little kid I thought my father was perfect; like most kids do who look up to their fathers. When I got to be a little older (re: teenager) and we would fight some it was me testing boundaries and coming to the assumption that he was, in reality, far from perfect; though at that age I still didn’t have what you might consider “proof”. It was only after he died and I got a bit older and realized that I wasn’t perfect that I was able to say for sure, that neither was my father. Oddly enough, it was only when I reached that point that I think I fully understood what kind of man and what kind of father he was; and that who he really was now impresses me more than when I was an eight-year old and really thought he was perfect.
I also felt a bit guilty this past week for thinking about my father so much when I’ve got my mother still here. Remembering how a few years back she battled through open-heart surgery, breast cancer, near kidney failure and two hip-replacements in a span of just over 24 months… I don’t think calling her a hero would give much justice to the kind of woman she is. I’d like to think these are the kinds of moments she was looking towards when she was fighting to get out of hospital bed after hospital bed. One of my favorite quotes of all-time is “A man is not judged a success by his accomplishments as much as he is by the number of times he is willing to fail, and try again.” I botched the exact quote but you get the idea… my mom is living proof of the truth of that idiom.
We’re getting the baby’s furniture next weekend. It may be the first time I’m ever excited to assemble furniture.
I decided in church last weekend that the LAB was going to be born on July 16th. Follow this logic: I was born on October 20th and my dad’s birthday was January 24th. So, as his first born son, I arrived 4 days short of nine months after his birthday. This might seem silly to you; but right now it makes as much sense to me as 2+2=4.
Our brand new car had issues last weekend that kept us from going to a friend’s on Long Island for their birthday. I think it’s the most randomly angry I’ve been at something in a while. Especially since the repair/ issue was relatively minor and cost us nothing (warranty). Still, on principal I almost drove back to the dealer (200 miles away) simply to yell. Problem was, I didn’t have a car to do it in. That my friends, is irony.
I think we finally found a pediatrician. Next to the birth itself, this was probably the biggest remaining worry I had (excluding the money worry which will go away when they’re 30…maybe).
I thought nesting was a female trait of the pregnancy. Apparently I was way wrong. Curtains, pictures, furniture, murals… I feel like I’m living in one of those home renovation shows except for the fact that nothing’s been glued to walls (yet).
No child’s diaper could possibly be as bad as what our cat did in the litter box last night. At one point, as I approached the box, I could feel heat emanating from it – kinda like the sacred stones in “Temple of Doom”.
The LAB moves ALL THE TIME. It’s like a human gremlin that got fed after midnight or something I swear to god.
Apparently, hospitals are seeing a decline in the number of births for 2008 so far. Some experts believe this is because of the hits the economy has taken over the past year which are now, months later (obviously) showing up in a decline in “planned” pregnancies. That either makes the wife and I very secure or very delusional. I haven’t decided just yet.
Will try to be more frequent with the updates; if not for your reading pleasure than at least for my sanity… July 16th… what am I thinking?
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Future Suggested Reading Material
So I've been talking a lot lately about reading to the LAB and, like I said, if doing this is nothing more than a way for my mind to stay occupied while he grows in there; and maybe for him to start recogonizing my voice, then I'm more than OK with that.
Once he gets out though, that's another story.
I don't plan on being one of those parents like Rick Moranis in "Parenthood" who's teaching his daughter Spanish at six months of age, but I do believe there's a great disconnect in what we teach our children at an early age and what they're capable of: call it the death of the Count (from Sesame Street... remember him?)
Just last week looking through the shelves of a local store I found heaps upon piles upon mounds of books for little kids that taught them how to read, how to speak, and how to write. I even saw one teaching kids sign language. Nowhere in there did I see anything even remotely related to math or science.
Now before you start laughing, yes, I know that my profession (Nerd) pre-disposes me toward this opinion, but I really do believe there's room for more math and science in our kid's educational diets than they get right now outside of the classroom. I think there were some fine television examples when I was younger that maybe still exist, but if they do I haven't been able to find any of them so far. Remember any of these from your younger days?
3-2-1 Contact
Square One
Mr. Wizard
While I applaud Bill Nye "The Science Guy" for his contributions I still think there's room for so much more, especially in the literary end of things. Some ideas I've thought about recently:
Project books for kids along the lines of "scientific paper dolls" where kids get lessons on science and technology in ways they could understand. (I learned what makes airplanes fly by building hundreds of different shaped paper ones, and learned about air pressure by stringing straws, with baloons attached, across my living room, so maybe things like that). Basically, I want to take math and science ideas and make them accessible to kids at an earlier age- something I think could definitely be done. Call it Physics for Five-year-olds, or Engineering for Eight-year-olds.
Children's fiction with a math/ science tilt. Anyone out there remember "The Adventures of Encylopedia Brown"? These were collections of short, ten or so page, stories that were written in a mystery novel type setting and were easliy my favorite books. Not just then. Ever. It was the one time in my life that reading ever really held a great sense of adventure and possibility for me. At the end of each story there was a one page conclusion in the back of the book that gave the "solution" to the mystery; one that could be logically deduced from the contents of the story itself. What about taking that same idea and juggling it into a math and science-based set of "solutions"?
Like I said, I know part of this is me "looking out for my boy" and another part of me is just a math-happy nerd who wants everyone else to come over to the dark side. But part of me really does believe this is possible.
Anyone who has seen some great resources like the ones I've described above please let me know. I'd love to get my hands on some copies. Maybe I'll even share them with the LAB... eventually.
Once he gets out though, that's another story.
I don't plan on being one of those parents like Rick Moranis in "Parenthood" who's teaching his daughter Spanish at six months of age, but I do believe there's a great disconnect in what we teach our children at an early age and what they're capable of: call it the death of the Count (from Sesame Street... remember him?)
Just last week looking through the shelves of a local store I found heaps upon piles upon mounds of books for little kids that taught them how to read, how to speak, and how to write. I even saw one teaching kids sign language. Nowhere in there did I see anything even remotely related to math or science.
Now before you start laughing, yes, I know that my profession (Nerd) pre-disposes me toward this opinion, but I really do believe there's room for more math and science in our kid's educational diets than they get right now outside of the classroom. I think there were some fine television examples when I was younger that maybe still exist, but if they do I haven't been able to find any of them so far. Remember any of these from your younger days?
3-2-1 Contact
Square One
Mr. Wizard
While I applaud Bill Nye "The Science Guy" for his contributions I still think there's room for so much more, especially in the literary end of things. Some ideas I've thought about recently:
Project books for kids along the lines of "scientific paper dolls" where kids get lessons on science and technology in ways they could understand. (I learned what makes airplanes fly by building hundreds of different shaped paper ones, and learned about air pressure by stringing straws, with baloons attached, across my living room, so maybe things like that). Basically, I want to take math and science ideas and make them accessible to kids at an earlier age- something I think could definitely be done. Call it Physics for Five-year-olds, or Engineering for Eight-year-olds.
Children's fiction with a math/ science tilt. Anyone out there remember "The Adventures of Encylopedia Brown"? These were collections of short, ten or so page, stories that were written in a mystery novel type setting and were easliy my favorite books. Not just then. Ever. It was the one time in my life that reading ever really held a great sense of adventure and possibility for me. At the end of each story there was a one page conclusion in the back of the book that gave the "solution" to the mystery; one that could be logically deduced from the contents of the story itself. What about taking that same idea and juggling it into a math and science-based set of "solutions"?
Like I said, I know part of this is me "looking out for my boy" and another part of me is just a math-happy nerd who wants everyone else to come over to the dark side. But part of me really does believe this is possible.
Anyone who has seen some great resources like the ones I've described above please let me know. I'd love to get my hands on some copies. Maybe I'll even share them with the LAB... eventually.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Baby I Was Born A Rambling Man
I'm feeling the LAB kick all the time now. A few nights ago I was reading "The Sneetches" by Dr. Seuss (I gotta start reading different authors to him or he's gonna end up like that cat in the Heathcliff cartoons that only spoke in rhyme) and it the middle of the story, with my head on Kate's baby-belly he kicked me- or punched- or whatever- square in the ear. It didn't freak me out or anything. It was all just very cool.
I can feel him all the time now and can sometimes even see it right through her preggo clothes. The only "weird" part for me so far had been when I'm doing a bit of pressing on the belly and I'll suddenly get to a spot that's significantly harder than all the other spots. It's at that point I know I'm touching a foot, his butt, or maybe even his head. It amazes me to think that what I'm feeling through less than an inch of clothing and body is my son. Especially when you realize that; while it would be extremely dangerous for him at this point, he is basically old enough to be born.
I'm convinced that the reason children can't walk as soon as they're born is a combination of lack of muscle development (because of their confinement) and a lack of orientation. Even now, as an adult if you've been laying on your side or upside down for nine months you'd have a hard time getting up and walking right away too. I'm convinced that if the child were carried in an upright position in the womb the entire pregnancy that that child would learn to crawl and walk significantly faster than would otherwise be possible. See, he's not even born yet and already I'm an expert.
I had an odd thought last night at about 11p. Katie had a rough day and went to sleep early so I stayed up, cleaned up in the living room a bit and watched the Flyers game against the Canadiens. After Phillies baseball Flyers hockey is easily next on my local "favorites" list. So I'm watching the Flyers pull another one out of the hat last night, getting them one win away from a conference finals that three weeks ago no-one thought they would have any chance to be in; when it dawns on me: the last time the Flyers won the Stanley Cup was the 1976-77 season. The same season I was born. I find this especially significant since outside of football (which he played in both High School and College) Flyers Hockey was probably #2 on my Dad's sports list as well. I still remember playing indoor soccer as a teenager and talking to him after games- he would always try to relate the play on the field to what was going on in a hockey game. He never played soccer growing up, but it was his way to talking to me about the game I loved, in a way we could both kinda understand.
I've been thinking about him a lot lately.
We watched Juno over the weekend. The third prgenancy-themed movie we've seen since we found out. I really enjoyed it but had a bit of a hard time with how cool the parents were with her being pregnant. The show of emotion when she makes her decision at the end of the movie (I'm being vague to avoid any spoiler-type info.) was appropriate, but I feel as if it was just a bit too saccharine for the subject matter. It could have still been funny, but a little more serious too. But that's probably just the cynic in me coming out.
The other two we've watched? "Knocked Up", which I bloggesd about, and "Parenthood", the movie from which my roller coaster quote came from that no-one decided to guess on. Dissapointing.
We went out to dinner last night at Scoogi's on a whim. One of our favorite Italian places. I had the white pizza with pesto, diced tomato and grilled shrimp when midway through the meal I said to Katie "guess we can't do this on a whim in a few months, huh?" Probably not.
When she's sitting on the couch or laying in bed sometimes she'll get a smile on her face, almost like she knows something no one else does. Then, without me asking (though I'm pretty sure I have some sort of "look" on my face) she'll put her hands on her belly, look at me, and say "he's swimming". It's what she calls it when he's not kicking but just kinda moving around in there. The simle on her face when that happens is perhaps been the best part of the pregnancy for me so far.
She thinks baby likes country music. I need to introduce the LAB to some rock and roll... and soon ;)
I can feel him all the time now and can sometimes even see it right through her preggo clothes. The only "weird" part for me so far had been when I'm doing a bit of pressing on the belly and I'll suddenly get to a spot that's significantly harder than all the other spots. It's at that point I know I'm touching a foot, his butt, or maybe even his head. It amazes me to think that what I'm feeling through less than an inch of clothing and body is my son. Especially when you realize that; while it would be extremely dangerous for him at this point, he is basically old enough to be born.
I'm convinced that the reason children can't walk as soon as they're born is a combination of lack of muscle development (because of their confinement) and a lack of orientation. Even now, as an adult if you've been laying on your side or upside down for nine months you'd have a hard time getting up and walking right away too. I'm convinced that if the child were carried in an upright position in the womb the entire pregnancy that that child would learn to crawl and walk significantly faster than would otherwise be possible. See, he's not even born yet and already I'm an expert.
I had an odd thought last night at about 11p. Katie had a rough day and went to sleep early so I stayed up, cleaned up in the living room a bit and watched the Flyers game against the Canadiens. After Phillies baseball Flyers hockey is easily next on my local "favorites" list. So I'm watching the Flyers pull another one out of the hat last night, getting them one win away from a conference finals that three weeks ago no-one thought they would have any chance to be in; when it dawns on me: the last time the Flyers won the Stanley Cup was the 1976-77 season. The same season I was born. I find this especially significant since outside of football (which he played in both High School and College) Flyers Hockey was probably #2 on my Dad's sports list as well. I still remember playing indoor soccer as a teenager and talking to him after games- he would always try to relate the play on the field to what was going on in a hockey game. He never played soccer growing up, but it was his way to talking to me about the game I loved, in a way we could both kinda understand.
I've been thinking about him a lot lately.
We watched Juno over the weekend. The third prgenancy-themed movie we've seen since we found out. I really enjoyed it but had a bit of a hard time with how cool the parents were with her being pregnant. The show of emotion when she makes her decision at the end of the movie (I'm being vague to avoid any spoiler-type info.) was appropriate, but I feel as if it was just a bit too saccharine for the subject matter. It could have still been funny, but a little more serious too. But that's probably just the cynic in me coming out.
The other two we've watched? "Knocked Up", which I bloggesd about, and "Parenthood", the movie from which my roller coaster quote came from that no-one decided to guess on. Dissapointing.
We went out to dinner last night at Scoogi's on a whim. One of our favorite Italian places. I had the white pizza with pesto, diced tomato and grilled shrimp when midway through the meal I said to Katie "guess we can't do this on a whim in a few months, huh?" Probably not.
When she's sitting on the couch or laying in bed sometimes she'll get a smile on her face, almost like she knows something no one else does. Then, without me asking (though I'm pretty sure I have some sort of "look" on my face) she'll put her hands on her belly, look at me, and say "he's swimming". It's what she calls it when he's not kicking but just kinda moving around in there. The simle on her face when that happens is perhaps been the best part of the pregnancy for me so far.
She thinks baby likes country music. I need to introduce the LAB to some rock and roll... and soon ;)
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Best Parenting Advice EVER (Part II)
A.K.A. "Yet another reason I love my wife" (She sent me this). 
If anyone has issues opening it up to make it more legible let me know and I'll re-post it in pieces or something...
If anyone has issues opening it up to make it more legible let me know and I'll re-post it in pieces or something...Why I Have No Hair (Besides Genetics)
The number of days left on the little voting macro to the right side of the screen? That's how many days until the due date. Excuse me while I throw up in my mouth a little bit. It's one thing to plan for a wedding, or something else with a set date. It's another thing entirely to try and prepare for someone/ something that could happen at any minute.
The hormonal imbalances that pregnancy brings. It's amazing the highs and lows that happen in a normal day. A quick example- remember the scene at the end of "Goonies" on the beach where Chunk tells Sloth that he's gonna live with him and his family? Ever even remotely consider crying during that? Me either. But I have now seen it happen. My wife cried during Goonies. I rest my case.
I have a job that I find at times absolutely fascinating and compelling, and at other times maddeningly frustrating. There is nothing more stressful than learning a new skill "on the fly". What I basically mean by that is that I'm getting better at what I'm doing, but every time I hit a bump in the learning curve it makes me want to scream out loud.
As a result I'm struggling a little bit with the balance between time at home and time at work. In fact, for the past few weeks there was no balance. I have been averaging between a ten and eleven hour day for close to the past month. Here's hoping I can find some of that balance again soon. It's one of the things I've worried most about since I knew we'd be adding to our family by one.
Money. Any extra you find lying around just let me know. I'll be glad to clean up for ya'.
Oh yeah, and........ (big breath)
MakingSureTheBillsArePaidSpringCleaningGettingTheBaby'sRoomReadyBalancingTheFamilyBudgetMakingSureIRunSpendingTimeWithMyLovelyWifeAndReadingToMySonEachNightWhileDoingMyBestAtWorkAndGettingTheOldCarFixedAndOhYeahGettingOurWeddingPhotosPrintedBeforeWeStartTakingNewBabyPhotosWhileAddingBabyToMyHealthcarePlanAndFindingAGoodPeditrician.
If it sounds like I'm bitching I apologize- I don't mean to. Like I said in a previous post, I enjoy the ride, I really do. It just amazes me how much stuff seems to happen all at once, before baby even shows up. That's why I think all parenting books should begin at conception (or maybe a few days after- that's probably TMI) and not at birth.
Everyone who has told me stories about being a parent starts from the point where the child was born. They're starting that story about nine months too late.
The hormonal imbalances that pregnancy brings. It's amazing the highs and lows that happen in a normal day. A quick example- remember the scene at the end of "Goonies" on the beach where Chunk tells Sloth that he's gonna live with him and his family? Ever even remotely consider crying during that? Me either. But I have now seen it happen. My wife cried during Goonies. I rest my case.
I have a job that I find at times absolutely fascinating and compelling, and at other times maddeningly frustrating. There is nothing more stressful than learning a new skill "on the fly". What I basically mean by that is that I'm getting better at what I'm doing, but every time I hit a bump in the learning curve it makes me want to scream out loud.
As a result I'm struggling a little bit with the balance between time at home and time at work. In fact, for the past few weeks there was no balance. I have been averaging between a ten and eleven hour day for close to the past month. Here's hoping I can find some of that balance again soon. It's one of the things I've worried most about since I knew we'd be adding to our family by one.
Money. Any extra you find lying around just let me know. I'll be glad to clean up for ya'.
Oh yeah, and........ (big breath)
MakingSureTheBillsArePaidSpringCleaningGettingTheBaby'sRoomReadyBalancingTheFamilyBudgetMakingSureIRunSpendingTimeWithMyLovelyWifeAndReadingToMySonEachNightWhileDoingMyBestAtWorkAndGettingTheOldCarFixedAndOhYeahGettingOurWeddingPhotosPrintedBeforeWeStartTakingNewBabyPhotosWhileAddingBabyToMyHealthcarePlanAndFindingAGoodPeditrician.
If it sounds like I'm bitching I apologize- I don't mean to. Like I said in a previous post, I enjoy the ride, I really do. It just amazes me how much stuff seems to happen all at once, before baby even shows up. That's why I think all parenting books should begin at conception (or maybe a few days after- that's probably TMI) and not at birth.
Everyone who has told me stories about being a parent starts from the point where the child was born. They're starting that story about nine months too late.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Suggested Reading Material (6+yrs.)
Some suggested reading material for the slightly older set:
A 63-year old man who once worked as a janitor has solved what was the longest currently unsolved mathematical conjecture in existence. (Insert Good Will Hunting Reference Here)
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23729600/
What I find so fascinating about this problem is two-fold.
1. The simplistic nature of such a complex problem can be described, and understood by anyone with a little bit of patience and even a remote interest in mathematics.
Basically the conjecture stated that you could take any number of points, and by connecting them with a series of one-way "roads" highlighted by use of only two colors, you could create a set of distinct "paths" that would allow you to get to any point on the "map" from any other point with a set of directions no more complex than a list of color-combinations; like this:
For example, if you want to get to the spot marked in yellow the following path will get you there: Blue-Red-Red-Blue-Red-Red-Blue-Red-Red. It matters not where you start, you will always finish at the yellow spot. Try it at different starting spots. You'll always end at yellow.
A 63-year old man who once worked as a janitor has solved what was the longest currently unsolved mathematical conjecture in existence. (Insert Good Will Hunting Reference Here)
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23729600/
What I find so fascinating about this problem is two-fold.
1. The simplistic nature of such a complex problem can be described, and understood by anyone with a little bit of patience and even a remote interest in mathematics.
Basically the conjecture stated that you could take any number of points, and by connecting them with a series of one-way "roads" highlighted by use of only two colors, you could create a set of distinct "paths" that would allow you to get to any point on the "map" from any other point with a set of directions no more complex than a list of color-combinations; like this:
For example, if you want to get to the spot marked in yellow the following path will get you there: Blue-Red-Red-Blue-Red-Red-Blue-Red-Red. It matters not where you start, you will always finish at the yellow spot. Try it at different starting spots. You'll always end at yellow.For Green you ask?
Blue-Blue-Red-Blue-Blue-Red-Blue-Blue-Red
The trick is that while the solution to the example shown above is fairly simple no one had been able to prove mathematically that it was possible to this this same thing for any given number of points; five, five hundred, or even five thousand.
2. The solution/ theorm was written in only eight pages.
Now granted, the contents of those eight pages are more complex and technical than most anyone could understand, but in mathematical fields it represents a solution with the simplistic equivalent of a grade-school textbook.
The implications of this work are far-reaching, even to us. New mapping capabilities using GPS systems that would allow you to find your way somewhere, anywhere, even if you didn't know where you currently were.
And there are even electronic equivalents, meaning no e-mail or computer file would ever get lost again. The documenting capabilities are almost limitless.
Sometimes math can be cool. Even when we don't entirely understand it.
Test Driving
Over the past few weeks, besides all of the normal getting-ready-for-baby type things we've been doing (like getting the room ready and starting the shower registry) there have been two others which have kinda trumped the rest: finding a child-care provider and finding a new car.
I'm glad to announce that both issues have since been solved as we have found a full-time nanny for the LAB (no, we didn't hit the lottery, I'll explain) and just last week bought a new car that the principal of Katie's school called a "mommy car"'.
So, because I like lists I'm going to make one here.
"Ways in which looking for day-care and a new car are alike":
1. What kind of options can we afford? Do we just get something basic, or can we afford a few "bells and whistles"?
2. Is is something we're going to be happy with five years down the line?
3. Will it keep the LAB safe?
4. How will people judge us based on our decision?
Our finalized day-care situation is, in fact, a lot like PhillyCarShare. We have "chipped in" on a full-time nanny that we would otherwise not be able to afford on our own with a few other families that attend the same church as we do. The lady is certified, CPR trained, background checked, and was once the manager of a day-care facility who didn't like how the facilites owner wanted to run things. It has all the advantages of private child-care at a fraction of the cost.
And now we have a new car to pick him up in too.
Guess it's time to start painting his room.
I'm glad to announce that both issues have since been solved as we have found a full-time nanny for the LAB (no, we didn't hit the lottery, I'll explain) and just last week bought a new car that the principal of Katie's school called a "mommy car"'.
So, because I like lists I'm going to make one here.
"Ways in which looking for day-care and a new car are alike":
1. What kind of options can we afford? Do we just get something basic, or can we afford a few "bells and whistles"?
2. Is is something we're going to be happy with five years down the line?
3. Will it keep the LAB safe?
4. How will people judge us based on our decision?
Our finalized day-care situation is, in fact, a lot like PhillyCarShare. We have "chipped in" on a full-time nanny that we would otherwise not be able to afford on our own with a few other families that attend the same church as we do. The lady is certified, CPR trained, background checked, and was once the manager of a day-care facility who didn't like how the facilites owner wanted to run things. It has all the advantages of private child-care at a fraction of the cost.
And now we have a new car to pick him up in too.
Guess it's time to start painting his room.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Professional Soccer's Here (In 2009)!
(Another one I started a while back... oh well, better late than never.)
Major League Soccer (MLS) has awarded their 16th franchise to the City of Philadelphia (Well, Chester really if you check out my previous rant on this issue.) While I may not be thrilled with the decision of venue from a purely political standpoint, it will not keep me from supporting the new team as they prepare to be the loudest, most well-supported, most over-the-top obnoxious fan base the league has ever seen. In other words, typical Philly. A few highlights to-date:
- A team-supporters group, the "Sons of Ben" was formed several years ago, when there was no team, and even the prospect of a franchise was nothing more than a long-shot. Since then they have been responsible for the following:
- Formation of a season-ticket base that already rivals that of more than 3/4 of the league's member teams; a full two years before the first game is to be played.
- Attendance of the supporters group at last years MLS Cup Final, during which they cheered for themselves, and for the Houston Dynamo while firmly entrenched in the sections of the stadium patrolled by the Midnight Riders; the supporters group of the New England Revolution. Why? Because they could.
- To that point, road trips to games at the homes of DC United and RedBull NewYork; all the while cheering for themselves. Why? Because in a few years DC and NY will be the teams' natural rivals but they didn't want to wait any longer to start "pissing those wankers off".
And yes, the abbreviation is the S.O.B.'s.
------------------------------------------------------
(Sung to the tune of Camp-Town Lady)
"We've got any many Cups as you- Red Bull New York"
"We've got as many Cups as you-- and we don't have a team!"
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Suggested Reading Material (0-6 yrs.)
So I've been reading to the LAB before bed at night in an attempt to coax some more reactions out of him. Specifically, I wanted him to do the can-can in Kate's tum-tum. (Yes, I know... baby talk and the LAB's still 4 months from showing up- sue me.)
Some of what I've been reading to him so far:
Guess How Much I Love You
Fox in Socks
Green Eggs and Ham
One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish
The Sleep Book (Thanks Auntie Myra!)
I'm fully aware most of these are Dr. Seuss books and make absolutely no sense. That's Ok. Kinda like reading all the parenting books... I'm pretty sure the whole process is simply to give us something to do to keep from going nutzo waiting for the LAB to show up. And honestly, it's kinda hard to carry the stress of the day over to bed with you when you have to read the following:
"Through three cheese trees three free fleas flew.While these fleas flew, freezy breeze blew.Freezy breeze made these three trees freeze.Freezy trees made these trees' cheese freeze.That's what made these three free fleas sneeze."
I should have started reading these years ago. Maybe I'd still have some hair on my head if I had.
And the reading has apparently provoked some sort of response. Katie says that every once in a while during story-time she'll get a good kick or two from him. We even took it so far as to tape record me reading the stories so she could play them back to him. I'll explain...
That loop-da-loop on the roller coaster I mentioned a few weeks back? I had to take a short-notice trip overseas to the United Arab Emirates for work. I was gone for a week and immersed in a culture completely foreign to me. Between that and getting ready to take a shot at my PE licensure exam this Friday things have gone from crazy to completely insane. I'm averaging about 5 hours of sleep a night and worrying that that's too much.
So anyway, to keep up the story-time routine at night we recorded me reading the stories on a small digital voice recorder so that at night Kate could just hit play, lay the recorder on her belly, and Gideon got his story; even when dad was 10,000 miles away (literally). Like I said, we do these things to keep us occupied. Anyway, she said that while I was gone, and he continued to grow, the kicks have been stronger and more frequent.
So maybe it's for baby too, but call me a skeptic. I just feel good doing it.
Some of what I've been reading to him so far:
Guess How Much I Love You
Fox in Socks
Green Eggs and Ham
One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish
The Sleep Book (Thanks Auntie Myra!)
I'm fully aware most of these are Dr. Seuss books and make absolutely no sense. That's Ok. Kinda like reading all the parenting books... I'm pretty sure the whole process is simply to give us something to do to keep from going nutzo waiting for the LAB to show up. And honestly, it's kinda hard to carry the stress of the day over to bed with you when you have to read the following:
"Through three cheese trees three free fleas flew.While these fleas flew, freezy breeze blew.Freezy breeze made these three trees freeze.Freezy trees made these trees' cheese freeze.That's what made these three free fleas sneeze."
I should have started reading these years ago. Maybe I'd still have some hair on my head if I had.
And the reading has apparently provoked some sort of response. Katie says that every once in a while during story-time she'll get a good kick or two from him. We even took it so far as to tape record me reading the stories so she could play them back to him. I'll explain...
That loop-da-loop on the roller coaster I mentioned a few weeks back? I had to take a short-notice trip overseas to the United Arab Emirates for work. I was gone for a week and immersed in a culture completely foreign to me. Between that and getting ready to take a shot at my PE licensure exam this Friday things have gone from crazy to completely insane. I'm averaging about 5 hours of sleep a night and worrying that that's too much.
So anyway, to keep up the story-time routine at night we recorded me reading the stories on a small digital voice recorder so that at night Kate could just hit play, lay the recorder on her belly, and Gideon got his story; even when dad was 10,000 miles away (literally). Like I said, we do these things to keep us occupied. Anyway, she said that while I was gone, and he continued to grow, the kicks have been stronger and more frequent.
So maybe it's for baby too, but call me a skeptic. I just feel good doing it.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
A Long Overdue (no pun intended) Update:
Some pictures I've had of my beatuiful little fetal oven that I've held on to for too long:
My baby momma at 20 Weeks and her hair was growing faster than the stylist could cut it. A previously un-mentioned side effect of the hormonal changes, coupled with the pre-natal vitamins. Forget steroids- Barry Bonds should have just gotten pregnant.
Now we're at 22 weeks and the belly is really beginning to show. You know what they say about fat men and Horizontal stripes- well it's the exact opposite for pregnant women. I think she looks cute pregnant so anything that shows off the belly is just fine by me. The look on her face in the second one is because we had just gotten home from work, I was having issues with the digital camera, and this was roughly the 20th attempt I had made at taking a decent picture. Oh, and did I mention it was snack time?
23 weeks and getting ready for hosting my family for Easter Dinner. Trust me- she's wearing shoes...
"Hey- eyes up here!" She was convinced I had the zoom on the camera and was taking pregnant boob pictures.
More to follow as baby grows.
Update: Gideon is kicking like a champ all the time now. I felt two good ones just after dinner alone tonight. The real test will be to see how freaked out I get once he starts getting big enough to where I can see him moving instead of just feeling it.
My baby momma at 20 Weeks and her hair was growing faster than the stylist could cut it. A previously un-mentioned side effect of the hormonal changes, coupled with the pre-natal vitamins. Forget steroids- Barry Bonds should have just gotten pregnant.
Now we're at 22 weeks and the belly is really beginning to show. You know what they say about fat men and Horizontal stripes- well it's the exact opposite for pregnant women. I think she looks cute pregnant so anything that shows off the belly is just fine by me. The look on her face in the second one is because we had just gotten home from work, I was having issues with the digital camera, and this was roughly the 20th attempt I had made at taking a decent picture. Oh, and did I mention it was snack time?
23 weeks and getting ready for hosting my family for Easter Dinner. Trust me- she's wearing shoes...
"Hey- eyes up here!" She was convinced I had the zoom on the camera and was taking pregnant boob pictures. More to follow as baby grows.
Update: Gideon is kicking like a champ all the time now. I felt two good ones just after dinner alone tonight. The real test will be to see how freaked out I get once he starts getting big enough to where I can see him moving instead of just feeling it.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
My Little Pele'
I've put about half a dozen ancillary baby stories into editing over the past four days that will all have to wait a few more days for your general perusal. It seems as if the roller coaster is about to take another trip through the loop-de-loop for me right now and I'm gonna have to hold on tight for the ride; which means no free hand to write until probably late next week. By then you all may have to take some vivarin to keep up with all the new stuff I'm gonna be putting into this site to make up for lost time. If that was too vauge I'll be much clearer next week- promise.
But, between now and then there was one thing I couldn't keep in any longer:
Tuesday night I felt him kick/move for the first time and let me tell you... he kicked hard.
We spent the evening down at the Ronald McDonald House near University City with some of the kids who are there either pre or post-surgery playing games and coloring and doing "farts and craps" ("arts and crafts") while their parents got a few hours of rest and maybe a cup of coffee or eight. Most of the time they're not gone for long though since they want to be around to see their kids play and have fun, even if after everything they don't always have the energy for it themselves.
So we get back home rather late and after wolfing down a quick bite we picked up at Quizno's we head off to bed- rather exhausted. After reading Fox in Socks, by Dr. Seuss, to the LAB (one of the future posts I alluded to earlier), and as I rolled over to say good night I put my hand on Katie's belly for no other reason than it was a good place to put it as I rolled when suddenly, there it was.
A kick. A hard one too. Square in the middle of my palm.
Now, Katie's been able to feel the LAB moving around for quite some time and has gotten used to him being more active at night when her normal movements aren't there to basically rock him to sleep during the day. Consequently, her inactive periods (usually after dinner) have become his active ones. He espically loves coffee ice cream and, as I understand it, just about does somersaults after a bowl of the stuff for dessert.
I understand the LAB will sometimes react to a hand pressed against the tummy; basically feeling it when you apply a bit of pressure. I wasn't even pressing that hard, but my hand just happened to be in the right place at the right time. Katie said it was an espically hard kick too. I was amazed. It was so cool but happened so quick I almost didn't realize it for what it was as first (as opposed to a bit of a gas bubble or something more "common" like that) I did a little of the aforementioned "pressing" to no avail. He spotted me one good kick in the hand then went back to doing whatever it is babies his age do... probably growing the brain cells that remember baseball stats or something important like that.
I haven't felt him since, though Katie assures me he's definitely been an active bugger the last few days (again, especially after meals and during night-time story reading); but it was a nice reminder of what's actually happening. It was a chance for my son to say HI in his own way. It doesn't mean the next time won't be a surprise too, but it was the first, and I will always remember that.
But, between now and then there was one thing I couldn't keep in any longer:
Tuesday night I felt him kick/move for the first time and let me tell you... he kicked hard.
We spent the evening down at the Ronald McDonald House near University City with some of the kids who are there either pre or post-surgery playing games and coloring and doing "farts and craps" ("arts and crafts") while their parents got a few hours of rest and maybe a cup of coffee or eight. Most of the time they're not gone for long though since they want to be around to see their kids play and have fun, even if after everything they don't always have the energy for it themselves.
So we get back home rather late and after wolfing down a quick bite we picked up at Quizno's we head off to bed- rather exhausted. After reading Fox in Socks, by Dr. Seuss, to the LAB (one of the future posts I alluded to earlier), and as I rolled over to say good night I put my hand on Katie's belly for no other reason than it was a good place to put it as I rolled when suddenly, there it was.
A kick. A hard one too. Square in the middle of my palm.
Now, Katie's been able to feel the LAB moving around for quite some time and has gotten used to him being more active at night when her normal movements aren't there to basically rock him to sleep during the day. Consequently, her inactive periods (usually after dinner) have become his active ones. He espically loves coffee ice cream and, as I understand it, just about does somersaults after a bowl of the stuff for dessert.
I understand the LAB will sometimes react to a hand pressed against the tummy; basically feeling it when you apply a bit of pressure. I wasn't even pressing that hard, but my hand just happened to be in the right place at the right time. Katie said it was an espically hard kick too. I was amazed. It was so cool but happened so quick I almost didn't realize it for what it was as first (as opposed to a bit of a gas bubble or something more "common" like that) I did a little of the aforementioned "pressing" to no avail. He spotted me one good kick in the hand then went back to doing whatever it is babies his age do... probably growing the brain cells that remember baseball stats or something important like that.
I haven't felt him since, though Katie assures me he's definitely been an active bugger the last few days (again, especially after meals and during night-time story reading); but it was a nice reminder of what's actually happening. It was a chance for my son to say HI in his own way. It doesn't mean the next time won't be a surprise too, but it was the first, and I will always remember that.
Monday, March 24, 2008
No Blood No Foul?
Or maybe just not enough blood.
This is perhaps the most sickening piece of new I have read in the local papers in quite some time.
A summary of the article above, broken down into simplified terms:
1. Young man has arrests for previous crimes, and needs money to cover costs associated with restitution for a previous crime he committed.
2. Young man holds up police officer while shooting him several times at point blank range and is later arrested while found to be still carrying this same gun.
3. Judge reduces charges to aggravated assult; ultimately reducing the bail and possible punishment, while simultaneously freeing the suspect, and putting him on the hook for additional monies.
Why not just expedite a new gun registration for him while you're at it Judge?
He shot someone at point-blank range, but the man didn't die. Guess he was shot in the foot or leg then, huh? Nope, try the torso. The bullet-proof vest he was wearing may have been the only reason he survived at all. Apparently, the judge sees the fact that the officer survived the shooting as compelling enough evidence to believe the suspect wasn't attempting to kill him.
Can anyone hear PeeWee Herman in the background ("I meant to do that...")?
It's one thing to be careful when carrying out a court case to make sure no improprities occur that might get the case dropped on a technicality. However, anyone with a lick of common sense can see this to be something much different: an imbecile of a judge who would rather make headlines than do what is right for the city and this officer (and the whole of the PPD by extension).
Bail too much? Consider dropping it some... to go from $5 mil to $75,000 means you just don't care. At $75,000 you should have just dropped the bail requirement altogether.
I just hope Judge Deborah Griffin never has to face Zahir Boddy-Johnson in a dark alley someday when he needs a couple extra bucks.
He might not be nearly as leinient on her as she was on him.
P.S. This judge already has what you might call "questionable" credentials:
This is perhaps the most sickening piece of new I have read in the local papers in quite some time.
A summary of the article above, broken down into simplified terms:
1. Young man has arrests for previous crimes, and needs money to cover costs associated with restitution for a previous crime he committed.
2. Young man holds up police officer while shooting him several times at point blank range and is later arrested while found to be still carrying this same gun.
3. Judge reduces charges to aggravated assult; ultimately reducing the bail and possible punishment, while simultaneously freeing the suspect, and putting him on the hook for additional monies.
Why not just expedite a new gun registration for him while you're at it Judge?
He shot someone at point-blank range, but the man didn't die. Guess he was shot in the foot or leg then, huh? Nope, try the torso. The bullet-proof vest he was wearing may have been the only reason he survived at all. Apparently, the judge sees the fact that the officer survived the shooting as compelling enough evidence to believe the suspect wasn't attempting to kill him.
Can anyone hear PeeWee Herman in the background ("I meant to do that...")?
It's one thing to be careful when carrying out a court case to make sure no improprities occur that might get the case dropped on a technicality. However, anyone with a lick of common sense can see this to be something much different: an imbecile of a judge who would rather make headlines than do what is right for the city and this officer (and the whole of the PPD by extension).
Bail too much? Consider dropping it some... to go from $5 mil to $75,000 means you just don't care. At $75,000 you should have just dropped the bail requirement altogether.
I just hope Judge Deborah Griffin never has to face Zahir Boddy-Johnson in a dark alley someday when he needs a couple extra bucks.
He might not be nearly as leinient on her as she was on him.
P.S. This judge already has what you might call "questionable" credentials:
Friday, March 21, 2008
Explanation
For those who don't play backgammon, or were maybe just plain wondering about the title for this page, allow me to explain:
In backgammon, like in life, you're trying to do several things at once. In this case, it's getting all your pieces around the board while at the same time attempting to block your opponent from doing the same thing. The best way to prevent this is by building up a wall of your checkers also known as a prime.
Primes are difficult things to form since a large portion of the game is randomly controlled by the dice. You can prepare all you want, and put yourself into the best position possible; but it doesn't always work out the way you want it to- even when you stack the odds in your favor.
Instead, most of the time you are building towards something called a "broken" or incomplete prime; like the one below:
In backgammon, like in life, you're trying to do several things at once. In this case, it's getting all your pieces around the board while at the same time attempting to block your opponent from doing the same thing. The best way to prevent this is by building up a wall of your checkers also known as a prime.
Primes are difficult things to form since a large portion of the game is randomly controlled by the dice. You can prepare all you want, and put yourself into the best position possible; but it doesn't always work out the way you want it to- even when you stack the odds in your favor.
Instead, most of the time you are building towards something called a "broken" or incomplete prime; like the one below:
You've done everything under your power to be perfect; but it rarely turns out that way. Instead, what you're left with is something powerful, but not invincible. You have to learn to take what you've been able to create and continue to leverage it to your advantage. It might not always work, but you're always doing everything in your power to make it happen anyway.
Philosophy lesson over ;)
That Was The Best Ride Ever!
(The title to the post is an inside joke for some old friends.)
It's almost 1a and I'm up. I know I shouldn't be, but I am. I had a long day at work then went to Jersey to meet some friends I haven't seen in way too long for dinner. On the way, I got caught in traffic behind a car fire and was 20 minutes late. At dinner, one of my friends said she checks this website pretty frequently and mentioned I hadn't written anything in a while.
I was shocked. Mostly I was kinda proud of myself to be writing something someone would want to read, even if they were already a good friend. But mostly shocked. After dinner, I went to the VFW to shoot darts in my league Quarterfinals with a bunch of other buddies that since the move I only get to see that night. We won 3-1. The semi-finals are next week. Wish us luck.
In case you were wondering, yes, there is a point to this. Even though I can barely hold my head up right now it was a great day- and it reminded me of a great quote from I movie I only recently watched again after having gone ten years or so without watching it:
"You know, when I was nineteen, Grandpa took me on a roller coaster. Up, down, up, down. Oh, what a ride! I always wanted to go again. You know, it was just so interesting to me that a ride could make me so frightened, so scared, so sick, so excited, and so thrilled all together! Some didn't like it. They went on the merry-go-round. That just goes around. Nothing. I like the roller coaster. You get more out of it."
I like the roller coaster too.
(Bonus points if anyone can guess the movie- and since I watched it with Katie sorry darlin', you can't "guess"...)
Good Night.
It's almost 1a and I'm up. I know I shouldn't be, but I am. I had a long day at work then went to Jersey to meet some friends I haven't seen in way too long for dinner. On the way, I got caught in traffic behind a car fire and was 20 minutes late. At dinner, one of my friends said she checks this website pretty frequently and mentioned I hadn't written anything in a while.
I was shocked. Mostly I was kinda proud of myself to be writing something someone would want to read, even if they were already a good friend. But mostly shocked. After dinner, I went to the VFW to shoot darts in my league Quarterfinals with a bunch of other buddies that since the move I only get to see that night. We won 3-1. The semi-finals are next week. Wish us luck.
In case you were wondering, yes, there is a point to this. Even though I can barely hold my head up right now it was a great day- and it reminded me of a great quote from I movie I only recently watched again after having gone ten years or so without watching it:
"You know, when I was nineteen, Grandpa took me on a roller coaster. Up, down, up, down. Oh, what a ride! I always wanted to go again. You know, it was just so interesting to me that a ride could make me so frightened, so scared, so sick, so excited, and so thrilled all together! Some didn't like it. They went on the merry-go-round. That just goes around. Nothing. I like the roller coaster. You get more out of it."
I like the roller coaster too.
(Bonus points if anyone can guess the movie- and since I watched it with Katie sorry darlin', you can't "guess"...)
Good Night.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Proof
Wednesday of last week we went to the hospital for the following two reasons:
In case you were wondering; yes, that is what you think it is; and while not as impressive as the umbilical cord mistake seven weeks back it is proof that I "threw a 'Y'" as my dear sweet wife puts it, regardless.
I don't think I took a single breath while seeing these images flash across the screen. Here was my son. With eyes, a nose, and little hands with little fingers at the ends of them. And yes, in those last two he is enjoying his nap while sucking his thumb. At this stage he's about the same size as a can of soda and weighs a little less than that. Now, if only we can convince him to keep up the heavy sleeper routine once we get him home from the hospital in July...
1. To make sure everything is progressing as it should in the pregnancy; which it is. Both mommy and baby are doing just fine, and the little bugger is right in the fat part of the curve for size and weight at the mid-way point.
2. We wanted to find out the sex of the child. And even though the votes on here were evenly split boy/ girl a majority of our friends and family were convinced we were having a girl and my wife was Absolutley Convinced we were having a girl. So much so, that it started to affect me. You see, I'm analytical and level-headed by nature. I know that in the grand scheme of things the prospects were 50/50 either way (or 50.5/49.5 in favor of a boy if you go by world population studies). However, living around her the week beforehand began to wear on me to the point where I fully expected to hear the doctor say "Congratulations! You're having a girl!" And I would have been great with that. But he didn't say that. Instead he showed us this:
In case you were wondering; yes, that is what you think it is; and while not as impressive as the umbilical cord mistake seven weeks back it is proof that I "threw a 'Y'" as my dear sweet wife puts it, regardless.It shocked her, and honestly, me too a bit; but we were both so excited. We wanted more pictures. How big was he? What way was he facing? Was he gonna do barrel rolls again, like he did in week 13? The next few photos were uninspiring:
It wasn't that we weren't in love from that point forward; but he wasn't as active. We wondered if everything was ok. The doctor assured us it was. The heartbeat was fine. All other signs and markers? They were fine too. The problem? He was sleeping- and he just didn't want to get up. He was facing inward with his head towards her spine and his back basically arched across her abdomen with his head at one end and his butt at the other.
This is when it got really cool. The doctor switched the Ultrasound machine into a 3-D type of mode (that at least in my mind shall forevermore be called 'WonkaVision') and was able to focus in on our little boy's head. The pictures that came forth are truly amazing:
I don't think I took a single breath while seeing these images flash across the screen. Here was my son. With eyes, a nose, and little hands with little fingers at the ends of them. And yes, in those last two he is enjoying his nap while sucking his thumb. At this stage he's about the same size as a can of soda and weighs a little less than that. Now, if only we can convince him to keep up the heavy sleeper routine once we get him home from the hospital in July...Oh, and by the way... we've decided on Gideon (Ian for short; which is the Scottish version of Jon... funny how things work out, huh?)
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Cholesterol, and Broad Street
As you can tell the original idea for this blog (pre-LAB/BundleofJoy: thanks LB) has sat quietly for a while and will continue to do so for the next 4-6 weeks while I tend to more important matters; one of which is my decision to compete in the Broad Street Run again after having not run it for the last two years. It is a ten-mile race through the heart of the City and, three years ago, the first competitive race I ever ran in my life. I started training for it about 3 weeks ago and will run in it the first Sunday in May.
Warning: I just decided this was gonna be really long...
The first time I ran it was a year after having knee surgery for a soccer injury that kept me inactive for close to six months and saw my weight balloon up to close to 230 pounds. I had a physical and blood work completed that showed elevated cholesterol, triglycerides, and a moderate case of high blood pressure.
I was 27 years old.
So, unable to play soccer anymore because of the injury I did the only thing I could think of to get back in shape- I joined Weight Watchers and a-la Forrest Gump, I just started running. Over the course of the next six months I dropped 40 pounds, completed the race in the top third of all finishers (12,000+ that year) and saw my blood pressure and general level of health return to something more resembling my college days (though I will NEVER be that 165-lb. 20-year old again... and I can live with that).
So, when we moved and I realized I was going to be a father I thought it only appropriate to go back to the doctor and take a look at everything again.
I am pleased to report, that my cholesterol, try's, and B.P. are all excellent and according to the doctor "If it weren't for your caffiene intake, I'd have absolutely nothing to say." So I got that going for me; which is nice.
Preparing to be a father has taught me a lot of things and I think one of the most important ones was something I alluded to when talking about the baptismal class we attended: the most important thing in the world is to simply be there for your child.
My father died of a heart attack my senior year in High School. He didn't get to see me graduate, he didn't get to see me get married, and I won't get to share the joy of being a father with him. These things all sadden me; mostly because of the person he was. From him I learned integrity, hard work, and in some ways, how to be a good father. He wasn't around as long as I would have liked, but he made the most of the time he was given with me. In that way, his absence is still providing a lesson to me even to this day. I want to be there for my son the way my father was for me; and I want to be there for him as long as possible.
The legacy we leave is defined not by our accomplishments, but by what those we have influenced can accomplish. Our time here is finite. Our influence on others is not.
Last night a neighbor of ours collapsed in his living room chair and died of undetermined causes. When the wife came out into the hallway screaming for help a neighbor and I attempted CPR on him until the EMTs arrived in an attempt to prevent what ultimately no-one could stop from happening. His heart never did start beating again. I went with the man's wife to the hospital because that's the only thing left that I could do for her.
I'm sorry.
Warning: I just decided this was gonna be really long...
The first time I ran it was a year after having knee surgery for a soccer injury that kept me inactive for close to six months and saw my weight balloon up to close to 230 pounds. I had a physical and blood work completed that showed elevated cholesterol, triglycerides, and a moderate case of high blood pressure.
I was 27 years old.
So, unable to play soccer anymore because of the injury I did the only thing I could think of to get back in shape- I joined Weight Watchers and a-la Forrest Gump, I just started running. Over the course of the next six months I dropped 40 pounds, completed the race in the top third of all finishers (12,000+ that year) and saw my blood pressure and general level of health return to something more resembling my college days (though I will NEVER be that 165-lb. 20-year old again... and I can live with that).
So, when we moved and I realized I was going to be a father I thought it only appropriate to go back to the doctor and take a look at everything again.
I am pleased to report, that my cholesterol, try's, and B.P. are all excellent and according to the doctor "If it weren't for your caffiene intake, I'd have absolutely nothing to say." So I got that going for me; which is nice.
Preparing to be a father has taught me a lot of things and I think one of the most important ones was something I alluded to when talking about the baptismal class we attended: the most important thing in the world is to simply be there for your child.
My father died of a heart attack my senior year in High School. He didn't get to see me graduate, he didn't get to see me get married, and I won't get to share the joy of being a father with him. These things all sadden me; mostly because of the person he was. From him I learned integrity, hard work, and in some ways, how to be a good father. He wasn't around as long as I would have liked, but he made the most of the time he was given with me. In that way, his absence is still providing a lesson to me even to this day. I want to be there for my son the way my father was for me; and I want to be there for him as long as possible.
The legacy we leave is defined not by our accomplishments, but by what those we have influenced can accomplish. Our time here is finite. Our influence on others is not.
Last night a neighbor of ours collapsed in his living room chair and died of undetermined causes. When the wife came out into the hallway screaming for help a neighbor and I attempted CPR on him until the EMTs arrived in an attempt to prevent what ultimately no-one could stop from happening. His heart never did start beating again. I went with the man's wife to the hospital because that's the only thing left that I could do for her.
I'm sorry.
Monday, March 10, 2008
A Perfect Circle (aka: Spitzer or Swallow?)
I was on Long Island over the weekend (as mentioned previously) for a friend's birthday party. One of the others in the group I was meeting for the first time had what I found to be a rather interesting job. Essentially, he is responsible for trolling the various news wires (A.P., Reuters, etc.) overnight and compiling/ creating a list of noteworthy news summaries for Eliot Spitzer, the Governor of New York; to be made available to him in the AM to start his day off informed. Essentially, he produces a daily "Cliffs Notes" of important news that may pertain to the Governor or the State office in some way.
Wonder if this makes it in tomorrow's Cliffs?
http://www.philly.com/philly/hp/news_update/20080310_ap_nygovernorlinkedtoprostitutionring.html
Wonder if this makes it in tomorrow's Cliffs?
http://www.philly.com/philly/hp/news_update/20080310_ap_nygovernorlinkedtoprostitutionring.html
Sunday, March 9, 2008
No, I Didn't Forget...
We were gone for the weekend and I haven't scanned in the new Ultrasound pictures yet.
We're having a boy.
We couldn't be more excited.
I will elaborate at an earlier hour in the day.
Good Night :)
We're having a boy.
We couldn't be more excited.
I will elaborate at an earlier hour in the day.
Good Night :)
Random Thoughts
The Philadelphia Archodiocise has declared that Catholic school students unable to pay their student tuition; for whatever reason, shall not be allowed access to, or permitted copies of, their academic transcripts. No exceptions.
http://www.philly.com/philly/hp/news_update/16248017.html
Sadly, it has already, in at least one instance, kept an otherwise excellent student from graduating or applying to even another public school (or eventually college) because her father suffered a heart attack and has been out of work long-term as a result.
So, I had a few other ideas for the Philadelphia Archdiocise that fall along these same lines.
1. Offer Preffered Seating To "Regular Catholics":
Nothing bothers me more than when Christmas week or Easter Sunday rolls around and we're running five minutes late and when we get there we have to stand for the entire service because there's now magically three-hundered parishoners in the pews that we don't see at any other time during the year. Now, I know the Church doesn't want to turn them away; but what about offering reserved seating to the people who show up every week and put their little blue envelope in the collection plate? Kinda like how season ticket holders get first crack at tickets should their team make the playoffs? C'mon, Easter is the Super Bowl of the Catholic Church. (Which I guess makes Christmas the World Series and the Feast of the Assumption the Bassmaster Classic.)
2. Advertising During Service:
The Prairie Home Companion has become amazingly popular behind the idea of spoof commercial spots. What would be more entertaining or would keep people on their toes more than an occasional commercial? "Tide: makes whites whiter, and saves you soul from eternal damnation to boot! Now, in hypo-allergenic formula..."
3. Sacremental Bourbon:
Besides the cover charge at the door? No explanation required.
Before I get comments calling me every name in the book let it be said I have a tremendous respect for both the Catholic Church and what they try to accomplish on a day-to-day basis. But, any group needs to be willing to adapt and provide for individual considerations if it is to thrive and even grow.
Practice what you preach. Isn't that the applicable phrase here?
http://www.philly.com/philly/hp/news_update/16248017.html
Sadly, it has already, in at least one instance, kept an otherwise excellent student from graduating or applying to even another public school (or eventually college) because her father suffered a heart attack and has been out of work long-term as a result.
So, I had a few other ideas for the Philadelphia Archdiocise that fall along these same lines.
1. Offer Preffered Seating To "Regular Catholics":
Nothing bothers me more than when Christmas week or Easter Sunday rolls around and we're running five minutes late and when we get there we have to stand for the entire service because there's now magically three-hundered parishoners in the pews that we don't see at any other time during the year. Now, I know the Church doesn't want to turn them away; but what about offering reserved seating to the people who show up every week and put their little blue envelope in the collection plate? Kinda like how season ticket holders get first crack at tickets should their team make the playoffs? C'mon, Easter is the Super Bowl of the Catholic Church. (Which I guess makes Christmas the World Series and the Feast of the Assumption the Bassmaster Classic.)
2. Advertising During Service:
The Prairie Home Companion has become amazingly popular behind the idea of spoof commercial spots. What would be more entertaining or would keep people on their toes more than an occasional commercial? "Tide: makes whites whiter, and saves you soul from eternal damnation to boot! Now, in hypo-allergenic formula..."
3. Sacremental Bourbon:
Besides the cover charge at the door? No explanation required.
Before I get comments calling me every name in the book let it be said I have a tremendous respect for both the Catholic Church and what they try to accomplish on a day-to-day basis. But, any group needs to be willing to adapt and provide for individual considerations if it is to thrive and even grow.
Practice what you preach. Isn't that the applicable phrase here?
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Genesis
The picture that started it all...
P.S.- LB (You know who you are) I'll change the whole "LittleAnkleBiter" nickname thing if you can give me a suitable substitute. But first, talk to your parents... maybe it was intentional (Oh yes I did!)
;)justkidding ;)
P.S.- LB (You know who you are) I'll change the whole "LittleAnkleBiter" nickname thing if you can give me a suitable substitute. But first, talk to your parents... maybe it was intentional (Oh yes I did!)
;)justkidding ;)
Pictures- Round 1
Understand that some of these are several weeks old, but I wanted to put them up beofre the next round of Ultrasound Pictures was made available (tomorrow)!
Baby Ultrasound Pictures: 13 Weeks (A.K.A.- The "Good Ones")
#1: The Anatomy of Our Child~.JPG)
At this point, the LAB is about the size of a lime and weighs about the same amount. So, depending on the computer screen you're viewing this off of the LAB would be about the exact size you see on screen. And yes, that one in the top right corner says "not the penis". But hey, after 5p tomorrow maybe the doctor changes her tune?
Baby Ultrasound Pictures: 13 Weeks (A.K.A.- The "Good Ones")
#1: The Anatomy of Our Child~
.JPG)
At this point, the LAB is about the size of a lime and weighs about the same amount. So, depending on the computer screen you're viewing this off of the LAB would be about the exact size you see on screen. And yes, that one in the top right corner says "not the penis". But hey, after 5p tomorrow maybe the doctor changes her tune? #2: Our Genius Child Is Speaking To Us~ .jpg)
In case you were wondering, the LAB said HI to Mommy too but it's my blog so this is the one that gets posted, OK?
#3: My baby Mommy and her "Baby Bump" (18 Weeks)
Sometimes she thinks she's cute and others she worries about me taking her picture. This day fell into the former. Tell the truth... can you think of anything cuter?
Expect another post tomorrow; assuming I can keep my hands from shaking long enough to write it.
Monday, March 3, 2008
Powerpoint Parenting Advice
This is quite possibly the best presentation of parenting advice I've ever seen:
http://www.tiltboys.com/img/Parenting.pps
And before you all start looking at me funny- it's becuase I can't think of a better message to new parents than "Relax, have fun, and get over yourself."
http://www.tiltboys.com/img/Parenting.pps
And before you all start looking at me funny- it's becuase I can't think of a better message to new parents than "Relax, have fun, and get over yourself."
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
The Mother of All Posts- Conclusion
All right- I'm moderately well-rested and have a few minutes to spare in my lunch hour. Let's see if we can't bang this thing out. There were a few other topics of discussion that I didn't cover in the first half that I wanted to point out here:
Wanting to Know the Sex of the Child:
I kind of already discussed this when talking about coming up with baby names. But honestly, I don't think I've come across a more polarizing decision than a couple who decides to find out the sex of their child before the big day comes. Some want to know as soon as we do; others can't comprehend why we wouldn't wait until the big day arrives. There's an interesting article on Slate's website talking about how in some cultures early-gender screenings (some as early as six to 8 weeks through chemical testing) have become increasingly popular. Unfortunately this is being done so that a termination of the pregnancy can occur early in the pregnancy if the gender isn't "right". I'm not going to go into the millions of things I find morally, etchically, and emotionally disgusting about this; just know our interest is pure. But then why you ask? The answer is simple...
We're anal-retentive.
We don't care boy or girl; we'll be happy either way. We just want the LAB to be healthy and happy. But, we also like to plan ahead- it's just who we are. And quite frankly, neither of us is good with surprises so finding out now means we get to enjoy knowing now and get to enjoy the birth of our child as an entire seperate event come late July.
Preparing Too Much v. Too Little:
I've been reading books. Lots of Books. I've been visiting websites too. Way too many to count. I guess I want to be prepared for anything even though I know that's an impossible quest. Really, all this preparation isn't for the LAB to-be; it's for the parents. It gives them something to do besides wait anxiously and stress each other out. And who knows, maybe one day I'll get on Jeopardy and there will be a category devoted entirely to diaper rash and baby butt-balm. If that ever happens, I'm gonna be a freakin' millionaire.
The Joy of the Boppy:
My wife loves her Boppy. I love my wife. Ergo-I love the Boppy. The Boppy was my Valentine's day gift to her this year. It's a five-foot long pillow that looks like a pair of fat commas (,) attached to each other:
http://shopboppy.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2&products_id=15&zenid=50a38d57cbb7ba7dff15601b1ce5e7fa
And while I realize it's not the most romantic gift in the world it has allowed her (and consequently me) to sleep worlds easier. She takes it everywhere in the house with her now (couch, bed, chair- if she could cook sitting on it I think she might). So to anyone reading this who plans on having a baby sometime down the line, just remember the Boppy.
Learn it. Live it. Love it.
I did.
Wanting to Know the Sex of the Child:
I kind of already discussed this when talking about coming up with baby names. But honestly, I don't think I've come across a more polarizing decision than a couple who decides to find out the sex of their child before the big day comes. Some want to know as soon as we do; others can't comprehend why we wouldn't wait until the big day arrives. There's an interesting article on Slate's website talking about how in some cultures early-gender screenings (some as early as six to 8 weeks through chemical testing) have become increasingly popular. Unfortunately this is being done so that a termination of the pregnancy can occur early in the pregnancy if the gender isn't "right". I'm not going to go into the millions of things I find morally, etchically, and emotionally disgusting about this; just know our interest is pure. But then why you ask? The answer is simple...
We're anal-retentive.
We don't care boy or girl; we'll be happy either way. We just want the LAB to be healthy and happy. But, we also like to plan ahead- it's just who we are. And quite frankly, neither of us is good with surprises so finding out now means we get to enjoy knowing now and get to enjoy the birth of our child as an entire seperate event come late July.
Preparing Too Much v. Too Little:
I've been reading books. Lots of Books. I've been visiting websites too. Way too many to count. I guess I want to be prepared for anything even though I know that's an impossible quest. Really, all this preparation isn't for the LAB to-be; it's for the parents. It gives them something to do besides wait anxiously and stress each other out. And who knows, maybe one day I'll get on Jeopardy and there will be a category devoted entirely to diaper rash and baby butt-balm. If that ever happens, I'm gonna be a freakin' millionaire.
The Joy of the Boppy:
My wife loves her Boppy. I love my wife. Ergo-I love the Boppy. The Boppy was my Valentine's day gift to her this year. It's a five-foot long pillow that looks like a pair of fat commas (,) attached to each other:
http://shopboppy.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2&products_id=15&zenid=50a38d57cbb7ba7dff15601b1ce5e7fa
And while I realize it's not the most romantic gift in the world it has allowed her (and consequently me) to sleep worlds easier. She takes it everywhere in the house with her now (couch, bed, chair- if she could cook sitting on it I think she might). So to anyone reading this who plans on having a baby sometime down the line, just remember the Boppy.
Learn it. Live it. Love it.
I did.
Monday, February 25, 2008
The Mother of all Posts- Part I
I fully expect this to be the "Mother of All Posts" so I'm already preparing to break it in half. I'm tired and if you begrudge me spliiting it in half I will haunt you in your dreams. That's no lie.
A few of the things that happened while I went on walkabout from this blog:
Moving
We moved. Moving sucks. Moving especially sucks when one of you is on lifting restrictions so as not to endanger the child you are carrying. It wouldn't have been so bad but it was also right around the time hormones were really beginning to rear their beautifully glowing pregnant head and so the idea of moving out of the first place we shared together was made even more emotional by this little chemical tidbit. I must say though that all in all things went smoothly and quite frankly we really needed to move. As an added bonus we sold our old leather couch to a girl we had just seen on TLC's "What Not To Wear" a half an hour before she showed up at our front door cash in hand. (In case you were wondering, she showed up looking like the "Before" picture; sad but true.) It shortened our commute to 10 minutes; we moved into a part of the city we can picture ourselves in with our new baby for many years to come, and we moved into a place with two bedrooms. Let me repeat: TWO BEDROOMS. You don't realize just how badly you need the extra space until you have to find a place to put a five-foot Boppy. More on this later.
The First Ultrasound:
This was amazing. We went to Einstein (Hospital) and got to hear the heart beat and see the LAB (Little Ankle Biter for the un-initiated) in person for the first time. There was one other Ultrasound that had images in December during week 9 but that didn't count- the Blair Witch Project had clearer images than that first one so it simply doesn't count. Anyway, The LAB did barrel rolls and curled up and stretched out. I know it doesn't sound like much but I could have watched that screen for hours (even if a Murder She Wrote Marathon was on- trust me- here that's a pretty big deal). I was convinced at first that we were having a boy and that he was hung like his old man. The technician had to ask me to stop pointing at the umbilical cord with a goofy grin on my face. (Damn!) We got pictures. Lots.I will have them up here soon. Maybe the best thing about the day? We learned the LAB can already talk. This will be explained with the pictures.
General Observations:
I've always seen these television and movie images of pregnancies and the mother-to-be is always either glowing and joyous or hormonal and miserable; and when hormonal it's usually part of some sort of comedic bit which blows the situation up to exaggerated levels (See my post about the movie "Knocked Up"). The truth of the matter is that we're (read: she's) somewhere in-between. The joy of the situation is tempered by the general feeling of exhaustion and feeling of being overwhelmed. It's great... it's just so crazy. We wouldn't trade a bit of it- it's just real now. She's showing and we can hear a heart beat... we're now a family of three (four if you count Einstein: the cat).
I'm tired... part II later... and I promise... more on the Boppy- and how it's changed my life.
A few of the things that happened while I went on walkabout from this blog:
Moving
We moved. Moving sucks. Moving especially sucks when one of you is on lifting restrictions so as not to endanger the child you are carrying. It wouldn't have been so bad but it was also right around the time hormones were really beginning to rear their beautifully glowing pregnant head and so the idea of moving out of the first place we shared together was made even more emotional by this little chemical tidbit. I must say though that all in all things went smoothly and quite frankly we really needed to move. As an added bonus we sold our old leather couch to a girl we had just seen on TLC's "What Not To Wear" a half an hour before she showed up at our front door cash in hand. (In case you were wondering, she showed up looking like the "Before" picture; sad but true.) It shortened our commute to 10 minutes; we moved into a part of the city we can picture ourselves in with our new baby for many years to come, and we moved into a place with two bedrooms. Let me repeat: TWO BEDROOMS. You don't realize just how badly you need the extra space until you have to find a place to put a five-foot Boppy. More on this later.
The First Ultrasound:
This was amazing. We went to Einstein (Hospital) and got to hear the heart beat and see the LAB (Little Ankle Biter for the un-initiated) in person for the first time. There was one other Ultrasound that had images in December during week 9 but that didn't count- the Blair Witch Project had clearer images than that first one so it simply doesn't count. Anyway, The LAB did barrel rolls and curled up and stretched out. I know it doesn't sound like much but I could have watched that screen for hours (even if a Murder She Wrote Marathon was on- trust me- here that's a pretty big deal). I was convinced at first that we were having a boy and that he was hung like his old man. The technician had to ask me to stop pointing at the umbilical cord with a goofy grin on my face. (Damn!) We got pictures. Lots.I will have them up here soon. Maybe the best thing about the day? We learned the LAB can already talk. This will be explained with the pictures.
General Observations:
I've always seen these television and movie images of pregnancies and the mother-to-be is always either glowing and joyous or hormonal and miserable; and when hormonal it's usually part of some sort of comedic bit which blows the situation up to exaggerated levels (See my post about the movie "Knocked Up"). The truth of the matter is that we're (read: she's) somewhere in-between. The joy of the situation is tempered by the general feeling of exhaustion and feeling of being overwhelmed. It's great... it's just so crazy. We wouldn't trade a bit of it- it's just real now. She's showing and we can hear a heart beat... we're now a family of three (four if you count Einstein: the cat).
I'm tired... part II later... and I promise... more on the Boppy- and how it's changed my life.
Baptismal Class
Five Things I Learned From Attending our Church's Baptismal Class:
1. As much as some people may consider religion "hokey" or unnecessary I have never met a more well-intentioned, genuinely interested group of people than the Parents Of Little Ones (POLO for short) that were our "instructors" for the 4-hour session we attended to allow us to have the Baptisim at OMC. Their stories (both funny and sometimes scary) gave us some new perspectives on things we kinda already knew and opened our eyes to things we hadn't yet considered. (How do you explain to a 2-year old why we go to church, or why mommy and daddy need time alone together on occasion- without using the words "little brother/sister"?)
2. The fact that two of the couples at the class had already had their babies was great. It gave us the chance to experience what we were in for first-hand as they were encouraged to, and did, bring their children to the class with them. They were so cute and small. It scared the holy shit out of me.
I'm not Kidding.
3. To people who have said you need a license to drive a car but any idiot can be a parent- you can add me to the list of the dumbfounded. There was so many positives we were able to take from this class I have to believe there's a way to take the "religion" out of it and make it an almost "mandatory" part of raising a child. I think the best application would be requiring expectant mothers/ parents who would enroll their child in CHIP (Children's Healthcare Insurance Program: for low-income PA families) to take a similar class before being allowed to participate. As a corollary; there were three more shootings in the city over the last 48 hours. The lack of parenting and guidence most city youths receive these days is disturbing and practically non-existent.
4. I love the taste of cookies and coffee on Sunday after Church. There's just something about it.
5. Finally, and most importantly, I learned that as far as preparing for this goes we're definitely on the right track. We know how we want to raise our child, and we know the most important things we can give them are simply our time and example. We're both also, at least on the surface, fully aware that all the plans we make over the next 22 weeks will amount to nothing more than a pile of dirty diapers by the time the LAB (Little Ankle Biter) gets here.
But we know it's gonna be amazing anyway.
1. As much as some people may consider religion "hokey" or unnecessary I have never met a more well-intentioned, genuinely interested group of people than the Parents Of Little Ones (POLO for short) that were our "instructors" for the 4-hour session we attended to allow us to have the Baptisim at OMC. Their stories (both funny and sometimes scary) gave us some new perspectives on things we kinda already knew and opened our eyes to things we hadn't yet considered. (How do you explain to a 2-year old why we go to church, or why mommy and daddy need time alone together on occasion- without using the words "little brother/sister"?)
2. The fact that two of the couples at the class had already had their babies was great. It gave us the chance to experience what we were in for first-hand as they were encouraged to, and did, bring their children to the class with them. They were so cute and small. It scared the holy shit out of me.
I'm not Kidding.
3. To people who have said you need a license to drive a car but any idiot can be a parent- you can add me to the list of the dumbfounded. There was so many positives we were able to take from this class I have to believe there's a way to take the "religion" out of it and make it an almost "mandatory" part of raising a child. I think the best application would be requiring expectant mothers/ parents who would enroll their child in CHIP (Children's Healthcare Insurance Program: for low-income PA families) to take a similar class before being allowed to participate. As a corollary; there were three more shootings in the city over the last 48 hours. The lack of parenting and guidence most city youths receive these days is disturbing and practically non-existent.
4. I love the taste of cookies and coffee on Sunday after Church. There's just something about it.
5. Finally, and most importantly, I learned that as far as preparing for this goes we're definitely on the right track. We know how we want to raise our child, and we know the most important things we can give them are simply our time and example. We're both also, at least on the surface, fully aware that all the plans we make over the next 22 weeks will amount to nothing more than a pile of dirty diapers by the time the LAB (Little Ankle Biter) gets here.
But we know it's gonna be amazing anyway.
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