Fun With Videos

Sorry for the hiatus. Boo and Baby have been keeping me quite busy. I have a few posts in the works but they not quite ready for prime time. In the meantime, enjoy some videos produced by Bill.

Nicholas' Alter Ego


Daddy's Little Roman

(For those of you not up on your Roman history, the speech is Augustus (Caesar's son) telling the senate that he was taking control after his father's death.)

A Shout Out to Justin

(we thought this was fun enough to share with everyone).

In the Immortal Words of Prince...

"Baby I'm a .... star! "

Nicholas Votes. Do you?

Nicholas visited his first polling place today and helped Mom place her votes. Follow Nicholas example and "Vote Often, Vote Well"!

Information on your local candidates or polling place can be found at the League of Women Voters website.




Whew, voting is tiring work ....

Happy Halloween From Nicholas and Boo!

Thanks to Aunty Jen and cousins Sophia & Lydia for the adorable skelleton costume - and to Aunty Sue for Boo's costume!

Happy 5 Weeks Nicholas!

Nicholas is 5 weeks old today! He celebrated his 5 week birthday by sleeping 5 hours in one stretch last night. Did you catch that?

Five. Straight. Hours.

It was the most sleep either of us has had in one stretch since before Nicholas was born. Nicholas' "longer" sleep sessions typically last about 2.5 - 3 hours so you can imagine how refreshing 5 hours in one stretch would feel. In case you can't imagine, it feels absolutely fantastic!



Boo celebrated Nicholas' 5 week birthday by watching chipmunks and playing his new favorite game ... Leap the Baby. I have a little mobile changing station set up on the living room floor for those frequent diaper changes. Boo's "Leap the Baby" game involves running madly, at top speed, from one end of the house, into the living room, making big leap over Nicholas as he lies on the changing pad, and then darting away again. Boo thinks this game is great fun and can leap over Nicholas 3 or 4 times in one changing. I find this new game pretty amusing. Bill... not so much. Nicholas is oblivious to it all.

Here are pictures of Nicholas practicing his smile and showing his strength ...

Little Boy Blue

Nicholas and I both have thrush; a persistent little fungal infection common in infants and breastfeeding moms. Fortunately, Nicholas has a pretty light case. I, on the other hand, have a more severe one. We've been fighting it with various prescriptions and over the counter meds for 3 long weeks now and it only seems to be getting worse. A few days ago, I reached my physical and emotional limit and, in desperation, made urgent medical appointments for us both.

I came away from my appointment with lots of empathy, a lovely pain relieving cream, and a systemic oral medication. Nicholas was treated with a topical liquid called Gentian Violet, and came away with one very colorful mouth.

Pictures just don't do justice to the deep, vibrant purple/blue that is my baby's mouth. A vibrant color that, according to our Pediatrician, may last up to two weeks. Poor Nicholas. The cute little baby with the very blue mouth.

Here are pictures of my "Little Boy Blue". You can get a better idea of the intensity of color by clicking on the image and viewing it in full size.























And, of course, the obligatory cute picture. This is Nicholas' "going to the Dr." outfit that I thought was adorable. Nicholas was pretty excited about it too!

Its a..... BOY!

Nicholas Alexander
September 15, 2008 at 1:04 p.m.
7lbs, 6 oz
20 inches
2.5 weeks early

I know, I know; not exactly late breaking news. It has been 28 days since Nicholas arrived on the scene and I'm just now getting to the first blog post. I haven't been ignoring the blog, or trying to keep everyone in suspense - just very busy trying to keep up with Nicholas' great demand for food. And believe me, he has an appetite to rival a linebacker.

Since I'm perpetually tired and have very little time between feedings, I will leave you with the following various pictures. Enjoy!

Routines

Boo and I have a long established morning routine. It changes a bit from season to season, but essentially it’s always the same.

We get up early while the day is still quiet (Bill is more of a night owl). Sometimes I wake on my own, but on sleepy days Boo gets fed up with my laziness, puts his face right up next to mine, purrs and tickles my face with his whiskers. He’s tried this tactic on Bill a few times, but Bill sleeps right through it. Me, on the other hand, I’m a light sleeper so this wakes me instantly. We have a bit of a cuddle and then I get up.

Boo, excited to start the day, meows and dances around while I grope around for some socks or slippers then follows in my wake as I stumble to the bathroom for a morning pit stop. Boo has a long drink from the bathtub faucet while I have my break and put in contacts. When we’re both done, we head to the kitchen.

I start my morning tea (decaf for now) then head outside to fill the bird feeders which include a ground feeder for rabbits, chipmunks, squirrels, doves, deer, etc. I leave the patio door open (screen in place) and Boo sits himself down - nose to patio screen - waiting for his morning's entertainment; watching the wildlife come to the feeders. I sit down in the living room with Gertie (my laptop) check email, the news and weather and wait for my morning’s entertaining – watching Boo and the wildlife.

It doesn't take long for the wildlife to appear. They know the morning routine as well as Boo. Squirrels and chippies are the first to arrive and the show begins. Squirrels run around, fighting over feeder rights. Devilish little chipmunks run up and over the patio steps, an inch or so from Boo’s nose, on their way to and from the ground feeder. Boo forgets himself and tries to pounce them through the screen door. He hits the screen so hard that it rattles on its track. Later, the Blue Jays come to collect peanuts. Boo, who is particularly fond of Jays, chats away to them in strange little chirps and – of course – tries his pouncing moves once again. Sometimes the deer even make a morning appearance. Boo thinks they're his playmates. He rolls over, exposing his belly, and tries to engage them in a round of play scaring them away in the process.

Eventually, Bill, the “spoiler of morning fun” gets up for the day and comes to close the door. Or, if it’s cool enough to leave the windows open, the birds and mammals clear out the best of the bird food and move on to other feeding grounds. Boo begins to loose interest and moves on to other activities; like pouncing me as I do some housecleaning. At least I’m a target he can hit.

I love this morning routine. It’s a nice serene way to start the day. And I know, without a doubt, it’s going to change in just a few short months (60-ish days or less, in fact). Sure, I’ll still feed the wildlife and Boo will spend his mornings watching them. But the quiet will be a thing of the past and my time watching Boo’s antics will be limited. I think this is the only bit of my current life that I’ll be sad to let go of - these beautiful, quite morning with the wildlife and Boo. Unless, of course, I can convince Bill to take early morning baby duty. Do you think that’s possible? Would bribery help?

Now for a quick baby update:

• I’m in the third trimester - 31 weeks and a few days
• I’m still measuring one week ahead
• My blood pressure and glucose levels are low and normal respectively. These are both good signs as the risk of high-blood pressure/pre-eclampsia and gestational diabetes are significantly higher for women pregnant in their 40's. Actually, if I have any problems at all it's having too low blood pressure (light-headedness/faintness) and too low blood sugar (shakey, sweaty, urgent need to eat). I'll take the lows over the highs any day!
• The baby is very strong, active and moves enough to shake my whole stomach.
• Bill and I are still having a hoot with the pregnancy and are enjoying every momement. Sore ribs and back aches, and low blood sugar crabbiness included.
  

I Blame Wal-Mart

I spent the 4th of July - my favorite holiday - on crutches and I blame Wal-Mart.

I’m not a huge Wal-Mart fan. In fact, before dating Bill I’d probably only been to a Wal-Mart once or twice. I don’t even know if we had Wal-Marts up here in the Great White North until recently. Maybe we did. Everyone I know always shopped at Target. Who wouldn’t when given the choice?

But Bill has a fondness for Wal-Mart, despite their questionable employment practices and other social sins so, I shop there - usually when Bill comes with me. It’s nice to have someone help bag groceries and carry them out to the car. Plus he’s happy to do all of the price comparison mathematics. I’d sell my soul to give up that responsibility.

Anyway, I picked up some patio cushions on a Wal-Mart trip a couple of weeks ago. They were sort-a cute and a good price so I thought I give them a shot. We brought them home, put them on the patio set, and gave them a try. They looked nice enough, but lord were they uncomfortable! All of the stuffing was piled up in the middle and sitting on them made it feel like someone was pushing pillows up your bum. Fun for some, I suppose but we didn’t enjoy the experience so I decided to return them.

Fast forward a couple of days and I’m heading out to work. I’d planned on returning the bum-pushing cushions during my lunch hour. Bill was working from home that day so I was going it alone. Per usual, I was running a little late so rather than taking a couple of trips to the car, I grabbed my bag, purse, lunch, and then piled all the cushions up in front of me ‘till they were over my head, and then stepped out the door - straight on to the edge of our welcome mat.

My ankle twisted, my foot flipped over and I ended up with the top of my foot on the ground. It hurt like hell.

I went down. The cushions, my bag, carefully packed lunch, and purse flew everywhere and then Bill came running. It was such an absurd situation that I laughed. Hysterically. And then I cried. And laughed and cried some more. Poor Bill didn’t know what to think.

I ended up at Urgent Care later in the day; and in an air cast and crutches by evening. Two days later, I found myself – very pregnant - in a foot wrap and air cast hobbling up a huge, weedy hill in order to watch 4th of July fireworks. Damn Wal-Mart and their crappy goods. They weren’t going to ruin my best holiday. Still, I’m happy to blame them. I mean really, who the hell sells cushions that push all the stuffing up your bum???

Sex … not that kind!

We’ve had mixed reactions to our wishes to not know the baby’s sex. Some people think it’s great, others are completely baffled. The controversy reigns on in our very own household. Bill wants to know the baby’s sex. I do not.

For those of you more inclined to Bill’s point of view, here are a few reasons for not wanting to know.

• Revisiting the Days of Yore: This has been an extremely high-tech conception and pregnancy. Heck, we’ve been seeing pictures of the baby since it was only 50 cells big and lived in a Petri dish. Don’t get me wrong. I’m beyond grateful for every bit of technology involved. For me, though, it’s kind of nice to have a bit of “old fashioned-ness”, too.
  


• Nursery, Clothing, etc: Knowing the baby’s sex would make no difference in our nursery choices. The traditional blue and pink themes? Not for me. Honestly, I’m not fond of blue. I know… I know … everyone likes blue, right? Well not me. It’s one of my least favorite colors. Hardly surprising from someone who’s not fond of cola, meat, or chocolate either. And, although I like pink just fine, neither of us would likely choose a pink nursery theme, either. Avoiding these colors in the nursery is easy. Clothing is more difficult, but I’m giving it my best shot. The neutral color clothes are so much cuter anyway.
  


• Names: Sure, it would be easier to focus on just boy or girl names, but truthfully I’ll be surprised if we can agree on even one name by the time the baby arrives. It took weeks of discussion, negotiation, and brow-beating to name Boo. I don’t imagine naming the baby will be any easier. Oh, and for the record, Priapus is definite NOT on the list.
  


• Suprise! I just want the excitement of the surprise.

On the other side of the coin Bill feels that knowing would help him imagine the baby better – help him feel more bonded. I can’t blame him for wanting this. I’ve got the baby with me 24/7. I get to feel every kick, flip and punch. Bill is able to enjoy only occasional movements. I get his desire to know more about the baby than the a few occasional kicks.

This is why, after a lifetime of certainty that I would never want to know my baby’s sex prior to birth – we have, in fact, found out. I wanted Bill to have the bonding experience he wished for.

There it is. We know. Now it comes down to the question of letting others in on the secret. In typical W*** style, we differ on this. Bill, of course, wants to tell everyone. I would like to make it a surprise. So, we’re leaving it up to you. To Know or not to Know. That is the question. Let us know....

Tomorrow I'll tell the story of how I started the day completely mobile and ended it in bed, foot in an air cast, with crutches sitting next to me.

Prenatal Limericks!

Our brother-in-law Jim, famous for his limericks, felt inspired to write the following. I loved them and thought I'd share them. Because this blog is part of the public Internet, I've blanked out our last name (W*****'). You all can fill that in yourselves.

Two W****’ – A Bill and a Jen –
Baby’s coming, but we don’t know when
But we’ll play the game
And pick out his name.
Our final answer is Sven.


Two W*****’, a Jen and a Bill
A new baby – Oh what a thrill
For fortune and fame
She needs a good name.
Our feminine option is Lil.


Come back tomorrow for yet another blog update!!

Energy Crisis

Information presented in the pregnancy literature can be confusing. It's common to find conflicting advice about the baby’s development and various pregnancy related symptoms. But, there’s one topic they all agree upon. The second trimester is filled with energy (!):

• "Many women take advantage of the increased energy levels in the second trimester…."
• "the second trimester is the easiest. For most, nausea has subsided and energy level is high"
• "You are now entering your second trimester. Your energy level should increase …"

Quite frankly - and I'm feeling frank - it’s all a bunch of bull. I am in the midst of an energy crisis the likes of which haven’t been seen since the gas lines of the 70’s. Sure, I don’t feel the same levels of exhaustion that came in the first trimester. I can actually get my butt off the couch during the day. But I sure don’t have loads of energy and a feeling like I can take on the world; and I’m nowhere near the same energy levels I had pre-pregnancy.

Mornings are pretty good and I tend to get a lot done. Afternoons come with less energy, but overall I can stay on top of things. But by evening – say sometime around 6:00 or 7:00 – I hit a wall. That’s when complete and utter exhaustion sets in. Because weekend work involves more physical activity, things are worse. I’m pretty much down for the count by 4:00 or 5:00. I can keep going to 6:00 if I push myself, but I pay for it the next day.

So what’s up with this mythic second trimester energy boon so vastly touted in the literature? I think it’s some nasty psychological trick. A scheme designed by the medical community to help keep 2nd trimester OB appointments short and complaint free. A "power of suggestion" thing designed to keep those of us with growing bellies quiet during our 2nd trimester checkups. I think it's a bit like telling women that labor feels like “intense pressure". If we’re told we’re a bunch of 2nd trimester energizer bunnies we’ll certainly believe it. Right??

I much prefer the info I get from some of the Moms I work with who tell me “Energy? Yeah. Well, that’s pretty much over now. You’ll never get it back.” Daunting advice, but at least it’s honest.

The good news is that next week (Thursday, to be exact) starts the infamous 3rd trimester where, apparently, a pregnant woman has ever right to be tired. Ah, the freedom it will bring!

Check back again tomorrow (yes, tomorrow!) for another post update...

A Few Stats ....

Hi there! How've you all been? It's been a while since the last post, hasn't it? I've no great reasons or excuses for the long absence - just a combo of general business, late day fatigue and a calm, uneventful second trimester.

I have a few interesting posts perculating away - none of which are quite ready for prime time so for now, I'll just let you know that all is well , Brunhilda is growing and quite active, and Boo is... Boo.

I'll leave you with a few stats and misc photos.

Stats:

• Number of Weeks/Days: 25 weeks, 2 days (24 weeks is the start of viability for babies)
• Month of Pregnancy: 6th month
• Trimester: Second trimester.
• Weight gain: 14 lbs
• Recommended weight gain for 25 weeks: 13 - 21 pounds
• Belly Measurement: 39 3/4 inches
• Belly Growth in the Last Week: 1 1/2 inches
• Total Waist Growth To-Date: ~9 inches

Pre-Pregnancy:

Last Week:

Our Water Cat:

Our Resident Momma Raccoon Taking A Rest:

All Quiet on the Pregnancy Front

We're at week 21. I've gained 11 pounds and my belly now measures 37 1/4 inches. Other than these rather dull stats, there's nothing really of interest to pass along. No exciting events, embarresing stories, or big developments. So, this week you get Boo, Boo, and more Boo.

I understand that this topic has limited appeal to those of you tuning in for the "Baby" portion of this blog. However, those of you who have met Boo can attest to the fact that he is a force to be reckoned with. He is not to be ingnored, nor shoved aside for any reason. So here, without further ado, is Mr. Boo Radley:

Thumbs Up!

We had our 20 week ultrasound this week. The 20 week ultrasound, for you “prental techno-newbies”, is one of a number of prenatal screening tests done in the second trimester. It consists of an hour-long detailed anatomy scan of the baby. It is performed by a Sonographer and evaluated by a Perinatologist. The purpose of the scan is to:

• Check for major birth defects &/or structural abnormalities (open neural-tube defects, cleft lip/pallet, Downs Syndrome, heart/brain abnormalities, etc)
• Verify dates & growth
• Check amniotic fluid, placenta health, and umbilical chord
• Evaluate fetal well-being

For Bill and me, it was just another chance to spend an hour watching the baby. It was, quite simply, a blast. Gunthilda (our new contraction of Gunther and Brunhilda) was, as always, very active. We’ve definitely got a little squirmy one in there.

And what were the he ultrasound results, you ask?? They were a "Thumbs up"!

Yes, that IS the baby, giving us a thumbs up sign.

Brunther (another contraction of Brunhilda and Gunther) gets a gold star. Brain, heart, lungs, eyes, pallet/lips, arms, legs, etc… all look good. One might even say “great” in fact. Gunther has definitely grown in the 8 weeks since our last ultrasound. He weighs in at 15-oz and is measuring in at 20 weeks 4 days. The ultrasound was at 19 weeks, 6 days – which puts him about 5 days ahead, in other words - normal.

Here's a picture of Brunther's very long legs:

The Perinatologist said the baby has “a gorgeous round forehead, nice profile and is all around a very beautiful baby". I'm sure she says that to everyone, but it was fun to hear anyway. To add one more plus to the whole thing, we already know one of our baby's personality traits. We’ve now spent 2 + hours watching the baby in the course of this pregnancy and Brunhilda is ALWAYS seen with her hand curled up next to her face. We've actually never seen her in any other pose - except very briefly when moving.

As for Boo… well, he’s just being his normal “Monster” self. Here he is taking a bite out of my arm and enjoying some freshly picked daffodils. Er… daffodil water…

Comments

There's neither Boo nor Baby in this blot post. Instead, I thought I'd comment on ... comments.

Leaving comments on this blog is confusing. So confusing, that even Bill a.k.a. "Mr. Computer" couldn't figure it out without my help. Unfortunately, I can't change the comments format - its just part of template. I can however, give you tips on leaving comments.

Jen's Guide for How to Leave Comments:
1.) Look for the following line at the end of each blog entry:

* " Posted by Jen at 11:45 AM 1 comments"

2.) Click on the word "comments". This will bring you to a new page where you can leave comments.

3.) Enter your comment in the box where it says "Leave your comment" . Oh, and please leave your name so we know who you are!

4.) Choose an Identity:

* If you have a gmail account, you can select Google/Blogger and sign in.
* Everyone else, simply select "Annonomous"

5.) Click on "Preview" to preview your comment - OR - click on "Publish" to publish your comment.

That's it! Once the comment has been approved, it will be posted. The only other thing to add is that we LOVE comments. Leave them as often as you like!

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Belly Pictures!

You've been asking, so here they are. Belly Pictures!

What??? You were expecting pictures of Brunhilda??? Ok, maybe just this once.....


(Picture removed)