Two Topics

1. The Washing Machine

Did you ever wonder what the inside of a washing machine actually looked like? Well, on Sunday we got to find out. M had started a load of laundry and then left to walk the dog. When she returned she thought the washer was done, but when she opened the lid all I heard was, "Why has the washer stopped? It's still full of water." I went into the laundry room and sure enough the washer was full of water and clothes, and it had stopped right before the drain and spin cycle. We played around with the knob, tried different settings, and said a few curse words. Then, almost at the same time, we said, "Time to ask Google." What did we do before the wonderful world of Google? So, we Googled it and found out the safety device had probably broken - you know that little opening that says the door is closed and it is now safe to spin. M read online a little and I got the screwdriver and the next thing you know our washer looked like this....




We found the device, used some duct-tape (if you can't duct it...), and put it back together. It worked like a charm. Problem solved. We did order the part online and will replace it when it arrives later this week. The part cost $26.00. I love having a brave and resourceful wife.

2. Yes, we are just having one child.

I actually had someone ask me if we were planning on having more children. I haven't finished cooking baby #1 and they are already asking about baby #2. The answer is clear -- no. Just one baby for us and here are some reasons why:

a. Neither one of us are spring chickens.

b. We like to make and save money - a lot. It is like a game to us. How much can we save? How much can we make? If we move this account here we can make .25 percent more. How many months until we reach our next goal? About twice a month we sit down and review all of our money, and we make ourselves feel good. I think we do this because we have both been in places were we didn't have any money and we don't want to be there again.

c. Trying to conceive is one of the most stressful things I have ever done. The cycles of two weeks and then two more weeks, the peeing on sticks, the constant pressure, the need to leave work at a moment's notice, and the expense. We were so lucky that it only took us six months but those were a long six months, and I can only give major props to those whose struggle for years. They are strong people who deserve respect.

d. We're not concerned about only having one because we both have loving, awesome families who support us and will support our babygirl and make sure that she never feels alone in this world.

e. Did I mention we weren't spring chickens?

E-

P.S. 31 weeks and I feel good. My back aches daily, but nothing too severe. My clothes are getting tighter (that sucks) and I toss and turn at night, but overall -- I still feel good. 7 weeks till she is fully cooked, and 11 weeks is the longest I will remain pregnant.

so lucky

Our very funny and sweet shower cake.

We had another shower today given by two of our friends. It was attended by an eclectic mix of friends and coworkers, my bowling team and book club. There were women from their late 20s to their early 60s, and even E's male coworker. We had a great time. Food. Drink. Game. Laughter. Conversation. And many wonderful gifts. Some were very practical...medicine set and comb/brush set...some were very sweet...a handmade hat, sweater, and booties...some very funny...a tshirt with a pacifier that says "Pacifist." People were kind and generous.

I think more important than the gifts themselves was the outpouring of love. All of these people from different backgrounds and times gathering together to wish us well and help us get started. I hope that we give BabyGirl all that love and security and happiness. And, I hope we teach her to build the relationships we have built, so she feels that love her whole life.

m

30 weeks

Yup -- 30 weeks down and 10 more to go. Babygirl will be fully cooked in 8 weeks, but she will arrive when she is ready. The heartburn has calmed down...thank goodness. Overall, I still feel good, but it is starting to get more uncomfortable...not unbearable, but it is just harder to move around and do things. I am thinking it might get even harder over the next few weeks as well. I am also getting tired more quickly than before and some food grosses me out again...what is old is new again...

We did have a lovely weekend. We went to the movies on Saturday and saw Juno, which we both gave 2 thumbs up. We, of course, went to Target -- it is a requirement that if you live in the suburbs you must go to Target each weekend...right? I finished my mammoth book (The Pillars of the Earth) and I give it two thumbs up. It isn't a masterpiece, it isn't great historical fiction, it isn't written in moving prose, but it is a damn good story that keeps your heart racing and your emotions in high gear. Today we went to the book store and I got his next book -- World without End..it is just as long and only in hardback...poor babygirl isn't going to like that on her at night. Let the kicking fits begin.

E-

P.S. It was 45 degrees here today...it felt like summer...we can make it through this winter....we can make it through this winter....we can make it through this winter....we can make it through this winter....we can make it through this winter....we can make it through this winter....we can make it through this winter....

Holy Heartburn Batman

The heartburn started a little this past weekend and hit high gear on Monday. It has been a long three days. Drinking water gives me heartburn. It comes and goes throughout the day, but when it is there it is not fun. Now, this is happening because sweet babygirl is pushing up on my stomach and I have increased hormones again at this stage of the pregnancy. Apparently, it might go away and it might stay till the end...I'll keep you posted.

Babygirl is also much bigger now. She now makes large movements that feel different than before. She is starting to feel like a little baby in there as opposed to kicks and punches. I also just feel heavier these days. M says I get bigger everyday. She also says I am still cute...which is a good thing.

Speaking of M. She has been great with everything. I know that it is hard to be her sometimes. She has a lot of the physical work around here and I know it is tough for her, but she takes it in stride and does great. Additionally, she was great last night when we had to attend a work dinner. She is a great partner and an excellent trophy wife.....cute, funny, charming, and smart -- it was fun to show her off to my peers.

E-

poked and prodded...and other tidbits

When E and I decided we were ready to pursue having a baby, I agreed to a full physical since she's having the baby. She has been poked and prodded by many doctors and nurses, so it only seemed fair. I had my physical last week. I hadn't been in for a few years and my doctor decided to be pretty thorough. She did the normal checkup, inspected all my girly parts, and declared me fit as a fiddle. Most of my family has high cholesterol, but I came away with 155...my lowest ever. E says it's because I'm happy. I would agree. I think the worst part was that she decided I needed a tetanus shot. (Ouch! I had no idea it would hurt for days.) I also had a mole on the side of my neck that sometimes got irritated and I asked about getting it removed. Silly me, I thought she would refer me to a dermatologist or something. Nope. She seemed quite gleeful to snip it off herself. The actual act of having it taken off did not hurt very much, but putting on and ripping off the bandages has left my sensitive neck skin irritated. It's almost healed now and feels much better.

E is doing great. She's feeling good and looks great. We visited a friend of ours who is in the hospital because she went into preterm labor at 30 weeks. She has maintained a very good attitude and hopes to go home soon after two weeks in her little room. E and I feel very fortunate to be sailing through (it's going sooo fast!) the pregnancy so easily.

We had our first baby shower yesterday. My sister hosted it at our house for my female family members. It was a great time. We played a couple games and mostly just sat around and talked. There were lots of good baby stories. Of course, we also got some very cute clothes and wonderful gifts. It's kind of odd to just sit back and get gifts. We're more used to exchanging presents for holidays or birthdays, but we'll get used to it. ;)

m

28 weeks

What's it like to be 28 weeks pregnant? It's still great. I feel good. I passed my glucose test and I am glad I did. I was very nervous about it, but it all turned out fine. I can't walk as fast as I used to prior to pregnancy. I am not waddling yet, but I think I am close. I pee twice a night and on a bad night, three times. I am exhausted by 8pm, but I try and make it till 9pm. My back aches more each day, but nothing that isn't bearable. Babygirl continues to amaze me with her movements and cycles.

M has continued to be great. She rubs my feet or head or back every night, she talks to the babygirl, and she giggles when she feels her kick me. She also shovels mountains of snow and ice on a daily basis. And, of course, she deals with a pregnant woman all the time. I love her.

My mom's visit was very good. We got to talk a ton and she helped us to figure out want we wanted in a variety of areas. She survived a winter storm as well...ice, freezing rain, snow...nasty weather. We are excited to see her again when babygirl arrives.

E-

Feeling the Baby move

I couldn't sleep the other night because babygirl was moving around. While I was laying there I started thinking about how she feels inside of me. I discovered that she has a variety of movements and I mentally started working on the following list:

1. Tiny rolls: These were the very first movements around 18-19 weeks. I felt them mainly at night when I was reading. They were small, quick and felt like a little ball the size of a ping-pong ball rolling in one spot. Some people call these flutters.

2. Kickboxing: This is when either arms or legs (I can't tell the difference yet)just punch and kick. It is usually on opposite sides of my belly and they can be seen by someone sitting next to you. They literally jump out at you. I have looked down and thought, "damn, did a foot come out that time?"

3. Ballet: This feels like she is rubbing the inside walls of my uterus. It is slow and steady. It can't be felt or seen on the outside. It feels like she is sliding around inside of me.

4. Big rolls: I felt these for a few weeks, but they have gone away. I don't think there is enough room for her to roll in there now. It literally feels like a large ball is rolling inside of you. You can almost see a ripple across the belly when it happened.

5. Slow push: This is when she just gently pushes on the walls of the uterus and they are very sweet because they are so gentle.

6. Earthquake: This is her current favorite move and the inspiration for this post. Babygirl has a tendency to move/jump/turn so quickly that it literary can cause my entire body to move. It feels like she is trying to turn, but something is stopping her and then all of a sudden something happens and the pressure that was built up is released and she jumps and moves at the same time.

7. Mini-Earthquake: Same as the earthquake, but not as intense and usually a little deeper.

Other news:

A. I am totally fine after the car accident. I wasn't even sore the next day. My poor car is not is great shape, but that can be fixed. Thanks for all the kind words and thoughts.

B. My mother is flying into town on Friday and we are super excited. She is coming to visit and to check me out all pregnant. My belly will not disappoint. We can't wait for her get here. And, she has never in her whole life seen the amount of snow she is about to see. I tell her it is like living in a freezer that needs a serious de-frosting.

E-