First Day of SBU Fall semester 2006
Showing posts with label work. Show all posts
Showing posts with label work. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 30, 2016
First Day of Semester for Kevin 2016
Monday was Kevin's first day of the Fall Semester! Even though he's been teaching classes all summer, and indeed, all of Miranda's life, Miranda was not having it that morning. Don't go Dada! Take me!
Friday, April 8, 2016
Things My Wife Complains About #30: Supporting Our Family
For the last eight years, I've had a job that requires me to go to the office three days a week, forty-four weeks a year (sometimes less). This schedule is very hard on my family, who find my being home only four days a week--the weeks I'm not home every day--fundamentally unacceptable. My friends with full-time jobs are generally away from the house for fifty to sixty hours a week, so I assume their families don't speak to them, if my friends manage to maintain families at all.
Each morning I leave, my son wails, "Dada, don't go to work AGAIN." When I get home, my daughter rushes to the door and clings to my leg, as though she's spent the day scrubbing floors or avoiding a whip (in reality, my daughter spends all day drawing, clicking things into other things, pushing buttons that make noise or glow, hiding remote controls, crying over nothing, attacking her brother or mother brutally without reason, eating on demand, and napping).
My wife is similarly afflicted. Recently, after a three-day work week that followed Spring Break and preceded an Easter trip to Massachusetts, I had little time to do anything but work and take care of the kids. So bereft was my wife during this time that she wilted like a plant deprived of water. Fortunately, Family Day was coming! Family Day is when nobody works, so everyone can commit all of his or her energy to getting on the nerves of someone else in the family. It happens every Saturday, and we start drinking before dinner.
Possible Solutions!
1) Build downtime into schedule by eliminating sleep
2) Complain full-time while someone else supports family
3) Become independently wealthy (hard)
At work (last summer)
Each morning I leave, my son wails, "Dada, don't go to work AGAIN." When I get home, my daughter rushes to the door and clings to my leg, as though she's spent the day scrubbing floors or avoiding a whip (in reality, my daughter spends all day drawing, clicking things into other things, pushing buttons that make noise or glow, hiding remote controls, crying over nothing, attacking her brother or mother brutally without reason, eating on demand, and napping).
My wife is similarly afflicted. Recently, after a three-day work week that followed Spring Break and preceded an Easter trip to Massachusetts, I had little time to do anything but work and take care of the kids. So bereft was my wife during this time that she wilted like a plant deprived of water. Fortunately, Family Day was coming! Family Day is when nobody works, so everyone can commit all of his or her energy to getting on the nerves of someone else in the family. It happens every Saturday, and we start drinking before dinner.
Possible Solutions!
1) Build downtime into schedule by eliminating sleep
2) Complain full-time while someone else supports family
3) Become independently wealthy (hard)
At work (last summer)
Friday, August 29, 2014
James Goes to Work 2014
On Wednesday, Kevin had a department meeting on a day he doesn't ordinarily work so after some negotiating we decided on an unofficial "take your son to work day." I thought it would be good for him to see where Dada works because he's been fairly confident for most of his young life that when Dada leaves for work he's just nearby on the other side of the front door. Opening the door and going outside doesn't persuade him otherwise.
At home, James loves helping out where he can. He brings Miranda toys, and brings me her burp cloth, and shows an interest in helping with diapering or bathtime.
At dinnertime he brings a stool over to watch me cook and I let him help by picking herbs or adding salt and pepper to dishes. On this particular day he helped me make stuffed peppers for dinner.
The "visiting professor" in Kevin's office
Checking out the fountains at Stony Brook
At home, James loves helping out where he can. He brings Miranda toys, and brings me her burp cloth, and shows an interest in helping with diapering or bathtime.
The boys missed Miranda while they were at work
At dinnertime he brings a stool over to watch me cook and I let him help by picking herbs or adding salt and pepper to dishes. On this particular day he helped me make stuffed peppers for dinner.
Adding cheese to the top of the peppers
Great job!
He's such a little man already!
Friday, February 7, 2014
7 Months Pregnant 2014
25 Weeks, January 9-15
I was supposed to have a doctor's appointment at the beginning of 24 weeks, but because of Snow Storm Hercules, we had to reschedule for this week. I met a new doctor in the practice and he surprised me with an unscheduled sonogram. I think I scared Kevin that something might be wrong when I called him into see her. She was hiding her face under her little fists, but the sonogram could focus past her arms so we could see her face anyway. As the doctor pointed out, being able to see the entirety of her big eyeballs makes her sort of look like the Terminator right now. Kevin called her "cute." It must be love! She looked leggy to me, but all signs still say she is currently normal size, and the official file in my doctor's office still says my due date is April 24! So that's good.
25 Weeks on Thursday- I'm huge already!
Baby progress:
Baby's now the size of an cauliflower or rutabaga. Head to heel, she now measures about 13 1/2 inches., and she's about a pound and a half. She's beginning to exchange her long, lean look for some baby fat. As she does, her wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out and she'll start to look more and more like a newborn. She's also growing more hair. Her sense of equilibrium is also kicking in, and baby's learning to distinguish right side up from upside down.
Symptoms: Stuffy and runny nose, everything smells bad, trouble breathing, bad acid reflux. Also, I threw up (the nefarious cupcake) and I thought it was random, but since then I've been throwing up about once a week
Cravings: Chocolate, sugar, fish, beef, cupcakes
Anti-cravings: Cupcakes
My Weight Gain: 17 pounds, but still 3 pounds heavier than last time
Thing I Miss: Not worrying about the acid content of foods
Compare to week 25 with James
I was supposed to have a doctor's appointment at the beginning of 24 weeks, but because of Snow Storm Hercules, we had to reschedule for this week. I met a new doctor in the practice and he surprised me with an unscheduled sonogram. I think I scared Kevin that something might be wrong when I called him into see her. She was hiding her face under her little fists, but the sonogram could focus past her arms so we could see her face anyway. As the doctor pointed out, being able to see the entirety of her big eyeballs makes her sort of look like the Terminator right now. Kevin called her "cute." It must be love! She looked leggy to me, but all signs still say she is currently normal size, and the official file in my doctor's office still says my due date is April 24! So that's good.
25 Weeks on Thursday- I'm huge already!
Baby progress:
Baby's now the size of an cauliflower or rutabaga. Head to heel, she now measures about 13 1/2 inches., and she's about a pound and a half. She's beginning to exchange her long, lean look for some baby fat. As she does, her wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out and she'll start to look more and more like a newborn. She's also growing more hair. Her sense of equilibrium is also kicking in, and baby's learning to distinguish right side up from upside down.
Symptoms: Stuffy and runny nose, everything smells bad, trouble breathing, bad acid reflux. Also, I threw up (the nefarious cupcake) and I thought it was random, but since then I've been throwing up about once a week
Cravings: Chocolate, sugar, fish, beef, cupcakes
Anti-cravings: Cupcakes
My Weight Gain: 17 pounds, but still 3 pounds heavier than last time
Thing I Miss: Not worrying about the acid content of foods
Compare to week 25 with James
26 Weeks, January 16-22
Baby progress: Itty Bitty is still size of a cauliflower or a head of lettuce.She now weighs about 1 2/3 pounds and measures 14 inches from head to heel.
She is soaking up antibodies, getting her immune system ready for life outside the womb. Her eyes are forming. The network of nerves in her ears is better developed and more sensitive than before. She's inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid, which is essential for the development of her lungs. These breathing movements are also good practice for when she's born and takes that first gulp of air. And she's continuing to put on baby fat.
Symptoms: Lots of trouble breathing, bad acid reflux, everything smells bad, stuffy and runny nose. Threw up again. This time I was eating a frozen fruit bar.
Cravings: Oatmeal, raisins, grapes, granola in various forms
Anti-cravings: Anything that looks even a tiny bit old totally grosses me out. Super sweet things (even though I want them) make me feel a bit sick
My Weight Gain: 19 pounds, 4 pounds heavier than last time
Thing I Miss: Sleeping!, breathing
Compare to week 26 with James
27 Weeks, January 23-29
Neutral Milk Hotel was baby's first concert this week, and she kicked through all the music- to the beat! Kevin and I signed our wills on Monday, so now we can rest easy that our kids will be taken care of even if something happens to us. I also finally told my boss I'm pregnant at the end of the week. I work remotely so it's easier to hide the belly than if I had an office job.
Baby progress: Itty Bitty is the still size of a cauliflower or rutabaga.
She weighs almost 2 pounds and is about 14 1/2 inches long with her legs extended.
Her lungs are developing, which combined with the opening of previously plugged nostrils means she's now able to practice inhaling and exhaling. Every "breath" is filled with amniotic fluid. She's sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing her eyes, and perhaps even sucking her fingers. With more brain tissue developing, her brain is very active now. While her lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with a lot of medical help — if she were born now.
Symptoms: Lots of trouble breathing, bad acid reflux, stuffy nose. I threw up after eating just a small amount of canned peaches after lunch. The I had to get up at night to throw up the ice cream I had after dinner. I see a pattern developing. I worry that this does not bode well for my glucose test at the end of the week.
Cravings: Protein: Hamburgers, BEEF, peanut butter, beans, seafood, fruit, peaches
Anti-cravings: peaches, veggies with a bitter taste
My Weight Gain: 19 pounds, 3 pounds heavier than last time.
Thing I Miss: Living Tums-free, eating sweets without puking, warm weather walks, hugging normally, jumping up from a sitting position without sucking wind
Compare to week 27 with James
7 Months!, 28 Weeks, January 30-February 5
Third Trimester! Final stretch! I did my lucose test on Friday and it came back normal. But then I got a call a few days later that my iron was low so I was a little anemic and my vitamin D was low again. That explains my beef and hamburger cravings the last few weeks! So I'm tired from low iron, but I've also been working a lot this week- so I'm really really tired. And since James gave up naps in January, that means I had to give up naps in Jauary. Well, with another baby on the way, my napping days were numbered anyway.
28 Weeks
Baby progress: Itty Bitty is now the size of an eggplant! She weighs 2 1/4 pounds and measures almost 15 inches from the top of her head to her heels.
Her lungs are mature enough that, if she were born right now, she has a great chance of being okay. Her skin is still pretty wrinkly (one byproduct of living in amniotic fluid) but will smooth as fat continues to deposit. She can open and close her eyes, which now has lashes.
Symptoms: Throwing up after eating sweet things, acid reflux, trouble breathing, trouble sleeping
Cravings: COCONUT, chocolate, Fruit loops?, Coca-Cola but I haven't indulged the last two.
Anti-cravings: Tatsoi is the grossest vegetable ever. I also don't like fennel.
My Weight Gain: 19.5, only 1.5 pounds heavier than last time- the closest I've been yet to my weight during James's pregnancy!
Thing I Miss: Being able to roll over. Not being constantly tired.
Compare to week 28 with James
I'm 29 weeks now. I'm looking forward to seeing Itty Bitty in a full sonogram next Friday!
Baby progress: Itty Bitty is still size of a cauliflower or a head of lettuce.She now weighs about 1 2/3 pounds and measures 14 inches from head to heel.
She is soaking up antibodies, getting her immune system ready for life outside the womb. Her eyes are forming. The network of nerves in her ears is better developed and more sensitive than before. She's inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid, which is essential for the development of her lungs. These breathing movements are also good practice for when she's born and takes that first gulp of air. And she's continuing to put on baby fat.
Symptoms: Lots of trouble breathing, bad acid reflux, everything smells bad, stuffy and runny nose. Threw up again. This time I was eating a frozen fruit bar.
Cravings: Oatmeal, raisins, grapes, granola in various forms
Anti-cravings: Anything that looks even a tiny bit old totally grosses me out. Super sweet things (even though I want them) make me feel a bit sick
My Weight Gain: 19 pounds, 4 pounds heavier than last time
Thing I Miss: Sleeping!, breathing
Compare to week 26 with James
27 Weeks, January 23-29
Neutral Milk Hotel was baby's first concert this week, and she kicked through all the music- to the beat! Kevin and I signed our wills on Monday, so now we can rest easy that our kids will be taken care of even if something happens to us. I also finally told my boss I'm pregnant at the end of the week. I work remotely so it's easier to hide the belly than if I had an office job.
A bit over 27 weeks, rocking my swing coat (thanks, Ash's mom)
Her lungs are developing, which combined with the opening of previously plugged nostrils means she's now able to practice inhaling and exhaling. Every "breath" is filled with amniotic fluid. She's sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing her eyes, and perhaps even sucking her fingers. With more brain tissue developing, her brain is very active now. While her lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with a lot of medical help — if she were born now.
Symptoms: Lots of trouble breathing, bad acid reflux, stuffy nose. I threw up after eating just a small amount of canned peaches after lunch. The I had to get up at night to throw up the ice cream I had after dinner. I see a pattern developing. I worry that this does not bode well for my glucose test at the end of the week.
Cravings: Protein: Hamburgers, BEEF, peanut butter, beans, seafood, fruit, peaches
Anti-cravings: peaches, veggies with a bitter taste
My Weight Gain: 19 pounds, 3 pounds heavier than last time.
Thing I Miss: Living Tums-free, eating sweets without puking, warm weather walks, hugging normally, jumping up from a sitting position without sucking wind
Compare to week 27 with James
7 Months!, 28 Weeks, January 30-February 5
Third Trimester! Final stretch! I did my lucose test on Friday and it came back normal. But then I got a call a few days later that my iron was low so I was a little anemic and my vitamin D was low again. That explains my beef and hamburger cravings the last few weeks! So I'm tired from low iron, but I've also been working a lot this week- so I'm really really tired. And since James gave up naps in January, that means I had to give up naps in Jauary. Well, with another baby on the way, my napping days were numbered anyway.
Baby progress: Itty Bitty is now the size of an eggplant! She weighs 2 1/4 pounds and measures almost 15 inches from the top of her head to her heels.
Her lungs are mature enough that, if she were born right now, she has a great chance of being okay. Her skin is still pretty wrinkly (one byproduct of living in amniotic fluid) but will smooth as fat continues to deposit. She can open and close her eyes, which now has lashes.
Symptoms: Throwing up after eating sweet things, acid reflux, trouble breathing, trouble sleeping
Cravings: COCONUT, chocolate, Fruit loops?, Coca-Cola but I haven't indulged the last two.
Anti-cravings: Tatsoi is the grossest vegetable ever. I also don't like fennel.
My Weight Gain: 19.5, only 1.5 pounds heavier than last time- the closest I've been yet to my weight during James's pregnancy!
Thing I Miss: Being able to roll over. Not being constantly tired.
Compare to week 28 with James
Is it just me or does this snowman look a little pregnant?
I'm 29 weeks now. I'm looking forward to seeing Itty Bitty in a full sonogram next Friday!
Monday, October 21, 2013
Oh Baby! 2013
When I had James, I documented everything and took a lot of pictures. I was cognizant of the fact that I should try to do the same things for baby #2. Obviously, things will be busier this time with a toddler and a baby, but I really enjoy blogging and looking back at old posts, so I'm hoping I can keep up with it. That said, I think I might have been excessive to the point of being dull last time, so I'm going to try to keep it a little more condensed this time.
0-2 Weeks, Mid-to-Late July 2013
It's difficult to pinpoint when the magic happens, and most women are typically not pregnant in the first two weeks counted towards your due date. Just out of curiosity I took my temperature this month- and it peeked on Tuesday, July 30th, coincidentally also the 6-year anniversary of our first date.
We had great news when Kevin signed a contract for his short story collection, We Were Flying to Chicago, due out in May!
2 Weeks, August 1-7
By now I started to suspect we were successful this month. I was hot all the time, I was moody, I was craving a burger I never got. I was drinking milk with ice cubes. But I didn't notice any change in appetite, so I thought it was possibly wishful thinking. (With James I wasn't hot, and wanted to eat ALL THE TIME). We had more good luck this week: I got a job!
Symptoms: So hot all the time! Very moody.
Cravings: hamburger, milk with ice
Compare to weeks 0-2 with James.
3 Weeks, August 8-14
Then on 8/10/13, I had a very specific symptom I had with James on 8/1/10. By then I was also feeling some abdominal tightness or bloating. I got dizzy for the first time (like I had with James on 7/19/10 and a few times after). I felt nauseated. I drank a lot of water and made a lot of trips to the bathroom. Kevin's mom was here visiting and she asked me no less than 3 times if I was pregnant, but she knew we were trying so she was kind of playing dirty. Nonetheless, kind of funny that she was here the day I had my first avalanche of definitive symptoms.
Then finally on 8/14, I took a pregnancy test. Kevin knew I was going to, so I got up early and then went back to bed. Kevin thought it was bad news because I didn't say anything so he snuggled me while I soaked in the good news. Kevin was really happy and cute about it when I finally told him that morning.
We asked James if he wanted a brother or a sister, and he said, "A seester!" Then we asked him if he wanted a sister or a brother, and he said, "broder/seester!" Just to double-check we asked him if he wanted a baby or no baby, and he looked like he was thinking about it and then said, "A baby! Yes!"
Baby progress: Tiny ball of cells, implantation!
Symptoms: TMI, abdominal tightness/bloating, dizziness, nausea, moodiness
Cravings: WATER!, Salad (Thai food- but I didn't get it)
Anti-cravings: Second cup of coffee: I went from drinking 3 cups a day to just one basically overnight.
My Weight Gain: 0
Compare to week 3 with James.
4 Weeks, August 15-21
Baby progress: Size of a poppy seed, official embryo with amniotic sac and yolk sac (like a chicken) inside a primitive placenta
Symptoms: Sleepiness, sore boobs, bloaty, hair loss
Cravings: Water, water, water, water (also I ate cold tomato sauce one afternoon)
Anti-cravings: I ate ice cream 3 times this week, but each time it failed to hit the spot, so I gave up.
My Weight Gain: 0
Compare to week 4 with James
0-2 Weeks, Mid-to-Late July 2013
It's difficult to pinpoint when the magic happens, and most women are typically not pregnant in the first two weeks counted towards your due date. Just out of curiosity I took my temperature this month- and it peeked on Tuesday, July 30th, coincidentally also the 6-year anniversary of our first date.
We had great news when Kevin signed a contract for his short story collection, We Were Flying to Chicago, due out in May!
Kevin and me in Baltimore visiting his cousin Katie
2 Weeks, August 1-7
By now I started to suspect we were successful this month. I was hot all the time, I was moody, I was craving a burger I never got. I was drinking milk with ice cubes. But I didn't notice any change in appetite, so I thought it was possibly wishful thinking. (With James I wasn't hot, and wanted to eat ALL THE TIME). We had more good luck this week: I got a job!
Symptoms: So hot all the time! Very moody.
Cravings: hamburger, milk with ice
Compare to weeks 0-2 with James.
3 Weeks, August 8-14
Then on 8/10/13, I had a very specific symptom I had with James on 8/1/10. By then I was also feeling some abdominal tightness or bloating. I got dizzy for the first time (like I had with James on 7/19/10 and a few times after). I felt nauseated. I drank a lot of water and made a lot of trips to the bathroom. Kevin's mom was here visiting and she asked me no less than 3 times if I was pregnant, but she knew we were trying so she was kind of playing dirty. Nonetheless, kind of funny that she was here the day I had my first avalanche of definitive symptoms.
Kevin and me on the LIRR after a night out in Manhattan
Then finally on 8/14, I took a pregnancy test. Kevin knew I was going to, so I got up early and then went back to bed. Kevin thought it was bad news because I didn't say anything so he snuggled me while I soaked in the good news. Kevin was really happy and cute about it when I finally told him that morning.
We asked James if he wanted a brother or a sister, and he said, "A seester!" Then we asked him if he wanted a sister or a brother, and he said, "broder/seester!" Just to double-check we asked him if he wanted a baby or no baby, and he looked like he was thinking about it and then said, "A baby! Yes!"
Baby progress: Tiny ball of cells, implantation!
Symptoms: TMI, abdominal tightness/bloating, dizziness, nausea, moodiness
Cravings: WATER!, Salad (Thai food- but I didn't get it)
Anti-cravings: Second cup of coffee: I went from drinking 3 cups a day to just one basically overnight.
My Weight Gain: 0
Compare to week 3 with James.
4 Weeks, August 15-21
Baby progress: Size of a poppy seed, official embryo with amniotic sac and yolk sac (like a chicken) inside a primitive placenta
Symptoms: Sleepiness, sore boobs, bloaty, hair loss
Cravings: Water, water, water, water (also I ate cold tomato sauce one afternoon)
Anti-cravings: I ate ice cream 3 times this week, but each time it failed to hit the spot, so I gave up.
My Weight Gain: 0
Compare to week 4 with James
Kevin, James, and me in Vermont visiting Aubree, Patrick, and Avery
A little note on pregnancy weight: Before getting pregnant this time, I lost all but 5-6 pounds of the weight I gained with James. My plan is to "lose" that weight through this second pregnancy by: 1) gaining less weight this time (not having as much juice and ice cream as I did last time), 2) not randomly gaining weight after I have the baby like i did with James, 3) breastfeeding without supplementation this time.
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
Football Cookout- September 2013
We had these guys over for a cookout and some football. Briggs came a little later for the football. I put Kevin in charge of taking a photo (because I spent a lot of the visit actually doing work on my computer). This is what happened. Notice that while Kevin did not manage to actually get Sarah in the picture he did manage to get his Fantasy Football Trophy from last year in the shots. Poor Pooh Bear was chopped off.
Over here, Sarah!
Lukas being helpful by trying to rest his leg on Sarah's shoulder
Friday, April 5, 2013
My Civil Rights Case Settled for $1 Million!
Twenty-two Latino victims of unlawful warrantless home raids by by the government obtained a settlement today requiring new national policies for conducting warrantless home operations and $1 million in damages and fees. While I worked at Dewey, I spent countless hours with our Latino pro bono clients preparing them for deposition, attending their depositions, and even taking the depositions of the government agents who conducted the illegal raids. To be clear, our clients included many US citizens and people with documentation! I'm so happy that my hard work came to fruition for them, and that things will be a little better for Latinos in our country.
On a more personal note, the intensity of this case is also how I became friends with many of my former colleagues including Christie P, Adrienne, Eri, Eric, Evan, Lee, the two Matts, and Ghita and Christina from LatinoJustice, and so many more people I can't even count. Doing good is good for the soul.
Read more here:
http://www.ccrjustice.org/newsroom/press-releases/%241-million-ice-settlement-new-york-families-requires-national-changes-agency-policy
On a more personal note, the intensity of this case is also how I became friends with many of my former colleagues including Christie P, Adrienne, Eri, Eric, Evan, Lee, the two Matts, and Ghita and Christina from LatinoJustice, and so many more people I can't even count. Doing good is good for the soul.
Read more here:
http://www.ccrjustice.org/newsroom/press-releases/%241-million-ice-settlement-new-york-families-requires-national-changes-agency-policy
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Changes, Tectonic and Otherwise 2011
Tuesday was my last day of maternity leave and my last day with my law firm. I went into the office to sort out a few things with human resources. It was a little bitter sweet. I started working there in September of 2008, but since I also summered there in 2007, I've had a relationship with many of the people there for four years (some, whom I went to law school with, for even longer). I hope to stay in touch with some people, but everyone there is so busy that I'm not sure to what extent that will happen. My plan is to stay home with the baby for a little while and then find a slightly more family-friendly job.
With coworkers Victoria and Brian after passing the NY Bar in 2008
On my way back home from the office there was a 5.9 earthquake in Mineral, Virginia, that was felt in New York, and as far up north as Massachusetts. My friend Sarah in Virginia said her whole house rolled for what felt like quite a while. In New York everyone felt shaking and buildings swaying.
Except James and me. We felt nothing at all.
I was underground in Penn Station, and good news-- it's a total fortress. Not one solitary brick moved. The trains didn't even rattle a bit. I only knew an earthquake had taken place because the conversation around me changed from the imminent ten-year anniversary of September 11th to reports of an earthquake in Virginia, and the possible delay of trains while engineers in New York checked the Long Island Rail Road tunnels for aftershock damage. We were only delayed 10 minutes, so my guess is that it wasn't a very thorough check.
James was home on Long Island with Kevin. As Kevin said, "James, who wakes up when a bird flies past the window, slept through his first earthquake." Kevin grabbed him and got under the doorframe in our living room while James continued to snooze peacefully.
James place-holder photo, to be changed after I get photos from my camera ;)
[Update: Decided to keep photo since Michele liked it. Check the next post for a post-earthquake shot.]
I was underground in Penn Station, and good news-- it's a total fortress. Not one solitary brick moved. The trains didn't even rattle a bit. I only knew an earthquake had taken place because the conversation around me changed from the imminent ten-year anniversary of September 11th to reports of an earthquake in Virginia, and the possible delay of trains while engineers in New York checked the Long Island Rail Road tunnels for aftershock damage. We were only delayed 10 minutes, so my guess is that it wasn't a very thorough check.
James was home on Long Island with Kevin. As Kevin said, "James, who wakes up when a bird flies past the window, slept through his first earthquake." Kevin grabbed him and got under the doorframe in our living room while James continued to snooze peacefully.
James place-holder photo, to be changed after I get photos from my camera ;)
[Update: Decided to keep photo since Michele liked it. Check the next post for a post-earthquake shot.]
Saturday, March 5, 2011
33 Weeks, February 27-March 5, 2011
Milestones: This week, baby is supposed to be filling out his loose skin and losing his wrinkly look. Look your best for the sonogram, Baby!
What I miss the most: Not carrying a boulder. Going up a set of stairs without needing to stop to catch my breath and wanting to nap on the landing.
Craving: Strawberry juice, which doesn't exist, but to Kevin's chagrin I won't accept this and keep asking him to bring it home. Vanilla. Cereal with flakes.
Anti-craving: Water gives me acid reflux. And even though I fantasize about drinking gallons of cool refreshing water, I only manage a glass or two a day and then have to make do with milk and juice the rest of the day.
Symptoms: This was the first really difficult week of pregnancy symptoms. The first week when I thought, if only for a moment, would it be so awful to have an only-child? It's been the best hits of all my symptoms, even nausea. Epic mess.
Moodiness was a big one. I admit this is not the first week I have been moody, but this is maybe the first week I have been so bothered by it that I have waged battle against my moodiness. I held back a lot and then broke down at inopportune times, usually at night when I'm too tired to be reasonable.
And obviously I'm big and uncomfortable almost all the time. Picking things off the floor is a disaster because I get a rush of acid reflux. When I'm a little horizontal (for example when I try to sleep) I'm attacked by acid reflux.
The baby likes to somersault a lot still. He turned upside down again for a brief while, but mainly he hangs out in awkward horizontal position. He enjoys kicking some organ I can't identify. Every day I feel generally ill. So I'm really looking forward to the next 6 weeks of increasing suffering. But then I think, at least I don't have to feed and diaper him right now, I can just exist and take his beating. Although once he's out, I can at least be rewarded by his cuteness.
Baby-size: A pineapple
Weight gain: 34.5 pounds. Yeah, I'm sure I'm just going to gain half a pound in the next 6 weeks.
It was a fairly low key week, except I went into Manhattan on Friday to have lunch with some friends from work. And then afterward I sat through a super boring Ethics Continuing Legal Education class. Lots of random people were there, including my friend from law school Jane. It was good to catch up with her, and apparently she secretly reads this blog, so hi, Jane!
What I miss the most: Not carrying a boulder. Going up a set of stairs without needing to stop to catch my breath and wanting to nap on the landing.
Craving: Strawberry juice, which doesn't exist, but to Kevin's chagrin I won't accept this and keep asking him to bring it home. Vanilla. Cereal with flakes.
Anti-craving: Water gives me acid reflux. And even though I fantasize about drinking gallons of cool refreshing water, I only manage a glass or two a day and then have to make do with milk and juice the rest of the day.
Symptoms: This was the first really difficult week of pregnancy symptoms. The first week when I thought, if only for a moment, would it be so awful to have an only-child? It's been the best hits of all my symptoms, even nausea. Epic mess.
Moodiness was a big one. I admit this is not the first week I have been moody, but this is maybe the first week I have been so bothered by it that I have waged battle against my moodiness. I held back a lot and then broke down at inopportune times, usually at night when I'm too tired to be reasonable.
And obviously I'm big and uncomfortable almost all the time. Picking things off the floor is a disaster because I get a rush of acid reflux. When I'm a little horizontal (for example when I try to sleep) I'm attacked by acid reflux.
The baby likes to somersault a lot still. He turned upside down again for a brief while, but mainly he hangs out in awkward horizontal position. He enjoys kicking some organ I can't identify. Every day I feel generally ill. So I'm really looking forward to the next 6 weeks of increasing suffering. But then I think, at least I don't have to feed and diaper him right now, I can just exist and take his beating. Although once he's out, I can at least be rewarded by his cuteness.
Baby-size: A pineapple
Weight gain: 34.5 pounds. Yeah, I'm sure I'm just going to gain half a pound in the next 6 weeks.
It was a fairly low key week, except I went into Manhattan on Friday to have lunch with some friends from work. And then afterward I sat through a super boring Ethics Continuing Legal Education class. Lots of random people were there, including my friend from law school Jane. It was good to catch up with her, and apparently she secretly reads this blog, so hi, Jane!
Me, Christie, Adrienne, and Akua
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
8 Months Pregnant 2011!
32 Weeks, February 20-26, 2011
Milestone: Hiccups! Well at least I can tell they're hiccups now. Also, we went to the doctor this week and contrary to the sonogram technician's experience and expertise our special gymnast did change position from having his head down to having his back up. In fact, I would describe his position as perfectly horizontal for maximum discomfort. Of course, my doctor took the opportunity to tell me this might result in a c-section. I get it, okay, you're itching to cut the huge horizontal baby out.
What I miss the most: HAAAAAAAAAAA. I will say that I have significantly lowered my standards for what qualifies as a good night's sleep. As long as I don't have to go to the living room for a few hours, I consider it "good." As such, I have had all good nights this week. I also discovered that with enough Tums I can now sleep on my right side and not just my left side all the time. It's a huge victory.
Craving: Vanilla. Kevin discovered the most delicious Trader Joe's vanilla creme yogurt. So amazing.
Anti-craving: Water is both my craving and my anti-craving.
Symptoms: Hugeness.
Baby-size: A large jicama, but um, wth is that?
Weight gain: This game is embarrassing but 32.5 pounds.
Grandma Clou turned 57 on Sunday. Tuesday, Wendy and Clark came out to visit us and we went for some local Thai food. It was nice to have them finally see our place and we had some good though sometimes sad conversation. On Thursday we saw our doctor for a checkup again since now we're on an every-two-weeks schedule. The next appointment will include another sonogram (my favorite photo op). We also met with a third pediatrician and we agree we liked the second one we saw the best. So now we have a baby doctor!
Milestone: Hiccups! Well at least I can tell they're hiccups now. Also, we went to the doctor this week and contrary to the sonogram technician's experience and expertise our special gymnast did change position from having his head down to having his back up. In fact, I would describe his position as perfectly horizontal for maximum discomfort. Of course, my doctor took the opportunity to tell me this might result in a c-section. I get it, okay, you're itching to cut the huge horizontal baby out.
What I miss the most: HAAAAAAAAAAA. I will say that I have significantly lowered my standards for what qualifies as a good night's sleep. As long as I don't have to go to the living room for a few hours, I consider it "good." As such, I have had all good nights this week. I also discovered that with enough Tums I can now sleep on my right side and not just my left side all the time. It's a huge victory.
Craving: Vanilla. Kevin discovered the most delicious Trader Joe's vanilla creme yogurt. So amazing.
Anti-craving: Water is both my craving and my anti-craving.
Symptoms: Hugeness.
Baby-size: A large jicama, but um, wth is that?
Weight gain: This game is embarrassing but 32.5 pounds.
Grandma Clou turned 57 on Sunday. Tuesday, Wendy and Clark came out to visit us and we went for some local Thai food. It was nice to have them finally see our place and we had some good though sometimes sad conversation. On Thursday we saw our doctor for a checkup again since now we're on an every-two-weeks schedule. The next appointment will include another sonogram (my favorite photo op). We also met with a third pediatrician and we agree we liked the second one we saw the best. So now we have a baby doctor!
Flowers from Wendy and Clark
Not pictured: the flan they also brought that I scarfed up too fast to photograph.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
31 Weeks, February 13-19, 2011
Milestone: I used to be able to force bending at the waist a little. That's not really happening anymore.
What I miss the most: Being able to put on my shoes, or get out of bed, without groaning. Having the option not to waddle. Being able to drink water without feeling it burn with acid reflux.
Craving: Lots of hydration. Juice. Protein. Sleep. Sometimes I want a huge cup of coffee, but I never have more than one regular size cup a day and often none.
Anti-craving: None.
Symptoms: I think this week I learned why sometimes it's called acid reflux and sometimes it's called heartburn.I experienced it as "heartburn" once and it felt like my chest was on fire for no reason. Like stop, drop, and roll.
Baby-size: Four navel oranges, but since we know our baby is big, this might not be very accurate
Weight gain: Still 30 pounds.
We've been trying to go to museums on the discount days to soak in culture while we can, so on Sunday we went to the Frick Gallery. We drove into the city and parked but I'll confess I was extremely whiny during our five block walk to the museum. It was cold and windy and my fastest-paced waddle wasn't getting me there fast enough. The gallery is lovely and pleasantly small so it might have been the perfect pregnant field trip. It even has a little indoor garden so it is especially nice in the winter.
Monday we went out to dinner for Valentines Day at a Long Island restaurant called Bob's Restaurant. I took advantage of being dressed up to take a belly photo for your amusement. Now remember, I'm only five feet tall so I will surely tip over before this pregnancy is over. Also notice that my stomach is still square-shaped because my waist is fighting every step of this growth.
31 weeks and 1 day
Tuesday was Kevin's real birthday. Since we had already celebrated his birthday on Friday, and just gone out last night for Valentines Day, we kept it low-key. I made him a big breakfast and we ordered Chinese for dinner so neither of us would have to cook and he could eat what he wanted. I also attempted to not complain about anything all day though I'm not sure if I made it or not. My memory is hazy.
Thursday and Friday we had unseasonably warm weather in the 60s so I got out both days. Thursday we met with two different pediatricians' offices and probably picked one, but we want to meet with one more before we definitely decide. Then we hit the local diner, which is dangerous for me because they have huge servings. Is it sad that I like going there because it reminds me of Tiffany's in Ramsey, New Jersey?
Friday Ash came over and it was warm enough to walk over to the nail salon in flip flops and get manicures and pedicures. I was excited about getting a pedicure because I can't reach my own toes comfortably enough to do it myself, but the pedicure chair was broken and I got stuck in 45 degree angle with the massage function set to torture. (See above comments about how I cannot bend at the waist.) It probably lasted less than a minute, but I thought I would die waiting for the jaws of life to get me out. Ash and I spent the better part of Saturday on the couch watching a Lost, Season 1 marathon. Though we did make it out for a pizza-ice cream-cookie-candy takeout run.
What I miss the most: Being able to put on my shoes, or get out of bed, without groaning. Having the option not to waddle. Being able to drink water without feeling it burn with acid reflux.
Craving: Lots of hydration. Juice. Protein. Sleep. Sometimes I want a huge cup of coffee, but I never have more than one regular size cup a day and often none.
Anti-craving: None.
Symptoms: I think this week I learned why sometimes it's called acid reflux and sometimes it's called heartburn.I experienced it as "heartburn" once and it felt like my chest was on fire for no reason. Like stop, drop, and roll.
Baby-size: Four navel oranges, but since we know our baby is big, this might not be very accurate
Weight gain: Still 30 pounds.
We've been trying to go to museums on the discount days to soak in culture while we can, so on Sunday we went to the Frick Gallery. We drove into the city and parked but I'll confess I was extremely whiny during our five block walk to the museum. It was cold and windy and my fastest-paced waddle wasn't getting me there fast enough. The gallery is lovely and pleasantly small so it might have been the perfect pregnant field trip. It even has a little indoor garden so it is especially nice in the winter.
Monday we went out to dinner for Valentines Day at a Long Island restaurant called Bob's Restaurant. I took advantage of being dressed up to take a belly photo for your amusement. Now remember, I'm only five feet tall so I will surely tip over before this pregnancy is over. Also notice that my stomach is still square-shaped because my waist is fighting every step of this growth.
31 weeks and 1 day
Tuesday was Kevin's real birthday. Since we had already celebrated his birthday on Friday, and just gone out last night for Valentines Day, we kept it low-key. I made him a big breakfast and we ordered Chinese for dinner so neither of us would have to cook and he could eat what he wanted. I also attempted to not complain about anything all day though I'm not sure if I made it or not. My memory is hazy.
Thursday and Friday we had unseasonably warm weather in the 60s so I got out both days. Thursday we met with two different pediatricians' offices and probably picked one, but we want to meet with one more before we definitely decide. Then we hit the local diner, which is dangerous for me because they have huge servings. Is it sad that I like going there because it reminds me of Tiffany's in Ramsey, New Jersey?
Friday Ash came over and it was warm enough to walk over to the nail salon in flip flops and get manicures and pedicures. I was excited about getting a pedicure because I can't reach my own toes comfortably enough to do it myself, but the pedicure chair was broken and I got stuck in 45 degree angle with the massage function set to torture. (See above comments about how I cannot bend at the waist.) It probably lasted less than a minute, but I thought I would die waiting for the jaws of life to get me out. Ash and I spent the better part of Saturday on the couch watching a Lost, Season 1 marathon. Though we did make it out for a pizza-ice cream-cookie-candy takeout run.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
30 Weeks, February 6-12, 2011
Milestones: We had our 30 week sonogram this week! It turns out my bumpy Quasimodo belly is not the baby's head pushing out parts of my belly but the baby's butt. He's already upside down and probably has been for about two weeks. According to our baby book, he should be "just over 3 pounds," but the sonogram technician estimated his weight at 4 pounds 6 ounces. My friends who have had babies all advised me that this estimate might be off by a pound, but the catch is-- it might be off in either direction.
Baby's sonogram is 3D so I have already started to attribute family characteristics. I think he looks like Kevin's maternal grandfather George plus the Clou nose plus maybe a dash of my maternal grandmother's pout. At least right this second he does. Also, he already has hair. I figured he'd be born with hair, but I'm surprised he already has enough to be visible on a sonogram.
Baby Clou's pouty nap face at 30 weeks and 5 days
Previously, I would wake up at night to change positions, for bathroom trips, or because of trouble breathing or acid reflux. Now I have new reasons to wake up! Leg cramps! And the baby is himself strong enough to kick me awake. Cute but not helpful.
The baby book also says his brain is developing more this week. I wonder if he knows what he's up to...
What I miss the most: Nah, I'm cool.
Craving: Lots of hydration.CEREAL. Salad. Fruit. Red meat. Grape juice. Ice cream without chunks of anything- plain vanilla, plain chocolate, etc.
Anti-craving: Smoke. I know this is not something you consume, but the windows have to be open if Kevin is cooking something because I feel like any cooking smoke is suffocating me.
Symptoms: This probably started a long time ago, subtly, but at this point I am full on waddling all the time. Hot flashes if I leave the apartment. The sonogram technician said that when she was pregnant she had acid reflux that she thought she would die from. I'm not anywhere near that yet, but I'm afraid. The Tums are helping.
Baby-size: Cabbage
Weight gain: I'm up to like 30 pounds. I don't wanna talk about it.
He doesn't even have a beer belly. 30 weeks and 5 days.
It was an eventful week otherwise. Michele came to visit me in Long Island and we had sushi (all cooked for me) and cake while we watched Puppy Bowl. Shut-up, you're jealous. Kevin and I also went to visit mom in her new apartment and took her to dinner at a local Chinese restaurant with an Italian name. Confusing. And after our 30-week sonogram, we celebrated Kevin's 31st birthday with dinner with a few friends (more on that in the next post).
Baby's sonogram is 3D so I have already started to attribute family characteristics. I think he looks like Kevin's maternal grandfather George plus the Clou nose plus maybe a dash of my maternal grandmother's pout. At least right this second he does. Also, he already has hair. I figured he'd be born with hair, but I'm surprised he already has enough to be visible on a sonogram.
Baby Clou's pouty nap face at 30 weeks and 5 days
Previously, I would wake up at night to change positions, for bathroom trips, or because of trouble breathing or acid reflux. Now I have new reasons to wake up! Leg cramps! And the baby is himself strong enough to kick me awake. Cute but not helpful.
The baby book also says his brain is developing more this week. I wonder if he knows what he's up to...
What I miss the most: Nah, I'm cool.
Craving: Lots of hydration.CEREAL. Salad. Fruit. Red meat. Grape juice. Ice cream without chunks of anything- plain vanilla, plain chocolate, etc.
Anti-craving: Smoke. I know this is not something you consume, but the windows have to be open if Kevin is cooking something because I feel like any cooking smoke is suffocating me.
Symptoms: This probably started a long time ago, subtly, but at this point I am full on waddling all the time. Hot flashes if I leave the apartment. The sonogram technician said that when she was pregnant she had acid reflux that she thought she would die from. I'm not anywhere near that yet, but I'm afraid. The Tums are helping.
Baby-size: Cabbage
Weight gain: I'm up to like 30 pounds. I don't wanna talk about it.
He doesn't even have a beer belly. 30 weeks and 5 days.
It was an eventful week otherwise. Michele came to visit me in Long Island and we had sushi (all cooked for me) and cake while we watched Puppy Bowl. Shut-up, you're jealous. Kevin and I also went to visit mom in her new apartment and took her to dinner at a local Chinese restaurant with an Italian name. Confusing. And after our 30-week sonogram, we celebrated Kevin's 31st birthday with dinner with a few friends (more on that in the next post).
Monday, February 7, 2011
29 Weeks, January 30, 2010
Baby stuff first. I've been trying to avoid anything that's not "natural" but this week I resorted to Tums for the acid reflux because the doctor was definite that it's safe and "not medicine." It worked great the first time, but it's already starting not to cut it. Despite milk, Tums, and three propped up pillows, I wake up choking sometimes. Blah.
Milestones: The baby's head continues to stick out of my belly usually on my right side, but sometimes on the left. He shies away from people trying to feel him move or kick. He's stayed high up all week. Ever since other moms on Facebook started asking me if he's hiccuping yet, I've been on hiccup alert but I really can't tell. Sometimes I feel what could either be gentle kicks or hiccups but it's not for very long or very regular so there's nothing definitive about it.
What I miss the most: Sleeping every night. Every other night I can only nap for four hours before I'm up. On the off nights I sleep through the night because I'm too exhausted not to.
Craving: Lots of hydration. Pad see ew with beef. Poor Kevin brought home pad thai with chicken instead. Disaster.
Anti-craving: Chicken.
Symptoms: Lots of trouble sleeping, ACID REFLUX, achy left knee, Sleepiness that causes evening grumpiness
Baby-size: Butternut Squash
Weight gain: Took the week off from weighing myself, but I can see the belly getting bigger. It's so big it's scary but it's still dented where my waist is. Still.
The week started a little sad with mom's move from my hometown of Ramsey. I think the new town and apartment will be good for her though.
Later in the week we got some living room furniture delivered which was exciting since I spend so much time in the living room these days. Pictures in the next post.
Milestones: The baby's head continues to stick out of my belly usually on my right side, but sometimes on the left. He shies away from people trying to feel him move or kick. He's stayed high up all week. Ever since other moms on Facebook started asking me if he's hiccuping yet, I've been on hiccup alert but I really can't tell. Sometimes I feel what could either be gentle kicks or hiccups but it's not for very long or very regular so there's nothing definitive about it.
What I miss the most: Sleeping every night. Every other night I can only nap for four hours before I'm up. On the off nights I sleep through the night because I'm too exhausted not to.
Craving: Lots of hydration. Pad see ew with beef. Poor Kevin brought home pad thai with chicken instead. Disaster.
Anti-craving: Chicken.
Symptoms: Lots of trouble sleeping, ACID REFLUX, achy left knee, Sleepiness that causes evening grumpiness
Baby-size: Butternut Squash
Weight gain: Took the week off from weighing myself, but I can see the belly getting bigger. It's so big it's scary but it's still dented where my waist is. Still.
The week started a little sad with mom's move from my hometown of Ramsey. I think the new town and apartment will be good for her though.
Our old apartment is the second door
Later in the week we got some living room furniture delivered which was exciting since I spend so much time in the living room these days. Pictures in the next post.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Third Trimester 2011!
28 Weeks, January 23-29, 2011
Kevin had off this week and offered me more babymoon and stabymoon opportunities but I was pretty depressed. It felt like the loss of my grandmother made the loss of my father more difficult. I spent as much time or more crying over him. And the end of the week was dedicated to helping mom move out of Ramsey which was also sad.
Milestones: The baby's head sort of sticks out of my belly sometimes. It's a definite small smooth round bump that protrudes, usually on my right side. The baby generally seems to be higher up than he's been. He kicks less but wiggles and pokes frequently.
What I miss the most: Sleeping every night. Every other night I can only nap for four hours before I'm up. On the off nights I sleep through the night because I'm too exhausted not to.
Craving: Juice, Ice cream
Anti-craving: Mildly spicy food makes my acid reflux burn to new levels. It feels like my throat is on fire.
Symptoms: Lots of trouble sleeping, ACID REFLUX, achy left knee, I alternate between being full after a few bites and being suddenly starving, evening grumpiness
Baby-size: Still an eggplant
Weight gain: 25+. I was hoping to gain only 25 pounds for the whole pregnancy, but now I'm in the please-no-more-than-35 camp. At 5 feet tall, I'm going to be a living beach ball. Or maybe I am already. You be the judge.
Kevin had off this week and offered me more babymoon and stabymoon opportunities but I was pretty depressed. It felt like the loss of my grandmother made the loss of my father more difficult. I spent as much time or more crying over him. And the end of the week was dedicated to helping mom move out of Ramsey which was also sad.
Milestones: The baby's head sort of sticks out of my belly sometimes. It's a definite small smooth round bump that protrudes, usually on my right side. The baby generally seems to be higher up than he's been. He kicks less but wiggles and pokes frequently.
What I miss the most: Sleeping every night. Every other night I can only nap for four hours before I'm up. On the off nights I sleep through the night because I'm too exhausted not to.
Craving: Juice, Ice cream
Anti-craving: Mildly spicy food makes my acid reflux burn to new levels. It feels like my throat is on fire.
Symptoms: Lots of trouble sleeping, ACID REFLUX, achy left knee, I alternate between being full after a few bites and being suddenly starving, evening grumpiness
Baby-size: Still an eggplant
Weight gain: 25+. I was hoping to gain only 25 pounds for the whole pregnancy, but now I'm in the please-no-more-than-35 camp. At 5 feet tall, I'm going to be a living beach ball. Or maybe I am already. You be the judge.
28 Weeks, and my bump is still square-shaped
Monday, January 31, 2011
27 Weeks, January 16-22, 2011
The week started out okay with our doctor's appointment and glucose test going well on Tuesday, and a really nice visit from Rachel and Eleanor on Thursday. But it turned into another bad week with the death of my maternal grandmother on Thursday night.
Milestones: Baby should be less curled up now and be about 15 inches long. The baby book says the baby is tasting all the food I eat and might react by kicking. I think I've felt that quite often actually.
What I miss the most: My loved ones.
Craving: Grapes, raisins, nuts
Anti-craving: Coffee
Symptoms: Lots of trouble sleeping, painful baby kicks.
Baby-size: Still an eggplant
Weight gain: 24.5
The glucose test is really gross by the way. I haven't had any soda during my pregnancy and I've been avoiding any beverage that isn't water, milk, 100% juice, coffee, tea, or the occasional delightful milkshake. So it's kind of ironic that I had to drink something that might give a person diabetes to test if I have diabetes. The first sips were delicious and orange soda like. But even though I only had to drink half of the tiny bottle I really wanted to throw up by the time I was done. If you fail this part of the test, you have to drink a larger bottle. If I failed, I had already committed to just following a diabetic diet instead of drinking a larger bottle of this trash. Luckily I got the thumbs up from the doctor; no prenatal diabetes here.
Milestones: Baby should be less curled up now and be about 15 inches long. The baby book says the baby is tasting all the food I eat and might react by kicking. I think I've felt that quite often actually.
What I miss the most: My loved ones.
Craving: Grapes, raisins, nuts
Anti-craving: Coffee
Symptoms: Lots of trouble sleeping, painful baby kicks.
Baby-size: Still an eggplant
Weight gain: 24.5
Rachel and Eleanor
The glucose test is really gross by the way. I haven't had any soda during my pregnancy and I've been avoiding any beverage that isn't water, milk, 100% juice, coffee, tea, or the occasional delightful milkshake. So it's kind of ironic that I had to drink something that might give a person diabetes to test if I have diabetes. The first sips were delicious and orange soda like. But even though I only had to drink half of the tiny bottle I really wanted to throw up by the time I was done. If you fail this part of the test, you have to drink a larger bottle. If I failed, I had already committed to just following a diabetic diet instead of drinking a larger bottle of this trash. Luckily I got the thumbs up from the doctor; no prenatal diabetes here.
Evil glucose drink
26 Weeks, January 9-15, 2011
Milestones: Kevin built a little cradle that our friends passed down to us. It makes the guest room look more like a baby room already. We're going to have to move the guest room upstairs soon.
The baby should be starting to open his eyes now, and might respond to light
What I miss the most: Not debating the best time to start feeding the baby solids. My mother: immediately. Me: 6 months-ish.
Craving: Grape juice. Keep it coming. It's baby wine.
Anti-craving: Anything I suspect might cause acid reflux.
Symptoms: Stuffy nose, bad acid reflux, a lot of trouble sleeping. My left knee is a little achy. I sometimes see stars like I might pass out, but I don't actually feel like I might pass out. I looked it up and it seems like I might need to eat or drink more so I'm trying to drink plenty of water and spread out my eating.
Baby-size: Still an eggplant
Weight gain: 23
Baby cradle
The baby should be starting to open his eyes now, and might respond to light
What I miss the most: Not debating the best time to start feeding the baby solids. My mother: immediately. Me: 6 months-ish.
Craving: Grape juice. Keep it coming. It's baby wine.
Anti-craving: Anything I suspect might cause acid reflux.
Symptoms: Stuffy nose, bad acid reflux, a lot of trouble sleeping. My left knee is a little achy. I sometimes see stars like I might pass out, but I don't actually feel like I might pass out. I looked it up and it seems like I might need to eat or drink more so I'm trying to drink plenty of water and spread out my eating.
Baby-size: Still an eggplant
Weight gain: 23
Baby cradle
Sunday, January 9, 2011
25 Weeks, January 2-8, 2011: Delaware Trip
Baby stuff first:
Milestones: There is a working theory that the baby can come when it's called now. This is of course, insanity, but you be the judge. Kevin first tried to get the baby to kick for him by calling him on New Years Day. He said something like, "Come here, son." Then about two days later, he tried again and it worked again. At this point I think Kevin decided to stop pushing his luck. Then Friday night, after my mother had spent a while trying to get the baby to kick for her, I said, "Trying calling him." As soon as I said it he kicked. We tried again Saturday morning and again it worked. So yeah, the baby is advanced.
What I miss the most: Lying on my stomach on top of Kevin. I can't even lie comfortable next to him on the couch because my belly kind of hangs off awkwardly. Hot.
Craving: I am milk. Sometimes also crave ice cream, or milk and cookies. Vinegar on food.
Anti-craving: Apple juice.
Symptoms: Stuffy nose, bad but short-lived acid reflux. I've had a lot of trouble sleeping this week. I sleep for about 3-4 hours, and something wakes me up and then I'm up for an hour or more before I can go back to sleep. There's no baby yet! How is this fair? Good news though, my left knee stopped hurting! Woo!
Baby-size: Eggplant
Weight gain: 20.5
The week began with me luxuriating in a hotel in Delaware while the boys made profitable sports bets at the casino, and promptly lost it all on craps. I earned my keep by taking this awesome photo:
If walking over 50 blocks in Manhattan was my stabymoon, then this was Kevin's bearmoon.
The rest of the week was fairly calm. Kevin started winter session classes on Tuesday , and I had dinner with Christina on Wednesday.
I finished out the week visiting my mother and packing up dad's books to take with me. Also, we had more snow in New Jersey... five inches on Friday! (On top of the only partially melted two feet of snow from last week.) Kevin and Jon came to pick me up and helped my mother get rid of a bunch of heavy stuff in her apartment. Thanks guys! You're the best.
Milestones: There is a working theory that the baby can come when it's called now. This is of course, insanity, but you be the judge. Kevin first tried to get the baby to kick for him by calling him on New Years Day. He said something like, "Come here, son." Then about two days later, he tried again and it worked again. At this point I think Kevin decided to stop pushing his luck. Then Friday night, after my mother had spent a while trying to get the baby to kick for her, I said, "Trying calling him." As soon as I said it he kicked. We tried again Saturday morning and again it worked. So yeah, the baby is advanced.
What I miss the most: Lying on my stomach on top of Kevin. I can't even lie comfortable next to him on the couch because my belly kind of hangs off awkwardly. Hot.
Craving: I am milk. Sometimes also crave ice cream, or milk and cookies. Vinegar on food.
Anti-craving: Apple juice.
Symptoms: Stuffy nose, bad but short-lived acid reflux. I've had a lot of trouble sleeping this week. I sleep for about 3-4 hours, and something wakes me up and then I'm up for an hour or more before I can go back to sleep. There's no baby yet! How is this fair? Good news though, my left knee stopped hurting! Woo!
Baby-size: Eggplant
Weight gain: 20.5
The week began with me luxuriating in a hotel in Delaware while the boys made profitable sports bets at the casino, and promptly lost it all on craps. I earned my keep by taking this awesome photo:
The unbearable hotness of bears
If walking over 50 blocks in Manhattan was my stabymoon, then this was Kevin's bearmoon.
The rest of the week was fairly calm. Kevin started winter session classes on Tuesday , and I had dinner with Christina on Wednesday.
I finished out the week visiting my mother and packing up dad's books to take with me. Also, we had more snow in New Jersey... five inches on Friday! (On top of the only partially melted two feet of snow from last week.) Kevin and Jon came to pick me up and helped my mother get rid of a bunch of heavy stuff in her apartment. Thanks guys! You're the best.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Things My Wife Complains About: #17 Spending an Entire Day in the City Doing Everything She Wants to Do
If you're not currently pregnant or haven't been pregnant in the immediate past, you've never heard of a "babymoon." A "babymoon" is a way to spend money on yourself, instead of the child growing inside of you, which seems sensible if you're receiving weekly emails telling you what vegetable your fetus is the size of (current size: maize). In lieu of traveling somewhere exotic with someone who let her passport expire, hates flying, is uncomfortable everywhere, and doesn't like the way she looks in anything but a Snuggie, I decided we might take advantage of the things she's long wanted to do in New York but hasn't done because those things are boring.
We started by going for soup dumplings. My wife didn't complain about the soup dumplings unless expressing frustration that the soup dumplings weren't on the menu and wondering why I'd take her somewhere for soup dumplings that doesn't have soup dumplings sounds like a complaint (note: the people next to us were loudly and obviously eating soup dumplings). Next we made it through nearly twenty yards of Central Park before my wife complained that she was tired--a reasonable claim for someone in her advanced state--so we did what anyone tired does and took several hundred photos of her belly in front of bushes.
After Central Park, we went to the American Museum of Natural History, which I will confess is not boring, if only for the floating blue whale the size of a rocket ship and Brontosaurus in disguise. Unfortunately, my wife turned into the little-understood Pregosaurus halfway through the museum. The Pregosaurus, I learned, is low to the ground and slow moving. It is unpredictable, omnivorous, and has to sit in Starbucks between feedings to complain about its feet.
Pregosaurus and Allosaurus
For the evening portion of the "Babymoon," we took in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, sponsored by every corporation in the United States. This is the narrative arc of the RCCS for the uninitiated: Santa invents reasons for forty white women to kick their legs in the air for an hour (rising tension), some kid suddenly and unconvincingly discovers the True Meaning of Christmas (climax), Jesus--unmentioned to that point--is born in front of live camels (denouement). Before any of this happened, my wife went to the restroom. When she came out, she said, I can't tell you how many things I have to complain about in there.
Possible Solutions!
1) Turn the "Babymoon" into a "Maybemoon," in which we discuss all the things we might do; ultimately, do nothing
2) Preemptively complain about crazy things (could this sunset BE more orange?) and see how wife responds
3) Invent "Husbandmoon," which takes place in Florida during Spring Training and is greeted enthusiastically by a lack of complaints (hard)
We started by going for soup dumplings. My wife didn't complain about the soup dumplings unless expressing frustration that the soup dumplings weren't on the menu and wondering why I'd take her somewhere for soup dumplings that doesn't have soup dumplings sounds like a complaint (note: the people next to us were loudly and obviously eating soup dumplings). Next we made it through nearly twenty yards of Central Park before my wife complained that she was tired--a reasonable claim for someone in her advanced state--so we did what anyone tired does and took several hundred photos of her belly in front of bushes.
After Central Park, we went to the American Museum of Natural History, which I will confess is not boring, if only for the floating blue whale the size of a rocket ship and Brontosaurus in disguise. Unfortunately, my wife turned into the little-understood Pregosaurus halfway through the museum. The Pregosaurus, I learned, is low to the ground and slow moving. It is unpredictable, omnivorous, and has to sit in Starbucks between feedings to complain about its feet.
For the evening portion of the "Babymoon," we took in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, sponsored by every corporation in the United States. This is the narrative arc of the RCCS for the uninitiated: Santa invents reasons for forty white women to kick their legs in the air for an hour (rising tension), some kid suddenly and unconvincingly discovers the True Meaning of Christmas (climax), Jesus--unmentioned to that point--is born in front of live camels (denouement). Before any of this happened, my wife went to the restroom. When she came out, she said, I can't tell you how many things I have to complain about in there.
Possible Solutions!
1) Turn the "Babymoon" into a "Maybemoon," in which we discuss all the things we might do; ultimately, do nothing
2) Preemptively complain about crazy things (could this sunset BE more orange?) and see how wife responds
3) Invent "Husbandmoon," which takes place in Florida during Spring Training and is greeted enthusiastically by a lack of complaints (hard)
Monday, October 11, 2010
Kathy Visits 2010
Kevin's mom visited this weekend. Unfortunately, I had to work all weekend. I volunteered for an assignment because I need billable hours. I worked remotely from the hospital Saturday morning, then went to lunch with Kevin and his mom who also stopped by to visit my dad. Then Sunday I had to physically go into the office all day, so I checked in with mom and dad regularly on the phone and Kevin took his mom to see the Statue of Liberty from the Staten Island Ferry and then for a walk in Central Park. She was really sweet and understanding and even made me dinner. She seemed to have a nice time anyway, and hopefully we'll get up to Cape Cod to spend better quality time soon.
Kathy in Central Park on 10/10/10
Monday, May 10, 2010
Time with Friends 2010
Somehow, despite working 100 hours in just over a week, I have still made time for friends. I hope you understand how much I love you all.
I had dinner with some of my closest friends from law school:
I went out with Michele to watch and celebrate her movie for New York Film Race:
Kevin and I had brunch with Christina and her husband Dan (Brooklyn Festival):
Then things got really crazy at work... Kevin's friend Jeff M and Brady visited but I couldn't go out with them. Trey stayed with us for the second time where I was not able to spend any time with him. Though I had a breakfast bagels with all of them before their departures. And the entire weekend that I spent at Ash's place, I spent doing work. But at least we got to hang out and watch at least one Lifetime movie, which we watched in a completely un-ironic way.
What have you done lately to make time for friends or family?
I had dinner with some of my closest friends from law school:
I went out with Michele to watch and celebrate her movie for New York Film Race:
Kevin and I had brunch with Christina and her husband Dan (Brooklyn Festival):
Then things got really crazy at work... Kevin's friend Jeff M and Brady visited but I couldn't go out with them. Trey stayed with us for the second time where I was not able to spend any time with him. Though I had a breakfast bagels with all of them before their departures. And the entire weekend that I spent at Ash's place, I spent doing work. But at least we got to hang out and watch at least one Lifetime movie, which we watched in a completely un-ironic way.
What have you done lately to make time for friends or family?
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