37 weeks and counting
Baby Chowder is at 37 weeks and counting. She's considered full term now and could come at any time according to the OB/GYN. The OB/GYN is happy with the 2 cm dialation and 75% efacing (sp). My wife is still tired and gets leg cramps. Although the cramps are a bit more intermittent now.Labels: Baby, HC, Health
Baby update
31 weeks and counting!! All is well with baby and mother. New carpet has been laid in the baby's room, all the non-baby furniture has been moved/donated.The end of June will be here sooner than I think.....Labels: Baby, HC, Health
22 weeks and counting
We made a routine visit to the OB/GYN today and everything is OK with the baby. 22 weeks and counting!!Labels: Baby, Family, HC, Health, Update
It's official
HC and I are both over 35 so as a precaution the OB/GYN suggested we have a genetic screening and detailed sonogram for us to get a better idea of the potential risks.
We filled out all the family medical history paperwork. It was scarry and a little depressing thinking about the shopping cart full-o-malidies we might be giving the little 1 to deal with.
Last Friday we met with the genetic couselor and had an enlightening meeting with her. She answered our questions and put some of our fears to rest. She reviewed some of the odds for certain illnesses and that made me feel better. She also told us using this detailed scan they'd be able to see certain things that could indicate genetic abnormalities. AND also things that could be used to give us a better comfort level.
Then it was time for the detaled sonogram. The moment of truth had arrived regarding some of the ailments and genetic defects they could spot right away with this sonogram and the baby's gender.
I'm truly amazed at what they are able to do with sound waves. Just the right frequency and amplitude to get the image of the child without causing any damage or death. Really brilliant the people that came up with this.
The sonogram technician gave us a tour of our baby. She pointed out the baby's brain, head, neck, spine, arms, legs, fingers & toes. All the while she's taking measurements of the baby. The baby is quite busy moving around in there. I was amazed the little bugger was flip flopping all over the place. The baby's weight and length are all in the normal range. She also showed how to determine the gender of the child. We're going to have a baby girl!!!!
It's still sinking in. I am happy. Stunned. Excited. Nervous.Labels: Baby, Family, HC, Health, Update
Update
I haven't been able to post much recently.- Work has keep me crazy busy. But there is light at the end of the tunnel. The project I've spent the past year on is coming to an end for me in the next few months. I'm finishing up a major portion of it these next couple of days. So far, so good. Planning and research on my part has made implementation go much smoother. I'm also training a couple of new guys while I'm at it so they'll learn tips & tricks from me. It's neat being a mentor of sorts.
- My wife is doing OK. Right now she's struggling with the whole baby sickness. I can't call it morning sickness since she feels her best in the AM. The past week she been sick on an every other day schedule. A few weeks ago she was up to feeling pretty good for 3 or 4 days before she had an episode. We go for the second sonogram next week. So we should be able to tell if it'll be a boy or a girl.
- HRH is a little stir crazy from not having much outside exercise. It's just been too cold. I took him for a walk today and my wife took him out to the park yesterday but we know it's not enough for him.
- I've been working on my stress, control & anger. I've been doing surprisingly well with it. I've had a few set backs but I remember my breathing or do some exercises and I'm on a better course. I do feel better and less irritated/irritable. I know it's a better way for me to live.
- Just a few more months until the Miata comes out of the garage and is on the road once again!!
Labels: HC, Health, HRH, jobs, Update
Update from hectic central
Things are going better:
- We all survived Thanksgiving. (That's something to be thankful for!)
- The Daddy-o is living back at his place. His blood sugar level is under control. He's feeling better and he's not sore or tired.
- My sister has gone home. My stress level is slowly going down. And there's less chaos in our house.
- We had a sonogram last week and saw the baby's heart beating and limb buds. What a crazy phrase "limb buds". Seeing the heart beating was very cool. Technology can be amazing.
- We saw the OB/GYN today. My wife's about 11.5 weeks into the pregnancy. And everything looks good.
- She's starting to feel sick less often. The doctor said 4 to 7 more days of this and she'll be through the first trimester when the nausea & sickness are the worst.
- Work has been slowing down. There are still spurts of craziness but with the holidays and the end of the year, everybody is easing up.
- My stress is slowly coming down. I'm doing breathing exercises, yoga, relaxation exercises, and trying to exercise more.
- HRH is doing well. He'll be due for his check-up right after Christmas.
I have no idea where this year went. It really doesn't feel like the end of the year, much less Christmas to me. It wasn't that long ago we were getting the lawn & garden ready for the new season. And I was getting the Miata ready for another season of use.
I've noticed the older I get the less Christmas has that special appeal. Maybe it's because work has kicked my butt the past few years, maybe I'm getting jaded, maybe I see it as just 1 more chore to do (cards, decorating, gifts), maybe I'm just tired of the commercialism.
Hopefully having a child will give me the chance to see Christmas through some younger, less cynical eyes.
Labels: Family, HC, Health, Holiday, Update
Update
When 1 door closes, another opens.
When 1 thing in my life starts to simmer down, something else starts to boil.
Where did this year go?!? It's already Mid-November! Holy crap! It seemed like last week we were preparing the garden for Spring. I was getting the Miata ready for cruising. Now we're getting the house ready for my sister to come to town & holiday dinners & etc...
Work is slowing down. I've actually had the chance to get caught up on some of my e-mails. I spoke to my boss about transitioning to another project or helping some of my co-workers.
My Dad's health is getting better. The Prednisone must have fully kicked in because he's no longer sore. He's also back to his daily 1.5 to 2 mile walks.
We just found out HC's pregnant. We're excited, scared & freaked out. More to come on this.
Labels: Family, HC, Health, Update
We're getting better
We're getting better.We've both been fighting major league colds. It kicked my ass good. I took a day & a half off from work to fight it. I laid around & drank cold medicine. It helped. But the cold is still lingering. Fortunately HC got a milder version of the cold. She didn't need to call off but she still felt like crap. We're both doing better but the cough and kleenex remain.Labels: HC, Health, Update
Anniversary weekend
This was a really awesome weekend.HC and I were married 7 years ago. The time has really flown by. It doesn't feel like 7 years. I'm very fortunate to have her in my life. She's so: kind, patient, fun, silly, artistic, hard working, smart, witty, pretty, open minded, adventurous, understanding.I'm the luckiest!!!Friday evening we spent a quiet night together. Watching TV, enjoying each other's company.Saturday I took her to the restaurant I had lunch at before I went to the hall where we got married. I then took her to the West End Overlook where we had our wedding pictures taken. I remember the weather being very similar. (Hot & hazy but not nearly as humid.) Saturday evening we had an awesome meal at Eleven. We decided to go for 1 of each of the Chef's Tasting menus so we could try both the meat and the vegetarian choices. We also opted to go with the wine pairings. It was awesome. Very well done: Great presentation, wonderfully flavored dishes, well paced (not rushed), nice wines paired with the food, nice atmosphere, very attentive wait staff. We'll definitely go back!!!Afterwards we went home and watched our wedding video. This was the first time that either of us had watched the video so it was a nice reminder of our wedding day. It made to a great ending to the day.Today we went to yoga & brunch. Then did chores around the house. Not romantic in the least but.....Labels: food, HC, Weekend Update
Weekend update
We had a very nice weekend. The weather was perfect. Friday night the weather was so nice we went for a ride after dinner. We ended up at a very dangerous place for me: Best Buys. The gift card my sister sent me was burning a hole in my pocket. I just had to get rid of it...Saturday we went to the Strip District for groceries and lunch. It was beautiful out. A lot of fun riding around top down. Saturday evening we had dinner at J's place. Awesome food, drinks, company, and weather.Sunday we were invited over to S &A's for a cookout. It was nice seeing everybody. I've been friends with S for 20 years so I'm treated like a family member. His mother always says I'm like another son to her. It feels really good to have such good & down to earth people accept me and think of me that way. S & A's kids were their usual sweet selves. When we got there, they dropped everything they were doing and came running over to give me a hug. It's always nice to have those 2 come running and making a big fuss over me.... They are just the sweetest kids. (I think those 2 broke me of the kid phobia) HRH had a great time playing with the kids and getting all the attention that's appropriate for someone of his position. And let's not forget all the treats and snacks everyone was giving him!!! He was in heaven. Food, playing fetch, food, kids, food, getting food out of his toys for the amusement of everyone, fetch...Today we didn't have anything planned other than to enjoy the wonderful weather. We went on a ride out to Bear Run Nature Reserve near Fallingwater. I'd read about this place last year in a VisitPA brochure I got in the mail. We didn't get a chance to see the place last year so we made time this year. It's a lovely nature reserve with all kinds of trails. We enjoyed our hike. Very scenic. We'll definitely be back. There are many trails we have yet to take. We're both a bit tired from the hike. But a good tired. We both needed to burn off some of the food we over indulged this weekend. HRH enjoyed his time off leash. His time to roam the lands as he was intended. His time to eat anything and everything that lay on the forest floor. The phrase "turd munch" was used several times as we had to get him away from the savory bits the forest creatures were leaving for him. He's a sick little monkey. I don't understand his need to eat poop....Labels: Family, food, HC, Holiday, HRH, Miata, things I don't understand, Weekend Update
What's been going on?
Sorry I haven't posted recently. Here's what's been going on...Work: Hasn't let up. It's kept me running around like a chicken without a head. They have no idea what they want but they want it ASAP, yesterday if not sooner. And they don't tell me what they need and then get on conference calls and complain!?!? How can I help you when you don't let me know your needs? I've been trying to remember to do my breathing exercises to keep my stress at a manageable level. (It's helped a little) I've been walking HRH after work. That's helped too.Miata: Finally all fixed up. New clutch & glove box lock. I'm tops down again!! Oh I forgot to mention the new glove box latch was needed because someone tried to break into the Miata when we went up to Morraine State Park a while back. They stole a pair of $5 sunglasses from the center console and broke the lock on the glove box. You know whoever they are are really hard up when they need to steal $5 sunglasses. I hope they enjoy the cheap sunglasses as much as I did. I'm glad they didn't get into the glove box though since I had a 12 CD holder in there...HC: She's doing well. Busy with work and getting sporadic painting jobs here & there. HRH: Unsatisfied with the amount of food & toys his peeps give him. Always planning his next escape attempt in search of the land of food-&-toys-a-plenty.The Daddy-o: Doing well. He's been going on his daily walks. He's in good spirits. He had me took into a trip to Montreal for him last week. (I've stopped telling him it's cheaper if you plan your trip at least 14 days in advance.) It's his money and he can spend it however he chooses. I'm not used to him being this way. All my life he's been very frugal with money. So to have him pass up the opportunity to save some money for the same service/item is strange to me. But I guess it does add to the spontaneity AND besides he's not getting any younger so you never know...Me: Still frazzled & burned out. I need to get motivated to find my "What's next?" HC's been very supportive but I need to get motivated to read my "What Color is your Parachute" book and do the exercises. Most days I'm so tired at the end of the work day all I want to do is go home & hide. Thinking is T-H-E L-A-S-T thing I want to do. But I need to do it. I'll know when the time is right. I've noticed in my life things do happen for a reason. If I can see & learn the lesson I'm supposed to, I'll move on to the next phase/step in my life. Oh yeah. It was my birthday last Tuesday. HC took me to Whisper's Pub for dinner. The food, service, and atmospere were very nice. We'll be going back!Kids: We're back to going back & forth. Concerns about risks to HC's health. Concerns about having the time, energy, and money to raise a child. Concerns about how it will change our lives. We like our life together now. What's a child going to do to the mix?!?! Concerns about how good a parent I'd be. After all, I'm not the most patient person....Labels: Birthday, Cars, ChowderHead 101, Colored Parachutes, Family, frustrations, HC, HRH, jobs, Miata, Parents, Time to get on with my life, Update
Date night
- Sometimes we forget.
- Sometimes we take each other for granted.
- Sometimes you get into a rut when you've been married for a while.
But it's always good to remember to take your spouse out for a nice night out. No reason. Just because.
Last night we had a wonderful dinner at the Mediterranean Grill in Squirrel Hill. It's a cute little place that's hard to find but worth the effort. We had the Moussaka and a falafel. Both were excellent.
Afterwards, we saw the Chihuly exhibit at the Phipps Conservatory. Very fun, wild, innovative, cool. Chihuly and Co do some amazing things with glass. The couple of hours we were there felt like nothing.
As we were walking to the car, I said to HC, "We need to take advantage of more of the nice things that Pittsburgh has to offer." And it's true. We don't realize how lucky we are to live in a city with the diverse Arts, Cultural, and sports activities available to us. People are always complaining about "Nothing to do" but they're wrong. It really doesn't take much effort to find something to do in PGH.
Just to name a few things: World class symphony, Major league sports teams, the Carnegie museums, the Zoo, the Aviary, South Side bars & restaurants, Squirrel Hill, Shadyside, many art galleries. And on and on..
Labels: food, HC, Pittsburgh N'at
Close but no cigar
We found out today HC had a miscarriage.
Please don't feel sad or bad. We don't. We see it as proof that all the "stuff" is working.
Besides, it's not like we've been "trying". A better way to describe it is we've been not not trying. I don't know if that makes sense but it is what it is.
A little history about the ChowderHead is in order. I'm a little slow. I have my own schedule. I do things when my gut tells me "it's the right time". I'll continue this in another post but suffice it to say I've been on the fence about so many things. Dating, marriage, and fatherhood.Labels: Family, HC, Health
