Chodwery Baby update
A few days ago, my beautiful baby girl was born.7 pounds 5 ounces, 20 inches long. It was amazing helping/watching her be born. It's among the neatest things I've ever experienced. Definitely a highlight of my life.The baby needed to spend a day in the hospital because she was jaundiced. They were able to hydrate her and lower her bilirubin to an acceptable level for her to come home. It's been an exhausting, harrowing couple of days for us. My wife is recovering fairly well. She's upset and getting frustrated that her milk hasn't fully come in yet. So we need to feed the baby a combination of formula and milk. She's also a little more emotional than usual. I guess this is a side effect of her hormones being knocked all over the place.Labels: Baby, Health
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
We had a sonogram done last week. The OB/GYN was concerned about the baby's size.Well the good news is she's at the 45 percentile for size and is normal for everything else. The OB/GYN thought she was a good size. His view is: You really don't want to try to push out someone too big. It's a lot harder and could hurt a bit more. It makes sense. This is 1 time it's good to be average or slightly below average.Just a few more weeks to go. My wife is ready for the baby to be born. She's uncomfortable trying to move around. It's hard to get out of a chair. Leg cramps. Baby kicking. Tired all the time.Me. I'm excited. I'm looking forward to baby chowdergirl. Not too nervous anymore since everyone has been so supportive. We're still working on a name. There are a few names on the list we like but not 1 that's "The one". Labels: Baby, 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
Sorry for the lack of posts...
I'm sorry for the lack of posts. LIFE has been very busy with the baby on the way, getting the house ready for said baby, work, spring on the way so the garden will need attention, etc, etc, etc...So here's a quick update on Chowderhead's world:- I'm putting the finishing touches on the project I've been working on for the past year. The feeling of accomplishment is nice BUT I am ready to move on. I'm through with it!!
- We’ve been working on the game room: We painted, installed new light fixtures, and put in new carpeting 2 years ago. We bought a ventless fireplace, new bar, and storage chest last year. We didn’t see any sofa’s or entertainment centers we liked so we held off on those items. Until now. We found furniture we liked and now it’s in our game room. The room is almost complete. (As close to complete as we're going to get at least) There are just a few things that need to happen: I need to transfer my 1,000,000 CD collection into the storage units we purchased and secure them to the wall. We need new window treatments. Those old beat-up, nasty, vertical blinds have to go. We wanted to get the game room in order before continuing with the baby room.
- We’ve sold off the full size bed that was in the designated baby room. We need to move a family heirloom trunk somewhere. We need to get rid of/move a sewing machine that belonged to my wife’s grandmother and a small end table. New carpet is a must. It’s the last room in the house that has not been re-carpeted in the 11 years I’ve owned the place. Once we figure out where the crib & etc are going to be placed, my wife is then going to paint birds & animals on the walls. It'll be very cool once she's done with it.
- HRH is doing OK. Now that all the critters are coming out of hiding, he’s barking up a storm. It got so bad that we went to Petco the other night & bought a citronella anti-barking collar. The collar has a microphone & citronella spray pump on it. When HRH barks, the microphone picks it up, and he gets sprayed in the face with citronella spray. According to the marketing info it’s quite effective at training dogs out of barking AND it's more humane than shock collars. (J’s sister had a Jack Russell and this collar worked like a charm on him.) My wife (the 1 who wanted a dog and LOVES HRH) said “Let’s go. Right now!!!” because she was ready to kill HRH the other night. He kept finding things to bark at. So between the lack of sleep and the hormonal rage she was felling he just missed getting killed…..
- We went to the Byham Theater a few weeks ago and saw a live taping of the NPR show "Wait, Wait, Don't Tell me.." It was a very entertaining night. The people on that show are very witty and quick thinkers. It was interesting to see how they put a radio program together. The radio shows always sound so polished on the air but to see the behind the scenes work involved gave me a new appreciation of "what" is involved to make it sound so smooth.
- I'm itching for Miata season. 10 days & counting down!!!
- And the best for last: We saw the OB/GYN yesterday morning and everything is OK. 26 weeks and counting!!! The baby’s heartbeat sounds good & strong. You go baby girl!!!!
Labels: Baby, Family, Health, house, HRH, jobs, Update
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
Workin' on it
In my last post I said I was working on stress management strategies. And letting go of things I have no control over.
It's only been a few weeks but I do feel better. I didn't think the results would show up so soon. But I feel less agitated and irritated. I don't feel as much of the weight of the world on my shoulders. Letting go has been liberating. I don't get as pissed at drivers, co-workers, or clueless people. I practice my letting go and it helps!
Now that's not to say I'm back to my good old self. I think it took years to build up to this level of irritability so I'm not going to be back to myself overnight or in a few weeks. But I'm headed in the right direction. I did have a small set back last weekend when I had a bunch of errands to run and felt rushed/stressed. I became irritable and started muttering the same old comments about people. But I recognized it and began doing my breathing exercises and I reminded myself to "Let go".
So it's working. Slowly but surely.
Labels: Health, Update
Updates
- I took the Daddy-o to his PCP the other day. He's doing well. They've been steadily reducing the amount of prednisone he needs to take. His Diabetes is under control. He isn't sore. He doesn't feel weak. His blurry vision & double vision have gone away. He'll be off the prednisone in a few weeks and they hope he can come off the diabetes drugs once the prednisone is out of his system. This takes some stress out of my life & some weight off my shoulders since I've been checking in on him weekly and calling every other day just to make sure everything is OK. And to see if he needs anything. And to make sure he's not getting depressed since that's a side effect of steroid use.
- HC's slowly but surely feeling better. The first few months of pregnancy has been tough on her. She's felt nauseous the whole time. Now the nausea only happens every 2 to 3 days. So it's getting better for her.
- Work was slow during the holidays. So far it's still going kind of slow. So that's good. I'm also due to wrap up my current project and start some others. I'm looking forward to the change.
- I survived the holidays without any major drama/trauma.
- I've been working with my therapist on stress, control & anger management. For me, stress and feelings of loss of control lead to anger. Those aren't the only causes of my anger but they are the major ones. She and I are working on strategies for me to use when I feel stressed or out of control. We're also working on changing the way I see things. I need to let go of the things I have no control over. In other words, I need to let go of the peanuts more often. I want to change. I want to get back to the way I was. I don't like being angry and irritable these feelings and thoughts do me no good.
- We've been going to yoga on a regular basis and I've been exercising more. It's really helped with my stress and with all the food I ate over the holidays.
So this year is starting on a good note. Let's hope it continues this way!!!
Labels: ChowderHead 101, Health, 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
But wait there's more
How much stress can I handle?- crazy job
- pregnant wife
- sister in town for a visit
wait for it....
Dad admitted to the hospital. Yep. 1 of the potential side effects of using Prednisone is diabetes. None of us recognized some of the signs of diabetes. (tiredness, dry mouth, constant urination). Fortunately, he had a routine doctor's visit scheduled on Monday. His blood sugar level couldn't be measured with the meter in the doctor's office. His doctor had him admitted right away. They were able to get him stablized and released him last night.
He's going to stay with us for a few days just to ease him back into his normal flow.
Labels: Family, Health, Parents, 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
I'm a bit stressy
I
feel like I'm in a pressure cooker:- Work has been frantic. They want it ASAP. It doesn't matter if I tell them it's not reasonable/possible. They want it ASAP! Yesterday! Immediately if not sooner! Sometimes they don't know what they want but it still needs to be there ASAP. I've been telling my boss about some of their demands and all she can do is shake her head... Will it ever come into fashion to tell the customer the truth? (That they're on crack! And need to take off the rose colored glasses)
- Health: I had a doctor's appointment today. More check-ups related to age & children. Fun stuff. I wonder: Would I be a good father? Where will I find the time? Where will I find the money? Am I too set in my ways? I know I've got a temper, will I ever take it out on the child?
- Cars: The Miata's clutch gave out on me today on the way to work. That added to the fun & stress of getting to work early to get a few things done before seeing the Doc. The Audi needed tires, brakes, and suspension components to pass inspection. The Honda needed a tire & a wheel bearing.
- Finances: We've been spending money like it's going out of style. The cars have eaten up the lion's share. HC saw some cool artwork we needed to have. The AC needed work. The trees need to be pruned/trimmed. The patio and front walkway are pulling away from the house & cracking.
- The Dad: Is driving up to Toronto!!! I'm glad he's feeling better. Well enough to want to go on a drive. But it's been years (over 15) since he's driven for that l-o-n-g. His driving around town scares the bejesus out of me & HC. He drives the speed limit. Let's face it, no one drives the speed limit. He's sloppy when he makes turns. He's never hit any cars but I don't understand the need to cut the corners so tight OR wide. No. He's not one of those elderly people that get into accidents all the time. In fact, his driving record is pretty clean except he did hit an ice patch a few years back that crumpled up the front bumper & fenders real nice. But I still have my concerns. Toronto is 6 hours away. I'll need to remind him to take a break if he's feeling tired. I'm worried
Labels: Cars, Family, Health, house, Miata, Parents, Update
To go where no man has gone before
When a man reaches a certain age, certain tests are prudent to ensure they are at the peak of health.
Well, I am at one of those milestones and had my first prostate exam. Dr. J went where no man has gone before.
It wasn't nearly as bad as I've heard. Yes, a bit embarrassing BUT you know what? He's a professional and he does this all day long and has seen everything before. No, I won't jump up & down and volunteer for this exam again until it's necessary but it was OK.
And considering if they find something early they can treat it with a very high survival rate, it's worth the minor discomfort and embarrassment.
Labels: Health, Random things..
Weekend Update
A busy weekend.Friday night we had S, A, and the kids over. Hot dogs for the kids. Balsamic & Rosemary grilled chicken, cous cous & pasta for the adults. It was nice to spend time with our friends. The kids enjoyed their time with HRH. Who was a lickin’& chasin’ machine.
Saturday we went on a car ride and 3 hour hike at Morainne State Park. It was a beautiful day for the drive and hike. Sunny and breezy. We took picnic fixin’s and made a day of it. In fact, it was so breezy you could hear the trees creaking as you were hiking through the woods. HRH ran around like the little maniac that he is. He was comatose on the car ride home and laid like a lump once we got home. HC was worried we’d killed him since she’s never seen him that tired.
Sunday we went to J’s house for brunch and to install window treatments. That was an ordeal!! The window treatments took much longer than expected due to not knowing what type of walls I was dealing with AND not having the proper mounting hardware. Once we got the wall & hardware situation straightened out it wasn’t too bad. We ended up working so long on it we were invited to stay for dinner. We were all tired so all we wanted was something simple. Pizza it was. There’s nothing like pizza and champagne!! And Rose!Labels: Health, HRH, Miata, Weekend Update
So what's been going on?
What's been going on? Why haven't you been posting as often as you usually do?Well, Now that things are slowing down I have time to let you all know what’s been going on the past few weeks.
Work: As busy as ever. Always something going on. I need to slow down a little bit. I’m always trying to do too many things at once. I get them all done but I’m frazzled for it.
I made a realization the other day: “Other than lunch and bathroom, I don’t take any breaks throughout the day.”
I’m either at my desk with e-mails & calls or at meetings. Some people take smoke breaks. Others take coffee breaks. I need to slow down and take a few breaks throughout the day myself. I think it’ll help my stress level and mental state.
LIFE: Within a few days of us coming back from Costa Rica, the Dad went in for out patient surgery. The surgery was a success and he’s doing OK and recovering now.
Last July he went in for a Transurethral Resection of the Prostate. We refer to it affectionately as “The Roto-Rooter”. The resection was a success BUT a side effect was 1 of his testicles swelled to the size of a DUCK EGG. I don’t know if you know “how” large a duck egg is….BUT it’s bigger than a chicken egg AND certainly bigger than a human testicle should be. Anyways, his Urologist said this is common and “give it a few months for the swelling to go down”. Well the swelling didn’t go down so the Dad had to go in for a Left Hydrocelectomy. And since the urologist was there, he threw in a Cystoscopy and Uretheral Dialation. The Dad’s plumbing is as good as new and he should be peeing like a champ now. My Suster was thinking of nicknaming my Dad "Left Nut"....
So yes, within a few days of coming back from a very relaxing, lovely vacation we had my Dad recovering with us for a week. My Sister came up from DC to help out. So it was a full house. And full of activity.
All of this commotion took the wonderful relaxing vacation feeling and flushed it right down the toilet. It left me
wondering if it wasn’t a big waste of money. I felt great while I was there but that relaxed, calm feeling didn’t make it a week once I got home!Labels: Family, frustrations, Health, Parents, Update
Lettin' it slide
I've been very lax since the July/August time frame with "What" I ate and "How" much I ate.Well it's payback time!! I went to my PCP and had some blood drawn as part of my annual check-up. The results are in and... - My Cholesterol number is up. It's 3 points above the normal range. It's not very high but it is high.
- My LDL Cholesterol is up. It's 2 points above the moderately high risk factor range. I don't have any risk factors so I've got a ways to go before I'm in danger. I shouldn't be worried but this is me were talking about so I'm worried.
- The good news is my HDL is up a few points. My Triglycerides are under control and my PSA is good.
- I've gained 7 pounds since last year.
So I've got to get back to the careful watching of what I eat and how much. I posted a bit ago about me starting up again with the what I eat, how much I eat, and exercise. I think the exercise helped trim a few pounds off and get my HDL number up.
Now to work on those pesky 7 pounds and LDL number...
Bye, bye Jo Jo's Diner.
So long Pamela's Kitchen.
Labels: Bulge, frustrations, Health
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
