01.30.2007 | 6:55 pm | Uncategorized
This was taken Sunday, January 21st (I was 12 dpo):
And this was taken this past Sunday, January 28th (19 dpo):
Praise God for answering many prayers! He’s been good to us. I pray this one is healthy and stays with us for a lifetime. It’s still really early; I’m 4 weeks & 3 days today.
I had betas drawn last week and here are the results:
13dpo: hCG 110, progesterone 30
15dpo: hCG 314, progesterone 27
They were nice high #s and they more than doubled. I had another beta drawn today, and will get the second one done on Thursday; hopefully those #s will be very high, and still doubling every 48 hrs. I don’t have my 1st appt. with Jenny until next Thursday. I pray all will go well, and we’ll get to see a heartbeat.
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01.28.2007 | 11:05 pm | Daily Life, Gray Matters
I’m not participating in the Project 365 (although I’m enjoying the blogs that are!), for the sole reason that I knew I wouldn’t have time to devote daily to taking & uploading pictures.
But if I were participating, I believe I could do the entire 365 photos using any of the random little “scenes” that G sets up around the house each day.
At any given moment in our home, there’s a set-up like this sitting somewhere, and usually there are quite a few of them. It’s the second phase of his lining-up obsession, which began when he was a year old. Oh, he still lines things up regularly, but more often these days, his preference is setting up a random (and bizarre) scene like this one. Sometimes it’s more of a theme than a scene, and sometimes it’s more like a booby-trap—picture a matchbox car tediously balanced atop each doorknob! 
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01.26.2007 | 11:38 am | Uncategorized, Memes, Reviews
Angelic? He looks that way, doesn’t he. But don’t be fooled! (Actually, he really can be. Just not usually. ) It’s been so cold here lately that he’s had to be all bundled up when we go outside. I am ready for warmer weather!
I found a music meme site! That is so right up my alley! I put three of them together here, since this is the first time I’ve ever done it. I’m excited to have found this one! We’re up to our ears in remodling/painting/redecorating, so I leave you with this while I go about my work:
Who was your first Musical Obsession?
My first was definitely Michael Jackson, in 1983—the Thriller era.
Why did you like them?
Because I was 10 years old, loved pop music at the time, and every teeny-bopper loved Michael Jackson in 1983! He was an icon back then, and he was really good-looking to boot (when he was actually black & human-looking). I had a huge crush on him.
What were your favorite songs they did?
“Billie Jean” & “Beat It”
Do you still like them today? Why or Why not?
Bwa-hahahahahahahahaha!!! NO! The reasons should be obvious.
What was the last album you purchased?
Harrison Hudson - “Angel on One Side, and the Other on the Other”
When was the last time you listened to a cassette?
Our truck is cassette & radio only, and Philip has an old Focused tape in there. I’ve popped it in once or twice when I was in complete desperation.
When was the last time you listened to a vinyl album? (Do you know what a vinyl album is?)
Hmm…it’s probably been over 10 years! I can’t even remember. But yes, I know very well what vinyl is. 
When was the last time you watched a video (either Mtv, Vh-1 or on a DVD or VHS)?
I remember watching something on Headbanger’s Ball a week or so ago, but I can’t remember what it was.
What was the last online music purchase you made?
Purchase?? I’ve never purchased music online. 
What was the last concert you attended?
Harrison Hudson & Manchester Orchestra, a couple of weeks ago. The last arena concert I attended was Mötley Crüe in 2005.
If you had a time machine:
What musical event would you attend that you couldn’t have otherwise.
I would’ve been at one of U2’s very early concerts, way back in the early 80s—like the one at the Red Rocks Ampitheater. They were on fire back then!
If you could save one musician that died tragically, which one would it be and why?
Bob Marley. He was so young (34?) and cancer just ate him up. I hate cancer! He was a musical genius and his talent & impact on the world was cut short.
If you could go back and influence radio to make one song a hit that wasn’t, which one would it be and likewise, if you could make sure one song wasn’t a hit, which one would it be and why?
This is easy: all the great indie songs that never have a chance, would be hits. And all the crap—I can’t even begin to narrow it down to one song—that qualifies as “hits” today, would never make it out of the studio. Isn’t it a shame that a handful of big media outlets determine what music is allowed to be “hit” music? 
It’s even more of a shame that the general public eats it up and doesn’t have a clue. They listen to the same 10 songs played over & over & over on all the big-media stations, and they just end up liking it because it’s all they know. They have no clue there’s anything else out there, and if you tell them, they don’t care.
Have a spectacular weekend.
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01.23.2007 | 7:11 pm | Daily Life, Gray Matters
Today G had his Memory game out, mostly lining up the 72 game cards in a perfectly-spaced line in the floor of the dining room, entranceway, & living room. It occupied him for a long time, as lining things up usually does.
I was in Philip’s office talking to him when G showed up with a card in his hand, raised up above his face. He said, “Ow! The sun’s in my eyes!”, as he held the card up over his face and squinted. We were clueless as to what he meant, since the sun was hardly in his eyes while indoors on a cloudy day. He said it again, while looking up & squinting at that card. I peeked at the card, and guess what picture was on it. The sun! Silly kid!
I said, “Oh! Is that the sun that’s in your eyes?” and he said yes, it was the sun up in the sky. He was holding it up, while at the same time squinting dramatically & acting like he couldn’t see for the blazing sunlight in his eyes.
Then he said, “Now the sun’s going down!”, as he lowered the card in very gradual increments. “It’s going down, down, down…” And he moved it a step lower, and lower, and lower, until it reached the floor. Then he announced, “It’s dark!”
Smarty-pants!
He’s so interested in things like that; he’s always asking questions about everything. Many times during our evening walks (which happen around sunset this time of year), he’s asked, “Where’s the sun going?”, and we tell him that it’s going down for the night, and that’s why it’s getting dark. Apparently, he understands it well.
Lately he’s very interested in clocks and what time it is. He asks many times during the day, “What does the clock say?” I’ll tell him what time it is, and I’ll try my best to explain in a basic way how I read the time. He kind of grasps the little hand being on the number that is the hour, although obviously, he still doesn’t have much of a concept of what that really means. But, he’s very interested, and that thrills me.
He asked Philip one day, “Is the hands on the clock moving?” and Philip told him that they were, but they were moving verrrry slow. So slow, in fact, that we can’t even see them moving.
A few days later, G was in his room, sitting in a box and pretending it was a “big truck” that he was driving. He & the box were right next to his dresser as he steered and vroomed and beeped and all that good imaginary stuff. While I watched, he looked up at his dresser next to him, pointed it out to me, and said, “This is a BIG, HUGE truck. It’s very huge. It’s moving, but it’s moving so slow that we can’t see it’s moving.”
How’s that for learning!? He’s a sponge!
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01.22.2007 | 9:15 pm | Uncategorized, Gray Matters
I’m going to accept—and embace—once and for all that I have big feet. I’ve always known it, but until G came along, they weren’t that bad. Ever since the 9th grade, I had size 8.5 feet. But during my pregnancy with G, they grew. Not only in length, but also in width; they spread quite a bit. After pregnancy, any new shoes I’ve bought have been size 9, sometimes in wide width. I could still fit into a few of my size 8.5s, but they were very snug and uncomfortable.
Well, fast forward to my most recent pregnancy. Though it only lasted 11 weeks, believe it or not, my feet grew yet again. I noticed during that pregnancy that my size 9 Nikes, which had fit perfectly before, were feeling too short. My toes were crammed up against the end of the toe box. When I went shopping for new running shoes, I found that all the size 9s felt that way. But the size 9.5s fit perfectly. Oy! I was shocked. Too bad I didn’t even get a baby in exchange for that growth spurt. 
So this weekend, I bought new socks. I bought the size I’ve always bought, the only size that most women’s socks come in: the standard “fits shoe size 4-10″. Got them home, and they were just ever so slightly too small. I could wear them, but they felt stretched to the limit. I took them back. They actually sell packs of socks that say “fits larger sizes: 8-12″. Oh, the shame! I tried them on in the store and they fit oh-so-perfectly. So, I bought two packs, a pair of crews and a pair of ankles. They actually charge more for them! Instead of about $4.50 for the “normal” sized socks, the “larger sizes” cost $5.50. 
So I paid a buck more so I can have socks that fit my huge feet.
But, despite the above whining, I’m okay with it. I realized on the way home that I got these extra-big feet by becoming a mom. I realized that—just like my eternally stretched abdominal muscles and my drooping post-breastfeeding chestline—my freakishly huge feet are badges of honor. I wouldn’t trade my old body for anything in the world, because what I have now is much better than what I had before. My belly housed a 9-lb baby; my breast nourished that baby for nearly 2 years, and my feet…well, my feet just did something weird! 
But they did it for the most amazing reason!
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01.21.2007 | 3:41 pm | Uncategorized, Reviews
This afternoon I was searching for something worthwhile to watch, when I spotted a gem on IFC. We watched Spellbound, the 2002 documentary that follows 8 middle-school kids who competed in the 1999 National Spelling Bee. Wow! It was riveting. Definitely a must-see for anyone who is into spelling & academia, or for anyone who enjoys getting lost in a good documentary. (Note to Moore & Gore fans: There is a lot more to being a fan of documentaries than having watched a few politically-charged films produced by either of those two guys. In other words, there is so much more out there than the mainstream docs that everyone has seen.)
The film is one I’ve heard about here and there, but have never had the opportunity to watch until today. I was thrilled to find it, and even more excitingly, it was coming on right as G was going down for his nap! So we settled in for a scrumptiously brainy journey in film—something that we both love, but are rarely able to find.
Spellbound sucked both of us in from the very first moments. It was funny and light in the beginning, as it focused on each child and his or her background & interests, as well as on their families. The filmmaker also gave us a good picture of each one’s intelligence and academic abilities. We got to know each child, and it was hard not to pick who we wanted to win (I was rooting hard for Angela. Mostly for her sweet dad’s sake and what it would mean to him for her to win).
After introducing us to the 8 contestants, we’re taken to Washington, DC, to experience the National Spelling Bee right alongside our young friends and their families. This was where the film picked up in intensity; there are more than a few nail-biting scenes as we watch our favorite contestant make it through spelling that long, daunting word (or, not make it, as the case inevitably was for all but one).
In the end, we thrilled alongside of the winning contestant. And along the way, we were proud of each contestant for getting as far as they did, and for the eloquent way most of them handled their fate in the Bee.
One of the unexpected effects of the film was the feeling of pride at being American. The contestants came from very diverse heritages, socio-economic backgrounds, and ethnicities—but the common thread was that they were all Americans, and each one had made it to the point they were at by taking hold of the immense opportunity given to every citizen of the US: Education. In America, education, coupled with hard work, commitment, and perseverance can lead to great success. These kids all knew what to do with their opportunities, which made for an uplifting, inspiring film.
If you haven’t seen it, I recommend it.
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01.19.2007 | 11:19 am | Memes
1.When you looked at yourself in the mirror today, what was the first thing you thought?
“Ugh, I am so ugly.”
2.How much cash do you have on you?
I’m not sure. I usually have only a few ones because I use debit for everything.
3.What’s a word that rhymes with DOOR?
Bore
4.Do you label yourself?
Sometimes
5.Bright or Dark Room?
Bright, unless I have a headache or unless it’s night time…at night I like it dark.
6.Why is there always a missing question?
I always wonder that myself.
7.What does your watch look like?
My main watch is a generic sports watch from Target. It has the stopwatch mode that I need for when I walk. I wear it 99% of the time when I wear a watch; the other 1% of the time, I wear a silver-tone dressy watch, also from Target. Usually that’s only for church because I don’t dress up often.
8.What were you doing at midnight last night?
Snuggled in bed, reading. Alone, of course…Philip was working.
9.Where is your nearest 7-11?
I don’t know if we have them here anymore. I know where the nearest Circle K is, though, because strange things are always afoot there.
10.What’s a word that you say a lot?
Want the clean version? Nah, I’m really not that bad anymore…
I say “apparently” an awful lot.
11.Who told you he/she loved you last?
Philip
12.Last furry thing you touched?
Reagan’s head
13.How many rolls of film do you need developed?
I haven’t used film in 3 years
14.Favorite age you have been so far?
29. Wish I could’ve stayed that age forever. 32 was my next-favorite year.
15.Your worst enemy?
Fear
16.What is your current desktop picture?
G’s leg & foot suspended over the water, from his swim lessons last summer:
17.What was the last thing you said to someone?
I was telling Philip how sweet Mr. Rogers is, and that I don’t think he can truly be appreciated until after adulthood. I thought he was a super-dork when I was growing up, but really, he was just a kind, loving, fatherly-type man who loved kids and wanted to make them feel special.
18.The last song you listened to?
“What’s gonna work? TEEEEEAM-work! What’s gonna work? TEEEEEEAM-work!” …Wonderpets, anyone? *sigh* I haven’t listened to real music in a few days.
19.What time of day were you born?
Really close to midnight
20.What do you do when vending machines steal your money?
I find out who is responsible and get my money back. Last time it happened was at Walmart, and I went to customer service and got my 35 cents back. I’m way too cheap to let it go.
21.Do you consider yourself kind?
Not usually. I’m always in a state of annoyance at the people around me whenever I’m in public (I sometimes wonder if I was born onto the wrong planet). So therefore I don’t often act or feel kind. But I don’t act mean, either…I just exist, until I can get away from them and be with people who don’t annoy me.
22.What’s your life motto?
Trust no one (except for P)
23.Name three things you have on you at all times.
Assuming this means when I leave the house— my diaper bag (which embarrassingly, is STILL what I use as my purse, even though the only things I still carry for G are hot wheels), and my wallet w/driver’s license.
24.Can you change the oil on a car?
I can’t change it, but I can check it.
25.When was the last time you wrote a letter to someone on paper and mailed it?
Hmm…actual letter, not a long note in a card? It’s probably been a couple of years.
If you read it and liked it, consider yourself tagged & have fun!
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01.17.2007 | 1:28 pm | Gray Matters
Philip uploaded a funny little video clip of G this weekend. If you want to see it (or any other G video clips–they’re all accessible from the same page), leave me a comment here or email me!
I don’t want to post the link for any random lurker to access, but I’m happy for my regulars to see them. So, let me know you want it and I’ll send you the link.
You really shouldn’t miss the clip of him singing into a TP tube while on the potty. It’s priceless.
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01.16.2007 | 7:47 pm | Uncategorized, Daily Life
This morning I noticed the date and spent some moments remembering one of the sadder days of my life. Then I got on with my day, which was to be a busy one (and it has been).
Then early this afternoon, I went to Walmart. In the entrance to the store, there sat a big pallet of beautiful potted Daffodils. I actually smiled at the irony, although in my heart I felt a twinge of bitterness creep in. It was as if they’d been put there to make me remember, lest I’d forgotten. But, what fate didn’t remember was that I hadn’t forgotten. I never will.
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01.11.2007 | 7:40 pm | Uncategorized, Reviews
Watch THIS COOL VIDEO that Philip shot!
It’s Harrison Hudson doing “Goodlove, Goodnight” last Friday at the Venue. That song rocks my socks off. If you buy his CD, you can get your socks rocked off, too…seriously, every single song on that CD rocks. It’s a rare album that I can give that compliment to. Anyway, it’s G’s favorite song, and it’s the one that put him in a trance immediately upon starting Friday night. He has been singing that song all week long, all throughout each day. His very favorite part is where HH says, “OLD!” (Watch & you’ll know what I mean.)
The main video is in Quicktime, for everyone who is smart savvy enough to use a Mac or at least run Quicktime. But if you use crappy Windows media, Philip put a link there that you can click to view it in Windows Media format…that version is clunky at the beginning, but it picks up once Windows gets it together. Seriously…why is anyone using that instead of Quicktime? It sucks. Download Quicktime. Yes, you can.
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