Miscellaneous Stuff

This Weekend
The four of us (Tyson and Baby Schrades included) went to ATL this wknd for the GT Homecoming game (go jackets). It's always a fast turnaround, rather stressful trip, but this wknd was better because we got to hang out with friends at the game, and then with Sandy both evenings (she drove to ATL from Memphis for the wknd). We're usually over committing and spending every second on the go, but I'm trying to slow down now that Baby Schrades is here.

The Baby
We're in week 18 and they say that I should start feeling the baby move this week or next (I retract my earlier entry about feeling movement...I haven't felt those bubbles since then). I sit still every night to try to feel, but nothing yet. We have our 1st ultrasound appt with our midwife next Tuesday. This is where they will make sure that he is developing properly. The books say he is about 7 ounces, and is almost 8 inches from head to toe....about the size of a pickle.

The Wedding
Neil and Jennifer are getting married here in Raleigh on Thursday. They are driving up from ATL today, so I'm taking the next 3 days off of work (yippee!). My parents and brother are also coming up tomorrow, so it will be like a little family reunion. I can't wait to send out pictures of Jenn in her dress!

The List
So Jeff and I are on the same page with this. We're not opposed to buying everything we need, but where the heck do you put all of this stuff? Is there any hope of having an uncluttered house again? We have a hard enough time keeping things looking neat now. My friends that have made their living room into playrooms are smart, but our house isn't setup that way. Oh well, we'll make it work. We're finishing our walk-up attic now so that we can move the guest bedroom furniture up there and use the guestroom as the nursery. We looked at cribs this wknd at IKEA, but neither one of us liked their selection. On to Babies R US....

The Costume
Tyson Schrades will most likely be Superman Returns tonight. If I can't find the cape then he may have to be a ghost. He gets a haircut tomorrow, so I told Jeff it would be fun to spike and color his hair into a punk rocker. I doubt we'll do that though....

The List

How are we still here? How were our ancestors able to raise their babies in order to proliferate the human race? After all, our great-great-grandparents didn't have "boppies" or "traveling wipes containers" or "bumper pads". In the 19th century you never heard, "Yeah, can you get me his sippy cup and lil' dipper while I put the changing pad covers on the changing pads." These things weren't around back then (I don't know what a boppy or lil' dipper is, so I'm just speculating on those), so how the hell were babies kept alive??

All of the above items comprise a fraction of a baby items list that Shanna sent me in an email recently - I believe it was compiled by a new mom. Furthermore, all of the above items fell under the category of "Things you'll want right away." So these, folks, are just the bare essentials. For the "Things that would be nice to have," you're gonna want the "Jumperoo", not to be confused with the bouncy seat (which is not optional), and the booster seat, which, in my day, was called the "Yellow Pages". Also, you're going to want an assortment of strollers, such as the umbrella stroller and the jog stroller. And if you want to run with your baby in the rain, I'm sure someone sells the umbrella jogging stroller.

Then there is the trillion dollar a year industry of bottles and bottle accessories. Apparently, if you buy a bottle or two, you're really making a serious commitment, because you will need a bottle cleaner, bottle sterilizer, bottle nipples and dome caps, and a drying rack for the bottles. That's right, a drying rack for the bottles.

Now, I know some of these items are wonderful inventions that make raising a baby easier and more convienient... But I think the baby accessories industry has definitely played into our consumer culture and persuaded us that we need things, that are actually unnecessary, to raise a baby.

Hey man, sweet boppy.

Until next time...

Are babies as expensive as puppies?

Our little punkin' cost about $300. He was cheaper than his brother and sister because his brother had more symmetrical coloring, which means he'd be a better show dog, and females are more expensive because you can breed them. We were just saying the other day how we got such a good deal. Who wouldn't pay $300 for their best friend? Then we laughed because we realized that that was just the entry fee. I read somewhere that owning a dog cost about $13,000 over the dog's life. I wouldn't argue with that. We love it that Tyson doesn't shed, but in exchange he gets to go to the spa every few months for a haircut. This morning I called for an appointment and they said that he is due for his annual vaccines and can't come to the spa until he gets them. So my next call was to the vet to schedule a 5pm appointment for today (so much for working out, cooking dinner, or cleaning the house before our 7pm HOA mtg). With all this said, however, we would gladly pay anything to keep our little friend healthy and happy...just like anyone lucky enough to have a dog.

Tyson's Brother, Sister, and Tyson

10wks old

(date should be Nov, 2003)

Mizner Lane HOA

Update from Mizner Lane....Jeff was nominated to hold an office in our homeowners association. The meeting is scheduled for this Thursday, and we heard this morning that he has a lady neighbor running against him. We all know how laid back Jeff is, so I don't think he'll do much campaigning between now and then. I think it would be good for him to be elected because the other 2 officers are ladies with kids about our age, so he'd bring a different mindset to the board. Plus, Baby Schrades will be so proud....

Thirsty Dream

Has anybody had this one? I equate it to the feeling of drowning and being near death. I'd never had it until the past few nights (minus last night thanks to my husband). One of the symptoms of pregnancy is a stuffy nose. I guess I'm breathing through my mouth at night due to this, and with the cold weather over the past few days, I get total dry mouth during the night....and chapped lips to top it off. The worst part, however, is that your body sends signals that you're thirsty, but it sends them in the form of a dream....and then you can't wake up!! In my latest "nightmare" I was at a party and I was looking for Jeff, so that he could get me some water. When I finally found him and I drank the water, it would not quench my thirst. That is when the drowning feeling comes into play. Anyway, you eventually wake up and realize that there is a glass of water within reach and all is well.

Last night Jeff suggested putting vasoline in my nose to keep it moist, which is the same thing a humidifier would do. Possibly the best night's sleep I've ever had....thanks JB.

Flowers and eBay Art

My favorite weekend is one like this weekend...not many plans. One night out to dinner with friends and one night at home watching a movie is great for us. This wknd I had a lot of work to do for my sister's wedding (there will be more posts on that next week...she gets married here in Raleigh on 11/3), so it worked out well that Jeff played poker on Friday night while I ran errands and made invitations (there will only be 12 guests at the wedding). On Saturday we hung our eBay art. If you're looking for art, you should check out the eBay selection. The ones that we like are painted by artists, not mass manufactured, so you're getting a one-of-a-kind and you're supporting the arts.

On Sunday I planted flowers. I've never planted flowers by myself before, so I just copied what I saw Sandy do last year. Here's one pot...

And a pretty sunset was the end to a good weekend....(Explorer is outside our townhome).

Brilliant Kids

Over the past week, I witnessed three outstanding kids that have me looking forward to fatherhood:

First, there was the future pilot that wasn't paying attention and walked straight into a brick wall outside of Lowe's. He wasn't moving fast, but I think the impact scared him and he started crying. His mom comforted him and told him it was OK, but I think we might be seeing him in an all-day helmet pretty soon. To his credit, the wall was not that massive.

Next was the little girl at the restaurant who decided to play "look what I found" under the table after dinner. Perhaps a future leader in archaeological excavation, she uncovered a missing fork and a used napkin. She then proceeded to conduct a field test on the napkin do determine its history. Her parents told her to "get that napkin away from your face", but they were still proud.

Last but not least, the neighborhood girl that left a Halloween note on our other neighbor, Lynn's door. I've tried to recreate the note as accurately as possible:


I think it was supposed to say something like "You've been spooked. Spook someone else!" in a light-hearted, Halloween spirit kind of way. Instead, the crappy, deranged stalker-quality of the note freaked Lynn out and had her contemplating the installation of an alarm system. Good job honey.

Until next time....

The Best Invention

This little piece of elastic, known as the Bella Band, arrived in the mail yesterday. Check it out...it allows you to wear the pants that no longer fit. These pants are now too tight to zip or button comfortably, but the Bella Band covers the undone pants...woohooo!

Go Blue Team

Since the "blue team" is by far the majority in our house, we're celebrating our boy stuff...

And finally, the baby's best friend makes another appearance...

Where am I?

So it hasn't gotten that bad yet, but pregnancy does have fun with your memory. My friends, Holly and Megan, both went to work in nice pants and beach flip flops because they forgot to change shoes before leaving home...and Hills said that she got home from work one day and realized that the fridge door had been open all day. So far I've forgotten my cell phone # a few times, came home from grocery store with only a portion of the list, got all the way to work and realized that there was no laptop in my bag, and have a couple of past due bills sitting on the counter. Things like bills used to have me in a panic until I could cross them off my to-do list. I guess the pregnancy hormones kind of put you in "chill out" mode, but I'm sure panic mode will kick back in next April...

Belly Gallery - 15wks

Baby Schrades has grown a tiny bit over the past 3 weeks....

12wk Belly


15wk Belly

I got your blog right here

"Blogs are stupid." That's what Shanna said when I told her about the latest internet buzzword a couple months ago. But look at her now. I think it's safe to say she's all about the blog.

So at the request of my mom, I will be doing a little blogging on the Baby Schrades blog. From now on, Friday's will be reserved for me to share my thoughts, feelings, and belly pictures. So without further BS...

After finding out we're having a boy, I started compiling a name list. The plan is for Shanna to compile her own and then we will compare. I think we are on the same wavelength for baby names, and I think we nailed "Tyson" (I mean, he was definitely meant to be Tyson), but every time I hear a name I feel like Nicolas Cage as Asswipe Johnson on that SNL skit. Here's a transcript if you have no idea what I'm talking about:

http://www.cagebypage.com/images_art/snl/snl_3.html

I guess that's normal though. You just have to pick a name and go with it.

Well, I'm blogged out for the day. I enjoyed my first blogging experience. Until next time...

This morning we had our 2nd ultrasound through the UNC study. As Jeff said, "We are having a little dude."

It was our first ultrasound where he looked like a real baby, and not just a bean. We could see everything...his head, body, legs, toes, fingers...and she also pointed out his heart, kidneys and stomach. The first thing she checked for was his hearbeat, which was 162. When she told us that we both thought it was a girl (I guess the ole' wives' tale isn't always right), but then she zoomed in on his little pee pee and we all three knew it was a boy!

The picture below is a view as if he is looking right at the camera. His head is on the left side of the screen and he has both arms above his head. His little body goes off to the right. You can't see his legs. For those who haven't seen an ultrasound (I had not), the eyes look like black holes in an ultrasound image.


This picture is of his little right hand...


And this is the picture of us exploiting the poor little guy. This is a view as if he were sitting on a glass chair and the picture was taken from underneath the chair. You can see his bottom sort of in the middle of the screen, and you can see that he's sitting with his legs apart....



New Weekly Friday Addition: Blogs by Dad

Bubbles or Baby?

"Twelve weeks after conception (week 14), you might begin feeling the small flutter of fetal movement..."

This is what is posted on the Babyzone website and I think I felt some movement. The first time was Friday night after dinner. We were sitting on the couch and I felt little "bubbles" on the left side of my stomach. I thought it was just digestion, but since then I've felt it a few more times. It's always at night after dinner and on the same side. We'll never know if it's really the baby, but it's exciting to sit still and wait for it every night.

Thanks to Holly, Lisa and Brittain for being concerned about my eating habits, but don't worry...I've never been one to not eat! I don't care if I gain 100 lbs with this pregnancy, as long as most of it is healthy weight. However, I have incentive to stay within normal range so I can wear all of the maternity clothes that Brittain let me borrow! (Thanks BB)

This must be yours, ma'am....

Jeff's challenge is not to let me pass him on the scale. On Saturday night we went to dinner. The reason we went out is because we couldn't decide on something that sounded good to both of us. I wanted meatloaf (aka, beef) and Jeff did not. I was thrilled at dinner to find out that one of their specials was a 14 oz steak, with a baked potato and asparagus on the side. Yum! I love asparagus, but we don't eat it because it's the only vegetable that Jeff doesn't really like. Anyway, a different waiter from the one that took our order brought us our food. He put the plate of fish in front of me and said, "Here you go ma'am, I assume you ordered this...". He was a little embarrassed to find out that my husband had actually ordered the girly fish meal. Our next appointment is on Wednesday, so we'll see how the beef craving is affecting the figure...(I didn't eat the whole steak)....

Baby Squirrel

Yesterday we rescued (I think) a baby squirrel at work. It was hanging out in the grass, right next to the sidewalk outside my building. It appeared to have two broken back legs, which I later learned probably meant it had a broken back. After calling about 300 #s, including the Raleigh police on accident, we got in touch with the NC Wildlife organization. The first guy I talked to said that there was no rehab that could be done and they would probably "put it out of it's misery". I asked how they would put it to sleep and he said that I didn't want to know. When I talked to the guys that ended up coming and getting him, I asked if they would try to save it's life. They said of course! This little guy would be taken to the best rehab facility in the area. They would give him fluids to rehydrate him, and then see what they could do to get him climbing trees again. I was buying all of this until I asked them how they put injured deer into their little bitty truck and he told me that they usually have to shoot them in the woods. Okay, so you'll shoot Bambi but you're going to take my little squirrel to the rehabs of all rehabs? Anyway, I'm not sure calling the wildlife folks was the right thing to do. Maybe it would have been better to let nature run it's course...and hope that his fellow squirrels would come to his rescue. But then again, when I think of those little brown eyes looking at everyone walking by, I don't think I could have ignored him...not sure what I'll do next time...

Are you pregnant?

Last night a stranger asked me if I was pregnant. I was so happy that someone thinks I look like a pregnant mommy. Here's the story....

We (yes, I somehow dragged Jeff along on a shopping related errand) went to Target. We need a new fan for our bedroom, so we were in the fan section, which is also where the air purifiers are located. This very nice lady that was shopping asked us if we also had alergies. We said no, that we were shopping for a fan. Then she told us which one she thought was the best and how she knows best because her kids have allergies, but they still have 3 cats (huh?). Then (here's the point) she said she saw me rubbing my belly and asked me if I was expecting. Yay! Anyway, she then asked us both where we worked, if I was going to continue working after the baby came, etc. ----> Cut over to what Jeff was doing: Jeff had already figured out that this lady was a scam artist, probably Quixtar or Amway, and had walked away from the scene. I mean, who is that nice and interested in a total stranger? He comes back to save me and says that they don't have what we need. The lady introduces herself to me, and then looks to Jeff to get his name...but he had already dis'ed her by turning his back and walking away...

We're sure that she followed us to that section of the store and was not really shopping for herself. She didn't look at a fan the whole time we stood there. We are pros at picking up on these people now. We used to hang out at Barnes and Noble and would overhear their cheesy pick-up lines all the time.

Second Trimester Energy

I think it's finally here. It wasn't a sudden change. In a 5:30 yoga class yesterday, however, I realized that I felt good and felt like being healthy and active again. Pre-pregnancy, like most girls thinking of getting pregnant, I did everything right as far as nutrition and exercise. I even stopped eating chocolate in fear that the caffeine would be too much for the baby. Once the nausea hit, however, I could easily talk myself into having chocolate ice cream for dinner, and I was sure that a 2 hour nap was better for me than a trip to the gym. Now I can eat whatever I want, including chicken and spinach, and look forward to exercise. So there hasn't been a moment that I haven't loved being pregnant, but now it's getting more exciting. The icky feelings have gone away and every morning it's fun to see if Baby Schrades has grown enough overnight to call for maternity clothes....although friends say it will be another month or so until we get there.

Help with Names (for the GPs)

We need help deciding on names, but not for Baby Schrades quite yet....

It's been my experience that the first grandchild gets to determine what the grandparents will be called. Wesley was the first grandchild for my parents. He is learning to call them Grandma and Grandpa, so that is what Baby Schrades will call them as well. Jeff and Scott called their grandparents Grandma and Grandpa, so Sandy wants a name that is a little different. She's done her research and these are the names in the running. What do you think?

1. Amma (rhymes with mama or momma)

The spiritual leader Mata Amritanandamayi, lovingly called "Amma", and known globally as India's "hugging saint mother". Ms Amritanandamayi, which literally means "Mother of Absolute Bliss", was born to a low caste Hindu family in a poor fishing village in the southern Indian coastal state of Kerala. Amma began hugging devotees at an early age, and is said to have hugged at least 21 million people over the past three decades.

2. Nonna (rhymes with sauna)

Italian translation of Grandma

3. Nona (rhymes with Jonah)

I had a hard time finding meaning of this one. One definition is "ninth" and the other is this:
Known as "the Spinner", she spins the Thread of Life that controls your destiny. It's slender and delicate, but extremely tough stuff.

4. Avia

Latin translation of Grandmother

"Grandpa" Dennis is still working on his list of names...

Body Pillow to the Rescue

Hopefully I'm not speaking too soon, but after a week of Who's the Boss re-runs at 3:30 a.m. I broke down and made the trip to Babies R Us for a body pillow. If every night is as restful as last night, it was worth every penny. I didn't think I would need it until my belly got big, but I'm at the stage where I am not supposed to lay on my back for more than 2 min at a time. That is part of the reason why I wasn't sleeping well. I would be worried about it all night and could never get comfy. The pillow is shaped kind of like a "C", so you put the bottom part between your knees and it helps to prevent you from rolling over. Sorry Tony D, no more late night re-runs for me.