A new and fun little game

As Brian and I have wrote about in the past, it is darn near impossible for us to figure what body part it is that we are feeling moving around in my belly.

Little Evan, has started a new and fun little game that involves suddenly poking a foot or knee or elbow or something as far into my left side as possible. You can see the lump stick out the side of my abdomen when he does it! As you can imagine, it's a little on the uncomfortable side, but its also pretty awesome.

I usually put my hand on the "knob" that is sticking out and can push it back into a more comfortable position. Sometimes I can start tracing the appendage back further onto his body, but most of the time he moves it back to where I can't feel it anymore. Last night, Brian even got to play.

Yesterday, in a meeting where I was training some folks on how to manage an online executive Q&A forum, I got the sudden baby part in the side and flinched, instantly putting my hand on my side and pushing the baby part back in. This happened about 5 times in a 90 minute meeting.

It totally freaks people out.

Glad I could make your day

You want to know what really tees me off? When I'm walking down the hall and someone who was otherwise checking their Smart Phone for messages, or having a conversation with someone else, stops what they are doing so they can stare at me and smile.

Really? Am I that much of a side show? There's a dude that works on the same floor as me that is about 7 feet tall and has a belly that sticks out WAAAY farther than mine currently does. Remember crab soccer in elementary school? He has the crab soccer ball. I have a basketball. Do you sit and stare and smile at him? Probably not. Just saying.

One lady, who was with another random lady, LAUGHED as I passed and said to her colleague, "She's gotta be miserable." Glad I could make your day.

For the record, I am not miserable. I am very happy that Evan is almost here and, so far, I've had no complications. Before too long Brian and I are going to have a very bouncy baby boy and that is something to be very happy about.

I am uncomfortable and that makes it hard to sleep through the night. Not sleeping through the night makes me tired. Being tired makes me grumpy. So, for the time being, could you please hide your complete and total pleasure and entertainment with my discomfort? Wait until I am out of ear shot to say, "She doesn't have much longer," or "Oh, wow!" (complete with mouths gaped open) like you've never seen a pregnant woman before. Don't stand and watch me as I waddle down the long hallway to the elevator or bathroom. Don't look at me and say, "not too much longer now," because you don't know what the $#%! you are talking about about. I have a WHOLE STINKING MONTH LEFT!

Hope that clears everything up for you. :)

My random ramblings...

I have to admit that I'm pretty proud of myself. Last week I went to rinse out Truman's water bowl, and somehow ended up breaking off the handle to the kitchen faucet. Shit. I have never had to do any sort of plumbing or repair work. I must admit; I've led a pretty sheltered life. (I'm afraid to admit that, to this day, I haven't even ever mowed a lawn. Growing up the lawn, especially the front yard, was my dad's baby...he wouldn't really let anyone touch it...and beamed as he got compliments from the neighbors.) So imagine my anxiety to know that I must replace this... As I've mentioned before, Linda & I are not the do-it-yourselfers we'd aspire to be... Instead we are pay-the-man type of people. But, I figured that I could tackle replacing the faucet. After a few choice swear words, me throwing a fit, Linda's help examining the underside of the sink, a phone call to Tim and four hours later...the sink works! And we upgraded our faucet too...so it's more aesthetically appealing with our countertops. So, that got me thinking... Even though my dad knows a lot of things and is extremely handy, I wonder how much stuff he just figured out along the way? I wonder if I'll be able to pull off those things with Evan? So I wonder what he'll think when Linda & I finally get a real house and I have to mow the lawn for the first time ever in my life? Maybe I'll show him how to do such things so he isn't as sheltered and suffer the anxiety I do when it comes to stuff like this...

In Linda's last blog entry she mentioned her daily plight with putting on socks. I've tried to alleviate some of the frustration she feels by offering to put on her socks for her...which is a huge thing for me as much as I hate feet. But the whole sock thing must be planted deep into her subconscious. Linda usually goes to bed a few hours before me since I have an unconventional work schedule and she works regular office hours. Normally she's fast asleep. However the other night I came to bed and the TV was still on and Linda seemed lucid, groggy but "with it". I kissed her goodnight and asked where the remote was. She looked for it, found it and clicked the power button. I told her, "Good night, I love you." She muttered, "Love you too..." She then told me very clearly and adamantly, "Socks must be worn during pregnancy!!" I was baffled at such a random statement and asked her what she was talking about. She repeated the same statement. I asked her what socks. She replied, "The ones you were laughing at." Apparently she is dreaming about socks now? I felt this conversation was too good to forget or pass up, so I immediately signed onto facebook via my phone and asked what the hell she was talking about on her facebook wall. She read that posting yesterday and had no idea what I was talking about. I think she thought I was making it all up...she has no recollection. But yep, that conversation really took place. She also asked me if her last blog entry sounded depressing. I told her that I didn't really think so, but it was obvious that she's ready for this pregnancy to be over with. I asked her why? She said she read what one of my friends from grade school, Kristy, (who just had her son Connor last fall) wrote on my facebook yesterday:

Brian, I just read your blog, and usually I get a laugh, but this week I just feel bad for Linda. She's at that point where all pregnant women get to. The point when you are walking in a store and hear murmers of "She's about to pop", and , "she's due any minute". There is a certain look of general misery that we women get at this stage, and from the sound of Linda's last post, it would seem she is in that population. I feel sorry for her. Getting sick is the worst, and heartburn is miserable. Hug her.....a lot. :)

In my head, Linda & I have reached a milestone today. Today is the 34 weeks 3 day mark. This is the same day that my sister, Becky, had my niece, Brooke. That was almost 14 years ago. Brooke was healthy, just really early and was almost earlier, especially for being 1996. She stayed in the hospital a few days...maybe a week? She was jaundice, and was sent home with a glow (Bili) light. She was also present at her own baby shower. I worry about that since our baby shower is still over a week away...and we have nothing yet. We've got Evan's crib, mattress, glider, some clothes and diapers, but that's it. Linda's sister Bridgett (who's also pregnant and due a few days before us with Evan's cousin, Logan) called and said she got us the diaper bag off our registry. My dad called yesterday and said he and Shirley picked up the car seat and extra base we had wanted. I've noticed that someone has bought the highchair we registered for...so who that's from remains a mystery. I hope the little bugger stays in there for awhile longer...but something in my gut is telling me that he's gonna come early. I dunno why, but I just have this weird inclination. Granted, I could be way off...and he could come late...I dunno.

So this week, Evan weighs about 4¾ pounds, about the size of the average cantaloupe, and is almost 18 inches long. His testicles have begun their descent from his abdomen to his scrotum. I'm sure he'll love the fact that I'm talking about his balls. His fat layers - which will help regulate his body temperature once he's born - are filling him out, making him rounder. His skin is smoother than ever. His central nervous system is maturing and his lungs are continuing to mature as well. His fingernails should now reach the end of his fingertips, and may even curl over the top! Some babies are born needing a trimming! It is said that Evan should be able to recognize and react to a simple song now. A song that is sung frequently now, he will be able to recognize out of the womb. I really don't have much of a singing voice (and I hate to say it, but neither does Linda)...so I hate to scare the lil' guy... I just hope that Linda isn't singing any Lady GaGa, Taylor Swift or Ke$ha songs to him in the car on her way to work. I can't stand their craptastic music. Since I, for one, am nervous about pre-term labor, babies born between 34 and 37 weeks who have no other health problems generally do fine. Preemie babies at this point will probably just need a short stay in the neonatal nursery and may have a few short-term health issues, but in the long run, they usually do as well as full-term babies. Evan is also now peeing about a pint per day! Good thing I stocked up on diapers and our friend Deanna is giving us her overstocked supply of newborn diapers she bought.

Taking it day-to-day

Brian was reminding me the other day that I haven't posted anything recently. Well, I got pretty busy with a massive work project. Then I was sick. Not sure if the work project contributed to that or not. I wasn't sick with the flu. I was sick with baby Evan decided to make a pillow/punching bag out of my stomach and I couldn't eat or keep food down for a few days.

The worst part was getting sick at work. I'm REALLY sensitive to strong odors again. Like I was during the first trimester. Barbecue day in the cafeteria was Thursday. I can't take being around barbecue and I was surrounded by it at lunch on Thursday. Then a co-worker came in from smoking a cigarette and it smelled like she still had the butt burning in her pocket. Of course, she sat down right next to me. It sent me over the edge. Instead of heading to the elevator to go back up to my desk, I headed to the women's room. Then, I headed home.

I've been having REALLY bad heartburn at night, but I think I've (finally) figured out how to manage it. I had given up on TUMS because I had taken so many during the course of my pregnancy that they now make me sick. However, we found a different type of TUMS at the store over the weekend called Smoothies. I can keep these down. They aren't nearly as chalky as the original TUMS. So, I can take a couple before going to bed and if I still wake up at midnight with some heart burn, I take a few more and go back to sleep. This, combined with not eating anything after 7 pm, seems to work well for me. It sure beats trying to sleep sitting up!

I keep waiting for the indicator at the top of the page to move over to the last baby. When does that happen? When there's 30 days left? Perhaps. I wonder what the smart ass baby will have to say then? It's been mostly dead-on with the comments. Today's comment has a lot of truth to it, except I gave up dancing a long, long time ago.

Driving is becoming very uncomfortable. I leaned my seat back quite a bit about a week ago. Over the weekend, when we were driving to the store, Brian asked why I had my seat so far back. He said he felt "like a gangsta" driving it. I have to have it far back. If I am sitting up straight to drive, then Evan goes into my ribs. I'm pretty sure he is sideways right now because it feels like he is trying to push out my ribs on both sides at the same time. If I lean back, I have more room to breathe. I just can't reach the radio, thermostat or other non-essential elements.

I'm very much looking forward to sandal weather. Putting on socks is the most dreaded activity of the day. But with yesterday's snow and ice storm, I'm losing hope that sandal weather will be here soon. Maybe it'll be warm by Easter (Evan's due date).

Other than all of the above, we're just taking it day-to-day. I'm trying to get things in place at work so people know how to do my job while I'm gone. I'm trying to get projects there and at home completed in a reasonable time frame. I'm trying not to stress out too much about stuff, though Brian could probably tell you that I'm having only mixed results with that.

40 more days... Seems like a lifetime right now.

It's crazy...

Since the dawn of time, women have carried babies and given birth...but I really don't know how they do it. I like to think that I could tough it out, but I'm not so sure about that. I wondered about this last night as I listened to Linda puke up her guts... Seems she had gotten a really bad case of heartburn... But all the ailments that go along with pregnancy...I really don't know how women do it...and then go about their daily lives. After throwing up several times last night and this morning, Linda continued to get herself ready and went to work. Maybe I'm just a wuss when it comes to throwing up. I hate vomiting. I haven't thrown up in years. Granted, the times I have tossed my cookies, including the last time I threw up in 2006, was usually alcohol induced... But those were my drunk-party-days years ago... When I do throw up...I'm down for the count. I'm out of commission for the next several days...and going to work is the farthest thing from my mind. And Linda was never really a puker either...but during this pregnancy, she has puked and cried more in the last 7 months than over the entire 16+ years I've known her.

Anyway this past weekend was another great busy one. Linda & I met up with some of my family to celebrate January birthdays, and also exchange some Christmas presents...all in mid-February. Long story, but Kansas City has gotten probably the worst winter I can remember and after having to reschedule due to weather...and me getting pink eye another time...we finally met up last weekend at Ameristar Casino. Had a great dinner at their Great Plains Cattle Co. restaurant. Then Linda, me, my sis Shannon, aunt Ginger, and cousins Dee & Doo hit the blackjack tables. I haven't gambled, or really even set foot in a casino, since my Vegas bachelor party over 4 years ago...but Linda & I made out well. We each decided to take $100 for gambling, and after 6 hours of playing, we left with and extra $31! Not a bad night, right? And my biological mother and future "Nana" Vada, future aunt Shan and Ginger all were able to feel Evan bounce around! I'm glad they were able to feel that. That's really one of the neat things about pregnancy... We just need to get together with my dad and sister so they can feel too!

Sunday was Valentine's Day... Linda & I actually celebrated a bit early this year. Last week, Linda got a pedicure as part of her Valentine's Day from me... And she got me two great books from Amazon; The Baby Bonding Book For Dads: Building a Closer Connection with Your Baby and Why Do Babies Do That: Baffling Baby Behavior Explained. Both are quick reads and had some great info! But we both have never been huge Valentine's Day celebrators...for the simple fact that 'holiday' seems to be so commercialized as THE one day when you're supposed to profess your love to someone. Linda & I do that everyday. We don't need a holiday to tell us to love one another. About 99% of the time, we say "I love you" at the end of every phone call, text message, email and saying good night to each other. It's sad when you see a couple that never says it to one another...and when they do, it's on Valentine's Day or their anniversary or a birthday or whatever.

So 33 weeks means that Evan weighs a little over 4 lbs., or about the weight of a pineapple. He has also passed the 17-inch mark, in fact he might grow up to an extra inch this week alone! He is rapidly losing that wrinkled, alien look and his skeleton is hardening. The bones in his skull aren't fused together, which allows them to move and slightly overlap, thus making it easier for him to fit through the birth canal. (The pressure on the head during birth is so intense that many babies are born with a conehead-like appearance.) These bones don't entirely fuse until early adulthood, so they can grow as his brain and other tissue expands during infancy and childhood. Evan's brain is still developing like crazy. Pretty soon, he will be able to control his breathing with sucking and swallowing. His immune system has also developed as well... He also now keeps his eyes open when he's awake!

Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On

Just like how Jerry Lee Lewis sang it...Evan is a mover and a shaker. It's to the point that I can even see his acrobatics through Linda's shirt. See the video below for proof!

A few weeks ago, I mentioned that I needed some answers from my job about the time off I was hoping to take when Evan makes his appearance and I finally got an answer from my boss...and they are gonna let me off for a few weeks to get adjusted to life with a newborn. I was beginning to panic. I'm glad it's resolved now and that I'll have a job to come back to. I've found that having a baby is not really all that conducive for fathers to take time off work. That's really kind of sad. In fact, I've come to find out there are a lot of things that really aren't expectant father-friendly. Seems California is the only place that is 'father-friendly' in terms of having a child. California dads, I believe, are the only ones that can really take paid time off to help care for a new addition to their family. Every where else kind of seems to have a 1950s frame of mind...meaning it feels as if fathers should be hands off during a pregnancy and newborn care...like we should not play a part in any of it. It feels like we should be the bumbling idiots...if that makes any sense. Now if I can only get the rest of that list that I mentioned in that prior post accomplished, I will be prepped for this little guys debut!

In our 32nd week of pregnancy, Evan should weigh about 3 ¾ lbs., which is the size of a large jicama. What the heck is a jicama anyway? He would be about 16.7 inches long and is taking up lots of space in Linda's uterus. However, that 16.7 inches in length is from head-to-toe, but he is now back to a curled up position due to the confines of the womb. The weight that Linda should be gaining now, half of that will go to Evan. Linda had mentioned before that our OB would actually like to see her gain some more weight...as she is on track to only gain about 20 lbs. for the entire pregnancy. Some have asked if I have gained any "sympathy weight". While I'd like to answer with a confident, "Hell NO!"...I do have to admit that I have put on a few pounds. I used to brag that I still have the same waist size as I did in high school. What can I say...I was blessed with a high metabolism. I have bought pants with a 33 inch waist since I was 17 years old, however some of my jeans are now a bit snug around the waist. Since I work for an airline, we have scales to way people's luggage...and I use those every now and then to see how much I weigh...and did so the other night. I've packed on about 5 or 6 lbs. This is disconcerting. Must lay off the sweets! Anyhow, I digress. Evan will gain a third to half of his birth weight during the next 7 weeks as he fattens up for survival outside of the womb. And since he is fattening up, his skin is now opaque, meaning the "see-through" days are gone. He now has toenails, fingernails and real hair (or at least respectable peach fuzz). His skin is becoming soft and smooth as he plumps up in preparation for birth. He should now also be in the head down position with his butt facing up. It is said that this is the most comfortable way for him in an ever-so-cramped womb, and it will make his exit easier in a few months. His days are basically spent napping now...in 20 to 40 minute intervals...that and the squirming around we caught on camera...

(For some weird reason this video is not playing...and I dunno how to fix it. I did find a way to view it though. If it does not play for you from the main page, click the title of this blog at top "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On" or just click here, and it'll lead you into the individual blog post...scroll down to the bottom and press play.)

My Playlist for Evan

Music is a huge part of my life. I love all kinds. Many of my friends that have seen our music library have commented that I have a very diverse and eclectic taste in music. My life has a soundtrack...there's so many different songs that take me back to a specific point in time. Many song renew themselves as new memories are created. So I created a playlist of songs that make me think of Evan. They are listed below and feel free to have a listen. These songs have been in heavy rotation on my iPod since we found on last August that Evan is on his way.

Like the bubble in a level

Every night I must go through the paces of getting into bed and getting comfortable. Brian usually comes back for a while and we talk about our day and random stuff, like what we think Evan will be like personality-wise, until I'm ready to fall asleep. To talk with Brian, I have to lay on my left side. When I sleep, I have to lay on my right side. Turning from right to left and left back over to right is not easy. Sometimes it kind of hurts, too!

See Nugget seems to be like the bubble in a level when I'm laying down. If I lay on my left side, he pops up to the right side. Roll over to the left side, he does the same thing. Imagine 3-4 pounds just rolling around inside you. Bumping into organs that aren't use to having something bumping, into them. The skin and muscle holding all this together also seems to hit its ultimate capacity during these nightly turns. When I get up each morning, I sit for about 30 seconds before trying to stand. Then, I can't stand up perfectly straight. I have to ease into that. I usually sound like Monica Seles trying to get from one side to the other and from a laying position to a sitting up position.

Also, I've been reading about babies and their finger/toenails. The little baby meter at the top of this page reads "I bet Momma feels like I am trying to claw out of her." Sometimes it does. Take your thumbnail and press and hold it into your forehead. You feel that burning sensation? I get that fairly frequently in my side, under my belly button and at various places all over my abdomen at random points in time.

A Little More

With each week that passes, I find myself getting a little more excited, a little more ecstatic, a little more antsy and a little more scared shitless! It's funny when you look back at your life...say a year ago. This time last year, I would have never had thought that I'd be expecting our first born...and a son at that! It really is a blessing. Now that Evan will be making his debut in the world in a few weeks, it makes me think that he has changed me already for the better. I've quit my horrible pack-a-day smoking habit. I now remember to take my vitamins everyday. I now try to watch what I eat a bit better, although I still have room for improvement. I'm working on cleaning up my language... I used to be able to make a sailor blush with the things that came outta my mouth. I'm working on not being such a procrastinator... I now take notice of babies, toddlers and children more often...and it's not just because they are annoying the crap outta me. It's so very true those Johnson & Johnson TV commercials that claim "having a baby changes everything". And I couldn't be happier and thankful for all these changes!

Last Friday, Linda had another follow-up appointment with our OB, and we have to go every two weeks now. I say we only because I like to go to these appointments too, no matter how mundane they may seem. One of my friends commented once that even though fathers don't physically carry a child in the womb, they are every bit a part of pregnancy...or at least I am. It's funny though, each time I update my facebook status regarding the pregnancy...I usually get a handful of friends that comment that they think its neat that I'm so involved in it. I didn't know that was such a rare quality.

After the appointment, we decided to burn up a gift certificate I had gotten for my birthday to PF Changs. Linda was craving scallops and I can always go for Chinese. We then decided to have dessert across the street at The Cheesecake Factory. While we were sitting there at both places, I couldn't help but notice all the babies and toddlers at nearby tables and booths. I commented to Linda that before pregnancy, the only time we noticed babies and children in public settings was when they were being hellions and wishing the parents would shut their kids up.

Speaking of hellions, Linda & I got on that topic the other night, and I think we'll have our work cut out for us. Last night Linda joked that the way we are imagining Evan makes him out to be Stewie from Family Guy. I love Stewie, but I hope Evan is no comparison...for the better. I'm not one to really follow or rely on astrology and horoscopes, but I mentioned it lightly in a past post. But they are fun to read and imagine what might be. Evan will more than likely be an Aries, which is what Linda is as well. Linda has made mention that as a child she was the "schemer" or the "puppet master" to her siblings, meaning she would plot them against each other. I, on the other hand, was not...and was more of a gentle natured child. I've kidded with Linda...telling her that had her and I known each other since childhood...there was no way we would have ever gotten married. Our personalities as children just wouldn't have allowed it...we would have hated each other. Linda hopes that Evan will take after more of how I was as a child...however I read this on a pregnancy website...and it makes me worry a bit. Linda read this and could relate almost 100%:

A Natural-Born Leader

If your Aries son was born ahead of schedule, it should come as no surprise: Aries children are always pushing ahead of the pack. With an "Are we there yet?" outlook, they are impatient to arrive and get started already!

Aries children possess a passionate, creative, and restless nature. They seem to have more energy than other children, with a vitality that's matched only by their natural bravery. Their "me first" attitude can be a challenge for anyone who has to contend with their high spirits and frequent self-absorption.

Legendary for their straightforward honesty, Aries children tell it like they see it. They can overstep boundaries because they're naturally impulsive and tend not to look before they leap.

As the parent of a young Aries, you're probably no stranger to epic temper tantrums. Yes, Aries children have a hard time keeping their emotions under control, but there's a positive side to this: They don't hold a grudge. Once the fireworks are over, so is their anger.

Since Aries children are great at starting grand projects but not as keen on sticking with them, you'll need to be patient as you guide your child gently but firmly, helping him stay on track.

Also make sure he gets plenty of exercise. Any vigorous activity will be an excellent outlet for his energy, and if it's a competitive sport, so much the better. But be sure he wears a helmet or any other essential safety gear. In their eternal hurry, Aries children tend to be accident-prone.

I love the descriptive words such as "epic temper tantrums" and "fireworks". Granted any child can be a hellion; I had my moments as a kid, we all did. Also, if this holds any truth, we'll be on a first name basis with ER staff..advising us to be sure Evan will have safety equipment and helmets. Neither Linda or myself are very graceful...so if genetics have anything to do with him being accident-prone...the kid will be cursed if it's in "the stars" and his genetics. Poor guy.

We are in the middle of the 31st week of pregnancy. Therefore, Evan would be over 16 inches long. He weighs about 3.3 pounds, which would be like carrying four navel oranges. He now will be hitting a growth spurt. He should now be going through major brain and nerve development as well. His irises now react to light, and all five senses are in working order. He can turn his head from side to side, and his arms, legs, and body are beginning to plump out as needed fat accumulates underneath his skin. He is moving a lot too, and we can now see his acrobatics through Linda's belly!

What is that?

Nugget's movement in my stomach is a great source of entertainment, amusement and crazy curiousity right now. I keep pressing and feeling different areas trying to figure out what it is that I feel.

It's like pushing on play dough blind-folded and occassionally coming up with a doll part that somehow got mixed in. People are always telling stories about how a foot would go up into their ribs, or how they feel the baby's head when it turned, etc. I can't tell what anything is.

I feel something solid, I feel other things that are very small and very hard. These things tend to move when I feel them. Is it a foot? Is it a hand? I don't know. Primarily because I feel a strong kick on my right side at the same time I feel a kick or something on my left side. I'm pretty confident he's not doing the splits!

When we were in the hospital over the weekend getting checked out, the nurse said, "Oh, here is the back and the head and here is the butt." How do you know that? She wasn't using an ultrasound. Like Brian, I wish we could have another one so I can see how he's positioned and then know what I am feeling.

He is really starting to get streaks of activity that not only can Brian feel, but he can see. It's weird looking down at a lop-sided stomach. Then you see it roll back over to the other side, followed by quick jabs or kicks. One of these days, we'll get the new video camera out and film it while it is happening.