18 Week Ultrasound

On Monday, September 29th, we went in for our 18 week ultrasound. This is the ultrasound where they measure the baby and all the important parts to make sure your pregnancy is on track. It took about 20 minutes for the technician to take around 80 pictures. All looks good. And the baby is definately a boy! We will go to the doctor on Friday to get the results and a check up. We are still waiting for the amniocentesis results. Hopefully they will be in any day now.

Curious Puppies

Puppies wonder what is in that belly.

Talk Like A Pirate

We are having a blast at Lee's talk like a pirate day party. Captain
Jack is here along with about 60 people, saucy wenches and piratical
dudes. It is a great party with all kinds of cool pirate flavor. The
Dread Pirate Lee's scurvy prevention tonic has kept us all healthy and
happy! Arrrr Matey it be heck of a good time!!!

A heel..or a penis??

Was it a heel or a penis? I think it was a penis. But since the baby wasn't in the optimal position and the ultrasound wasn't super high resolution, we will have to wait until the amnio results come back. Yes, I went to the doctor today. And YES! I am off bed rest. I still have to take it easy and I can go back to work on restricted duty, but I am no longer chained to the couch. I have to say, I will not miss it.
Our new doctor, Dr. Flores, is fantastic. I liked her right off. She is nice, caring and doesn't seem to be worried about trivial stuff. She is reasonable and logical. I think we will keep her. Which is good. You need to trust the doctor that is going to bring you along on this wonderful journey.
Friday I have my amniocentesis. I'm a little nervous, but I am sure everything will be fine. And I am hoping Sunday I can take a short trip to the mall and get some maternity clothes. I am starting to bust out of my bra, and I only have two pairs of maternity pants that are already starting to get snug. Good thing I only paid $9.00 for them. Then again, I would love to go to Babies r Us. But, maybe I'll save that for another day. Like Wednesday after work. I know I will want to spend hours there, so maybe if we go after work, I will have to be quick.
So life is moving forward. I guess the big question for now is...a heel or a penis? (I think penis ;>)

Fermentation

Double, double toil & trouble! Fire burn and cauldron bubble!

Brew Day

I'm brewing a honey ale. It is one I've made many times and is a
favorite in the family. I'm using extract for this batch but I'm going
back to all grain brewing with the next batch. Extract is nice and
simple but you don't have nearly the control or options available as
you do with pure all grain brewing. This is 4 lbs of light malt
extract, 3 lbs of honey, 1/2lb of 10l crystal malt, 1/2lb of honey
malt, 1oz of cascade hops for bittering & 1/2oz for finish/aroma. The
yeast is White Labs English Ale. I scored a deal on a wine fridge that
I'm using as a temp controlled fermentation chamber. It should be
ready to drink in about three weeks.

Sunday Football

I'm hanging out with Pat watching football and I'm leading the pool so
far!

Ellen's B-Day

We are all partying at Ellen's.

The Sound of Silence

Hello couch, my old friend,
I've come to sit with you again,...


So poor Vanessa is to be chained to the couch for at least two more weeks, probably four. :-(

Unfettered time alone on the couch is normally one of the greatest desires of mankind. Soft and comfy, all the beer and Cheez-its a man could ever want, two hundred channels of awesomeness... That's a pretty sweet gig.

For about two days.

Then it gets kind of weird. That big brown cushiony sofa, site of many exciting movie nights, most weekday dinners, occasional trysts and Sunday afternoon naps starts to feel like prison. A nice soft faux-suede prison with fetching decor, big screen TV and very little man-on-man action, but still prison. I did four days hard time and only cried a bit. Vanessa is starting her third week. She is tougher than most think.

We tried to talk to the Doc at Kaiser about reasonable levels of activity but he seems to have a speech impediment that only allows him to say "Sit on the couch." It was kind of fun.

Me: So no bleeding for a week now, isn't that great!

Doc: Sit on the couch!

Me: But Doc, she's doing much better and the couch makes her cry.

Doc: Sit in the couch!

Me: She's got a wicked case of couch-butt.

Doc: Sit on the couch!

Me: What if I my couch was on fire?

Doc: Couch! Baby's only live if you sit on the couch!!!

Me: My couch is made of Uranium and Alligators, the natural enemies of babies.

Doc: Couch!!

Me: The German's are invading!

Doc: Zit on the ze couchen!

Oh well.

So if you are in the area and enjoy Uranium and alligators, please come visit our couch and say hi to Vanessa.

She could use a visitor. There are only so many naps you can take, books you can read, plans you can make... In the end of the day, alone in your own tiny world, without a friend or any other person beside you, it's the silence that gets you.

Joe