No Foolin'!

36 Week Update

3 weeks from today we'll finally meet Itty... if not before. Grandma and Grandpa I. arrived safely from Virginia last night and are settled in to their vacation home just a block away.

Last night around 3am I woke to my first real contractions this pregnancy. They continued for about 2 hours before stopping. Itty knows that his big brother will be in good hands with Grandma and Grandpa so he's trying to make a break for it.

Daddy was thrilled to learn I was having contractions. He's fervently praying I go into labor sometime soon as he has paid time off work from April 4-9. (His band has been preempted by a convention at the hotel where he performs daily.) Me? As excited as I am to finally meet Itty, I have a manicure/pedicure scheduled for tomorrow, my baby shower on Thursday and a haircut scheduled for April 4. So I'd prefer Itty nestle in for another week at least!

Not to mention the birthstone for April is diamond... and for March it's aquamarine. Mama wants diamonds, baby!

Friday Fun Fact

Bittyman now plays chess.

I'm not talking 'play' as in goof around with the pieces making them do battle. I'm talking pawns move up one or two on their opening move and capture diagonally.

Last summer he became obsessed with a glass chess board in the lobby of our Mammoth Lakes hotel. Every night we 'pretended' to play chess before retiring to our room. But buying him a chess set for Christmas seemed a bit silly - he's only 3, right?

For Valentines Day Great Aunt Sharon was kind enough to include several dollars in his card. So after using one dollar to light a candle after Mass (his decision, not mine), we headed to K-mart to pick out a new toy. He immediately found an inexpensive plastic chess set that fit his budget perfectly.

That evening I heard Daddy and Bitty up in his bedroom discussing how to play the game. As I was enjoying some Mommy-must-see-TV stored on Tivo, I didn't give it much thought.

The next afternoon Bitty asked to play a game of chess. After setting up all the pieces I began to explain how the pawns worked, figuring we'd work on one piece at a time in hopes of learning the intricacies within a few months.

Bitty rolled his eyes and sighed, 'I KNOW Mom! I know them all.'

He then proceeded to explain what each piece was, how it moved and how it got the other pieces.

"The horse moves like an L. The queen is the most powerful. The bishop moves diagonally. The castle moves forward or to the side. You have to capture the king to win. I KNOW all that!"

Sure enough, he did. At first he was only interested in capturing my pieces. Be he quickly realized that for every move there was a counter-move by his opponent and he started thinking ahead one move before making his own.

Humbling to know your preschooler is more intelligent than you are and it's just a matter of time before he figures that out!

35 Week Update

4 Weeks until I'm responsible for two children... if not sooner. I had my 35 week ultrasound this morning (the 36 weeks in my pregnancy ticker is the countdown to my c-section, which is scheduled for 39 weeks). Itty is currently 5 pounds, 7 ounces in weight and measuring between 37-38 weeks.

Itty is under strict orders not to appear before next Monday night when Grandma and Grandpa I. arrive from Virginia! But once their plane hits terra firma, I'm good to go. All of Bitty's baby clothes have been Drefted, the car seat will be installed on Saturday and my hospital bag is packed.

Here are Itty's latest pictures. First a 2-D profile:

Then our OB was kind enough to do a 3-D shot, which left Mama and Daddy speechless:

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Foto Friday

Nothing like a refreshing dip in the pool... during 'winter'! With more record-shattering highs forecasted through the weekend, Bittyman will have a savage tan before Easter!

3.14

Happy Pi Day!

(A pregnant woman will use any excuse to indulge in dessert - and what better way to celebrate Pi Day than apple pie a la mode!)

No I didn't...

just turn the air conditioning on. I held out as long as I could, but when the thermostat read 88F inside the house, Mama had to cool down.

The local weatherman just informed me we've broken an all-time high for this date as it is currently 90F. In mid-March. At 5:00pm. At 34 weeks pregnant. And the forecast for the next 10 days is more of the same.

Anyone know where I can buy an inexpensive maternity swimsuit?

Who is the Patron Saint of Ear Infections?

Daddy is out of town performing at a jazz festival so of course Bittyman woke up this morning and exclaimed, "My ear is on fire!" After a quick tug on his left lobe (and a yelp in response) I immediately called our fantastic pediatrician who saw Bitty just a few hours later.

While I was not surprised to learn Bitty did indeed have an ear infection (as we've all been coughing and sneezing with allergies ever since spring sprang in our part of the world last weekend), I was shocked to learn he is now 42 inches tall and 38 pounds. That's a gain of 4 pounds and 2 inches since our last infectious visit to the doctor in December! Holy growth spurt!

Bittyman is feeling pretty well, all things considered. Of course the Happy Meal dinner and picking out a new toy while waiting for his prescription to be filled helped soothe his ear ache. (As a 34-week-pregnant single parent, I'm quite the pushover!)

"I'm King of the World!"

Or so James Cameron continues to think. I'm blogging of his documentary, The Jesus Tomb, which will air right before Easter on the Discovery Channel.

I won't waste my precious third trimester energy debunking the issue when other bloggers have already done so, far better than I could:

Amy Welborn, open book - Okay, the Jesus tomb
Hot Air - Titanic Director Aims to Sink Christianity

We'll be adding the Discovery Channel to our list of things we're giving up for Lent.

Photo Blogging by Bitty

Bitty took this picture of Mommy yesterday. When he saw the picture in the viewfinder he exclaimed, "Mommy, you're so CUTE!"

Hey, at 32 weeks and feeling like a Teletubbie, I'll take any compliment I can get!

Foto Friday

National Pancake Day

Tomorrow is Shrove Tuesday, aka Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday or National Pancake Day. So head on over to your local IHOP and enjoy a free short stack!

We'll be doing pancakes for breakfast then a stuff-your-belly 'Pigs Dinner' complete with Kings Cake! (OK, it's really an Oreo cookie cake off today's 1/2 price rack, but I'll stick a plastic baby inside... or a Little People - got plenty of those lying around.)

Happy Birth Days!

In the past two weeks, Bitty and Itty have gained three more cousins!

Dade Andrew, born to Aunt Esme and Uncle Andy on February 5
Adam, born to Aunt Zoryana and Uncle John on February 11
Lucia Marie, born to Aunt Gina and Uncle Tony yesterday morning

Bitty and Itty now have a total of 16 first cousins, with another one due next fall!

Congratulations to all of Dan's brothers and their wives on their new little blessings!

Childbirth in the 21st Century:

Receiving a letter via Certified Mail informing me that Itty will be born on April 17 at 7:30am. (I'm having a repeat C-section.)

Due to an obstetrician shortage and off the chart malpractice insurance rates, OB's in our state will not attempt VBAC's. Honestly, I have no problem with a repeat C-section. I don't believe for one contraction that a Mother's worth is based on how her child comes into the world. With drugs or without, in an operating room or a bathtub, through your birth canal or another woman's. Being a Mom means enduring a lifetime of heartbreaks every time her baby is hurt or upset - so I'm all for lessening the physical pain associated with delivery!

Which is not to say a c-section isn't painful. For Bitty's birth I had 9 hours of labor at home, 3 hours of labor without drugs at the hospital, followed by 12 more hours of labor (albeit with an epidural) before an emergency c-section was performed due to failure to progress and Bitty's decreasing heart rate. At that point I'd been awake for over 36 hours and was utterly exhausted.

The following morning when the nurse forced me up out of my hospital bed I thought I was being punk'd. Sitting, let alone standing after having a 6-inch incision through my stomach? Dan said he'd never seen anyone is such utter agony. (I now know to ask for more pain meds BEFORE the first dose wears off!)

I told my OB that my goals for this birth were: 1) a healthy baby and 2) to not feel one darn contraction. If I have to deal with the recovery from major abdominal surgery, then I should be spared any of the discomfort of labor!

So my pregnancy ticker now reflects my new 'due' date since my c-section is scheduled for 39 weeks gestation. Mark your calendars!

Wish You Were Here!

Current temperatures for some of our family & friends:

Washington, DC: 20F, Wind Chill, 4F
Buffalo, NY: 11F, Wind Chill, -9F
Green Bay, WI: 3F, Wind Chill, -13F

Our Part of the World: Sunny, 72F

Feel free to gloat in August when we are sweltering at 115F, but for today we're loving this part of the country!

And All Is Right in Our World

Favre to Return in 2007

Quote of the Day

"When I grow up and get married then I can be the boss of my own kids!"

Itty's 25 Week Ultrasound

Itty is 'perfect' according to my perinatal OB. He weighs approximately 1 pound, 9 ounces.

What I find most amazing is that I seem to be carrying Bitty's twin brother... 3 years later. See for yourself. Bitty's 16 week ultrasound:


And this has to be the cutest picture we've gotten yet! Kudos to our ultrasound tech, Nicole!

Wishing You Health & Happiness in 2007!

We spent New Year's Eve watching the Packers clobber the Bears, playing all the great new games Bitty received for Christmas (Hi-Ho-Cherry-O, Caraboo and Hungry Caterpillar) then stuffing ourselves with ziti, cake and ice cream. At midnight we watched the fireworks from the warmth of our minivan.

When asked what his New Year's Resolutions were Bitty replied, "Play more games!"

Sounds like a resolution we should all make!

Merry Christmas!

Is The End Near?

Some might say it's a sign of the beginning of the end... 'hell' freezing over. We like to think it's just an early White Christmas!

The Bittyest Angel - Volume I & II

YES!!! After countless hours spent in complete frustration, I've FINALLY figured out how to capture video off my video camera and get it onto the web!

(No thanks to the brainiacs at Sony who have no clue how to write an instruction manual, answer customer support calls or include decent software with their Handycams.)

Many thanks to Uncle Tony for his genius regarding all things technological!

How to Make Mommy Cry

The littlest angel, who will be performing at the Christmas Pageant on Thursday.

Visiting St. Nicholas

A FANTASTIC picture after more than an hour wait! Many thanks to Grandma and Grandpa I., who entertained Bitty at the mall while Mama stood in line.

Happy Saint Nicholas Day!

Bittyman with the presents left in his stocking by St. Nicholas last night.

For those wondering who is St. Nicholas and why does Bitty get his stocking today, this website sums it up very well: St. Nicholas Center. St. Nicholas will make a stop at our house on Christmas eve but he will only bring one present. The rest of the presents under our Christmas tree are from family and friends who love us and give presents to celebrate Jesus' birthday.

Soccer Star

Young Jedi

Hat tip to Uncle Tony for the pic!

Blog Title Change

Something Tto tie our blog reader over...

until what we hope will be a big announcement tomorrow!
Bitty's favorite website these days: Make-a-Flake

I apologize

to anyone who was organized enough to have checked out Bitty's Christmas Wish List and already purchased the Cars DVD.

When we walked into Costco today, my Executive Membership card wasn't even back in my wallet when Bitty exclaimed, "MOM! MATER'S ON TV!'

Costco, in all their merchandising genius, had a 52 inch plasma screen with Bose surround sound set up at the entrance showing Cars. We joined the masses of Moms and preschoolers and enjoyed the tractor-tipping scene.

As I tried to move on to the medicine aisle for Gummy Vites, Bitty turned to me and with those big blue eyes near tears with excitement said, "Mom, we HAVE to bring Mater to our house! He's my bestest friend!"

Very seldom do I give in to pleas for anything other than the occasional Matchbox car from K-mart or an Elmo Cookie at the mall. (Not only to keep Bitty from materialistic overload but quite honestly due to a lack of disposable income.) But Bitty is a great kid and sometimes the budget has to be adjusted for life's little pleasures.

Daddy will be out of town this weekend performing at a jazz festival. So the three of us will be spending Friday night curled up on the couch with a bowl of popcorn enjoying Cars in widescreen - Bitty, Mater and Me.

Halloween 2006

(Not to be confused with Halloween 2005 when Bitty wore the same costume. He insisted, it fit, so who was I to argue?)

Bitty made out like a cat burglar in his buddy Kai's neighborhood. (Our townhome community, made up of a large number of retirees, was a complete bust.) This is the loot Bitty was allowed to keep. Mom 'bought' anything that might pull out his super-silver-tooth (crown) for a dime a piece.

Happy Halloween!

Photo Blogging... By Bitty

Since I haven't had time to post, I decided to hand the camera to Bitty and let him do the blogging:

What A Difference Two Weeks Makes

This morning's 12-week ultrasound:




My 10-week ultrasound was done at my OB's office on a machine that resembled the Apple II. Children were not allowed in the room so Daddy stayed at home with Bitty.

Today I was referred to a Maternal Fetal Medicine practice (due to my 'Advanced Maternal Age') where the ultrasound machine had to have cost more than my townhome. Both Daddy and Bitty were present and thrilled to see 'Itty' live on a 42 inch plasma screen. Itty, sensing an audience, danced and squirmed up a storm. The doctor pronounced Itty 'perfect' and upped my due-date by 3 days based on Itty's measurements.

The next ultrasound is in 6 weeks. Hopefully Itty will cooperate so we can find out if it's an Ittyboy or Ittygirl!

Where Did My Baby Go?

I realize I'm hormonal, but when Bitty walked down the stairs yesterday morning after getting dressed for Sunday School, my eyes welled up at the sight of my Baby Boy... who is so obviously not a baby anymore.

Photo Blogging

Forgive me for light blogging, but Blogger has been giving me fits with lost posts and not being able to upload photos. And at almost 11 weeks pregnant, I have no patience for webpage errors! (Unsatiable cravings for Minute Maid Light Raspberry Passion fruit juice and Chinese food yes, technology that doesn't work, no.)


Itty's 10-week ultrasound. He/She is facing the camera, head on the left, with both hands and feet visible. Unlike Bitty, who was a little jumping bean at his first photo-op, Itty slept through most of the ultrasound. But the heartbeat was strong and everything looked normal.


I love this picture from Bitty's first soccer practice. (Yes, I'm officially now a minivan-driving 'Soccer Mom'.) I was so impressed with how well eight 3-year-olds followed directions and completed all the drills. Bitty's favorite part is wearing his new soccer cleats and shin guards:


Last weekend we attended a classic car show. Bitty's favorite car was not a car at all but an Army National Guard truck:


I'm going to publish this post while the Patron Saint of Blogging (St. Jerome, via The Curt Jester) is still watching over my computer!

Blog Title Change

Bittyman's sidekick, "Itty", will arrive via scheduled repeat c-section in mid-April, 2007.

Although we did not find out Bitty's sex before he was born, we are going to find out Itty's sex for space planning reasons. For the record, both Mama and Daddy feel that Itty is a girl. Bitty thinks Itty is a boy. We will let everyone know what the sex is -- hopefully at the end of November.

Hell Is...

turning on the TV to watch NFL Opening Kickoff Sunday, and discovering the picture tube on your 9 year old television has blown.

Daddy was all but out the door, Costco AMEX in hand, ready to buy a new flat-screen replacement.

Mama, in her fiscal conservativeness, quickly came up with a better solution. We could watch the games on the beautiful new HDTV located at Grandma and Grandpa's vacation home down the street -- which they won't be needing since they returned to Virginia yesterday -- once we relocate the TV to our living room!

Frozen Pizza: FREE
Case of Coors Light: FREE
32 Inch HDTV: FREE

Raiding Grandma and Grandpa's house once they leave town: PRICELESS!

Happy Anniversary!

Mama and Daddy share their wedding anniversary with Grandma and Grandpa I. To celebrate 10 and 43 years respectively, Grandma and Grandpa treated us all to a wonderful Italian DINNER at a swank local restaurant.


Afterwards we enjoyed an outdoor concert on the lake. When Bitty wasn't dancing he was trying to become a roadie for the band.

Are You Ready for Some Football?

In honor of the first Packers pre-season football game, Daddy initiated a new tradition: At the kick-off, both he and Bitty would yell, 'GO, PACK, GO!' then chomp down on some cheese.

But Bitty, in his enthusiasm, chomped down on too big a bite. He promptly spit out his cheese...

which, sadly, became a metaphor for tonight's game. The Pack were chewed up and spit out by the Chargers, 17-3.