I know, I know, it's so "boyish".  It was for football.  And Steve dressed her.  And it's adorable.  

She's looking up at her favorite mobile.  I love that outfit from Jessi.  She's smiling all of the time time.  Very sweet and sort of shy.

So cute.  Gives an idea of what is going on with her head, you can see the bossing out at the front.  I love this face so much.

Things are so good.  January has been a great month!

Nola had an appointment on January 5th (My Grandpa's birthday, I didn't understand how his birthday was on the 5th and mine on the 6th yet he was so fucking old) and was finally 8 pounds!  She is healthy and happy and sweet.  

I had a wonderful 36th birthday hanging out with Nola all day and then going to Yoko's for sushi.  

I had a pregnancy scare and that was a surprise.  I sort of feel like a reset button has been pushed in my body or something.  Scare is a good word.  I, of course, would welcome a second child and do plan on trying again soon.  The thought of getting pregnant and having another baby within a year is pretty scary to both of us.  But, it was just a scare.  I thought that breastfeeding (via pumping and twice a day actual nursing) would negate this scare, but it didn't.  

Steve and I have been trying to get out and do stuff and we are mostly successful.  We went down to wine country with the baby last weekend, have been having brunch or dinner at least weekly with friends, and we have each had time to do stuff on our own.

Nola's CT scan should be a breeze on the 2nd.  Wow, time is flying.  We should know her surgery date on the 18th of February. 

I had to go to the doctor last Monday and am on antibiotics.  I feel great now and have so much energy this week.  I've been running to prepare for a 5k in March and I was down another 6 pounds!  That's a total of 16 pounds lighter than when I got pregnant.  I don't think that I look much different and it's all shifted about.  It's good and healthy though.  Maybe Nola took it from me, cause she gained 1.1 oz/day from the 5th onward and is over 9 lbs now!!!( Nola pictures January )

Are any of you Portland friends heading out to do any shopping tomorrow?  If so, would you care if I came along?  Our car is going to stay put since we have neither chains nor snow tires.  I still have a few last minute gifts and would love to tag along if you'll be out.  I'll buy you coffee.

I've made a few references to Nola having some "head" issues and that 2009 was going to be a big year for all of us.  I wasn't being coy as much as I wanted to get enough information to talk about it on here.  I am lucky to have very close, understanding friends who allowed me to talk to them about it.  I'm feeling less emotional now and it makes it easier to share.  On day 11 in the hospital Nola was diagnosed with Sagittal Craniosynostosis.  In short, the sagittal suture that runs from the back of her head towards the front closed prematurely.  This closure forces her brain to follow the path of least resistance and grow front to back and not outwards.  If surgery is not done she will have facial deformities and it could effect her brain development.  We have decided to have the surgery performed.  Most importantly, Nola is fine and is not in any pain whatsoever from the suture closure.  While not super common, it's the most common of craniosynostosis and she is in good hands with OHSU.  She has had a ton of appointments to check on other issues that can come up with craniosynostosis (and prematurity) and she is doing great!  Her vision is fine, her hearing is fine, and she doesn't have any pressure on the brain.  Here's an update from an email that I sent..


( Nola Update )

We know that this is harder on us than it is on her.  She's going to be fine and we are lucky to have such a great hospital here.  We are also entirely fortunate to have awesome medical insurance.   A copy of the referral for surgery came in the mail yesterday and it will be covered 100%, save for the $10 co-pay. 

In other news:  I quit smoking when I found out that I was pregnant and I still haven't had any relapses.  In my efforts to keep this up and continue being a non smoker, I have started to run.  I just registered for the Shamrock Run in Portland this coming March.  I figured that it would be good to have a goal to train for and to keep me focused on not smoking.  I knew that I made the right decision when I read that the beneficiary of the run is the children's hosptial where Nola will have her surgery.  :)

xoxo

I love Thanksgiving.  I normally enjoy planning the menu, doing the shopping, doing the prep work on Wednesday, getting up early on Thursday, cooking all day, and then giving thanks and eating with my family.  Tom called me a few weeks ago and asked how Thanksgiving was going to work this year and I asked "can you just tell us where to be at what time" and left it at that.  We have nothing to do this year but show up at my father in law's house.  It's so nice.  We'll have a mid afternoon meal there with the family and then head over to Jeff and Sandi's with some Irish Coffee fixings and friend time. 

I have a lot to be thankful for overall and this year is especially a good one.  I certainly remained hopeful that we would have a child, but it was getting harder and harder to see how or if it would play out.  Showing Steve the positive pregnancy test on St. Patrick's Day and feeling that this time was "different" was the start of some crazy times.  Even with the severe exhaustion and morning sickness, I loved being pregnant.  I think that June-October will be etched in my mind as one of the best periods of my life. While Nola's birth wasn't the story that I had written in my mind, it worked out okay and I'm coming to terms with a lot of it and admitting that it was pretty rough emotionally. The past 7 weeks have gone by so, so quickly and I just can't wrap my head around Nola being here yet.  It's wonderful and tiring and I'm just so elated with her.  Watching Steve with her is one of the highlights of my day.  It's one of the most romantic things ever, this having a child together.  Nola is a bit fussy, a lot cute, and melts me all of the time.  This year has been so excellent and I love that I will get to end it while still being on maternity leave and getting to meet Nola's needs and continuing getting to know one another.  

We have a lot coming up in 2009 and it's nice to just enjoy this time. 

( Nola pictures )

Happy Thanksgiving! 

As posted earlier, Nola was born Friday morning at 3:53 a.m.  She's healthy and beautiful and all I ever imagined and we couldn't be happier.  I felt pretty close to her inside of me, but this is just amazing.  She's going to be here in the hospital for a while, since she was 6 and a half weeks premature.  She's very tiny, but her health is great and she's meeting and beating her milestones.  All in one day!  

( How this came about )
Thank you for all of your sweet, kind words.  Before the pregnancy and finally getting there, during the pregnancy, now....

xoxo

Although 6 weeks premature, she's doing so wonderful.  Steve and I are mad about her and couldn't be happier.  I have been able to spend time with her and she's a wonder.  Truly gorgeous.

We had a wonderful dinner out to celebrate our 10 year wedding anniversary.  Of course. we ended up talking about the baby all evening.  Not so much a fun couple night :)

We went to Sel Gris for an early dinner.  The chef, our old neighbor, sent out an appetizer for us with some wine.  I guess I forgot to tell him that Steve hates the idea of sweetbreads and won't eat them and that I'm pregnant.  We shared our meals and it was fantastic.  The dungeness crab salad had grapefruit granita and radish all around it and was just so, so good.  We also had a peach and nectarine arugula salad with percerino.  Yummmmmmm.  The yellowtail in miso broth was delicious, as was the steak.  We had a really delicious cheesecake for dessert too.  Local peach and huckleberry over a homemade ricotta cheesecake.  It's a great special occasion spot in Portland.

( Baby stuff )

Getting close!
( 30 weeks )

As usual, in August-September, I worked all day yesterday.  I am exhausted, but things are good.  The heat was pretty heinous yesterday.  It's cooler this morning and I'm enjoying the paper and news and computer.  Off to float down the Sandy River in a couple of hours and then going to get some bedding that we have been eying. 

xoxo

What a quiet weekend! 

I had to work yesterday (that time of year, sort of like how retail is at the holidays I guess) for a few hours.  I came home and did a steam cleaning of all of the downstairs floors.  Again.  Arlo and Steve went and picked up the baby's bookshelf.  It's nice to get stuff done.  Steve made a little gazebo area in the backyard and it's been nice to go outside and read.  He has been working on the small yard quite a bit.  His goal is to have the grill covered enough so that we can grill throughout the fall/winter.  It doesn't really snow here, so I guess that makes sense.  And I certainly enjoy it. 

Off to Tori's today to visit with her daughter and meet her family.  I've been looking forward to this all week :) 

I think that the Food Network finally has a new cooking show that is actually good.  The host is the sous chef of Mario Batali on Iron Chef America.  It's called Secrets of a Restaurant Chef and it is pretty good.  The host, Ann, is sort of annoying but it had a few good tips in it.

We finished some more Obama t-shirts and I'm looking forward to sending in our next campaign contribution check.  I found the letter that my mother wrote to Howard Dean and am wondering if it is inevitable to go bat shit crazy.  Seriously, the craziest letter ever.  She was a huge Clinton supporter and hates Obama.  Her new target is Howard Dean.  Ugh.  So much I could say about this issue. 

Have a fantastic weekend!!!

I always forget, with Canada being so close, that I have to wait for people to go through customs when I pick them up from the airport after a trip to Vancouver.  I had a chance to chat with my Mom and Dad while I waited for my Mother in Law to arrive.  They are leaving for Toledo tomorrow morning and sounded so excited to get up there to see Rico, Coco, and Dre.  They are off to Europe after that, and I'm pleased that they still going to go.  My Mom's tumor is growing again (not responding to the treatment that kept it one size for a few years) and she's feeling pretty tired from her chemo.  I can't believe that they are almost 80.  They'll be in London for 6 weeks, with a 2 week cruise around southern Europe (well, Spain and Portugal). 

I've been so busy doing a lot of nothing.  Outside of spending time with friends, I don't know how to account for my time.  I feel like I've done fuck all for the baby's impending arrival, even though I seem to think of little else. 

The baby is healthy and the pregnancy is finally EASY.  I feel great, if a bit lazy.  I'm only getting sick about twice a week now.  I'm not super exhausted.  My ankles are still there.  My belly is pretty cute.   I'm just happy.  And lazy :)

xoxo

It's been such a blur this weekend. 

Erin and Brandon came over on Thursday night for pie and Guitar Hero.  Fun, but bittersweet with her leaving tonight for DC. 

All of the plans involving water were canceled this weekend.  The 4th?  Too cloudy and chilly to float down the Sandy river.  Yesterday, too rainy/cloudy and cold for Steve, Tori, and TJ to go rafting. 

We went to see Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantameno yesterday.  Very funny, but I loved the first one too.

Tim's for a birthday barbeque tonight.  Steve's birthday tomorrow.  Dr. appointment on Tuesday. 

Is anyone able to record tomorrow morning's episode of "Made in America" for me?  It's on at 9 a.m. (pst) on the Travel Channel.

Let me know!  I'll give some $$ and xoxo

My appointment was so incredible.  The Ultrasound Technician put the wand down on my stomach and we instantly saw the baby's profile.  Awww!  The next 30 minutes were really cool.  She talked us through all of the measurements that she was taking and it was amazing to see the kidneys, the bladder, two legs, the feet, the arms, the hands, the chin, the nose, the eye sockets, the heart, the brain, the spine; etc.  The heartbeat was right where it should be and I feel so relieved.  She said that the baby looks perfect.   The baby girl is just perfect. 

We are just so thrilled.

Steve took me out to dinner to celebrate our daughter and we just let it settle in. 

So, so happy.

xoxo

My aPoll #1209536 Your Odds are 50/50
Open to: All, detailed results viewable to: All

Jethro or Cathy?

ppointment is at 2:30 p.m.  We do plan on finding out the sex.  We do not plan on naming the child Cathy.

I have watched all of the M. Night Shymalan (spelling?) movies and didn't like them at all.  I thought that the Sixth Sense one was okay, but I always think that they are going to be so good.  I watched the one for the Happening and I know that I'll end up going to see it.  And probably really dislike it.  Signs was probably my least favorite, with the Village a close second. 

Watching the Top Chef finale tonight (Go Stephanie!) with Erin and Brandon.  We are heading to a wedding tomorrow night, and I sure hope that it's nice outside.  It's been so gloomy and cold, and the thought of sitting outside for a wedding at 6 p.m. sounds just awful. 

We went over to Jessi and Chris' house last night to meet baby Ursula.  I couldn't believe how good she was for the visit.  She's a beautiful girl, with the greatest shock of hair and the most beautiful serious face.  I did get to see one little smile when she was about to go to the bathroom and her face just lit right up.  So, so cute.  She was totally relaxed and sweet.  Jessi and Chris looked fantastic and as if everything were just as it should be. 



xoxo

Florida was nice.  A bit stressful with so much family around and all that comes with that, but good to see everyone.  The beaches in Sarasota is really beautiful and we had two nice visits out to sun and relax.  Saw the Sex and the City movie with my sister in law.  Made lots of food and had dinner with old family friends. 

I came home and went for a quick hello to Sandi's birthday party on Sunday afternoon.

Busy, busy, busy week at work and it's nuts.

Had great conversations with Jenelle and Carrie today, which were unexpected and perfect.

Lunch with my friend Teresa tomorrow, lunch with Erin on Friday, dinner with Tim and Nicole on Friday night, and baby shopping on Saturday.

xoxo

My own version of a Tweet or Twitter or whatever it's called....

My parents were making breakfast this morning and were telling us a story.  My mother is so good at insulting my father at every turn, she doesn't even realize it.  "Blah, blah, Sam and Ruthie, blah, you remember, we lived on Livingston in Columbus, YOU MET THEM BETSY, the Gaggioli's, YOU WERE THREE BETSY YOU REMEMBER, it was right after your father made me quit my job"...

It's only Monday.

xoxo

However, the kids are adorable.  My parents seem healthy and happy.  We went for a nice walk on Saturday night and over to Sam and Ruthie's (my Dad's college room mate and his wife, like an aunt and uncle) house yesterday.  Steve and I are off to the grocery to get stuff to make dinner tonight.  As much as they drive me nuts, I know that I'm very very lucky.  I love my family.   

Oh! Because I'm unable to do any post without a mention of my baby.... In one year I'll have a baby the same age as Dre.  That's wonderful and scary at once.

The only thing that would be better than this trip would to be back in Portland with friends.

xoxo