Around here, the ball drops at 9:30 and the band plays Frère Jacque and Row, Row, Row your boat. Raise your bottle high and toast to a fantastic 2006 and an amazing 2007.
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Baby Jeneric’s Rockin’ New Year’s Eve!
Around here, the ball drops at 9:30 and the band plays Frère Jacque and Row, Row, Row your boat. Raise your bottle high and toast to a fantastic 2006 and an amazing 2007.
Sunday, December 24, 2006
Sunday, December 17, 2006
She’s Daddy’s Girl
No, we’re not referring to how Baby Jeneric has Eric wrapped around her tiniest finger (although she does!). It’s become exceedingly apparent that Baby Jeneric shares many traits with Eric. To wit:
1. Height. This baby is no shrimp. We predict she’ll be a good basketball player (if she’s more coordinated than either of her parents).
2. Weight. She is skinny. This, combined with her height means most pediatricians would term her a ‘banana baby.’
3. Facial attributes. She looks like her father… for now.
4. Sneezes. Both Baby Jeneric and Eric issue sneezes that scare Jenni. Oy vay!
5. Eating. She, too, is a slooooow eater (although we are told she will get faster in the next month or two).
1. Height. This baby is no shrimp. We predict she’ll be a good basketball player (if she’s more coordinated than either of her parents).
2. Weight. She is skinny. This, combined with her height means most pediatricians would term her a ‘banana baby.’
3. Facial attributes. She looks like her father… for now.
4. Sneezes. Both Baby Jeneric and Eric issue sneezes that scare Jenni. Oy vay!
5. Eating. She, too, is a slooooow eater (although we are told she will get faster in the next month or two).
Sunday, December 10, 2006
Barbarian Baby
Today we are stalking that most elusive of creatures, the human baby. Our target on this adventure: Baby Jeneric, known for her restlessness, Herculean strength and Amazonian yells.
See her in her natural state.
Note Baby Jeneric's efforts to blend in with the wildlife.
The coyness! The charm!
But beware! Baby Jeneric can turn in an instant.
See her in her natural state.
Note Baby Jeneric's efforts to blend in with the wildlife.
The coyness! The charm!
But beware! Baby Jeneric can turn in an instant.
Sunday, December 03, 2006
My life
My name is…Baby Jeneric………………………………………………….
childhood ambition……eat more than I poop………………………..
fondest memory……breakfast………………………………………..........
soundtrack…………suck, suck, suck, waaaaaaah!………………….....
wildest dream………dinner…………………………………………...............
proudest moment……last night’s poop……………………………..........
biggest challenge……last night’s poop……………………………….........
alarm clock…………my tummy…………………………………….................
perfect day…………eat, poop, sleep and repeat…………………….........
first job……………milk taster………………………………………..................
indulgence…a tall glass of milk chased down by a tall glass of milk
last purchase………diapers……………………………………….....................
favorite movie………The Legend of Sleepy Hollow……………….........
inspiration………Mom & Dad………………………………………..................
My life…a challenge, but someone’s gotta do it!………………………….
childhood ambition……eat more than I poop………………………..
fondest memory……breakfast………………………………………..........
soundtrack…………suck, suck, suck, waaaaaaah!………………….....
wildest dream………dinner…………………………………………...............
proudest moment……last night’s poop……………………………..........
biggest challenge……last night’s poop……………………………….........
alarm clock…………my tummy…………………………………….................
perfect day…………eat, poop, sleep and repeat…………………….........
first job……………milk taster………………………………………..................
indulgence…a tall glass of milk chased down by a tall glass of milk
last purchase………diapers……………………………………….....................
favorite movie………The Legend of Sleepy Hollow……………….........
inspiration………Mom & Dad………………………………………..................
My life…a challenge, but someone’s gotta do it!………………………….
Baby Jeneric
My life. My blog.
Monday, November 27, 2006
We Broke the Baby!
Well, not really. Wily Jeneric likes to exaggerate on occasion. But news we have! Baby Jeneric’s umbilical stump fell off, leaving an icky hole that will eventually become a very cute belly button.
In honor of this loss, we celebrated by giving Baby Jeneric her first bath!
If you think she disliked the bath, you’d be correct! Baby Jeneric kept her calm for about 2 minutes before letting us know what she really thought of all that water, soap and being naked.
The umbilical stump loss also means we’ve switched from disposable diapers to cloth diapers. The continuing small stature of Baby Jeneric means that many of the ‘newborn’ diapers do not yet fit her, especially around her tiny little legs. We’ve found the Chinese prefolds work very well with a tiny cover to help contain the mess. Baby Jeneric has enjoyed the transition and continues to not complain about wet or messy diapers. We’re sure this will soon change!
In honor of this loss, we celebrated by giving Baby Jeneric her first bath!
If you think she disliked the bath, you’d be correct! Baby Jeneric kept her calm for about 2 minutes before letting us know what she really thought of all that water, soap and being naked.
The umbilical stump loss also means we’ve switched from disposable diapers to cloth diapers. The continuing small stature of Baby Jeneric means that many of the ‘newborn’ diapers do not yet fit her, especially around her tiny little legs. We’ve found the Chinese prefolds work very well with a tiny cover to help contain the mess. Baby Jeneric has enjoyed the transition and continues to not complain about wet or messy diapers. We’re sure this will soon change!
Friday, November 24, 2006
Burn the Books!
Well, don’t burn all your books. You might want to reread Gödel, Escher & Bach and a charred copy will do you no good.
No, we’re referring to those ubiquitous baby gifts: parenting books. Aïe, aïe, aïe! In the two weeks we’ve been parents (!), we’ve read seven books, several pamphlets and countless web sites. Topics we’ve researched include dry skin, breastfeeding, poop, and pacifiers. What we’ve learned: no two information sources agree. Let’s take an example: pacifiers.
Pacifiers are either the spawn of the devil or a parent’s best friend, depending on the ‘authority’. They will confuse your baby and interfere with breastfeeding or they will provide for a baby’s natural inclination to suck. A pacifier might or might not interfere with tooth development. It can become a crutch so a baby won’t pacify herself at night… or it might not.
In honor of the confusion, we present more gratuitous photos of Baby Jeneric!
No, we’re referring to those ubiquitous baby gifts: parenting books. Aïe, aïe, aïe! In the two weeks we’ve been parents (!), we’ve read seven books, several pamphlets and countless web sites. Topics we’ve researched include dry skin, breastfeeding, poop, and pacifiers. What we’ve learned: no two information sources agree. Let’s take an example: pacifiers.
Pacifiers are either the spawn of the devil or a parent’s best friend, depending on the ‘authority’. They will confuse your baby and interfere with breastfeeding or they will provide for a baby’s natural inclination to suck. A pacifier might or might not interfere with tooth development. It can become a crutch so a baby won’t pacify herself at night… or it might not.
In honor of the confusion, we present more gratuitous photos of Baby Jeneric!
Sunday, November 19, 2006
Cue the Peanuts Music!
It was a dark and stormy night. No really, it was. The flood warning in New Jersey had just expired when another little flood began. Wily Jeneric were afflicted with colds. Eric was fast asleep while Jenni was medicating yet another night of insomnia with late-night television. Then, at 1 am (EST) on November 9, Jenni’s water broke. She yelled out for Eric to help. No response. She pounded the walls and hollered again. Nothing. She hobbled upstairs, calling for help along the way. Eric snored on. Finally, with a whap on the arm, Eric woke up. “Huh? What’s wrong?” “My water broke.” “Huh?” “My water broke!” “Oh!”
After an adrenalin filled trip to the hospital, Jenni was quickly admitted (huzzah for pre-registration!). With a wrist tag on her left wrist (linked to two teeny tags!), she was quickly in bed, laboring through the wee hours of the morning.
Dawn broke and we realized we could see the Rutgers stadium. For those not familiar with college football, Thursday, November 9 was a monumental day for Rutgers, as the Scarlet Knights smacked the pants off #3 Louisville (let’s not talk about the defeat they just suffered at the hands of Cincinnati). In the glow of the stadium, Jenni continued to labor.
Fast forward past the gory bit about laboring, medications, pushing, screaming, crying, etc. to 2:13 pm, when Baby Jeneric* hollered her way into the world. At 7 pounds 13 ounces, she seemed big, but when stretched out to her full 20 and half inches, she turned into a lean, mean, pooping machine!
Only 3 minutes old!
Super Baby!
Ah, to sleep...
Since Thursday, we’ve been quite busy with feeding, diapering, crying, loving, etc. We’ve learned a lot and have so much more to learn. Lesson # 1: as new parents, we talk a lot about poop - the quantity, consistency, color, etc (if you’re curious: random poop schedule, rather runny, and the color of deli-style mustard).
Welcome to the world, Baby Jeneric!
*Yes, Baby Jeneric has a name, but we respect her privacy and will refrain from using it here. We ask you to do the same.
After an adrenalin filled trip to the hospital, Jenni was quickly admitted (huzzah for pre-registration!). With a wrist tag on her left wrist (linked to two teeny tags!), she was quickly in bed, laboring through the wee hours of the morning.
Dawn broke and we realized we could see the Rutgers stadium. For those not familiar with college football, Thursday, November 9 was a monumental day for Rutgers, as the Scarlet Knights smacked the pants off #3 Louisville (let’s not talk about the defeat they just suffered at the hands of Cincinnati). In the glow of the stadium, Jenni continued to labor.
Fast forward past the gory bit about laboring, medications, pushing, screaming, crying, etc. to 2:13 pm, when Baby Jeneric* hollered her way into the world. At 7 pounds 13 ounces, she seemed big, but when stretched out to her full 20 and half inches, she turned into a lean, mean, pooping machine!
Only 3 minutes old!
Super Baby!
Ah, to sleep...Since Thursday, we’ve been quite busy with feeding, diapering, crying, loving, etc. We’ve learned a lot and have so much more to learn. Lesson # 1: as new parents, we talk a lot about poop - the quantity, consistency, color, etc (if you’re curious: random poop schedule, rather runny, and the color of deli-style mustard).
Welcome to the world, Baby Jeneric!
*Yes, Baby Jeneric has a name, but we respect her privacy and will refrain from using it here. We ask you to do the same.
Monday, November 06, 2006
Still Pregnant
Indeed, the bump in the front is still very much with Jenni. We can’t decide which side of the family this tardiness represents. To wit:
On one had, we have the folks who are not known for being early or on time.
On the other, we have a tribe of freakishly timely individuals, who tend to shy away from change and new situations.
But perhaps the delayed arrival is more related to the wicked cold Jenni has (Eric likes to share). Perhaps nature is taking a hand by letting Jenni get over the worst of the cold before her life’s work really begins.
In any case, is it alarming that it seems second nature to Jenni that her stomach should twist, punch and squirm?
For those keeping track, still in the race for predicting Baby Jeneric’s birth date and time:
Teresa: November 9, 5:40 am
Springob: November 9, 5:41 am
On one had, we have the folks who are not known for being early or on time.
On the other, we have a tribe of freakishly timely individuals, who tend to shy away from change and new situations.
But perhaps the delayed arrival is more related to the wicked cold Jenni has (Eric likes to share). Perhaps nature is taking a hand by letting Jenni get over the worst of the cold before her life’s work really begins.
In any case, is it alarming that it seems second nature to Jenni that her stomach should twist, punch and squirm?
For those keeping track, still in the race for predicting Baby Jeneric’s birth date and time:
Teresa: November 9, 5:40 am
Springob: November 9, 5:41 am
Friday, November 03, 2006
Thoroughly Unscientific Eggheadedness
With just four data points and no replication whatsoever, we present to you the findings of our latest study on when Baby Jeneric will arrive.
Thursday, November 02, 2006
No News
It’s been a week since our last post and besides the girth of Jenni’s belly, not much else has changed. We’ve been taking care of a few last-minute things (that really shouldn’t have been last minute), including:
Ordering diapers
Taking the car seats to a safety check*
Hanging a few more decorations in Baby Jeneric’s room
Washing several loads of laundry
Here’s a quick little FAQ, gathered over the last two weeks:
Q: Are we ready?
A: Probably not, but we’re deluding ourselves into thinking that we are.
Q: Are you ready to be done being pregnant?
A: Of course I am!
Q: Is it a boy or a girl?
A: It’s a surprise.
Q: How big is the baby?
A: Umm, about as big as Jenni’s belly? The doctor estimated about 7.5 pounds – a normal weight.
Q: Do you have any names picked out?
A: Yes.
Q: Oh! What are they?
A: We’re not telling until the baby is born.
Q: What’s been your favorite part of being pregnant?
A: You mean physically? Umm, erm, well, nothing. I do like having Eric wait on me, though!
A: Eric would say reading to the baby and having the baby recognize his voice. All together, now: awww.
*Seriously, are you embarrassed that an engineer and scientist could not manage to install a car seat correctly? Shocking, but true. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, as many as 85% of all car seats are installed incorrectly. I’d like to hazard a guess why, based on where we went wrong: incomplete information about car equipment. We installed the car seat in the center ‘seat’ using LATCH. The fit was tight, the angle correct. Unfortunately, the US Government requires that all seats in the back have LATCH equipment but the center is NOT a seat. Therefore, the LATCH tethers we used were spaced too far apart. So we switched to using the seatbelt to harness the seat and were good to go in under 10 minutes. Neither the car nor car seat manual discussed the proper placement of the car seat in the back seat. Trust us, Jenni scoured them both for that information.
Ordering diapers
Taking the car seats to a safety check*
Hanging a few more decorations in Baby Jeneric’s room
Washing several loads of laundry
Here’s a quick little FAQ, gathered over the last two weeks:
Q: Are we ready?
A: Probably not, but we’re deluding ourselves into thinking that we are.
Q: Are you ready to be done being pregnant?
A: Of course I am!
Q: Is it a boy or a girl?
A: It’s a surprise.
Q: How big is the baby?
A: Umm, about as big as Jenni’s belly? The doctor estimated about 7.5 pounds – a normal weight.
Q: Do you have any names picked out?
A: Yes.
Q: Oh! What are they?
A: We’re not telling until the baby is born.
Q: What’s been your favorite part of being pregnant?
A: You mean physically? Umm, erm, well, nothing. I do like having Eric wait on me, though!
A: Eric would say reading to the baby and having the baby recognize his voice. All together, now: awww.
*Seriously, are you embarrassed that an engineer and scientist could not manage to install a car seat correctly? Shocking, but true. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, as many as 85% of all car seats are installed incorrectly. I’d like to hazard a guess why, based on where we went wrong: incomplete information about car equipment. We installed the car seat in the center ‘seat’ using LATCH. The fit was tight, the angle correct. Unfortunately, the US Government requires that all seats in the back have LATCH equipment but the center is NOT a seat. Therefore, the LATCH tethers we used were spaced too far apart. So we switched to using the seatbelt to harness the seat and were good to go in under 10 minutes. Neither the car nor car seat manual discussed the proper placement of the car seat in the back seat. Trust us, Jenni scoured them both for that information.
Thursday, October 26, 2006
Proof is in the Pudding
We realize belly shots have been rather limited around here, so we present you with:
Also up, the official winner of the life vest contest is Springob.
(Pardon the cropped photo; Eric was only able to take photos that made Jenni look drugged out, asleep or psychotic.)
Yes, it still fits. Holy, umm, cow?
True to our word, we are flinging a package of these towards Springob via the USPS.
Enjoy the contents! It should also be noted that Springob, despite being a supreme competitor, felt it only fair to share his bounty with the runner-up, G^2.
39 weeks.
Also up, the official winner of the life vest contest is Springob.
(Pardon the cropped photo; Eric was only able to take photos that made Jenni look drugged out, asleep or psychotic.)
Yes, it still fits. Holy, umm, cow?
True to our word, we are flinging a package of these towards Springob via the USPS.
Enjoy the contents! It should also be noted that Springob, despite being a supreme competitor, felt it only fair to share his bounty with the runner-up, G^2.
Monday, October 23, 2006
Sheep & Wolf, er Wool
Despite being less than 2 weeks away from our due date, Wily Jeneric had a busy weekend. On Saturday, we attended our college friend’s, Ry4an, wedding. No, we didn’t fly to MN. We merely took the train to NYC and walked about 3 blocks to the West Side Loft. Good food and friends!
Sunday morning dawned awfully early. We picked up a friend and drove 2.5 hours north to Jenni’s old stomping grounds – Rhinebeck – for the NY Sheep and Wool Festival.
Early on, we found ourselves smack in the middle of a llama & alpaca parade (thanks to Sarah for the correct identifications).
We then managed to find some Canadian friends that we escorted back to New Jersey for the evening. Canadians are a gentle people (not unlike llamas) and they gifted us! Check out the thoughtfulness and the amazingly fantastic sweater (there was tea, too, for the expecting Wily Jeneric).
Sunday morning dawned awfully early. We picked up a friend and drove 2.5 hours north to Jenni’s old stomping grounds – Rhinebeck – for the NY Sheep and Wool Festival.
Early on, we found ourselves smack in the middle of a llama & alpaca parade (thanks to Sarah for the correct identifications).
Alpaca Feet!
Llama, llama, duck! Well, Alpaca, alpaca, duck!
The llama likes Priscilla!
We then managed to find some Canadian friends that we escorted back to New Jersey for the evening. Canadians are a gentle people (not unlike llamas) and they gifted us! Check out the thoughtfulness and the amazingly fantastic sweater (there was tea, too, for the expecting Wily Jeneric).
Thursday, October 19, 2006
If you pack it, s/he will come
We thought you might like to know that, in typical Wily Jeneric fashion, we have yet to pack a bag for the hospital. Some might say we are tempting fate. Others would say we’re laid back. In reality, we’re probably just lazy or consumed by work (hah! That’s so going to change!).
Really, though, it’s time for the baby to arrive and we really should pack a bag. An abbreviated list of some things we think we’ll need:
1. Watch with second hand
2. Camera (If you take a picture of me now, I will make you deliver that camera)
3. Games (anyone up for a game of Settlers?)
4. Knitting (One Christmas stocking, coming up)
5. Pillow (ah, the comforts of home in an antiseptic environment)
6. Food for Eric (but no onions!)
7. Change of clothes for Eric (What, no hospital gown for the father-to-be?)
8. Books (You just became parents! Now what are you going to do? subtitled: Not going to Disney Land!)
9. Snacks (Hospital food can only sustain a father for so long)
10. List of people to call (Thank goodness for cell phones. Eric's memory couldn't handle a task like this!)
11. Going-home outfit for baby* (The hospital generally frowns on discharging naked babies)
12. Infant car seat* (But what if you're walking home? Does the hospital still require you to have a car seat?)
*Baby not included and must be provided by the parents-to-be.
(Don't forget - guesses for Baby Jeneric's birth weight and gender are due by midnight Friday.)
Really, though, it’s time for the baby to arrive and we really should pack a bag. An abbreviated list of some things we think we’ll need:
1. Watch with second hand
2. Camera (If you take a picture of me now, I will make you deliver that camera)
3. Games (anyone up for a game of Settlers?)
4. Knitting (One Christmas stocking, coming up)
5. Pillow (ah, the comforts of home in an antiseptic environment)
6. Food for Eric (but no onions!)
7. Change of clothes for Eric (What, no hospital gown for the father-to-be?)
8. Books (You just became parents! Now what are you going to do? subtitled: Not going to Disney Land!)
9. Snacks (Hospital food can only sustain a father for so long)
10. List of people to call (Thank goodness for cell phones. Eric's memory couldn't handle a task like this!)
11. Going-home outfit for baby* (The hospital generally frowns on discharging naked babies)
12. Infant car seat* (But what if you're walking home? Does the hospital still require you to have a car seat?)
*Baby not included and must be provided by the parents-to-be.
(Don't forget - guesses for Baby Jeneric's birth weight and gender are due by midnight Friday.)
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
A Shower Fugue
Having never been to a baby shower, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect…after being filled in a few details, here is my prognosis of how this one stacked up.
Well, I’ve been to a few baby showers so I knew what they could be. Long periods of sitting in a chair, watching someone open a mountain of gifts, perhaps the odd (and I do mean odd) game thrown in. Those who know me know I despise being the center of attention and sitting around doing nothing so I vowed to have a different shower and to make Eric squirm, too.
Normal! An amazing cake, made by Lauren. Rubber ducky was not edible, but the soap bubbles were.
Normal? A pretty cake.
Not normal! Well, the copious amount of food is normal but the presence of a male, definitely not normal.
Ditto. (Uh oh, it is now written record that I agreed with Jenni!)
Normal! Some people hate being the center of attention and express their dismay visually.
Normal! A reluctant celebrity.
Not normal! Look at the kid, the hair, the GAMES! Note that they are making up the rules to this game as they go along – simply a fantastic way to play.
Normal, right? I thought I had heard that you play games at these events…
Not normal! More kids, hair and games! This one is Killer Bunnies, which I overheard to be ‘the best game ever.’
Fun for the whole family, a good way to be starting a “new” family.
It was a swell party with friends, families, food and games. Many thanks to Priscilla, Alex and Mom Z for collaborating to throw a fun gaming party. Thanks to everyone who made it to New Jersey for the day; we’re sorry we missed folks from far away (seriously, is traveling from the other side of the continent too much to ask?!?!).
Next stop: the arrival of Baby Jeneric!
(Don’t forget to enter your guesses for the gender and weight of Baby Jeneric!)
Well, I’ve been to a few baby showers so I knew what they could be. Long periods of sitting in a chair, watching someone open a mountain of gifts, perhaps the odd (and I do mean odd) game thrown in. Those who know me know I despise being the center of attention and sitting around doing nothing so I vowed to have a different shower and to make Eric squirm, too.
Normal! An amazing cake, made by Lauren. Rubber ducky was not edible, but the soap bubbles were.Normal? A pretty cake.
Not normal! Well, the copious amount of food is normal but the presence of a male, definitely not normal.Ditto. (Uh oh, it is now written record that I agreed with Jenni!)
Normal! Some people hate being the center of attention and express their dismay visually.Normal! A reluctant celebrity.
Not normal! Look at the kid, the hair, the GAMES! Note that they are making up the rules to this game as they go along – simply a fantastic way to play.Normal, right? I thought I had heard that you play games at these events…
Not normal! More kids, hair and games! This one is Killer Bunnies, which I overheard to be ‘the best game ever.’Fun for the whole family, a good way to be starting a “new” family.
It was a swell party with friends, families, food and games. Many thanks to Priscilla, Alex and Mom Z for collaborating to throw a fun gaming party. Thanks to everyone who made it to New Jersey for the day; we’re sorry we missed folks from far away (seriously, is traveling from the other side of the continent too much to ask?!?!).
Next stop: the arrival of Baby Jeneric!
(Don’t forget to enter your guesses for the gender and weight of Baby Jeneric!)
Monday, October 16, 2006
The Weighty Issue of Sex
Several folks have asked to guess the gender and weight of Baby Jeneric and who are we to deny our readers? As for guessing the birth date, we open this post for comments on the baby’s gender and weight.
The rules:
1. You must guess both a gender and a weight.
2. You may enter only once.
3. Guesses must be left in the comments to this post.
4. Entries must be received by 11:59 pm, October 21.
5. The winner will be the guess with (1) the correct gender and (2) the weight closest to Baby Jeneric’s.
To help you with the gender question, we’ve scoured the web for old wives tales and present the answers below.
1. The extra baby weight is being carried out front.
2. The baby is carrying low.
3. My feet are not any colder or warmer than before pregnancy.
4. I prefer the heel of a loaf of bread.
5. Eric is not gaining weight along with me.
6. I had morning sickness early in my pregnancy.
7. I am looking just fine during pregnancy (at least, that’s what everyone tells me. They could be fibbing).
8. I hung a thread with a needle over my belly and the thread moved in from side to side.
9. I have been craving sweets.
10. My nose has stayed the same.
11. I have been craving fruit.
12. The baby's heart rate is above 140 beats per minute.
13. I am not having headaches.
14. My abdomen looks like a basketball.
15. The baby generally kicks low and to the left.
The rules:
1. You must guess both a gender and a weight.
2. You may enter only once.
3. Guesses must be left in the comments to this post.
4. Entries must be received by 11:59 pm, October 21.
5. The winner will be the guess with (1) the correct gender and (2) the weight closest to Baby Jeneric’s.
To help you with the gender question, we’ve scoured the web for old wives tales and present the answers below.
1. The extra baby weight is being carried out front.
2. The baby is carrying low.
3. My feet are not any colder or warmer than before pregnancy.
4. I prefer the heel of a loaf of bread.
5. Eric is not gaining weight along with me.
6. I had morning sickness early in my pregnancy.
7. I am looking just fine during pregnancy (at least, that’s what everyone tells me. They could be fibbing).
8. I hung a thread with a needle over my belly and the thread moved in from side to side.
9. I have been craving sweets.
10. My nose has stayed the same.
11. I have been craving fruit.
12. The baby's heart rate is above 140 beats per minute.
13. I am not having headaches.
14. My abdomen looks like a basketball.
15. The baby generally kicks low and to the left.
Knitters are (K)nice
Every Monday for the past two years, Jenni heads to a local library to hang out with some knitters. We are loud and opinionated but love to help new knitters descend into fiber madness (we addicts are all the same).
This past Monday, the group surprised Jenni with a little, impromptu shower. There was lots of food and knitting and even a few gifts. No pictures of the actual party (it was a surprise! I didn’t bring my camera!), but here’s a shot of the thoughtful gifts.
This past Monday, the group surprised Jenni with a little, impromptu shower. There was lots of food and knitting and even a few gifts. No pictures of the actual party (it was a surprise! I didn’t bring my camera!), but here’s a shot of the thoughtful gifts.
Thursday, October 12, 2006
Who’s clothes are those?
Ever open “your” dryer at the Laundromat, only to find clothes you don’t recognize (three union suits in Vikings colors)?
I’m forgetful enough that occasionally I would pull the wrong door open, and stand gazing in confusion at the union suits. Today I took over the laundry from Jenni part way through the process. When I opened up the dryer door, out spilled a pile of tiny clothes. I had a brief flashback, and wondered where my clothes were. Then I tried to figure out why someone would break in to a house to do laundry.
Wonder what I’ll think the first time the baby wakes me in the night?
**Reminder! Get your guesses in for Baby Jeneric’s birth date and time by Friday, 11:59 pm EST**
I’m forgetful enough that occasionally I would pull the wrong door open, and stand gazing in confusion at the union suits. Today I took over the laundry from Jenni part way through the process. When I opened up the dryer door, out spilled a pile of tiny clothes. I had a brief flashback, and wondered where my clothes were. Then I tried to figure out why someone would break in to a house to do laundry.
Wonder what I’ll think the first time the baby wakes me in the night?
**Reminder! Get your guesses in for Baby Jeneric’s birth date and time by Friday, 11:59 pm EST**
Sunday, October 08, 2006
Pass the, hic!, Jack Daniels, please
It’s true. Baby Jeneric is a lush.
Or maybe Jenni’s the lush?
Actually, Baby Jeneric just happens to be displaying a normal hallmark of a healthy baby exercising his or her diaphragm – hiccups. For those not pregnant, they feel like a very rhythmic pulsing, almost like an absurdly strong heartbeat. They can last anywhere from one minute to 20 or 30 (especially in the evenings).
So bring on the margaritas! It’s almost time to party.
Don't forget to get your birth date and time guesses in. Friday is the deadline!
Or maybe Jenni’s the lush?
Actually, Baby Jeneric just happens to be displaying a normal hallmark of a healthy baby exercising his or her diaphragm – hiccups. For those not pregnant, they feel like a very rhythmic pulsing, almost like an absurdly strong heartbeat. They can last anywhere from one minute to 20 or 30 (especially in the evenings).
So bring on the margaritas! It’s almost time to party.
Don't forget to get your birth date and time guesses in. Friday is the deadline!
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
Birthday Pool
Gambling (even on-line) is illegal. However, there has been quite the clamoring for a contest to guess Baby Jeneric’s birthday and time. With one month to go before the official due-date, we open the comments for guessing Baby Jeneric’s exact birth date and birth time.
The rules:
1. You must guess both a date and a time.
2. You may enter only once.
3. Guesses must be left in the comments to this post.
4. Entries must be received by 11:59 pm, October 14.
5. The winner will be the guess closest to the actual birth date/time. Your guess might be a day early or late – if it’s the closet in terms of absolute time, you win.
6. Winner will be the sole recipient of the ability to tell Baby Jeneric the story about how they guessed his/her birth date. And if you’re really lucky, maybe we can throw in something extra, too!
The rules:
1. You must guess both a date and a time.
2. You may enter only once.
3. Guesses must be left in the comments to this post.
4. Entries must be received by 11:59 pm, October 14.
5. The winner will be the guess closest to the actual birth date/time. Your guess might be a day early or late – if it’s the closet in terms of absolute time, you win.
6. Winner will be the sole recipient of the ability to tell Baby Jeneric the story about how they guessed his/her birth date. And if you’re really lucky, maybe we can throw in something extra, too!
Saturday, September 30, 2006
The Quotable Lamaze Book
You can read all you want about the ‘miracle’ of birth, but there’s nothing like a class to make you giggle like a twelve year old. Our instructor is a spry old woman who’s been delivering babies for ever and who believes that proper breathing can fix just about anything (Eric’s testing the theory on a leaky pipe in the basement).
Much more amusing, however, is the booklet that accompanies the class – “The Gift of Motherhood: Your Personal Journey Through Prepared Childbirth.” The eerie, smiling drawings of women in labor, beginning on page 12, were our first clue that this booklet might be a little unusual. We've collected a few of the more amusing quotes to share:
Addressing the labor support person:
“Keep your strength up. Just do not eat in front of her!” (p 12)
“Note to Labor Support Person: Please do not eat any onions or other types of spicy foods that day…” (p 20) Note to Eric: If you do either of these, I’ll force the hospital food on you!
On page 34, there is a picture of a ketchup bottle and a mayonnaise bottle. We’ll leave it up to you to figure out why.
Cutting the umbilical cord is trendy these days, and…
“Don’t worry, the doctor won’t let them cut off something that is not supposed to be cut off!” (p 43) These are words no mother-to-be should read or hear.
Regarding labor:
“There is no turning back!” (p 46) Then this isn’t an elective procedure?
“Hiccuping, belching and passing gas. How lovely!” (p 50) Sarcasm brought to you by the Catholic Church.
“Do not let anyone tell you that labor does not hurt if you breathe and relax properly. You will want to hunt them down after having your baby.” (p 54) Again, this from a hospital affiliated with the Catholic Church??
What the baby looks like:
“Oh no, my baby has a cone head!” (p 64) Mm. Yes. This is common among earthling young ones.
Feeding your newborn:
“The football hold.” (p 95) This position is typically used by breast-feeding fathers.
“You are now a DAD!” (p 104) That didn’t happen when the baby was born? Huh, we had no idea it was linked to feeding.
Caring for baby:
“The first week at home as a new mom is great. You are catered to every step of the way. Your friends and family are there to help you with meals, cleaning and anything else you want or need.” (p 109) Excellent! We have some pipes in the basement that need replacing and I’d really love to have a sauna out back. Let’s get cracking, folks!
Much more amusing, however, is the booklet that accompanies the class – “The Gift of Motherhood: Your Personal Journey Through Prepared Childbirth.” The eerie, smiling drawings of women in labor, beginning on page 12, were our first clue that this booklet might be a little unusual. We've collected a few of the more amusing quotes to share:
Addressing the labor support person:
“Keep your strength up. Just do not eat in front of her!” (p 12)
“Note to Labor Support Person: Please do not eat any onions or other types of spicy foods that day…” (p 20) Note to Eric: If you do either of these, I’ll force the hospital food on you!
On page 34, there is a picture of a ketchup bottle and a mayonnaise bottle. We’ll leave it up to you to figure out why.
Cutting the umbilical cord is trendy these days, and…
“Don’t worry, the doctor won’t let them cut off something that is not supposed to be cut off!” (p 43) These are words no mother-to-be should read or hear.
Regarding labor:
“There is no turning back!” (p 46) Then this isn’t an elective procedure?
“Hiccuping, belching and passing gas. How lovely!” (p 50) Sarcasm brought to you by the Catholic Church.
“Do not let anyone tell you that labor does not hurt if you breathe and relax properly. You will want to hunt them down after having your baby.” (p 54) Again, this from a hospital affiliated with the Catholic Church??
What the baby looks like:
“Oh no, my baby has a cone head!” (p 64) Mm. Yes. This is common among earthling young ones.
Feeding your newborn:
“The football hold.” (p 95) This position is typically used by breast-feeding fathers.
“You are now a DAD!” (p 104) That didn’t happen when the baby was born? Huh, we had no idea it was linked to feeding.
Caring for baby:
“The first week at home as a new mom is great. You are catered to every step of the way. Your friends and family are there to help you with meals, cleaning and anything else you want or need.” (p 109) Excellent! We have some pipes in the basement that need replacing and I’d really love to have a sauna out back. Let’s get cracking, folks!
Saturday, September 23, 2006
Eewie, Stewie
If, by chance, you haven’t been keeping current with the comments on this blog, there has been clamoring by many that, while in utero, Baby Jeneric be called Stewie. We will overlook the fact that we had already named the fetus Baby Jeneric to address the Stewie faction. For those who are a little lost, Stewie is an animated character from a tv show Wily Jeneric has never watched (although we know the premise).
Our concerns include:
1. Stewie is an evil genius. Why must all geniuses be evil (see the Brain or Dr. Evil)? We assure you that Baby Jeneric will be a kind, do-gooding sort of genius who helps old women cross the street and retrieves kittens from trees.
2. Stewie wears disposable diapers. How can a character who uses the phrase ‘cursed ovarian Bastille’ not be potty trained?
3. Stewie’s number one enemy is his mother. Look, this parenting gig is going to be difficult enough; let’s hope Baby Jeneric is not also interested in assassinating his/her mother!
Our concerns include:
1. Stewie is an evil genius. Why must all geniuses be evil (see the Brain or Dr. Evil)? We assure you that Baby Jeneric will be a kind, do-gooding sort of genius who helps old women cross the street and retrieves kittens from trees.
2. Stewie wears disposable diapers. How can a character who uses the phrase ‘cursed ovarian Bastille’ not be potty trained?
3. Stewie’s number one enemy is his mother. Look, this parenting gig is going to be difficult enough; let’s hope Baby Jeneric is not also interested in assassinating his/her mother!
Monday, September 18, 2006
Decorating with Two Nerds
While the average college graduate can live for months in a sterile white apartment, babies require a bit more visual stimulation. The nursery walls are a lovely yellow, but babies don’t really see/like yellow until they’re nearly a year old. Clearly, we need some wall art. But we are nerds. Our house is a theme-less hodge podge, highlighting our love of nature, science and fiber (if Ansel Adams had taken a photograph of a fractal made from yarn, we’d probably own it). Is this a suitable decorating scheme for a baby? You be the judge – below are our first two decorating finds.
On Saturday we snagged a window bird feeder and some birdseed.
Sunday we strolled the Highland Park Street Fair and picked up some alphabet cards.
Bb
Birds can fly.
Nn
This Nest has two eggs.
Oo
Owls like the night.
Of the 26 cards, 12 are animal themed and of those 12, three are bird themed. Coincidence? Probably! Check back in 2010 to see if Baby Jeneric is the next Audubon or Sibley.
On Saturday we snagged a window bird feeder and some birdseed.
Sunday we strolled the Highland Park Street Fair and picked up some alphabet cards.
Bb
Birds can fly.
Nn
This Nest has two eggs.
Oo
Owls like the night.
Of the 26 cards, 12 are animal themed and of those 12, three are bird themed. Coincidence? Probably! Check back in 2010 to see if Baby Jeneric is the next Audubon or Sibley.
Friday, September 15, 2006
Into the Closet
It is mid-September and we are proud to say that we have finished the closet.
Jenni takes no credit for the beauty that is the closet (all she did was hang some clothes). Eric wiled away countless hours scraping, steaming, patching and painting. A hefty round of applause, please, for Eric the handyman.
Jenni takes no credit for the beauty that is the closet (all she did was hang some clothes). Eric wiled away countless hours scraping, steaming, patching and painting. A hefty round of applause, please, for Eric the handyman.
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
All is revealed
Ah, What in the World?
It’s our crib! Yes, Baby Jeneric will not have to spend the first weeks of their life in a laundry basket, dresser drawer or cardboard box. Indeed, as some would say, our nursery is all but complete (What’s missing? Baby Jeneric of course!). Congrats (and Happy Birthday) to Teresa who was first on the bandwagon to name the slat as a part of the crib.
In other revealing news, it appears that the life jacket…
still fits! This brings us to our first quandary. We were grossly unclear in denoting how we would determine the contest winner (does Springob automatically win? Could Greg still win?). We will continue trying on the vest and make an executive decision in the near future.
Finally, Wily Jeneric has begun baby classes, or, as we affectionately call them: “how not to harm or maim your new baby in the first weeks of their life.” So far, we’ve learned all the disgusting things that are completely normal for a newborn (peeling skin, purple belly buttons, marked faces, etc) and things that are not normal (projectile vomiting, one diaper a day, blood). We’ve discovered what’s essential for baby (food, car seat, crib) and what’s not (sleep positioners, special bottles, baby wipes). Eric has been faced with a difficult decision – should he want to clamp the umbilical cord (if you know Eric, you understand the dilemma)? And Jenni continues to face the shock and awe that ensues when she confirms her desire for a drug-free birth.
It’s our crib! Yes, Baby Jeneric will not have to spend the first weeks of their life in a laundry basket, dresser drawer or cardboard box. Indeed, as some would say, our nursery is all but complete (What’s missing? Baby Jeneric of course!). Congrats (and Happy Birthday) to Teresa who was first on the bandwagon to name the slat as a part of the crib.
In other revealing news, it appears that the life jacket…
still fits! This brings us to our first quandary. We were grossly unclear in denoting how we would determine the contest winner (does Springob automatically win? Could Greg still win?). We will continue trying on the vest and make an executive decision in the near future.
Finally, Wily Jeneric has begun baby classes, or, as we affectionately call them: “how not to harm or maim your new baby in the first weeks of their life.” So far, we’ve learned all the disgusting things that are completely normal for a newborn (peeling skin, purple belly buttons, marked faces, etc) and things that are not normal (projectile vomiting, one diaper a day, blood). We’ve discovered what’s essential for baby (food, car seat, crib) and what’s not (sleep positioners, special bottles, baby wipes). Eric has been faced with a difficult decision – should he want to clamp the umbilical cord (if you know Eric, you understand the dilemma)? And Jenni continues to face the shock and awe that ensues when she confirms her desire for a drug-free birth.
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
Monday, September 04, 2006
Happy Labor (less) Day!
Jenni continues to get rounder and the life vest continues to fit.
This means that the Great Life Vest Contest is down to two: G^2, with a guess of September 9 and Springob with a guess of November 3.
Consolation prizes go to Gelfling, Great Grandma Yvonne, Priscilla , Ry4an, and Teresa.
This means that the Great Life Vest Contest is down to two: G^2, with a guess of September 9 and Springob with a guess of November 3.
Consolation prizes go to Gelfling, Great Grandma Yvonne, Priscilla , Ry4an, and Teresa.
Friday, August 25, 2006
Pop Quiz – answers revealed
1. At 29 weeks, Baby Jeneric most resembles a:
a. Baby. We've posted several ultrasound photos - do you need your eyes examined?
2. At 29 weeks, the activity of Baby Jeneric could be summarized as:
a. A one-person polo match, complete with horses.
3. Jenni’s belly button has:
b. Not popped.
4. The life vest:
a. Fits.
c. Who cares? I already lost out on this contest anyway.
In a show of sympathy, depending on who you are, we would accept either of these answers.
5. Eric enjoys talking to the baby. The baby responds by:
b. Going crazy and stomping all over the place.
For those of you who chose other answers, let us introduce ourselves. We are Wily Jeneric with a genetic disposition to read that will only grow stronger in our offspring. The baby loves books! (trivia: first book read to Baby Jeneric was… Lost in the Woods.)
6. Is Baby Jeneric’s room ready?
d. Hah! There are things that Wily Jeneric has no control over and the room will be finished who-knows-when.
The closet is on track to be completed within the week. What we are missing is a crib and changing table. Ahem. They were ordered in June (so it’s not like we just forgot about it!).
7. There are a lot of things Jenni can’t do, now that she’s 29 weeks pregnant. What does she miss the most?
d. Seeing her ankles. Yes, she can bend over that far, but the swelling has been pretty constant since month 5. The doctor says it’s normal but that’s hardly comforting. Will they ever return??
8. There are a lot things Eric has to do, now that Jenni’s 29 weeks pregnant. What new task does he enjoy the most?
c. Gardening. Eric has a new-found love for pulling clover. We hear this might be genetic.
9. Wily Jeneric has two cats. How do they feel about the impending new human?
a. They don’t know and don’t care.
Seriously. Jenni might be a little clumsier, with a big belly, but for the most part they are supremely oblivious.
10. Which blog comment has disturbed us the most?
a. Are groundhogs red meat?
b. I’m not sure about groundhogs, but squirrel meat is like pork in color.
c. I think this situation calls for landmines.
d. You should eat the groundhog.
All of the above. Who are you people? And why the fascination with eating and/or blowing up groundhogs? Wily Jeneric will have to be careful where we eat.
Bonus Question
When Wily Jeneric told friends and family of the impending Baby, the reactions were varied. Who had the best reaction?
e. Friend Nina who thought the first ultrasound photos were obviously faked and wouldn’t believe Jenni until a third party confirmed the story.
While all of the reactions were fabulous (and will be told to Baby Jeneric repeatedly until they say, aw, Mom/Dad, I’ve heard that a zillion times), Nina reigns supreme as being the only person to require confirmation from an independent source.
And the high score was earned by:
Priscilla, with Bruce coming in a close second. However, as an educator, I must point out that with a high score of 50%, none of you passed (this isn’t organic chemistry where a 42 is an A). Tsk, tsk. No prizes this round. Try harder next time!
a. Baby. We've posted several ultrasound photos - do you need your eyes examined?
2. At 29 weeks, the activity of Baby Jeneric could be summarized as:
a. A one-person polo match, complete with horses.
3. Jenni’s belly button has:
b. Not popped.
4. The life vest:
a. Fits.
c. Who cares? I already lost out on this contest anyway.
In a show of sympathy, depending on who you are, we would accept either of these answers.
5. Eric enjoys talking to the baby. The baby responds by:
b. Going crazy and stomping all over the place.
For those of you who chose other answers, let us introduce ourselves. We are Wily Jeneric with a genetic disposition to read that will only grow stronger in our offspring. The baby loves books! (trivia: first book read to Baby Jeneric was… Lost in the Woods.)
6. Is Baby Jeneric’s room ready?
d. Hah! There are things that Wily Jeneric has no control over and the room will be finished who-knows-when.
The closet is on track to be completed within the week. What we are missing is a crib and changing table. Ahem. They were ordered in June (so it’s not like we just forgot about it!).
7. There are a lot of things Jenni can’t do, now that she’s 29 weeks pregnant. What does she miss the most?
d. Seeing her ankles. Yes, she can bend over that far, but the swelling has been pretty constant since month 5. The doctor says it’s normal but that’s hardly comforting. Will they ever return??
8. There are a lot things Eric has to do, now that Jenni’s 29 weeks pregnant. What new task does he enjoy the most?
c. Gardening. Eric has a new-found love for pulling clover. We hear this might be genetic.
9. Wily Jeneric has two cats. How do they feel about the impending new human?
a. They don’t know and don’t care.
Seriously. Jenni might be a little clumsier, with a big belly, but for the most part they are supremely oblivious.
10. Which blog comment has disturbed us the most?
a. Are groundhogs red meat?
b. I’m not sure about groundhogs, but squirrel meat is like pork in color.
c. I think this situation calls for landmines.
d. You should eat the groundhog.
All of the above. Who are you people? And why the fascination with eating and/or blowing up groundhogs? Wily Jeneric will have to be careful where we eat.
Bonus Question
When Wily Jeneric told friends and family of the impending Baby, the reactions were varied. Who had the best reaction?
e. Friend Nina who thought the first ultrasound photos were obviously faked and wouldn’t believe Jenni until a third party confirmed the story.
While all of the reactions were fabulous (and will be told to Baby Jeneric repeatedly until they say, aw, Mom/Dad, I’ve heard that a zillion times), Nina reigns supreme as being the only person to require confirmation from an independent source.
And the high score was earned by:
Priscilla, with Bruce coming in a close second. However, as an educator, I must point out that with a high score of 50%, none of you passed (this isn’t organic chemistry where a 42 is an A). Tsk, tsk. No prizes this round. Try harder next time!
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
News Flash!
Hi ho, all, Jenni the frog here, reporting from Wily Jeneric’s backyard with some astounding news.
In an unexpected twist of fate, it has become alarmingly clear that mosquitoes do in fact like to prey on pregnant women. Early rising mosquitoes (those that emerge around 7 pm – well before the usual mosquito hunting time) are by far the most fiendish, munching happily on the pregnant Jenni. Later emerging mosquitoes, however, continue to ignore Jenni and preferentially feed on Eric (this could be due, in part, to the fact that the early mosquito breed drives Jenni indoors and she has yet to stay outside long enough to find out if the later mosquitoes will bite).
In unrelated news, quiz taking continues. There is as yet, no perfect store. Keep burning the midnight oil and we’ll be sure to post the answers real soon!
UPDATE: A little internet research reveals that we are not crazy! This mosquito that seems to love Jenni is a non-native species (Aedes albopictus) imported from Japan via stagnant water in used tires. It was first found in Houston, Texas in 1985. It has since migrated to 26 states in the continental US (it had already been found in Hawaii). Most importantly, this Asian mosquito is... a DAYTIME FEEDER. Peak feeding for this bug are in the early morning and late afternoon.
In an unexpected twist of fate, it has become alarmingly clear that mosquitoes do in fact like to prey on pregnant women. Early rising mosquitoes (those that emerge around 7 pm – well before the usual mosquito hunting time) are by far the most fiendish, munching happily on the pregnant Jenni. Later emerging mosquitoes, however, continue to ignore Jenni and preferentially feed on Eric (this could be due, in part, to the fact that the early mosquito breed drives Jenni indoors and she has yet to stay outside long enough to find out if the later mosquitoes will bite).
In unrelated news, quiz taking continues. There is as yet, no perfect store. Keep burning the midnight oil and we’ll be sure to post the answers real soon!
UPDATE: A little internet research reveals that we are not crazy! This mosquito that seems to love Jenni is a non-native species (Aedes albopictus) imported from Japan via stagnant water in used tires. It was first found in Houston, Texas in 1985. It has since migrated to 26 states in the continental US (it had already been found in Hawaii). Most importantly, this Asian mosquito is... a DAYTIME FEEDER. Peak feeding for this bug are in the early morning and late afternoon.
Friday, August 18, 2006
Pop Quiz!
Break out your trusty number 2 pencils! It’s time for a Baby Jeneric quiz. Don’t worry – it’s multiple-choice. You have 10 minutes – go!
1. At 29 weeks, Baby Jeneric most resembles a:
a. Baby.
b. Kangaroo.
c. Midget alien with 63 feet.
d. Yellow squash.
2. At 29 weeks, the activity of Baby Jeneric could be summarized as:
a. A one-person polo match, complete with horses.
b. Dancing with the stars auditions.
c. An episode of Murder, She Wrote.
d. All of the above.
e. None of the above.
f. Choice a and b.
g. Choice b and c.
h. Choice a and c.
3. Jenni’s belly button has:
a. Popped.
b. Not popped.
c. Disappeared completely, making us wonder if she is an alien being.
4. The life vest:
a. Fits.
b. Does not fit.
c. Who cares? I already lost out on this contest anyway.
5. Eric enjoys talking to the baby. The baby responds by:
a. Ignoring Eric and continuing to sleep.
b. Going crazy and stomping all over the place.
c. Panicking and crying.
6. Is Baby Jeneric’s room ready?
a. Yes, of course!
b. Are you kidding? Have they even figured out which room is for the baby?
c. No, but it’s close. A few final touches is all that’s left.
d. Hah! There are things that Wily Jeneric has no control over and the room will be finished who-knows-when.
7. There are a lot of things Jenni can’t do, now that she’s 29 weeks pregnant. What does she miss the most?
a. Cleaning the house. Really, who knew you could miss not being able to lug a vacuum up and down stairs?
b. Cleaning the kitty litter.
c. Gardening. To be fair, Jenni can garden, but she has to wear gloves, which she hates to do.
d. Seeing her ankles. Yes, she can bend over that far, but the swelling has been pretty constant since month 5.
8. There are a lot things Eric has to do, now that Jenni’s 29 weeks pregnant. What new task does he enjoy the most?
a. Cleaning the house. Vacuuming can be so liberating.
b. Cleaning the kitty litter. The cats have started to love Eric the most.
c. Gardening. Eric has a new-found love for pulling clover. We hear this might be genetic.
d. Grocery shopping. Between morning sickness and swollen ankles, Eric’s come to know and love our local Wegman’s. Can you say free-sample Sundays?
9. Wily Jeneric has two cats. How do they feel about the impending new human?
a. They don’t know and don’t care.
b. They are alarmed at how Jenni’s belly moves and don’t enjoy being kicked by an unknown entity.
c. A new human? Will they give us milk??
d. A new human? Will it let us outside??
10. Which blog comment has disturbed us the most?
a. Are groundhogs red meat?
b. I’m not sure about groundhogs, but squirrel meat is like pork in color.
c. I think this situation calls for landmines.
d. You should eat the groundhog.
Bonus Question
When Wily Jeneric told friends and family of the impending Baby, the reactions were varied. Who had the best reaction?
a. Jenni’s Mom, who didn’t understand and couldn’t believe what we were saying, but cried anyway.
b. Eric’s Mom, who first guessed that the thing she wanted most was a trip to Hawaii, then realized a grandchild would be better and burst into tears.
c. Friend Mark, who thought Jenni had visited an alien museum and was using souvenirs to pull a prank on him.
d. Friend Greg who immediately asked that the baby be named after him.
e. Friend Nina who thought the first ultrasound photos were obviously faked and wouldn’t believe Jenni until a third party confirmed the story.
1. At 29 weeks, Baby Jeneric most resembles a:
a. Baby.
b. Kangaroo.
c. Midget alien with 63 feet.
d. Yellow squash.
2. At 29 weeks, the activity of Baby Jeneric could be summarized as:
a. A one-person polo match, complete with horses.
b. Dancing with the stars auditions.
c. An episode of Murder, She Wrote.
d. All of the above.
e. None of the above.
f. Choice a and b.
g. Choice b and c.
h. Choice a and c.
3. Jenni’s belly button has:
a. Popped.
b. Not popped.
c. Disappeared completely, making us wonder if she is an alien being.
4. The life vest:
a. Fits.
b. Does not fit.
c. Who cares? I already lost out on this contest anyway.
5. Eric enjoys talking to the baby. The baby responds by:
a. Ignoring Eric and continuing to sleep.
b. Going crazy and stomping all over the place.
c. Panicking and crying.
6. Is Baby Jeneric’s room ready?
a. Yes, of course!
b. Are you kidding? Have they even figured out which room is for the baby?
c. No, but it’s close. A few final touches is all that’s left.
d. Hah! There are things that Wily Jeneric has no control over and the room will be finished who-knows-when.
7. There are a lot of things Jenni can’t do, now that she’s 29 weeks pregnant. What does she miss the most?
a. Cleaning the house. Really, who knew you could miss not being able to lug a vacuum up and down stairs?
b. Cleaning the kitty litter.
c. Gardening. To be fair, Jenni can garden, but she has to wear gloves, which she hates to do.
d. Seeing her ankles. Yes, she can bend over that far, but the swelling has been pretty constant since month 5.
8. There are a lot things Eric has to do, now that Jenni’s 29 weeks pregnant. What new task does he enjoy the most?
a. Cleaning the house. Vacuuming can be so liberating.
b. Cleaning the kitty litter. The cats have started to love Eric the most.
c. Gardening. Eric has a new-found love for pulling clover. We hear this might be genetic.
d. Grocery shopping. Between morning sickness and swollen ankles, Eric’s come to know and love our local Wegman’s. Can you say free-sample Sundays?
9. Wily Jeneric has two cats. How do they feel about the impending new human?
a. They don’t know and don’t care.
b. They are alarmed at how Jenni’s belly moves and don’t enjoy being kicked by an unknown entity.
c. A new human? Will they give us milk??
d. A new human? Will it let us outside??
10. Which blog comment has disturbed us the most?
a. Are groundhogs red meat?
b. I’m not sure about groundhogs, but squirrel meat is like pork in color.
c. I think this situation calls for landmines.
d. You should eat the groundhog.
Bonus Question
When Wily Jeneric told friends and family of the impending Baby, the reactions were varied. Who had the best reaction?
a. Jenni’s Mom, who didn’t understand and couldn’t believe what we were saying, but cried anyway.
b. Eric’s Mom, who first guessed that the thing she wanted most was a trip to Hawaii, then realized a grandchild would be better and burst into tears.
c. Friend Mark, who thought Jenni had visited an alien museum and was using souvenirs to pull a prank on him.
d. Friend Greg who immediately asked that the baby be named after him.
e. Friend Nina who thought the first ultrasound photos were obviously faked and wouldn’t believe Jenni until a third party confirmed the story.
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Gus: 4; Wily Jeneric: 1???
We have learned something important about the species Marmota monax: they are opportunists who never take vacations. While we were relaxing in southern Minnesota, Gus (or a Gus imposter) was making his way across treacherous highways, through random backyards in order to return to his beloved home with Wily Jeneric. Or so we think.
See, we haven’t actually seen Gus (or his imposter) nor have we seen much evidence of his presence. The cucumbers continue to grow (even though we know they will not bloom for a harvest this year), the broccoli still looks crummy (despite such a promising start!), the leeks have not been touched, in short – the garden looks pretty darn good.
We do know that someone has taken up residence (yet again) under our house.
Is it Gus? A friend of Gus? Perhaps a skunk or possum? Whoever it is, rest assured that the battle will begin, just as soon as we figure out who we’re battling.
Until then, Baby Jeneric will have to rely on local farm markets for fresh vegetables (see the link between Gus and Baby Jeneric? Gus was literally taking food from the mouths of babes).
See, we haven’t actually seen Gus (or his imposter) nor have we seen much evidence of his presence. The cucumbers continue to grow (even though we know they will not bloom for a harvest this year), the broccoli still looks crummy (despite such a promising start!), the leeks have not been touched, in short – the garden looks pretty darn good.
We do know that someone has taken up residence (yet again) under our house.
Is it Gus? A friend of Gus? Perhaps a skunk or possum? Whoever it is, rest assured that the battle will begin, just as soon as we figure out who we’re battling.
Until then, Baby Jeneric will have to rely on local farm markets for fresh vegetables (see the link between Gus and Baby Jeneric? Gus was literally taking food from the mouths of babes).
Friday, August 11, 2006
Heirloomed
We just returned from visiting family and friends in Minnesota, where the weather was cooler (80 °F not 100+!).
Eric’s Mom is an amazing saver of family heirlooms – including baby items. Pictured below, we have Eric’s baby blanket made for him by his (great) Aunt Eileen. It was clearly well-loved, as we need to do some minor repair work around the edges. The plaid blanket belonged to Eric’s Mom. She remembers sledding with it – wonder if we can recreate that picture here in New Jersey (global warming not withstanding)? The third blanket was used by all three Momsen children – and is in amazing shape for that kind of use!
We also have an assortment of baby socks, hand-knit booties, a pair of mittens, and a pair of booties that Eric’s Mom wore – how cute are they?
The piece de resistance? A sleeper knit by Eric’s Grandmother Margaret.
Finally, it is clear the baby will inherit Wily Jeneric’s love of books.
Eric’s brother and his fiancée found this photographic gem for Baby Jeneric. Merci!
Eric’s Mom is an amazing saver of family heirlooms – including baby items. Pictured below, we have Eric’s baby blanket made for him by his (great) Aunt Eileen. It was clearly well-loved, as we need to do some minor repair work around the edges. The plaid blanket belonged to Eric’s Mom. She remembers sledding with it – wonder if we can recreate that picture here in New Jersey (global warming not withstanding)? The third blanket was used by all three Momsen children – and is in amazing shape for that kind of use!
We also have an assortment of baby socks, hand-knit booties, a pair of mittens, and a pair of booties that Eric’s Mom wore – how cute are they?
The piece de resistance? A sleeper knit by Eric’s Grandmother Margaret.
Finally, it is clear the baby will inherit Wily Jeneric’s love of books.
Eric’s brother and his fiancée found this photographic gem for Baby Jeneric. Merci!
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