Sunday, March 25, 2012

Saturday, March 24, 2012

Guten Tag!

Congratulations to me! I made it to 5am today! Went to bed a little after midnight, but overall that's still longer than my typical night.
And thanks to Pooh for putting up with my sudden neediness and talking absolute nonsense with me rather than reading the book that you are loving so much.
I'm having a pretty good time recently. I'm dilated to a 2, so this kid's not going anywhere anytime soon which relieves my mother greatly while simultaneously putting me at ease/on edge. How nice, he's waiting for Mamere and BabaLou. But what if he comes late? What will I do?
I know, I know, he'll come in his own time and there's nothing I can do about it so there's no sense stressing, but let's face it: this is me we're talking about. I can manage to stress and be totally chill about something at once. 
I know, I'm awesome.
I've started thanking Rodrigo for moving. I didn't really notice I was doing it until last night while hanging out with people rather than laundry. He's still squirmy, it's just slightly more sluggish, and that's most likely because he's got very little room left in there, but that doesn't mean that when I feel him move I don't feel a rush of relief every time.
I was approached at Walmart by a sweet old lady who asked me if I was having a boy. She never said how she knew, but I think we all know.
Today is gonna be awesome! Pooh and I are babysitting this morning for friends who're going to see Hunger Games, later this evening we're making an appearance at my mission reunion and providing rice and kimchi stew, then skedaddling to our turn to see Hunger Games with family. It's going to be a great day.
It occurs to me now to wonder why I wanted to see the movie so bad before Rodrigo came. I've read the books, so I know how it ends. It's not like I'm going to hear any spoilers from anyone before it came out on DVD. We have been looking for an excuse to use our tickets, but we could've maybe saved them for a future well-deserved date night out on the town with a babysitter at home... 
Oh well. You live and learn.
Pooh has accused me of being a baby hoarder. On the phone to my mom yesterday he told her I'm refusing to share. She said it's an oldest child trait. I reminded her shortly after that it's also a youngest trait, so good luck to her getting to hold her new grandbaby between the two of us.
Alright. Time to try and catch a short nap before babysitting. Wish me luck!

Friday, March 23, 2012

This Is Not The Post You Are Looking For...

Every time I see a name brand advertising another name brand (Heinz vinegar and PAAS egg dye) I can't help but get all paranoid: they're in cahoots! Probably even part of the same company!
Warning: Super long critique post. Read at your own risk.
Good morning, again! 2 am seems to be a magical hour for me lately. Creative/critical juices flowing, etc. I knew I wanted to blog, but then didn't know what to write about, until I visited ksl.com and took a gander at this article. It was purely on a whim that I read it, as I've actually been looking for news about new legislation that recently passed making Utah educators' pay performance based - but that's another story which I will tell when I can find anything more recent than last year about it. Conspiracies! Conspiracies everywhere!
Ahem. Right.
The title of the article asks if Hunger Games is worse than Twilight, comparing the protagonists' passivity and in the case of Katniss, her need to play a part to achieve her goals.
First, I didn't see anywhere in the article validation for the title. I mean, throughout the article you can tell he doesn't approve of the Twilight vs. Hunger Games mania, but doesn't craft an argument that would sway anyone to either side, really. Even if one were to agree wholeheartedly with the author, he doesn't manage to prove or disprove "better for teenaged girls" quality in the books. He doesn't actually even pretend to validate arguing for the sake of arguing with a wrap-up line like this: "All in all close look at Katniss' story and actions shows that The Hunger Games probably provides a slightly better example than Twilight, but by how much is unclear." Talk about a passive conclusion. My high school English teacher would've shot that one dead (a-cursed red pen!) even without the obvious lacking word and grammar.
Speaking of passive, he then goes on to address the fact that from the beginning, Peeta and Haymitch are in league trying to protect her. This is all done without her knowledge. A big part of the love story involves the fact that she is completely unaware of Peeta's feelings for her. But more importantly, is that what that is? Is having people who care about you working towards your good without your knowledge an example of your passive nature? 
Then there's the treatment she receives after becoming a tribute that is attacked. Everything is put on by the Capitol which sees the Hunger Games as just that: games. The way I best thought of it is it's like being on Survivor, or the Bachelor/ette, or even American Idol - only deadly. Especially since there's a portion where the audience is directly involved (the "gifts" and judges' placements - so probably more American Idol than the others, but you get my point). You WANT to win their hearts to receive their aid, and since there's really only so far you can get on your own (America, text 5552 to vote to keep this contestant!), you have to win them over by acting a part. "If you're not lying, you're dying" to rearrange the phrase. Exploiting back stories is also a trademark of reality TV, and that's exactly what these games are. And remember, in her case it's her life at stake, not a shot at a million dollar recording contract.
Then of course, yes, she is used as a pawn. Her behavior basically highlights her to the Resistance as the perfect face for their subtle campaign. Again, did she even know there was a resistance? Was she aware that doing what she felt was right in extreme situations would elevate her to such a status?
As for the social media attack ("It's possible to change the world, to make things better, but only if you have a cute, fashion-centric and cleverly constructed media campaign.") Um, hello? This is true NOW! (*cough*KONY 2012*cough*) Why wouldn't it be even more so in a morally corrupt, post-apocalyptic society?
And finally, the most nit-picky part(s) of my critique are his lack of pre-post editing and straying from his area of expertise. There were several occasions of re-reading a sentence thinking my sleep deprived brain was playing tricks on me only to see that, no, there weren't enough words in that sentence for it to make sense. I may do that once in a while despite my proofing, but this is for "the news" and maybe should be given a little more attention.
Then, he's the writer and manager for the science section. So, why should I care what he thinks about teen lit? Especially when it's got nothing to do with the science?
Anyway, to wrap up, I obviously think there's really no comparison between "Bella passivity" and "Katniss passivity", but that doesn't mean that I think either protagonist deserves role model status. I'm much more a fan of "Team Real People" like Florence Nightingale, Marie Curie, Esther, Rosa Parks, Molly Pitcher, etc. for a few women, Ghandi, the Buddha, Christ, John Muir, Andrew Carnegie, etc. for a few men.
Forgive the randomness of the list. It's early. 
And of course, they're all real people so they're not real perfect (with one obvious exception), which actually makes them better role models in my mind.
So when people ask my kids who they want to be like when they grow up, I hope I've taught them that people who've actually overcome obstacles, changed themselves and others around them, taught others a better way, or effectively changed their world - these are the people to look up to, and I hope these are the people my children talk about.
Heaven forbid they ever say they want to be like me! 
Unless, of course, I turn out awesome.

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

I Should Totally Post A Picture With This...

But I don't feel like getting dressed to do so.
That's right, kids! Happy 2 am! I'm sitting here sleepless and in my PJ's wondering how on earth I can be so close to my delivery date?! After all this time, it really approaches.
Kids, I seriously don't remember what it was like to not have a moderately sized watermelon in my pants. I'm kind of excited to find out.
Pooh and I went to our chiropractic appointment(s) today and when we were scheduling for next time, realized that his next visit will be our Rodrigo's due date. So we all agreed that particular appointment would be tentative. Even though Pooh's still gunning for this Saturday.
He did the math: if I have the baby this weekend, he gets 17 consecutive days off of school while only having to take 7 sick days. Of course, when he started this explanation with "it'd really be great for me if you could have the baby on the night of the 23rd because..." I pretty much tuned him out. It was all in jest, of course (as definitely evidenced by the request for a 3 hour labor), but I wasn't going to listen seriously, anyway. Just in case my hormones got the better of me and decided to make my mouth retaliate without consulting my brain OR my heart.
Is it weird that I'm starting to get more excited to see family than to go through the pains of labor and getting this kid out? Maybe it's also related to the inability to remember life before parasitic infection? A parasite that I will love and adore, of course, but seriously, he's making me eat just about everything in sight. And overstaying his welcome...

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Today - Erm -Yesterday's Activities

Off to a slow start what with insomnia and attempted recovery (really, HOW am I going to be pregnant again with a kid?), but when I finally got going, MAN did I ever!
Finished with the baby clothes - which took longer than anticipated as something was especially fuzzy in one load and I couldn't get the fuzzies off any other way than re-washing the whole load. Boo. But they're all cleaned, folded, and put away now. Just awaiting a little man to put them in...
Cleaned out the bottom of the closet and some of the hanging clothes. Some that I hadn't worn in SO long that it was kind of ridiculous to hold on to them. Not much, though. I've got to have something to wear when I deflate, right?
Pulled down all the curtains and washed them. They're still sitting in the dryer. They were the last thing to go into the washer, after all the baby clothes, our clothes, and some towels, so I don't feel bad about leaving them to run through a fluff cycle tomorrow. I mean, today. 
Whatever.
Dishes were done. Some of them, anyway. Bedroom was cleaned up quite a bit. Ooh, dresser top was cleaned off and the changing station established there. Drawers were rearranged, socks sorted through (I have ALOT of socks. Really. It was quite horrifying).
I feel like more was done, especially since I was pretty wiped out once the nesting instinct left me (just after Pooh got home). 
It was such a beautiful day for it, too! Near 70 degrees outside and sunny and DEFINITELY throw the door and all the windows open weather!
Yay for Spring! And Spring cleaning/nesting coinciding. This is gonna be awesome!

Baby Shower Pictures!

First of all, the food was AWESOME! And Pooh had made some of his famous brownkies, with mini Reese's peanut butter cups in the middles. SO yummy!

This is The Megan's favorite picture of me from the day. I must say I think I look... interesting... But it is a good shot.

This cute little number elicited a small squeal of excitement from Pooh when we washed all the baby clothes this past weekend. Tiny overalls will do that to a man.

A book of advice, given by a beloved cousin-in-law. As you can tell, it's chalk full of hilariousness. There's another picture of me making a face that I didn't know I inherited from my mother, but it looks MUCH better on her than it does me, so the giggling like an idiot face is the one you get.

Baby bow tie! It's kinda fuzzy, but it's a soft brown with pastel polka dots and just about the cutest thing I think I've ever seen. I cannot WAIT to put it on him!

And then the babies that made their appearances! Benson is the little man of Britney who made the bow tie. She was inspired to do so while making some for her own little man and future little man #2. I love this kid. His mom and I would go walking in the mornings together and he would stare at me. We thought it was hilarious.

Azucena, my future daughter-in-law. She's so adorable! She also used to stare at me, but now we smile and giggle at each other. Sometimes she evens gets a shy grin on. I like to think it's because she's excited to meet her Mr. Me too, kiddo. Me too.

Camden! Son of my former roommate and bundle of adorableness that I got to practice being a mom with for like, 15 minutes. He sat on my lap while I ate so his dear mother could get a minute to eat herself. I pretty much forced her to let me. We had good times, him trying to eat my apple slices, me not letting him. Good times.
So, there's the highlights of the day. I got to be on the receiving end of so much generosity and love and it was such a wonderful day! I mentioned before how surprised I was so many people showed up, and it made me feel so special. I can't wait to return the favors!



Saturday, March 10, 2012

Adaptations And Such That Aren't Exactly Happening

So, my stomach has more pressure on it than it ever has; something I'd been led to believe wouldn't necessarily be a problem since I was carrying low in the first place, and then Rodrigo dropped. By all rights, I should still be able to eat just as much of whatever I want as I have.
Not so.
Dinner last night (courtesy of Uncle Ick - yes, my family will now be known by the appellations Rodrigo will know them as) at Chili's. So yummy, and I was so hungry. Yet all I got was a mound of chips and salsa/guac (*drool), then about three bites of my actual meal. The thing is, I usually can polish off most - if not all the chips and salsa by myself and have room to spare. So, boo.
This whole train of thought was actually inspired by this morning's early rising and desire for sausage biscuits like Mamere used to prep. I use the spicy sausage because, especially in winter, they light a tiny fire in the belly without being crazy hot.
Unfortunately, I just ate two and that's apparently my extreme limit. I'm not heartburning or anything, but I'm all kinds of toasty AND full, which isn't a preferable condition. Gonna have to switch to mild if I make these again before the baby comes...
Speaking of: Rodrigo IS for SURE head down. Wahoo! No breech babies here.
Mamere and BabaLou are coming into town, as are Grandma and Grandpa, and we'll all get to look at this kid and FINALLY see how a baby with a grown-up profile looks when he's not hiding inside a person. So excited!!
(gasp) So need to pack!!
I just got butterflies.

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

28 Days and Moley Moley Moley Moley Moley.... MOLE!

So, I was going to share a picture of one (or two) movies that came to mind when I thought about that; 28 days. Wow.
The first movie was 28 Days Later (a zombie apocalypse movie) and the other simply 28 Days (with Sandra Bullock and Viggo Mortensen about drug rehab). 
When I thought about it, 28 Days Later seemed more applicable.
But seriously. 28 days left. It's getting surreal. I'm super excited, but there's a definite part of my brain that can't fathom being un-pregnant, having a baby, and finally putting to use all the adorableness that has been donated to said baby's cause.
Thanks again to everyone who has and is making it more possible that my baby will not run around naked all summer. Though, he might do that anyway. Or maybe next summer he'll do that. That's probably more likely.
And that's not to say that I wouldn't dress him myself, I just... Am going to stop while I'm ahead.
So, just about two weeks ago I had two moles removed and checked for possible cancer. No big deal, just a step to be sure that all the AMAZING sunburns of my childhood didn't leave any serious damage. One was on my arm and the other on my upper thigh. Unfortunately, the upper thigh one got a bit infected and also revealed that I'm allergic to the glue on the particular brand of band-aids we got. No big deal, really. Once I realized what was going on I simply started smearing on the Neosporin and forewent the band-aids. And when I got the stitches out yesterday, the nurse just told me to keep on with that and make sure my leg was exposed to air as I slept. Also not a biggee as far as temperature is concerned. This March is coming in like a lamb, for sure! 
The only hitch?
I sleep on the right side currently (for easy access to everything, including future baby bassinet) and the infection is on my left leg.
Oh, I've worked out a system. I just sleep on one side all night.
No problem at all.

Saturday, March 3, 2012

The Countdown

One month, y'all! One month from today is the projected "welcome to the world, baby boy" day!


Of course, my math has always been bad, but now that I'm pregnant it's like, negative ability to do math, so could someone explain to me how I can be one month exactly from my due date and be 35 weeks and 4 days into my pregnancy?


Any help is appreciated. I'm going to go eat now. I'm good at eating.