Happy Halloween!

My students have said that I am the "Scrooge of Halloween". See we're reading A Christmas Carol (which they hate) and I'm just happy they understand that Scrooge is negative towards Christmas. We're getting somewhere!!!

We have no pumpkin this year. That's ok. Kaylynn's not here to see it, so it doesn't matter. I did buy a costume for Gus, so check back later this weekend for photos of Fats.

Here's what's going on this week...at 34 weeks. We're 4 weeks away from being full-term!

Your baby now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds (like your average cantaloupe) and is almost 18 inches long. Her fat layers — which will help regulate her body temperature once she's born — are filling her out, making her rounder. Her skin is also smoother than ever. Her central nervous system is maturing and her lungs are continuing to mature as well. If you've been nervous about preterm labor, you'll be happy to know that babies born between 34 and 37 weeks who have no other health problems generally do fine. They may need a short stay in the neonatal nursery and may have a few short-term health issues, but in the long run, they usually do as well as full-term babies.

At home, we're ready for her. At school, I need a few more weeks. It's hard planning out daily lessons for 2 months. Ugh.

Enjoy candy day!

Cheeks Magee

Kaylynn's new nickname. See below for proof.

That was the best shot of the face that we could get. She's sitting about as low as she can without being out in the real world, hiding behind some organs (we couldn't figure out if it was my hip bone or what). We watched her for about 5 minutes while she made sucking/eating motions with her mouth - imagine trying to get peanut butter off the roof of your mouth. It was cute. We'll have to wait another month-ish to determine if her cheeks are in fact that chubby. I had a pretty good set of chipmunk cheeks, so she gets it honestly.

And Brian had him a pretty good little set of cheeks too. He can't blame it all on me.

Anywho, back to watching Charlie Brown and the Great Pumpkin...or whatever it's called.

Brian's Innocence

So, Brian bought flowers last night at Kroger (while I was in the check-out line). He selected a tri-color arrangement of daisies and fall mums. The daisies were yellow and a bright royal blue, which just happens to be Brian's most favorite color ever. He was very excited about these flowers.

When I got home today, I saw that the water in the vase had turned blue. I knew why this was the case, since I have conducted this experiment before. Brian however, was clueless. When he walked in the door, I told him to check out the water, thinking he'd be excited for blue water. He looked at it all confused and I proceeded to explain that the blue was not a natural color of daisies and they had in fact used food coloring/dye to make the flowers blue.

He is so disappointed right now. His flower innocence has been taken from him. It's cute. :)

33 Week Update

Read our little ticker above. Story.of.my.life. I am bemoaning my new cankles, though they don't become cankles until the afternoon. I usually begin my day with normal sized feet. Though it means that most "non-flip-flop" shoes are out. Apparently this "cankle phenonenom" is common, but I don't like it one bit. I do their reccomendations (drinking LOTS of water) but all that seems to do is make me have go use the restroom 50 times a day (thanks to Kaylynn's head being incredibly low and pushing on my bladder!)

Anywho, here's what babycenter.com has to say this week.

This week your baby weighs a little over 4 pounds (heft a pineapple) and has passed the 17-inch mark. She's rapidly losing that wrinkled, alien look and her skeleton is hardening. The bones in her skull aren't fused together, which allows them to move and slightly overlap, thus making it easier for her to fit through the birth canal. (The pressure on the head during birth is so intense that many babies are born with a conehead-like appearance.) These bones don't entirely fuse until early adulthood, so they can grow as her brain and other tissue expands during infancy and childhood.

This last sentence reminds me of a segment we saw on SportsCenter Sunday morning...about high school football boys and concussions. Perhaps those coaches should read this and keep that in mind. Is that pre-season football game really that much more important that a kid's brain? Doubtful. And you wonder why football players have the stereotype as being a "dumb jock". THEY'VE GOT BRAIN INJURIES!

Anywho. My rant is over. I'll stop complaining about my cankles and constant bathroom usage. Enjoy your weekend! Brian and I are spending ours in child-birth class. I'm sure you'll hear some colorful commentary from him later on this weekend...if he has time. Poor thing.

Clarity

Two months. That is how long I have been in law school. That also corresponds to the amount of time that I have spent in a cloud of haze and in the shadow of confusion. But finally, the clouds have parted, the haze has burned off and clarity has set in. What brought about this clarity you might ask? Well, it was the response I received from Houston Metro regarding my email about the shi...crummy "service" that they have been providing for the last day, week, month or year.

My email basically asked one simple question: What is Houston Metro doing about the high traffic volume and the crummy service?

Here is the response I received back. It explains soooooooo much.

"Dear Mr. Frink,

I believe there were a number of reasons for the higher than usual traffic volumes that contributed to the lane operating at lower than desirable travel times. Notwithstanding, please know that we are monitoring the facility...[and] that METRO plans for future operations to include additional technology that we believe will sharply mitigate unauthorized use, help regulate traffic volumes, and keep the lane flowing smoothly. Such technology is expected to be operational on the I-45 North HOV lane by the summer of 2010.

Sincerely,

Crummy Service Provider"

Let me translate this real quick before I need to skedaddle to do some more legal busy work.

"Dear Mr. Frink,

There are several reasons reasons for higher than usual traffic volumes, none of which we could actually pinpoint. However, my belief is that the higher than usual traffic volumes is due to higher than usual numbers of cars in the HOV lane. Please rest assured that we will continue to take note of the volume of cars and do nothing about it. Actually, come to think about it, we do have a plan to take action...in two years. In the meantime, please continue to bend over and take it in the rear and make sure to do so with a smile.

Sincerely,

Crummy Service Provider"

I had one possible rational solution to the problem: raise the number of passengers required in the HOV lane from two to three. This is not a drastic measure because it would line up the policy with the other major headache in Houston (i.e. I-10). But I guess that would make too much sense.

I hope that this explanation has provided as much clarity to your life as it has mine.

Appointment Update

Well, it's confirmed. Our child is stubborn. At the 32/33 week appointment, they had us scheduled to have an ultrasound done to estimate her weight and check her positioning. Because her head is quite low, the doctor couldn't get a good measurement of it, so the weight guesstimate is a "bad guess" based on the best measurement she could get. She is head down, which is a good thing.

That being said, she's estimated to weigh around 3.3 lbs right now. IF that weight is accurate AND everything stays on track with the weight gaining, she's estimated to be a small to average sized baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, I am excited about that. I went right out and bought fruits and vegetables to help with the non-excessive weight gain. She also said that she thinks she's going to be a pretty long baby. Brian and I kind of figured that, given that he's pretty tall and I'm not exactly short. Mom and I measured my footprint in the baby book and it was 3 inches when I was born, so I image she'll have a pretty long foot as well.

Since she was uncooperative at this ultrasound, we have to schedule another one at the outpatient place. We also scheduled all the appointments until Dec. 15th (AFTER her due date). She's coming soon!

32 Week Update (and not complaining about something...well, maybe)

Here's what's going on with Kaylynn and I this week. I say Kaylynn and I, as I am the one who's gaining a pound a week. Awesome.

By now, your baby weighs 3.75 pounds (pick up a large jicama) and is about 16.7 inches long, taking up a lot of space in your uterus. You're gaining about a pound a week and roughly half of that goes right to your baby. In fact, she'll gain a third to half of her birth weight during the next 7 weeks as she fattens up for survival outside the womb.

I've had bad dreams that when we go to our ultrasound on Monday they are going to tell us that she already weighs 5 lbs and that it's best to go ahead and schedule our c-section. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it's only a dream! I've also started really feeling the Braxton Hicks contractions, which has made me realize I need to get my act together and get everything ready at school, just in case.

I am curious as to how much she weighs right about now, especially since some people ::cough:: Sean ::cough:: seem to think that I don't do anything but eat. I really don't eat all that much. I eat my normal meals during the day and dessert on occasion. Most of the time, I get excited about eating a certain item and then get full half way through it and can't finish it. That, however, is not the case this evening. I inhaled every ounce of that chicken salad sandwich from McAlister's Deli, along with my cheetos and the fabulous deli pickle. :)

Clarification

As my husband told me that I just offended everyone who graciously gave us a gift that was pink, I just want to clarify (in case my multiple times below wasn't enough) that I DO NOT HATE PINK!!!! I own pink clothes. I plan on dressing my daughter in pink. It is a wonderful color, for both men and women. ;)

My frustration was the fact that I couldn't find any non-pink or purple socks. I have now, so that frustration is over.

I hope that I did not offend anyone, as we are very, VERY thankful for all of the fabulous gifts we have received. If I did, please accept my apologies, it was not intended.





(but I did clarify like 50 times that I don't hate pink earlier...)

Driving Me Crazy

I figured that if my wife is allowed to use this blogger deal to vent, so am I. And guess what? I'm gonna. What is ironic about the title to this post is that right now we're not driving at all. In fact, there has been no "driving" performed in the last 5 minutes.

For those of you that don't know, I take the bus to work/school for two reasons. First, I'm a cheapo and don't want to be paying for the gas and parking. In my defense, I am in school, have a kid showing up soon - real soon, and the market's in the proverbial sh*ter (can I say that? I just did). The second reason is so that I don't have to sit in traffic and can simply sit back, listen to some tunes on my iPod (right now it's Kenny Rogers's "Through the Years"...classic), do some extra studying since the 4:30 AM to midnight grind doesn't give enough time to read the unreasonable assignments that don't help in teaching you jack (sorry, a little law school jab there...I'm cranky), and know that in 30 minutes I'll be where I need to be.

Or not. It is the second point that is making less and less sense to me. It used to be that I'd catch a bus and be downtown in 30 minutes. Then it took a little longer and turned into 45 minutes. Now we're up to an hour or more. It doesn't make sense to me that we sit in the "fast" HOV lane and not move for 10 or 15 minutes, all the while watching the main lanes zip on by. It doesn't make sense to me that the geniuses in this city are encouraging it's citizens to use public transportation given the gas prices hitting our pockets (see above for a reminder of just where the economy is) all the while not being able to properly serve them through reliable service. And then I read the other day that the same geniuses who have encouraged public transportation are going to raise the fares! Record use of the bus system + crappy service = more money for them.

Holy crap, we just moved!!!

Anyway, the point is that I'm tired, I'm grumpy and I'm going to be writing some nastigrams to some people. I am not willing to get up at 3 AM just to be able to do my studying and to catch a 6 o'clock bus that will actually get me to work/school on time (i.e. 8 o'clock). That's all I've got to say about that.

Almost. It is now raining and I do not have an umbrella because Houston Metro stole it. Kinda. I may have left it on the bus yesterday. And by may have, I mean I did. But it's still their fault because I decided to take a nap since we weren't going anywhere and I woke up at my stop and had to run off the bus. I miss that umbrella (her name was Uma). It was my London umbrella. We had some good, nay great, times together. Now all I've got are the memories. Kinda like the memories of when it was worth taking the bus.

Why Pink?

I have a question for anyone out there who has an answer. Why pink for little girls?

I'm not anti-pink. I own pink articles of clothing myself and we've gotten some uber cute pink and purple clothes for Kaylynn that I can't wait to dress her in. I just have a beef with pink and purple being the only colors available to an infant girl. Again, not hating on pink (or purple for that matter).

The main reason for my venting...I can't find any stinking socks for Kaylynn that aren't pink, purple, or white. We want to bring her home (as of right now) in an outfit my Grandma Honey bought us, which is a turquoise dress with brown flowers at the bottom. My problem is...I CAN'T FIND ANY SOCKS THAT AREN'T PINK OR PURPLE!!!

So if anyone out there runs across a pair of dark brown or turquoise infant socks, please tell me and save my sanity! Otherwise, my daughter is going to start off mismatching from Day 1 and I don't think that's any way for a little girl to start life. She's already at a disadvantage for having me for a mother, she needs some chance to be girly. :)

Sad Prediction

My dad made a sad, but probably true prediction this weekend. Our daughter will probably be born before the Aggies win another football game. I added probably in there because I do believe that God works miracles - I just think He's got more important things to worry about right now than Aggie football.

Kaylynn's Room & Shower

Guess who's room is practically complete! You could say it was a very productive weekend.

The giraffe's name is Geoff - pronounced, Gee-off.

Very excited about the carseat!!

Kaylynn's Grandma Frink, Aunt Melissa, and Cousin Baby Piano!

The lovely hostesses!

New diaper bag - courtesy of Kaylynn's Uncle Mike and Aunt Donna!

Like I said...a very productive weekend!

31 Week Update

Here's what's going on with Kaylynn this week:

This week, your baby measures over 16 inches long. She weighs about 3.3 pounds (try carrying four navel oranges) and is heading into a growth spurt. She can turn her head from side to side, and her arms, legs, and body are beginning to plump out as needed fat accumulates underneath her skin. She's probably moving a lot, too, so you may have trouble sleeping because your baby's kicks and somersaults keep you up. Take comfort: All this moving is a sign that your baby is active and healthy.

A GROWTH SPURT??? How much more spurting does she need to do? She only needs to grow like 3-5 more inches and put on about 3 lbs and that would be just fine with me. We have our potentially last ultrasound the Monday after next to see how she's positioned and to guesstimate her weight. I had my 2nd 3 hr glucose exam yesterday, that's 4 more holes in the arm, PLUS a flu shot. I think I have had two flu shots in my life - this year and last. Knock on wood, I've never gotten the full blown flu. I haven't gotten my results yet, but I'm crossing my fingers that I don't have the diabetes.

Looking at the picture on babycenter.com I just don't see how laying in me like that could be comfortable. I mean, it's not comfortable for me for her to be laying in me like that... :)

Attention Comcast Customers!

It's amazing what you find when you're bored on a Saturday night. In search of something to watch at 8:30pm, we went to the "On Demand" section...

THEY HAVE KARAOKE!!!

Brian and I have sat here for almost 2 hours singing songs while sitting on our couch.

Jessi - we can't wait for November!! They have "Baby Got Back".

Dufer - Go to the 80's and scroll to the end. It's what we're doing as we go through the week - "Working for the Weekend".

I am the master at "La Bamba", in case anyone is curious.

30 Week Update

I'm at 30 weeks today. THIRTY WEEKS!!! I'm going to the doctor every two weeks now...after I do my second 3 hour blood test on Wednesday. The come November, it's every week. Not much longer. Brian made a good point yesterday. Kaylynn only has to come a couple weeks early and she'd be here next month. Crazy.

Here's what's going on with her this week. I can tell you one thing. She's running out of room.

Your baby's about 15.7 inches long now, and she weighs almost 3 pounds (like a head of cabbage). A pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds her, but that volume will decrease as she gets bigger and takes up more room in your uterus. Her eyesight continues to develop, though it's not very keen; even after she's born, she'll keep her eyes closed for a good part of the day. When she does open them, she'll respond to changes in light but will have 20/400 vision — which means she can only make out objects a few inches from her face. (Normal adult vision is 20/20.)

Brian always makes wise cracks about babies opening their eyes. He says they are like puppies and don't open them for like 2 weeks, since most newborns have their eyes shut in pictures. Apparently getting squeezed out is hard work for them. HA! :)