Tribute

Happy Valentines Day, my dear wife.

Usually I draw little cards to commemorate special occasions, but for quite some time this blog post has been swirling in my head, so I figured today would be a good time to write it.

I wanted to write a tribute to Katrina, one inspired by the following picture:


Here you see a gorgeous, striking young woman on that most special day of her life--her wedding day. Now, this particular girl is beautiful, stable, friendly, talented--in short, she has many qualities that could snag her pretty much any guy she wanted. And I happen to know for a fact that there were several of such guys who were interested in her... men who could offer her lives of financial and emotional stability and all sorts of things that the typical girls wants.

But this is not the typical wedding picture. In addition to the lovely bride and lucky guy are three precious children, fitting symbols for the complexity of the life Katrina has chosen. My heart fills with wonder and gratitude as I reflect on how much Katrina has accepted and loved these cherished friends and charges of mine. I am already a better father because of her influence, and I am so excited to have a fresh start and bring a baby into our family. I know that Katrina will do an exceptional job as a mother. As those of you who know Katrina well are aware, marrying me has added complexity and challenge to Katrina's life that she otherwise would not have known. What you cannot know fully is the degree to which she has handled these challenges with admirable grace, patience, and love. I honor her for it.

I joke that God finally slapped me upside the head and interceded by bringing Katrina into my life, because I certainly wasn't getting it before her. She is the kind of person I would have been looking for had I been wiser... she is an ideal match for me. For almost anyone, I feel, and I am so grateful she chose me to share her self and life and love.

As I have said before, Katrina has so many of those traits that are so foundational they risk being taken for granted. She loves exceptionally. She is an amazing friend. She is wise and stable and caring. And then there are those traits that too often do not inhabit the same soul...purity of heart and openness of mind, emotional stability and artistic creativity. She drinks in life with a childlike wonder--savoring all that delights the senses--good food and stirring music and beauty captured by the eye and camera. Plus she is gorgeous and sexy and interesting and fun!

Katrina, you are my Angel. I love you.

100-days of strike

Isn't it just like creative writer types to end their strike on exactly the 100 day mark? It has such a poetic ring to it. All I can say is WAHOO!!!! Now hurry up and bring back some shows people! I miss Seattle Grace and the Pie Hole. And now I've forgotten what other shows I liked because it's been... so... long!!! Sadly I read that a lot of shows, such as Pushing Daisies, probably won't be coming back this season at all. Tragedy. At least I have CNN with all the political shenanigans still ongoing. By the way, Obama is on a roll!

What show's return are you most anxiously awaiting? Or could you care less?

pregnancy is weird

It really is. It is a bizarre thing to be inhabited by another living person. And it is strange to see your body morph as that person grows. And I'm just getting started! I'm starting to show a bit more as my tummy expands. But this is what I don't get: I haven't actually gained any weight. The scale is not changing despite my growing midsection. Which leaves me to conclude that other parts of me must be shrinking. Jared pointed out yesterday that my pants are baggier in my butt and legs. And I think my arms may be a bit smaller too. Has anyone else experienced this? I'm the type that has always gained and lost weight all over my body, so to only be getting bigger in my belly is kinda weird to me. Of course, that is the way I'd like it to be since I am pregnant and not just getting fat, so I am NOT complaining. It's just a little strange to me that I haven't gained weight yet. I keep thinking one of these days I'll get on the scale and will have gained 5 pounds overnight. I'm waiting.

11 months married and a tag

One more month until our first anniversary! Time really does fly when you are having fun, doesn't it? I thought today would be a good time to do this tag from Autumn.

How long have you and your significant other been together?
We’ve been married 11 months! We knew each other about 8 months before we got married. A bit fast, I know.

Who eats more?
Jared most of the time, but pregnancy has definitely allowed me to catch up to him sometimes. I am definitely eating more often, but he can still usually eat more during one meal.

Who said I love you first?
Jared did.

Who is taller?
Oh, he’s got a good 9 inches on me.

Who sings better?
I suppose me. I’ve had much more training, but Jared really does have a nice voice.

Who is smarter?
Well, Jared is definitely smarter in many ways. He’s very brilliant. But I have more practical smarts… like a good sense of direction. Jared is hopeless in that area. Seriously hopeless.

Who does the laundry?
Lately, Jared has been doing the laundry since he works at home and I don’t. But we both fold.

Who does the dishes?
We both do.

Who sleeps on the right side of the bed?
I sleep on the right side if one is laying down in bed. We’ve switched a couple times but we always go back.

Who pays the bills?
Mostly Jared.

Who mows the lawn?
We don’t have a lawn.

Who cooks dinner?
It’s probably Jared 70% of the time. He’s a fantastic cook!

Who drives when you are together?
Neither of us love driving, but I tolerate it more than he does. So we split driving duties.

Who is more stubborn?
Hmm…probably Jared.

Who is the first to admit when they're wrong?
I think we are both good about this.

Whose parents do you see the most?
We definitely have spent much more time with my parents, but the frequency is probably about equal.

Who kissed who first?
It was a fairly mutual if I do recall.

Who proposed?
Jared, of course, although I certainly knew it was coming.

Who is more sensitive?
We are both sensitive in our ways.

Who has more friends?
Me.

Who has more siblings?
I have 4 and Jared has 3.

Who wears the pants in the family?
This is a funny question. I’d say we share the pants.

15 weeks

How your baby's growing: Your growing baby now measures about 4 inches long, crown to rump, and weighs in at about 2 1/2 ounces (about the size of an apple). She's busy moving amniotic fluid through her nose and upper respiratory tract, which helps the primitive air sacs in her lungs begin to develop. Her legs are growing longer than her arms now, and she can move all of her joints and limbs. Although her eyelids are still fused shut, she can sense light. If you shine a flashlight at your tummy, for instance, she's likely to move away from the beam. There's not much for your baby to taste at this point, but she is forming taste buds. Finally, if you have an ultrasound this week, you may be able to find out whether your baby's a boy or a girl! (Don't be too disappointed if it remains a mystery, though. Nailing down your baby's sex depends on the clarity of the picture and on your baby's position. He or she may be modestly curled up or turned in such a way as to "hide the goods.")

My baby is looking more and more like a real baby!

bloomed

These are the flowers my parents sent me on my birthday after they bloomed. Gorgeous!

Have a wonderful weekend!

no more mitt

photo from poligazette.com/2008/01/07/mittmentum/

Romney is out. Or technically has "suspended his campaign" meaning he will still hold on to his delegates in case something crazy goes down. I feel a little sad. Mostly because I really do think Mitt Romney is a good guy with good intentions. But somehow, even with all the money, things just haven't gone his way. Somehow people never really got him. Somehow he wasn't able to be himself. I don't think he connected with people. He just didn't quite seem genuine, even though I really think he is. And that makes me sad. So many people disagree with McCain, but at least we really know who is. Somehow who Mitt Romney is didn't seem to get through to people. Plus there were circumstances outside his control that worked against him. And that's the way politics go. It's a strange, strange game. I think Mitt stepping out of it today was the smart thing to do. We'll see how long it takes Huckabee to do the same. Oh yeah, and that Ron Paul guy too.

the presidential race of a lifetime

Is this exciting or what? I was up WAY too late last night watching the Super Tuesday results come in from around the country.

First the Republicans: I am disappointed that Romney didn't do better, but at the same time I am just plain sick of the Republicans. I'm sick of them attacking each other. And arguing over who wants to be in Iraq longer, when most of the country thinks this war should be over sooner rather than later. I feel like the highly conservative base they are all pandering to is a minority of Americans. I know in order to get the nomination they need those supporters but it seems a bit ridiculous. I think that they are all good guys, but I don't particularly like any of them much anymore. I think that McCain is gonna get the nomination, and I won't be at all surprised to see Huckabee as his running mate. McCain needs the support of the Southern Conservatives that love Huckabee. And Huckabee doesn't have a chance of getting the nomination for himself. Sadly, I just don't think Romney can catch up to McCain at this point.

As for the Democrats: I really want Obama to make it. He did well last night. Hillary won some of the really big states but basically they tied last night in the amount of delegates won. I think that if Obama's momentum keeps up he could pull ahead. And I really think he is a better national candidate against John McCain. The Republicans know that too. They are praying that Hillary gets the nomination because they can demonize her. But if Obama gets it, I think it's pretty certain he'd win. There are a lot of people who like him even if they don't consider themselves as liberal as he is. I am one of those people. I'm reading his book The Audacity of Hope right now. It is excellent. He is a fantastic writer. I recommend it to anyone regardless of your party affiliation.

It's going to be very interesting to see what happens over the next few weeks. I just really hope we don't end up with Hillary vs. McCain. I feel like that will be the same old thing again (even if Hillary is a woman). Go Obama!

(PS...I'm still accepting advice below from all you moms out there. Thanks.)

advice wanted

Ok, folks, I need some pregnancy/baby related advice, and I have faith in all of you out there to help a girl out in her time of need.

1. What are some good snacks that I can take to work? I'm getting sick of pretzels and almonds and yogurt. Yesterday I started feeling really not good because I got so hungry and had already eaten the big fat orange I brought for my afternoon snack. I need some new ideas! The hunger monster is getting worse!

2. So I won a $35 amazon gift card from a little contest Nicki had on her blog last week. Yay for me! Thanks Nicki! Now I am trying to decide what to spend it on. I'm thinking of getting a Bella Band or it's less expensive equivalent. I'm in that awkward stage of getting too big for my normal pants but can't fit maternity yet. Has anyone out there tried these? I'd like to know what you think.

3. I've also been looking ahead to when this baby arrives and thinking about getting a sling. There are a couple that I like, and I'm wondering if any of you have tried these or something similar. The first is the Peanut Shell Sling:And the second is the Moby wrap:Both can be used from infant through toddler and are around the same price on amazon. I'm just curious if you all have any opinions, or if there is another sling/wrap style carrier you love more. Please share!

That's it for now. I'll take any other 2nd trimester suggestions you might have though too!

Thanks!

14 weeks

How your baby's growing: This week's big developments: Your baby can now squint, frown, grimace, pee, and possibly suck his thumb! Thanks to brain impulses, his facial muscles are getting a workout as his tiny features form one expression after another. His kidneys are producing urine, which he releases into the amniotic fluid around him — a process he'll keep up until birth. He can grasp, too, and if you're having an ultrasound now, you may even catch him sucking his thumb.

In other news: Your baby's stretching out. From head to bottom, he measures 3 1/2 inches — about the size of a lemon — and he weighs 1 1/2 ounces. His body's growing faster than his head, which now sits upon a more distinct neck. By the end of this week, his arms will have grown to a length that's in proportion to the rest of his body. (His legs still have some lengthening to do.) He's starting to develop an ultra-fine, downy covering of hair, called lanugo, all over his body. Your baby's liver starts making bile this week — a sign that it's doing its job right — and his spleen starts helping in the production of red blood cells. Though you can't feel his tiny punches and kicks yet, your little pugilist's hands and feet (which now measure about 1/2 inch long) are more flexible and active.

Wahoo! Second trimester here I come! It feels good to have made it to trimester number two. I'm feeling quite good. I definitely count myself as landing on the luckier end of the sickness spectrum. It hasn't been too bad. Now my pants are just getting tighter. I've been unbuttoning the top button on some. I also had Jared take pictures of my now growing belly for the first time. Nicki, this is for you:

I mostly just look fat unless you know I'm pregnant. And at the end of day (when this was taken) I do feel like my belly needs more room. It feels so good to let it hang out there. I can totally stick it out far too. This picture is just me trying to remain neutral.

As all you moms out there know, when you are pregnant it's really wonderful to have friends going through pregnancy with you. I have been quite blessed to have 3 friends all due within days of myself. Rachel, my dear college friend/cousin-in-law, is due July 31st. Emily, who I've known since age four, is due August 2nd. I am due August 3rd. And Katie, another college friend, is due August 4th. Any takers for August 1st? Apparently November was a very fertile month.