Today our son is 24 weeks old. And this is his last day of 2004. I'm still sick and I have no intention of going outside, even though it's not too cold today. i would still prefer to recuperate a little more.
I have a bad infection in my lungs and my sinuses. If I'm not careful I could end up in the hospital with pneumonia. It's happened twice before.
This is will be our first New Year's as a family. Although I'm just gonna be resting for the most part.
It's a bit disheartening to learn that Dick Clark is still only human.
Friday, December 31, 2004
Thursday, December 30, 2004
Yet one more sick day
I called in sick today because last night I spent way too much time coughing and way too little time sleeping.
I spent alot of my day sleeping. Nyquil just knocks me out. My wife went out to a family friend to help her with her computer. Unfortunately I had to go pick her up and I had to go out. It wasn't very cold but cold enough to make me uncomfortable.
I got them home and I went straight to sleep.
I spent alot of my day sleeping. Nyquil just knocks me out. My wife went out to a family friend to help her with her computer. Unfortunately I had to go pick her up and I had to go out. It wasn't very cold but cold enough to make me uncomfortable.
I got them home and I went straight to sleep.
Wednesday, December 29, 2004
I dropped off my wife at our friends home home to help watch the babies (ours and theirs) and I went to work.
I'm still very sick and decided to go home early. I took a half day. I got as much accomplished as I could and came home.
My wife got a lift home from our friends since I preferred to stay home, she had dinner there and I slept. Our son had a good time anyways, he likes playing with the other kids.
I'm still very sick and decided to go home early. I took a half day. I got as much accomplished as I could and came home.
My wife got a lift home from our friends since I preferred to stay home, she had dinner there and I slept. Our son had a good time anyways, he likes playing with the other kids.
Tuesday, December 28, 2004
It's freezing out there
I'm still sick but I went into the office today. I dropped off my wife after I cleaned off the car from the little snow that accumulated. It wasn't much but it was 16 degrees out and I felt miserable.
I learned that not much happened at the office on Friday and Monday. I managed to get some work done and I left early and picked up my wife from our friends house.
We managed to hit the highway just as more snow came down. Oh Yippee...
I learned that not much happened at the office on Friday and Monday. I managed to get some work done and I left early and picked up my wife from our friends house.
We managed to hit the highway just as more snow came down. Oh Yippee...
Monday, December 27, 2004
Sick day
I took the day off today because I still feel sick. I don't feel like doing anything today except veg out. Maybe it's the Nyquil and the Theraflu talking.
Sunday, December 26, 2004
Let it snow.
Sunday is my lazy day. I don't like to do much of anything on Sundays and today is no different. I watched television and watched it snow a little. The snow really didn't pick up until 4:00 or so in the afternoon.
I like snow but not so much when I have to drive. People seem to lose their sense when driving in adverse conditions.
I like snow but not so much when I have to drive. People seem to lose their sense when driving in adverse conditions.
Saturday, December 25, 2004
Christmas Day
We went to my sister's place this Christmas, we had a nice day but we were very tired by the end of the day. We went home relatively early and went to sleep early.
We weren't going to impose on my sister to cook and we didn't feel like cooking at home so we ordered some Chinese food and watched A Christmas Story. It was running for 24 hours on TNT so watching it once wasn't such a bad thing.
Since I am still sick I'm crashing out early.
We weren't going to impose on my sister to cook and we didn't feel like cooking at home so we ordered some Chinese food and watched A Christmas Story. It was running for 24 hours on TNT so watching it once wasn't such a bad thing.
Since I am still sick I'm crashing out early.
Friday, December 24, 2004
Baby dates
On this Christmas Eve we look back to see our son is now 23 weeks old.
My how he has grown. He rolls around in bed while he sleeps. In the course of his sleep he will turn himself around 180 degrees with his head at the same position his feet were at the onset.
My how he has grown. He rolls around in bed while he sleeps. In the course of his sleep he will turn himself around 180 degrees with his head at the same position his feet were at the onset.
Thursday, December 23, 2004
Anniversary of sorts
A year ago today, my wife had walked into the hospital for removal of cancerous tissue. She was sent home on Christmas Day.
I'm glad she had no complications and she is clear of any cancer. It was during this time that she was at her most vulnerable but she was also at her strongest.
I'm glad she had no complications and she is clear of any cancer. It was during this time that she was at her most vulnerable but she was also at her strongest.
Kids.com follow-up
I confirmed with Kids.com my letter has been received. They advised me they will return 2 pictures of our son they retained. They also advised our credit card will not be charged the $595.00 cost.
So far my credit card does not show the charge but it still remains as approved pending posting.
So far my credit card does not show the charge but it still remains as approved pending posting.
Wednesday, December 22, 2004
Finishing the tree
Tonight we finished ornamenting the tree. We topped it off with the angel.
I was stunned by my son. We held him up to the angel so he can get a good look at the tree and angel. Once he got a good look at the angel he was terrified by it. He clutched his hands in fists and shook all over as he shrieked.
That was the first time I ever saw him afraid of anything.
I was stunned by my son. We held him up to the angel so he can get a good look at the tree and angel. Once he got a good look at the angel he was terrified by it. He clutched his hands in fists and shook all over as he shrieked.
That was the first time I ever saw him afraid of anything.
Kids.com follow-up
Today my wife sent out the letter to Kids.Com announcing we will terminate our contract.
So far I have confirmed with our credit card company the charge is approved but not processed. Once it gets into the books I can fight it.
So far I have confirmed with our credit card company the charge is approved but not processed. Once it gets into the books I can fight it.
Tuesday, December 21, 2004
Our son the model?
About 3 or so months ago, we received a letter from a company called Kids.com. This letter was just a notice advising us they were notified about our son for modeling. We hemmed and hawed over it for some time.
I personally was concerned that it might be some scam. I did some online searches trying to see what they're really about. Their website looks genuine, but I really couldn't find out much about them, good or bad. We eventually called them and made an appointment to see them.
They gave us a soft sell, but a sell nonetheless. The bottom line is they wanted $595.00 for a five year deal of pictures, which breaks down to $119.00 a year for photos, not including a $20.00 seating fee which is not part of the $595.00, so the cost comes out to $159.00 a year for biannual photos.
When painted in that manner it seems rather reasonable. We gave them our credit card info for the payment. Everything is great.
On the way home, I'm feeling a little funny about the whole deal. Everyone thinks their kid is beautiful. I'm not gonna sit there and say that our son is head and shoulders above the other kids. I was just wondering did I just make a mistake? All I was thinking about is eventually scratching some funds together to send our son to college someday.
After we got home and situated I was e-mailed a website (Rip-off Report, something like that) link which basically had a long string of parents that paid money to Kids.com and got nothing for it, not one phone call.
I decided to enforce my cancellation option immediately. Per the contract we signed (1 page, no small print) we have 3 days to change our minds. We will send the letter tomorrow via next day mail.
I personally was concerned that it might be some scam. I did some online searches trying to see what they're really about. Their website looks genuine, but I really couldn't find out much about them, good or bad. We eventually called them and made an appointment to see them.
They gave us a soft sell, but a sell nonetheless. The bottom line is they wanted $595.00 for a five year deal of pictures, which breaks down to $119.00 a year for photos, not including a $20.00 seating fee which is not part of the $595.00, so the cost comes out to $159.00 a year for biannual photos.
When painted in that manner it seems rather reasonable. We gave them our credit card info for the payment. Everything is great.
On the way home, I'm feeling a little funny about the whole deal. Everyone thinks their kid is beautiful. I'm not gonna sit there and say that our son is head and shoulders above the other kids. I was just wondering did I just make a mistake? All I was thinking about is eventually scratching some funds together to send our son to college someday.
After we got home and situated I was e-mailed a website (Rip-off Report, something like that) link which basically had a long string of parents that paid money to Kids.com and got nothing for it, not one phone call.
I decided to enforce my cancellation option immediately. Per the contract we signed (1 page, no small print) we have 3 days to change our minds. We will send the letter tomorrow via next day mail.
Monday, December 20, 2004
Oh tannenbaum
Today we picked up a tree. Not a real one, mind you.
There wasn't a small enough tree available so we sprung for a small 6 foot tree. Originally my intention was to get a small 1 foot ceramic tree that we could place on the dinner table and that's that, but it didn't quite work out that way.
We got all the essentials: glass balls, ornaments, garland, lights and a angel to top off the tree instead of a star.
It took me about one and a half hours to put the tree together. I left the rest of the accessories for my wife to do. I have no patience for it.
There wasn't a small enough tree available so we sprung for a small 6 foot tree. Originally my intention was to get a small 1 foot ceramic tree that we could place on the dinner table and that's that, but it didn't quite work out that way.
We got all the essentials: glass balls, ornaments, garland, lights and a angel to top off the tree instead of a star.
It took me about one and a half hours to put the tree together. I left the rest of the accessories for my wife to do. I have no patience for it.
Amazon
On Friday, I ordered Original Series Star Trek season two and Lord of the Rings: Return of the King as well as two CD's, a Christmas disc and a Sting disc. I placed the order late that night so I didn't expect the package until Wednesday.
It came today. I was very surprised considering the volume of packages that must be delivered throughout this season.
Pleasant surprise.
It came today. I was very surprised considering the volume of packages that must be delivered throughout this season.
Pleasant surprise.
Sunday, December 19, 2004
Sunday visit
We stepped out to my wife's half-sister's mother (Wife #1 in her father's family tree). It was slightly raining when we got to her house. After a few hours there her house warmed up considerably. I was wearing a fleece shirt and the sweat was just pouring off me.
My wife's oldest half-sister and her daughter stopped by to see us, or rather see the baby and see us. She gave our son a Baby Einstein puppet and he loved it. After about an hour the two left.
We had a great Roast Beef dinner and enjoyed a tasty Italian Cheesecake we brought over for dessert.
When we left six hours later it was snowing and very cold. With the heat of the house baking me the cold was VERY cold. I don't usually run the heat in the car at full blast but I had no choice, I was freezing.
Our son slept throughout the car ride and was so tired he slept through my taking him out of the car seat and placing him in the stroller once we got home.
My wife's oldest half-sister and her daughter stopped by to see us, or rather see the baby and see us. She gave our son a Baby Einstein puppet and he loved it. After about an hour the two left.
We had a great Roast Beef dinner and enjoyed a tasty Italian Cheesecake we brought over for dessert.
When we left six hours later it was snowing and very cold. With the heat of the house baking me the cold was VERY cold. I don't usually run the heat in the car at full blast but I had no choice, I was freezing.
Our son slept throughout the car ride and was so tired he slept through my taking him out of the car seat and placing him in the stroller once we got home.
Saturday, December 18, 2004
Saturday
We went out to Babies R Us to pick up a new Snuggly for the baby since he quickly outgrew his first one. We picked up a different brand name, of course it was the most expensive one they carried since it was the only one to provide lumbar back support. My wife is very happy with the purchase.
Also today, we went out to pick up the blinds that my wife and her mother ordered last week. They were a set for the bathroom, a set for the kitchen and as replacement set of vanes for the living room blinds. It was pretty quick and easy to install. Once we installed them my wife felt relief since she wanted to replace those blinds for some time.
Also today, we went out to pick up the blinds that my wife and her mother ordered last week. They were a set for the bathroom, a set for the kitchen and as replacement set of vanes for the living room blinds. It was pretty quick and easy to install. Once we installed them my wife felt relief since she wanted to replace those blinds for some time.
Friday, December 17, 2004
Baby dates
Today he is 22 weeks old. I'll be much more happier when I can refer to my son in years and months rather than weeks. I don't know when that line is crossed but I'll have to keep an eye out for it.
He's really teething alot too, drool everywhere. He's been particularly cranky lately. It must be the gums.
He's really teething alot too, drool everywhere. He's been particularly cranky lately. It must be the gums.
Wednesday, December 15, 2004
Doctor Visit
We took our son for a follow up visit with a different Neurologist since we did not like the first one we consulted. Plus this is three months later.
We had a 2:30 appointment. I got us to the office by 2:15. I filled out the required paperwork and paid my insurance co-pay and sat and waited. And waited. And waited.
After 1 hour I have had enough and talk to the receptionists. They were not very interested in easing my stress levels and frankly they couldn't care less. I got them to give my my co-pay back and told my wife, "Let's get out of here, this is ridiculous!". My main point of contention is, if I make an appointment for 2:30 I expect to be seen at 2:30, not 3:30. Why bother to make appointments if you end up sitting around anyways!!!
My wife, of course is alot more easy going than I am. She calmed me down and made me wait. Another 15 minutes passed and we eventually saw the Neurologist. She seemed like a pleasant person, it's just that I wasn't.
After a brief interview and examination of our son she determined that our son did not require physical therapy let alone a helmet.
We kept our son sleeping on his left side instead of his right side and I have to admit that I have seen a noticable difference. I'm not saying the first Neurologist was wrong, but I am saying that he was taking an aggressive and immediate approach to the process. I felt too rushed, which made me feel there was something not right in the decision of a helmet and therapy.
My thinking is since the baby was only a few months old, there wasn't a significant portion of data to base a decision on. It's hard to make a decision on something that will affect a child long-term if you only have 3 months of data to base it on.
On the other hand, if it didn't work out, I'd be the bad guy since I chose to take a slower, less restrictive, more pedestrian method to help my son.
We had a 2:30 appointment. I got us to the office by 2:15. I filled out the required paperwork and paid my insurance co-pay and sat and waited. And waited. And waited.
After 1 hour I have had enough and talk to the receptionists. They were not very interested in easing my stress levels and frankly they couldn't care less. I got them to give my my co-pay back and told my wife, "Let's get out of here, this is ridiculous!". My main point of contention is, if I make an appointment for 2:30 I expect to be seen at 2:30, not 3:30. Why bother to make appointments if you end up sitting around anyways!!!
My wife, of course is alot more easy going than I am. She calmed me down and made me wait. Another 15 minutes passed and we eventually saw the Neurologist. She seemed like a pleasant person, it's just that I wasn't.
After a brief interview and examination of our son she determined that our son did not require physical therapy let alone a helmet.
We kept our son sleeping on his left side instead of his right side and I have to admit that I have seen a noticable difference. I'm not saying the first Neurologist was wrong, but I am saying that he was taking an aggressive and immediate approach to the process. I felt too rushed, which made me feel there was something not right in the decision of a helmet and therapy.
My thinking is since the baby was only a few months old, there wasn't a significant portion of data to base a decision on. It's hard to make a decision on something that will affect a child long-term if you only have 3 months of data to base it on.
On the other hand, if it didn't work out, I'd be the bad guy since I chose to take a slower, less restrictive, more pedestrian method to help my son.
Mom goes home
My mother-in-law goes home today. I tried to get everyone to get their act together so we have no last minute scrambling since there will be a car waiting for her downstairs.
We have no room in the car to drop her off, the new car seat we picked up for the baby requires me to push up the front passenger seat to the point no one can fit in. That coupled with the stroller occupying the majority of the trunk space does not look good for offering people rides.
Mom-in-law will call us when she lands, we figure with the holidays security will be somewhat tight.
We have no room in the car to drop her off, the new car seat we picked up for the baby requires me to push up the front passenger seat to the point no one can fit in. That coupled with the stroller occupying the majority of the trunk space does not look good for offering people rides.
Mom-in-law will call us when she lands, we figure with the holidays security will be somewhat tight.
Post Office
I went to the post office to pick up stamps and a package that was waiting for us.
You can imagine my frustration when I walked into the post office. A line of approximately 25 people filled the sizable room and a bank of 8 windoss only had 2 postal workers addressing everyone's needs.
An hour later I walk out of the post office with 1 roll of stamps. 5 books of holiday stamps and a package from my wife's sister to her.
Last time I needed stamps and ordered them online and received them within 3 days. I think I will stick to that method, it certainly kept my stress levels low.
You can imagine my frustration when I walked into the post office. A line of approximately 25 people filled the sizable room and a bank of 8 windoss only had 2 postal workers addressing everyone's needs.
An hour later I walk out of the post office with 1 roll of stamps. 5 books of holiday stamps and a package from my wife's sister to her.
Last time I needed stamps and ordered them online and received them within 3 days. I think I will stick to that method, it certainly kept my stress levels low.
Tuesday, December 14, 2004
Last night of trip
This is my mother-in-law's last day of her visit with us. She helped out quite a bit. While she helped out last time, my wife and her mother had a bit of a confrontational time her last visit.
There was a little stress on this visit but nowhere near the last time. We had a salad with chicken for dinner. We were concerned throughout this visit on her mom's diet since she is limited on what she can eat. She does however, seem to be able to eat anything she wants.
There was a little stress on this visit but nowhere near the last time. We had a salad with chicken for dinner. We were concerned throughout this visit on her mom's diet since she is limited on what she can eat. She does however, seem to be able to eat anything she wants.
Sunday, December 12, 2004
Nice Sunday revisited
My wife's mom joined us today in church. She is a Mormon and we're Catholic so she noticed a difference in how the faiths function. She seemed interested, I'm not certain since we didn't really discuss it.
After church my wife and her mom went out for brunch and I took the baby home. After that we just cleaned around the house a bit and had a little Chinese food for dinner.
After church my wife and her mom went out for brunch and I took the baby home. After that we just cleaned around the house a bit and had a little Chinese food for dinner.
Saturday, December 11, 2004
Saturday
We made our weekly trip to Babies R Us, and stopped off at Old Navy and picked up a few things. One of the few times we actually got something that wasn't for the baby. Makes me laugh that we have totally changed our frame of thinking instantaneously since the baby came about.
My wife and her mom went out today and ordered new blinds for our kitchen, bathroom and living room. We were told that the blinds would be ready for pick-up next week.
It's interesting to stop and see that time flies by so fast when you take care of a baby. We went to Babies R Us in the morning and the girls went for blinds in the evening and I can't remember what we did in between.
My wife and her mom went out today and ordered new blinds for our kitchen, bathroom and living room. We were told that the blinds would be ready for pick-up next week.
It's interesting to stop and see that time flies by so fast when you take care of a baby. We went to Babies R Us in the morning and the girls went for blinds in the evening and I can't remember what we did in between.
Friday, December 10, 2004
Baby dates
Today our son is 21 weeks old. He now holds his chest up when he's on his stomach. He also has started reaching for his bottle when you hold it out.
The biggest change we've noticed is that he reaches out for us when he needs to be held.
The biggest change we've noticed is that he reaches out for us when he needs to be held.
Wednesday, December 08, 2004
Mom stops by
My mother-in-law has come in for a week to spend time with us and the baby. She flew in late last night, got to us at about 11:30 p.m.
Doctor Visit
My wife has another chiropractor visit today. She's feeling a little better but it's been several weeks now and I'm starting to feel that the doctor's may be doing more harm than good.
Tuesday, December 07, 2004
Doctor Visit
I had a doctor's appointment today, he took blood to check my A1C levels.
I stopped taking my diabetes medication a couple of months ago because my blood sugar levels were running about 50 or so with the medication. Now I've been running 130 to 150 without the medication.
My doctor thinks that perhaps stress had affected me, we'll find out.
I stopped taking my diabetes medication a couple of months ago because my blood sugar levels were running about 50 or so with the medication. Now I've been running 130 to 150 without the medication.
My doctor thinks that perhaps stress had affected me, we'll find out.
Monday, December 06, 2004
Doctor Visit
We had an emergency visit with my wife's OB/GYN today, she started having her period again over the weekend and she was nervous because the coloring was extremely dark.
Some friends she called told her it was fine but she felt more comfortable after seeing the doctor and knowing for certain that there is nothing wrong.
We have dinner with family friends tonight. Hopefully we won't get home too late, I too need sleep.
Some friends she called told her it was fine but she felt more comfortable after seeing the doctor and knowing for certain that there is nothing wrong.
We have dinner with family friends tonight. Hopefully we won't get home too late, I too need sleep.
Saturday, December 04, 2004
Her friend returns
It looks like my wife has started menstruating again, she's nervous because the coloration is very dark.
She's called a few female friends that have had about 8 children between them and they assure her that everything is normal.
She's worried that she's not breastfeeding our son enough and will slowly cease to create breastmilk.
She's called a few female friends that have had about 8 children between them and they assure her that everything is normal.
She's worried that she's not breastfeeding our son enough and will slowly cease to create breastmilk.
Dad takes over today
My wife is still experiencing pain and since this is a Saturday I took over on baby duty so my wife can rest.
Our son was particularly cranky today. I went through my mental checklist of what might be wrong and it eventually turned out he was hungry.
I fed him and then helped him get to sleep so he can nap. Our son is constantly fighting his need for sleep. I hold him in my arms and pat and rub his butt until he nods off. It usually works within five minutes and today was no different.
He's sleeping soundly right now.
Our son was particularly cranky today. I went through my mental checklist of what might be wrong and it eventually turned out he was hungry.
I fed him and then helped him get to sleep so he can nap. Our son is constantly fighting his need for sleep. I hold him in my arms and pat and rub his butt until he nods off. It usually works within five minutes and today was no different.
He's sleeping soundly right now.
Friday, December 03, 2004
Baby dates
Our son is now 20 weeks old. He has grown quite a bit, seeing his pictures over time it's amazing to see. He's almost sitting up on his own.
He still doesn't like laying down on his stomach though. I think he needs to work that out in order to crawl and build his neck strength.
He still doesn't like laying down on his stomach though. I think he needs to work that out in order to crawl and build his neck strength.
Thursday, December 02, 2004
Long way from home
Today was a horror show in getting home. Traffic everywhere. The heavy rains from the morning turned to heavy winds in the evening. My normal 45 minute ride turned into an hour and 40 minutes.
I picked up my wife and we had a nice beef stew dinner at our friends home. We headed home shortly after dinner since everyone was tired.
I picked up my wife and we had a nice beef stew dinner at our friends home. We headed home shortly after dinner since everyone was tired.
Wednesday, December 01, 2004
Hold off
My wife didn't go to Mommy & Me yesterday or today. Yesterday because of her chiropractor's appointment and today because she's helping out our friend at home, her kids are sick and she can use a hand.
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