Hokey Pokey

A while ago, Frances, Johann and I went to Fry-fest. It's a little celebration of Hayden Fry, long-time head coach of the Iowa Hawkeyes.

The reason we went was because they were going to try to break the world record for most people doing the Hokey Pokey together (the previous record was something like 4,000 people).

Arial was really pregnant at the time, so she asked me to go alone with the external kids.

I knew that parking was going to be bad because on my bus ride home, I listened to the bus driver chatter about how the park and ride shuttles were packed. So, when the traffic started to get thick, I pulled off and parked in a motel parking lot. Others seemed to be doing the same.

The walk was pretty long, somewhere between a half mile and a mile. Johann and Frances did really well with it.

When we got to the festival, we could see a large field where the band was playing and a lot of people were standing. There was a long, long line of people. I couldn't tell really where it was going but after a little search, we found the end and took our chances by standing at the end.

That was a wise decision because it lead to the entrance of the "free" Hokey Pokey section (there was a concert later that night and if you had tickets you could get right in *and* be in front of the stage). The line moved rather quickly which was nice because we had arrived around the time they said they would start.

At the gate, they gave each of us a wrist band which I believe was how they were counting us (there were also a couple people with clickers but I doubt that is very accurate).

After attaching the wrist bands to each child, we were funneled off to the side. I was later told that they had to expand the "free" section because there was a bigger turnout than they thought (or maybe they had higher expectations for ticket sales).

We found a place at the fence which was actually next to the gate. That was interesting for me since I got to see the procedures being used to count people. When someone would leave, they had to cut the band off their wrist, presumably so they wouldn't be counted. There were Guinness people walking around presumably making sure everything was correct.

The kids weren't as entertained. I held them up to see the cheerleaders but that was about all the entertainment they had. They did well though. I guess a new experience was enough for them.

Finally, the buses stopped dumping people out and stragglers were encouraged to hurry. I don't recall if anyone was actually locked out but they closed the gates.

Some people spoke, including Hayden Fry (but we couldn't see the stage since we were off to the side). They did a warm up round of a few verses and then we did it for real.

The music started, we danced. Frances and Johann had fun. They did great at putting various body parts in.

The song ended, a cheer went up, then the music started again. I found out later that to get the record, we had to dance for 5 minutes, which was two play-throughs. I thought it was a celebratory dancing.

So, we danced again. It was a little harder to keep Johann interested but he stuck with it.

Then it was finished. We had broken the record with 7,000+ people dancing. So, now the Frances, Johann and I are part of a world record.


After the event, we went to look for cotton candy because Frances had seen some. I couldn't find any. We saw a lady whose kids had some. I tried to ask her where she got it but she was busy arguing with her child and I couldn't get her attention.

On the way back to the car I alternated carrying them. Johann declared he had to go to the bathroom.

I had one child wanting a treat and another needing to relieve himself. I thought that the McDonald's near by could solve all of our problems.

Unfortunately, that McDonald's had been torn down.

So we hurried home, used the bathroom and had ice cream.

mwz

Johann Quotes

Johann recently made a couple statements that I wanted to save for posterity.

All of us but Frances were at a Doctors appointment for Gwen. We were getting ready to go when Johann said, "Don't leave me here, otherwise they will think I'm a tiny doctor".

I love the image of Johann being handed a tiny lab coat and taken to see patients.

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Another time Johann showed his frustration with having a sibling by telling Arial, "I wish there was a parent for each kid". When she told me about that, I accused her of watching Sister Wives with him in the room. She denied it.

mwz

Bottle

Just so there is no confusion, our newest daughter will be referred to as Gwendolyn or Gwen.

A few days ago, Arial had a dentist appointment and left Gwen and I alone for the first time. She was kind enough to supply us with a small bottle of milk. Enough to tide Gwen over until Arial returned.

I waited to use the bottle until what I thought was the optimal time, less than halfway through the alone time but before Gwen became really upset.

When that time came, I warmed up the bottle by pouring hot water over it from the faucet (which works really well). The whole time telling Gwen that she would appreciate having the bottle and that this effort was totally worth it even though standing in one place like that made her cry.

With the bottle warm, we sat down. In an attempt to make her understand what we were doing, I tried to hold her like Arial does when she feeds her.

Then, I put the bottle in her mouth. She was crying and didn't really notice/care that something was in there. I squeezed the bottle to let some milk out, hoping that she would recognize the sensation of taste. She didn't.

After a bit, Gwen stopped screaming long enough to realize that something was up. A test suck on the bottle resulted in a tiny bit of crying. Probably because the world was not behaving as it should.

Soon after though, Gwen decided to give the bottle a real try. The whole time that she slowly ate, she gave this look that expressed how dubious she was about the situation.

Gwen fell asleep after nearly finishing all of what Arial had left for her. I finished watching the episode of Supernatural that was on and lay down on the couch to nap with her.

That's where Arial found us when she returned, happily sleeping after a triumphant experience with a bottle.

As an addendum to the story, the next day, I was trying to entertain/distract Gwen with a fish-rattle. She gave a tentative look and opened her mouth hoping it was another bottle. I think that was a disappointment for her.

mwz

Facebook Birth

The following is a recap of the facebook posts made leading up to our newest daughters birth. The names have been swapped to protect identities.

Note: Arial had a non-stress test at 10:30am on Day 1. We had already been in the hospital for a long time before the first post.

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mwz Day 1 at 7:42pm
We're in the hospital. Inducing (induction?) is happening.

LMBR Good luck I hope everything goes well .
Day 1 at 8:02pm

MNS yay! good luck!
Day 1 at 8:14pm

JC Whoa!! Thinking of you, hope it goes well!!
Day 1 at 8:49pm

KJB Congrats!! You're having a Labor Day baby! Wishing you and Arial the best.
Day 1 at 8:52pm

CS Wishing a speedy delivery! =)
Day 1 at 9:21pm

KYC Oh, wow, good luck, brutha!
Day 1 at 9:33pm

AB Wishing you guys the best.
Day 1 at 9:56pm

JC Good luck!
Day 1 at 10:32pm

JR Good luck mwz!
Day 1 at 11:06pm

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mwz Day 2 at 9:16am
Still waiting for the baby. Our room has a view of Kinnick. That's pretty neat... would rather have the baby though.

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mwz Day 2 at 10:26am
Epidural in just fine. They wouldn't give me one. Well, I didn't want it anyway. :_(

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mwz Day 2 at 10:45am Attempt to comment on a friends status:
If you were camping, how did you comment on my FB status? That doesn't seem like you were roughing it.

JC I'm back now! And before, I think I was on my way back. We really were roughing it! No cell service :( so good thing arial waited for us to get back!! Although now she has to labor on Labor Day, literally...
Day 2 at 10:50am

mwz Hmmm.. That didn't attach to Josie's status. I'm going to take that as a sign that I need to nap now just like L is doing.
Day 2 at 10:51am

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mwz Day 2 at 1:01pm
Still no baby. I think Arial may have been making it up.

MNS Arial is a pretty good faker! Are you getting any closer to baby though??
Day 2 at 1:02pm

AB What a great comment from a loving husband.
Day 2 at 1:02pm

mwz Supposedly, she is progressing. I'm prediction an October baby.
Day 2 at 1:05pm

DK Good luck!! And congrats... when the baby finally arrives.
Day 2 at 1:12pm

EF Awe! Be nice to her!
Day 2 at 1:13pm

AB Rather than a Labor Day baby have a Columbus Day baby.
Day 2 at 1:15pm

mwz Arial suggested Halloween.
Day 2 at 3:10pm

AB That may be way too long of labor for Arial.
Day 2 at 3:15pm

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Arial Day 2 at 1:38pm
Arial thinks the epidurals in Iowa are better than in Cleveland.

MNS i have been getting a big kick out of mwz's status updates but am glad you're online too! if its gonna be a long induction, might as well be entertained by facebook! hope the baby makes an appearance soon though! did you ever pick out a name??
Day 2 at 1:56pm

EB Hang in there...! People wondered how I could be on Facebook during labor...you know, it was something to do! Keep up posted.
Day 2 at 3:20pm

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mwz Day 2 at 3:05pm
Arial's started throwing up. The nurses say it's a good sign. So begins my distrust of the nurses.

KCT You should stop feeding her Flaming Hot Cheetos and Cherry 7 Up.
Day 2 at 3:23pm

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mwz Day 2 at 3:59pm
They broke her water. I didn't think they had succeeded yet, so I took a peak the stick they were poking towards my daughters head. Then the midwife pulled her hand into view (the midwife's hand, not my daughters). What was on it didn't look especially gross but I don't want to think about it anymore.

AB You need to print all of these posts. They are a very entertaining.
Day 2 at 4:08pm

DK I'm sure these posts will make nice additions to the baby book.
Day 2 at 5:53pm

AL MWZ! What happens in the delivery room, stays in the delivery room.
Day 2 at 6:01pm

YCL Previous post was actually from me. (I was logged in as A)
Day 2 at 6:15pm

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mwz Day 2 at 6:05pm
Arial's resting amid tubes and cables. A machine squeezes her arm and takes her every so often. Occasionally, it beeps at her for having the audacity to have an elevated blood pressure.

Maybe if you stopped cutting off the blood supply to her arm, she could relax a bit, Machine.

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mwz Day 2 at 8:12pm
I've been assured that the baby will arrive on this calendar date. In fact, Arial gave me a dirty look when my question suggested that it was possible for it to last longer.

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mwz Day 2 at 8:13pm
Arial mentioned something about being in transition (a while ago). I googled that. She didn't care for me to read about it out loud, saying something about having experienced it before.

YCL Walk lightly mwz....and be prepared to duck!
Day 2 at 8:20pm

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mwz Day 2 at 9:04pm
*BABY'S FULL NAME*

MNS Yay!!! Congrats you guys and good work, Arial!
Day 2 at 9:13pm

JO Congratulations mwz!!!!!
Day 2 at 9:13pm

YCL WOooHOOoo! The 's are excited! Congratulations family!
Day 2 at 9:18pm

SC Good name! Congrats.
Day 2 at 9:19pm

SB Welcome *BABY*!!!! Congrats Mom and Dad!!!
Day 2 at 9:20pm

RP Congrats!
Day 2 at 9:33pm

AB Hope mom and the baby are doing great.
Day 2 at 9:38pm

MS Congratulations! Love the name :)
Day 2 at 9:55pm

GC Yea Arial and mwz! Congratulations!
Day 2 at 10:47pm

JB Congrats to both of you!
Day 3 at 7:50am

DK Congrats! And you didn't even have to wait until October!
Day 3 at 9:46pm

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mwz Day 2 at 11:09pm
She's asleep and beautiful.

EF *BABY* or poor Arial?! Congrats! Can't wait to see pics!
Day 2 at 11:43pm

MO Praise be to God. Congratulations!
Day 3 at 7:06am

KYC Congratulations, mwz!
Day 3 at 8:01am

JC pictures!
Day 3 at 3:55pm

JR grats mwz!
Day 3 at 10:56pm

mwz

Shonen Knife

Arial and I were each reading books last night. Music was coming from Johann's room and we had the following conversation.

Me: The kids are listening to Shonen Knife. When did you give them that CD?

Arial: I don't know where they got it from.

After discussing it with the kids, apparently Johann had just grabbed it from our CD collection in the basement. He made a pretty good choice. It could have been pretty bad. We have some CDs that aren't appropriate for children, like the New Kids on the Block Christmas album that I bought for a quarter because I thought it was funny or the All-4-One disc that Arial has for no logical reason (possibly because she's a girl).

Johann liked the album but there is one song on it that sounds like a more traditional Japanese (or at least asian) tune. We heard Johann say "I don't like this song. It's too slow." and Frances chimed in with "And it's in Spanish too".

We didn't correct her. I'm sure that at some point she will learn that there are more than two languages.

Ben

Frances' Tri

Frances had the second tri which followed Johann's. Arial and Frances hurried off to the starting line after Johann finished. When Johann and I made it back, Arial was waving for us to hurry. Frances' swim cap was nowhere to be found. It was imperative that she have one because she wouldn't be eligible to race without it. I ran to transition and a helpful volunteer grabbed Johann's cap for me (which was also the cap that I would wear the next day). After we got Johann's cap on Frances, Arial found the other one in her pocket. Frances wanted to switch to her pink cap, so we did.

After a long wait in the start line (she was one of the last in line, since we didn't get any better at lining up early), she was off on the swim.

The swim was just the right depth for her to walk or swim. And she swam a lot of it. The pattern was something like wade-wade-swim-swim-swim-swim-wade-wade-swim-swim-swim-swim. Most of the distance she covered was swimming. It still amazes me that she can swim. Later, she declared the swim to be her favorite part.

Out of the water, Arial ran with her (since for some reason a single parent couldn't help two kids, so the crazy pregnant lady ran into transition with her). Together they got her dressed (again slower than her competitors, we'll work on that for next year). When it came time for shorts Arial asked if she wanted to not wear the shorts. I yelled, "Skip the shorts. Get her out on the course". But Frances would have none of that. Strangely, she looked to me like she was going to cry if she couldn't wear shorts. (I understand though, I also put on shorts in T1. Were a modest family.)

The bike went pretty well but it was far (1 mile). I trailed along for some of it but I let her go when she reached the corner to a long stretch. When I got to the corner, she was long gone.

Then I waited.

And waited.

After a bit I grew concerned, so I started walking down the long road. Another dad was walking on the other side of the road. I asked him if he had lost his kid too. He said that he had.

Eventually, that guy spotted his kid and I spotted a kid that I knew was ahead of Frances. Apparently, a mile bike takes some time, especially compared to Johann's bike around the parking lot.

Frances finished the bike strong. She later told me that she passed a few people on the bike. I'm not sure if it was during the time she was missing or on the last corner when I was there and wasn't paying attention to the competition. Maybe it was both.

Arial went with her in transition. I quick took a long range photo of them racking the bike, then told Johann, "We should go to the run-out. That's when I saw her running out of transition. It was a fast transition.

Arial took charge of Johann and I ran along with Frances, cutting corners when I could and snapping pictures.

Her age group had an aid station on the run. We hadn't talked about that. But she did a great job walking and drinking like a pro. The only issue was that she didn't know how to get rid of the partially full cup. I'm pretty sure she would have taken it with her the rest of the race (careful not to spill) if a volunteer hadn't noticed and asked another to take it from her.

She ran her heart out and crossed the finish line just as tired as Johann was. I got a picture of her with her medal and let her pick out two things at the concession stand (she chose two different types of granola bar, Johann had chosen trail mix (w/ M&M knock-offs) and a giant rice crispy treat).

We were all very happy with her performance and I couldn't be more proud.

The kids played on the beach, while we waited to get the stuff out of transition. They probably like that just as much as the triathlon.

All in all a great weekend and three great Tri's.

mwz

Johann's Tri

Johann had the first tri of the day. He was one of the last kids to start (timed start not wave) because we aren't very good at lining up early. We were concerned that he would be to "shy" or scared to do it. But that wasn't a problem. He waded through the water like a champ.

Coming out of the water, Johann looked like he was having a great time. We took too long in transition putting on socks and such. It was better than Frances' first tri where I made her do everything (I thought it was the rule) but still not good compared to the other kids. We're learning with every kids tri we do.

Of course, Johann took off on the bike. He even passed a few kids (after I told him to). Later he said that the bike was his favorite part.

T2 was quick and he was off on the run. Johann was getting tired at this point but he kept gutting it out. The one problem with the run was that he kept trying to follow me, rather than the path. That slowed him down a bit since he was unsure of where he was supposed to run but he kept going and made it to the finish line.

I am terribly proud of his effort. He was completely spent but happy when he got done. And now he is a triathlete.

mwz