If it's been a day or more since you baby has pooped and you finally hear her go, don't wait until she's "finished". You will wind up cutting her out of here new Hawkeye onesie (fortunately, you got it at Wal-Mart in a three pack for only $10).
Don't let this happen to you.
mwz
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Baptism
We finally got Gwen baptized. So now there is a little less pressure to keep her alive (but only an itsy, bitsy bit less).
One of my brothers and my sister came down, each of them bringing their three boys. It was crazy to have 9 kids (including Gwen) around. They played together amazingly well, so there wasn't any difficulty involved (other than trying to figure out where everyone was going to eat).
My parents and Arial's mom were there too. There were a lot of people in the house. Fortunately it was nice out, the kids played outside a lot.
Really not much else to say other than the Hawkeyes beat Michigan. The only flaw was that the game pulled my attention away from the people who weren't watching.
Finally, a shout out to C who was there but didn't get mentioned in this post.
mwz
One of my brothers and my sister came down, each of them bringing their three boys. It was crazy to have 9 kids (including Gwen) around. They played together amazingly well, so there wasn't any difficulty involved (other than trying to figure out where everyone was going to eat).
My parents and Arial's mom were there too. There were a lot of people in the house. Fortunately it was nice out, the kids played outside a lot.
Really not much else to say other than the Hawkeyes beat Michigan. The only flaw was that the game pulled my attention away from the people who weren't watching.
Finally, a shout out to C who was there but didn't get mentioned in this post.
mwz
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Cute Noises
Over the last week, Gwendolyn has progressed to making vocal noises other than crying. She makes these cute little uh's.
They seem to be warning noises, her way of saying "I'm not happy with the situation but not mad enough to cry... yet". She probably isn't trying to imply the "yet" on the end but that is the practical application.
Ignore them at your peril.
mwz
They seem to be warning noises, her way of saying "I'm not happy with the situation but not mad enough to cry... yet". She probably isn't trying to imply the "yet" on the end but that is the practical application.
Ignore them at your peril.
mwz
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
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
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
Thursday, October 07, 2010
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.
-----------------------
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
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.
-----------------------
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
Sunday, October 03, 2010
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
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
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
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.
-----------------------------------------
mwz Day 1 at 7:42pm
We're in the hospital. Inducing (induction?) is happening.
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.
-----------------------------------------
mwz Day 2 at 10:26am
Epidural in just fine. They wouldn't give me one. Well, I didn't want it anyway. :_(
-----------------------------------------
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.
mwz Day 2 at 1:01pm
Still no baby. I think Arial may have been making it up.
Arial Day 2 at 1:38pm
Arial thinks the epidurals in Iowa are better than in Cleveland.
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.
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.
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.
-----------------------------------------
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.
-----------------------------------------
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.
mwz Day 2 at 9:04pm
*BABY'S FULL NAME*
-----------------------------------------
mwz Day 2 at 11:09pm
She's asleep and beautiful.
mwz
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.
-----------------------------------------
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
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.
-----------------------------------------
mwz Day 2 at 10:26am
Epidural in just fine. They wouldn't give me one. Well, I didn't want it anyway. :_(
-----------------------------------------
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
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
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
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
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
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.
-----------------------------------------
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.
-----------------------------------------
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
mwz Day 2 at 9:04pm
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
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
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