Another Appointment Update

So, another OB appointment today to check blood pressure. And it has gone up a bit more. So, they did another ultrasound (bringing the total to 4 so far) to check baby movement, diaphragm action, fluid levels, etc. All normal and good. The technician did another size estimate and, are you sitting down?, she's measuring 8 lbs 11 oz. Yes, these measurements are not accurate, but holy jeebus - what if they are? Her head and belly are measuring past 40 weeks in size.

I'm taking tomorrow off to prepare myself for training of my maternity replacement on Monday and Tuesday. Also to rest because I'm getting a cold.

I have another appointment in the afternoon on Monday for non-stress test, fetal monitoring, blood pressure, blood tests, etc. That appointment may determine if I need to go on bed rest...

I'm not loving the new colors on the site so they may change again. Any ideas?

Ch-ch-ch-changes

In honor of the impending arrival of my spawn, I've decided to update the color scheme of the site. It's a work in progress, so if it's really bugging you - let me know.

Sick?

Ugh. There has been a cold/flu going around work and Aaron's university lately. And now my throat is sore and scratchy which are never good signs. Ooh! I really want a cold right now! That would be fabulous!

I got all the thank you cards written and addressed and mostly mailed. I ran out of stamps so the rest will have to wait to be mailed until I can waddle to the post office.

I also heard back from the OB and my blood tests were all normal. So no preeclampsia signs. I have another appointment today in which they will check my blood pressure. Again.

The new maternity leave temp starts on Monday for training. Hopefully this one won't be such a flake. I now have the record for the fastest firing at the company. Luckily everyone is laughing about it. It's really a great place to work.

Edwina the groundhog has finally shown herself near our porch. Our landlords had told me about her, but we didn't see her all summer. Now she's hanging around and under the porch and is VERY chubby. The kitties are fascinated. I left some apple slices out for her and they are all gone. Now I've left an older tomato and a bread slice. My dad would be very angry if he knew I was feeding a groundhog as they were considered very harmful pests on the farm. But she's so cute and chubby! And we're not near a farm! I did take photos, so this weekend will have to be a big photo extravaganza. Groundhogs! Bellies! Garden! Kitties! Nursery! Gratuitious Butt Shots!

Also, Veronica Mars premiered last night. It was great, until she got back together with Duncan. Blech. That guy can't act at all. She was much better with Logan. But I understand why she ended it with him because he was acting a little crazy. The bus went over the cliff! Logan may have killed someone! Lily saved Veronica's life! It's a great show. I'm perfectly comfortable with my choice of not watching Lost in order to watch VM. Especially since my gorgeous sister has probably Tivo'd all the Lost episodes and I can eventually see them all at her house. ;)

Appointment Update

The ultrasound went well. Babycakes is still a girl and, drumroll please, she's currently head down! Yeah! Now she just needs to stay that way until she decides to join us on the outside. There is also plenty of fluid and I'm not dilated, but I'm softening. Negative for Strep B (that's a good thing). My blood pressure went up since last week, so they took some more blood to check for signs of preeclampsia and I have another appointment this Thursday to check my blood pressure again. So a little more time off from work to get down there in time for the appointment. The good news is, I've had very little swelling and I've hit a plateau on the weight gain. Which are signs of preeclampsia. So hopefully the blood pressure is just a sign of high blood pressure. Cross your fingers.

I haven't posted a new belly photo because, frankly, the sight is scary. I look like a frickin' cartoon character at the moment. The mirror in the bathroom only shows me from the chest up but then I have to walk by the full-length mirror on my way to the bedroom. And because it's very difficult to fit a towel around me at the moment, that walk is usually in the buff. So I get to see the train wreck that has become my waist. Scary, scary sight. Perhaps I'll get the courage to let you all bask in the glory that is my girth.

Perhaps not.

Training the Young

So, the new temp didn't work out. Quirks and sketchiness that weren't apparent during the interview were apparent today. So, rather than pay to train someone who may not stay, we sent him home. We will hopefully have someone else in here by the end of the week so that I have time to train before babycakes decides to show herself.

Ugh. What a waste of a day. At least the ultrasound is today, so hopefully that will make things better.

Maternity Leave

I'm in the midst of maternity leave preparations at work. Since I don't want to schedule her birth, I'm kind of playing things day-by-day. I want to work until she comes in order to save as much time for maternity leave as possible. We've hired a temp to work a couple of days a week to cover the bigger projects for me at work. He starts tomorrow for training. And he's going to find out just exactly how often a fully enormous pregnant lady eats in a day. And how often she gets up to use the bathroom. Ah well. Lots of training tomorrow and Wednesday just in case babycakes decides to come before next week. Otherwise, more training next week and so on and so forth until B-day.

And, on his first day of work tomorrow, I have to leave early for my weekly OB appointment. So he will be left to fend for himself. Tomorrow's appointment includes another ultrasound to make sure she's head down like a good little fetus. We get to see her again! And she better have her head down or she's in big trouble! The appointment will probably also include a dilation check. It will be interesting to see if all the cramping is actually cervical activity.

Nesting?

Tonight is a big laundry night. We've received a bunch of new onesies and other lovely outfits that all need to be washed with baby detergent and then folded and then organized by size. Do you know how hard it is to fold something so tiny? And the wee socks! They don't even fit on Aaron's big toes! The dresser is ending completion which means we can soon get all the little piles of clothes off the floor and into drawers. I've unpacked and most un-packaged all the toys and gifts from the shower and have those in piles around the nursery. There is also dust and kitty fur to be taken care of around the house. Why do I now feel like organizing and cleaning when I'm at my most humongous and completely out of breath? Masochism?

I put together the new papasan vibrating seat last night while Aaron fumed about being forced to take stupid German when he'll never use it, ever. And I kind of overdid it a bit with a combination of not sleeping well the night before (actually fell asleep on the way to the shower), laughing my ass off at the shower, coming home and unpacking everything while Aaron worked on the dresser outside (stinky oil-based stain), and then bending and stretching and configuring the papasan.

So now I'm going to try and clean up around the house. Smart, eh?

Whew

Well, 1/2 way done. Aaron managed to start the first coat on the dresser in the morning yesterday. And it's looking like it may need three coats because it is nowhere near as red as I'd hoped. But we'll see with the second coat. All the running around yesterday made the day fly by. I watched everyone play laser tag (nephew, sister, sister, two brother-in-laws and hubby) and then we headed to Target so that I could stock up on some essentials. To prepare the hospital bag, I needed more face cleanser and lotion, makeup, etc. Plus we got a closet organizer for the nursery, some baby nail clippers, a womb sound-making teddy bear that Aaron really wanted (it is actually very cute). Then dashed to pick up the cake at my sister-in-law's house and then dashed to play candlepin bowling. Blah, blah, blah. Yes, I know I've already described how the weekend was going to go.

Anyhoo, today's the shower. ;) See you Monday.

UPDATE: back from the shower. It was lots of fun. I don't think I'm laughed that long continuously in a long time. My sisters did a great job - very fun Mad Libs-type game, diapers on which to write messages for those late night changings, cute clothes lines with onesies and fabric markers for decorating, birthday cards for Sophie from ages 1 - 15 (which everyone signed and wrote funny messages on, a time capsule from my mom, toys for the kids (of all ages) who came to play with. Lots of great gifts and good friends and family. A perfect shower, really. Scary to think I have about 2.5 weeks left. Assuming she arrives on her due date. Even scarier to think she could be early. Or late. It's all so unknown at this point.

Weekend

Jam-packed weekend ahead of us. Since Wednesday was our nephew's 7th birthday, we are having our family birthday party on Saturday. For us, it involves picking up a fancy pirate cake at the local grocery store bakery, bringing it south to my sister-in-law's house for fridge storage. While there, make googly eyes at the littlest nephew, then hop back on the road and head north to play laser tag with birthday nephew and more family members who are arriving in town tonight. Aaron's playing; I plan on shopping at Target. THEN, back on the road, south-bound again, to play candlepin bowling with birthday nephew (he's going to be beside himself once he finds out he gets to do BOTH laser tag AND bowling). Maybe we'll pick up the cake before bowling and bring it there. Oh yeah, and we have to wrap his presents tonight and Aaron has to dig up some worms from the garden who will be called upon for the ultimate little fishy sacrifice (sorry about that wormies). And THEN we head up into the mountains to my parents' house for presents and cake and pizza. Unless we have those things at the bowling alley....Oy.

Sunday is the breakfast baby shower. Among other attendees, there will be a mini-reunion of high school friends.

Hopefully all of this will keep my mind off the mild period-like cramping I've been experiencing. It definitely is more pronounced when I'm home relaxing but maybe it is because I'm much busier at work and I don't have time to think about it. Haven't felt the Braxton Hicks contractions but apparently you can have them without knowing. I guess they feel like a tightening of the belly. Which is already very tight and compact with the ever-enlargening (yes, that's a word) babycakes. Unless the period-like cramps are Braxton Hicks? I don't know for sure.

I hope you all have a loverly weekend.

Humongous

I am a big frickin' blueberry today. I'm wearing one of my sister's maternity shirts that I LOVED about a month ago before my belly was reaching ridiculous proportions. Now? It looks frickin' ridonkulous. My belly enters a room before I do. I have a hard time not crying when I catch my reflection in a mirror or in any of the 4 billion windowed offices in this company.

Just had someone ask me if I "popped" yet (he meant had I had the baby yet because he was behind the wall of the cubicle and had not seen the massive growth that is my belly) and I almost threw down. I have at least 3 more weeks here people. He tried to compare his fugly beer belly with carrying a baby and we (me and my friend A) had to set him straight. 'Does it kick and squirm all day long?' 'Can you sleep on your stomach or back?' 'Does it keep getting bigger with seemingly no end in sight?' 'Do you have to pee 3 trillion times a day?' Then shut up already, take your chipper beer-belly-patting smug self and go away. I'm already tired and out of breath and sick of the kicking and squirming and you don't need to keep commenting to me about how I look ready to "pop" or "burst" or "ooh, any day now!" I will start bringing a baseball bat to work and I'm not afraid to use it.

ANTM

Here are some examples* of why I love 'America's Next Top Model':

"I'm going to fight for this. I'm going to fight truth or nail."

"I've got a good head on my shoulder."

"I'm the jam. I don't know why anyone wouldn't want to butter their bread with me."

*actual quotes from the aspiring models on the show.

Surprise!

What is better than a potluck at work with grilled vegetables and yummy salads and cupcakes? A surprise baby shower! Everyone chipped in and they gave me a very generous Target gift card as well as baby laundry detergent and stain remover and some baby QTips. Plus I received an adorable onesie and some baby booties. They like me, they really like me.

Things

Last night I made a pumpkin caramel cheesecake for our work potluck today. I also worked on the thank you cards for the shower this weekend. With the new stamps from the stamping ladies. They look cute. We also went shopping at Home Despot for stain/polyurethane for the new dresser. We chose a dark red stain and satin polyurethane. Now Aaron just needs to find time to do it. Because the stain is oil-based, I can't touch it. Oh, poor me. Well, actually, I wouldn't mind doing it because Aaron is so busy with trying to write his thesis (in MATH, people). Aaron was a grumpy pill yesterday because he's feeling overwhelmed by schoolwork and the impending spawn's arrival.

Also? Otto puked like 15 times yesterday. He gorges himself on grass when he goes outside and then spends the rest of the night heaving and making the most disgusting noises. I tried to clean a lot of it up, but it makes my dry heave as well so it didn't help Aaron's mood to hear Otto hacking and retching all night.

This weekend we watched 'The Woodsman' (creepy and uncomfortable. great acting, but very hard to watch), 'Crash' (excellent. great acting, great exploration of race issues in America), and 'Fever Pitch' (eh. but it helped to watch this fluff after The Woodsman creeped us out so much).

And, and I watched the new show 'Threshold' this weekend. Whew. If it stays that creepy and exciting, I may get hooked. I love Carla Gugino. And it has Data and Peter Dinklage in it. And Charles Dunning.

Oh yeah, the season premiere of 'Veronica Mars' is next Wednesday. Unfortunately, it is at the same time as 'Lost' - so probably people won't watch it again. Unless you have Tivo. So set your machines now to catch it.

There's probably more but I'm now drawing a blank.

OB Appointment

Today was the 36+ week OB appointment. Where they do the strep test. And all these weeks, I haven't had an internal exam because they tend to only do them at the beginning and at the end. And I purposely chose my OB office because all the doctors are women. But they've merged with another office and one of the male doctors in that office is going to be an extra on-call doctor. So who do I get today to do the internal strep test? Yep. The man. I'm sure he's a fine doctor. And nothing against him personally, but I've never understood why men go into this line of medicine. OB/Gyn is female. It was fine, albeit uncomfortable. He did do a belly exam and thought that babycakes was head down at this point but they are going to do another ultrasound before next week's appointment to be sure. She moves around so much that it is hard for me to determine what is a foot and what is a hand and what is a leg, etc. Aaron is still chatting with her really low in the hopes that if she isn't already head down, she will move towards her daddy's voice. Her heartbeat is strong, my blood pressure is staying steady and I gained a pound since the last appointment. I'm up to 30 total, I think. I'm all of a sudden having a lot more cravings for sweets and very bad treats. Like donuts and M&Ms and cookies. Must continue to try and resist.

More about the classes

I forgot to mention that I've been feeling very close and connected with Aaron after the classes. Not that we weren't close, but more of an affirmation that I've so very lucky to have him in my life and part of this new adventure. But after the class especially. Partly because the teacher was so great and she really helped the daddies see their important role. And partly because after we watched a short movie on newborns, Aaron turned to me and whispered: "I want one of those."

Childbirth Class

The all-day class we took yesterday was just fantastic. We both loved the instructor - she made us feel confident and inspired. It was fascinating to see demonstrations of how the baby makes her way down the birth canal - much different than reading it in a book. The hospital is also excellent - private birthing rooms with jacuzzi tubs to use during contractions, freedom to walk around and use squat bars and birthing balls. My nervousness at this point doesn't come from the birthing process itself but the life changes that happen after.

Thank Yous

We've already received gifts from friends and family and I have a big list I'm keeping. I plan on writing all the thank yous after the baby shower next weekend. That way, I can get them all done in one fell swoop. But just because I know some of you read this, here's a breakdown until the cards go out.

Aaron's aunt and uncle sent the lovliest, softest baby quilt and a very cute book. We love the gifts and are honored that people have taken the time to think of us and the pending new addition.

My friend Dee also just sent us the Boppy pillow with extra covers and Boudreaux's Butt Paste (love the name of that product).

We also received very, very generous cash gifts which will come in very handy to either buy some of the more crucial items on our registry list or to just help with diaper and baby stuff costs. Jo - thank you! Dean - thank you!

We heard back from the furniture place and the mule chest/dresser/changing table is done and we can pick it up. It will have to be next weekend because this weekend is packed full with childbirth classes and visits to the new nephew.

I probably missed something, but I've got pregnancy brain, so....um...what was I talking about?

Weekend

Last night was stamp night and the ladies surprised me with a little shower. Lots of new stamps - some baby, some geometric, a cute outfit, a stuffed moose and some very adorable bodysuits. AND cupcakes and cookies! Oh and flowers, too! It was fun. It was my turn to make an example card and man, the pregnant brain is killing me. I had about 20 rejects before I came up with something for them to make. It seemed to go over well, which is good.

This weekend is the childbirth/newborn class extravaganza. Two full days of classes at the hospital. We are also going to bring the Medela breast pump my sister lent me to have it calibrated and tested. Just to make sure it still sucks. ;)

And then baking and cooking and freezing! Hopefully. As long as the mugginess and humidity ease off a bit. I have been a big sweatball at night due to the 5000 percent humidity at the moment. Ugh. I went to bed with my hair straight and woke up with a full head of kinky curls.

I hope you all have a lovely weekend.

The Plan

Since it has come up in conversation many times, here is our 'official' plan for the next many months.

The Plan

1. Get through the final month of pregnancy without going insane.

2. Have baby as naturally as she allows. Which means no epidural if I can stand it, no episiotomy, being allowed to walk around and deal with the contractions in more natural ways. I'd really, really like to avoid pitocin and a c-section. However, if babycakes' health is threatened in any way, she most definitely comes before my wishes. My birth coach is Aaron. We do not plan on having a room full of people other than me, my husband and the hospital staff.

3. Come back home

4. Get to know babycakes. Just the three of us. We may end up calling my mom and begging for mercy once she arrives and it all becomes a lot less theoretical. But for now, on paper, we prefer the idea of getting to know babycakes by ourselves. HA! You are all laughing at me and my naive notions of what we can handle. You are probably right.

5. I plan on taking 12 weeks off from work. Because that is such a short amount of time, I plan on working until she comes. I'd much rather spend my time off with her than spend it twiddling my thumbs and going crazy at home. Some of that is short-term disability, paid for by a combination of work and health insurance. Some of that is saved-up vacation time. It really, really sucks that we don't live in a country that values the time mothers spend with their children. Family values, my ass. I envy my friends in Europe and Canada who can take 6 - 12 months off.

6. Aaron is finishing his Bachelor's Degree in Pure Mathematics this semester. So, even though babycakes wasn't planned per se, it all works out well. As soon as I return to work, Aaron is done with his B.S. So he's going to stay home with her while I go back to work. Any of the graduate schools to which he is applying won't start until at least August of next year. So he'll have a good 8 months of being Mr. Mom before we have to figure out the toddler plan.

7. I plan on breastfeeding until at least 9 months. Hopefully it will go well and I will stick with it until she is a year old. Yes, I will call a lactation consultant if it isn't going well. Our hospital has a very highly recommended breastfeeding center. Yes, I know it can be frustrating for some people and for babies and I know to play things by ear.

8...8...I forget what 8 was for, but

9. We plan on using disposable diapers. Yes, they just go straight into landfills, but A. no diaper service around here and I don't think I'd be able to handle washing the shit myself and B. you waste a LOT of water with cloth diapers. One kind of cancels the other out as far as benefits. So, I'm sticking with the option where I can dispose of the shit vs. touch it more than necessary.

10. We are going to have her sleep in a bassinet near our bed for the first few months at least. Aaron would really like to have her sleep with us, but I have seen how that man flails around at night and she would probably be safer in her own little nest. But where she won't feel abandoned and lonely. And next to me where I can easily reach her for feedings, etc. Once she's adapted to us a bit, then we'll think about moving her to the crib in the nursery. Yes, I know babies make a lot of noise and that we may not want her in the room with us but I believe in the evolutionary theory that babies feel very vunerable if they can't sense their parents nearby. And I'd rather not put her through that at first.

I think that covers most of it. What did I forget? Any questions still left unanswered?

Head officially exploding

This man almost died because of FEMA

Oh and this: Separate but Equal:

"SEPARATE BUT EQUAL" EDUCATION: The Wall Street Journal reports that Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings will ask Congress to waive a federal law that bans educational segregation for homeless children. The Bush administration is arguing, along with states like Utah and Texas, that providing schooling for evacuees – who, in this case, are likened to homeless children — will be disruptive to public school systems, so they want to have sound legal backing for creating separate educational facilities for the 372,000 schoolchildren displaced by Hurricane Katrina. The State of Mississippi is opposed to waiving the Act because they argue the law helps evacuees enroll in schools without red tape. [WSJ, “Schooling Evacuees Provokes Debate,” 9/14/05]"

What happened to 'No Child Left Behind'?

Disgusting

Hmm. Wonder why the news reports are saying that they are not finding very many dead bodies in New Orleans? Maybe because the firm who has been contracted to 'deal' with the corpses was implicated in illegally discarding corpses! And guess what? Yes, the company is operated by a friend of the Bush family. How nice.

Another link about the original scandal/trial by the Washington Post.

"It is appalling that the Bush administration –- which has already badly bungled its response to hurricane Katrina –- would hire a company with a record of gross mismanagement of mortuary services," said Melanie Sloan, executive director of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics, a Washington D.C.-based watchdog group. "I can only imagine that this decision was made because of President Bush's long-time friendship with the head of SCI, Robert Waltrip."

'Things are going relatively well'

"Say that again?"

Memorable quotes from Hurricane Katrina and her aftermath. Pass it on.

Such as:

"The guy who runs this building I'm in, emergency management, he's responsible for everything. His mother was trapped in a St. Bernard nursing home and every day she called him and said, 'Are you coming, son? Is somebody coming?' [starting to cry] And he said, 'Yeah, Mama, somebody's coming to get you. Somebody's coming to get you on Tuesday. Somebody's coming to get you on Wednesday. Somebody's coming to get you on Thursday. Somebody's coming to get you on Friday.' And she drowned Friday night. She drowned Friday night." -- Jefferson Parish president Aaron Broussard, Sept. 4, on NBC's "Meet the Press," in one of the defining media moments of all the hurricane coverage.

Choppa Hat!

As promised, here is a photo of babycakes' newest hat. From the faboo Choppa. If you click on the photo, there are new horrifying belly photos.

Breastssss

Saturday was our breastfeeding class. Of the 8 women attending, only three of us brought our partners. Which surprised me a little. I'm sure everyone has their own reasons, but I really wanted Aaron there for support and to learn as much about it as I would.

It was a good class although I got a case of the giggles during the short video showing little babies breastfeeding. Yes, I'm mature. Really? It didn't help that they had apple cider and cider donuts (mmm, sugar) for us to munch on during the class. One of the women in the video had rather large breasts and she sort of shoved the baby's head onto herself. It was a little alarming. The teacher commented that she noticed some of us laughing (i.e.: ME) and that technique is actually called R.A.M. (rapid arm movement). "Sometimes you have a small window where the baby's mouth is wide open and you need to take advantage of it." Yes, by smothering your baby with your breast.

Other notes of interest: 6 of the women were wearing flip flops due to swollen feet and ankles. We are all due in October. Everyone said they had no questions but then lots of questions came up later. They handed out dolls with which to practice and one of the men was showing his wife the "football hold" and accidentally popped off the baby's head. The look on his face was priceless.

New Nephew!

After much laboring, we have a new nephew! Galen was born this morning at 3:30 am. He's 8 lbs, 3 oz and is 22 inches long! It's a good thing she was a week early, because that's a big boy. We are going to visit them at the hospital in a bit so I'll post pictures later. Both mom, dad and baby are doing great. Everyone sounds a bit exhausted.

UPDATE: Well, we brought them a fancy birthday cake and got to hold Galen for a bit. Both mom and dad are, indeed, exhausted but very excited. He's a real cutie-pie.

No pictures of mom yet because she was still feeling a bit sore/tired/exhausted, etc.

New Baby!

No, not mine. Yet. My sister-in-law's water broke yesterday. About a week early. I talked to her last night and her contractions hadn't really started yet and the last I heard, if things didn't pick up by morning, they were checking her in to the hospital about 8 am. So, we'll have a new nephew today! Yeah! She sounded nervous and excited. And, my own personal worst scenario, her water broke while she was out shopping! Everyone has told me - 'Oh, don't worry, either the doctor will have to break your water for you or you'll be at home.' Uh, right. Fears confirmed.

In other news - the fabulous Amy Choppa sent babycakes the MOST ADORABLE knitted baby hat! It's shiny and orange and just stupendous. I'll post photos this weekend.

We are headed out to dinner tonight with a friend from high school and her lovely new husband. To a fancy Italian restaurant. Yummy!

And then tomorrow is our breastfeeding class at the hospital. Yay! Boobies!

Babycakes is still kicking the crap out of me. The attitude on this spawn already!

I hope you all have a great weekend.

Whoopsi Gras

Wow. New Mark Fiore cartoon. FYI, has sound so be careful at work.

Found Another Looter

I've found another looter. Everyone, meet Exxon.

"Oil companies came under new fire yesterday when it emerged that ExxonMobil's profits are likely to soar above $10 billion this quarter on the back of the fuel crisis.

That's $110 million a day, and more net income than any company has ever made in a quarter. It's also a stunning 69 percent increase over the same period a year ago and a 34 percent jump from the $7.6 billion Exxon made just last quarter."

Um - WTF?!

Red Wine and Chocolate

Now this is the kind of news that makes my day.

Adding chocolate and red wine to your diet could add 6 years to your life.

We've already bought a fancy bottle of wine to enjoy after babycakes' arrival. And I have a cupboard filled with dark chocolate. I'm ready.

All Kicks and No Rest

Ugh. She has been kicking the hell out of me today. All over my ribs, my belly button (which hurts), my belly. I must be bruised inside. Add to that the lack of sleep and I'm quite cranky. After tossing and turning last night, I finally fell asleep only to wake up at 3am. And then could not fall back asleep. Until the last 1/2 hour before the alarm goes off. That is an extremely disappointing feeling - to finally fall asleep only to be rudely disturbed and forced to get up.

Katrina Timeline

Let us not forget that our dear leader was on VACATION for two days after Katrina hit. "Let them eat cake!" seems to be the way to handle these situations. It's not a "blame game" as the conservatives are all saying - it is no game. Thousands of people have died. It is criminal negligence. Fire Brown, fire Chertoff, fire Bush. Especially touching is the news that Bush is going to lead an investigation of his administration's failure. WTF?

Katrina timeline. A must read.

An answer to where Cheney was - he was shopping for a MANSION while people were dying without food and water. Just when I thought it couldn't get worse or more callous.

Tuesday

Ah. Nice long weekend. We slept in, took it easy, made some cookies, did some shopping, watched some movies ('Sin City' and 'Vera Drake'), grilled dinner for our landlord and finished two books. Fab. And now I'm back at work. Boo.

Now that babycakes is most likely head down, we have the issue of the feets and hands facing outwards. Still have plenty of time to move her, but she should really be facing inwards. Spine to spine deliveries are apparently not pleasant. So, this entails lots of leaning forward. Which feels great, actually, after a long day.

I finished "We Need to Talk about Kevin" by Lionel Shriver. Yikes. An excellent book but very creepy with an ending I did NOT see coming. About a mother and a boy who kills 11 students/others at his school. The book is written from the perspective of the mom after the fact - she's writing letters to her husband/boy's father. Very well written and entirely creepy.

I also finished "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel. Also well-written and very interesting. An amazing survival story that is quite spell-binding.

The hubster starts school tomorrow. With one big math department meeting today. He's made great progress on his thesis and hopes to turn in a good portion of it today. And to confirm his thesis advisors.

I unpacked all the baby clothes my sister lent me and - wow - there are piles and piles. Tiny little pants and tights; wee bitty socks and hats; adorable pjs. It's hard to believe she'll be so small.

OB Update

Today was the 34 week OB appointment. I gained only 1/2 pound, my blood pressure was better at 140/80, very little swelling and the doctor thinks that babycakes has been listening to her daddy and is now head down! All good news. The OB even said that I'm "the picture of health". Excellent.

We saw my sister-in-law and brother in town today as well. She's in her 38th week and is feeling like things are starting to move along a bit. So they went for a walk. My brother is going to be out of town this weekend, shooting a wedding, and they are a bit nervous. We told them that we are here all weekend so be sure to call if you need our help.

Also, since the gas in Northampton tends to be cheaper than up North by us, we filled the tank. The cheapest unleaded was $3.09/gallon. As we were standing there, an attendant came out and changed the price from $3.09 to $3.29 - luckily after we had finished filling up. Seriously - a 20 cent increase!? If that isn't evidence of gouging, I don't know what is.

We rented 'Sin City' for tonight - after repeated visits to the video store to see if it had come back.

I hope you all have a safe and lovely holiday weekend.

Absolutely Chilling

From the Times-Picayne website. They are listing cries for help and text messages they are receiving from people who are trapped and desperate.

All while the head of FEMA says that help is being provided and our dear leader flies over the city in a helicopter for a strategic photo-op and while apparently has decided not to land and actually see/smell/hear the desperation for himself.

Also, where's Cheney? Still on vacation?!? Buying expensive shoes and seeing Broadway shows like Condi?

The incompetence and utter lack of decency of these people is astounding.

UPDATE: MoveOn.org has created a website called Hurricane Housing where people can offer up rooms in their houses to the refugees. So far, they have 34,000 rooms available. Incredible. That is people working together.

Kitties, etc.

And now for a completely irrelevant post. The kitties had their annual visit to the vet (i.e.: my dad) yesterday. Otto is 16.5 pounds! Tabitha is 15.2 pounds! (and she lost about a pound from last year). They were very well behaved and scared and their lumps are cysts (Otto) and fat deposits (Tabitha). We also got a very fine-toothed comb to help with Tabs' dandruff. Which I used last night and was able to produce a new cat from all the fur who we will call "Furball the Flaky".

I am a big sweat ball today. I'm trying to get materials ready for a tradeshow. Which means that things have to be pulled together to be ready to ship tomorrow. The office in which I work is nicely air conditioned. However, the manufacturing side of our building is not. And that is where all the tradeshow stuff is stored. It is hot and muggy and dusty. So I keep dragging myself out there and then drag myself back in here. The part cotton, part rayon shirt is not helping anything. It's pretty much holding all the heat in.

In other news, I'm trying not to get too anxious about what is happening in New Orleans and Mississippi right now. Things seem to have descended into chaos. There are reports of gas stations running out of gas in North Carolina, South Carolina, Arizona, Maryland and of course Louisiana and Mississippi. That can not be good for anything - the ramifications are enormous. I'm really worried about the people in that region and the help they are not receiving. I've heard people questioning why people didn't leave when the cities were ordered evacuated. There were a LOT of people who simply couldn't afford to leave. I read somewhere that there are more than 20% of the people in those regions who live below the poverty level. So these fancy newscasters can act all scornful and say - well, they should have left - without stopping to consider that some people just simply couldn't. It makes me very sad and feel very helpless and scared.