Given the undeniable Foster proclivity toward competition, I thought it might be fun to start the Wendi and Matt Baby Pool -- essentially, to see which (if any) of us can predict the date that I'll give birth. Given that there's 21 days left until my due date and NOT (or should I say, "not yet!") that many Fosters, I'm not going to subdivide into hour slots. Simply pick a date and let that be your vote!
To further clarify, today is the 9th, and my due date is August 30th. Additionally, my OB has told me that if Sy isn't here by the 6th of September (7 days after my due date) he will want to induce (not sure if he meant "on that day" or near it).
I'm feeling just fine today, thanks, so I'm going to put the time frame in the four weeks between Friday, August 10th and Friday, September 7th. Again, I know that's more days than there are Fosters, but I'm going to see if I can get my own family and friends in on this too.
And of course everyone wants to know what the pot is for the contest...well, not much, save of course for the baseless, glowing satisfaction that stems from making a lucky call about something completely inconsequential (and we all know how fun THAT is!).
But to sweeten the deal literally and figuratively, I'll throw in the additional prize of a homemade (by me!) dessert of the winner's choice. If a Foster is the winner, then the jackpot will very probably be shared and enjoyed by the entire family this Thanksgiving (with the winner of course getting first dibs). If no Foster wins...well, then you all get nothing and like it. ;-P
Okay, here are the votes I have so far:
Matthew: August 28th
Ben (my co-worker): August 26th
Donna (my sister): September 6th (is her mean streak showing or what?)
Linda (friend from Baltimore): September 1st
Matt K (friend from Philadelphia): September 3rd
Jeff: August 24th
Angie: August 20th
Bring 'em on, folks!
Thursday, August 09, 2007
Thursday, August 02, 2007
Bigger than life...
...or so I seem to myself these days, yikes! :-S
Anyway, sorry I've been so absent in the blogosphere of late, but I'll try to get a decent post up sometime this weekend. In the meantime, here's a photo that was just taken a few minutes ago by my co-worker Ben. Things are truly getting massive here at the 36 week mark!
Anyway, sorry I've been so absent in the blogosphere of late, but I'll try to get a decent post up sometime this weekend. In the meantime, here's a photo that was just taken a few minutes ago by my co-worker Ben. Things are truly getting massive here at the 36 week mark!
Thursday, July 05, 2007
Garrison Keillor on libraries
A woman in my department at the Denver Public Library sent a link to this opinion piece about libraries by Garrison Keillor (of Prairie Home Companion fame). Mr. Keillor views libraries as a sort of sanctuary from a world that can be pretty ugly (particularly the world of politics), and I'm inclined to agree with him -- to a point.
The atmosphere here in the "main branch" can be intimidating to those who are not seasoned to the seedier aspects of urban life; one former employee here was known to describe the library as "the city's largest homeless shelter", and it's hard to argue with that observation, especially during the winter months. I won't attempt to sugarcoat the many unpleasant and even violently disruptive events that have occurred in recent years at my place of work -- rampant vandalism, drunken disorderly behavior, "misuse" (euphemism of the year!) of computers with internet access, assault, etc. It's all too common in Central, and it can have the unfortunate repercussion of driving patrons away from the positive things our branch has to offer.
Nonetheless, libraries for me have always been a haven. I spent much time in them as a child, and even if I wasn't spending my time as I was supposed to (e.g., checking out fiction or personal interest nonfiction instead of doing research for yet another dull school assignment), I truly felt at home. Where else could an introverted misfit bookworm such as myself bask in the glow of so much literature? (Mind you, this was well before the advent of such big-box bookstores as Borders or Barnes and Noble).
Anyway, I suppose it's no accident that I ended up working in a library, although to be honest I never really considered it as an option prior to taking my current position in March of 2002. So more power to Keillor, more power to me *grin*, and please support your local libraries -- regardless of how many sketchy types you may find hanging out in them on occasion. Libraries are an extremely valuable resource and they must be cherished! Thank you. :-)
The atmosphere here in the "main branch" can be intimidating to those who are not seasoned to the seedier aspects of urban life; one former employee here was known to describe the library as "the city's largest homeless shelter", and it's hard to argue with that observation, especially during the winter months. I won't attempt to sugarcoat the many unpleasant and even violently disruptive events that have occurred in recent years at my place of work -- rampant vandalism, drunken disorderly behavior, "misuse" (euphemism of the year!) of computers with internet access, assault, etc. It's all too common in Central, and it can have the unfortunate repercussion of driving patrons away from the positive things our branch has to offer.
Nonetheless, libraries for me have always been a haven. I spent much time in them as a child, and even if I wasn't spending my time as I was supposed to (e.g., checking out fiction or personal interest nonfiction instead of doing research for yet another dull school assignment), I truly felt at home. Where else could an introverted misfit bookworm such as myself bask in the glow of so much literature? (Mind you, this was well before the advent of such big-box bookstores as Borders or Barnes and Noble).
Anyway, I suppose it's no accident that I ended up working in a library, although to be honest I never really considered it as an option prior to taking my current position in March of 2002. So more power to Keillor, more power to me *grin*, and please support your local libraries -- regardless of how many sketchy types you may find hanging out in them on occasion. Libraries are an extremely valuable resource and they must be cherished! Thank you. :-)
Monday, June 04, 2007
It's easy bein' green!
Today I found this great article on babycenter.com, which gives simple, realistic and thoughtful tips on how to make your home, car, nursery, etc. more environmentally friendly. And you'll see that NONE of them require joining Greenpeace, chaining yourself to condemned trees, dynamiting Glen Canyon Dam or even voting Democrat! *smirk-wink*
In and of themselves these changes may not seem significant, but if more families "greenify" their lifestyles (even in such elementary ways as these), the effect could be decisive in making the environmental outlook of our planet much more positive than it is today. As such, I encourage and challenge each and every member of clan Foster -- myself most definitely included! -- to consider implementing some or all of these suggestions into our day-to-day lives.
I've posted some of what I thought were the most relevant points of the article below, but please read the entire article for more suggestions. Perhaps (dare I say it) we as the highly intelligent and opinionated Foster collective could even come up with MORE and/or BETTER ideas in this regard? Bring it on!
Make your fridge efficient
"The single biggest electricity user in your house is the refrigerator," says Lisa Moore, climate and air scientist at Environmental Defense, who notes that you can reduce the energy drain with a few simple tricks. Cleaning the coils every six months will help you use less energy and save money. (Flip up or remove the kick plate or toe grill, and clean with a vacuum attachment or bottle brush. Make sure to unplug the fridge or turn off its circuit breaker first.) So will keeping the fridge set between 38 and 40 degrees and the freezer between 0 and 5 degrees — the settings where it's most efficient.
Stop standby waste
Unplugging TVs, DVD players, computers, and other major electronics when they're not in use could keep thousands of pounds of carbon dioxide out of the air each year, according to Al Gore's site An Inconvenient Truth. (Even when they're turned off, their standby consumption is about equal to running a light bulb continuously.) To avoid the hassle of constantly plugging and unplugging, here's an easy solution: Plug several electronics onto one power strip and switch it off. As for small gadgets like cell phones, digital cameras, and hand-held vacuums — once they're charged, keep them unplugged until needed.
Light up right
"Switching from traditional incandescent bulbs to fluorescent is the easiest and most cost-efficient fix for saving energy," says actress Rachelle Carson-Begley, wife of actor and eco-activist Ed Begley Jr. Even though fluorescent bulbs cost more, you'll save up to $60 in energy bills over the lifetime of the bulb. If you don't like the look of fluorescent, switch out the garage and hall lights, and save the mood lighting for bedrooms and bathrooms. Or, mix iridescent and fluorescent in multibulb fixtures.
Flush water waste
A whopping 40 percent of your home's water use goes down the toilet. A low-flow toilet can cut your usage by half or more (and yes, they work just as well). A low-tech alternative: Put a brick or plastic milk jug filled with pebbles in the tank. You'll save gallons (and money) with each flush.
Fix drips and leaks
A leaky faucet? Time to call the plumber. That slow but steady drip, drip, drip can waste up to 20 gallons of water a day. Extra credit: Replacing standard faucets and showerheads with low-flow versions will help a family of four save 20,000 gallons a year.
There are plenty of other small but significant ways to conserve, says Joanna Yarrow, author of 1001 Ways to Help the Earth. "Keep a pitcher of water in the fridge so you don't waste water as you wait for it to get cold from the tap," she recommends. "And turn the water off when brushing your teeth."
**Wendi's note: this would also apply to NOT allowing the shower to run unoccupied while one is brushing their teeth, shaving, etc in the bathroom sink (names being omitted to protect the guilty, *wink*). BIG time water waste, and let's not forget the energy wasted in heating said water waste!
Use dishwasher smarts
"A lot of people think washing by hand is more environmentally friendly than running a dishwasher," says Yarrow. Not necessarily so. You can save up to 20 gallons of water a day by waiting till your dishwasher's full to switch it on. You'll save even more energy by letting dishes air dry on the racks instead of using the heat dry cycle. Plus, most new dishwashers don't need you to prerinse. Simply scrape off food and load, and you'll conserve another 20 gallons.
And if you're in the market for a new dishwasher (or any appliance), look for the Energy Star label. It'll save you more than $40 a year in utility bills, and many power companies offer rebates as well.
Wash in cold
"By washing clothes in cold water rather than warm or hot," says EcoMom Alliance president Kimberly Danek-Pinkson, "you can eliminate 500 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions a year." (Bonus: Your clothes will last longer.) If cold water isn't going to cut it with your kid's grimy duds, opting for warm water over hot still saves energy and gets clothes clean.
To make laundry day even more energy-efficient, wait until you have a full load. Danek-Pinkson also advises rethinking what constitutes dirty. "Kids go through lots of outfits that wind up on the floor, and then you toss them in the laundry basket," she says. "Ask yourself, 'Is this really dirty?' If not, think of all the energy you'll spare — for the planet and yourself — by not washing them."
Get the lint out
"If you clean out the lint filter of your clothes dryer before each load, you'll reduce your energy use by up to 30 percent," says Jennifer Hattam, green living expert for the Sierra Club. (That's nothing to sneeze at, considering the dryer is one of the biggest energy hogs in the house.) As with the washer, waiting till you have a full load saves lots of energy.
Adjust the thermostat
"Turning the thermostat just two degrees up or down saves a lot of energy and money," says Earth Day Network president Kathleen Rogers, who headed up the Two Degree Campaign. Rogers recommends setting that thermostat dial to 68 degrees in winter and 72 in the summer. For winter nights, lower to 65 degrees and pile on the blankets. And if possible, opt for an energy-efficient fan instead of air conditioning during summer.
In and of themselves these changes may not seem significant, but if more families "greenify" their lifestyles (even in such elementary ways as these), the effect could be decisive in making the environmental outlook of our planet much more positive than it is today. As such, I encourage and challenge each and every member of clan Foster -- myself most definitely included! -- to consider implementing some or all of these suggestions into our day-to-day lives.
I've posted some of what I thought were the most relevant points of the article below, but please read the entire article for more suggestions. Perhaps (dare I say it) we as the highly intelligent and opinionated Foster collective could even come up with MORE and/or BETTER ideas in this regard? Bring it on!
Make your fridge efficient
"The single biggest electricity user in your house is the refrigerator," says Lisa Moore, climate and air scientist at Environmental Defense, who notes that you can reduce the energy drain with a few simple tricks. Cleaning the coils every six months will help you use less energy and save money. (Flip up or remove the kick plate or toe grill, and clean with a vacuum attachment or bottle brush. Make sure to unplug the fridge or turn off its circuit breaker first.) So will keeping the fridge set between 38 and 40 degrees and the freezer between 0 and 5 degrees — the settings where it's most efficient.
Stop standby waste
Unplugging TVs, DVD players, computers, and other major electronics when they're not in use could keep thousands of pounds of carbon dioxide out of the air each year, according to Al Gore's site An Inconvenient Truth. (Even when they're turned off, their standby consumption is about equal to running a light bulb continuously.) To avoid the hassle of constantly plugging and unplugging, here's an easy solution: Plug several electronics onto one power strip and switch it off. As for small gadgets like cell phones, digital cameras, and hand-held vacuums — once they're charged, keep them unplugged until needed.
Light up right
"Switching from traditional incandescent bulbs to fluorescent is the easiest and most cost-efficient fix for saving energy," says actress Rachelle Carson-Begley, wife of actor and eco-activist Ed Begley Jr. Even though fluorescent bulbs cost more, you'll save up to $60 in energy bills over the lifetime of the bulb. If you don't like the look of fluorescent, switch out the garage and hall lights, and save the mood lighting for bedrooms and bathrooms. Or, mix iridescent and fluorescent in multibulb fixtures.
Flush water waste
A whopping 40 percent of your home's water use goes down the toilet. A low-flow toilet can cut your usage by half or more (and yes, they work just as well). A low-tech alternative: Put a brick or plastic milk jug filled with pebbles in the tank. You'll save gallons (and money) with each flush.
Fix drips and leaks
A leaky faucet? Time to call the plumber. That slow but steady drip, drip, drip can waste up to 20 gallons of water a day. Extra credit: Replacing standard faucets and showerheads with low-flow versions will help a family of four save 20,000 gallons a year.
There are plenty of other small but significant ways to conserve, says Joanna Yarrow, author of 1001 Ways to Help the Earth. "Keep a pitcher of water in the fridge so you don't waste water as you wait for it to get cold from the tap," she recommends. "And turn the water off when brushing your teeth."
**Wendi's note: this would also apply to NOT allowing the shower to run unoccupied while one is brushing their teeth, shaving, etc in the bathroom sink (names being omitted to protect the guilty, *wink*). BIG time water waste, and let's not forget the energy wasted in heating said water waste!
Use dishwasher smarts
"A lot of people think washing by hand is more environmentally friendly than running a dishwasher," says Yarrow. Not necessarily so. You can save up to 20 gallons of water a day by waiting till your dishwasher's full to switch it on. You'll save even more energy by letting dishes air dry on the racks instead of using the heat dry cycle. Plus, most new dishwashers don't need you to prerinse. Simply scrape off food and load, and you'll conserve another 20 gallons.
And if you're in the market for a new dishwasher (or any appliance), look for the Energy Star label. It'll save you more than $40 a year in utility bills, and many power companies offer rebates as well.
Wash in cold
"By washing clothes in cold water rather than warm or hot," says EcoMom Alliance president Kimberly Danek-Pinkson, "you can eliminate 500 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions a year." (Bonus: Your clothes will last longer.) If cold water isn't going to cut it with your kid's grimy duds, opting for warm water over hot still saves energy and gets clothes clean.
To make laundry day even more energy-efficient, wait until you have a full load. Danek-Pinkson also advises rethinking what constitutes dirty. "Kids go through lots of outfits that wind up on the floor, and then you toss them in the laundry basket," she says. "Ask yourself, 'Is this really dirty?' If not, think of all the energy you'll spare — for the planet and yourself — by not washing them."
Get the lint out
"If you clean out the lint filter of your clothes dryer before each load, you'll reduce your energy use by up to 30 percent," says Jennifer Hattam, green living expert for the Sierra Club. (That's nothing to sneeze at, considering the dryer is one of the biggest energy hogs in the house.) As with the washer, waiting till you have a full load saves lots of energy.
Adjust the thermostat
"Turning the thermostat just two degrees up or down saves a lot of energy and money," says Earth Day Network president Kathleen Rogers, who headed up the Two Degree Campaign. Rogers recommends setting that thermostat dial to 68 degrees in winter and 72 in the summer. For winter nights, lower to 65 degrees and pile on the blankets. And if possible, opt for an energy-efficient fan instead of air conditioning during summer.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
More photos of the burgeoning belly
These were taken this past Sunday (26 weeks, 3 days -- of course I'm still counting!), during a brief excursion into the mountains. Matt and I made a very easy climb onto some boulders and soaked up some sun for a spell -- great day for it, too.
Anyway, onto the images (I hope that the sight of bare pregnant-lady belly doesn't offend anyone)!
After a little while, I decided to kick back, hike up the ol' belly band and let Sy-guy catch some rays for a few. Matt likes this photo, but I think I look like a giant albino pumpkin ripening on a vine, har!
Then, because I didn't want to be too much of a camera hog, I told Matt to model his own "sympathy belly" for the world. I think everyone will agree that while beautiful in its own way, it can hardly hold a candle to my own midsection!
Anyway, onto the images (I hope that the sight of bare pregnant-lady belly doesn't offend anyone)!
After a little while, I decided to kick back, hike up the ol' belly band and let Sy-guy catch some rays for a few. Matt likes this photo, but I think I look like a giant albino pumpkin ripening on a vine, har!
Then, because I didn't want to be too much of a camera hog, I told Matt to model his own "sympathy belly" for the world. I think everyone will agree that while beautiful in its own way, it can hardly hold a candle to my own midsection!
Monday, May 21, 2007
The latest ultrasound image
This was taken last Wednesday, at 25 weeks. I've added a few labels, as this one didn't come out as clear as some others in the past (and I only got one image to take home with me this time -- I guess they must be getting sick of me at the perinatologist's office, har). They estimated a fetal weight of 1lb 10oz, which (according to a chart I looked up online) is slightly ahead of the curve for Sy's current gestation. So long as he's healthy, I'm A-OK with it!
Friday, May 11, 2007
Such sublime absurdity must be shared!
A video of William Shatner's majestic cover of "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds". Dig the music, kids!
Friday, April 20, 2007
More belly!
Here's the most recent round of belly pics, all taken within the last two weeks. There's no doubting that I'm lookin' mighty preggo, but it's kind of fun. :-)
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
The XY trend continues
I'm sorry if this disappoints anyone who was hoping for a female grandchild to help keep poor outnumbered Joybear company, but our ultrasound session last week confirmed that Matt and I are indeed expecting a boy. So Angie and Jeff, it looks like the XX-chromosome-ball is in your court -- don't let us down! ;-)
Seriously though, Matt and I couldn't be happier, although we weren't all that set on a gender anyway (so long as it was one of them, har). We've decided on Simon as our little guy's name, although we're still a little up in the air as to a middle name. We may opt for Lawrence, after my own dad...but I kind of like Simon Matthew too, although Matt is still "thinking about it" (sheeesh, some people just can't take a compliment! *wink*). Does anyone else think that the Simon / Matthew name combo has too many "m" and "n" sounds?
The best news of all is that our little Si-guy has thus far a pretty clean bill of health. My sequential blood screen results were very good, and the level III ultrasound I had last week concurred the findings well enough where my perinatologist didn't feel the need to recommend amniocentesis. Looks like I'm off that particular hook this time around.
I'll post the ultrasound images below, but first I need to take a quick poll among the "Foster mothers" -- Diaper Genies; yea, or nay? Discuss!
Simon's foot:
His face and belly:
Yep, it's a boy alright!
His profile -- he was gulping for us again!
Seriously though, Matt and I couldn't be happier, although we weren't all that set on a gender anyway (so long as it was one of them, har). We've decided on Simon as our little guy's name, although we're still a little up in the air as to a middle name. We may opt for Lawrence, after my own dad...but I kind of like Simon Matthew too, although Matt is still "thinking about it" (sheeesh, some people just can't take a compliment! *wink*). Does anyone else think that the Simon / Matthew name combo has too many "m" and "n" sounds?
The best news of all is that our little Si-guy has thus far a pretty clean bill of health. My sequential blood screen results were very good, and the level III ultrasound I had last week concurred the findings well enough where my perinatologist didn't feel the need to recommend amniocentesis. Looks like I'm off that particular hook this time around.
I'll post the ultrasound images below, but first I need to take a quick poll among the "Foster mothers" -- Diaper Genies; yea, or nay? Discuss!
Simon's foot:
His face and belly:
Yep, it's a boy alright!
His profile -- he was gulping for us again!
Sunday, March 18, 2007
My big belly @ 16 wks & 3 days
It's not the greatest picture -- I'd just gotten out of the shower when Matt took this. But anyway, it's my big belly...soon to become much, MUCH bigger, egad!
Friday, February 23, 2007
12 week ultrasound images!
On Wednesday the 21st, Matt and I went to the OB for my 12 week checkup. We were treated to some very clear images of our little bean, or should I say our little jumping bean -- the little tike was all over the place!
It got to the point where our sonographer had a difficult time getting an appropriate image, necessitating my walking around the exam room for a few minutes in hopes of encouraging the fetus to change positions. Matt will tell you that I added a couple of deep knee bends, high kicks and other lame dance moves a'la Napoleon Dynamite, just to keep things interesting. Matt was certainly amused! ;-)
Anyway, we got some great images and are excited to share them with you. Enjoy!
Here's a top down view through the skull; observe the magnificent brain contained within!
The little bean appears to be waving hello to us here:
Here the bean is performing what appears to be a windmill -- I always knew I would bring a champion breakdancer into the world...
And here we have a view looking up through the nether-regions, featuring what my OB was reasonably sure is (as Doc Mark would say) developing "boy parts" ;-)
Anf finally, here is the little guy(?)'s body in profile. Technology is truly amazing!
My due date has been moved up to August 30th, which puts me at 14 weeks and 2 days. Things are definitely getting interesting now...nausea is fading, energy is returning (somewhat), and even Matt's pants are coming close to not fitting me anymore. Sometimes I could swear that I feel the little guy moving around in there...given how active he seems to be, that might not be too surprising, but we'll see. Exciting times!
It got to the point where our sonographer had a difficult time getting an appropriate image, necessitating my walking around the exam room for a few minutes in hopes of encouraging the fetus to change positions. Matt will tell you that I added a couple of deep knee bends, high kicks and other lame dance moves a'la Napoleon Dynamite, just to keep things interesting. Matt was certainly amused! ;-)
Anyway, we got some great images and are excited to share them with you. Enjoy!
Here's a top down view through the skull; observe the magnificent brain contained within!
The little bean appears to be waving hello to us here:
Here the bean is performing what appears to be a windmill -- I always knew I would bring a champion breakdancer into the world...
And here we have a view looking up through the nether-regions, featuring what my OB was reasonably sure is (as Doc Mark would say) developing "boy parts" ;-)
Anf finally, here is the little guy(?)'s body in profile. Technology is truly amazing!
My due date has been moved up to August 30th, which puts me at 14 weeks and 2 days. Things are definitely getting interesting now...nausea is fading, energy is returning (somewhat), and even Matt's pants are coming close to not fitting me anymore. Sometimes I could swear that I feel the little guy moving around in there...given how active he seems to be, that might not be too surprising, but we'll see. Exciting times!
Monday, January 22, 2007
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Behold, our little bean!
Here are four images from my first ultrasound session, which took place this afternoon. According to my doctor everything is looking hunky dory, and the fetus has a healthy heart rate of 150 beats per minute. Given the measurement of the fetus, she estimated a gestationaI age of 7 weeks, 4 days -- a tad further along than we'd originally calculated. But given the nebulousness of these things, we're still shooting for my original due date of September 6.
One of the niftiest parts about this experience was that I was able to see my little guy/girls' heart beating (even if it's too soon to hear it just yet). There it was, fluttering right before my eyes like a thimble jellyfish -- an amazing and quite moving thing to see! I hope you all enjoy the images of this newest addition to clan Foster.
One of the niftiest parts about this experience was that I was able to see my little guy/girls' heart beating (even if it's too soon to hear it just yet). There it was, fluttering right before my eyes like a thimble jellyfish -- an amazing and quite moving thing to see! I hope you all enjoy the images of this newest addition to clan Foster.
Friday, December 15, 2006
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Scared of Santa
This website is a hoot -- definitely for those who prefer to take their holiday cheer with just a wee bit of schadenfreude. ;-)
I get the feeling that Mickey and Margaret will especially get a laugh out of it, but there's plenty of room for the mirth of all (particularly you newer parents out there). Enjoy!
I get the feeling that Mickey and Margaret will especially get a laugh out of it, but there's plenty of room for the mirth of all (particularly you newer parents out there). Enjoy!
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
My niece Hannah
At long last, here are some photos of my niece Hannah. I think she looks very much like my sister when she was a baby. Anyway, sorry for the delay, but I thought it was about time that baby Hannah graced the Foster blogs, being as it is a display case for such a plethora of adorable children. Enjoy!
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
StrongBad Theme Song email
And now for one of the funniest StrongBad emails (courtesy of homestarrunner.com) that I've seen since the illustrious Trogdor email. Enjoy! =D
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Long time no blog...
It's been a couple of months now, and after a pointed (and well deserved) nudge from Mark I am re-connecting to the blogosphere.
This summer certainly did go by quickly; it was lovely to see everyone again (especially Drew -- welcome back, now start your blog already, sheesh!). Of course communing with my niece and nephews was wonderful...I have seldom enjoyed such a smorgasbord of baby toes in my life, and I look forward to seeing more and more of them as time goes on! I just hope I won't have to wait too long to see the Foster childerns again...hopefully some time around the holidays, although with everyone living so far apart it's getting harder to handle the logistics (as I'm sure that Mickey and Margaret will agree). In any case, great times were had, many photographs were taken, much food was consumed. All as it should be!
In mid-August Matt and I had a little mini-vacation camping in the San Luis Valley / Sangre De Christos. It was the bees knees to get out of the city and into the crisp mountain air for a few days...we soaked in some natural hot springs, made campfire meals, visited the town of Crestone, and hiked up the Sand Dunes National Monument (I assure you it was NOT an easy hike, especially in Lady Loggers). I did get some photos during the trip but have been lazy about posting them...fear not, I will try to get some posted this very weekend. Many, MANY thanks to Mickey and Margaret for the use of their van and extensive camping gear; because of your generosity Matt and I truly camped in style!
Shortly after our return to Denver I had a minor spill on my scooter on a wet evening and shredded up the top of my right foot / ankle. Though I thought the injury was pretty superficial at the time, it turned out to be quite nasty in the long run -- extremely painful, ugly and in a bad spot in terms of being able to get around (and wouldn't school have to be starting up again on the following week!). Thanks to some pain meds, antibiotics from my primary care physician (and a good second opinion by Mark) I am now more or less healed up; there's a nasty scar and a scab but I'm getting around without crutches. Matt especially is to be commended for helping me out so much while I was off my feet; in fact, he even took off work to take (or more accurately, "carry") me to the doctor's office a day or two after the accident. A real troop!
Since then Matt and I have been thrown headlong back into the world of higher education. Matt in particular has it rough this time around as he's taking two advanced accounting / statistics classes online (which means a lot more homework), as well as one in-house class. I'm luckier this time around, as I'm taking one freshman and two sophomore level courses that have been lingering around unresolved in my curriculum matrix for some time. This of course means I have no excuse to not get straight A's this semester, so here's hoping I don't make a fool of myself later!
That's about all for now...sorry for the long absence (even if it hasn't been nearly as long as some other Fosters' last posts...you all know who you are!), but I hope to have some more photos posted soon.
Mark, I really should have taken up your suggestion of photographing my foot every day and putting the images together as an animation...man, that would have been GROSS! :-S
This summer certainly did go by quickly; it was lovely to see everyone again (especially Drew -- welcome back, now start your blog already, sheesh!). Of course communing with my niece and nephews was wonderful...I have seldom enjoyed such a smorgasbord of baby toes in my life, and I look forward to seeing more and more of them as time goes on! I just hope I won't have to wait too long to see the Foster childerns again...hopefully some time around the holidays, although with everyone living so far apart it's getting harder to handle the logistics (as I'm sure that Mickey and Margaret will agree). In any case, great times were had, many photographs were taken, much food was consumed. All as it should be!
In mid-August Matt and I had a little mini-vacation camping in the San Luis Valley / Sangre De Christos. It was the bees knees to get out of the city and into the crisp mountain air for a few days...we soaked in some natural hot springs, made campfire meals, visited the town of Crestone, and hiked up the Sand Dunes National Monument (I assure you it was NOT an easy hike, especially in Lady Loggers). I did get some photos during the trip but have been lazy about posting them...fear not, I will try to get some posted this very weekend. Many, MANY thanks to Mickey and Margaret for the use of their van and extensive camping gear; because of your generosity Matt and I truly camped in style!
Shortly after our return to Denver I had a minor spill on my scooter on a wet evening and shredded up the top of my right foot / ankle. Though I thought the injury was pretty superficial at the time, it turned out to be quite nasty in the long run -- extremely painful, ugly and in a bad spot in terms of being able to get around (and wouldn't school have to be starting up again on the following week!). Thanks to some pain meds, antibiotics from my primary care physician (and a good second opinion by Mark) I am now more or less healed up; there's a nasty scar and a scab but I'm getting around without crutches. Matt especially is to be commended for helping me out so much while I was off my feet; in fact, he even took off work to take (or more accurately, "carry") me to the doctor's office a day or two after the accident. A real troop!
Since then Matt and I have been thrown headlong back into the world of higher education. Matt in particular has it rough this time around as he's taking two advanced accounting / statistics classes online (which means a lot more homework), as well as one in-house class. I'm luckier this time around, as I'm taking one freshman and two sophomore level courses that have been lingering around unresolved in my curriculum matrix for some time. This of course means I have no excuse to not get straight A's this semester, so here's hoping I don't make a fool of myself later!
That's about all for now...sorry for the long absence (even if it hasn't been nearly as long as some other Fosters' last posts...you all know who you are!), but I hope to have some more photos posted soon.
Mark, I really should have taken up your suggestion of photographing my foot every day and putting the images together as an animation...man, that would have been GROSS! :-S
Monday, July 10, 2006
Sonogram images of my niece Hannah
Here are some of the latest sonogram images of Hannah, my soon-to-be new niece -- my sister Donna is due on August 21, so it won't be long!
Perhaps some of the medical students, physicians and mothers in clan Foster can describe to me what exactly we're looking at in these images...the spine is pretty obvious, but even with the text descriptions I'm having a hard time making heads or tails (literally!) of any of the others.
Perhaps some of the medical students, physicians and mothers in clan Foster can describe to me what exactly we're looking at in these images...the spine is pretty obvious, but even with the text descriptions I'm having a hard time making heads or tails (literally!) of any of the others.
Monday, June 19, 2006
Trailing boxes
Man oh man, does moving suck or what?
Since I've lived in downtown Denver (I moved here in January of 2002, by the way) I have lived in -- no kidding -- seven different places, including my current apartment, which is an average of 1.75 apartments per year. I think this may be due in part to the competitive rent market in downtown Denver, and also because of a certain restlessness that has long resided within my nature (cue "Gypsies Tramps and Thieves" here). Or maybe for some stupid reason I'm just into that kind of misery, who knows! :-S
Anyway, this most recent move is over...may it be the last for a good long time! It was arduous, of course (aren't they all?) but it went relatively smoothly due to the hard work and cooperation of several individuals -- namely Doc Mark, Matthew, myself, Gerard, my co-worker Eric and his friend Carla. Mark in particular deserves some MAD props for busting his tuchas and sacrificing his personal time with his family. From where this man draws his reserves of energy, strength and character is beyond me, but Matt and I are profoundly grateful for his contributions and his family's patience when the work inevitably ran way past schedule. Mark, Matt and I owe you -- and I mean big time!
Since last weekend Matt and I have been working hard to unpack, put away, organize, install, sort and throw away...I would say that we have the apartment about halfway to two-thirds of the way completed. The trick now is to not get everything to the functional level and leave it that way -- both Matt and myself are guilty of the so-called "Trailing Boxes" phenomenon, being where one hefts boxes of old crap from place to place without ever unpacking them or even going through them to see if the contents are valuable enough (sentimentally and/or monetarily) to merit their continued transport and storage. With this in mind,we're making a concerted and mutual effort to go through everything we have, and thus far we've made some good progress (all while avoiding the temptation to go woolgathering amongst old nostalgic photos, tapes and assorted bric-a-brac). I'm hoping that the backs of the next lucky folks to help us move will appreciate our efforts!
Aside from the obvious chores of relocation, I have to say that it's wonderful to be sharing a life with my husband again. I'm grooving on the way we've been pulling together as a team to get the place set up, and I'm enjoying my rediscovery of the simple pleasures of day-to-day married life. Not that doing laundry or taking out the trash is bliss, of course (especially with the lame washers and dryers in our building that leave lint all over everything), but I guess that even such domestic drudgery is helping to make me feel more grounded somehow, as if I'm where I belong. I'm feeling more content and secure than I have in some time, and it's making me (dare I say it) quite happy. Happiness is good. :-)
An i-kiss on the nose to my beloved hubba...more to come soon.
Since I've lived in downtown Denver (I moved here in January of 2002, by the way) I have lived in -- no kidding -- seven different places, including my current apartment, which is an average of 1.75 apartments per year. I think this may be due in part to the competitive rent market in downtown Denver, and also because of a certain restlessness that has long resided within my nature (cue "Gypsies Tramps and Thieves" here). Or maybe for some stupid reason I'm just into that kind of misery, who knows! :-S
Anyway, this most recent move is over...may it be the last for a good long time! It was arduous, of course (aren't they all?) but it went relatively smoothly due to the hard work and cooperation of several individuals -- namely Doc Mark, Matthew, myself, Gerard, my co-worker Eric and his friend Carla. Mark in particular deserves some MAD props for busting his tuchas and sacrificing his personal time with his family. From where this man draws his reserves of energy, strength and character is beyond me, but Matt and I are profoundly grateful for his contributions and his family's patience when the work inevitably ran way past schedule. Mark, Matt and I owe you -- and I mean big time!
Since last weekend Matt and I have been working hard to unpack, put away, organize, install, sort and throw away...I would say that we have the apartment about halfway to two-thirds of the way completed. The trick now is to not get everything to the functional level and leave it that way -- both Matt and myself are guilty of the so-called "Trailing Boxes" phenomenon, being where one hefts boxes of old crap from place to place without ever unpacking them or even going through them to see if the contents are valuable enough (sentimentally and/or monetarily) to merit their continued transport and storage. With this in mind,we're making a concerted and mutual effort to go through everything we have, and thus far we've made some good progress (all while avoiding the temptation to go woolgathering amongst old nostalgic photos, tapes and assorted bric-a-brac). I'm hoping that the backs of the next lucky folks to help us move will appreciate our efforts!
Aside from the obvious chores of relocation, I have to say that it's wonderful to be sharing a life with my husband again. I'm grooving on the way we've been pulling together as a team to get the place set up, and I'm enjoying my rediscovery of the simple pleasures of day-to-day married life. Not that doing laundry or taking out the trash is bliss, of course (especially with the lame washers and dryers in our building that leave lint all over everything), but I guess that even such domestic drudgery is helping to make me feel more grounded somehow, as if I'm where I belong. I'm feeling more content and secure than I have in some time, and it's making me (dare I say it) quite happy. Happiness is good. :-)
An i-kiss on the nose to my beloved hubba...more to come soon.
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