Home Alone!

Today is the beginning of week 36! Exactly one month from the expected due date.

What is newsy?
Dad is at home tonight...ALL ALONE! {What was that noise?!?} Don't worry, I have kept myself busy, mainly by watching TV. I know, I know, I should be a little more productive. I have watched the Lord of the Rings - Fellowship of the Ring on TBS and now I am in the middle of the documentary, The West. If anyone has watched the documentary series, The War on PBS this past fall, it is by the same director. Ken Burns knows how to tell a story! I could talk about that series for hours! Very well done.

Anyhoo...Why is dad home alone tonight? Mom has admitted herself to a sleep study at The Minnesota Sleep Institute. While sleeping, Mom has a tendency to stop breathing for a few seconds off and on. This in turn forces me stay up because I have to flick her forehead every time she stops. I realize this is probably not the best approach to solving the problem.

I just got off the phone with her at 10:15pm and all is well in her surrogate bedroom. She has two people watching her, one video camera in her room, and a number of electrode sensors on her head. Doesn't that sound like a comfortable sleeping environment? Mom also stated she is sleeping on a Sleep Number bed. Her sleep number is 60 but she doesn't like that kind of bed.

Ok, time to get back to The West. YEEEHAW!!!

Random News From Mom

Not much new to report in the B Household, but I thought an update would be good.

Father B is currently testing our name ideas out by shouting the potential full names of our child as though he/she is in trouble (as this is one of the only situations he claims the first, middle, and last name will be used out loud)..."_____ _____ B, get over here right now!" I'm not sure if it's helping him make a decision or not.

I feel like my belly's really gotten huge over the last week or two, and I'm not sure how it's going to get a whole month bigger than this! Wait 'til you see the March picture in a few days - I'm a little scared myself about how much larger I'm going to look. At school all the time now, I have the following conversation with various teachers/staff I run into:

Person: "Look at you! You look so cute! How much longer?"
Me: "Oh, I still have a month to go!"
Person: "Really?!? Ohhh...."
I can tell that they were expecting me to say something like, "Two weeks." Or one of the less subtle guys in my school yelled at me in the hall the other day, "Whoa! You're still here?!?"

Other highlights -
*I had my last master's class with my cohort on Tuesday this week (not done yet - still have a thesis to write and two electives...I'm shooting to finish by the end of the summer). Three of us are expecting this spring, so they had a little party for us with gifts and a DQ ice cream cake!!

*This Sunday my neighbor (really my parents' neighbor) is having a shower for us. It will be a lot of the ladies I used to babysit for, and some of "Grandma's" friends. I'm excited for it!

*Lately when shopping at Rainbow I have been purchasing a quart of chocolate milk and finishing the entire thing within an hour or so of leaving the store. This concerns me slightly but it tastes really good so I'm not worrying too much about it.

Congrats to a Reader

Baby Season Has BEGUN!

Baby B's Mom and I are happy to send a happy congratulations to Tim and Kelly (avid readers of CBMB Baby Bonanza) on a healthy baby boy. Aiden Kelly arrived at 8am this morning, weighing 7 lbs 12 oz. and 19 inches tall.

Tim also mentioned Aiden has a 14 inch head. I am not sure if that is huge? My guess is yes! My only question is, "Where is Aiden's lacrosse stick?" Have to start them young! I'm sure he will have wall ball down pat in no time!

Again, congrats!

New Dad Advice

I have been working on this project for quite some time. I actually forgot this video collection of Grandpa M and Jeremy was sitting in my archives. After a fun afternoon in NP with my family, I took advantage of this moment to ask Grandpa B and Uncle Scott for advice they have for the first time father.

The objective for this piece was to ask fathers (new and experienced) for a little advice on being a parent. Here are some of the questions I asked...

• What do you know now that you wish you did then?
• What are some of the uncertainties I should be prepared for?
• Any general advice

Even though, I have only four men on camera that doesn't mean YOU can't add any additional advice. Please publish a response if you so choose.

Again, many thank yous to Jeremy, Grandpa's B and M, and Uncle Scott for participating in this video! I really do appreciate your advice and words of wisdom!

A very special thank you to Grandpa B. Your advice in this piece was short but for the last 30 years, I couldn't have asked for a better role model. You are the standard by which I will judge my parenting and husband skills. From the years of running to the door so excited to see you to knowing that you were in attendence at all my sporting events to me becoming a husband and father, I have clearly noticed all along the way you instituted a selflessness "family-first" way of parenting that I can only hope to emulate. I am sincerely grateful to have you and mom in my life. P.S. Thank you for those kind, encouraging words you placed in my parenting book. I hope I can live up to them!!!

The Nursery Is Coming Together

The nursery is slowly becoming...well, a nursery!

Tomorrow is the beginning of week 35, so we've officially hit that stage in the pregnancy when "anything can happen at any time."

Nursery Checklist... (Mom loves to make lists!)

• Crib (check)
• Mattress and Sheets (check)
• Dresser (check)
• Changing Table (check)
• Rocking Chair (check)

Now we just need to clean out the room and put the computer downstairs. I am not looking forward to my office moving to the basement...it is very cold down there!

On A Side Note - I am heartbroken and saddened to officially announce that I will no longer train for the Minnetonka Half-Marathon this Spring. [Insert "You have got to be kidding me" sound drop.] There are a number of you who supported and encouraged me with this endeavour. I thank you. Unfortunately, I suffered back numbing pains while training and later foot/heel pains. I scaled back my lifting and running schedule to no avail. Two weeks ago, I decided to stop training and allow time for healing.

With that said, I am officially announcing later this Spring/early Summer, I will begin training for the James Page Beer Run in Minneapolis. Sure, it is only a 5k, but I need to start small and build for next year!

The Last Baby Class

Class 6 of 6 and we are done! Father B is quite excited about this. I told my mom, "Well, now we know everything. We're ready to be parents." HA!

There were basically two parts to our last class.
Part 1: We took turns fishing objects out of a bag that represented issues during the postpartum stage of life and our instructor gave us some information about these issues. Father B pulled out a silky nightie which got some laughs...you can figure out for yourself what we talked about there! I pulled out a ginormous pad which the moms use post-delivery - I have heard about these things but didn't really believe how huge it was until I saw it. A little scary but I believe that only gets used for a couple of days and then you can switch to something smaller.

Part 2: Some new parents and their baby came as "guest speakers." The mom was a little more uptight than I hope to be as a parent - i.e. she and her husband have not gone anywhere alone since they had the baby in November because she doesn't really trust anyone with the baby. Also when asked if they go on outings, walks, to the mall, etc. she appeared somewhat horrified because of potential exposure to germs in said public places. Father B was annoyed with her.

Snack recap of last two classes:
Class 5 snacks: Cheez-It Party Mix (selected by Father B), Chunky Chips Ahoy and Pull & Peel Twizzlers (selected by Baby B's Mom), Oreos and some type of chip brought by other parents-to-be. Grade: B. We did an average job. I had plans to make a delicious snack mix but Fairview apparently instituted a policy against homemade snacks.
Class 6 snacks: Cool Ranch Doritos, Munch'ems, packages of mini chocolate and powdered sugar donuts. Grade: A-. Dad loves the Munch'ems and I am a sucker for donuts. I actually just realized how many I've consumed in the last two days from various locations and I am a little ashamed.

Today, on my day off...I did the first slightly insane thing for my baby. We have all this baby stuff now and I wanted to wash it. Apparently babies should have their things washed in Dreft because it is good for their sensitive skin or whatever. (Had to call and check with my friend Meghan on this - she is my best gauge of if it's something I really should do or if it's unnecessary and neurotic. She said use the Dreft.) So, I went to purchase Dreft detergent and a bottle is $16!!!!! Although Father B would say otherwise, I believe I am thrifty and cheap and I couldn't quite stomach this. I put the bottle back on the shelf, looked at other options, looked at powdered Dreft ($10), decided I should buy the liquid stuff and put it in my cart, decided that was ridiculous and put it back again. In the end, I compromised by getting the cheaper powdered Dreft but was still a little appalled at myself. But today I have washed a lot of cute little things and they do smell nice.

February 8th Baby Class

Class Session 5 (of 6).

I wish I could remember what happened at last week's class. Never postpone a post for too long. Argh!

Highlights

• Father B learned how to change a diaper and had to DEMONSTRATE on a baby doll! (I will show everyone my impressive skills in a future video post.) Featuring Mr. Penguin!
• Father B had to practice bathing the baby doll as well.
• We watched a video about life after the delivery - bringing home the newborn.
• Father B held the baby 90% of the class. Mom took notes and feasted on snacks.
• The class broke up into small groups to brainstorm resolutions about certain topics. Hate this part of class! Just hate it!
• A classmate of ours who had their baby two days before class (at 36 weeks) came in and showed us their baby's pictures. He gave us dads a few tips such as...when the woman goes under for a C-section, the partner can not be in the operating room. I am OK with this...meet me in the lounge with cigars in hand! (Ok, sans the cigars.)

So, what did we learn from this post...never procrastinate a post because your memory fades over time. Thanks Mom for refreshing my memory.

Feelin' Hot, Hot, Hot - and Other Uncomfortabilities of Pregnancy

Warning: Baby B's Mom whining about things
(My brother puts this disclaimer on his web posting when he's going to complain...)

I believe I have reached that phase of pregnancy where you start to feel like a beached whale. Really, I shouldn't complain because I have been blessed with a very nice and easy pregnancy so far. But things are getting just plain uncomfortable! This morning, for example, I am having a hard time breathing because this kid is taking up too much room!

At school, my room is freezing cold when the students aren't in there. It feels great. The second it fills up with 35 sixth graders, I am dripping sweat and fanning my face, wishing I could open the window and stand by it. I've stocked my desk drawer with a mini deodorant because this is a gross problem. Sleeping is not much fun either. I'm tired of my two positions: right side and left side, and even switching from one side to the other is a very difficult and slow rolling maneuver. There's a lot of tossing and turning and getting up to go to the bathroom. I suppose this is all just preparation for the many sleepless nights ahead.

Father B has had to give me lots of back massages this week because my back is sore. And one day at school, my vision went all funky and I had to sit down. I heard one of the boys say to a group of boys, "Mrs. B's water is going to break!" He didn't think I heard him, but I gave him the death glare and said "NOT YET." Busted! Let's hope that doesn't happen for real in front of a bunch of twelve-year-olds.

On a positive note, I did a little shopping yesterday for some Baby B clothes, which I haven't done before. It was pretty fun! We needed some apparel that the little one can wear right away. Father B took me on a Valentine's date last night to the St. Clair Broiler, where we had burgers, fries, and a Butterfinger shake (YUM!). We followed that up with a trip to Babies R Us for some nursery necessities - bedding, changing table stuff, etc. It definitely makes the coming baby seem very real!

Happy Valentine's Day

Baby B's Mom and I would like to take a moment to wish all our readers a very Happy Valentine's Day! May your hearts be full of love, happiness, and joy!!!

To my valentine's (Baby B's Mom and Baby B):
I love you and
I think about you.
I know you but
I am anxious to see you.
I like you
and yes, I love you too!

The First Shower!

Last Saturday, my wonderful friend Meghan hosted an excellent shower for myself and little Baby B! We had a great time, and I was so glad to see all the friends and local family that could come to celebrate. Meghan is a superb hostess and she and her mother outdid themselves with a very cute shower.


What happened at the shower?

1. Delicious food! She had yummy breakfast treats...quiche, croissants, muffins, and fruit pizza.

2. Adorable decorations! See the photos of the diaper cake (impressive) and clothesline with all the tiny baby things.

3. Predictions! There was a book where people could make predictions about the sex, weight, length, and name of the baby - as well as offer advice to the mom and dad-to-be. Father B really liked looking at everyone's guesses and advice when I brought the book home.

4. Presents! Meghan asked everyone to bring a book for the little one in place of a card, so I was able to really stock the baby's bookshelf when I got home. We have a great collection going already - I'll have to post a picture of the bookshelf soon. Many cute and small things were opened; everything was much appreciated and will be put to use soon! One of the funniest gifts was a little bathrobe; we got a kick out of imagining the baby lounging "Hugh Hefner" style in the robe.


5. Photos! Sorry all you photo haters at the shower...you knew I was going to have to document this for the blog. Father B was commenting on the inferiority of my posts due to the lack of other media, so we are upping the excitement by including photos with this post.

Thanks again to everyone for this fun morning, especially Meghan. Stay tuned - we've had some busy days but have many ideas in the works for new posts this week (maybe even another video?!?!).

A New Month, A New Picture

As we roll into a new month (February), it's time for another picture of Baby B's Mom.

This is the second to last picture (we hope). Doesn't she look lovely!


*Fishing Report from Mille Lacs...
Father B didn't do so well with the fish or in cards or avoiding Jagermeister shots. On the bright side, my little perch was the only fish caught. Yeay me!

Class Recap

Happy Super Bowl Sunday!
I have maybe watched 5 minutes of the game and have no idea what the score is right now.

Baby class was early (and short!) tonight so all football fans could get home and see the big game.
Here's the recap:

• A pediatrician came and spoke about what they do for your baby after the birth, vaccines, how to select a pediatrician, etc. He is from Denmark so he had a cool accent - I always pay better attention to people with accents!! Luckily we do not have to select a pediatrician for Baby B. The doctor doing all my prenatal care and delivery is a family practice doctor who will see our baby after it is born as well.
• After the pediatrician left we had "labor practice!" We practiced our breathing in a variety of different labor positions, and the dads had to experiment with several massage techniques to help us find what might work best when we are in labor. (Best part of class!!) Father B tried "raindrops," "ironing," regular massage, and pressure points. My favorite was ironing, which is just smoothing his palms up and down my arms and back.
• The teacher made us hold ice cubes for a minute to simulate discomfort of contractions (somehow I suspect it's not the same; I'd rather hold the ice cubes...). She had the dads try it too - they did not fare half as well as the moms!

Snack recap: mini Nilla wafers, pretzel/cheese sandwich crackers, Gardetto's snack mix = B
Mini Nilla wafers taste better than the big size, the pretzel/cheese combo was tasty. I avoided the Gardetto's...good snack but not for public consumption (too smelly). Next week we are on for snack - I had better come up with something good!!