This week on the Beanline

We went back to the OB this past week (on Wednesday) and the only thing new was that the Bean's heart rate had dropped to 120 bpm, which the doctor told us was a good sign as it showed he is maturing and his brain is realizing his body doesn't have to work so hard all the time.

As far as the beautiful mom-to-be, she is getting back to that tired stage. Serious bouts of sleep creep up on her (even causing random evening naps), but she is handling it well--she likes to apologize to me for falling asleep. I remind her that she doesn't need to apologize: she needs the sleep and I get to do work.

Also, I'm glad to see several people have posted their guesses for the Bean pool (if not, click on expectnet banner in post below). I recently altered my guess for his weight, making my guess line now read: 8lbs 8oz, on 8/8/08, at 8:08pm (hopefully in room 408--it will be on the 4th floor). I figured it was just too much of a cosmic possibility to not play crazy eights. If this happens, I will put a call into the local news station and see how long it takes before we hit national news.

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http://www.clemson.edu/~hodgson

New Bean Blog Option(s)

During our visit to the doctor yesterday, we were informed that the Bean could arrive at any time from here on in. We are in the "safe to deliver" stage being as we have passed the 37 week mark. With that news, coupled with everything once again checking out fine, I thought I would a few new options. The first is the poll feature (i.e., "The Weight Poll" located to your left). Feel free to cast your vote at anytime...though you only get to vote once (as far as I understand it).

For those of you who may be a bit more interested in a full-fledged Baby Pool, you might check out the link below for a bit-o-guessing-fun. I set up a Baby Pool game at ExpectNet, and while there is no money involved, I do hope you enjoy.



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http://www.clemson.edu/~hodgson

Some Final Bean Preparations

When simple words aren't enough to fully express one's gratitude and appreciation, how does one say it, show it? Where does one turn when words fail?

Though I do not know how to put it specifically, eloquently, into words, I will simply say, on behalf of Nikki and myself, "Thank You! Thank you, Nancy and Laura, for visiting; thank you for numerous evenings of laughter and fun; and, most importantly, thank you for helping us 'finish' preparing for the Bean's arrival." While I know we will never be fully prepared for his arrival, it is extremely comforting to know that we are probably as close to "set" as we are going to be, and it would not have been possible (or at least not as much fun) without their help.

While I won't beguile you with stories of their visit, won't share the putt-putt frustrations, the shopping adventures, or the list of ice cream encounters, I will share some images. Below are some shots of the Bean's room, which came together via the style/scheme selection of Nicole, the touch and layout sense of Laura, and the guiding eye of Nancy. Is it TLC ready? I don't know (their design options were seriously constrained by "renter limitations."). Is it a room our son can call home, a place where he (we) can begin a life? Most definitely.

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http://www.clemson.edu/~hodgson

The calm before the Bean

Okay, so I know I haven't posted in a while, and after being heckled from the cheap seats, I felt I better post something before things got out of hand. The lack of posts is for multiple reasons with the most prevalent being that there isn't much new to tell. We went to the doctor last week: everything looked good, Nikki & Bean are fine, and they sent us home. Went back today and same result. The only real news is that Nikki's ankles are starting to swell pretty consistently, but the doctor did say this was normal and to be expected. Oh, and the "real" news is that the doctor cleared Nikki to get a pedicure—saying it was perfectly safe and that she should make herself feel good.

Truth be told, I think we've entered the calm before the storm. Our weeks are numbered, things are mostly in place, and we're just cruising along…but we're close enough to hear the thunder in the distance, and there are days where I think Nikki is planting lightning rods trying to bring the storm in closer, sooner. But all good things come to those who wait.

Additionally, we are still currently in the middle of our latest round of visitors (Nancy and Laura), and they are keeping Nikki pretty content while I focus on getting work done. As usual, I will post information on their visit when its over and I've had time to think somewhat reflectively on the visit and/or fully explain how much we appreciate all they have done during their stay--which has been a lot.

Today's other news: We had our 4th baby shower (Nikki's office hosted it), and it was a really nice event. We owe many chemistry department faculty and staff our deepest thanks. I didn't get any photos as I had to teach my summer course beforehand and I forgot the camera at home, but I think Nancy has some photos, so perhaps I will include shots of that in the future.

In the meantime, enjoy the four photos below showing the Bean construction over the past 8-9 months (the first around Jan 20, the second around Feb 20, the third April 20, the last being last night--the 20 oz. water bottle is there for size reference...and note she is slouching in that reclining gliding chair. I would have got one of her posing like the others, but her ankles were swollen and bothering her and there was no need to make her stand if she didn't have to).








































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http://www.clemson.edu/~hodgson

Birthing the Bean and whatnot...

Last Saturday we attended a child birth class, which included a bit of everything: from what to expect during labor to Lamaze to what kinds of questions we could/should ask—all in all, it was quite informative. Of course, any time you start a class with 10 minutes of Bill Cosby's stand-up routine on Child Birth you can't go wrong, and so the instructor put us in a pretty good mood right off the bat. She was really good at teaching the class, both personable and knowledgeable, and provided us with a lot of useful nuggets. Though, there is something both comforting and nerve racking about knowing what may be involved (having some sense of what to anticipate).

Also, we went back to the OB today and, as usual, both Nikki and the Bean are perfectly well. We will now begin weekly visits as we enter the homestretch of this grand adventure. The next visit may be a bit more involved, and then a week or two after that we get another sonogram, and then he should be arriving shortly thereafter. Seems so easy, right? Not really, but it definitely seems like it is just around the corner, which is exciting.

We haven't worked out our visit schedule yet--as in who will be here when, for how long, and whatnot, but we'll give it some thought and get back to folks about that as not to keep everyone in suspense for too long--well, at least everyone who planned on visiting.

But, before then, we have Laura and Nancy coming in for a few days (our next set of guests following Andrea & crew [see post below]), and I'm sure they will help us with any finishing touches we need in our preparation for the Bean's arrival--now roughly 6 weeks away.

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http://www.clemson.edu/~hodgson

Visiting the Bean...then the Beach

It was a quick 5 days, but it was a fun 5 days. Andrea, Keenan, Kyra, and Brenda rolled into town last Saturday evening and headed out this morning. During their stay, aside from spending time together, Keenan and I played some golf, and all of us (minus Nikki, who had to work) spent 2 and a half days at Myrtle Beach.

We played in the ocean quite a bit. The first day there were some significant waves that beat and battered us around, but we persisted. Keenan, of course, took to it like a fish, though the waves and undertow were strong enough that, despite his best efforts, he really couldn't make any progress swimming once we got passed were he could touch. Kyra, on the other hand, wasn't too thrilled with the waves—preferring the pool and her floaties. But a few times of exposure to the ocean, and a new found friend on the beach (another little girl), and she was venturing out to about knee deep (for her) by the time we left—though she still bolted for the sand when "big ones" would come crashing in.

On our second night there, we decided to venture to Medieval Times for dinner and a show. The building looks like a castle, there are, to name a few characters, "Lords & Ladies," a "King," a "Herald," and "Knights" (who do battle), and they play out a story, built around a tournament of Knights. All this happens over the course of the meal. It is basically dinner theater, but with audience involvement as we had to cheer for our knight, the Red & Yellow Knight—and cheer we did.

Once the smoke started to fill the arena floor, Kyra went silent and stared intently as the show unfolded. When our Knight jousted, Keenan and I shouted. Things were great up until our Knight lost. Kyra had previously been tossed a flower by our Knight and said how that place was her "favoritist" place to eat, decided, as soon as our knight lost, that she, in fact, hated the place. She was not too happy, and after the show she proceeded to shred the flower because she was upset at the Red & Yellow Knight for losing. It was, to say the least, priceless.

Of course, she was thrilled with the fact that we got to eat with our hands, as silverware hadn't been invented by that time (as our serf/waitress told us). So, we had vegetable soup in a metal bowl with a handle, had "baby dragon," "dragon fingers," and half a "dragon egg," for dinner (1/2 a roasted chicken, spare rib, and seasoned & baked potato). Messy, enthralling, entertaining, and we got to cheer…it was a really enjoyable time.

We did a few other things at Myrtle Beach, and we have several good stories to share about the adventures overall, but those are better shared in person than through blog.

All in all, it was a really enjoyable time.

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http://www.clemson.edu/~hodgson

Bean's Uncle Travis & Aunt Sherry

Our first round of visitors have come and gone, and I was saddened to see them leave as it was really enjoyable having Travis and Sherry visit—even if only for a few days. The best part was that we got to spend some extended time together (more than a day), something we haven't done in at least a year (if not longer), and so it was nice to find ourselves once again enfolded into each other's lives. Granted, the two days of golf Travis and I played didn’t hurt, but that is neither here nor there (which is probably best with my golf game…holding steady in the triple digits).

But I also must express our deepest appreciations to them—even though they told me not to—for the baby gifts (a play-yard, or, as they are commonly called, a 'pack-n-play,' and a "Floppy Seat" [see images below]). And, arguably more importantly, was the Clemson Chef's Apron and Ole Miss Grill Mitt that they brought for me. I will now be grillin' in style—maybe even be the "talk of the block" when folks get a glimpse of my snazzy apron. I like it so much that I'm almost afraid to wear it when I cook for fear of getting food on it…it's a Catch 22.

Anyways, we're relaxing a bit for a few days, settling in with the Bean's now prominent movements, before we welcome our next wave: Andrea and crew come in on Saturday, which also happens to be the next of our "classes" over at St. Francis—this one is on Labor and Delivery, so who knows what might happen…

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http://www.clemson.edu/~hodgson