Here's our little sweet potato, bundled up to stay warm. Mark began his Lent a day early, suffering through an apartment kept at summer-in-the-tropics temperatures for the sake of his son. Fortunately, I tolerate the heat quite well and we are very grateful to be living here, where heat doesn't cost us a penny.Saturday, February 9, 2008
Home again!
Here's our little sweet potato, bundled up to stay warm. Mark began his Lent a day early, suffering through an apartment kept at summer-in-the-tropics temperatures for the sake of his son. Fortunately, I tolerate the heat quite well and we are very grateful to be living here, where heat doesn't cost us a penny.
Pictures
These are pictures from Iain's hospital stay 2/1/08 - 2/5/08. Poor Iain had to have an IV in his head. :( Fortunately, he didn't lack for hands to hold him!
Mommy and Iain.
Daddy and Iain.
Aunt Kate and Iain.
Grandma and Iain.
Grandpa and Iain.
Mommy and Iain.
Daddy and Iain.
Aunt Kate and Iain.
Grandma and Iain.
Grandpa and Iain.Iain update
I'll post some more pictures soon, but in the meantime, I just wanted to post a quick update on how Iain is doing.
He was admitted to the NICU on Friday, 2/1/08 for a low body temp and high bilirubin. He remained in the hospital until Tuesday when they decided that his temp was manageable enough for him to come back home. We are keeping him well bundled and call him various names like "my little burrito" etc. His jaundice has been around 11/12 since he's been home, adding another name to the list, "my little sweet potato." Fortunately, today his color seems somewhat improved. :)
He had his first well-child appointment with his pediatrician this past Thursday, where his length, weight and head circ. were charted in comparison to full-term babies. This is how he stands:
Length: 75%
Weight: 30%
Head circ.: 15%
The small head circ. is totally normal for a preemie baby his age, but it certainly looks funny next to his length!
Iain's been doing really well at home, and each day seems to bring further improvement. His temperature is getting easier to maintain and he's eating like a champ. Thursday night, Mark got a good idea for exactly how well Iain is eating when Mark was thoroughly drenched in yellow goo in the middle of a diaper change. He has since been quite wary about volunteering to change
diapers!
Since his birth, as predicted, we have recieved innumerable questions about the spelling and pronounciation of Iain's name. It has been spelled correctly and incorrectly as follows: Iain, Ian and Iaian. To help clear up the confusion, it is in fact spelled I-A-I-N and pronounced the same as Ian. Iain is the proper Scottish spelling and is in fact the Scottish form of John. Iain is named, spelling and all, after his paternal grandfather who, surprise, surprise, is Scottish and resides in Scotland. :)
Iain's middle name, Paul, is after St Paul, Mark's favorite saint. For those of you interested in names, read on. I was profoundly touched, this past Advent, by the fact that I was Elizabeth, carrying a John - and in fact the day the Mass readings mentioned Elizabeth "in her sixth month", I too was in my sixth month. Over and over, the Holy Spirit made it abundantely clear that this little boy was to be named after John the Baptist. Additionally, Iain Paul is a form of John Paul. Our son has the footsteps of great men to follow in, and we pray that by the grace of God, he will! :)
Thank you all for your continued prayers. We have been so, so blessed by the grace that has showered down upon us during all the various adjustments to life as new parents of a pre-term not-so-little guy.
He was admitted to the NICU on Friday, 2/1/08 for a low body temp and high bilirubin. He remained in the hospital until Tuesday when they decided that his temp was manageable enough for him to come back home. We are keeping him well bundled and call him various names like "my little burrito" etc. His jaundice has been around 11/12 since he's been home, adding another name to the list, "my little sweet potato." Fortunately, today his color seems somewhat improved. :)
He had his first well-child appointment with his pediatrician this past Thursday, where his length, weight and head circ. were charted in comparison to full-term babies. This is how he stands:
Length: 75%
Weight: 30%
Head circ.: 15%
The small head circ. is totally normal for a preemie baby his age, but it certainly looks funny next to his length!
Iain's been doing really well at home, and each day seems to bring further improvement. His temperature is getting easier to maintain and he's eating like a champ. Thursday night, Mark got a good idea for exactly how well Iain is eating when Mark was thoroughly drenched in yellow goo in the middle of a diaper change. He has since been quite wary about volunteering to change
diapers!
Since his birth, as predicted, we have recieved innumerable questions about the spelling and pronounciation of Iain's name. It has been spelled correctly and incorrectly as follows: Iain, Ian and Iaian. To help clear up the confusion, it is in fact spelled I-A-I-N and pronounced the same as Ian. Iain is the proper Scottish spelling and is in fact the Scottish form of John. Iain is named, spelling and all, after his paternal grandfather who, surprise, surprise, is Scottish and resides in Scotland. :)
Iain's middle name, Paul, is after St Paul, Mark's favorite saint. For those of you interested in names, read on. I was profoundly touched, this past Advent, by the fact that I was Elizabeth, carrying a John - and in fact the day the Mass readings mentioned Elizabeth "in her sixth month", I too was in my sixth month. Over and over, the Holy Spirit made it abundantely clear that this little boy was to be named after John the Baptist. Additionally, Iain Paul is a form of John Paul. Our son has the footsteps of great men to follow in, and we pray that by the grace of God, he will! :)
Thank you all for your continued prayers. We have been so, so blessed by the grace that has showered down upon us during all the various adjustments to life as new parents of a pre-term not-so-little guy.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Surprise!
Iain Paul Archibald has arrived!
He was born at 11:11 am, 1/28/08, after my water broke unexpectedly, Sunday morning. He weighs 6 lbs. 15 oz and is 21.5 inches long. He was 35 weeks, 3 days along, fortunately, thanks to the prayers of many of you, you wouldn't know he was quite that pre-term from the way he looks, sounds, or behaves. He been consistently measuring on all of the above as 37 weeks along. Praise the Lord!
Please do keep him in your prayers; he is being observed in the NICU for a heart arrhythmia (skipping every 3rd beat), and due to being under 36 weeks. I'm trying not to worry, as there's nothing I can do but pray that he's fine. I am, however, preparing myself to go home before my baby. Come, Lord Jesus
Saturday, January 26, 2008
New Arrival!
We have a family guitar, at long last!!!
Mark likes to call it "his" guitar based on the fact that I don't play guitar. Using that logic, I decided that the baby is "mine" because I'm the one he's growing in, and I'll be the one feeding him. Mark has changed his tune. The guitar is now "ours." :)
Mark likes to call it "his" guitar based on the fact that I don't play guitar. Using that logic, I decided that the baby is "mine" because I'm the one he's growing in, and I'll be the one feeding him. Mark has changed his tune. The guitar is now "ours." :)
Friday, January 25, 2008
Good laugh!
See the link below for a baby care primer.
http://www.c00lstuff.com/1133/Do_s_and_don_ts_with_babies/
http://www.c00lstuff.com/1133/Do_s_and_don_ts_with_babies/
Monday, January 21, 2008
Recovery
Returning from our Bradley class, Mark and I found the entire office emptied and the pipe bandaged. Our formerly "safe and secure" belongings are now strewn around the greater basement/rec area. Fortunately, being J-term, there aren't many students around. Even so, I'm hoping that there is little interest among 18-19 year old boys for diapers, a stroller, car seat and many other misc. household items...and that they don't feel like playing air-hockey or pool anytime soon. I have to admit, it's a little strange seeing your familar things in a foreign location, having been moved there by strangers who have no emotional tie to any of it. Odd.
Additionally, the water has been turned back on, so we have both running water and heat! Praise the Lord! :)
Additionally, the water has been turned back on, so we have both running water and heat! Praise the Lord! :)
...just in...
What is one of the most common complaints of the 8+ months pregnant woman? And how would not having running water affect that?...but wait there's more, what does that 2nd half of the page say? Radiator heat. Welcome to the 19th century where no water = no heat. Wait, what's the temperature in MN right now? Lemme check...um, it's 9 degrees. I guess that's how we got into this mess in the first place. Nothing like a little adventure! :)
"I have some very bad news"
...said Mark, as he walked through the door. (Don't worry, this has nothing to do with the life or health of anyone!)
"What?" I asked, not sure how serious he was.
"The office [aka Archibald storage closet] is flooding as we speak...a pipe burst."
Horror sets in, as I think of all our brand-new baby stuff, luggage, misc. boxes of odds, ends and memories all stored "safely" in Mark's basement office.
"I'll come see" I say, as I look for my shoes
"Just keep in mind," says Mark, "we have renter's insurance."
"Praise the Lord," I think, as I head toward the sound of Niagara Falls.
Outcome: As I looked at my box full of "memories" dating back to Kindergarten, now sitting in a puddle, all I can say is "well, we live in a world that is passing away."
Thank you, Lord for that reminder...none of this is "my" stuff, it's just on loan for me to use for awhile. However, on a practical level, as far as I can tell, NONE of our baby items have been damaged...a wet diaper bag? Well, those are made to get wet, right? I couldn't see, from the safe distance of the next room, how anything else faired, but I'm sure we'll find out soon enough.
Thar she blows...
"What?" I asked, not sure how serious he was.
"The office [aka Archibald storage closet] is flooding as we speak...a pipe burst."
Horror sets in, as I think of all our brand-new baby stuff, luggage, misc. boxes of odds, ends and memories all stored "safely" in Mark's basement office.
"I'll come see" I say, as I look for my shoes
"Just keep in mind," says Mark, "we have renter's insurance."
"Praise the Lord," I think, as I head toward the sound of Niagara Falls.
Outcome: As I looked at my box full of "memories" dating back to Kindergarten, now sitting in a puddle, all I can say is "well, we live in a world that is passing away."
Thank you, Lord for that reminder...none of this is "my" stuff, it's just on loan for me to use for awhile. However, on a practical level, as far as I can tell, NONE of our baby items have been damaged...a wet diaper bag? Well, those are made to get wet, right? I couldn't see, from the safe distance of the next room, how anything else faired, but I'm sure we'll find out soon enough.
Thar she blows...
Notice all 4 garbage cans full of water...these have been emptied multiple times, as they are filled with water from the smaller trash can (above photo).
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Yes, we're still alive!
Mark and I enjoyed a wonderful Christmas season in MI. We returned to snow-covered MN this past Monday and have been settling back into life here. One of the items on my "fun" To Do List was to set up our baby's crib. I was planning on doing this myself, but as Mark and I had the evening free, I enlisted his assistance...and then essentially handed the project over to him entirely. Sorry, Mark! :) So, for your viewing pleasure, here is the progression: 
1) Happy Mark, excitedly assembling his son's crib
1) Happy Mark, excitedly assembling his son's crib
2) Mark, getting a bit fed up with the instructions that succeeded in only confusing the entire operation. I think we would've had better luck if they were absent or written in Chinese!
3) Finally, success! Here is the crib in place at the foot of our bed, complete with my favorite crib mobile of all time...and of course cozy essentials for baby: alarm clock, cell phone charger, and many (suffocating hazards, which will be removed before actual use) stuffed animals. Oh, and the cutest snowsuit, ever!
4) And let's not forget Mom and baby! Here we are, at exactly 33 weeks. 7 more to go, give or take a couple... Somewhat comfortingly, I've been measuring consistently 1 week "behind" (so, 32 weeks at my appt. today), so either baby will be late, :( or I may have a chance at a "little, little" :) as a friend of mine likes to call newborns.
Friday, December 7, 2007
Happy Advent!
What a wonderful month this November was! So full of memories. We were incredibly blessed and incredibly busy, particularly through the second half of the month. As you can see below, I was able to show off our lovely city while Kate was visiting. Fortunately, we didn't have a repeat of the fog that enveloped us during Mom's visit. So, Mom - this is where we live! :)
St Paul's Cathedral (an exceptional building and parish!) is behind Kate, on the left. The Capitol building is on the right. Just behind Kate, far below, is the Mississippi river. Further off to the right is downtown St Paul. We live across the river, a few miles left of the Cathedral.
Baby notes: I passed my glucose tolerance test, so hurray for no gestational diabetes. That means that if our little guy is HUGE (in the likeness of his father), I have only genetics to blame, rather than my diet. Fortunately, I'm actually measuring a tad on the small side - though that measuring stuff is nowhere near an exact science. I probably shouldn't get my hopes for a "normal" size (under 9 lb.) baby too high.
Recipe: Mark and I are doing Bradley classes in preparation for someone's arrival. As many of you know, Bradley devotees are pressured to consume unholy amounts of protein, in hopes that it may have a healthy influence on the pregnancy. For that reason, and because I can only eat so much cottage cheese (it's high in protein), I invented a new recipe for Protein Pancakes that doesn't compromise flavor!!! (This makes enough for a filling meal for 2)
1/2 c. flour (if you really like it, use whole wheat...I don't)
1/2 c. old fashioned oats (NOT instant!)
1/2 T baking powder
1/8 tsp. salt
1 egg
1-2 splashes vanilla
1 T brown sugar
2/3 c. milk
(a bit more flour or milk may be needed to achieve correct consistency)
Directions:
bowl 1: Combine dry ingredients, mix.
bowl 2: beat egg, mix in rest of wet ingredients
Combine and mix bowls 1 and 2
Cook on griddle/pan over whatever heat works best for you.
Mark prefers these to regular pancakes because the flavor is better, thanks to the vanilla and brown sugar, and, they're healthier because of the fiber in the oats. So, where's the protein? - eggs, milk, oats and flour are all great sources!
Other additions: I recently tried substituting some of the milk for cottage cheese, for an added protein punch. I added too much, but I think a little less would've worked well.
Hope you're all doing well!
St Paul's Cathedral (an exceptional building and parish!) is behind Kate, on the left. The Capitol building is on the right. Just behind Kate, far below, is the Mississippi river. Further off to the right is downtown St Paul. We live across the river, a few miles left of the Cathedral.Baby notes: I passed my glucose tolerance test, so hurray for no gestational diabetes. That means that if our little guy is HUGE (in the likeness of his father), I have only genetics to blame, rather than my diet. Fortunately, I'm actually measuring a tad on the small side - though that measuring stuff is nowhere near an exact science. I probably shouldn't get my hopes for a "normal" size (under 9 lb.) baby too high.
Recipe: Mark and I are doing Bradley classes in preparation for someone's arrival. As many of you know, Bradley devotees are pressured to consume unholy amounts of protein, in hopes that it may have a healthy influence on the pregnancy. For that reason, and because I can only eat so much cottage cheese (it's high in protein), I invented a new recipe for Protein Pancakes that doesn't compromise flavor!!! (This makes enough for a filling meal for 2)
1/2 c. flour (if you really like it, use whole wheat...I don't)
1/2 c. old fashioned oats (NOT instant!)
1/2 T baking powder
1/8 tsp. salt
1 egg
1-2 splashes vanilla
1 T brown sugar
2/3 c. milk
(a bit more flour or milk may be needed to achieve correct consistency)
Directions:
bowl 1: Combine dry ingredients, mix.
bowl 2: beat egg, mix in rest of wet ingredients
Combine and mix bowls 1 and 2
Cook on griddle/pan over whatever heat works best for you.
Mark prefers these to regular pancakes because the flavor is better, thanks to the vanilla and brown sugar, and, they're healthier because of the fiber in the oats. So, where's the protein? - eggs, milk, oats and flour are all great sources!
Other additions: I recently tried substituting some of the milk for cottage cheese, for an added protein punch. I added too much, but I think a little less would've worked well.
Hope you're all doing well!
Saturday, November 24, 2007
The busiest week of the year
The third week of November will always be a crazy one in the Archibald family, it includes our wedding anniversary, Mark's birthday and Thanksgiving. Fortunately, this year we have a week to recover before Advent begins. Though crazy, the past week has been a blast!
We celebrated our anniversary prematurely by spending the night of the 16th in Hudson, WI and wandering around Stillwater, MN, the oldest town in MN, that evening and the following day. The weather was stunning - beauty and temperature...stunningly chilly, as you will notice from how bundled we are in the pictures.
Mark and I bought fancy travel mugs for each other as our anniversary gift. Mark wanted a picture that included his new mug. :) The St. Croix river, which divides MN and WI, is behind him.
This is a picture of very cold Betsy, with a quickly blossoming belly. Behind me is downtown Stillwater and the St Croix river.
Mark and the (in)famous Brandy-soaked, marzipan-covered fruitcake. This is the cake Mark has every year for his birthday and feastday. My faithful blog readers may remember the last one, from a post around April 25th, Mark's feastday. The side of the cake reads "I love you Daddy!" I couldn't resist adding that touch on his first birthday as a Dad. :) It's hard to believe I'm married to a 28 year-old. Mark was a mere 24 when I met him, though only for 2 months; where does the time go?!
My mom was in town for 2 days, earlier this week! It was great to have her here, and show off the ole' homestead...er, dorm apartment. She happened to pick an incredibly foggy day to visit us, so the skylines of Minneapolis and St Paul were both completely enshrouded in thick gray fog; I was particularly dissapointed about St Paul, as the Cathedral overlooking downtown and dwarfing the Capitol building, is a sight to see. Oh well, I guess she'll have to come back. :) On a different note, the guys in our part of the hall behaved themselves, through no influence of mine or Mark's, and not a peep was heard during her visit, unlike when Kate and her friends were here.
Speaking of which, Kate is due to arrive for another visit in a couple days! We're so thrilled that she's coming back to see us, and for more than a few hours this time around. :)
That just about gets us up to speed. Of course, Thanksgiving was in there as well. We had a WONDERFUL celebration with friends, food, some praise and worship, and lots of laughter. It really was as perfect as Thanksgiving could be, away from family. We are very blessed!
Baby Archibald is growing, growing, growing! He definitely had a growth spurt last weekend, and doesn't seem to be showing signs of slowing down...not that I necessarily think that he should, but I'm beginning to think that my fears of birthing a watermelon aren't unjustified. I am 26 weeks along, going on 35 (in my humble and medically unsubstantiated opinion). Mark is incredibly eager to meet our son, and watching me get bigger by the minute is only adding to his impatience. Obvious signs aside, it's still hard for me to believe I'm pregnant, let alone that I'm going to hold my son in my arms in 3 months...STRANGE!!! All that to say, I'm excited, but glad that I have these 3 months to continue to prepare myself for his arrival...please Lord, may he not come more than 2 weeks early (but 2 weeks early would be great!) :)
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone we love, and if you're in Michigan, we hope to see you in a month!!! Hurray!
We celebrated our anniversary prematurely by spending the night of the 16th in Hudson, WI and wandering around Stillwater, MN, the oldest town in MN, that evening and the following day. The weather was stunning - beauty and temperature...stunningly chilly, as you will notice from how bundled we are in the pictures.
Mark and I bought fancy travel mugs for each other as our anniversary gift. Mark wanted a picture that included his new mug. :) The St. Croix river, which divides MN and WI, is behind him.
This is a picture of very cold Betsy, with a quickly blossoming belly. Behind me is downtown Stillwater and the St Croix river.
Mark and the (in)famous Brandy-soaked, marzipan-covered fruitcake. This is the cake Mark has every year for his birthday and feastday. My faithful blog readers may remember the last one, from a post around April 25th, Mark's feastday. The side of the cake reads "I love you Daddy!" I couldn't resist adding that touch on his first birthday as a Dad. :) It's hard to believe I'm married to a 28 year-old. Mark was a mere 24 when I met him, though only for 2 months; where does the time go?!My mom was in town for 2 days, earlier this week! It was great to have her here, and show off the ole' homestead...er, dorm apartment. She happened to pick an incredibly foggy day to visit us, so the skylines of Minneapolis and St Paul were both completely enshrouded in thick gray fog; I was particularly dissapointed about St Paul, as the Cathedral overlooking downtown and dwarfing the Capitol building, is a sight to see. Oh well, I guess she'll have to come back. :) On a different note, the guys in our part of the hall behaved themselves, through no influence of mine or Mark's, and not a peep was heard during her visit, unlike when Kate and her friends were here.
Speaking of which, Kate is due to arrive for another visit in a couple days! We're so thrilled that she's coming back to see us, and for more than a few hours this time around. :)
That just about gets us up to speed. Of course, Thanksgiving was in there as well. We had a WONDERFUL celebration with friends, food, some praise and worship, and lots of laughter. It really was as perfect as Thanksgiving could be, away from family. We are very blessed!
Baby Archibald is growing, growing, growing! He definitely had a growth spurt last weekend, and doesn't seem to be showing signs of slowing down...not that I necessarily think that he should, but I'm beginning to think that my fears of birthing a watermelon aren't unjustified. I am 26 weeks along, going on 35 (in my humble and medically unsubstantiated opinion). Mark is incredibly eager to meet our son, and watching me get bigger by the minute is only adding to his impatience. Obvious signs aside, it's still hard for me to believe I'm pregnant, let alone that I'm going to hold my son in my arms in 3 months...STRANGE!!! All that to say, I'm excited, but glad that I have these 3 months to continue to prepare myself for his arrival...please Lord, may he not come more than 2 weeks early (but 2 weeks early would be great!) :)
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone we love, and if you're in Michigan, we hope to see you in a month!!! Hurray!
Monday, October 22, 2007
Birthdays and Adventures, not related
First, and most importantly, "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Kate!!!" There are so many great things about being 24: you can celebrate one year of your life for each hour of the day, you're now officially in your mid-twenties (according to "Betsy's official designation of decades"), you're old enough to be respected but young enough to not have wrinkles (ok, obviously I've run out of ideas...). Anyway, the point is, you're a great sister, I love you, and I hope you're having a wonderful birthday!
Not that I always have to talk about pregnancy, and perhaps I can blame this more on the inspirational weather (sunny, for a change!) than on "nesting," but I woke up with a mad motivation to clean, clean, clean. So I did. It's so nice to sit in a clean apartment with the windows open and the sunshine and crisp Fall air streaming through. It will be even nicer once the gentleman outside is done mowing the quad. ...Air streaming through...that means more dust! oh dear. Yes, something unusual is definitely happening to me.
Speaking of which, for the second time in the past month, and perhaps the 4th time in my entire life, I did what I honestly thought I would never ever ever do. I ate ramen noodles... voluntarily, and today, even eagerly. (May I please blame pregnancy?) Oh the shame! Mark was quite shocked, as he used to eat them in his single days and, once he met me, heard no end of my tirades about how ramen noodles aren't food, or if they are, are a VERY poor excuse for it! Well, I have to admit, just before I devoured my bowl for lunch today, I said, with a little smirk, "Thank you Jesus for this poor excuse for food" and proceeded to thoroughly enjoy every last one of those stringy noodles (chicken flavor, in case you were wondering).
Well, pregnancy-related or otherwise, that won't be the first crazy thing I've done since carrying around this little boy....
My adventures with cups: In case you doubt the authenticity of these accounts, my sister Heidi was witness to at least a couple of them.
- I poured myself a can of pop. Literally. It ended up on me. I completely missed the cup I was holding in my left hand and poured it right onto my shirt - and this was no near miss, there were a good 4 inches between the cup and me.
- I attempted to fill a glass with water from the dispenser in the door of the fridge, ...but the cup was upside down. Guess where the water DIDN'T go.
- For at least a week, I wore a sample, on the front of my shirt and/or lap, of whatever beverage I was drinking. Thankfully, I mostly stuck to water.
I think perhaps there should be a warning from the surgeon general on every pregnancy test that reads something like this: "If this test is positive, avoid driving or operating heavy machinery for nine months."
"Why?" you may ask. well, I hesitate to mention, as I know my mother will be reading this post, but I will anyway (don't worry, mom, I'm fine!)
-The front license plate on our car is now hanging askew, as the result of a little collision I got into ...with a large pipe, ...in our parking garage, ...before I had so much as touched the gas pedal. Impossible, you say? Not so, my friend, not so. If there's a pregnant lady, there's a way, and I discovered it. Ok, this one is understandable (at least that's what Mark told me). Friends of ours had driven us to the airport and then parked our car in our parking garage until we returned. Upon returning, I got into the car, failing to notice that our car, a manual, had been left in 1st gear without the parking brake set (we always leave it in neutral with the parking brake on). I turned the car on and promptly lurched forward at what seemed like death-defying speeds, right into a 10-inch diameter steel pipe labeled "sewer." Thankfully, the pipe survived with not even a scratch; I survived with no scratches and no sewage shower (!!!), the car survived with no other damage beyond the license plate. Thank you, Lord!
- Last night, I drove 3/4 of a 10-minute drive home, at night, before realizing I didn't have my lights on. The car that was about to pull out in front of me clued me in. Thankfully, that was as eventful as it got, so I'm fine, the baby's fine, the car's fine, and the other car wasn't a policeman. I count my blessings. I also ask Mark to drive whenever I have the option.
Now, back to that beautiful weather. I need to go enjoy it. I hope you all have a wonderful and safe, spill-free, ramen-less day!
Not that I always have to talk about pregnancy, and perhaps I can blame this more on the inspirational weather (sunny, for a change!) than on "nesting," but I woke up with a mad motivation to clean, clean, clean. So I did. It's so nice to sit in a clean apartment with the windows open and the sunshine and crisp Fall air streaming through. It will be even nicer once the gentleman outside is done mowing the quad. ...Air streaming through...that means more dust! oh dear. Yes, something unusual is definitely happening to me.
Speaking of which, for the second time in the past month, and perhaps the 4th time in my entire life, I did what I honestly thought I would never ever ever do. I ate ramen noodles... voluntarily, and today, even eagerly. (May I please blame pregnancy?) Oh the shame! Mark was quite shocked, as he used to eat them in his single days and, once he met me, heard no end of my tirades about how ramen noodles aren't food, or if they are, are a VERY poor excuse for it! Well, I have to admit, just before I devoured my bowl for lunch today, I said, with a little smirk, "Thank you Jesus for this poor excuse for food" and proceeded to thoroughly enjoy every last one of those stringy noodles (chicken flavor, in case you were wondering).
Well, pregnancy-related or otherwise, that won't be the first crazy thing I've done since carrying around this little boy....
My adventures with cups: In case you doubt the authenticity of these accounts, my sister Heidi was witness to at least a couple of them.
- I poured myself a can of pop. Literally. It ended up on me. I completely missed the cup I was holding in my left hand and poured it right onto my shirt - and this was no near miss, there were a good 4 inches between the cup and me.
- I attempted to fill a glass with water from the dispenser in the door of the fridge, ...but the cup was upside down. Guess where the water DIDN'T go.
- For at least a week, I wore a sample, on the front of my shirt and/or lap, of whatever beverage I was drinking. Thankfully, I mostly stuck to water.
I think perhaps there should be a warning from the surgeon general on every pregnancy test that reads something like this: "If this test is positive, avoid driving or operating heavy machinery for nine months."
"Why?" you may ask. well, I hesitate to mention, as I know my mother will be reading this post, but I will anyway (don't worry, mom, I'm fine!)
-The front license plate on our car is now hanging askew, as the result of a little collision I got into ...with a large pipe, ...in our parking garage, ...before I had so much as touched the gas pedal. Impossible, you say? Not so, my friend, not so. If there's a pregnant lady, there's a way, and I discovered it. Ok, this one is understandable (at least that's what Mark told me). Friends of ours had driven us to the airport and then parked our car in our parking garage until we returned. Upon returning, I got into the car, failing to notice that our car, a manual, had been left in 1st gear without the parking brake set (we always leave it in neutral with the parking brake on). I turned the car on and promptly lurched forward at what seemed like death-defying speeds, right into a 10-inch diameter steel pipe labeled "sewer." Thankfully, the pipe survived with not even a scratch; I survived with no scratches and no sewage shower (!!!), the car survived with no other damage beyond the license plate. Thank you, Lord!
- Last night, I drove 3/4 of a 10-minute drive home, at night, before realizing I didn't have my lights on. The car that was about to pull out in front of me clued me in. Thankfully, that was as eventful as it got, so I'm fine, the baby's fine, the car's fine, and the other car wasn't a policeman. I count my blessings. I also ask Mark to drive whenever I have the option.
Now, back to that beautiful weather. I need to go enjoy it. I hope you all have a wonderful and safe, spill-free, ramen-less day!
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Drum roll, please
First, I have to apologize to my 3 fans for the delay in this post. Yesterday, I had to run straight from my ultrasound to an all-afternoon training seminar for work that continued through the day, today. Secondly, I also have to apologize for the fuzzy pictures. We don't have a scanner, so I had to use my digital camera to get post-able images, which resulted in less than clear pictures, esp. for the profile pictures which are already blurry because baby's head was tucked in a funny position that made it hard to reach with the ultrasound waves. So........ :) :) :)
...We're having a.....
BOY!!!!! For those of you less-than-ultrasound-savvy folks, that's a picture of the backside and legs of our baby boy, with his little boy parts front and center (yes, he does have a full left leg, it's just in shadow.) :) He certainly wasn't shy about showing off that part of himself; it was the very first thing we saw as the ultrasound began! His head, however was another matter. The images on the screen at the ultrasound were clearer and he looks SUPER cute, if I can say so, but this is what we came home with:
The shadowy image above his nose is his right hand. I should also mention that it doesn't look I need to worry about him being a Leap Day baby, after all. He measured a week larger than expected, so my due date has been moved up to 2/20/08. I'm thrilled, as it's one week less that I have to wait to meet him!
Last night, Mark and I celebrated by beginning our baby registry. I discovered that it's dangerous to bring along your very excited, sports-fan husband! Our son isn't going to lack sports-related baby items if Mark has anything to do with it. I tried to remind him that chances are we'll have girls as well, and I'd rather not wrap them all in football-patterned receiving blankets! :)
It was so amazing to see our first child, our son, yesterday morning. He looks healthy, as far as we can tell, though the tech wouldn't have been allowed to tell us otherwise. She seemed very friendly and excited for us, and asked if we might bring him in for a visit after he is born. That leads me to believe there's no cause for concern. :) Praise the Lord for our healthy baby! Please continue to keep us all in your prayers.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
The Church and Lay Communities
Mark and I attended a conference this past weekend on "Community and the [Catholic] Church." It dealt with the role of private lay associations and ecclesial communities in the Church. The first talk covered (then) Cardinal Ratzinger's Pentecost address, The Ecclesial Movements: A Theological Reflection on Their Place in the Church (1998), (the picture is of that day, '98,) and subsequent talks drew heavily from JP II's Christifideles laici (1987). Ratzinger posited that these 20th Century lay movements are the "fifth wave" of the Holy Spirit, referencing Missionary Monasticism, The Cluniac Reform, The Mendicant Orders, and Missionary Expansion as the 4 previous "waves" of the Holy Spirit through history, all following a similar, recognizable pattern. The conference also covered Canon Law, the nature of the Church (e.g. there’s more to her than parishes), the role of the Bishop, and more. It was really fascinating material, and especially helpful for me, as I have wrestled with the very issue of where "Community" fits, not realizing that Popes have spoken extensively on the subject. Praise the Lord!
There were so many quotes on the conference; it’s hard to choose which to include, so in case you need some good bathroom reading material, you can print these off: :)
Ratzinger - '98
"...It should be said quite clearly that the apostolic movements appear in ever new forms in history - necessarily so, because they are the Holy Spirit's answer to the ever changing situations in which the Church lives...A retrospective glance at the history of the Church will help us to acknowledge with gratitutde that, through all her trials and tribulations, the Church has always succeeded in finding room for all the great new awakenings of the spirit that emerge in her midst. I therefore recommend that the new ecclesial movements be spread, and that they be used to give fresh energy, especially among young people, to the Christian life and to evangelization..."
JP II - '87
“Since the Church’s task in our day is so great, its accomplishment cannot be left to the parish alone… There are many other places and forms of association through which the Church can be present and at work. All are necessary to carry out the word and grace of the Gospel and to correspond to the various circumstances of life in which people find themselves today.”
"In recent days the phenomenon of lay people associating among themselves has taken on a character of particular variety and vitality. In some ways lay associations have always been present throughout the Church's history as various confraternities, third orders and sodalities testify even today. However, in modern times such lay groups have recieved a special stimulus, resulting in the birth and spread of a multiplicity of group forms: associations, groups, communities, movements. We can speak of a new era of group endeavors of the lay faithful. In fact, alongside the traditional forming of associations, and at times coming from their very roots, movements and new sodalities have sprouted with a specific feature and purpose, so great is the richness and the versatility of resources that the Holy Spirit nourishes in the ecclesial community, and so great is the capacity of initiative and the generosity of our lay people."
(Back to me...) As a last note, before you get the idea that the place of lay associations within the Church is all ironed-out, I should add that the Church recognizes the current tension that exists as she seeks to find each movement’s place within the structure of the Church. On that note, some quotes from the outline by Fr. Bob Oliver, STD and Canon Lawyer, who was the main speaker at the conference:
"At the present time the Church is still developing canonical forms for lay movements. Such forms will (eventually) address many of the practical issues that the members of our communities face in living the life of the Church and participating in its mission."
"Lay ecclesial movements are a relatively new gift of the Holy Spirit to the Church. The ecclesiastical hierarchy has endorsed, encouraged and validated these movements, but not without controversy and not in an unqualified manner."
Our community in St. Paul, for example (the Community of Christ the Redeemer), has overwhelming support from, endorsement from, and a close relationship with the local Archbishop, Coadjutor Archbishop, and Auxiliary Bishop. (The latter also happens to be the President of SPO’s Board, and therefore indirectly Mark's boss!)
There were so many quotes on the conference; it’s hard to choose which to include, so in case you need some good bathroom reading material, you can print these off: :)
Ratzinger - '98
"...It should be said quite clearly that the apostolic movements appear in ever new forms in history - necessarily so, because they are the Holy Spirit's answer to the ever changing situations in which the Church lives...A retrospective glance at the history of the Church will help us to acknowledge with gratitutde that, through all her trials and tribulations, the Church has always succeeded in finding room for all the great new awakenings of the spirit that emerge in her midst. I therefore recommend that the new ecclesial movements be spread, and that they be used to give fresh energy, especially among young people, to the Christian life and to evangelization..."
JP II - '87
“Since the Church’s task in our day is so great, its accomplishment cannot be left to the parish alone… There are many other places and forms of association through which the Church can be present and at work. All are necessary to carry out the word and grace of the Gospel and to correspond to the various circumstances of life in which people find themselves today.”
"In recent days the phenomenon of lay people associating among themselves has taken on a character of particular variety and vitality. In some ways lay associations have always been present throughout the Church's history as various confraternities, third orders and sodalities testify even today. However, in modern times such lay groups have recieved a special stimulus, resulting in the birth and spread of a multiplicity of group forms: associations, groups, communities, movements. We can speak of a new era of group endeavors of the lay faithful. In fact, alongside the traditional forming of associations, and at times coming from their very roots, movements and new sodalities have sprouted with a specific feature and purpose, so great is the richness and the versatility of resources that the Holy Spirit nourishes in the ecclesial community, and so great is the capacity of initiative and the generosity of our lay people."
(Back to me...) As a last note, before you get the idea that the place of lay associations within the Church is all ironed-out, I should add that the Church recognizes the current tension that exists as she seeks to find each movement’s place within the structure of the Church. On that note, some quotes from the outline by Fr. Bob Oliver, STD and Canon Lawyer, who was the main speaker at the conference:
"At the present time the Church is still developing canonical forms for lay movements. Such forms will (eventually) address many of the practical issues that the members of our communities face in living the life of the Church and participating in its mission."
"Lay ecclesial movements are a relatively new gift of the Holy Spirit to the Church. The ecclesiastical hierarchy has endorsed, encouraged and validated these movements, but not without controversy and not in an unqualified manner."
Our community in St. Paul, for example (the Community of Christ the Redeemer), has overwhelming support from, endorsement from, and a close relationship with the local Archbishop, Coadjutor Archbishop, and Auxiliary Bishop. (The latter also happens to be the President of SPO’s Board, and therefore indirectly Mark's boss!)
What we've been up to
This is the view from our living room window. Not bad, eh? :) It's been a good couple of months in the expanding Archibald family. Expanding, yes indeed. I keep thinking I should have Mark take a couple of pictures of me every now and then, for posterity's sake, but then I wonder if I, or anyone, will ever really want to look at pictures of me at the largest I've ever been, and growing. Ah, pregnancy. :) Baby has been kicking like crazy for a few weeks now. S/he already has predictable sleep/wake cycles, with the most active times being approximately noon and midnight. Mark, not yet being able to feel the baby, has made numerous comments about how feeling the baby move is the ONE AND ONLY part of being a woman of which he is a bit envious. I'm not sure what parts of my predictable pregnancy-related weekly crying spells don't appeal to him?
Two and half weeks ago, the Fenton family married off another one. Heidi is now officially a Keiser. Hurray!!!! I wonder who Kate is going to marry, in order to keep up with last names like these new ones we've adopted! Heidi and Kevin are already off in Rome, where they will be living for 2 semesters. Mark and I have grand plans, though yet to be solidified, to visit them in late Spring '08 during baby Archibald's whirlwind tour of Europe. Please keep this trip in your prayers, as it would be a wonderful opportunity for Mark's side of the family to meet their newest relation. I am a bit concerned that a passport for baby might be difficult to get in time, but God can do anything!
Kate dropped in for an afternoon, this past Friday. Yes, she was in St. Paul! It was great to see her, and show her where we live, etc. She was here for the weekend, for the wedding of a friend of hers. We had been informed that we probably weren't going to be able to see her at all, so it came as a surprise when she called to say she had a free afternoon, and could she come over? I was dissapointed that we weren't able to have anything planned, so we couldn't make the most of our visit and show her around a bit, but she was exhausted and I was on the verge of a cold (which has me in its clutches, at the moment) so I suppose an afternoon of chatting in our apartment was probably for the best. She came with a married couple, friends of hers from W.P. and Fort Hood. I have to admit, I felt a little bad for the husband, having to spend an afternoon with 3 other women, doing what women do best: talk. :)
Our work and personal lives are very busy, especially as they are often one and the same. Mark has taken on many new and demanding roles this year with SPO, not to mention being a Chaplain. I am loving my very-part-time job as a prenatal nurse! I am also taking on a role as a women's group leader for a few post-college age women. I'll also be pastoring a least a couple of them, which presents more challenges and, I am sure, ample opportunities for my own growth!
This is Mark, hard at work in our dorm living room. The red couch, coffee table, and life-size Our Lady of Guadalupe belong to the University, but the rest is ours, including the mess. Why do photos always make my home look messier than I see it? Perhaps this is telling...
Life in the dorms has not entirely lost it's rosey-hue. I can not help but appreciate all the blessings we have at our fingertips. The occasional "f-bomb" (as Mark calls them) yelled in the hall, and poor taste in VERY LOUD music has yet to make me think that living here isn't for us. It simply highlights the necessity of our presence, that much more. In the boys' defense, they are very polite and quickly turn down their music when I request they do so, which I've done all of once. Last week, while Kate was here, we recieved what I can only guess was an apology card, shortly after said volume request. The card, which was unsigned, was a pink, sparkly, Winnie-the Pooh number, that had been duct-taped to our door. It read "Congratulations on Your Baby Girl." I laughed as I said to Mark, "well, I guess we're having a girl." :)
Speaking of which, THIS FRIDAY is our 20 week ultrasound!!! God-willing, Baby will cooperate and let us know if we're parents of a boy or a girl. :) I was telling Mark that when I feel the baby kick, I think about baby as a boy, but when I think about whether we're having a boy or girl, I think about the baby as a girl. I guess I'm just completely confused! Anyway, please post your guesses, and if we are able to find out, we'll let you know who's right! :)
Two and half weeks ago, the Fenton family married off another one. Heidi is now officially a Keiser. Hurray!!!! I wonder who Kate is going to marry, in order to keep up with last names like these new ones we've adopted! Heidi and Kevin are already off in Rome, where they will be living for 2 semesters. Mark and I have grand plans, though yet to be solidified, to visit them in late Spring '08 during baby Archibald's whirlwind tour of Europe. Please keep this trip in your prayers, as it would be a wonderful opportunity for Mark's side of the family to meet their newest relation. I am a bit concerned that a passport for baby might be difficult to get in time, but God can do anything!
Kate dropped in for an afternoon, this past Friday. Yes, she was in St. Paul! It was great to see her, and show her where we live, etc. She was here for the weekend, for the wedding of a friend of hers. We had been informed that we probably weren't going to be able to see her at all, so it came as a surprise when she called to say she had a free afternoon, and could she come over? I was dissapointed that we weren't able to have anything planned, so we couldn't make the most of our visit and show her around a bit, but she was exhausted and I was on the verge of a cold (which has me in its clutches, at the moment) so I suppose an afternoon of chatting in our apartment was probably for the best. She came with a married couple, friends of hers from W.P. and Fort Hood. I have to admit, I felt a little bad for the husband, having to spend an afternoon with 3 other women, doing what women do best: talk. :)
Our work and personal lives are very busy, especially as they are often one and the same. Mark has taken on many new and demanding roles this year with SPO, not to mention being a Chaplain. I am loving my very-part-time job as a prenatal nurse! I am also taking on a role as a women's group leader for a few post-college age women. I'll also be pastoring a least a couple of them, which presents more challenges and, I am sure, ample opportunities for my own growth!
This is Mark, hard at work in our dorm living room. The red couch, coffee table, and life-size Our Lady of Guadalupe belong to the University, but the rest is ours, including the mess. Why do photos always make my home look messier than I see it? Perhaps this is telling...Life in the dorms has not entirely lost it's rosey-hue. I can not help but appreciate all the blessings we have at our fingertips. The occasional "f-bomb" (as Mark calls them) yelled in the hall, and poor taste in VERY LOUD music has yet to make me think that living here isn't for us. It simply highlights the necessity of our presence, that much more. In the boys' defense, they are very polite and quickly turn down their music when I request they do so, which I've done all of once. Last week, while Kate was here, we recieved what I can only guess was an apology card, shortly after said volume request. The card, which was unsigned, was a pink, sparkly, Winnie-the Pooh number, that had been duct-taped to our door. It read "Congratulations on Your Baby Girl." I laughed as I said to Mark, "well, I guess we're having a girl." :)
Speaking of which, THIS FRIDAY is our 20 week ultrasound!!! God-willing, Baby will cooperate and let us know if we're parents of a boy or a girl. :) I was telling Mark that when I feel the baby kick, I think about baby as a boy, but when I think about whether we're having a boy or girl, I think about the baby as a girl. I guess I'm just completely confused! Anyway, please post your guesses, and if we are able to find out, we'll let you know who's right! :)
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Hilarious
Sometimes it feels like contemporary worship music is more "me" focused than God-focused. Mark was sent this link by his boss, of all people. As soon as this short clip began, I knew I had to post it for the enjoyment of all...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ScWdek6_Ids
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ScWdek6_Ids
Monday, September 3, 2007
Definitely worth the read!
BIRTH CONTROL
A Statement of Christian Doctrine against the Neo-Malthusians
BY HALLIDAY G. SUTHERLAND, M.D.
http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/etext05/7bctr10.txt
This is an essay I came across last night. Mark teased me for reading all afternoon, but it is such a fascinating essay that I just couldn't stop. It also relates to my line of work, which may explain my particular interest. Interestingly, it was written in 1922, but far from being outdated, it is excellent food for thought as well as a glimpse at the adolescence of our present-day state of moral decay.
A Statement of Christian Doctrine against the Neo-Malthusians
BY HALLIDAY G. SUTHERLAND, M.D.
http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/etext05/7bctr10.txt
This is an essay I came across last night. Mark teased me for reading all afternoon, but it is such a fascinating essay that I just couldn't stop. It also relates to my line of work, which may explain my particular interest. Interestingly, it was written in 1922, but far from being outdated, it is excellent food for thought as well as a glimpse at the adolescence of our present-day state of moral decay.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)