Bodie's Birth Story, Volume I

Saturday, April 22, 2006 was a pretty uneventful day. Kristi wanted me to stay close so I decided not to go on the group bike ride with my triathlon club. Those rides usually have me out the door by 7:30 a.m. and back home at about noon, a considerable time commitment.

Kristi and I were up pretty early and off to Lowe’s for some household necessities. We had a nice breakfast at Allison’s. Anticipation was in the air, as it had been for a few weeks. We were so excited about our baby, we just couldn’t wait for him to arrive. But, we didn’t want to get ahead of ourselves -- the doctor had told us to view April 29th, our due date, as the first day we might have the baby.

I spent the day doing yardwork and other housework. Kristi relaxed and sat outside while I mowed the lawn.

We had an early dinner at Mimi’s and then went to Blockbuster to rent some movies. We chose Capote, Saint Ralph, and The Cave. That night we watched Saint Ralph and The Cave (not a good movie!) before going to bed.

At 1:30 a.m. I drifted back into consciousness. Kristi’s closet light was on and she was standing in the bathroom. Because the light was on I knew this wasn’t just one of her normal trips to the bathroom.

“What’s going on?” I asked.

“My water broke,” she said.

The thought of seeing my son within 24 hours woke me up quicker than a double espresso! I jumped out of bed and we started to get ready for our trip to St. John’s, which is only four blocks away. Kristi’s bag was already packed and I quickly threw some items into a duffel bag. We called the hospital to let them know we were on the way -- I never told them who I was! I called our doctor’s answering service to let them know we were going to the hospital -- I never told them who I was!

After checking our lists a few times, we got in the car and drove to the hospital.

He's Here!

Bodie Austin Anderson was born at 5:43 p.m. on Sunday, April 23, 2006. Dad, Grandma Claudia, and Aunt Angela were all there for the big day! Mom and baby are just fine. More details to follow, but Dad has to return to the hospital right now!

Still Waiting

We’re still waiting for baby as I continue to grow bigger and bigger. According to the scale at the doctor’s office this morning, I have not gained any weight in the last week. But, it seems like my stomach keeps expanding! I have had a lot of cramps and tightness the last few days but still no active labor. According to the doctor, I’m now 1.5 centimeters dilated and 50% effaced. So, at least the pain of the past few days has been resulting in some progress. But, the doctor won’t give us any hints as to when he thinks the baby is really coming. Although the doctor did say he’d say us next Wednesday “if the baby hasn’t come yet.” Maybe that means he thinks the baby will be a few days early?     

Baby Shower

I had an awesome baby shower last month thanks to a very nice and talented friend of mine. I got so many great things - this baby is going to be really loved and spoiled. The baby got blankets, outfits, books, a baby album, toys, a monitor, a boppy, a pack and play, and more. My sister-in-law Jina gets a special mention - she couldn’t make it out from Birmingham but she was sweet enough to make the baby two blankets. Of course there were food and games too which everyone enjoyed. I especially enjoyed the angel food cake and had two helpings of that. Even though I didn’t have to any work, I was exhausted by the end of the day! 

Waiting For Baby

Twenty-one more days until our due date! We are just waiting for baby now. We are so excited to see our baby, hold our baby, name our baby, and bring our baby home.

I can tell Kristi is getting more uncomfortable every day, but she doesn’t complain too much. Our free time is spent relaxing at the house, enjoying our days together, and imagining life with baby. Oh, and trying to decide on a name!

Who's Got The Bigger Belly?

Marc got to try on the “empathy” belly at baby class last week. It looked pretty good on him too. Some days I wish I really could give him my belly just for an hour or so. But, since that’s not going to happen, the “empathy” belly is the closest he’ll get to “experiencing” pregnancy. Underneath his cute little denim baby doll dress is a white velcro belt that’s strapped around his chest to simulate what it’s like to breath. Then, there’s the 30 pound belly over that. For fun, I would throw stuff on the floor and watch him try to bend over to pick it up. He wore the belly for about 30 minutes. In the end, I think he was a little uncomfortable but he didn’t sound nearly miserable enough for me to think it was anything like the real thing.  

It's Triplets

We’re now the proud parents to three babies! No wonder I’ve been so uncomfortable - you can see from the photo that they were all a pretty good size. I’m happy to report that all three babies are doing fine except that they wish we’d stop calling them One, Two, and Three. 

Name Poll

Here are just a few of the names were considering (and some we’re not just to keep it fun). E-mail us (e-mail link on the About Us page) and let us know which names you like (if any!). Can you spot the phonies? Be careful, we’re sensitive!

Wallace, Lars, Bodie, Cal, Atticus, Tor, Horace, Grady, Austin, Sly, Leif, Howard, Jeremy, Kyle, Olaf, Ivar.

Glider!

We finally bought a glider! It was easy to put together and the blue cushions almost match our curtains. I sat in it this afternoon and read for 30 minutes. It’s comfortable and we look forward to rocking the baby to sleep!

Wallies And Curtains Up!

You can see the ABC wallies in the picture. They were pretty easy to put up -- I did all the Bs on one wall first and then would put the As and Cs in their place. The Cs were the toughest.

Our original plan was for green curtains, but, as you can see, we went with blue. We haven’t decided yet if we will keep them or return them and go with green. Feel free to e-mail us with your comments (click the Email Me button on the About Us page). I think if we add a little more blue to the room it will be fine -- pictures with blue mats, white baskets with blue gingham liners, etc.

You can’t really see it in the pictures, but the finials are green gingham.

Next: remove the curtains and paint the window sill white.

Painting Complete!

Finally!

Well, it’s not really all done. I still have to go back and touch-up all my mistakes, but the big painting is over!

I did the peach color Superbowl weekend -- the first coat Saturday afternoon and the second coat Sunday morning. I finished just in time to clean-up and go to a Superbowl party at my neighbor’s.

I think the two colors look great together. The ABC wallies (next weekend) and the window treatment should really make the room look good.

Ignore the lower three drawer pulls on the dresser -- they will soon be replaced. I bought the top two knobs on eBay. They are pottery barn animals that match the bedding.

Work on the nursery continues

Marc has been working on the nursery for the past several weekends. After putting up the picture rail and casing the window, he painted the wall green above the picture rail.  This weekend, he’s added the lower color - peach. It’s a cute combination with the warmer peach and the cooler green that pulls out colors from the bedding. Once he’s done painting, we can move the furniture back in the room. The only big items left to buy for the nursery are a rocker and the window treatment. Then, we’ll add some “ABC” letters as a wallpaper border and do some other small things. Then, all we need is the baby to finish the room!

Progress

Last weekend Kristi went to Carlsbad to watch her sister and her friends run the Carlsbad Marathon and 1/2 marathon. I stayed home to work on the nursery.

The weekend project was to case the window and put up a picture rail.

Friday night: a trip to Home Depot to buy the trim.

Saturday: two coats of paint on all the trim. Then, a trip up the hill to borrow a compound miter saw and nail gun from Greg.

Sunday: installation of it all. Greg joined me to help with the picture rail.

Next: caulk all gaps, cover all nail holes, and touch-up paint.

Movement

I felt the baby move for the first time last night! Kristi’s felt him move since about week 18, but last night was the first time for me!

It's A Boy!

Or so we’re told! The doctor said he’s 80% sure, but I was standing right there and I know what I saw! So, I would say it’s more like 98% sure.

We’re so excited. Our list of girl’s names was short and we both liked Libby, but our list of boy’s names is long and we don’t agree on much. Yet.

I’m pushing Scandinavian names -- Lars, Tor, Hjalmar, Ing, Kennet, Ivar, Yngvar. Actually, Hjalmar and Yngvar are just on the list to make Lars look reasonable. But, you have to admit, Yngvar is pretty cool. Four consonants before the vowel -- that’s awesome.

Nursery Status

Construction has begun in the nursery! Here’s what’s been done so far:

1.    I installed a ceiling light/fan

2.    I assembled the dresser, changing table, and crib

So, there’s still plenty to do. Baby’s bedding is Alphabet Soup from Pottery Barn and the quilt is our inspiration piece for the room.

Kristi and I went to Home Depot last night with a crib sheet in hand to get paint samples. Right now, the plan is to case the window, put a picture rail 2/3 of the way up the wall and paint the lower wall peach and the upper wall green.

Here’s what’s left to do:

1.    Baskets for the changing table shelves

2.    Rocking chair/glider

3.    Lamp for the dresser

4.    New drawer pulls for the dresser

5.    New window treatment

I also have a long list of other things I want to get done around the house before baby’s arrival. In August, when Kristi told me she was pregnant, April seemed so far away. It doesn’t anymore!

Kristi's Pregnant!

For those of you who don't already know.

Her second appointment was last Wednesday and we were able to hear the baby's heart beat! Her due date is April 29th and I'm busy planning the baby's room and other household projects to complete before he or she arrives.

Not surprisingly, the room will have a Scrabble sub-theme.

Reading Away

One of my resolutions was to read 24 books in 2005. I’m behind, but I still think I can do it.

Here’s what I’ve read so far:

The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Nighttime by Mark Hadden
Eats, Shoots & Leaves by Lynne Truss
The Deadwood Beetle by Mylene Dressler
Three Nights In August by Buzz Bissinger
On The Road by Jack Kerouac
Cold Comfort by Barton Sutter
Life Of Pi by Yann Martel
Peace Like A River by Leif Enger

If you’re looking for recommendations then I’d say Life Of Pi is at the top of my list. There were one or two spots that were a little slow, but the story is great and the ending is a thought-provoker. “I have a story that will make you believe in God” is the set-up line from the Author’s Note at the beginning of the book (don’t skip this part!).

I’m nearly done with Peace Like A River and it’s a close second. It’s hard to put the book down because the story is so well-told and the plot moves right along. Enger is a Minnesotan, so you know he can write; the story is set in Minnesota, so you know it’s good. It’s Enger’s first novel and I always enjoy reading first novels (Pi was Martel’s second).

Cold Comfort is a collection of essays by a Duluth resident. Eats, Shoots & Leaves is a good grammar book. Three Nights is a baseball book about Tony LaRussa and the Cardinals. On The Road is On The Road, one of those books people expect you to have read. Oh, The Curious Incident is a worthy investment. The Deadwood Beetle is forgettable.

So, eight books in seven months. I’m six books behind with five months to go. Fourtunately, I think I can read three books a month to make my resolution. Wait, that's not enough, so I'll have to read an extra one in December.

Although I have a stack of books I want to read this year (Fight In The Fields, The Kite Runner, The Brothers Karamazov, Islands In The Stream, House Of Sand And Fog, Lolita, A Year In Provence), I will always take recommendations. So, recommend!

Lake Superior

Some Lake Superior Facts:

LENGTH: 350 miles / 563 km.
BREADTH: 160 miles / 257 km.
AVERAGE DEPTH: 483 ft. / 147 m.
MAXIMUM DEPTH: 1,332 ft. / 406 m.
VOLUME: 2,900 cubic miles / 12,100 cubic km. (It could contain all of the Great Lakes, plus 3 additional lakes the size of Lake Eerie)
WATER SURFACE AREA: 31,700 sq. miles / 82,100 sq. km.
SHORELINE LENGTH (including islands): 2,726 miles / 4,385 km.
ELEVATION: 600 ft. / 183 m.
Detention Rate: 191 years for a drop of water to remain in the lake
Average Water Temperature: 40 degrees Fahrenheit
Maximum Wave Height Recorded: 31 feet
Could cover all of North America in water three feet deep.
Lake Superior rarely freezes over fully, and when it does, it usually doesn't last longer than a few hours or perhaps a day. It's estimated that Lake Superior froze nearly 100 percent in1996, about 96 percent in 1994, and about 95 percent in 1972. The last records of complete ice coverage date to the winters of 1979 and 1962. Very cold, calm weather is necessary for the complete freezing of Lake Superior.

My favorite fact about Lake Superior:

With the entire surface frozen, there would be enough room for every person on earth to spread out a 12' by 12' picnic blanket.

Just Rambling

In Pilgrim At Tinker Creek Annie Dillard writes:

Self-consciousness is the curse of the city and all that sophistication implies. It is the glimpse of oneself in a storefront window, the unbidden awareness of reactions on the faces of other people -- the novelist's world, not the poet's. I've lived there. I remember what the city has to offer: human companionship, major-league baseball, and a clatter of quickening stimulus like a rush from strong drugs that leaves you drained. I remember how you bide your time in the city, and think, if you stop to think, "next year . . . I'll start living; next year . . . I'll start my life." Innocence is a better world.

Innocence sees that this is it, and finds it world enough, and time.

* * * *

I was fortunate enough to have someone recommend Pilgrim to me and now I recommend it to others. The quote above is from the chapter "The Present," which is about experiencing the present purely.

I've read Ayn Rand and enjoyed her novels. But, when someone gets all excited about Rand's philosophy, I tell them I prefer Dillard's.