Random Thoughts December 2006

The amount of hospital security in the labor and delivery/newborn sections of the hospital is amazing – even if you’re one of the parents. I’m grateful for it but at the same time, getting in and out of the place felt like trying to visit someone in jail. I love the way newborn babies smell. Like a new car smell, it lasts several months before going away.

Trying to type 50+ words per minute and hold a newborn baby in your arms is possible so long as the baby doesn’t squirm too much.

Molly looks just like Marathon Girl when she was a baby.

The final draft of my book manuscript weights two pounds, fifteen ounces.

Though I don’t care for Super Bowl halftime shows, I thought the NFL usually does a good job of lining up some decent music. But Prince? What are the people at NFL headquarters thinking?

The thing I was looking forward to most this winter was taking Aidan sledding for the first time. Unfortunately, we’ve yet to have a snow storm that’s dumped more than one inch of snow on the ground making it, for now, impossible.

Why does Wal-Mart always so crowded? You can show up at six in the morning and find the store packed with shoppers and long lines at the cash registers.

It’s interesting that different names have different connotations in different parts of the country. Nixtress mentioned that she liked the name Emma but where she lives it’s considered too Amish. In Utah the name Emma is quite popular as it has some historical connotations with the LDS Church.

I always wanted to have a kid named Ethan but had three friends that named their kids Ethan long before my oldest boy was even a thought in my mind.

I need to finish my Christmas shopping soon. Only 12 shopping days left.

Getting Back to Normal and Naming Molly

Things are finally settling down at the Keogh household. The addition of Molly and having sick boys has been a lot of work. The good news is that the boys are on the upswing, Molly is sleeping better at night, and Marathon Girl is recovering well from labor and delivery. Despite a very busy schedule and little or no sleep I’ve been so incredibly happy the last week. It is so wonderful to have a little girl to hold in my arms. It’s been something I’ve wanted for so long and it feels so nice to have a girl who can grip my finger, smile, and nuzzle her face into my chest. I love Molly so much. I’m glad she arrived healthy and well.

***

Several people asked how we came up with the name Molly. It’s actually one of Marathon Girl’s favorite girl names. And since I didn’t have any objections to the name (i.e., I didn’t know anyone named Molly that I associated negatively with the name, the name wasn’t overly popular, etc.) I was okay with it. We've had the name in the cooker for a long time and would have named one of our first two children Molly if either of them had been a girl. I even wrote a poem titled To Aidan or Molly four years ago in the waiting room of the doctor's office -- right before we found out our first child was a boy. (I just realized I haven't posted this poem on my website yet. I'll have to see if I can find it.)

What Happened to Six Packs?

Because we’re runners, Marathon Girl and I don’t drink much soda pop. Since we’ve been married, I can count on one hand the number of times we’ve gone to the grocery store and ended up with something carbonated in our cart. The only time we might have something carbonated is on the occasion when we go out to eat. Even then we’re more likely to order water than anything else. The day we brought Molly home from the hospital, I came down with the stomach flu. (It has now spread to the boys though Marathon Girl and Molly – thankfully – seem unaffected.) Needing something that would help settle my stomach, I went to our local grocery store for a six pack of 7up. I guess it’s been awhile since I seriously pursued the soda pop aisle because, to my surprise, they don’t sell six packs of any type of soda pop anymore. You can either buy two liters or a refrigerator pack that contain 12 or 24 cans. Not a fan of two liters because they quick loose their fizz (it’s the fizz that really settles my stomach) and thinking that even twelve cans was way more than I needed, I drove to another nearby store and discovered they don’t sell six packs either. This second store did sell six 20-ounce plastic bottles of pop, but quantity wise that was still more than I needed.

I don’t know if this is just a local thing or if it’s something that’s gone national, but I really miss having the six pack option. Maybe people drink more soda pop and therefore more convenient to buy the large refrigerator packs. It’s been so long since I’ve purchased soda pop on a regular basis, I have a hard time seeing myself buying that much.

I ended up purchasing a refrigerator pack of 12 (which was a good move with Aidan and Steven getting the stomach flu yesterday) but still think that wee have way more than we need.  This is good news for Aidan and Steven seeing that they might have some pop to drink long after they’re feeling better.

Molly

Molly arrived about 3:30 this morning. She was 20 inches long and weighed 7 lbs. 5 oz. -- not bad for being three weeks early. Both mom and baby are doing well.

Contractions Are Like Running a Marathon Everyday

Marathon Girl, my wonderful wife who has done such physically punishing things such as running a marathon on a broken leg, is beat. Friday night we went in to the hospital again thinking our little girl was on her way. Contractions were intense and 2-3 minutes apart. We were sent home three hours later and told that she wasn’t in active labor. The contractions finally stopped around midnight but resumed on Saturday afternoon for five hours, resumed for several more hours this afternoon then stopped around bedtime. The on and off again contractions are draining her both emotionally and physically. The only time I’ve seen Marathon Girl this beat is after running a marathon. We need this baby to come soon. We have a doctor’s appointment Monday afternoon. Hopefully we’ll have some more good news (like an induction date) or maybe these contractions will finally into active labor. I hope to have good news soon.

Happy Thanksgiving

If anyone knows any labor-inducing Thanksgiving foods, Marathon Girl wants the recipe. Nothing would make her happier than having the baby this weekend. Yes, the baby would be three weeks early but right now she doesn’t care. Since it’s hard to sleep or do just about anything else, Marathon Girl is ready to be done. Providing that Marathon Girl doesn't go into labor our plans tomorrow include playing in the annual neighborhood Turkey Bowl tomorrow morning (I'll be doing that, not MG) then we’re off to spend the holiday with loved ones.

Hope you all have a happy and safe Thanksgiving!

News Photos Can Be Cool

This is one of the best news photographs I've seen in years. I hope the guy who took it wins an award.

South Korean Protesters 

South Korean farmers hold torchlights as they try to enter government building during an anti-FTA and anti-government protest Wednesday near Seoul.

Baby Update

Contractions have started back up but their not regular or very strong. Baby is still head down but her body has moved up in the uterus. When we asked the doctor this afternoon when he thought the baby would come, he just shrugged his shoulders. Maybe we’ll be going to my parent’s home for Thanksgiving after all this year.