Say Hello To My Little Friend

I invite you to be the first to say hello to our new baby.

We went for our first (and only) ultrasound today, and Baby is doing well. It has all the right parts and no extra miscellaneous pieces. [That's a tiny head and face above].

Baby was doing some dancing in the belly, kicking and waving all over the place. Apparently this is a good thing. As you can see from the handy caption the sonogram lady added above, those are in fact feet. Two of them, which is good.

Our sound lady was really nice, and a little wacky, which is how we like em. She kept showing us the face, then reminding us that, although it looked like a creepy baby skull, Baby did in fact have skin and eyes and hair. When I asked crazy sonogram lady if she could tell what color hair the baby had, she looked at us as if she could tell by comparing our genes. [Above are random Baby parts, including a cool shot of the spin, once again in complete form]

Overall, the sonogram was pretty cool. It's very satisfying to know that the baby has all the right parts, is healthy (as far as can be told through pictures), and is the right size.

The last big question is: girl? Or boy? 3 lines? Or turtle? Did we find out? Or are we waiting to be surprised? All I'm saying right now is

Growing...

So things are growing around here. There's the out-of-control garden we planted (with dozens of pots and our little patch of dirt). We've managed to fill every available spot of dirt with something green and growing. By last count, we have our fig trees, 10+ tomatoes, 10ish pepper plants, sage, basil, rosemary, thyme, oregano, parsley, six eggplant, peas, chives, potatoes, nastirsums, and some volunteer squash from the compost heap. We've already made pesto once and I dried some sage last week. Half of the tomatoes have little green ones growing. The hot peppers are ridiculous (one plant has 30+ little, evily hot cayennes growing.

Here I am at 17 w 6days with part of the potted garden.

The Tadpole is growing as well. We've hit the 19th week mark (we'll be 20 weeks on Monday and, since pregnacy typically lasts 40 weeks, we're about halfway there). I now officially can't wear my jeans and I'm busting out of most of my other pants/skirts. Mom got me these cool belly bands that have allowed me to put off shopping for quite a few months. Especially with the changing weather here, it's been very helpful to not have to buy multiple seasons of pregnancy clothes. There aren't a lot of maternity options here in town (Target and JC Penny's being the ONLY options), so it's been great to put off buying. But, I'm now starting to slowly add in new clothes. Sis has been a great help, finding all sorts of online sources for inexpensive maternity clothes. Given that these are fairly disposable items (I won't be wearing them past fall!) and that I do have two seasons to worry about (November is very different from July!), it's nice to not spend a fortune on clothes right now.

A week later, and I look a bit bigger. The biggest tomato here is our cherry tomato.

We've had several visits with the Dr (we're seeing one Dr now, but will get transferred to a clinic attached to our hospital in August (either with a midwife or with a Dr)). The heartbeat is fast and loud. We're looking forward to our ultrasound appointment very soon. We're not planning to find out the baby's gender, so that will be a surprise to all of us come November! We're only scheduled for the 1, unless there are any problems that need monitoring.

So, that's the growing news around these parts. I've got two more weeks of teaching for summer class and the class I'm taking starts this week for 6 weeks. I'm also doing some contract work for a big company that I can't really discuss further in this format. Plus, you don't really care about the details, trust me.

In cat news, the cat is nuts. He has two modes: attack cat and passed out. But, his morning habits have me completely smitten. You might remember us complaining about Miles' tendency to wake us up as early as possible with loud cries and whines regardless of his supply of food. This cat, however, uses the strategy of coming to snuggle in bed and being sweet and loveable to let us know that he's completely out of food. Plus, he eats all of his food, even the crumbs, and isn't remotely picky about food. So, although he doesn't want to sit on my lap while I type or snuggle with me in bed, I'm happy to have him around.

[tap, tap] Is this thing on?

If you haven't noticed, I've been terrible at updating this here blog. Since last August, I have been on quite the roller coaster of school craziness. And now with the impending birth of Baby X, I'm sure things aren't going to slow down.

But I've decided I miss writing on this here blog. Not for you. For me. Writing run-on sentences about inane details of my life is strangely fulfilling. So I'm going to try to be better. And K and I have been cooking some more lately, so I may even post something onto our eating blog, which is super neglected, but, in my opinion, a cool idea waiting to happen. [We made Raspberry Fool this weekend, in tribute to the Rimsky Korsikoffee Shop. It was beautiful and tasty.]

No promises, as who knows what will happen next with life. But I am going to try to do something with this here blog. Maybe even Cole will get a chance to post something.

It's a Boy!!!!

Cat.

So to add to our already too busy lives, we decided to adopt a cat. It's been about 3 months since Miles passed, and Kimberly has been pestering me for a new cat for about 2-3/4 months. I honestly think she's more excited for the cat than for the baby.

Our new friend is a male, orange, neutered cat and is fully declawed. So far, he has been spending most of his time in the house roaming, looking around, investigating, and watching birds outside the porch doors. Whenever he sees a bird at the feeder, his jaw starts shaking and he emits a strange meow-craw sound - I'm a little scared he's having a stroke or seizure. I'm pretty sure he's going to hurt himself by running full steam into the glass one of these days.

We got him from the local animal shelter. they had to pull him from some coal bins at the local power plant. Apparently he was completely covered in coal dust. No one is quite sure how long he was there, but without claws, it's surprising he lasted long at all. They are not sure if he was abandoned or lost by a family, but no one has claimed him for over a month.

We were having some trouble naming him, but think we have decided on Cole, a reference to his hiding spot.

So far, Cole seems to be fitting in well. We've brushed a lot of fur off of him, and it looks like it isn't going to end anytime soon.

Welcome Cole, we hope you like babies.

Yummy things when you're pregnant

Well, or yummy things when I'm pregnant I guess. Things from this list are guaranteed to appeal to me - at least this week.

1. yogurt and fresh mango (they've been on super cheap discount here in town and I've been buying them by the bushel)

2. cereal (and I haven't had cold cereal on a regular basis for years)

3. Mexican food!

4. fresh grapefruit (until last week when my heartburn kicked in)

5. juice (any flavor, all of the time)

6. steamed milk (so much tastier than coffee)

Yucky things

1. coffee (ugh... I don't even want to smell it)

2. beer (not that I'm drinking it, but I again don't want to smell it)

3. cold milk (unless it's with the cereal above)

4. lunch meat (we get the best sundried tomato turkey here, and the thought of it - ugh)

5. mustard

6. hummus

7. cheese

Not that any of you care, I'm sure... but my dramatic appetite shifts have surprised me.

Stephen Hawking and my dad

With the news today that Stephen Hawking, the great physist, has been hospitalized, I had an immediate recollection of my experience listening to Stephen Hawking speak.

I was a fairly nerdy young teen/girl... prone to fantasy and wild escapism. I think my dad, an engineer by both profession and personality, often wondered what to do with me and how we were to connect. My Christmas present from my dad one year, a special present just from him to me, was a pair of tickets to see Stephen Hawking downtown. I remember that the tickets were in an envelope on the tree rather than wrapped as a traditional present.

We went off to see the lecture, and it was so cool. I was there with my dad and he didn't know much about this topic (advanced physics and black holes) either. We were both learning something new. I was one of few women (and likely the only girl) in the audience. I remember being mesmerized by the talk, by Stephen Hawking's voice (computer synthesized) and the fact that he took questions and laboriously typed out answers during an intermission between the talk and the Q and A period. I remember an assistant changing the overhead transparencies he used to demonstrate different aspects (remember overhead transparencies!).

After the talk, we went to a diner with some of dad's friends and had pie and ice cream and talked. I remember these men talking with me as if I was a full member of the discussion, rather than a kid. It was so great taking part in this conversation and talking with this grown ups about this exciting talk. 

I didn't get much mileage out of this at school, attending a science talk not being a particularly "cool" thing to do. But I remember this fondly. I feel so fortunate to have had a dad so interested in spending special time with me.

I cherish these special times I was able to have with my dad. I hope that Stephen Hawking can safely recover and return to giving his great talks, writing his books, and inspiring new teens. 

Baby related details

So, random bullets of baby-related news

• The baby is due November 17th (or there abouts). 
• We don't know the gender and aren't really planning on finding out.
• I'm feeling much improved these days 
• We have good care through the health center here and then we'll transfer to the local hospital

I guess that's it... I'm not sure really what else is interesting about the baby at this point. You can't yet tell I'm pregnant, so that's not exciting news. 

We're positive.....

... that we're pregnant! 

What the @#%^&$#%

So, it's April 2nd. Officially spring, the birds have arrived and the weather should be improving, right?

It's snowing. It snowed two days ago, and it's snowing right now. 

Seriously? Snow? Come on. I'm am so freaking tired of this.

brrrrrrrrrr

Today is a sad day around here: Miles finally succumbed to the tumor that was in his belly. We had to put him down this morning.

We had Miles for 2-1/2 years. Most of the time he was pretty great, except when he was peeing in bad places or throwing up on the rug. It's pretty sad to not have him around anymore.

This was a post he wrote a while back, but I was never able to get around to publishing it for him.

We'll miss you Miles.

___________________________________________________________________

So, FeedMe and PetMe seemed to have settled in this strange place they're calling The Middle. They say that, "The Middle" and then laugh in this strange way that's not really a laugh. They're so strange. But, who cares, I'm a cat. The important thing is that they haven't forgotten to feed me and pet me (respectively). So, the food's fine in this joint. But recently, it's been awfully cold around these parts. PetMe has been wearing funny things on her head (did she grow some winter fur? It's green... strange). And my paws get so cold walking across the floors. So, I meow and meow and meow and meow... trying to tell them to turn up the heat already. Sheesh. It's cold people, you can turn up the heat a little.

Well, even though they only speak a little Cat, they seemed to have figured it out (maybe it was the meowing at 4am? I think they are better speakers of Cat in the morning. Hmm, maybe a controlled test? Early versus late meowing? Must try it out.). They got me this magic carpet. It's so wonderful and it's my new best friend. I will never leave it ever ever ever again. PetMe said that it came from Ben and Jerry. I don't know what's up with that, those dudes sure were crabby when I hung out with them. Maybe this is their peace offering? And she said something about some dude named Tyler too. I hear that his PetMe is sad about him... sorry dude.

So, the magic carpet. It rocks. I was a little suspicious at first (what with it smelling a little like Ben Jerry and Tyler (I assume). But once I realized the magic possiblilities, I was hooked. It seems to be like snuggling with my old littermates, back in the old days. If only my mom could see me now!


Some times PetMe comes by and pets me (wonder where she got that name? I'm a cat, not a poet, people.) She seems a little sad. I don't know what her deal is. Maybe she wants me to go on a diet? I'm don't know what's up with this potbelly, must be all of lounging these days. Well, I'll hit the gym and see if I can get a little more buff.

Happy Pi Day!

Today is Pi Day! (3.14)

Enjoy the silly holiday.

Sculpture or Architecture?

Although we live in Anytown USA, the fact that there is a University here means that interesting and cool things occassionally make their into town. This is one of them.



For my last architecture project I was designing a pavilion for Wiccans to use (don't ask). As part of it, I was researching ways to make my building more 'natural,' or how to bring the outdoors in. My studio professor pointed me to a local park, where last semester a visiting artist installed a large scale sculpture.


As you can see, this isn't just a sculpture, but a physical structure that you can walk through, in, and around. It is constructed by weaving cut reeds with existing trees and living reeds. The structure is actually quite solid and isn't going anywhere anytime soon. It is also intended to 'bloom' in the springtime when the trees start shooting off leaves and such. Its actually pretty cool.

The day I was out there it was close to dusk, and actually pretty cold. I'm hoping to go back out there in the spring, when the weather is more bearable, to see if the structure is actually blooming.

And I'm getting my degree in technology?

Well, I just finished my first class at SLAC. It all went fine, except for the fact that I taught without my notes or my powerpoint. Sigh. You see, I didn't make a backup for class today, since I was assured that my classroom had a computer hooked up to the projector. Thus, I didn't need to haul my laptop in. And, well, it did have a monitor and a projector. But for the life of me, I couldn't figure out where the "box" for the computer was, nor how to turn the damn thing on. I could clearly see the DVD player, a VHS player, and the monitor and keyboard. I could even see the laptop hook ups (but left the laptop in my office so I wouldn't have to haul it around as noted above). So, well, luckily, I've given and listened to the day 1 intro to basketweaving so many times that I didn't need my slides. But, I won't do this again for awhile. I'll make sure to print my slides from now on!

Oh, and the computer "box"? It was one of these. No wonder I didn't know it was the computer.

More later once I've driven home.

Minnesotans for global warming

By way of Adventurous Prof. A video you must watch.

Living liminally

I've lived much of my academic life in the last 6 years liminally*. I've been between worlds: not fully a student nor a teacher. I have worked for and with professors for so long that this not-being has become rather normal. Many students are TAs for a short while, grading for a class or doing some research. I've been doing this longer than most, and have had close relationships with those I teach for/with. I've been fortunate to work for/with multiple faculty members who haven't seen me as a TA. In their eyes, or so they tell me and our students, I am a co-teacher in the classroom. In many ways, I am their colleague. However, as much as they may see me as a colleague, and as much as I can feel like one, I also cannot forget that they assign me grades (in many cases), determine my teaching appointments, and decide if I get to graduate. It's this betwixt and between nature of living liminally that has become second nature to me.

On Tuesday, I went to SLAC (that small liberal arts teaching college I have a job teaching intro to basketweaving at) to get the tour, meet the faculty, and all the other minutia of getting organized before the semester begins. It felt very strange, and it wasn't until my drive home that I realized that my relationship with the faculty there was different. Simply put, I wasn't their student. They hired me as an adjunct instructor, not a TA. So I have adjunct rights and benefits (parking, gym pass, long distance calling pass, my own wood-walled office). It's a bit strange to realize that I've been living in this inbetween world for so long without quite realizing how inbetween it really is. And it's strange to realize that I am only a few years shy of leaving this liminal place of becoming a professor to actual be one. I've been becoming so long, I wonder what it will be like to get there?

*Liminal is defined as the state of being in a transition or inbetween place. I learned this term from CultureProf when she introduced us to the work of Turner. Adolesence is a state of liminality (not a child and not an adult) and in many cultures, there are rites or rituals to help guide people during these inbetween times. I found the idea of liminiality confusing back then, but it has made much more sense to me over the years as I've had time to contemplate it more thoroughly. Thanks CultureProf

Brrrrrrrrr

It was -22 when we woke up this morning.


-22

That is a completely unreasonable temperature. It's warmed up to -15, which is so much better. Sigh.

Happy New Year

Well, it's been a little quiet here on the blogfront. We spent a busy winter break getting Stuck on the East Coast while visiting family and friends. We have driven back East for the winter break two years now (because we're crazy like that). This year, we got to enjoy Christmas with our little niece 1900 and many of the family in New York. It was a balmy 60 degrees on the day after Christmas! After the deep freeze we had had here at Farm U for the end of the semester, it was a lovely change. I bet it was warmer than the Rose City even! Of course, we had our 7+ kinds of fish for Christmas Eve and Peter got to play with Transformers on Christmas Day with a family friend's son. He was pretty happy about that.

We headed up to City with a Famous Harbor after Christmas to see more family and friends. We got to connect with several people we hadn't seen in a year (or maybe more?) and I even got a bunch of lesson planning and syllabus prep done. Plus, we went to Trader Joe's. That place rocks. We definitely need to live in a town with a Trader Joe's in 100 miles next move.

We had one of the best New Year's Eves I've had in a long time with some of Peter's friends (well, I'd call them my friends by this point too, but they were PEter's first) at home. We played games, ate homemade chili (and I might have to have a chili-off with the cook), and drank too much. Luckily, we planned well and were able to spend the night in the spare bedroom. We all went out to a fancy breakfast (well, brunch really) and met up with even more people.

And then.... then the car broke. We were driving back to drop off our lovely hosts after breakfast when we heard a loud thunk. I thought some kid had thrown a hard snow ball at us, or maybe we had run over a rock. But, it turned out that the clutch broke. Yep. The clutch cable snapped. Luckily, we were driving about 20 mph on a quiet suburban street. Imagine this happening while we were going 80 in rural upstate NY. Or Ohio or something. Ugh.

So, we called The better world club (the gree alternative to AAA. Comes recommended by the Car Talk guys!). They were very helpful and called lots car repair places, but wouldn't find a single open one. Remember, this was New Year's Day. So, we had the car towed to our friends' repair shop, thinking that we'd go back on friday and talk with them then. Of course, our plan was to LEAVE the East Coast on Friday, but that clearly wasn't going to happen. All of the passengers in the car thought this was a workable plan and Peter waited for the tow truck, left eh car, and slipped the key in the drop box.

Friday morning. We call the car place. No answer. We wait an hour. No answer. We eventually drive over and deduce that they are closed. And the next day is a Saturday so they'll be closed through the weekend and OH CRAP. We really wanted to be home by this point.

So. We call the guy taking care of Miles and arrange for more visits. Then, we drive around, looking for an open car place. We find one! It's actually only a block or two away on the same street. So, we ask about the repair, explain that the car that is broken is parked in their competitor's lot down the street etc etc. They had the cable and agreed to put it in. Now, we had to figure out how to get a car without a clutch two blocks down the street. The car guy said, don't worry, we'll take care of it. So, we walked back to the car, he hopped in, started the car and drove it without the clutch the two blocks. Amazing.

That afternoon, they called to tell us that the car was ready. We packed that night, after a sushi dinner (!) and hit the road early Saturday morning.

Miles was happy to see us Sunday night.

So. We're back to Farm U, safe and sound. PEter and I started classes yesterday and I start teaching at SLAC (small liberal arts college) next week. I'm sure we'll both have updates about it all shortly.

I hope that you're all well and that 2009 is good to you.

First Semester Project

site plan, originally uploaded by pmauro2001.

I've gotten around to uploading the photos of my first ever architecture model. There are some of the specific buildings and several of the site plan model (like this one here).

The idea was a community garden, with greenhouses, classrooms, etc.

Overall, I was fairly happy with it, but there already things I wish I had done differently.

Annoyed

Things I hate right now:
1) temperatures in the negatives, with wind chills in the negative 20's;
2) research papers.

That's all, really.

My First Architecture Final Review

In architecture studio, you spend a whole semester developing a project, researching, drawings, writing, building models, etc. Then at the end of the semester, you stand in front of a jury (usually professors, but sometimes professional architects) and defend/discuss your project.

My first review was yesterday.

Here I am discussing my project, which was a community garden/greenhouse/neighborhood center.


In front on me is the model I built, of the community center, greenhouses, and garden spaces. Here's a closer look.


And here I am pointing something out on my small scale model (I did two models, one of the whole sit, one of just the buildings). The review panel is sitting there in front of me.

Overall, I thought my review went fairly well. There were some things brought up by the reviewers which I should have thought of/done, but overall I am pretty happy. I need to take some better pictures of my semester's worth of work, so I'll eventually get around to posting that stuff.