Going To California

Led Zeppelin -- Going to California, from the Earls Court concert.

Am headed over the hill to Jen's and tomorrow we are going to California for her baby shower. Should be back early next week. Don't trash the place while I'm gone...

Gold To Pink Chinese Cabbage

The pictures are from Wednesday's sunset, the only day with sunshine this week (until today), and were taken shortly before and after the sunset. So far, the sunshine has been a rare sight -- today is only the 3rd day in the past two weeks where that yellow thingie has been in the sky.

From Jen's email with Baby Julianna's size descriptor for week 28:

By this week, your baby weighs two and a quarter pounds (like a Chinese cabbage) and measures 14.8 inches from the top of her head to her heels. She can blink her eyes, which now sport lashes. With her eyesight developing, she may be able to see the light that filters in through your womb. She's also developing billions of neurons in her brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world.

Jen, her sister-in-law Stacy, and I will be driving down to CA next week for Jen's baby shower on Saturday the 29th. Since the majority of Jen's family and friends are in the SF Bay Area, it is easier for us to drive down there than have them all have to make that 12 to 14 hour each way drive or fly up here. Stephanie is flying out from Colorado for the shower -- I am looking forward to being with both my girls at the same time (a rare treat).

We will be taking Mike's truck (which has a covered bed) so that we can bring the gifts back up here. I'll head over to Jen's Wednesday and spend the night so that we can leave bright and early Thursday morning. We should be back either Sunday or Monday - with me returning home to Netarts Bay Tuesday at the latest. So far, the weather appears to be cooperating for our travels with no snow or ice forecast for our travels through the mountains in southern Oregon and northern California.

Token and I met with the owner of Canine Garden Resort (a local kennel on the road to Tillamook) on Wednesday. Token will be staying there while I am gone and I am confident that he will be spoiled rotten while hanging out inside the house with Marie, the owner -- she's partial to small dogs and he's partial to people so its a good match. Bailey cat is self-sufficient, coming and going through the cat flap in the kitchen door for food etc., but Token needs to be with people, especially at night.

Cauliflower Sunset

It has been gray, wet, and windy here but I was treated to a wee bit of color at sunset on Monday. That is the picture up top.

From Jen's email with Baby Julianna's size descriptor for week 27:

This week, your baby weighs almost 2 pounds (like a head of cauliflower) and is about 14 1/2 inches long with her legs extended. She's sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing her eyes, and perhaps even sucking her fingers. With more brain tissue developing, your baby's brain is very active now. While her lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with a lot of medical help — if she were born now. Chalk up any tiny rhythmic movements you may be feeling to a case of baby hiccups, which may be common from now on. Each episode usually lasts only a few moments, and they don't bother her, so just relax and enjoy the tickle.

Jen was diagnosed with gestational diabetes yesterday. She has a meeting with both a dietitian and a gestational diabetes specialist on Tuesday and we will know more after that. She has had a very difficult pregnancy and I hope that the undiagnosed diabetes was the cause. I pray that her diabetes is easily controlled and that once controlled, the rest of her pregnancy goes much easier for her. Will know more after next week's appointments.

Cucumber Sunset

No real sun today (as evidenced by the lack of ability to clearly see the spit on the other side of the bay) but I was treated to some high clouds reflecting the sunset. Both were taken after sunset and show the color that I wudda had if it wasn't for the low clouds amassed on the other side of the spit.

From Jen's email with Baby Julianna's size descriptor for week 26:

The network of nerves in your baby's ears is better developed and more sensitive than before. He may now be able to hear both your voice and your partner's as you chat with each other. He's inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid, which is essential for the development of his lungs. These so-called breathing movements are also good practice for when he's born and takes that first gulp of air. And he's continuing to put on baby fat. He now weighs about a pound and two-thirds and measures 14 inches (an English hothouse cucumber) from head to heel. If you're having a boy, his testicles are beginning to descend into his scrotum — a trip that will take two to three days.

Two

Two days of sunshine! In a row! Still forking cold outside tho -- high today was in the high 40's and it is already down to the mid-30's and the temperature is still falling.

It is a very weak sun with little to no warmth but it sure is pretty after all the grey. Pictures are from just before, during, and after today's sunset.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year, everyone. May your best day of 2010 be the worst day you have in 2011.

Thank you to each of you for stopping by this wee little blog.