Monday, February 28, 2005
Micole Birthwatch 2005 (17 Days Left?)
We went to the OBGYN this morning and nothing new to report... But....Micole got very sick today. She didn't feel well last night or this morning when she woke up. After eating lunch, she vomited (I drew a picture of what it might have looked like below). I had to leave work to pick her up at school, because I had the car today. Normally, she drops me off at work and then picks me up in the evening. This morning because we went to the OBGYN, I dropped her off at school and then went to work.
She thinks she just has a bug, but three of her co-workers claim that on the days when they went into labor, that they woke up in the morning sick. They all thought they just had a bug, but that later in the evening they went into labor. We'll just have to wait and see. I'm hoping for at least another week before delivery, because alot of my important tasks at work come at the beginning of the month. After the first week of the month it's easier to get away from work.
She thinks she just has a bug, but three of her co-workers claim that on the days when they went into labor, that they woke up in the morning sick. They all thought they just had a bug, but that later in the evening they went into labor. We'll just have to wait and see. I'm hoping for at least another week before delivery, because alot of my important tasks at work come at the beginning of the month. After the first week of the month it's easier to get away from work.
Sunday, February 27, 2005
18 days
Nothing much to report this weekend. Micole's was able to get plenty of sleep on Saturday, but didn't sleep real well on Saturday night/Sunday morning. She's reported some cramping and some of her friends have told her that she seems to be carrying the baby a little lower. I can't tell any difference. I'm hoping the baby shows up about a week or so early, but not too early, because I'm hoping to take some time off and be able to watch some of the NCAA tournament. Micole's definitely ready.
Yesterday we moved a lot of the baby stuff into the nursery. The living room is less of a mess. A couple of Micole's friends are coming up next weekend to paint farm animals on the wall and put up the border. The border and bedding themes are farm animals. It should look really good.
Here's a shout out to Uncle Joey and Aunt Donna for the scanner they gave us. We really appreciate it. I haven't set it up yet, but I will do so soon.
We go to the OBGYN tomorrow, so we may have more news to report tomorrow.
If you're new to the website or you haven't visited in awhile then check out the archives. After about 7 days or so, posts start falling off of the page, but you can still see them in the archives. If you have any requests for anything you would like to see here just leave some comments and we do the best we can to accomodate your request. Till later.
Yesterday we moved a lot of the baby stuff into the nursery. The living room is less of a mess. A couple of Micole's friends are coming up next weekend to paint farm animals on the wall and put up the border. The border and bedding themes are farm animals. It should look really good.
Here's a shout out to Uncle Joey and Aunt Donna for the scanner they gave us. We really appreciate it. I haven't set it up yet, but I will do so soon.
We go to the OBGYN tomorrow, so we may have more news to report tomorrow.
If you're new to the website or you haven't visited in awhile then check out the archives. After about 7 days or so, posts start falling off of the page, but you can still see them in the archives. If you have any requests for anything you would like to see here just leave some comments and we do the best we can to accomodate your request. Till later.
Friday, February 25, 2005
20
The whole "Micole is uncomfortable" thing has become a cliche, but it remains true today. She wasn't able to sleep much last night. I slept fine. No snoring. Sorry Micole.
Tomorrow we'll be able to start moving baby stuff into the nursery. I still have to pick up the paper and plastic that I threw down for painting. We still have our mattress and box spring in the living room. We have to find a way to get them down to Grandma Stella's new house, because we don't have anywhere to put them. We don't know anyone with a truck big enough to carry a queen size mattress and box spring.
But, we do have a plan. We're thinking about going to a used car dealership. Then ask to test drive a big truck. Next we'll tell them that we're going to take it to our "mechanic" to get it checked out. So we might be gone for an hour or two. Then head home, load it up with the mattress and box spring, head to Grandma Stella's, unload it, then return and tell the salesman we're not interested, after putting about 80-90 miles on it.
I don't think we can do it. I don't know how to properly lie anymore. Sometime during the last 10-15 years, I grew up and became responsible. I'd feel too guilty. Of course Micole couldn't do it, because she would be laughing uncontrollably the whole time (and you know how Micole gets) and she would probably pee all over the truck. So if anyone else is willing to execute our deceptive plan, let us know. We'd appreciate your help. Of course if you've got a truck that we can borrow that would be good, too.
Tomorrow we'll be able to start moving baby stuff into the nursery. I still have to pick up the paper and plastic that I threw down for painting. We still have our mattress and box spring in the living room. We have to find a way to get them down to Grandma Stella's new house, because we don't have anywhere to put them. We don't know anyone with a truck big enough to carry a queen size mattress and box spring.
But, we do have a plan. We're thinking about going to a used car dealership. Then ask to test drive a big truck. Next we'll tell them that we're going to take it to our "mechanic" to get it checked out. So we might be gone for an hour or two. Then head home, load it up with the mattress and box spring, head to Grandma Stella's, unload it, then return and tell the salesman we're not interested, after putting about 80-90 miles on it.
I don't think we can do it. I don't know how to properly lie anymore. Sometime during the last 10-15 years, I grew up and became responsible. I'd feel too guilty. Of course Micole couldn't do it, because she would be laughing uncontrollably the whole time (and you know how Micole gets) and she would probably pee all over the truck. So if anyone else is willing to execute our deceptive plan, let us know. We'd appreciate your help. Of course if you've got a truck that we can borrow that would be good, too.
Thursday, February 24, 2005
3 Weeks: Pregnant and Uncomfortable, Part Deux
Micole could not sleep at all last night. She was crying this morning, because her school was only on a one hour delay. She was really wishing for that snow day. I felt bad for her. On the positive side, I was able to sleep fine without all of her snoring.
I touched up the nursery today and it looks a lot better. We'll be able to move a lot of the baby stuff out of our living room this weekend. If we don't have claustrophobia now, we're never going to get it.
Good News/Bad News/Good News: We went to the oncologist today and my mom has no new cancers. It's only in the esophagus and liver. Which is a HUGE relief. The bad news: the cancer in the liver is in the words of her doctor "impressive". So there will be no clinical trial; she will start chemotherapy on Tuesday. It would take several weeks to get into a trial and the doctor felt that treatment needed to start sooner. She won't being going anywhere, which means she will be here for the birth of Baby Johnson!
I touched up the nursery today and it looks a lot better. We'll be able to move a lot of the baby stuff out of our living room this weekend. If we don't have claustrophobia now, we're never going to get it.
Good News/Bad News/Good News: We went to the oncologist today and my mom has no new cancers. It's only in the esophagus and liver. Which is a HUGE relief. The bad news: the cancer in the liver is in the words of her doctor "impressive". So there will be no clinical trial; she will start chemotherapy on Tuesday. It would take several weeks to get into a trial and the doctor felt that treatment needed to start sooner. She won't being going anywhere, which means she will be here for the birth of Baby Johnson!
Wednesday, February 23, 2005
Pregnant and Uncomfortable: 22 Days Left
Micole's back has been bothering her. She realizes that if she wants to be anywhere at a certain time, that she has to leave 5 minutes earlier than she's used to because it takes her that much longer to waddle to the car.
She had a wicked case of the giggles tonight when we were at Meijer. Anyone who knows her, knows that once she gets on laughing trip it's hard for her to stop. She didn't even know what was so funny. Basically, I made her laugh so hard that she almost had to pee herself. Which the fact that she almost peed herself made it even more funny to her, so that she was laughing even harder. So she said "We'll tell them that my water broke". I said "Cleanup on aisle 5." Which of course led to more laughing on her part. Then I said, "But they'll say it smells like urine." Even more laughing. I honestly don't know how she was able to hold back the flow. This whole episode lasted for about 10 minutes.
She had a wicked case of the giggles tonight when we were at Meijer. Anyone who knows her, knows that once she gets on laughing trip it's hard for her to stop. She didn't even know what was so funny. Basically, I made her laugh so hard that she almost had to pee herself. Which the fact that she almost peed herself made it even more funny to her, so that she was laughing even harder. So she said "We'll tell them that my water broke". I said "Cleanup on aisle 5." Which of course led to more laughing on her part. Then I said, "But they'll say it smells like urine." Even more laughing. I honestly don't know how she was able to hold back the flow. This whole episode lasted for about 10 minutes.
Tuesday, February 22, 2005
23 Days
Micole was off today. She cleaned the house, but there's just so much baby stuff all over the place. The house is still a mess. There's just no place to put all of it until I finish touching up the nursery on Friday.
Micole has trouble getting comfortable. Heard in the car: "This is going to be the longest part of my pregnancy." She keeps hoping that maybe she will go early.
We think the baby had the hiccups last night. He/she is still very active.
I had some more baby pictures to post, but my mom's scanner isn't working any more. It was fine up until yesterday. So Aunt Kelly doesn't get to see the picture of me with the yellow beret and I have no idea what she means about a picture of me in a snazzy outfit.
Micole has trouble getting comfortable. Heard in the car: "This is going to be the longest part of my pregnancy." She keeps hoping that maybe she will go early.
We think the baby had the hiccups last night. He/she is still very active.
I had some more baby pictures to post, but my mom's scanner isn't working any more. It was fine up until yesterday. So Aunt Kelly doesn't get to see the picture of me with the yellow beret and I have no idea what she means about a picture of me in a snazzy outfit.
Monday, February 21, 2005
24 more days
We posted a few pictures from yesterday's baby shower below. We have to thank everyone for all of the great gifts. You are so generous; our cups runneth over. We are truly blessed to have great friends and family.
Micole had a doctor's appointment this morning. According to the doctor, "The baby is content and nothing is happening." Translation: Baby likes his/her current accomodations and isn't ready to find a new lodgings. Micole was hoping the baby was getting ready. A few weeks early wouldn't be a bad thing according to Micole.
I may have been having sympathy pains yesterday. After eating lunch, I felt bloated and like I could barely breathe when doing simple activities. Or I'm just out of shape. My back hurts today, but that's from having to lean down to paint.
The paint job in the nursery definitely needs some touching up in a few places. I will be doing that on Thursday afternoon, which can't come soon enough. We have to get that room done so we can start moving some of the baby gifts into the room. The house is a mess.
I took Grandma Barb to the hospital twice today for tests. These new tests are to find out if the cancer has spread anywhere else in her body, so that the doctors can determine her eligibility for clinical trials. I've spent a lot of time researching clinical trials over the last week. I've learned a lot. I can tell you the difference between squamous cell cancer and adenocarcinoma, what the Karnofsky scale is, the definition of metastases, and what EGFR is and why it is important in esophageal cancer. I am confident she's a good candidate for most if not all of the applicable trials. If they find a trial for her, it will be difficult for us, because it is likely she'll have to travel to MD Anderson in Houston or Memorial Sloan Kettering in New York or elsewhere, and thus my parents will miss the birth of their first grandchild. So we will be sad, but we will be much more sad if they can't find her a trial.
Micole had a doctor's appointment this morning. According to the doctor, "The baby is content and nothing is happening." Translation: Baby likes his/her current accomodations and isn't ready to find a new lodgings. Micole was hoping the baby was getting ready. A few weeks early wouldn't be a bad thing according to Micole.
I may have been having sympathy pains yesterday. After eating lunch, I felt bloated and like I could barely breathe when doing simple activities. Or I'm just out of shape. My back hurts today, but that's from having to lean down to paint.
The paint job in the nursery definitely needs some touching up in a few places. I will be doing that on Thursday afternoon, which can't come soon enough. We have to get that room done so we can start moving some of the baby gifts into the room. The house is a mess.
I took Grandma Barb to the hospital twice today for tests. These new tests are to find out if the cancer has spread anywhere else in her body, so that the doctors can determine her eligibility for clinical trials. I've spent a lot of time researching clinical trials over the last week. I've learned a lot. I can tell you the difference between squamous cell cancer and adenocarcinoma, what the Karnofsky scale is, the definition of metastases, and what EGFR is and why it is important in esophageal cancer. I am confident she's a good candidate for most if not all of the applicable trials. If they find a trial for her, it will be difficult for us, because it is likely she'll have to travel to MD Anderson in Houston or Memorial Sloan Kettering in New York or elsewhere, and thus my parents will miss the birth of their first grandchild. So we will be sad, but we will be much more sad if they can't find her a trial.
Sunday, February 20, 2005
Day 25
I put an audio message on the post below. When Micole goes into labor, I will be able to call in and leave messages on the website with information on how everything is going. I'm hoping that I will be able to use my laptop from the hospital and post pictures of the baby after it is born. To use these you audio posts you may have to install windows media player or realplayer.
Micole had her shower today. She seems happy and tells me that I have a lot of things to put together. Oh boy fun!
Grandpa Tom and I painted the nursery this afternoon. Can't say if it's good or not. The yellow is kind of pale and the room is somewhat dark. It's hard to see in there. We may need to do some touching up. Can't wait to get it all finished with the border.
Micole had her shower today. She seems happy and tells me that I have a lot of things to put together. Oh boy fun!
Grandpa Tom and I painted the nursery this afternoon. Can't say if it's good or not. The yellow is kind of pale and the room is somewhat dark. It's hard to see in there. We may need to do some touching up. Can't wait to get it all finished with the border.
Saturday, February 19, 2005
Day 26
My mom suggested putting some baby pictures of us onto the blog. So you will see 2 baby pictures each of Mom-to-be and Dad-to-be below.
Micole says the baby is very active and she can't wait for him/her to drop so she can breathe again. Micole complains that the baby is sitting right on her bladder and she has to pee every hour. Even so, Micole for the most part has enjoyed pregnancy. Heard from Micole at Grandma Barb's and Grandpa Tom's house:
Micole says the baby is very active and she can't wait for him/her to drop so she can breathe again. Micole complains that the baby is sitting right on her bladder and she has to pee every hour. Even so, Micole for the most part has enjoyed pregnancy. Heard from Micole at Grandma Barb's and Grandpa Tom's house:
"(Being pregnant) is much better than I thought it would be."
I say except for all of Micole's snoring it has been a pretty good time.
Friday, February 18, 2005
27 Days
Nothing new to report. I will be working on removing the rest of the items from the soon to be nursery tomorrow, so that it can be painted on Sunday while Micole is at her baby shower.
Thursday, February 17, 2005
28 Days till March 17th.
My best man, fraternity brother, former roommate and all around great human being, Paul "Z" Zlatniski, has an interesting baby name suggestion: George Strait Johnson. I guess we could nickname him "The Fireman".
Heard around the halls of Collins Elementary from a second grade student: "Hey Mrs. Johnson! How's that baby coming along?"
Aunt Kelly arrived in town today for Sunday's baby shower. We're all anxiously awaiting the arrival of Baby Johnson. Kelly says"As long as it doesn't arrive before Sunday's shower".
On a sad note, today was a very tough day for the entire family. For those who don't know, my mom and soon-to-be first-time grandmother, Barbara Johnson, has been diagnosed with esophageal cancer which has spread to her liver. Today she met with an oncologist and learned that this form of cancer is currently incurable. She has made the tough and courageous choice to forgo traditional chemotherapy in order to find a suitable clinical trial in the hope of finding a cure. If you read this please say a prayer for Barbara. Thank you for your support.
If you want to make a difference in the fight against cancer, then consider making a donation to the American Cancer Society. You can donate by clicking on the following link: http://www.cancer.org/docroot/DON/DON_0.asp
Heard around the halls of Collins Elementary from a second grade student: "Hey Mrs. Johnson! How's that baby coming along?"
Aunt Kelly arrived in town today for Sunday's baby shower. We're all anxiously awaiting the arrival of Baby Johnson. Kelly says"As long as it doesn't arrive before Sunday's shower".
On a sad note, today was a very tough day for the entire family. For those who don't know, my mom and soon-to-be first-time grandmother, Barbara Johnson, has been diagnosed with esophageal cancer which has spread to her liver. Today she met with an oncologist and learned that this form of cancer is currently incurable. She has made the tough and courageous choice to forgo traditional chemotherapy in order to find a suitable clinical trial in the hope of finding a cure. If you read this please say a prayer for Barbara. Thank you for your support.
If you want to make a difference in the fight against cancer, then consider making a donation to the American Cancer Society. You can donate by clicking on the following link: http://www.cancer.org/docroot/DON/DON_0.asp
Wednesday, February 16, 2005
29 Days and counting...
The baby has been very active causing lots of heartburn for mom. Heard around the house "I think it's butt is up in my chest."
Tuesday, February 15, 2005
Baby Names
Well, we don't know if it's a boy or a girl. You can blame Micole for that, but we do have some great names picked out!
If it's a boy: Cooper Douglas. On this there is no debate.
If it's a girl: either Molly Elaine or Madison Elaine. We don't know yet. We'll just have to wait and see what she looks like. Molly? Madison?
Some information about the origins of these names:
Cooper is English for "Barrel maker". Cooper is the last name of a dear departed family friend.
Douglas is Celtic/Gaelic for "Flowing from the dark river". My uncle Doug was killed in an accident before I was born. My parents named me Marty after his middle name.
Molly is Hebrew for "Bitter". We both really like this name.
Elaine is French for "Light". Even though Elaine is French and I can't stand the French, we picked this name to honor a good friend who had to leave the party much too early.
Madison is English for "Son of Matthew". Matthew is Hebrew for "God's Gift". So technically Madison means "the Son of God's Gift". We both like this name. It's also special because Micole's sister wanted this name for her baby girl, but since she's had the luck of having three beautiful boys, she offered it to us.
For our next child who knows, maybe we will auction off the naming rights to the highest bidder on Ebay or to a multinational corporation. Exxon Johnson or Verizon Johnson or Starbucks Johnson doesn't sound half bad for a few million dollars. If we had twins they could be Procter & Gamble Johnson.
If it's a boy: Cooper Douglas. On this there is no debate.
If it's a girl: either Molly Elaine or Madison Elaine. We don't know yet. We'll just have to wait and see what she looks like. Molly? Madison?
Some information about the origins of these names:
Cooper is English for "Barrel maker". Cooper is the last name of a dear departed family friend.
Douglas is Celtic/Gaelic for "Flowing from the dark river". My uncle Doug was killed in an accident before I was born. My parents named me Marty after his middle name.
Molly is Hebrew for "Bitter". We both really like this name.
Elaine is French for "Light". Even though Elaine is French and I can't stand the French, we picked this name to honor a good friend who had to leave the party much too early.
Madison is English for "Son of Matthew". Matthew is Hebrew for "God's Gift". So technically Madison means "the Son of God's Gift". We both like this name. It's also special because Micole's sister wanted this name for her baby girl, but since she's had the luck of having three beautiful boys, she offered it to us.
For our next child who knows, maybe we will auction off the naming rights to the highest bidder on Ebay or to a multinational corporation. Exxon Johnson or Verizon Johnson or Starbucks Johnson doesn't sound half bad for a few million dollars. If we had twins they could be Procter & Gamble Johnson.
Just 30 more days! (Micole says hopefully not any more than that...)
We're heading into the final homestretch. March 17th is in sight. Not much longer and we will get to meet our new baby. So many things are happening. I will be painting the nursery this weekend. Micole has a baby shower on Sunday. We've already received many great gifts from our friends. Everybody has been so generous and supportive. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
First Post: 2/15/05
Hey, this is the first post at The Johnson Baby blog. Just a test. Testing123...Testing.
Thanks for visiting. We'll have more up soon.
Thanks for visiting. We'll have more up soon.
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